This place is awesome. Took a 2 hour trek and it was worth every minute. You get the real feel of a real drive in (for those that remember them). The people who work there are film lovers and dedicated to the theater and are all very nice and welcoming. I’ve been there twice and each time has been a grand experience. The screen is huge and they play only 35MM film prints of classic movies. It’s an experience you must go see for yourself.
First time back since it closed. New lobby, looks nice. The staff very friendly and courteous. But the theaters are pretty much the same, small screens, dank atmosphere. They’re showing mainstream movies I suppose to get the revenues. Would I go back?,,,,Yes!! For the classic film showings or something new on the independent front. Drove by the BELLEVUE on the way home, says a new theater soon and is boarded up in front. Maybe that will open soon too.
I’m cursed to see MY FAIR LADY on the big screen. Saw it twice 1) Bellevue in Montclair- they played it in non- anamorphic, 2) AMC Wayne, the same way. I figured Cinemark would be on top of things. Got to the theater, nothing on screen, told an employee, he checked with the manager, said the mgr. said it would begin at the start time. I told him that TCM/Fathom events have a 30 min. pre- show with trivia, crowd noise, ads etc. The employee didn’t know much just repeated what his mgr. said. At the start time, it begins, the trivia starts. Now there’ll be a 30 min. wait that I was not willing to sit through trivia questions. The other patrons were excited to see the film on a big screen. I left, got a refund. Those patrons, I guarantee complained to the manager for the wait for the film. They played Fathom event films before and they always had the 30 min. pre-show play and the film started on time. Not this time though. Theaters really need to train their employees for these screenings. Or else I’m just never meant to see MY FAIR LADY starting on time and filling the large screen.
After one too many poor experiences at this theater, have now been a regular at the new Cinemark. Spend a few years there before it starts to go downhill.
Went to see Terminator in laser Imax. It was dark the entire movie including previews. Could see the picture but the bulb was obviously turned down. I went to lobby and told someone, but nothing happened. I hear theaters do this to save on the bulb. I also went to AMC Wayne and as the lights went down, a mouse came running past me. I left. A lousy weekend at AMC theaters!
What is happening with theaters #1 and #2 at the back. They seem to be for storage and are closed off. Are they going to renovate? Maybe they could use them for independent and classic film showings. YEA RIGHT!
the Paris keeps their films for long runs, when I check Fandango for tickets the place is usually empty. How is it possible for them to stay open? It would be great if the theater was used for premieres and 70MM runs of classics but alas, it’s most likely had it’s time and meant for a closing! Cinema 1, 2, 3 once a great premiere theater and still shows 70MM occasionally is just another theater that shows the local crap. Haven’t been there in a long long time but from what I see and hear, not the place it once was
TCM screening of MY FAIR LADY today, was really looking forward to seeing it on their NEW giant screen, unfortunately, they dropped the ball again and I got ripped off. The movie was projected flat 1:85 with the panavision wide screen image letterboxed inside the flat frame, so what we got was a huge screen with this much smaller image inside the frame,…. for THIS film. They didn’t adjust the projector. I told an employee, she radioed it in but nothing came of it. AMC Wayne, Clifton do this all the time, screw up the TCM screenings, with Ben-Hur and Lawrence of Arabia coming up, I’ll skip those too. The problem is management and employees who know nothing about the full movie experience, usually on their phones. BTW…this is the 2nd time I got burned for MY FAIR LADY, the last time I saw it was at the now closed BELLEVUE in Montclair and they did the same thing. Cursed!!!
