Omniplex asked cinema goers to vote for their favourite films and is going to screen the top seven during a week-long movie marathon.
The event, now in its second year, will showcase a diverse lineup of classic films from Friday April 19 to Thursday April 25 across Omniplex locations in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The films span several decades and genres, reflecting the varied tastes of cinema enthusiasts.
Joe Hogarty, Marketing and Loyalty Manager at Omniplex, said, “It was a no brainer to run our movie-marathon again after the success of last year.”
“We wanted to switch it up a bit to ensure that there was something on offer to suit every type of movie buff, and that is why we got our MyOmniPass members to vote for their favourite movies within five different genres this time.”
Mr Hogarty noted the interesting mix of release dates among the chosen titles.
“Despite 2014′s Interstellar coming out on top for sci-fi, The Shining was the clear winner of our horror category, even after 44 years after its release.”
The films include :
Terminator 2: Judgement Day (action) - Friday April 19
The only film in the Terminator series to win an Oscar, James Cameron’s 1991 blockbuster sees Arnold Schwarzenegger return as the Terminator, a cyborg assassin from 2029, to try to protect the son of Sarah Connor, the same woman he unsuccessfully tried to murder in the original film, and whose son will grow up to be the future leader of the human resistance against Machines. Sarah’s son, John, is now the target of a far more deadly terminator, T-1000, played by Robert Patrick, who comes up against Schwarzenegger who takes it upon himself to save John and the entire human race.
The Shawshank Redemption (drama) - Saturday April 20
In 1947, Andy Dufresne, played by Tim Robbins, is sentenced to two life sentences at the notorious Shawshank prison having been convicted of the murder of his wife and her lover despite claiming his innocence. Inside he meets a man nicknamed ‘Red’, played by Morgan Freeman, and the pair form a deep friendship which ultimately shapes his experience and turns him into the most unconventional prisoner the prison has ever known. Tom Cruise was initially considered for the role of Andy Dufresne but ultimately turned down the part due to his reservations about working with first-time director Frank Darabont.
Shrek 2 (animation) - Sunday April 21
Shrek 2, the Oscar-winning animated film, continues the enchanting tale of newly-weds Shrek and Fiona, voiced by Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz. The couple receives an invite to Fiona’s family home to celebrate their marriage and introduce Shrek to her parents, who are unaware of the curse that transformed their daughter into an ogre upon marrying Shrek.
The Shining (horror) - Monday April 22
An adaptation of Stephen King’s famous novel, The Shining follows character Jack Torrance, who moves himself and his family into the Overlook Hotel where he has recently been instated as the winter caretaker. Upon his arrival, he is informed that a previous caretaker had killed himself, as well as his wife and two daughters, in the hotel 10 years previous. The movie sees Nicholson’s character slowly spiral into insanity and turn to violence, while his son is subject to a terrifying foreboding of both past and present.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (fantasy) - Tuesday April 23
In the epic conclusion to the trilogy based on JRR Tolkien’s beloved book series, Frodo, Sam, and Gollum embark on a perilous journey to Mount Doom, aiming to destroy the one ring that Sauron desperately seeks to conquer Middle-earth. The production team’s commitment to creating an immersive experience was so extensive that they enlisted members of the New Zealand Armed Forces to serve as extras during the filming of the monumental Battle at the Black Gate, which takes place near the end of The Return of the King.
Step Brothers (comedy) - Wednesday April 24
In this 2008 comedy, Will Ferrell and John C Reilly play Brennan and Dale, two middle-aged men forced to share a bedroom when their parents marry. Ferrell showcases his singing skills, while Reilly plays the drums, adding authenticity to their portrayal of adults struggling to adapt to their new living situation.
Interstellar (sci-fi) - Thursday April 25
In Nolan’s 2014 sci-fi epic, ex-NASA pilot Joseph Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) leads a team of scientists on an intergalactic mission to find a new home for humanity as Earth faces environmental collapse within a century. The filmmakers innovated by using projectors to display space visuals instead of green screens, creating an immersive environment for the actors and enabling more natural lighting and reflections in their space helmets.
