Cinema, NZ

I don't go to many movies here, mostly because the release dates are often months behind the US. However, I'm looking forward to seeing The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which opens on Dec 26. I don't think that's too far off from the US date?

As the "cultural capital" of NZ, Wellington differs from the rest of the country in that it has quite a selection of movie theatres. There are some cool little theatres that show primarily independent and foreign films. There are also big cineplexes that show the Hollywood blockbusters, a bit delayed. Wellington is also home to the very impressive Embassy Theatre. With marble floors and sweeping staircases, it looks more like an opera house than a movie theatre. NZ' s favorite son, Peter Jackson, fought and won to have the Embassy host the world premiere of Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in 2003.

In NZ, you buy your movie tickets at the same concession stand where you buy your popcorn and alcohol. Sometimes the price of admission includes a glass of wine. I'm not sure if I would have liked Smart People as much without the wine.

Movie theatres in NZ have assigned seating. You consult your ticket for your seat number, just like at a Broadway play. This is ridiculous because the theatres are never full. One time, I walked into the Embassy, which seats hundreds of people, to find 20-30 Kiwis sitting elbow-to-elbow in the same corner. I can't believe they comply with this silly rule. These are the same Kiwis who bungee jump in the middle of the city, who set up home on the side of crumbling mountains, whose laissez-faire attitude is killing its children. I took one look at this herd of sheep, put the ticket in my pocket, and sat in a seat of my own choosing.

Who's the Kiwi now, Kiwis?!