Movie Releases Postponed due to Coronavirus

Film distributors in China has decided to indefinitely postpone the release of several movies, which had been scheduled to premiere on 23 January. This is light of the virus outbreak in Wuhan, which has prompted producers and distributors to take action for preventing its possible spread at movie theatres in China. As a consequence, the films cannot be screened overseas ahead of China's premiere.

The affected films are Vanguard (急先锋), Jiang Zi Ya: Legend Of Deification (姜子牙), The Rescue (紧急救援) and Detective Chinatown 3 (唐人街探案 3). These have originally been planned to hit theatres for the Lunar New Year weekend.

The local cinema operators have advised patrons to consider other movie titles in the interim. The following options are available for those with existing tickets for the above films:

Golden Village

Online bookings: automatic refund within 3 weeks
Other booking methods: visit any GV box office with ticket for refunds

Cathay Cineplexes

Online and mobile bookings: automatic refund within 4 weeks
Other booking methods: visit the box office where ticket was purchased for refund or exchange

Shaw Theatres

Online bookings: automatic refund within 4-6 weeks
Other booking methods: visit the box office where ticket was purchased for refund or exchange

WE Cinemas

Online bookings: email contact@engwah.com.sg with booking number for refund
Other booking methods: visit box office with ticket for refunds

Filmgarde Cineplexes

Online and mobile bookings: email marcom@filmgarde.com.sg with booking number for refund
Other booking methods: visit the box office where ticket was purchased for refund or exchange

2018 Student and Senior Citizen Movie Ticket Discounts

Cinema operators in Singapore have long offered great ticket discounts to students and senior citizens. Here is a list of the preferential prices you can enjoy as a student (primary, secondary and tertiary students such as polytechnic students and university undergraduates with student ID) and as a senior citizen (55 years and above with valid identification card). Be sure to bring your ID card as proof to enjoy these lower rates. Only 1 discounted ticket is permitted per ID card.

For Golden Village, Cathay and Shaw, these prices are valid for showtimes before 6pm Mondays thru Fridays, excluding public holidays and eves. Other rules apply for Filmgarde and WE Cinemas, as listed below. They are not valid on online, app and phone bookings. Keep this list handy to save you some money at the theatres!

1. Golden Village

Students
$7 per standard movie ticket, $8 for GVmax, $10 for D-Box
Top up $2 for 3D movies

Senior Citizens 
$4.50 per standard movie ticket.

These are valid exclusively at the box office and automated ticketing machines.

2. Cathay Cineplexes

Students
$7 per normal ticket, and $8 for 3D movies

Senior Citizens
$5 per normal ticket

Tickets only available for same day purchase at the box office counters.

3. Shaw Theatres

Students
$6.50 per regular ticket, $9 for 3D, $12 for IMAX, and $14 for IMAX 3D ticket

Senior Citizens
$4 per regular ticket, $12 for IMAX digital, and $14 for IMAX 3D

4. Filmgarde Cineplex

Students
$10 per regular ticket, including a free small popcorn and small drink
$13 per 3D ticket, with a free small popcorn and small drink of your choice

Senior Citizens
$4 per ticket (for weekday shows before 5pm only, excluding PH and eve)

5. WE Cinemas

Students
$7 per standard ticket, $8 for 3D, and $9 per ATMOS ticket

All day on Mondays to Wednesdays, and before 6pm on Thursdays and Fridays. Excludes PH and eves.

Senior Citizens
$4.50 per standard ticket, and $6.50 per 2D ATMOS ticket

Valid weekdays for movies screened before 6pm, excluding PH and eves.

3 cinemas to be opened in 2013

Movies are a popular past time for Singaporeans and the presence of 25 cinemas serving such a small population is testimony to its appeal. The year 2013 will see the opening of the following cinemas.

1. Cathay Jem

This cinema will be located at the new mall Jem which is expected to be open its doors in the second quarter of 2013. Located near Jurong East MRT station (where Shaw Theatres JCube is also at), the suburban retail mall - which would be the third largest of its kind in Singapore - is said to span six levels and house brands such as H&M, Uniqlo, Marks&Spencer and FairPrice Xtra.

• Organisation: Cathay Cineplexes
• Number of halls: 10 (to include two Platinum Movie Suites)
• Total number of seats: 1800
• Vicinity: Jurong East

2. Cathay West Mall

Located at level 5 of West Mall, the new cinema will replace the previous WE Cinemas West Mall which has since been closed.

• Organisation: Cathay Cineplexes
• Number of halls: to be announced
• Total number of seats: to be announced
• Vicinity: Bukit Batok

3. WE Cinemas Empress

This 10-screen cinema will be at Empress Square, a soon to be opened entertainment mall.

• Organisation: WE Cinemas (by Eng Wah)
• Number of halls: 10
• Total number of seats: 1300
• Vicinity: Clementi

With new cinemas springing up everywhere, it is likely that the cinema industry in Singapore will continue to prosper and the population can benefit from a wider selection and increased accessibility to movies!

Review of WE Cinemas Suntec City

A movie theatre at WE Cinemas Suntec

WE Cinemas was formerly known as Eng Wah Cinemas until its recent re-branding in 2011. It has two cinemas in operation - Suntec and West Mall, while one at Empress (near Clementi) is due to be completed in 2013 together with the entertainment complex. WE Suntec is the newer of the two cinemas, as it underwent an extensive major renovation in 2011.

The first thing you would see is a big screen at the walkway entrance to the cinema made up of 9 TV screens which shows the latest movie trailers. Walk a bit more and you will step onto the soft light purple carpet of the box office area. Unlike other cinemas, WE Suntec does not have separate popcorn counters - the ticketing counter is the same as the popcorn counter, allowing you to get everything you need at one place. It's usually not very crowded and the queue is not long perhaps except for the peak hours, so it is generally quite a peaceful cinema for you to sit back and relax.

The 5 halls at WE Cinemas Suntec are all digital halls with 2K digital projectors, while two of the halls have 3D capabilities. It is worth noting that all of them have the same seating configuration - about 200 seats in each theatre with a middle aisle cutting through. They offer good elevation but slightly less legroom though. One thing I like about this cinema is that the seats look very new and clean each time you visit it, which definitely provides a good cinematic experience.

Just on a side note, since most patrons would sit along the aisle so that they would be at the middle of the screen, the blue lights which show the row and seat numbers are a bit too bright and glaring if you sit just beside the aisle. Because of the single aisle configuration it sort of shines at the opposite row. Not that it really that uncomfortable, but perhaps something for the management to think about.

Till next time!

Photo: WE Cinemas Suntec City

Here's a photo taken at WE Suntec. A review is coming up on the next post.

One of the very new and well-conditioned halls at WE Suntec

Address:
WE Cinemas Suntec City
#03-051 Suntec City Mall (Tower 3), 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983
(It's located just above Carrefour and next to the arcade)

Nearest MRT stations: Promenade/City Hall