Palace Cinemas are a really good generally and it's no exception here at Brighton Bay. These are…read morevery clean, up-market and well-designed cinemas that suit the Brighton (wealthier) folk as well as the younger types from around the area. These have to be one of my favourite cinemas where I'm a member and it's worth it if you're a regular. It's pretty expensive to see films but with a discount and member benefits it just means it's not as hard on the pocket as usual. It also means that your movie going experience is a little nicer. I'm very found of the bar and being able to take a beer or wine into the nicely set out and roomy cinemas where I love the fact they play some of the "Arty" films as well as the usual Hollywood blockbusters. Brighton Bay Cinemas are probably my favourite along with the Classic in Elsternwick.

Brighton Bay Cinemas are so very Brighton in every which way. To clarify for those who aren't…read morefamiliar with all that this Bayside suburb representes: the settings are lush and expensive and the crowd are equally so. In this part of town you'd expect nothing less than a bit of luxury. A feature light bulb chandelier welcomes you to the foyer of cinemas where velvet lounges reign supreme. The bar is well stocked and there are a number of gourmet snacks on offer. Brighton Bay recently hosted the Lavazza Italian Film Festival, and a great night was had by all.

Recently revamped the entire cinema. Wow. Really nice to visit now. Prices still a bit high.read more

I'm very particular when it comes to watching a film. For a while I wasn't going to cinemas due to…read morethe fact my screen at home was big enough, I didn't stick to the seat and people weren't yelling during it. The Classic Cinema in Elsternwick has the touch of class that is needed when going out to watch a film. They always have a healthy array of the Hollywood films but there is a place for the lesser known titles and foreign films where it is always refreshing to see that they support those films. It might sound wanky but it's important that you feel like it's still an occasion to go to the cinemas. It's very clean, you can get a beer or champagne and some perfectly salted popcorn to take in and the people working give you the certain respect you hope for. Now it's not just in Gold Class where you can get good service with a smile. Then in the actual cinema the seats are large where again it's clean and because a standard is set, people aren't inclined to be rude and you can enjoy your movie. I'm very big on the movie-going culture and I believe that it has changed to more of a teen thing but be sure, The Classic Cinema's are suited more for the types that still want to go to the movies as a special occasion (especially seeing as ticket prices have risen). I definitely think it's worth getting up off the couch to go and see a really good film there. I'm very happy it's my local cinema.

The Classic is a not-particulary-arty independent cinema. They're cheap, comfortable and they seem…read moreto do okay by running slightly older new releases. The building's a little classy, which always makes things a little nicer. I guess this is where prints go when the major cinemas are a bit tired of them.

You buy tickets online, they give you different seats for a mistake on their website and they say…read morethat to guarantee the seats that you actually selected you have to go to the cinemas in person to fix the problem that THEY created. I'm sure there is a way to fix it online, but they just are useless as customer service and don't care for their customers AT ALL. Also, the only place that I could find a phone number for them was on YELP, not their website! They only have an online form that (SURPRISE) didn't work!!!

Just spent hour trying to log into Village to redeem gift vouchers. Unable to select seats after…read moresubmitting the vouchers. Able to locate contact number for head office 9281 1000 Called... office suggested to clear cache Did this, still did not work, called back and got someone who clearly did not want to work there nor assist. All I got was "it works from our end". You can go into the cinema and get them to book it. I asked them to book it for me as the cinema is kilometres away. No we can't do that. Asked them to put me through to the cinema so i could book it via them. "No we can't do that" Try logging in later was the suggestion. Given I had been trying for 2 and a half hours on and off I suggested that this was not reasonable and the seats would be sold out if I waited much longer.No assistance what so ever...terrible customer service.

The Palace Westgarth was originally built in the 1920s and following later Art Deco additions and a…read morerecent $4 million overhaul this historically significant cinema now plays host to a decidedly eclectic selection of films catering to everyone from film nuts to novices. Boasting a licensed bar offering coffee, food and some pretty damn good ice cream, The Palace Westgarth is notable for its all inclusive and highly eclectic film programme which runs the gauntlet from Hollywood blockbusters to European film festivals and countless indie flicks in between. This particular outpost of the boutique Palace chain also has special events such as its Friday night 'Cult Vault' screenings showcasing classic and cult cinema. A must visit for its three state of the art screens, diverse film programme and culturally significant location.

