Overview
It's a great time to be a film fan. We live in a golden age of blockbusters, spanning multimillion-dollar creations of all shapes and sizes. 2022 saw Top Gun: Maverick break the box office and blow our minds with its mach-one machinations, Minions: The Rise of Gru become an internet phenomenon, and audiences went diving deep into the multiverse via head-spinners like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Cinemas are the place to be, and if you thought 2022 was big, you're not ready for what awaits in the new year. The next few months contain some huge blockbuster beasts, as any partner, friend or parent of a film fan will have already started hearing about.
With that in mind, we've teamed up with HOYTS Cinemas to create a gift guide for the movie buff in your life — matching the upcoming titles your loved ones are excited about with the perfect presents.
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER: HOYTS GIFT CARD
If you know somebody who is excited for this film, firstly, can you blame them? It's likely going to be among the biggest titles of both 2022 and 2023. A sequel to James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster, Avatar: The Way of Water once again stars Australia's own Sam Worthington opposite Zoe Saldaña. Picking up ten years after the original, it follows the growing Sully family and the challenges they continue to face.
What better gift for somebody waiting to return to Pandora than a HOYTS Gift Card, which they can use to cover the full experience, 3D screenings, snacks and all? In the case of Avatar, 3D is a must-see. Think: the big screen (Xtremescreen-level big), impressive surround sound, comfy recliners and a hefty bucket of popcorn (or luxury in-seat dining), perfect for a summer movie behemoth. HOYTS gift cards cover it all, and can be purchased online or at any HOYTS cinema.
I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY: SINGING LESSONS
The latest in Hollywood's lineup of major music biopics, I Wanna Dance With Somebody tells the story of 'The Voice' herself, Whitney Houston, from her rise to stardom in the mid-70s to her chart-topping hits of the 90s. Directed by Harriet's Kasi Lemmons, it stars Naomi Ackie as Houston, Stanley Tucci as record producer Clive Davis and Ashton Sanders as her husband Bobby Brown.
If Houston's legendary pipes are constantly blaring in your household, it may be time for your resident superfan to work on their own singing skills. The musical maestros at Sydney Voice Studio offer a wide range of courses for every age and experience level, including a free four-week introduction course that lets participants explore the potential of their voice and latent singing skills. Give someone a new hobby and accompanying confidence with a gift voucher to use on a course of their choice.
PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH: CATMOSPHERE GIFT VOUCHER
Everyone knows Puss in Boots from his appearances in the Shrek franchise, plus his solo big-screen outing in 2011. You may have also heard that he's returning for another ride in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. In the latest animated trip to the Kingdom of Far Far Away, Puss — voiced by the velvet-smooth Antonio Banderas — is down to the last of his nine lives, and must battle fairy-tale bounty hunters over a star with the power to grant a single wish. If you know a kiddo (or grown-up Shrek fan, no shame in that) who has this on their watchlist, we have the perfect pressie.
In Surry Hills, Puss in Boots fans (and any cat person) can find their dream day out at Catmosphere. As Sydney's original Cat Cafe, it offers multiple cat-centric cafe experiences, plus activities like cat yoga. The venue's residents span all breeds and ages, as sourced from rescue groups — and they live there permanently. There are age requirements for some activities, but most cat fans will find themselves accommodated. Gift cards are available online for all experiences and price ranges.
BABYLON: ACTING CLASSES
Thanks to its stacked cast, Oscar-winning director and glitzy premise, Babylon is a must-see for history buffs and film fans alike. Directed by La La Land's Damian Chazelle and starring Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, it spins a tale of ambition and excess in 1920s Los Angeles. The era was marked by endless growth and celebration across the United States, especially in a seaside town called Hollywood.
Any fan of the cast or director is likely a fan of the film industry as a whole. The appeal of Hollywood and stardom beams brightly — and the movie is about actors and showbusiness, after all — so they might want a chance to make a name for themselves. Send them down that road with a voucher for a course at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, which offers classes for all ages in ten studios across Sydney. Those classes include acting, directing, comedy, theatre and more, and can be taken face-to-face or online.
LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE: SPA DAY PACKAGE
Any musical or Broadway appreciator probably has Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile on their radar. The musical comedy is the first film adaptation of the beloved book series about a family who discovers a singing crocodile in the attic of their New York home, and stars Javier Bardem and Constance Wu — plus Shawn Mendes as the titular singing crocodile. Pair that with new original music from the songwriters of The Greatest Showman, and there's plenty to get excited about.
One thing that Lyle likes just as much as singing: a good bath. Soaking in some bubbles can help wash off almost any burden, whether you're a crocodile or a human. Accordingly, anyone looking forward to the film will appreciate a stint at The Langham Sydney and its famous day spa services. Vouchers can be bought online, and used for the usual range of massages, spas, pedicures and manicures.
MAGIC MIKE'S LAST DANCE: DANCING LESSONS
It won't be hard to find somebody who's got their eyes on this six-pack movie. Channing Tatum's mesmerising moves as Mike Lane have entranced audiences for a decade now. In Magic Mike's Last Dance, he takes to the stage for one last show, with Salma Hayek Pinault co-starring as a wealthy, mysterious socialite. It could be the last time we see Tatum's hips swing, so let's make it count.
Luckily, there's a gift to fill the void that Mike will leave in our hearts. Sydney Vintage Dance is an honoured local institution where anyone who wants to get moving can give it a try. The vintage in the name points to their curriculum, covering historical dances, chair and heel dancing, fitness dancing, burlesque dancing and dancing performances. So, once Mike hangs up his dancing shoes, your loved one can don their own and bring the art of dance into their lives in a whole new way.
Know a film fan? Anyone who has mentioned these films? HOYTS is the place to be this summer, with all of the above movies and more hitting its screens. Find your local cinema and its showtimes on the chain's website, and shop for gift vouchers online as well.