London's hot spots for film screenings

Watching your favourite classic movie is the one of the best ways to spend your time. Curling up on your couch with a blanket, some snacks and a flick you could never get sick of is one of the easiest ways to destress.

However, watching movies on the big screen is also fun in its own way. The characters and their stories seem larger than life. Laughing along and biting your nails in anticipation with the rest of the audience makes watching the movie more enjoyable.

Some film places in London have combined the best of both worlds. On certain nights or times of the year, you can watch your old favourites on the big screen. Here are some of the places best known for it, and who have also done special screenings in the past.

Western Film

Room 340, University Community Centre Building, Western University

westernusc.ca/westernfilm

The on-campus second run theatre at Western University is best known for showing blockbusters after they leave most mainstream theatres for student-friendly prices.

They are also known for their Midnight Cult films. Every Friday, they will show a fan favourite on the big screen at midnight. If you dress up in costume, you can get in for free. Unfortunately, the Midnight Cult Films usually go on hiatus during the summer, but they will return in September.

In the meantime, you can see Monty Python the Holy Grail on March 18 and The Room on April 1 at 12 a.m.

The theatre also has other special screenings.

They will show American Sharia, a film by Canadian Lebanese artist known on Instagram as Jdoodleme, also known as Wajeha Chams, and Hayala Entertainment founder Omar Regan followed by a Q&A. The film starts at 7 p.m. on March 13. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, with free admission for kids five and under.

EnviroWestern will also screen Watermark at Western Film as part of World Water Week. The screening begins at 7 p.m. on March 20.

Palace Theatre

710 Dundas Street

palacetheatre.ca

The volunteer-run theatre house is known for their plays throughout the year. However, the facility used to be a film house, and they still screen movies from time to time. They ran Monty Python and the Holy Grail on Feb. 20 with the Oxford Renaissance Festival. The Palace Theatre also screened Fixed at as part of the Tangled Arts Festival.

Their next film screening will be The Princess Bride on March 12 at 7 p.m. Guests are encouraged to attend in either a medieval or pirate costume and enjoy trivia and prizes. Tickets are $10 each and some of the proceeds will help cover the cost of a wall replacement in Palace Theatre.

Hyland Cinema

240 Wharncliffe Road South

hylandcinema.com

Hyland Cinema is known for showing many unique and critically acclaimed films. Les Êtres Chers (Death of our Loved Ones) will play at the theatre on March 20 at 1 p.m. Director Anne Êmond presents the life of a family who lost the patriarch to suicide during the three decades after he died.

The theatre also has RetroMania, where they will play classic hits. Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark will be shown for their March RetroMania on March 18 for $12.

A French version of Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip without English subtitles will be also be shown March 18 at 12:45 p.m. for $5.

Finding Freedom in the Forest City is a documentary produced by Moasic Mind Pictures filmmaker Mark Drewe, Justine Turner and the City of London. London’s black history will be explored March 26 at 12 p.m. Although admission is free, donations will be accepted.

Director Rob McCallum will present his documentary Missing Mom on May 7 at 10 a.m. In the film, he and his brother search for their mom who has been missing for over 25 years. Tickets are $10.

London Public Library

Various branch locations

londonpubliclibrary.ca

The library offers more than just books. There are also a variety of film screenings scattered across the calendar around the Forest City.

There will be the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour on March 22, at the Wolf Performance Hall at the Central Library. It’s sold out, but there are still other ways you can check out unique cinema.

As part of National Canadian Film Day on April 20, the East London Meeting Room, Wolf Performance Hall and Byron Auditorium will screen multiple showings of CanCon. Some Polish films will also be showcased from April 7 to 25 at the Wolf Performance Hall.

Rainbow Cinema

355 Wellington Street

rainbowcinemas.ca

The theatre best known amongst Fanshawe students as the place where you head down to First Run Films has also shown special screenings. In 2015, they had a Mean Girls screening for Pride London, a Scott Pilgrim vs. the World event in anticipation for writer Brian Lee O’Malley’s appearance at Forest City Comic Con and a Rocky Horror Picture Show screening around Halloween, raising money for the Regional HIV/ AIDS Connection.

Although there aren’t any special events planned at the moment, you can follow Rainbow Cinemas London on Facebook to keep an eye out.