The seats are new BUT…they don’t even recline a little. There’s more leg room, HOWEVER, the site lines are still the same. When someone sits in front of you you are once again rocking your head from side to side. That and as with the old chairs, people are constantly shifting and moving seats when someone sits in front of them. They seem to now show the repertory films in the far #1 theater. I preferred the # 3 as before. With the #1 theater I was there 2 weeks in a row and the same thing happened. The door constantly opening and shutting, even the employees are in and out making an intrusion of themselves. The other day as Mean Streets was coming to a close, an employee opened the door and kept it open as the movie was coming to an end, the light came in, the noise was loud and the patrons (myself included) were quite annoyed. The end of the movie was ruined. I suggest, they cover the opening of the door window so light won’t come in and we won’t see people looking in. Also they should keep the outside door closed that leads from the lobby to the theater, you can hear the loud employees and the sound from the lobby. On a tech note: While the projection seems fine, the sound could be brought up a tad. It has no power. I too have noticed that it seems that most of their rep titles now seem to be DCP. I prefer the 35MM. CONCLUSION: as for the remodel, everything seems to be the same except new seats, more leg room (BTW, the cup holders dig into your thighs, not too roomy) and new theater.
I commented last Summer about the dreadful experience of the TCM Thelma and Louise screening. I decided to give this theater another shot for SOME LIKE IT HOT with TCM. When TCM sends these films they’re supposed to start the screening 30 min before start time as they have all the promos, ads, trivia and countdown to start. This theater (along with Garden State 16 in Paramus and Loews in Wayne) seem to be incompetent when it comes to running theaters. I myself will go to an employees telling them to start the program as there’s a 30 min pre-show (I know that, how come they don’t) They wait till 5 min before the show, hit the switch and the countdown is on. They don’t take into account that it’s 30 min. Many times, patrons are phoning from their seats to management informing them, then the projection booth will scan the hard drive- you see all this on screen. It happened at Garden State and Loews too. At CLIFTON, once again , no one thought to turn the lights out. At least 4 people got up from their seat to tell them. Also, in theater #12 where they show the TCM films, they don’t adjust the screen for the aspect ration- and the sound is not sharp. They need to repair it. I’m never going there for TCM films again. There’s no manager around and the kid taking tickets who seems to run the show does not know what he’s doing. I miss the days when theaters were run by professionals.
Went to see THELMA and LOUISE yesterday. Before it started, I heard the high school employees in the projection booth unsure about what to do. The girl hit the button the movie started and it played the whole time in widescreen (2:35) format in a flat screen (1:85) and the pic was dark. They never adjusted the projector or screen. Add to that, the side lights were on in the theater the entire time as well as on the screen and they didn’t keystone the image, it was sloping on an angle. One might say, I should have gotten up out of my seat to tell them, my answer would be, “Shouldn’t the theater make sure the film is playing right and the customer doesn’t need to do that?”, plus, I’m positive some kid at the desk would have said that’s the way they sent the film, as well as, there was no one at the desk all afternoon. Theaters are run by kids who have no idea (or care) about what to do and to ensure the film plays right. it cost me $13.50. They have “King and I' coming up this weekend, I’m sure they’ll screw that up too, I will not attend the Commons theater
The atmosphere looks dark and seats uncomfortable and the admission price is a standard NYC high. I like that they show 35MM, I’ll try it out and hope it’s a good bet.
I’ve never been there but after reading many reviews I think I will not attend this theater. Why pay $14+ to see a movie with a small screen, bad ambience and questionable projection. I have a big 80" screen and projector at my home. I went to the Angelika a while back and was not impressed at all, I like Film Forum though.
I hope they have a great revival series for the Summer. I was overjoyed at the Universal 100 and Sci-Fi series. It made me go into the city many times but sometimes FF will devote summer to obscure foreign series or something (for me at least) not worth taking the trip to NYC for.
I was a college student and the first film I saw there was “The China Syndrome” in fall of 79. For the next four years that place became my go-to place for movies and the 1 dollar admission for a college student was the best. Spent many an afternoon and night there. Does anyone have any pictures of the Collegetown to display?
