Cinema, Penang

Almost all of Penang stand-alone cinema halls of yesteryears have fast disappeared.

Instead there are several state-of-the-art modern cineplexes at shopping malls of Gurney Plaza, Queensbay Mall, Bukit Jambul Complex and Prangin Mall with 5-8 different movies available at a time.

Check the local Star (Einglish) newspaper for latest movie and time of screening. You can call up to make reservation or go over and purchase advance ticketing on their computerised system.

"Happy Feet" and "Casino Royale" were recently screened. Currently, the movies are Night at the Museum, Eragon and China's movie "Curse of Golden Flower". Besides Hollywood movies and Hong Kong, Taiwan and China's movies, you can find local Malaysian, Thai, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Tamil and an occasional European movie with English subtitles.

Some movies have "Malay", "Chinese", "English" subtitles which makes it an eyeful at the bottom of the screen.

Movie tickets are usually 9 or 10 ringgit with special 5 or 6 movies for early hours and special days or student rates. Some have THX or DTS sound system and air condition can be cold and so if you are wearing shorts, you may "freeze". Pop-corn and soda are sold and outside food not allowed.

Compared with prices in USA, Australia, Singapore or Taiwan, watching movies in Malaysia is a bargain. Some cineplexes have couple seats, telephone booking or even special class cineplex with premium seats.