The Palace Westgarth Cinemas are in many ways the hub of the Westgarth community. Situated in the…read morecentre of the township with it's highly recognizable heritage building - people from all over Melbourne know this place. Unfortunately I have to say that the Palace Westgarth does not always show movies to warrant people from all over Melbourne knowing it's presence. Don't get me wrong the Palace Westgarth does show many great movies and has a number of great film festivals throughout the year - including the Spanish and French ones of most note. It has the Friday night film vault where they show old school movies usually of the horror or other cult genres at the stoke of midnight. However, most of the time I personally feel that they don't show a great selection of films. They don't show many blockbusters, which is fine, but they also don't show that many independent films either. In fact it seems to me that a large component of their catalogue includes kids movies, second rate British romantic comedies and cheap Hollywood films. All this means is that I find I never end up going all that often to a cinema which I desperately want to support.

So the Geelong CBD has an aged 'classic' theatre converted to a Village cinema, so the Waurn Ponds…read moreReading cinema is the 'new' option for G-town. Unfortunately, with no serious competition, Reading can get away with providing average service and letting their cleanliness slide. The building is only a few years old, which is the only factor keeping this place as a preference from the city-based option. Staff are all school aged kids, some try hard but their heart really isn't in it - so the floors are dirty (seats too but the stains are hidden in the dark) and the bathrooms show the lack of attention. As with all cinemas the ticket prices are outrageous and 'candy' bar items are confoundingly overpriced. But to see the 'latest' movies you have no real option nearby. A better option - stay at home and make yourself a batch of real popcorn, have it with a real coke (not post-mix) and dip your ice cream cone in iced-magic !

This is one of my favourite cinemas to go to. The interior designing is great, They now instead of…read morehaving people behind counters selling You tickets, They have machines to Do it which causes few troubles. And unlike Village Cinemas, Reading Cinemas have huge cinemas. This is truly a great cinema.

My first review from the mobile app. A very large cinema in…read morea large shopping centre. The theaters ticketing prices are the same as those few other that I have been to. However this cinemas has a very large number if movies on show each time than others, so those movies that don't seem to be showing at other theaters will most likely be on show here. Other than that, the screens are big, the seats are comfortable and as usual the drinks and popcorn are extremely expensive.

First off, you can't buy tickets online if you don't have an Australian credit card, nor can you…read morebuy them over the phone. So for anyone visiting, I recommend you find another theatre and give them your money instead. Movie tickets are expensive, and concessions are ridiculously expensive. And it was total chaos when we were there - both ice machines were out of ice and it was hard to find anyone to help (and it was 35 outside). Lines were long to pay. Popcorn is boxed up in advance so you're not getting fresh stuff. Sweet only comes in one size, there's no option to mix sweet & salty, and no butter. The theatre seems new and the "Xtreme Screen" was big with excellent sound. The seats are very wide and recline with controls similar to an airplane seat. The bathrooms are far too small for a theatre of this size.

The Astor is one of these Melbourne icons that needs to be a stop on everyone's list. The…read moreatmosphere is always ecstatic, whether you are there to emerge yourself in a true Rocky Horror experience, or see a classic screening of Gone with the Wind. New movies are also shown there in recent times - the latest entries to the Star Wars saga stand out as real treats in such a grand old cinema. The choc-top ice creams are also rather special. A staple that have been around for decades, they are specially made for The Astor and you aren't seemingly able to get them anywhere else! Make your next movie a screening at The Astor. It might change your life.

Yeah, this theatre is nothing short of awesome, but then again it does happen to be a Melbourne…read moreicon. Okay, it probably has lost some of its lustre, but honestly, since ownership changed hands, the new corporate owners have done their best to maintain the tradition of this theatre. In fact, the Astor goes an awful long way to try and maintain the aura of the golden age of cinema. Oh, and some of the movies that they show here are absolutely awesome - classics the lot of them (as well as a number of new ones).