Cinemas

The capital is as diverse as any for film. Bollywood is an increasingly popular genre; arthouse is an admired minority genre but of course the mainstream Hollywood stuff is the overwhelming favourite.
The price-trend seems to be that Leicester Square is as expensive as it gets, with cheaper tickets selling in areas farther from the centre. Yet, you can't beat putting your feet up and catching a movie after a tiring day of sightseeing and where better to do that than in a centrally located cinema? In the summer, there are open-air films in the parks courtesy of Stella www.stellascreen.co.uk. For local cinema listings CLICK HERE (does This is London have listings?). In the meantime, This is London has compiled the top six cinemas to visit!

Warner Village West End
This is the cr?me de la cr?me of the Warner chain and where all the stars go when a film's debut comes out in the U.K. With nine screens, a 2,475 capacity and Dolby Digital high-tech sound, you won't fail to be impressed. However, advance booking is advised, as it's extremely popular - especially when the special effects films like Lord of the Rings hit the film circuit.
Admission: £5-£7 £11
Where: 3 Cranbourn St, Leicester Square, 08702 40 60 20, www.warnervillage.co.uk
Tube: Leicester Square
Open: Call for film viewing times

Metro
One of the best arthouse venues about. Go here to watch films like a documentary on the performers who made the music for the Coen Brothers film, O Brother Where Art Thou, or an award-winning film from The Raindance Film Festival. If you're looking for quality and high-culture than this is your cup of tea.
Admission: £6.50
Where: Rupert Street, W1, 020 7437 0757, www.metrocinema.co.uk
Tube: Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square
Open: Daily, call or click on www.metrocinema.co.uk for viewing times

Odeon Covent Garden
A little cheaper than the other mainstream West-End cinemas. It has four screens and tends to be a lot quieter than its West-End counterparts. It shows all the run of the mill films as well as a few more 'arty' ones.
Admission: £8
Where: 135 Shaftesbury Ave, WC2, 0870 505 0007, www.odeon.co.uk
Tube: Leicester square or Tottenham Court Road, or Holborn
Open: Daily, 12pm-9.30pm

Curzon Soho
Showing a broad-range of arthouse films and situated in London's cosmopolitan Soho district, the cinema's three screens are equipped with Dolby THX sound, ample leg-room and excellent screen
visibility. There is also a caf? at street-level with free entry at all times and a fully licensed bar for ticketholders.
Admission: Call for film prices
Where: Curzon Soho, Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho, W1, 020 7439 4805
Tube: Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square
Open: Booking Line: daily: 12.00-18.00

Clapham Picture House
Converted from the site of a former snooker hall, a fourth screen was added in the Nineties and the licensed cafe-bar was extended to meet its ever-growing popularity as a local 'haunt'. With an eclectic programming mix of arthouse and mainstream films, an art exhibition area, fortnightly film quiz, Saturday morning Kids Club Sunday double bills and much, much more on offer, it's established itself as a cultural landmark in the local community. Worth a visit if you want an authentic independent cinema!
Admission: £4-£6
Where: Venn Street, SW4, 020 7498 3323, http://www.picturehouse-cinemas.co.uk/
Tube: Clapham Common
Open: According to viewing times

Renoir
Currently showing The Lawless heart, a French subtitled film and Nine Queens, the venue set near the 200-year-old Brunswick Square is a local's cinema with a reputation for both experimental and commercial films. This is a winner if you're looking for a quiet and cheap seat to see a mainstream movie. It only has two screens.
Admission: early shows are £4.50; later shows £6.80
Where: Brunswick Centre, Brunswick Square, WC1, 020 7837 8402
Tube: Russell Square
Open: Daily