To celebrate the 30th anniversary of E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Madame Tussauds London has recreated the classic scene from the film where Elliot and his friends take to the skies on their bikes. You can play the part of Elliot, sitting on a replica of his BMX as it soars past the moon with E.T. in the basket.

Avert your eyes and put down your popcorn as classic horror films hit London’s cinema screens this Halloween.

Jameson Cult Film Club Presents “Chills in the Chapel”, Union Chapel, Islington: 29-30 Oct
The Jameson Cult Film Club presents two horror classics in the atmospheric setting of the Union Chapel, Islington. Steel yourself for The Blair Witch Project (1999) and the best horror remake of all time (fact), Philip Kaufman’s Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) on the 29 and 30 October respectively.
Read more abot Chills in the Chapel

Brain Wash Presents Fright Night at Curzon Soho: 28 Oct
Don your most gruesome fancy dress for a night of DJs, VJs and drinks and a rare screening of Tom Holland’s Fright Night (1985) at Curzon Soho. Regularly voted as one of the greatest horror films of all time, Fright Night follows one boy’s mission to prove that his neighbour is a vampire. The fun starts at the bar from 9pm, with the screening from 11.30pm.
www.curzoncinemas.com/fright-night-a-halloween-spooktacular

Halloween Screamings, The Round Chapel, Hackney: 28, 30 & 31 Oct
From the creators of the Rooftop Cinema Club comes a short season of creepy classics, including The Exorcist (1973), The Omen (1976) and Halloween (1978), on the 28, 30 and 31 October. Doors open at 6.45pm and there’s a licensed bar – serving spirits no doubt.
experiencecinema.com

The Underground Picturehouse at The Water Poet Spitalfields: 31 Oct
And finally for some light relief, head to The Water Poet in Spitalfields for a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) on 31 October. Doors open from 6.30pm for a 7pm screening.
www.wegottickets.com

Last year, Chinese artist Ai Weiwei covered Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall in ceramic sunflower seeds. This year, Dean’s 13m-high film appears at the end of the darkened hall. The flickering images range from colour blocks to flowing water.

Dean is known for her film work, which in the past has captured the solar eclipse in Cornwall, the transition from day to dusk at a lighthouse near Berwick-upon-Tweed, and Merce Cunningham’s dance company rehearsing at a former Ford assembly plant.

With FILM, Dean wanted “to show film as film can be – film in its purest form”. Take a look at the video below and let us know what you think.

Tacita Dean’s FILM is at Tate Modern until 11 March 2012. Admission is free.

Originally staged in 1959, Arnold Wesker’s The Kitchen is a bustling microcosm of 1950s London. Here in the back room of The Tivoli restaurant Cypriots, Italians, Germans, Jamaicans and Cockneys work side by side, sweating over orders and spilling their anger, hopes and histories on the kitchen floor.

Flash forward more than half a century, and the play’s snapshot of a multi-cultural London still resonates. Bijan Sheibani’s new production at the National Theatre is energetic and confident, stressing the overall machine of a busy restaurant rather than its individual cogs.

The production’s excellent choreography supports this vision, and several sequences bring the ballet of a well-run kitchen vividly to life on the circular Olivier stage.

But the skill of the huge cast – nearly 30 characters – is more than equalled by Giles Cadle’s impeccable production design. Gas hobs and stainless steel form a blazing backdrop to the murky glimpses of the characters’ lives.

Thankfully a post-lunch lull in the kitchen allows more of the characters’ stories to appear from behind the ensemble, particularly the German fish chef Peter, played with nervous energy and charm by Tom Brooke.

It is Peter’s romanticism which, when challenged, leaves us all questioning the nature and purpose of aspiration, and whether we are all cogs in a wider machine.

The Kitchen runs at the National Theatre until 8 November, and is being screened live tonight at cinemas across London, the UK and further afield as part of National Theatre Live.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all the London lovers out there! Last week, we asked our Visit London Facebook fans how they were planning to celebrate Valentine’s in our favourite city.

Lots of you who don’t live in London said it’d be a treat just to be here (aw thanks!). Others said they’d be  watching films or going to French restaurants with their loved ones.  And some lonely hearts said they’d be spending the day alone.

Are you planning anything special to mark the official day of romance? Add your voice to the comments below.

Calling all London cinema buffs! Win a year’s worth of movies at ICA, as well as a family ticket to BFI IMAX and a BFI DVD package.

You’ll get two tickets per month throughout 2011 to use at ICA, which has a unique programme of world cinema, artists’ films, independent documentaries and international film festivals.  Plus there’s all the excitment of BFI IMAX, the UK’s biggest cinema screen! And finally, a load of DVDs to enjoy at home.

