The food was so expensive! $10 for a little pack of maltesers? $9 for water???…read more Just not worth it.

Does anyone remember a time when Hoyts Cinema Sunnybank was still an AMC? I hate to sound like an…read moreold person but things were better in the good old days. Movie tickets were so much cheaper and they showed a variety of films, not just the blockbusters. I remember when I use to go to the movies at Sunnybank every week. It wasn't the flashiest cinema with their small screens and worn seats but it was a bargain price. Since it re-branded as a Hoyts, the ticket prices have gone up though they haven't done much about refurbishment and I'm still waiting for that larger selection of movie releases they promised.

What else do you do on a dreary Monday but go to Gold Class to blow over $100 on the privilege to…read moresee a film in a reclining lounge chair? Alright, it's a little more than that. You'll pay $20+ for your tickets to have the pleasure of being able to booze in the cinema, and order real food in the form of a meal to eat while you watch the movie. The menu is surprisingly large and features some more sophisticated terms, one example being "Wagyu beef". There's some attractive options to share. Expect to pay between $20-$50 for something off the menu. The wine list isn't too bad. My friend and I ordered a bottle of champagne for $28 (cheapest option- we like it this way). If you're feeling more expensive or fancy, you've got a large list of cocktails to choose from. To answer the obvious question, yes, you can still get popcorn at Gold Class. The only difference is that it comes in a silver bowl rather than a cardboard box. Just after the previews had finished, a waitress came to serve us. An ice bucket was put down beside my chair, the champagne was wrapped in a napkin, and our popcorn was placed in front of the two ice cold champagne flutes on the table. It was delightful, and hilarious all at the same time. This is a great way to approach a favourite domestic past time- with class.

Event Cinemas has to be one of the leading chains in Australia. However, each of their venues has…read moreits own unique feel which is why I think it appropriate to review the Garden City Cinemas. Now I don't live anywhere near Mt Gravatt but met a friend here the other week to see the Inbetweener's Movie. Waiting patiently for him to arrive I had little trouble finding this massive cinema. I waiting downstairs near the main box office. This level seemed a bit bare to me compared to your average Event cinema which normally has advertisements overflowing and trailer pumping. Downstairs it looked quite quiet. There was however, one massive and quite impressive staircase leading up which made me think there was definitely more to come..and I was not wrong. The whole upstairs level contained many comfy couches, the Candy Bar, Big Screens screaming trailers, cardboard cutouts of the latest movies and posters by the dozen. The best thing about this cinema is that, even on the busy nights, there is plenty of room to move. You can happily sit and relax before your film and never feel claustrophobic because of a crowd. Event Garden City has three Gold Class cinemas, two VMax, and eleven traditional cinemas inside, so they are often showing a lot of films at any time (including Bollywood). They still abide by the same standard pricing and everything as all Event cinemas but the service was very good and the cinemas nice and clean. Definitely a good spot to see a film.

I used to love Birch Carrol & Coyle Carindale. It was my local cinemas and while the facilities…read moreweren't all that flat it was a cheap $8 movie - any night of the week! The recent refurb has left things looking trendy and stylish with a brand new Vmax and Gold Class cinema, however that's about as far as the highlights go. The customer service at this cinema is absolutely shocking. At my last visit we stood at the service desk for over 10 minutes waiting to buy tickets (when there was no line), meanwhile a female worker in the candy bar just stared at us as she continue to package up the popcorn. When we did get served, the ticket box staff member treated us as though we were an immense burden and not a customer at all who contributes to their wages. We were then told there were no longer any discount tickets (i.e. now $18 for a regular film) and when we did enter our VMax theatre, the chairs were filthy and the side tables were even worse. It was clear the staff had just done a quick vaccum of the floor and that was it. The chair next to me in fact still had popcorn poured all over it. This chair was actually located on an aisle at the back of the cinema (you enter from the back) so it was clear they had only done a very lazy clean. In general the Vmax or regular cinema experience isn't all that flash if you have been down to Cineplex at Victoria Point - who offer the EXACT same experience for around $6 - $8. This Carindale cinema lacks adequate customer service, their prices are ridiculous, the cleanliness is below parr and the experience is nothing out of the average. I would only go here for Gold Class (which is actually very good here). If you are not seeing something in Gold Class I would suggest visiting Bulimba, Hawthorne or Victoria Point Cineplex's - where there is value for money, the staff are far more pleasant and the cinemas are actually cleaned.

I have no idea if the Regal Twin Cinema in Graceville is associated with the Eldorado 8 in…read moreIndooroopilly, but if not they are definitely cut from the same cloth. The Regal Twin is a beautiful, old world style cinema that definitely has an intimate vibe (well, it says it in the name, there are only two cinema's...). The staff are delightful, the movies are often art house (leaving the block busters to the shopping centres) and you can smuggle in your food.

When I want to see a film, the Regal Twin is near the top of my list for cinemas to go to. It's…read moresmall and independent, shows good films that aren't necessarily blockbusters and is slightly cheaper than the other, more commercial cinemas. With only two cinemas in which to show films, there isn't a huge number of sessions and the latest session starts around 8.55pm, so you have to be a bit organised in planning the film you're going to see. Audience numbers aren't huge, however, so you're usually guaranteed a seat if turning up just before the start of the film. My favourite bit about the Twin Regal is the gentleman who sometimes takes tickets at the door. He's a slightly old-world character and greets every patron entering the cinema with a very enthusiastic, "Enjoy the film!" Love him. Love the Regal Twin.