Film
Film reviews, festivals, special screenings and more
See the Sydney premiere of Top of the Lake and meet director Jane Campion
Fans of Top of the Lake will know the second second series of Jane Campion’s crime thriller was filmed here in Sydney, and so to celebrate the new installment of the TV show Sydney Opera House is hosting the premiere screening of the first two episodes – alongside a Q&A with the writer and director
Potterfest: A Harry Potter Marathon
Watching all eight Harry Potter films in one feverish marathon is a bit like taking a roadtrip across the entire country or starting a vegetable patch: it's a feat often talked about, but rarely acted upon
Scandinavian Film Festival
The fourth Scandinavian Film Festival is coming soon with films from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Sweden, screening at Palace Norton Street and Palace Verona
Movie lists you'll love
Film events in Sydney
Scandinavian Film Festival
The festival director gives her picks of this year’s Nordic film feast
Top of the Lake: China Girl
Sydney Opera House is hosting the premiere screening alongside a cast and crew Q&A
Classic Hollywood at the Ritz Cinema
Celebrate the 80th birthday of the Ritz with some of Hollywood's best ever movies back on the big screen
The best cinemas in Sydney
Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace
Without doubt the grandest cinema in Sydney, Cremorne’s Art Deco picture palace is a stunning step back in time. Built in 1935 by George Kenworthy, the top theatrical architect of the period, today’s version is even glitzier than the original thanks to a $2.5-million restoration some years back by owner and local TV celeb Mike Walsh. Each of the six auditoria has its own colour scheme and decor, but the 744-seat Orpheum is the true star of the show. It even has a genuine Wurlitzer cinema organ, which rises out of a stage pit on weekend evenings complete with flashing lights and a grinning organist. Expect a mix of mainstream US, British and Australian fare, with some art-house, special presentations and the occasional cabaret show.
Ritz Cinema Randwick
With a distinctive Art Deco design restored to its former 1930s glory and an impressive sound system, the six-screen Ritz cinema is both a local landmark and an excellent venue for catching the latest mainstream releases. Signs explain the regulations – no alcohol, bare feet, smoking or skateboards – which make sense if you hit the place in the afternoon after school’s out. In the evening the place attracts a different crowd, including film geeks who seek out the Ritz for its great acoustics and old-fashioned flair. Upstairs the inimitable Bar Ritz boasts a marble bar and balcony – perfect for pre- and post-film drinks. Bus 372, 373, 376, 377.
Palace Norton Street Cinemas
Leichhardt's Palace Cinemas were fully refurbed in 2013 and now have eight auditoria, all licensed, and an impressive foyer with a lounge bar and café on site. Palace Norton Street plays host to some of the best annual film festivals such as the French, Spanish, Greek, German and Italian. It is also in close proximity to the eateries and vibrant culture of Norton Street.
Palace Verona Cinemas
Paddington’s intellectuals, gays and art-house crowds are always seen milling about the Palace Verona with glee. The four screens are on the small side, the seats are snug and the pre-show commercials... well, they tend to go on forever. But we're forgiving film lovers, especially since this oft-buzzing venue screens an expertly curated line-up of arthouse releases from name directors (Woody, the Coens, PT Anderson...), world movies, quirky Australian indies and special one-offs, like screenings of overseas stage productions and concerts. There's a licensed café, wine and espresso bar on the premises – good for a pre-movie drink, a post-movie chat or even just a day date, since you don't have to purchase a ticket to enjoy what they're pouring and brewing. And if you're a frequent moviegoer, you'll want to check out Palace's great-value membership schemes, which are more than worth the investment if you see flicks on the regular.
Chauvel Cinema
Named after the Australian film pioneer Charles Chauvel - of Jedda fame - this much-loved local cinema is part of the Palace cinema chain. Its proscenium arch brings true grandeur to the art of film and the staff really know their stuff. Screenings tend to be seriously arty and the place also holds Cinemateque screenings. Be sure to seek out the lovely upstairs bar. Bus 333, 352, 378, 380. Screens 2. Tickets $16.50; $9-$12.50 reductions; $8 Tue.
