Seeing a film at an actual movie theatre these days is becoming a rare treasure. With the rising prices of tickets, food and drinks, and the oft-noisy crowds and distracting school groups, movie lovers are tending to find smaller places to get their celluloid fix. Enter
Cinema Nova.
Found in a central location on Carlton's famous
Lygon Street, Cinema Nova is a movie lover's paradise. Featuring many well-known and mainstream films, as well as many arthouse and obscure titles, this (seemingly) small theatre packs a lot of punch.
To find, follow these simple instructions: buy your ticket(s) in the main foyer of Lygon Court, and don't forget cash (they don't take any cards). If early, take a seat either at the adjoining cafe or
Brunetti's, but don't drink too much caffeine: no-one likes a person getting up thrice in their film to run to the little boys room. Then make your way up the escalator, and you've reached the main area.
At this point, let me make one big disclaimer: this IS a movie theatre, and it is a little expensive. But compared to the bigger chains (which will be left unnamed), Nova is a lot more affordable. Food, snacks and drinks are aroundabout the same price, but that's to be expected. A better note: Nova is fully licensed, so grab yourself a cold beverage before heading into your film.
One of the true pleasures of being a Cinema Nova regular is finding out which room youre going to, Featuring around 20 individual cinema rooms, you are never quite sure which one you'll be in. Every room is designed slightly differently, and even the biggest room would be just under an average room in a bigger chain theatre. Smaller theatres, mostly kept for movies at the end of their run, sometimes hold less than 30 seats, and on occasion, you might be sharing it with only two or three more people. This is a really nice touch that allows a cinemagoer to feel like they're watching an individual experience. Very nice indeed.
So if you like your films a little different, as well as your surrounds, visit Cinema Nova.
A major PS - if you get a chance, go to 'The Room'. This cult classic is done absolute justice here, and let me just say that you'll never look at a spoon the same way again.)
