As INLAND EMPIRE doesn't appear to be playing at multiplexes , I wonder how many of us will be denied it's full aural impact considering said multiplexes get the best sound systems.

I'm going to state the obvious, but doesn't it depend entirely on the quality of the sound system in the cinema you go to?

Granted, multiplexes all have a consistent quality of audio etc... whereas Independents don't. The Cornerhouse in Manchester (UK), which is our local Independent Art House cinema and gallery has an excellent sound system in the majority of its theatres. I think there's about 1 theatre left they have to upgrade.

On the third day he took me to the river
He showed me the roses and we kissed
And the last thing I heard was a muttered word
As he stood smiling above me
With a rock in his fist

They call me the wild rose
But my name was Eliza Day
Why they call me it I do not know
For my name was Eliza Day

Well said. (Apart from that I quite like airports, much more than multiplexes).

Besides, the fact that the sound somewhere is the loudest and clearest, doesn't necessarily mean that it is the best. In that meaning we should have to assume that the sound is objectively better from CD records than from vinyl. Which - as many people I'm sure agree - it isn't.

Personally I don't like the multiplex type of sound. It's too invasive for my liking.
 

Bobi 1 Kenobi

B. Beware
O. Of
B. BOB 

On the third day he took me to the river
He showed me the roses and we kissed
And the last thing I heard was a muttered word
As he stood smiling above me
With a rock in his fist

They call me the wild rose
But my name was Eliza Day
Why they call me it I do not know
For my name was Eliza Day

I saw INLAND EMPIRE at the Cornerhouse in Manchester! I'm going to see it again on Wednesday.

I totally agree with BOB1 about multiplexes being invasive. Knowing my eardrums are about to rupture makes it hard for me to concentrate on the film. The Cornerhouse in Manchester and the City Screen in York (our dear old local art house cinema) are warm and comforting and well maintained. The Vue or Warner, or whatever it's called nowadays, is big and cold and the last time I went (under duress) the screen was damaged and part of the picture was missing!

The Cornerhouse is a beautiful cinema crabalocker. I love the seats. They compensate for the lack of popcorn! I was at the 2pm showing on Wednesday, along with about ten other people. Were you there? Inland Empire made a lot more sense the second time round. The first time I was deranged with excitement and stunned by the way the film looked and staggered out of the cinema in a daze with no idea what the film was about. The second time my brain was frantically sorting information and I noticed things that had gone over my head the first time, like the name of the unfinished film, the number on the door and how the Phantom and the Polish husband move in and out of the story. I don't make a conscious effort to understand DL's films but the pieces began to click into place the second time round. A couple of hundred more viewings and it'll all make perfect sense!

I was lucky to make it to the Cornerhouse after spending half the day in Vinyl Exchange rummaging through promo CDs like a pig rooting for truffles! I used to go to Manchester to spend my student loan when I lived in Stoke and I've had a soft spot for it ever since. I live in York now and am at the mercy of the City Screen, which is pretty good but has let me down badly re. Inland Empire. The dame on the ticket desk just looked at me blankly and had no idea what I was talking about when I asked if they'd be showing it.