There's nothing quite like snuggling down in a darkened room with a big bag full of popcorn.
We all know that feeling - one hand compulsively scooping handfuls of crunchy, salty, sweet or sticky corn puffs into the mouth while the other partially covers a fearful eye as the drama plays out onscreen.
You know you've had a good film when you stand up resembling a human corn morsel - corn stuck in your teeth, crumbs down your front and remnants in your hair.
It's noisy, smelly and messy - but that's just part of the fun. Or that's what I thought until it emerged at the weekend that one of the UK's most successful arthouse cinema groups has made the remarkable decision to faze out popcorn in some of its cinemas.
In a number of popcorn free screenings at its Norwich venue, the 19-strong Picturehouse chain (which includes the Clapham Picturehouse and Brixton Ritzy) will test the waters for a blanket ban.
"Popcorn is a contentious issue," said Gabriel Swartland, the group's head of media. "Lots of people absolutely hate it and have asked us to ban it, so we're going to do exactly that."
The move is a brave one, given the current economic climate and the fact that popcorn (which sells for £4 and above in many cinemas) makes up a hefty chunk of revenue for such businesses. Will the idea catch on? And more importantly, if it does, what will we chew on?
Let us know what you think.
By Rosie Birkett
