"present continuous" or "going to" ?

[Lenka]

Is there a difference between these two sentences? Do they mean the same? Are they both correct?

a) I’m going to the cinema next week.

b) I’m going to go to the cinema next week.

[Tdol]

Both are correct, though we often use the first rather than repeat the verb, even if it's only an intention and not fixed by having purchased tickets, etc.

[Lenka]

Thank you :)

[M56]

Is there a difference between these two sentences? Do they mean the same? Are they both correct?

a) I’m going to the cinema next week.

b) I’m going to go to the cinema next week.

The second is used in situations where the speaker has finally decided to do something they have been planning to do, but were undecided about, or prevented from doing so earlier.

<I'm finally> going to go and speak to the boss about a pay rise.

Now I'm really sure that I'm going to go to my wife and tell her about my affair.

I'm going to go to the cinema next week whether he decides to come with me or not.

[M56]

Both are correct, though we often use the first rather than repeat the verb, even if its only an intention and not fixed by having purchased tickets, etc.

Which of these would you use?

I'm going to tell him what I think of him.
I'm going to go (and) tell him what I think of him.

[Casiopea]

Gee, I read in "by me" :

The second is used [by me] in situations where the speaker has finally decided to do something they have been planning to do, but were undecided about, or prevented from doing so earlier."

Note that, "go" isn't required here; it's redundant.

EX: <I'm finally> going to speak to the boss about a pay rise.
EX: Now I'm really sure that I'm going to my wife and tell her about my affair.
EX: I'm going to the cinema next week whether he decides to come with me or not

[Tdol]

Which of these would you use?

I'm going to tell him what I think of him.
I'm going to go (and) tell him what I think of him.

They're different- I was commenting on the question about omitting 'to go' after 'going to'. Both are using another verb. In those two, I don't honestly see that 'to go' adds much except the notion of travelling or possibly emphasis.

[M56]

Why does the first example sound odd'

Ted's gonna college this year.
Ted's gonna go to college this year.

[Casiopea]

Why does the first example sound odd.
[1]Ted's gonna college this year.
[2]Ted's gonna go to college this year.

For some dialects, it's perfectly fine, M56. As for your question, "gonna" in [1] is a contraction of going + to, a preposition, whereas in [2] it's an infinitive marker.