Bring some good movies

Readers discuss VIP cinema experiences. Other topics: Ali Al Bastaki, car insurance, unpopular cars

Readers urge cinemas to focus on the quality of movies rather than luxury. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

The rise of the premium cinema experience may be popular here, but the movie selection is awful (How VIP cinema experiences are drawing back a crowd in the UAE, January 16). The only time I enjoy the movies is during Diff.

Wiltrud Matthes, Dubai

The VIP cinema is nonsense. It’s a fancy way to rip people off. A consumerist world, indeed.

Rana Salah, Dubai

A good selection of movies is enough. There is no need for a VIP experience with more food and beverages.

Jacqueline Craig, Dubai

Some of the reasons why going to the cinema here is a horrible experience are these: movies are censored, drinks and food overpriced, parents bring babies to movies at 11pm and teenagers shout and talk on the phone during the movie.

Mike Bruski, Dubai

The man who touched the lives of many

I’m writing to express my sense of sadness over the loss of Mohammed Ali Al Bastaki.

I worked with Mohammed when he was at the Adnoc English-language programme in the 1990s. He was supportive of the teachers, but more importantly he was concerned for the well-being and progression of each of his students.

He would travel to visit each of the Adnoc scholars who were studying abroad to ensure that they were settled and doing well in their programmes. His care and concern for his students was really admirable.

He will be remembered by many not only for his unfailing humanitarian work, but also for the care he took for the many Adnoc students. He touched so many lives and set a great example to us all.

Mary Corrado, Abu Dhabi

The pay-to-use lounge is great

Regarding your news story Emirates passengers given option to pay for access to premium lounges (January 17), it's amazing that you have to pay only $100 to use the business lounge.

Ana Bunjevac, Dubai

Why the time limit to the first class lounge if you’re paying double?

Monica Carver, Dubai

The charge of Dh367 is a bargain for the business-class lounge.

Kelly Harvarde, Dubai

Why insurance premium is high

I'm paying four times my car insurance premium compared with the UK (Your Money blog: 6 tips to help you save money on your car insurance in the UAE, January 16).

If people here stopped driving as if they are involved in a car chase scene from a James Bond movie, everyone would have lower premiums. And there would be fewer deaths and injuries on the roads.

Michael Dowds, Dubai

Some cars are a nuisance

Your have raised a relevant question: which popular vehicle on the UAE's roads would you prefer never to see again (Drive to be different, January 16)? For me it's Lexus saloons with blacked out windows and seemingly no working indicators.

Samantha Attfield, Dubai

I wouldn’t like to see the old white Nissan Patrol and pre-2006 Lexus.

That’s because the drivers are terrible. They don’t use indicators, but they liberally flash headlights.

Tarek Omar, Dubai

I would like white Nissan Patrols and Land Cruisers to be banned altogether.

Jennifer Barretto, Dubai