Starlight Cinema

It's back, with a different sponsor. This time Nokia's name is splash all over the place. They took the apportunity to exhibit their new N90 phone. In comparison, last year's event organised by Stella Artois was better. Bigger crowd, better location, better food, better value for money, better movies, better everything. I think beer industry makes more money then electronics.

Yesterday was the first day of this 2 week event. Location is at the Padang. Convenient and interesting atmosphere with the city skyline as the backdrop. However, Fort Canning is still my preferred location for its gentle slope to provide a better view of the screen when sitting on the ground. Surrounded by trees and shrubs in dim lighting makes the outdoor movie viewing exciting, romantic, lay-back and cozy. You'll forget you are in Singapore whereas the Padang is very Singaporean. I remembered seeing lotsa more people and ang-mohs. Yesterday's turn out was rather small.

Last year, we had 2 movies in one night. This year, only 1 movie on wkdays, 2 movies on Sat. For $15, it is certainly not worth it. Thursdays are lady's night so I bought a ticket and brought a gal friend. It also happen that they screen romance comedy on Thurdsays. Last night was "A lot like love" and next week is "Hitch". That probably explains why I don't see families.

This year they made things a little more interesting by letting anyone in free if they come dressed like characters from Batman or Fantastic 4, on the days they are screening the movie. Madagascar is screening on 19th and its free for all but people are encouraged to donate to the Children Cancer Society. I reckon they could sechdule that on a "family-Sunday" which will definitely attract a lot of people. Then again, that'll hit them on the ticket sales and knowing S'poreans, they probably will donate either 0, or $2.

The nokia people had a "Nokia louge" with bean bags and inflatable tatami-mattresses. For who? I don't know. At the end of the night, I don't see anyone at the Nokia Louge, or the VIP area (which also had dinner catering.) Why let it go to waste when they could turn those into Quiz prizes. Anyone who gets it right, you'll get to sit in the lounge or VIP area. (Singapore business is always so inflexible and uncreative.)

This year's isn't great. One good thing I could think of is I didn't get any mosquito bites.

Last year's Starlight Cinema post
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