Paris Theatre

4 W. 58th Street,
New York, NY 10019

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Showing 76 - 100 of 406 comments

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on November 25, 2019 at 1:26 pm

Numerous articles today are reporting that Netflix has announced a long term lease on the Paris! Hurrah! One article indicates “The Irishman” may move here after its Belasco Theatre run.

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on November 24, 2019 at 4:56 pm

FYI, digital also uses projectors, but digital projectors, not film projectors. After City Cinemas switched regular screenings to digital, the 35/70mm projectors remained in the booth & are likely still there.

There is no website yet at this time for the Paris Theatre. Sites like Fandango have tickets for “Marriage Story” as does the theater’s ticket booth.

In response to another’s question, Netflix is very good at making selections that people wish to watch. I expect that if we are lucky enough, and Netflix secures a lease, rather than our witnessing the Paris being destroyed in the absence of a movie tenant, Netflix will screen films that are worthy of being seen on the big screen. I will be happy to attend!

ridethectrain
ridethectrain on November 24, 2019 at 4:30 pm

Just asking, maybe Netflix might of installed a projector. I do prefer, but will see film sometimes because the producers went of their way to make a film release.

Do you know if their a website for the Paris Theatre.

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on November 24, 2019 at 3:58 pm

I did not ask. I was never a projectionist & don’t claim to be an expert, but I believe it was shown in digital at the Paris. It looked fine. I’d prefer 35mm, but since the Paris began showing in digital under the previous operator (City Cinemas), I have found the quality of the digital presentation there to be excellent.

ridethectrain
ridethectrain on November 24, 2019 at 3:45 pm

Did they show A Marriage Story in DCP or 35MM Film at the Paris? I saw the film in Brooklyn in 35MM Film.

bigjoe59
bigjoe59 on November 24, 2019 at 2:44 pm

Hello-

I’ve been thinking about this theater being solely a Netflix house for the foreseeable future. for 71 years this theater has been a prime showplace for the best in low budget American indies and the crème of foreign language cinema. but if it stays a Netflix house what will they fill it with? as I have said before most original Netflix films aren’t exactly Oscar material. so since films of the caliber of Roma, Marriage Story and The Irishman are few and far between again what will they fill this theater with? after all once a film debuts on Netflix who’s going to pay to see it in a theater?

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on November 24, 2019 at 6:31 am

As I had time yesterday before seeing “The Irishman” at the Belasco, another Netflix presentation, I returned to the Paris & photographed the graphics in the windows above the marquee & posted them here. I don’t recall ever seeing graphics in person in those windows. Showmanship!

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on November 21, 2019 at 1:13 pm

Width the image takes up on the screen. Nothing to do with digital or film (35mm). 1.66 is less wide on the movie screen or TV screen, than “flat” (1.85) or “scope” (2.35 or 2.4). On our flat, HD TVs, the movie would be letterboxed on the left & right (unless the TV owner sets the TV to always fill the screen no matter what). Fortunately, the Paris did not need to letterbox it. For decades, many art films from Europe have been in 1.66.

ridethectrain
ridethectrain on November 21, 2019 at 1:09 pm

What the difference between 1.66 and 1.85. I saw it in 35MM, it was a little smaller

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on November 20, 2019 at 5:20 am

I attended 4 PM yesterday Marriage Story (a Netflix movie). I was overjoyed to see another movie at the Paris after this summer’s closure, and I hope Netfix will continue at the Paris! Well attended. Trailers: Exits, Dolby Surround, Irishman movie, The Two Popes (both Netflix movies). Curtain used, as always (thankfully). The movie being 1.66 aspect ratio, it was properly matted/masked (I think the curtain closed in to properly matt). Open, not reserved seating. I heard women coming into the auditorium saying “I love this theater” and “I am glad the theater was not destroyed” In lobby, at right, large horizontal poster case filled with movie stills rather than same graphic as marquee which in recent years was most often there (& often in recent years there rather than the movie were graphics of the city of Paris). Theater’s front doors postered over with Marriage Story poster, something not done before. Because daytime there was a truck in front, I didn’t realize the windows above the marquee had Marriage Story graphics/promotion which I don’t think has been done in decades- can someone please photo the theater’s front with those window graphics? Being from Philadelphia, I may not get back to the Paris while Marriage Story is still playing.

SethLewis
SethLewis on November 12, 2019 at 1:30 am

When They See Us…The Crown are some Netflix pieces that might fit neatly into retrospective theatre showings particularly if they could build in some Q&A’s with content creators

UsherDNA
UsherDNA on November 12, 2019 at 12:08 am

Hey Joe, that is an absolutely valid question to ask! I’m certain that not every film that Netflix pumps out will be Irishman or Marriage Story caliber, but they do have a wealth of other films, enough perhaps to offset and ward off any dry spells for programming, if they do indeed decide on keeping programming Netflix exclusive.

