It's a fact that going to the movies in Australia is not cheap (
SMH report). How much would you have to pay if you are a family of 2 adults and 2 children to enjoy a movie on a weekend? More than $60.00? And that's not including the popcorns and soft drinks your kids cannot do without. And for the duration of the movie, some of you might think to yourself, surely I didn't just pay almost $100.00 to confine myself to this narrow chair in this dark room for two hours, not being able to leave without treading on toes and saying "excuse me" a hundred times, consuming excessive amount of fattening food and drinks, and being bored to tears by this silly cartoon movie, only because my kids want to see it. How unfair that is!
Well, your saviour is here.
Free Flicks for Kids is a series of children movie that are screened every Saturday, free of charge, with beanbag seatings on the lawn (you can bring your own rug and pillow for a flat-bed experience), and located at the very vibrant Northbridge Piazza - so you can sneak away to that cafe at the corner for a longed-for latte or two while your spouse watch the kids.
Watching movies at the Northbridge Piazza
Sure, they're not playing the latest flicks that are still screenings at the cinemas, but they're not the mouldy oldies from our childhood either. At just a few months up to a few years old, I find the flicks are still very acceptable and entertaining for the kids. For example, offerings in January 2012 include Rio (2011), Hop (2011), Mulan (2008) and CJ7 (2008). The last two had a Chinese theme to usher in the
Chinese New Year on 23 January 2012.
Mr. Popper's Penguin (2011) is scheduled for 11 February 2012 while The Smurfs Movie (2011) will be screened on 10 March 2012.
And that's another great thing about the series: it's not confined to just Hollywood movies, but has a healthy sprinkling of foreign productions. Other than the Hong Kong movie
CJ7, that screened around Chinese New Year, some Japanese animes are scheduled for February 2012 as part of the
Anime Film Season.
Animes on offer in February 2012
Ready to go? Not so fast, guys. To be able to enjoy the experience to the limit, it's best to come prepared: (1) Check the movie start time and give yourself plenty of time to find parking; (2) Bring your own snacks and cold drinks - especially on warm summer evenings; and (3) Remember that with all free events, it's a first come first served basis with the bean bags. Your own pillows would greatly help in case you arrive too late to secure some.