To win this fantastic film prize, all you have to do is enter your details here

This new seven-day long celebration of all things 1960s includes everything from a look at mod fashion to special film screenings, 60s music from upcoming bands, and architecture tours.

London was at the heart of the swinging 1960s cultural revolution; with Carnaby Street, Soho and Kings Road among the hippest places to hang out.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the decade of peace, love, and harmony, the festival provides the opportunity for those who were not around to learn about 60s culture, and for those who were to reminisce.

Chair of London 60s Week, Chris Pleydell, said: “There seemed to me to be a void in our communication between one generation and another. This project’s sole goal is to reach between these two generations…from the ones who are making cultural history now to those that have already put their stamp on the UK’s history.”

Visit www.london60sweek.co.uk for more information on events and locations. Events continue until 25th July.

As the summer weather continues to hold, we at VL Towers are pondering all the lovely things we can do outdoors of an evening. And, following the fun times at the Starlite Urban Drive-In, we can think of nothing better than a visiting one of London’s outdoor or pop-up cinemas.

Here are some of the coolest spots to watch film in London this summer:

• Film 4 Summer Screen at Somerset House – London’s most beautiful outdoor cinema. I’m looking forward to seeing Master and Commander! 29 Jul-8 Aug
• Greenwich Film Festival – top films in unexpected locations around Greenwich 15-18 July
• Thursday Film Nights at the Grand Union, Brixton – see Amelie, Austin Powers and Bridget Jones this month
• The Scoop Summer Film season- free films next to City Hall 15 Sep-1 Oct
• BP Summer Screens – opera and ballet streamed live from the Royal Opera House until 13 Jul
• Syon Park House – lends its histroric backdrop to Dirty Dancing, Top Gun, Pretty Woman and more 18-22 Aug
• Drive-in-movies at Alexandra Palace – including Transformers and The Italian Job 12-14 Aug
• Portobello Pop Up Cinema -  forgotten classics and cutting-edge new works under the Westway 10-31 Jul

Have you spotted any more open air cinema events happening in our fair city? Let us know in the comments below!

Witty wartime film Went the Day Well? based on a Graham Greene story returns to the big screen this week and I was lucky enough to see a sneak preview.

The fast-paced thriller, produced by Ealing Studios in 1942 as unofficial propaganda, depicts public concerns during the Second World War in the cheery little village of Bramley End.

Led by the respectable Major Hammond (Basil Sydney), a troop of British soldiers turn up unexpectedly in the quaint village. They are soon immersed within the community, thanks to the help of village gentry Oliver Wilsford (Leslie Banks).

But all is not what it seems, and suspicions are raised over the handwriting of one of the soldiers and a piece of chocolate found in a rucksack – cue village camaraderie, plots and shock tactics.

Banks plays the wily Wilsford with aplomb, while Sydney’s portrayal of Hammond is reminiscent of Sid Lowe’s Captain Mainwaring (Dad’s Army) at his most beguiling.

While hilarious one-liners are thrown in, the story also has surprising sinister and violent moments.

It’s a must-see – if just for the 1940s time acting and filmmaking.

Restored by the British Film Institute the film is re-released on 9 July 2010 at BFI Southbank.

Last night I went to the launch of London’s first-ever drive-in cinema.

Located in a large carpark in the Old Truman Brewery off Brick Lane, the Starlite Drive-In consists of about 20 brand new Volvos parked in front of a big screen for your viewing pleasure.

For the launch, the cars were the stars: we were invited to explore the three types of Volvo provided (a convertible, a sporty 2-door model and a 4×4) – by sitting in the driver’s seat, playing with radio and sun roof controls, and honking the horns (although this was discouraged!). There’s no need to bring your licence though, as all the cars remain stationary and the engines are firmly off. We only saw a short promo film, but tonight and tomorrow cinema-goers will watch Dirty Dancing and Grease.

Catering and entertainment was provided by The Brickhouse nightclub, which backs on to the carpark. There was a brief speech from Damien Barr – the visionary behind the Starlite Drive-in:

“We all grew up with the drive-in dream. But it never happened in Britain because we don’t have the space, the weather, or that car culture. I wanted to update the idea and make it work for an urban, eco-conscious audience and this seemed the perfect way to do it.”

After which, we were treated to 1950s-style performances – retro singers, burlesque and a hula hoop girl.

I’d love to say long live the drive in but Volvo Sarlite Urban Drive-In is open for two nights only in London, before relocating to other spots around the UK.

Let’s hope it returns next year!