I would always stop by here to get the flyer with upcoming events. There always seems to be a theme week, gay and lesbian or Charlie Chaplin. The staff is very nice and ticket prices are comparable to Odeon and Warner Brothers. There is even a place to get a drink and some food along the river outside. This is a great place to go for independent/foreign films.

For true movie buffs, no trip to London would be complete without a visit to the National Film Theatre (NFT). Situated pleasantly on the South Bank of the Thames, the theatre is one of several concrete monoliths in this area dedicated to the arts. On a good day, buy a drink from the café on the ground floor and sit on the benches outside to watch the world and his wife wander by.

The NFT hosts special seasons of film, perhaps examining the back catalogue of a single director or actor or looking at a specific genre of film. It also runs special previews, events, and interviews with prominent players in the industry. Currently (Sept./Oct. '03) there is an investigation of the creative process in a selection of movies about art and artists including Frida, Pollock, and Rembrandt.

Two other series that caught my eye are "Highway 68 Revisited," which takes a tour of May ’68 and its environs with a season of classics, and "Resfest," a weekend festival of cutting-edge fare (Nov./Dec. '03).

If you need to check up on your favourite director, the British Film Institute (BFI) has a huge archive of film and television material at their library at 21 Stephen Street, W1T 1LN.

NFT Box Office: 0207 928 3232
www.bfi.org.uk