Classic movies fill the pandemic gap

Re-runs of old movies are being shown at Blenheim’s cinema to fill a gap in new releases due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Blenheim Event Cinemas manager Matthew Scott said the cinema reopened three weeks ago and it had been busy, but it had seen a real surge in audiences during the school holidays.

‘‘It picked up nicely, it’s been pretty positive actually, all the locals have been hanging out to come back to the movies,’’ he said.

The demand for movies was so high the cinema had to hold a few late nights last week, he said.

Scott said there were a couple of smaller movies showing, but ‘‘we’ve had to wait for all the big blockbuster ones’’.

‘‘Mulan was supposed to be coming out in July and then it was delayed to August . . . and Bond was supposed to be in April but that was delayed to November.

‘‘But there are smaller titles coming through.’’

New release Trolls World Tour came out a few days before the school holidays started and had been very popular, he said.

‘‘Re-runs of Sonic the Hedgehog and Spies In Disguise... have actually been some of our most popular movies,’’ Scott said.

The last two Harry Potter movies would be played in the cinemas this weekend, followed by other blockbusters like Batman: Begins and The Dark Knight.

ASB Theatre Marlborough general manager Karyn Delves said the theatre was hosting events from local artists, but the border closure meant it was hard to bring in international performers.

The theatre would be hosting a Remembrance Concert next weekend, she said. ‘‘During the lockdown period people lost loved ones, and they weren’t able to have funerals or celebrations to honour those they lost.’’

The concert would be held on Saturday, July 18.