New Straits Times , 2 Aug 2010

PETALING JAYA: Over 120 members of the Damansara Jaya Senior Citizens Association (DJSCA) were invited to the special screening of The Karate Kid at GSC Tropicana City Mall recently.

The guests were amazed by the difference between the cinemas today and those in their younger days.

For some of them, this is the first time they had stepped into a cinema after more than 40 years.

They had not been to the movies since they got married.

It was the brightly lit cinema foyer which caught 70-year-old Low Siew Foong's attention while she was enjoying a cup of tea during breakfast.

Low said: "Back in the old days, cinemas were not like this, they didn't have so many coloured lights. It's so different and grand now."

She said as a housewife, she was too busy to go to the cinema.

"I don't even have time to watch television, let alone go to the cinema for movies but I will now, seeing that this is a great place to relax.

"The elderly need love, attention and care to grow old gracefully or else they will give up on life easily."

When asked how she felt about coming to the cinema, she laughed and said: "It's like a child coming to watch a movie."

As the senior citizens lined up to get their complimentary popcorn and mineral water for the movie screening, it reminded Wee Beng Khim, president of DJSCA, of the snacks he used to have at the cinemas.

He said cinema goers used to snack on kacang putih in a paper cone.

"But now we have popcorn. Being in a cinema brings back old memories."

After receiving their snacks, the guests hurried to the hall to grab good seats. One of the senior citizens asked if they could sit anywhere in the hall as it was free seating.

Yip Sau Lai, 64, said: "Some of the senior citizens are excited because this is the first time they have been to a cinema in a long time.

"It's different now. In the old days, tickets were sold according to classes. There were first, second and third classes.

"First-class tickets were for the best seats while third-class tickets were for seats close to the cinema screen."

Prior to the movie, there were eye checks provided by Focus Point Tropicana City Mall and a health talk on constipation and immune system by Farah Zuhairah Azmi from Yakult (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

A lucky draw was held with prizes sponsored by Yakult and GSC.

Golden Screen Cinemas nationwide offers senior citizens a special discounted rate for movies before 6pm during weekdays, excluding public holidays.

For movie screening in GSC cinemas and the senior citizen rates, visit www.gsc.com.my.