If I were in charge of programming the theater and employed by Netflix, I’d primarily program the biggest and highest quality Netflix releases front and center, with a mix of middle tier content during the time in between those releases. I’d also program for premieres for the bigger shows and their new seasons (like Stranger Things) and perhaps program some short marathons. If Netflix is around and managing for long enough, there’s no reason that there couldn’t be some retrospective runs on past Netflix hits (like programming The Irishman 10 years from now or something) to further maintain an active slate and conveyor belt of programming. Lastly, I wouldn’t close the door on theater rentals for third party screenings and retrospectives. I hope that the actual programming will follow this somewhat, but if it doesn’t, I’d be interested in seeing what the eventual programming is!

bigjoe59
bigjoe59 on November 11, 2019 at 12:55 pm

Hello-

thanks to UsherDNA for their reply. it prompts another question. I only joined Netflix recently but from the critics reviews of the original films that they stream most don’t hack it. so how many films like “Marriage Story” or “Roma” can they possibly have up their sleeve?

UsherDNA
UsherDNA on November 10, 2019 at 4:34 pm

Hey Joe, yes, it does look like Netflix will have a tight grip on what is programmed there, so I wouldn’t expect the theater’s fare to deviate too much from Netflix films or other kinds of Netflix original content, if it does indeed deviate at all.

bigjoe59
bigjoe59 on November 10, 2019 at 2:08 pm

Hello-

its nice that its 99% certain the Paris has a new lease on life but. if I understand the news item correctly the theater will only play Netflix films?

UsherDNA
UsherDNA on November 10, 2019 at 1:35 am

Other/final notes:

-Seemingly no more assigned seating, only GA. -Some damage to the top of the auditorium that I hadn’t noticed before, was told by worker that there will be some renovations happening at some point, most especially making the theater and downstairs area more accessible. -Felt absolutely refreshing seeing SUCH A LONG LINE for the screening. Combined with all the news I just posted above, was a very joyful time to be a cinemagoer!

UsherDNA
UsherDNA on November 10, 2019 at 1:30 am

What I suspect to be the case based on my visit, hearing what Mr. Baumbach had to say, relatively meaty inquiries and logical speculation: Not sure how exactly Sheldon Solow came to an agreement with Netflix, but looks fruitful. Found out from a worker I met post screening who will remain nameless that there were Indeed.com job postings for a few weeks prior to opening posted up by Bow Tie Cinemas to staff the Paris. It will be a 7 day a week operation and programming will almost certainly be exclusively Netflix Oscar-bait features and probably some Netflix Original Content specialty screenings for the foreseeable future. The staff are presented as unconnected to any other cinema outfit, just Paris Theatre staff. I think Netflix is being leased the space, is completely in charge of programming and is “co-managing” from behind the scenes while Bow Tie Cinemas (through some kind of interesting partnership it looks like) is also “co-managing” a little closer to the public eye and directly in charge of staffing and on-the-premises needs… Although I don’t think the connection to Bow Tie Cinemas will be explicitly advertised, at least while things are still being sorted out. Hoping things get clearer as this initial run winds down in a few weeks!

UsherDNA
UsherDNA on November 9, 2019 at 8:12 pm

It’s (99%) official, the Paris is being saved and will be owned (or managed by, to be more accurate, I think) and programmed by Netflix for the long term! I just came from a Saturday 7:00pm screening of Marriage Story and Noah Baumbach introduced the film with very specific and positive and deliberate wording about saving the theater and reopenings. I also “confirmed” with an employee there after the show and he corroborated that the Paris has new life! Very happy!

bigjoe59
bigjoe59 on November 9, 2019 at 12:09 pm

Hello-

I thing how much Netflix would be willing to spend on 1 film is different from whichever studio. studios have many ways to make $$$ off 1 film but Netflix only has the monthly subscriber fees. I doubt they’d have okayed the $350 budget for Endgame.

Astyanax
Astyanax on November 8, 2019 at 7:16 am

Pleasantly surprised to see the venerated Paris logo in today’s NYT print ad. Does this bode well for the venue’s future.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez on November 7, 2019 at 8:35 pm

That’s a good question for any Hollywood studio ever.

bigjoe59
bigjoe59 on November 7, 2019 at 4:14 pm

Hello-

David Z.– thanks of the info. i figured Netflix would have a nice nest egg if they did in fact have the bazillion subscribers they’re alleged to have but I didn’t think the nest egg would be as high as $125 billion. which prompts a question- how much would they be willing to spend on a single film?

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 6, 2019 at 5:22 pm

Because this shows they are worth $125 billion as of 10/28, if I’m reading it correctly…

https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/NFLX/netflix/net-worth

bigjoe59
bigjoe59 on November 6, 2019 at 4:26 pm

Hello-

an additional question. as I understand it Netflix’s sole source of income is its monthly fees from a reported bazillion subscribers. with that being the case I still don’t see how with The Irishman they can bankroll a $175 mil movie?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez on November 6, 2019 at 2:51 pm

Netflix' PR guy said that quick service to their subscribers was more important than boxoffice revenue even on a national level.