Movie theatres maxing out

Moviegoers will soon be treated to greater comfort and a bigger selection of films in downtown Tauranga.
The Cinema 8 complex in Elizabeth St - established 12 years ago - is undergoing a $2.5 million refurbishment, which includes a ninth screen.
And the three-screen Rialto Cinema in the Goddards Centre between Grey St and Devonport Rd is due to open at the end of next month.
And another movie complex may open at Bayfair Shopping Centre late next year.
Cinema 8 managing director Paul Desmond said he had always intended to upgrade his movie theatres - irrespective of the increased competition.
"Times have changed and the trend worldwide is to have auditoriums with more luxurious seating and more ambience," he said.
The work by builders Gartshore Group has been under way since February and will be finished by October.
Already two of the six major auditoriums have been converted into the new look, which features tiered stadium seating, plush carpet and improved sound.
"The sightlines to the screens are improved 110 per cent," said Mr Desmond.
The two smaller downstairs encore theatres, which already have stadium seating, will remain untouched.
The auditorium floors are raised between 1m to 4.5m from the front to the back rows and the moviegoers won't have to look up at the screen. They will have more leg room, and the patrons can sit back in the spacious seats and easily look over the person in front of them.
Cinema 8's foyer, candy bar, ticketing booth and exterior will also be upgraded.
The revamp means the total seating capacity will drop from 1016 to 720 but another 125 seats will be added after the ninth auditorium is built later this year. It will take up the space fronting Grey St when Chubb Lock and Safe moves out.
Mr Desmond also provides 600 seats in the Cinema 4 complex at Mount Maunganui.
When the revamp is completed, he will also be re-naming and re-branding his movie operation. Mr Desmond started with Cinema 5 in Elizabeth St and after adding more theatres changed to Cinema 6 and then 8. He reckons Cinema 9 is a bit too much - "it's time for a total change".
Mr Desmond is unperturbed by the opening of the Rialto complex just down the road.
"It will be very complementary to our business. They specialise in art house films while we are mainstream.
"We have always played Rialto films and will continue to do so. But I guess they will look after themselves first. However, the market is growing all the time in Tauranga," he said.
The opening of the Rialto Tauranga cinema complex, which has 205 seats, will complete the $6 million re-development of the Goddards Centre.
The local movie industry could also face increased competition at the Tower-owned Bayfair Shopping Centre - with the prospect of an eight-screen complex being built there by the end of next year.
Greg Whitten, Tower's head of property investment, said an experienced movie operator was keen to move in to Bayfair. Building could start in February next year.
"We believe the new aquatic centre, the shopping centre and the movie complex would work well together - with the extra activities it becomes more of a family day out," said Mr Whitten.