Saw “Still Alice” last winter. The theater looked like a messy room with stuff laying all over the floor. The theater had a dank, dark atmosphere and there was a lot of noise throughout the film (air blower?) Not a good theater but for the neighborhood I’m sure it works. This theater is still up and running
Is was great to see 70MM again, however, I think Tarantino’s experiment will not change things. The Ultra Panavision image only filled half the screen,the images did not pop off the screen as they would in digital (This film will play well on blu-ray at home since it’s mostly interior) If Hateful 8 played a theater equipped with the cinerama screen then it would be an experience, but the cost would be enormous. I kept thinking that if this film played a special run at an equipped theater geared for the image, with reserved seating, then it would be an event. The sound was outstanding and the movie itself was great. At one point a line ran down the film from wear and tear and there was some dropouts, it made me smile and think of the old days when it was all film. I don’t know if 70MM fever will spread (for special event screenings I hope so) but I applaud QT for bringing back the roadshow. I saw LAWRENCE OF ARABIA at the Ziegfeld in 70MM in 2002 for the 40th and I was awestruck!!!
I was a loyal patron of the Big Screen Classics since it began. Unfortunately, the series now only shows either a DVD or blu ray copy and a $10 admission price.I have stopped going to the Lafayette for the Big Screen series as I can watch blu ray at home and not pay $10 for it. While I applaud the people running Lafayette for bringing the series all these years and do realize that they weren’t making much of a profit especially with all the senior passes, I cannot justify the trip, the admission price and the fact that I’m not getting a presentation befit of a total movie lover. If they are still successful, then keep it going, but with Nelson and Pete I always knew I was going to get a big screen classic experience and always did. It’s sadly, time for me to say goodbye to the Lafayette but thank them for the over 100 big screen classics I did see there. Still the best theater on the east coast!!
This place is awesome. Took a 2 hour trek and it was worth every minute. You get the real feel of a real drive in (for those that remember them). The people who work there are film lovers and dedicated to the theater and are all very nice and welcoming. I’ve been there twice and each time has been a grand experience. The screen is huge and they play only 35MM film prints of classic movies. It’s an experience you must go see for yourself.
First time back since it closed. New lobby, looks nice. The staff very friendly and courteous. But the theaters are pretty much the same, small screens, dank atmosphere. They’re showing mainstream movies I suppose to get the revenues. Would I go back?,,,,Yes!! For the classic film showings or something new on the independent front. Drove by the BELLEVUE on the way home, says a new theater soon and is boarded up in front. Maybe that will open soon too.
I’m cursed to see MY FAIR LADY on the big screen. Saw it twice 1) Bellevue in Montclair- they played it in non- anamorphic, 2) AMC Wayne, the same way. I figured Cinemark would be on top of things. Got to the theater, nothing on screen, told an employee, he checked with the manager, said the mgr. said it would begin at the start time. I told him that TCM/Fathom events have a 30 min. pre- show with trivia, crowd noise, ads etc. The employee didn’t know much just repeated what his mgr. said. At the start time, it begins, the trivia starts. Now there’ll be a 30 min. wait that I was not willing to sit through trivia questions. The other patrons were excited to see the film on a big screen. I left, got a refund. Those patrons, I guarantee complained to the manager for the wait for the film. They played Fathom event films before and they always had the 30 min. pre-show play and the film started on time. Not this time though. Theaters really need to train their employees for these screenings. Or else I’m just never meant to see MY FAIR LADY starting on time and filling the large screen.
This pic is the Totowa Cinema up the road, NOT the Cinema 46
After one too many poor experiences at this theater, have now been a regular at the new Cinemark. Spend a few years there before it starts to go downhill.
Went to see Terminator in laser Imax. It was dark the entire movie including previews. Could see the picture but the bulb was obviously turned down. I went to lobby and told someone, but nothing happened. I hear theaters do this to save on the bulb. I also went to AMC Wayne and as the lights went down, a mouse came running past me. I left. A lousy weekend at AMC theaters!
