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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Iconic ‘secret' UK cinema famed for showing cult movies & loved by Hollywood stars ‘fighting for survival'
The Prince Charles is a favourite of Quentin Tarantino and Christopher Nolan Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TUCKED away down an unassuming side street in London's famous West End is a "secret" cinema beloved by Hollywood art brats. The Prince Charles Cinema opened 60 years ago as a regular theatre and then briefly a "film house of ill repute" where it showed soft porn. 8 The Prince Charles Cinema is nestled away down a side street off Leicester Square Credit: Getty 8 The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square during its construction in December 1962 Credit: Alamy 8 Cinema landlord Asif Aziz Credit: PA:Press Association As time went on, the cinema - just around the corner from bustling Chinatown and towering ODEON multiplex - became famous for showing cult and hard-to-find movies. In the 1980s it specialised in controversial horror flicks like The Evil Dead and even hosted the world premier of Hellraiser in 1987. In 1991 it largely became a repertory cinema, specialising largely in older classics and second-runs of films a few years after general release. It also regularly hosts sing-a-long versions of The Sound of Music and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Read more news LAST CURTAIN Iconic 60-year-old UK cinema praised by Tarantino threatened with closure The Prince Charles has just two auditoriums, with capacity for around 400 people, and prides itself on being a time capsule of movie theatres from the past - before the multiplex invasion. Hollywood A-list praise Directors such as Paul Thomas Anderson and John Waters have praised the venue - with Quentin Tarantino, a major champion of edgy B-movies and grind house, calling it 'everything an independent movie theatre should be". However, with the lease up in less than three months, its billionaire landlord Asif Aziz - dubbed "Mr West End" - has reportedly demanded double the rent, throwing its future into doubt. Cinema managing director Ben Freedman told The Sun talks about the venue's future appeared to breakdown earlier this year. He said: "We don't want to fight, to run a campaign. We want to run a cinema." And for Mr Freedman and his staff they have unwittingly become the face of a fight for the soul of the West End itself. John Travolta, 70, and Uma Thurman, 53, look radiant as they reunite for Pulp Fiction's 30th anniversary screening in LA The 64-year-old told The Sun that the area - fame as a glitzy arts hub - has been "hollowed out" as creatives are forced to go elsewhere in the city due to developers. Hotel tycoon Mr Aziz is one of the biggest landowners in Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, as well as being a philanthropist - his foundation funds community work, arts, culture and research. But he's not popular at Prince Charles Cinema. The bosses at the Leicester Square venue allege the rent increase is an attempt to get them out once their lease ends in September 2025, in order to shut the cinema and redevelop the property as a hotel. And it seems that all of London - and all of Hollywood - has rallied to its defence. Heartthrob Paul Mescal - who recently starred in blockbuster Gladiator 2 - called the potential closure "incredibly disheartening" and told GQ: "It's imperative that this cultural institution does not close its doors." Christopher Nolan - the genius director behind Inception and Interstellar - proclaimed: "Film culture in Great Britain is unthinkable without the Prince Charles." Westminster Council recently made the cinema an asset of community value, calling it a "cultural landmark that brings so much life, character, and cinematic adventure to the West End". 8 Hollywood director Quentin Tarantino is among a host of A-listers to have praised the independent cinema Credit: Getty 8 British director - famous for the Dark Knight trilogy and Dunkirk - is also a fan of the Prince Charles Credit: Getty 8 Gladiator 2 star Paul Mescal has also praised the cinema Credit: Alamy Mr Freedman told us: "It goes back a couple of years when we first started talking about renewing our lease. In the first couple of meetings it was relatively friendly. "Early last year it got to a point where they were trying to raise our rent. We had reports from surveyors and reports on the market rates and said what we thought the rent should be. "But they wanted double. That was the beginning of this. "Then there were talks about redeveloping the building. We put out the petition and got this incredible wave of support from our audiences. "We saw this coming and put money aside a few years ago for this fight. "But this isn't what we want to be doing. We don't want to fight, to run a campaign. We want to run a cinema." He added: "Hotels are nice, but in the West End? What if it all turned into hotels? "I've worked in Soho for 40 years. It's a community. It's an area that is unique - there isn't anywhere like it in the world. Not LA, not New York, nowhere. "It is a place for creatives, for cinema, for the film industry - but everyone is moving out to different places across the city now. It's been hollowed out. "The things that people used to come to the West End for are no longer here." Hell of a fight He said that central London seems to just be for tourists now. But instead of giving into the weight of the ultra-wealthy landlord, the small cinema is determined to put up a hell of a fight. And the film lovers of London have come out in full force to support it. Mr Freedman said: "We have been very very busy recently. From people who haven't come here in a while to people who have never been. "It is not a sense of sadness here, but more of standing up for ourselves. We want to stay in the West End. We want to continue to bring films to our audiences." We have bent over backwards to try to negotiate with him. He doesn't seem to want to talk to us, he ignores us, then goes and makes out that he's the aggrieved one. It's frustrating. Ben Needham Referring to Mr Aziz, he added: "The spirit of our relationship…I have not enjoyed it. "We have bent over backwards to try to negotiate with him. He doesn't seem to want to talk to us, he ignores us, then goes and makes out that he's the aggrieved one. It's frustrating. "It's a consistent pattern here, we are not alone. And that is unfortunate. "The support we have had has been wonderful. Our ticket-buying public have put their money where their mouth is." Just 20 minutes down the road, the world's first YMCA club is fighting the same battle - against the same mega-rich businessman. In February, members