24 Mar Britain’s biggest film fan visited the cinema 208 times in 2022
Film fanatic Mark Green spent more time in the cinema than he did at home during 2022…almost!
But now, the self-confessed movie-addict has bagged himself free movies for the whole of 2023 after Showcase Cinemas rewarded his loyalty with a free pass for the year.
Mark, aged 43, visited his local Showcase Cinema a whopping 208 times throughout 2022, watching an astounding 175 movies throughout the 12 months.
His story came to light after Showcase Cinemas announced in last January that they were searching for the UK’s biggest cinema superfan amongst their Insider members – pledging to reward one lucky winner an annual pass for 2023.
Movie buff Mark visited Showcase Cinema de Lux Glasgow around four times a week throughout the year, sometimes watching multiple films per day and seeing new releases up to eight times.
Mark has been a die hard film fan as long as he can remember. His earliest memory involves seeing Ewoks for the first time when watching Return Of The Jedi at the cinema, with films such as The Goonies, E.T. and Back To The Future defining his childhood.
Over the Covid lockdown, Mark struggled without the big screen, so once cinemas reopened, he more than made up for lost time, citing the quality of new releases and Showcase’s Flashback screenings as a massive motivation.
Mark, who enjoys going to the cinema solo and with family and friends, described cinema as the greatest art form, with James Cameron’s Titanic his favourite film of all time.
“I can’t believe I’ve won an annual pass to Showcase Cinema. I knew I went to the cinema a lot, but to think I’ve gone more than anyone else in the country is completely mad.
“The physical act of getting ready to go to the cinema, thinking about what I’m going to watch, the buzz in the screen before the film starts and then the lights dim, and everyone falls silent makes the cinema a much more enjoyable experience to watching a film at home.
“I was baptised in the cinematic furnace of the 1980s and Stephen Spielberg pretty much moulded my childhood. That’s why I love Showcase Cinemas so much, they’re always screening Flashback films throughout the year, which gives me a chance to see films I used to love back on the big screen.
“There were so many great films in 2022, I really enjoyed Elvis and Avatar: The Way of Water, I even went to watch Avatar eight times in December!
“To win this annual pass is amazing. There are loads films I’m looking forward to including Oppenheimer and Dune: Part Two and of course, whatever Flashbacks Showcase has in store.”
Jon Dixon, Marketing Director, Showcase Cinemas UK said: “We are delighted to be able to award Mark with an annual pass for 2023. Our data shows that he visited the cinema more than any of our Insider members in the country last year, so there is no doubt he is a worthy winner.
“Mark’s dedication to the cinema experience, specifically Showcase, demonstrates our favourite thing about the big screen; seeing people enjoying themselves and becoming completely immersed in another world.
“We’ve got some great films coming up this year, so there is plenty for Mark to get his teeth stuck into…and maybe visit us more than last year!”
To see what’s screening and to book your tickets, please visit the Showcase Cinemas website here: https://www.showcasecinemas.co.uk/
