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New theatre opens with blockbuster Bond weekend

Blockbuster: Giovanna and Shandon Easton said the Speciality Cinema and Grill's second theatre was packed out over its first weekend (Photo by Mark Tatem)

Speciality Cinema enjoyed a blockbuster weekend thanks to its new adjoining 65-seat theatre and James Bond.Worldwide “Skyfall” has raked in more than $400 million since its release last month, and locally it’s been showing to sold-out audiences since its debut last week.And the movie theatre is also expecting another sell-out weekend with the release this week of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2, co-owner Giovanna Easton said.Because of the addition of the new theatre, Speciality Cinema is now be able to show two blockbuster movies at the same time, Ms Easton said.Skyfall will move this Thursday to the smaller theatre and run for another few weeks while the new Twilight Saga shows in the main theatre.Mrs Easton said the new theatre was getting rave reviews itself, with state-of-the-art surround sound, seats with 38-inch backs, and a 15-foot film screen.“Everyone is loving it,” she said. Speciality Cinema’s main theatre seats 162 people.“Skyfall” didn’t just top the US box office this weekend, it blew past every other James Bond film in the franchise’s history, with some $87.8 million in box office sales.Despite the movie’s success, Mrs Easton said many people don’t realise: “The film companies dictate everything to us. Having the second screen will allow us to have two movies running at the same time. We can have a children’s movie running on one screen and an adult one on another.”She said most of ticket sales for a box-office smash movie like Skyfall, however, have to be paid back to the film companies in royalties.“People don’t realise we have to pay 70 percent to 90 percent back in royalties on each ticket. That is why our concession sales - popcorn and drinks - are so important to us.This Thursday Speciality Cinema is having a Twilight marathon with a $30 package to see Part 1 and then at 10pm, Part 2. The price includes popcorn, a drink, special cup, plus free refills and other souvenirs.