of Central YMCA exchanged heartbroken hugs as it closed its doors for the last time. The huge 116,000 sq ft building on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, near the British Museum, was sold to Aziz's company Criterion Capital in December. The YMCA club had 3,600 members and saw 10,000 people use it regularly and they fought to keep it open, even submitting a failed High Court injunction application. Criterion has a luxury Zedwell hotel next door and the club members fear their community hub will be incorporated into the building. David Bieda, who is in his 60s, used the YMCA three times a week. He told The Sun what is happening with the YMCA and the Prince Charles is just the start of a wider problem in the city. "What if this happened to every single community space in England?" he said. "There need to be protections. It's happening all over the place. "If the whole thing was demolished and turned into hotels then it would be far more profitable. But what happens to the community? "It will have a big impact on those who use it. For the YMCA, people in their sixties like me go there a lot - it has arts, sports, pottery…all in one building. That is very unusual. I go to three classes a week there. "We've all written to Asif Aziz. We've had no response. He's been trying to get this space for ages. It's happening all over the place." The Sun has approached Mr Aziz for comment. 8 People queue for the first showing of Caligula at the Prince Charles in 1980 Credit: Alamy
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
These terrifying horror movies are perfect for Friday the 13th — don't watch them alone
Check your calendar if you're experiencing an odd sense of gloom this month; Friday the 13th is here. While some choose to hide indoors, others just laugh it off. However, fear of this day is based on myth, history, and some genuinely strange facts, and it's not just bad luck. People have held superstitions regarding this date since the Middle Ages. Friday and the number 13 can trigger phobias because of their long-standing negative associations. No day is better than today to watch a scary movie. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Learn More Undo The creeps are out in full force on this Friday the 13th. This is the greatest day to watch a scary movie and get genuinely spooked outside of Halloween. While most people think of Jason Voorhees, there are numerous films set on or around the famously unlucky day. These picks are eerie, unexpected, and ideal for streaming this week. Live Events ALSO READ: F riday the 13th curse? Why this infamous day still terrifies millions across the globe Here are top 13 terrifying horror movies that are perfect for Friday the 13th: Halloween (1978): A classic slasher film about Michael Myers stalking babysitters on Halloween night in Haddonfield. John Carpenter's iconic score heightens the tension and fear throughout the night. The Evil Dead (1981): During a weekend getaway at a remote cabin, a group of college students unintentionally unleash a demonic entity, resulting in a night of terror. Sam Raimi's film is both terrifying and creatively groundbreaking. Night of the Living Dead (1968): A group of strangers seek refuge in a farmhouse during a zombie apocalypse, establishing the modern zombie genre. George A. Romero's film is bold and influential, with themes that still resonate today. The Strangers (2008): A couple's vacation becomes a nightmare when three masked intruders break into their secluded home. The film uses psychological and physical torment to explore the fear of home invasion. Freaky: A magical weapon is activated when Millie, a shy teenager, meets the Blissfield Butcher, resulting in a body-swapping nightmare. This movie creates a distinctive horror-comedy experience by fusing slasher elements with poignant teen themes. Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives: Tommy Jarvis goes back to Crystal Lake to demolish Jason Voorhees' remains, but the murderer is brought back to life by an unusual lightning strike. The traditional slasher formula is given humor and self-referential elements in this installment. The Hound of Baskervilles (1959): In this gothic mystery, Sherlock Holmes and Watson look into a murder connected to a ghostly hound. Peter Cushing gives an outstanding performance, and the film, which is set in a dark manor, perfectly evokes the spooky atmosphere of the original book. My Bloody Valentine (1981): A string of vicious killings results from the resurgence of the Harry Warden legend as Valentine's Bluffs gets ready for its first dance in 20 years. This cult classic culminates in a Valentine's Day massacre and blends romance-themed horror with slasher thrills. Saturday the 14th: A humorous take on horror clichés, an all-American family inherits a haunted house full of monsters. This humorous spoof, which was produced by Roger Corman, explores Friday the 13th superstitions in a lighthearted manner. The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016): While performing an autopsy on a mysterious body, a father-son coroner team discovers disturbing secrets. Slow-burning reveal scenes help to create a claustrophobic and eerie atmosphere in the film. Dog Soldiers (2002): During a military training exercise in the Scottish Highlands, soldiers are pursued by a pack of werewolves. This action-horror film combines thrilling survival elements and gory creature features. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) : Two fugitive brothers' gritty crime thriller takes a bloody turn when they seek refuge in a Mexican bar, only to face a vampire attack. This genre-bending film provides a wild and entertaining experience from sunset to sunrise. FAQs Are all of these films actually set on Friday the 13th? Not all, some also revolve around the date, adding creepy vibes or referencing it in key scenes. Is there a funny option for young viewers or scaredy-cats? Yes! Saturday the 14th is a lighthearted spoof ideal for a family-friendly horror night.
India.com
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
7 Best Spine-Chilling Horror Movie To Must-Watch THIS Friday The 13th
photoDetails english 2915557 Updated:Jun 13, 2025, 06:50 PM IST Vacancy - Prime Video 1 / 7 Vacany is an American Horror film, It stars Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson as a married couple. Amy and David are close to ending their marriage, and share one final journey, the pair break down and check into a hotel, one which hides a very bleak secret. The Evil Dead - Prime Video 2 / 7 The Purge: Anarchy - Prime Video 3 / 7 Green Room - Prime Video 4 / 7 The Strangers - Prime Videos 5 / 7 The Autopsy Of Jane Doe - Prime Video 6 / 7 You're Next - Prime Video 7 / 7
