I've always been a fan of the massive screen blockbuster experience, but over the years I have been increasingly seduced by Cinema Paridiso's excellent range of films, which tends to cater for the forgotten MAJORITY of people who want to see movies with good story lines and strong characterisations; it's customer focus, which now includes a range of foods and soft and alcoholic drinks (in proper glasses) that can be taken into the auditoriums; and then I realised that at least two of its four cinemas do offer a cinematic experience, in terms of size and quality, that more than matches that of the mega complexes, and beats, hands down, the 'Gold-type' classes offered elsewhere for sheer comfort and viewing pleasure. I have been there four times this week because the British Film Festival is on (one of many international festivals it hosts), and it has been a real joy. They also have a membership scheme to lower prices for regular uses, which makes it a cheap experience amidst the spiralling expense of life in Australia.

Approximate cost: $15