Alice Cinemas & Film Specialists (Christchurch)
Address:
Alice in Videoland 209 Tuam Street Christchurch Central 8011 Contact Person: Keryn Maguire or Peter Tonks Email: info@alice.co.nz Phone: 03 365 0615 Facebook: Website: www.aliceinvideoland.co.nz |
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. Details
Capacity: 38 seater + 36 seater
Screen: Two screens, DCP
Sound: Good
Seating: Good
Snackbar: Great range of superior snacks from ticket-box. Fully licensed bar and a shiny big coffee machine.
Accessibility: Good access at ground level. Parking nearby (Wilsons Parking).
Capacity: 38 seater + 36 seater
Screen: Two screens, DCP
Sound: Good
Seating: Good
Snackbar: Great range of superior snacks from ticket-box. Fully licensed bar and a shiny big coffee machine.
Accessibility: Good access at ground level. Parking nearby (Wilsons Parking).
Geoff's Review
"A curious conduit to cinematic enlightenment" : still standing as part of a substantial two-story building as the re-build of Christchurch's earthquake-shattered CBD continues around it, Alice Cinemas both preserves its past and offers much hope for the future. Before the quakes, it was probably the best DVD-rental store in New Zealand, especially for art house titles (check out their online catalogue!) After the quakes, it continued to rent out its huge collection from temporary premises, and then re-opened in the original location in March 2012. A new 38-seater theatre was added in late 2012, featuring an Egyptian theme (to match the 'Luxor' carpet) and a daytime/evening programme of art house films (around about 5-6 films per week).
A second 36-seater screen opened in October 2017, featuring a Lewis Carroll-inspired theme. Alice in Videoland is transitioning more towards a cinema venue than a DVD store but their range of film on DVD remains impressive, and you can still enjoy film on both big and smaller screens.
Alice Cinemas are important especially as the 2011 earthquake destroyed most cinema screens (32 in total) in Christchurch. It was rightly awarded the Independent Cinema of the Year title, in the flicks.co.nz 2015 poll. Offers specials on Tuesdays.
Alice Cinemas feature The Reel People of New Zealand doco.
Next door is the wonderfully eclectic C1 Expresso Cafe.
The De Luxe Cinema, situated in The Tannery shopping complex in Woolston, was formerly linked to Alice Cinemas--both being owned and operated by Jeremy Stewart. In December 2019, ownership of Alice passed to film buffs Keryn Macguire and Peter Tonks, with Jeremy continuing with the DeLuxe (the Stewart family have had a long association with film exhibition in Christchurch).
"A curious conduit to cinematic enlightenment" : still standing as part of a substantial two-story building as the re-build of Christchurch's earthquake-shattered CBD continues around it, Alice Cinemas both preserves its past and offers much hope for the future. Before the quakes, it was probably the best DVD-rental store in New Zealand, especially for art house titles (check out their online catalogue!) After the quakes, it continued to rent out its huge collection from temporary premises, and then re-opened in the original location in March 2012. A new 38-seater theatre was added in late 2012, featuring an Egyptian theme (to match the 'Luxor' carpet) and a daytime/evening programme of art house films (around about 5-6 films per week).
A second 36-seater screen opened in October 2017, featuring a Lewis Carroll-inspired theme. Alice in Videoland is transitioning more towards a cinema venue than a DVD store but their range of film on DVD remains impressive, and you can still enjoy film on both big and smaller screens.
Alice Cinemas are important especially as the 2011 earthquake destroyed most cinema screens (32 in total) in Christchurch. It was rightly awarded the Independent Cinema of the Year title, in the flicks.co.nz 2015 poll. Offers specials on Tuesdays.
Alice Cinemas feature The Reel People of New Zealand doco.
Next door is the wonderfully eclectic C1 Expresso Cafe.
The De Luxe Cinema, situated in The Tannery shopping complex in Woolston, was formerly linked to Alice Cinemas--both being owned and operated by Jeremy Stewart. In December 2019, ownership of Alice passed to film buffs Keryn Macguire and Peter Tonks, with Jeremy continuing with the DeLuxe (the Stewart family have had a long association with film exhibition in Christchurch).