Don't wait until it's too late
Record box office takings show that cinema is not dead yet. At the right price, it's the perfect social outing.
Going to the cinema has always been about more than simply watching a movie.
It is the anticipation of choosing a session, the smell of popcorn in the foyer, the choc-top ice-cream, the expectant hush as the lights dim, and the pleasure of being carried away by a story on a screen that's much larger than life.
For many older Australians, the cinema holds a special place in memory.
You may have called it "the pictures" or "the flicks" and it was the place where you saw your first musical, laughed through a matinee comedy, took the children to a Disney film during school holidays, or enjoyed a rare night out with friends.
There is something wonderfully democratic about a cinema audience. Friends and strangers sit side by side, all looking in the same direction, laughing, gasping, or quietly wiping away a tear together.
In recent times, however, the combination of moving to a fixed income and cost-of-living pressures may have given us pause for thought. Can we still afford excursions to the local multiplex?
By the time we add tickets, transport, and a purchase from the candy bar (or lolly shop, as some cinemas call it), a trip to the movies can feel like a luxury.
At the same time, streaming services offer thousands of films and television programs at home for a relatively modest monthly fee. For the price of one or two cinema visits, we could enjoy a whole month of entertainment from the comfort of the lounge room.
Streaming has certainly earned its place. It allows us to rediscover old favourites, from classic films to television series we once watched every week and thought we might never see again.
It also opens the door to new stories from around the world, including documentaries, dramas, comedies, and niche films that may never reach a local cinema. For anyone with mobility issues or limited transport options, streaming can be more than convenient. It can be a lifeline to culture and companionship.
Yet the big screen is far from finished. In fact, cinema has been enjoying something of a comeback.
Recent blockbusters including The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day have delivered box office records, proving that audiences will still turn out when a film feels like an event.
Their success reminds us that some stories are made to be shared in a crowd, with booming sound, sweeping images, and that special sense of occasion that no living room can quite match.
Perhaps the answer is not cinema or streaming, but cinema and streaming. We can enjoy streaming for everyday viewing, old favourites, and quiet nights at home, while saving the cinema for films that truly deserve the big-screen treatment or for outings with family and friends.
And there is good news for National Seniors Australia (NSA) members, who can access a range of discounts through the EAT | PLAY | SAVE app, including offers on shopping, dining, activities and discounted eGift cards, with Event, Hoyts, and Palace Cinemas among participating outlets.
It really is worth checking what savings are available, because sharing a story with others in a darkened room will always be a magical experience.
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*The discount applies to the total National Seniors travel insurance premium and is for National Seniors Australia members only. Discounts do not apply to the rate of GST and stamp duty or any changes you make to the policy. nib has the discretion to withdraw or amend this discount offer at any time. This discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offer or discount. ^ Cover is subject to terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions in the PDS.
National Seniors Australia Ltd ABN 89 050 523 003, AR 282736 is an authorised representative of nib Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd (nib), ABN 81 115 932 173, AFSL 308461 and act as nib's agent and not as your agent. This is general advice only. Before you buy, you should consider your needs, the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Financial Services Guide (FSG) and Target Market Determination (TMD) available from us. This insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, ABN 83 169 311 193.
