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Ever since I was a little lass I’ve always loved going to the movies. The smell of popcorn, the ice-cold soda fountain drinks, the humongous screen and the larger than life sounds - everything about it is just so magical. My very first memory of the movies was going to the drive-in when I was about 6 years old. I desperately wanted to see The Little Mermaid and so my mother (who loathed drive-ins) forced my older bothers to take me. I remember being completely enchanted the entire time and for days afterwards I annoyed everyone in my family with my (brilliant) renditions of ‘Under the Sea.’ Now, years later I’m still in love with going to the cinema and am thrilled to tell you all about the cinematic heaven that is Ster Kinekor’s Cinema Prestige.
The only thing I didn’t like about Cinema Prestige is that it’s now ruined me for every other cinema in South Africa. From now on every time I sit in another cinema I’ll be comparing everything from the seats to the food with the fancy pants cinema in Rosebank. The thing I loved most about the cinema is definitely the chairs – who knew you could be that comfortable in a movie house! The red leather couches recline so far back they almost resemble beds and I didn’t realise just how much the cinematic experience needs a fully-reclining chair until I visited this spot. The cinema seats just 48 people and has a total of 38 single recliner seats and five double recliners. If you’re heading through on a date make sure you get your hands on a double recliner as they’re the perfect way to enjoy a movie with your special someone.
I also loved the snacks and eats that the cinema offers. They’ve gone above and beyond the basic popcorn, Coke and Whispers offering that you’ve come to expect at your local movie house. At Cinema Prestige movie goers can sip on luxury drinks (like Cappuccinos and hot chocolate!) and nibble on delicious snack platters while they watch the latest blockbuster – it’s heaven I tell you! I perused the menu and was delighted to see they offer everything from wraps and finger foods to dessert (with platters ranging from R50 – R100) as well as your traditional popcorn and sweets offerings. If you’re planning on eating something make sure you arrive about 15 – 20 minutes early so your food arrives when the movie starts.
The only thing stopping me from seeing every new movie ever released at this cinema is the price. Cinema Prestige tickets will cost you R85 per person (or R42.50 for Discovery Vitality or Edgar’s Club members). I will admit that it’s not exactly outrageously over-priced – in fact when you consider that these days the average movie experience will set you back more than R50 and a 3D movie about R70 it’s completely worth it, but it’s still not something you can do every week. And so, I’ve decided that in future I will reserve the magic of Cinema Prestige for big blockbuster must-sees and will leave the Rom-Coms and animated flicks for my local cinema – sounds like a decent compromise to me!
 
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