Upcoming film releases in Australia
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Little Creatures Live
You might already enjoy their beer – including Pale Ale, Rogers' and Dog Days – but did you know there's a way to take your Little Creatures love a little deeper? This year the brewery is taking their show on the road with a series of parties that feature live performance art, food and beer at various on-premise locations and festivals across Australia. They're calling it Little Creatures Live – inspired by the original moniker of their very first Pale Ale, brewed their own way with fresh hops flowers and live yeast. Little Creatures Live will be back in Sydney very soon. Curious as to what to expect? Check out our recaps below. Or if you can't wait, why not pay a visit to Little Creatures' Fremantle or Geelong breweries?
Vote for the bar making your favourite Patrón XO Café Espresso Martini and win a $200 bar tab
If the mere thought of an Espresso Martini makes your heart beat a little faster, then it’s a great time to live in Sydney right now. For a limited time, a selection of top Sydney bars curated by Patrón are creating special twists on the classic Espresso Martini, using Patrón XO Café. Each of these bars is putting their own expression on the cocktail, and together, they make up the Expresso Society (get it?). They’re shaking up the classic cocktail in all sorts of delicious ways – Rosie Campbell’s ‘Patroco’ blends Patrón XO Café, chocolate liqueur and homemade toasted coconut syrup and coconut cream to create a tropical holiday in a glass. For a nutty kick, try Café del Mar’s ‘Espresso del Mar’, which adds Frangelico, hazelnut syrup and butterscotch to Patrón XO Café and espresso. The creativity doesn’t stop there. Bars like Paddington Inn are adding sweetness by throwing burnt marshmallows into the mix, while the clever bartenders at Pitt Street’s Mexican diner Mejico are staying true to their roots by using Peloton Mezcal and agave in their ‘MeXo Espresso’. The question is: which of these Espresso Martinis do you most want to drink? To win a $200 tab at one of these Sydney bars, tell us which cocktail recipe takes your fancy (the full list is here). Enter by telling us which of these Patrón XO Café Espresso Martinis you'd most like to drink, and why by Monday July 31. Name: Email: I'd like to drink: (25 words or less) Tick this box to hear more from Patrón XO
Flappy Hour
Guys, we've found it. The cheapest early bird special in town and it's on for one night only. The Munich Brauhaus and participating Bavarian Bier Cafés around Sydney are trying to serve a record breaking 100,000 wings in an hour of power they're calling flappy hour (geddit). The best part is it's going to be from 5pm-6pm on Fri Jul 28 so all you need to do is duck out of work the tiniest bit early and order a king's ransom in wings for pocket change. Seriously, they're 10c a pop, but the minimum order is 20. That makes it dinner for two dollars. It's bargain city over here. They're also holding wing eating competitions on the Saturday, but the best value all round is flappy hour so avoid the afternoon snacks and treat yourself to a weekend warm-up that'll cost you less than a coffee.
Win a Sunset Sessions Bridge Climb
What’s better than ascending to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge? Ascending to the top bathed in the golden light of sunset, while a musician plays soft guitar beside you. Time Out and BridgeClimb are giving you the chance to win one of two double passes to Sunset Sessions; a series of Climbs over July and August on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Normally, tickets to this bucket list experience will set you back upwards of $350; but this time, you could be zipping up that grey jumpsuit and heading up for free. They’ll even equip you with everything you need based on the weather, including beanies, gloves and fleeces. So if you’re keen to watch the sun dip over the horizon and see the city turn to pink and red (hello, ultimate date night!) then enter our competition below by Tuesday 18 July. Each double pass is valid for 12 months from the issue date*. However, in order to enjoy a Sunset Sessions Climb, the climb will have to be booked on a weekend in July or August 2017. *Not valid during peak period (25/12/17 to 03/01/18). COMPETITION CLOSED Terms and conditions in full. By entering this competition you agree to receive relevant communications from Time Out including news, events, offers and competitions.