There’s nothing quite like a picnic on a mild summer evening. What’s even better is when there’s also a good movie on the big screen, yummy food and the gentle sound of the ocean in the background. Well you can have it all at the American Express Openair Cinema at South Beach Reserve, St. Kilda.
Until the 20th of December Melbourne audiences can expect to be delighted by regular screenings of box office hits right by the St Kilda beach. You can bring your own picnic gear (except for alcohol and glass containers) or take advantage of the lounger and food options on offer, including delicious Ladro pizza! Premium tickets to the Star Lounge include reserved seating, service straight to your lounger and a glass of wine. Best of all, pooches are allowed and as we all know, Dog is God spelled backwards, so two thumbs up!
We arrived a couple of hours before dark to get a good spot and take advantage of the beautiful location and music. Duo VanderAa provided musical entertainment and got everyone ready to unwind with their relaxing acoustic tunes. I was quite excited to watch Thor: Ragnarok as I am a huge fan of director Taika Waititi’s work. Did you know that he won New Zealander of the Year in 2017? Did you also know that he insisted on having indigenous people involved in the film when it was shot in Australia? My fangirling almost had me follow him into an airport toilet once, but that’s a story for another time.
Once the sun had set and we had filled our bellies with pizza, the screen lit up and we snuggled into our blankets, pillows and loungers, ready to be thoroughly entertained by Mr. Hemsworth and co. The movie paid homage to many sci-fi and fantasy classics like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and The Running Man. It was laden with NZ and Aussie in-jokes and had a fun 80s aesthetic. To quote my plus one: ‘They had to get the hipsters hooked somehow.’ There were lots of laughs and everyone seemed to be having a great time, largely due to the excellent setup and service.
Overall this was one of the best outdoor cinema experiences I have had: the seats were comfortable, the location amazing, and the whole event was extremely well organised. If you are in need of a good date idea or simply a relaxing evening by the beach, this could be your ideal night out.
– Claudia
Claudia B. is a German/Kiwi graphic designer and illustrator who has been living and working in Melbourne for the last six years. She enjoys a good glass of scotch and the occasional pole dancing class. Claudia also helps donate proceeds from http://www.notthispussy.com.au to charities in support of women’s rights, refugees and climate change.
American Express Openair Cinema in Melbourne runs until 20 December 2017. Buy tickets now.
Disclosure: The Plus Ones were invited guests of PR Shed.
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