Moviegoers sink into the lap of luxury

Stefanie Roswell and Cristiana Herrmann test-drive one of Village SkyCity's new Gold Class cinemas. Picture / Greg Bowker

Stefanie Roswell and Cristiana Herrmann do the soft yards in their role as guinea-pig moviegoers at the latest in boutique cinemas.

There are groans as they sit in the vast armchairs and an "Ooh, look" as the footrests go up.

They are plied with wine, and a cheese platter is plonked on the table between them.

"This is us," says Cristiana.

Asking if they liked Village SkyCity's new Gold Class cinemas in Auckland's Queen St was futile. The pair were well ensconced and it proved hard to dislodge them when the interview was over.

You practically need binoculars to see the seats in front. The seats are deep and wide and soft enough to keep people in them at least until the gaffer's name comes up in the credits at the end.

A wine chiller can be clipped on to the back of the table between seats for the Deutz and there is a call button to summon a refill.

Stefanie, office manager at architect Ashton Miller, had a go at objectivity.

"Teenagers wouldn't be able to afford something like this. And quite a few people like sitting in a big group and seeing a film."

Sipping her wine, she decided she was not one of these people.

"I like the vibe of it. It's a great concept."

She said she could stretch to the price of a ticket - from $25 in off-peak hours, to $35 - for " a special movie, like a blockbuster. And definitely for when the 3D version of King Kong comes out."

Cristiana liked the space, and the distance from other people.

"I hate all that eating noise, the plastic crinkling and that.

"This is as good as home, in fact probably more comfortable than home. But you'd fall asleep while you were watching the film."

The concept of first-class movie watching is not new. Wellington has the $55 million Readings Cinema on Courtenay Place with its exclusive Regency CineLounge, complete with unlimited free popcorn and soft drinks.

The Berkeley cinema at Botany Downs has its Circle Lounge leather armchairs and tapas-style food and drinks delivery to your seat.

SkyCity Village cinemas chief executive Joe Moodabe said dedicating two theatres to the Gold Class, rather than having separate areas in a main cinema, was the point of difference.

One theatre seats 40 and the other 30, in a space that would usually house 150 moviegoers. Two lounge areas with bars and menus are available before and after the movie.

Areas like the Gold Class are one tactic to attract people into cinemas, which are fighting the rise of home theatre systems, and the quicker release of DVDs. 


The verdict

Pros
* No feet on the back of your seat - the people behind can't reach.
* Neighbours too far away to hear them chomping on their popcorn.
* No big hair can block your view.
* Forget the soggy icecream - have some tiramisu.

Cons
* Prices: Monday to Friday before 5pm, $25. Monday to Wednesday after 5pm, $30. Thursday and Friday after 5pm and all Saturday and Sunday, $35.
* Too pricey for the impoverished, but attractive for those who like a bit of distance from the riff-raff and less audience participation. * Seats too widely spaced for back-row traditions.