What are the world’s greatest cinemas?
What are the best cinemas across the world? Film fans all have an opinion and now there’s set to be a globally-identified certification.
Curated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences will debut the Academy Marquee Theatre List. It will list 25 US and 25 international cinemas that demonstrate “exceptional audience experiences, preserve cinematic history and serve as cultural anchors in their communities”.
We discussed this very topic on the Screen Watching podcast a few weeks ago. I’ve been to few cinemas outside of Australia, but locally I am very fond of the Randwick Ritz in Sydney - it’s a glorious art deco building that has a robust program of new and retrospective cinema (I’m dirty that I missed the seemingly-annual screening of The Third Man on Saturday).
Brisbane’s Angelika cinema has a pretty standard new-release art-house program, but has a fantastic set of cinemas that completely nails the perfect screen size to (recliner) chair ratio in all of its slightly-larger than boutique theaterettes.
As per Screen Daily:
Applications are open through August 25 for bricks-and-mortar venues that operate year-round and screen first-run films or repertory screenings.
A selection committee will review submissions based on community engagement, visual and audio presentation, programming, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, historic significance and preservation, design, lighting and conditions, and concessions. Ticket price affordability is not one of the criteria.
A maximum of 10 cinemas operated by the same chain or owner may be submitted in a single submission cycle. Each submission will pay a fee to cover administration costs ranging from $250, $350 or $450 depending on the timing of the entry. Academy members with a vested interest in cinemas will not be eligible to serve on the selection committee.
The 50 cinemas will be featured on the Academy’s digital platforms, website and social media channels and will receive a physical certification to display in their lobbies.
What is your favourite cinema? Or… is exhibition dead to you nowadays? Leave a comment for the ABW community in the comments…
News Desk
US 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley, with the show for 21 years, has accused CBS News boss Bari Weiss of “murdering” the show during a staff meeting after new producer Nick Bilton said she loves it. "She does not love this place. She was brought in to kill it—and she's doing exactly that," Pelley argued. Read: Status
HBO has confirmed that the third season of Euphoria was its last. Of course, it’s hard to believe anyone would think otherwise considering the events of the season finale. No spoilers from me… Read: Variety
Anna Kendrick is set to direct her second film, again for Netflix. It’ll be the adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Read: Deadline
According to Apple beat reporter Mark Gurman, Apple will launch new Apple TV hardware along with its next wave of Siri and Apple Intelligence updates in the US fall. He also reports a cheaper, lighter Apple Vision Pro is looking at a late 2028 launch. Read: Bloomberg
Australia’s ABC has officially named Reuters senior executive Simon Robinson as news director. Read: Reuters
There should be an announcement in about a week or two about the Christmas special for kids TV powerhouse Doctor Who. Showrunner Russell T Davies says “There is a press release lumbering through the BBC which, as you know, is like the Jurassic period and 57 people have to sign off on every single word.” Read: Radio Times
That gorgeous, hyper colorised version of Spider Noir wasn’t originally planned when the show was filmed and required reshoots for almost a year. Wild. Read: Dark Horizons
Jimmy Kimmel says that his network ABC have very clearly told him that his show is seen as profitable. He viewed the end of Colbert’s show as looking into his own future and said “We’re not just dying of natural causes. We’re being poisoned.” Read: Vulture
Samsung TV Plus has rolled out four new content partnerships on its FAST service in Australia, including BBC Studios, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios. It lifts its channel offering to over 200 channels locally. The new channels will include dedicated 30 Rock, Law & Order, and Stargate channels, alongside Sony One Action Hits, Sony One Comedy Hits, Sony One FAVES and Dragons’ Den. Read: B&T
Trailer Park
I Will Find You debuts on Netflix June 18.
Wrongfully imprisoned for murdering his own son, a father sets out on a desperate rescue mission after learning the boy may still be alive.
Raakh debuts on Prime Video June 12.
"Raakh" is a haunting crime investigation that begins with the disappearance and murder of two teenagers in Delhi.
The Traitors Australia debuts this August on 10.
That’s the newsletter for the today.
Consider becoming a paid supporter of Always Be Watching.
Connect with Dan on Bluesky. Connect with Dan on Letterboxd. Connect with Dan on Linkedin. Challenge him on the NYT word game Crossplay. Email Dan @ alwaysbewatching.com or just reply to this email.
