Cinema isn't just about watching a film, it's an experience

People wang on about how going to the cinema is ridiculously expensive and about £30, not to mention popcorn that may as well be platinum plated, it would cost the same, etc. I obviously love going to the cinema, it’s my job but I reckon if you’re going to pay a lot of money, it’s worth hunting out cinema experiences, a little out of the ordinary, that makes a lighter wallet more worthwhile.

I was lucky enough to go to Secret Cinema presents Back to the Future on its opening night. It’s been in the news for having to cancel the first few dates but once it was up and running, people really wanted to know if it’s worthwhile.

I’m not sure how many issues were just first night problems – having being told to arrive exactly at an allotted time, there was just a big crush of people walking from the train station to the longest queue in the world, before being let into the venue. Whatever time you arrived, you’d still be queuing an hour later… and most annoyingly, I was bombarded with emails in the run up to the event.

·What to bring (a clock, a family photo – WHY? I get that these props are linked to the film but when you’re wandering about for 6 hours, you don’t need a bagful of crap weighing you down)

·Outfit ideas (helpful to a point but isn’t that what Google Images is for?)

·We’re encouraged to visit the post office to “send a letter to a loved one” or visit the telephone exchange to leave an answerphone message for anyone visiting Hill Valley…um?

·Print off ID cards. I can’t tell you how many times I was told to bring along a printed sheet of ID cards which apparently were vital to the story. Were they hell. Didn’t need to show them once

WHAT?! ARGH! Too much information to deal with, too many things to take with you, way too much to remember so don’t worry about the brain overload, just take a blanket and a cardie and you’ll be fine. And a stack of cash, you have to pay for everything once you’re inside.

BUT…the most important and visually stunning part of the event is the fancy dress of the audience, everybody makes such an effort, it was fantastic seeing different interpretations of 50s outfits, the Brylcreem was out, the thick rimmed glasses were on and you couldn’t see anything in the Enchantment under the Seadance for the flurry of petticoats. It made such a difference watching the film, having just danced the jive in my floral below the knee (unheard of for me) dress.

There are loads of little storylines going on all over Hill Valley; I was involved in a communist meeting (equal rights!); I recorded an advert for a patterned roller; I had to tell MJ (a waitress at Lou’s Diner) that I needed to count on her vote for the next mayor… and that was just me, imagine how many mini storylines were being acted out with the hundreds of people milling around - massive kudos goes to the actors for staying in character constantly, keeping the suspension of disbelief alive.

It’s an impressive feat making a car park in East London look like a small American town, Lou’s diner was the most recognisable (sadly with another snaking queue outside for most of the night) and I loved taking a nose inside Doc Brown’s living room and seeing Lorraine’s framed picture next to George McFly’s bed. Highlights were during the screening itself (4 hours after being let into Hill Valley), seeing Biff in his ’46 Ford chase a skateboarding Marty around and watching Doc Brown dangling from the clock face. It doesn’t hurt that Back to the Future is a fantastic film that’s still looks fresh, even 29 years after its initial release.

If Secret Cinema doesn’t grab you or at £55 is way too much money, check out a couple of these other cinema experiences:

Edible Cinema – You’re provided with amazing food, accompanying certain bits of the film. Past films include Beetlejuice, When Harry Met Sally and Romeo and Juliet(click titles to see menus). It’s also sponsored by a gin company. Fab.

Prince Charles Cinema – Such an easy win, the PCC has films ranging from Frozen singalongs, to Alien/Aliens double bill, to Anchorman quote-alongs, literally something for everybody, any age and it won’t break the bank.

Hot Tub Cinema – OMIGOD this is pretty bloody exciting, you can take a group of mates, hire a hot tub (in a room full of other hot tubs), and enjoy a film (it’s 90s week at the moment!) surrounded by hot bubbles! I’m so there…

Route 66 Drive in Cinema – If you’re up in Liverpool or Manchester, this is great for you, the films could be anything from Top Gun to Expendables 3 and you can order hot food straight to your car, where it’s delivered by people on roller-skates, a proper all-American drive-in experience! Danny Zuko, here I come…

Rooftop Film Club – at 4 locations over across London, you get a blanky, some headphones, cheap drinks during Happy Hour. You can go with loads of mates or have a romantic evening atop a roof watching a brilliant (or brilliantly terrible) movie.

Drive In Film Club- From the creators of Rooftop Film Club, it does what it says, perfect for the summer, situated in North London, drive in, park, enjoy!

The Luna Cinema – This looks the best because it’s not just in London, it’s EVERYWHERE and the choice of films have got to satisfy even the fussiest of cinemagoers.

If you go to any of these, or have been, I’d love to know what you think, let me know @BBCR1Rhianna, especially if you have any other recommendations.