State Cinema — Attraction in Hobart

John Kelly had a vision and we are lucky enough now in Hobart to be able to share the realization of that vision. He has moved the State Cinema from a worn out one cinema complex where you could buy a mug of instant coffee, to a wonderful 7 cinema complex complete with roof top cinema as well, for the finer weather months. I've watched it emerge step by step and have been in awe of his vision. Long gone is the instant coffee, and the tiny space with no seating has grown to several varied and different spaces to choose from when taking time before or after the movie to sip some vino or enjoy an excellent coffee. And as you sit, the folk who flow in are all happy, looking forward to a movie in a very pleasant environment, catching up with friends or just chilling in the only space in Hobart to be serving continuously (coffee, wine, food) from 10.30 am til late. For me it is my evening pause between work and home for a late afternoon coffee in a wonderful ambiance surrounded by interesting people, all out for a happy time. No where else in Hobart like it. And then sometimes it is my turn to see a film as well. Always an excellent range to choose from, ranging from latest general release e.g. the Hobbit and the latest James Bond film, Skyfall, to more Art House style and foreign films. Take your pic. One of my most memorable experiences there was seeing Searching for Sugar Man. A film I will always treasure having seen and having seen it...

Poor form to the Cinema ‘owners’ America Reading Company who have continued with the discriminatory habits of the previous owner, not allowing companion or DVA card holders to use their discounts on public holidays. My Mum who now resides in an aged care facility and lives with vascular dementia, was stunned today when her DVA gold card was refused, due to it being a public holiday. We could have paid but it’s about the principles and concept of why this is the ‘policy’. We don’t have a lot of opportunities to go out as a family with all of us working weekdays, weekends and nights. Today’s public holiday was the perfect time to have 3 generations come together, watch a movie and we had planned on buying lunch at the cinema afterwards… not to mention a bubbly or 2 whilst watching the movie. My Mum has many childhood memories of family outings to The State, and for all of us now that’s all we will have, memories. We certainly won’t be returning to make new ones. I’m fairly confident as a World War II soldier my Dad didn’t get paid over time or stop fighting for his Country because it was a public holiday. Discrimination, and unkindness at its very worst. Another place focussed on profits and not people....

Went to the Bond premiere last night, the movie was great, nice comfortable seats, the Catering however was not. One printed menu available, not a great selection but I chose the Thai fishcakes, the Arancini and the cheese platter. Arancini very salty and overly garlicky, Fish cakes awful, cheese platter had a piece of basic cheddar some kind od brie and the blue was cheap NZ blue rolled into a ball in some attempt to hide it's origins, taste is unmistakable. I went up to buy my friend a rum and dry, I was told I'd have to go to the front bar to get rum, so I ordered a Jameson and dry, staff member putice in the glass, poured in half a split of flat dry ginger, then put in the shot of Jameson and then informed me she was going to the front bar to get more dry. In this day and age it never ceases to amaze me that the industry I have dedicated my life to is now often staffed by people who are untrained and I blame the owners. If you can't pay for staff training there is something wrong with your business plan. This place could be so much better than that, we are in the food state, let's catch...