Ditching popcorn for sushi

ENAR

Butter soaked popcorn, dark packed theaters and noisy teenagers kicking the back of your seat are the thoughts on many people’s minds when it comes to the cinema experience. It’s little wonder that the older one gets, the more appealing the idea of watching movies at a home theater gets. But Beirut’s cinema owners are trying to provide a more refined and attractive movie watching experience — at least for those who can afford it. Recently, cinema operators including Grand Cinemas and Cinemall have adopted the concept of VIP theaters to provide a more deluxe experience for the wealthier — and so inclined — film goers. For $30, you get a large seat, an alcoholic drink and something to eat (caviar and smoked salmon canapés in Grand Cinemas, nachos and popcorn in Cinemall). Yet you are essentially queuing in the same lines and having to visit the same over-crowded theater