I suppose it will be helpful to put this review into context by saying I'm American and I've lived…read morein Hamilton for nearly a year. I only just went to see a movie at this cinema for the first time last week. Man, do I wish I had been here sooner! I think it's fair to generalize that most American cinemas are over-priced, over-run by rude patrons (often teenagers) and the experience is somewhat hectic... get there early to get a good seat, feel financially raped by the cost of concessions and the ticket, wait in line to get your tickets torn before you can finally go into the theater. This, my friends, is a totally different way to go to the movies. Now, I don't know if all cinemas in New Zealand are like this, but if so, we're doing it all wrong in the U.S. My husband and I went for a date night. These cinemas are located on the upper level of the Centre Place mall. You go up the escalator into a dimly lit, large lobby area that is reminiscent of a club. In fact, club music is playing, there are video monitors showing dancing shapes and designs and there is a lounge area with couches, lounge chairs and cool little tables. We went up and asked for two tickets (the prices here are comparable to U.S., happened to be $15/adult). We noted that alcohol was available for purchase. We asked if it could be consumed in the theater - sure thing! We ordered a bottle of wine to share since we were seeing a 3 hour movie. We were given glass wine glasses and were told that we could sit in the lounge to start enjoying our wine while the movie showing before ours let out. We also ordered "hot food." I'd say this is a step up from U.S. offerings. We each ordered a meat and cheese pie and kumara fries. We were informed the food would be delivered to our seats. How do they know how to find you? Well, here, you are given assigned seats within the theater. She asked us where we wanted to sit and I wasn't sure how to answer because I've never been to a place where you have an assigned seat. We just said, "the middle," and we were happy with the seats we were given. While we were marveling in the lounge over our wine, a staff member came by to say, "I can tear your tickets and you can go into your movie now." It was so calm and relaxing, no one rushing because your seat is already assigned. The seats are spacious and there is considerable space between the rows, much to the delight of my tall, long-legged husband. We put the wine bottle in our cup holder between us. Our food was delivered to our seat. I'm going with a 4-star rating here because the kumara fries left much to be desired. The pies were warm and good. The only thing I see missing here is a table for eating. I guess I imagined something like an airline tray that folds out of the armrests or something. Balancing the food on our laps was less awesome, but still, overall, we were pretty blown away by the experience.

Love this place. Can watch movies, drink alcohol, and eat hot food all at once. What else could you…read morehope for?

First visit. Never again. Tickets reasonably priced but food and drinks a huge rip off! $6.60 for a…read moresmall drink, $17 for a small drink and small popcorn!!! Way more than I have ever seen/paid anywhere else! To cap it off, the cinema seats were dirty...

Event Cinemas is Manukau has a prime location of being right in the mall, so if you're feeling like…read morecatching a flick after lunch at the food court, it's perfect. It's well put together with split levels for ticket buying and cinema-going. While there's tonnes of space in the main foyer, it can be a tight squeeze upstairs waiting to get into your cinema as there'e minimal waiting space. The cinemas themselves having comfy seats and are well-spaced out, the only thing about Events is the lack of Xtreme Screen in comparison to Hoyts. Sizes aside, the cinemas are good quality. There are snack kiosks just outside the cinema doors now so if you'e craving something during the film it saves running downstairs and waiting in line- so handy! What draws me back to Events every single time will be that the food is much cheaper than other joints like Hoyts who don't actually display their prices. That AND they do my favourite choc top with nuts, always so delicious!! I'd recommended Events to family solely for this reason because you get more bang out of your buck with the combos here.

It's been a while since we last visited this cinema complex. There seems to be so much space here…read more You also have the Gaming Arcade to kill time until your movie starts, and plenty of refreshment options available too. We found the seats comfortable and spacious, which was welcome during a 2 hour plus movie. The theatre itself was clean and tidy too. Although the cinema is upstairs, there is a lift for wheelchair access. I would ring prior to visiting to ensure someone is on hand for assistance.

Sylvia Park Hoyts is one of my fav movie places to meet people from all over town, because it's so…read moreconvenient to get to, either via train, bus or car as it's right next to the Southern Motorway. (and you don't need to grapple with city traffic) The staff here are always incredible, the cinemas are clean and comfy, and they have special prices if you go in the morning or on Tuesday. (think it's about $11) Their La Premiere seats are awesome too if you have a special occasion to splurge out on. I was here last Sunday when our mini earthquake hit, and the building is so strong, I honestly thought it was just the surround sound system making the seats move. haha If you want to watch a movie in a safe, clean and welcoming environment, go here!

Hoyts Sylvia Park has been my regular movie theatre for over five years now. By far the most…read moresuperior theatre in the South/East Auckland areas, its smack bang in the middle of Auckland AND the largest shopping centre in the country, making it easy to get to whereever you are in the city. While people may see this as an negative, I love that this cinema gets busy. I'm the sort of person that would rather see a movie in a full theatre that with a few people, so Sylvia always does the trick. The seats in the theatres are comfortable, there's enough leg room for a basketball player and the arm rests are movable if you're into that sort of thing. I find its always worth it to pay a little extra for the Xtreme Screen because those regular sized screen just don't cut it anymore (maybe Chris Rock was right about women not being able to back in lifestyle...). The La Premiere seats at Sylvia are great too and while its on the pricey side its a great and very comfy way to make that date or girls night out a little more special (...okay, he was right). Sylvia Park also hosts a lot of the midnight screenings for some films and those usually go off without a hitch. Do yourself a favour and book your tickets online or purchase them early from the cinema to avoid the inevitable long queue that will await you!

Have been here quite a few times now. It's just the right size for Pukekohe, love that sometimes…read morethey show movies that are not main stream. Makes it very appealing. The seating is comfortable even on the longer movies that seem to be the norm now. Can you name all 12 movies on the clock in the foyer?