Was set to watch MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN but as the lights went down a mouse came running past me. I left the theater. Where there’s one, there’s many
What is happening with theaters #1 and #2 at the back. They seem to be for storage and are closed off. Are they going to renovate? Maybe they could use them for independent and classic film showings. YEA RIGHT!
TCM screening of EASY RIDER, CANCELLED 4PM Sunday show. They couldn’t get the movie to play. AMC never gets the Fathom screenings right!
the Paris keeps their films for long runs, when I check Fandango for tickets the place is usually empty. How is it possible for them to stay open? It would be great if the theater was used for premieres and 70MM runs of classics but alas, it’s most likely had it’s time and meant for a closing! Cinema 1, 2, 3 once a great premiere theater and still shows 70MM occasionally is just another theater that shows the local crap. Haven’t been there in a long long time but from what I see and hear, not the place it once was
TCM screening of MY FAIR LADY today, was really looking forward to seeing it on their NEW giant screen, unfortunately, they dropped the ball again and I got ripped off. The movie was projected flat 1:85 with the panavision wide screen image letterboxed inside the flat frame, so what we got was a huge screen with this much smaller image inside the frame,…. for THIS film. They didn’t adjust the projector. I told an employee, she radioed it in but nothing came of it. AMC Wayne, Clifton do this all the time, screw up the TCM screenings, with Ben-Hur and Lawrence of Arabia coming up, I’ll skip those too. The problem is management and employees who know nothing about the full movie experience, usually on their phones. BTW…this is the 2nd time I got burned for MY FAIR LADY, the last time I saw it was at the now closed BELLEVUE in Montclair and they did the same thing. Cursed!!!
The seats are new BUT…they don’t even recline a little. There’s more leg room, HOWEVER, the site lines are still the same. When someone sits in front of you you are once again rocking your head from side to side. That and as with the old chairs, people are constantly shifting and moving seats when someone sits in front of them. They seem to now show the repertory films in the far #1 theater. I preferred the # 3 as before. With the #1 theater I was there 2 weeks in a row and the same thing happened. The door constantly opening and shutting, even the employees are in and out making an intrusion of themselves. The other day as Mean Streets was coming to a close, an employee opened the door and kept it open as the movie was coming to an end, the light came in, the noise was loud and the patrons (myself included) were quite annoyed. The end of the movie was ruined. I suggest, they cover the opening of the door window so light won’t come in and we won’t see people looking in. Also they should keep the outside door closed that leads from the lobby to the theater, you can hear the loud employees and the sound from the lobby. On a tech note: While the projection seems fine, the sound could be brought up a tad. It has no power. I too have noticed that it seems that most of their rep titles now seem to be DCP. I prefer the 35MM. CONCLUSION: as for the remodel, everything seems to be the same except new seats, more leg room (BTW, the cup holders dig into your thighs, not too roomy) and new theater.
I commented last Summer about the dreadful experience of the TCM Thelma and Louise screening. I decided to give this theater another shot for SOME LIKE IT HOT with TCM. When TCM sends these films they’re supposed to start the screening 30 min before start time as they have all the promos, ads, trivia and countdown to start. This theater (along with Garden State 16 in Paramus and Loews in Wayne) seem to be incompetent when it comes to running theaters. I myself will go to an employees telling them to start the program as there’s a 30 min pre-show (I know that, how come they don’t) They wait till 5 min before the show, hit the switch and the countdown is on. They don’t take into account that it’s 30 min. Many times, patrons are phoning from their seats to management informing them, then the projection booth will scan the hard drive- you see all this on screen. It happened at Garden State and Loews too. At CLIFTON, once again , no one thought to turn the lights out. At least 4 people got up from their seat to tell them. Also, in theater #12 where they show the TCM films, they don’t adjust the screen for the aspect ration- and the sound is not sharp. They need to repair it. I’m never going there for TCM films again. There’s no manager around and the kid taking tickets who seems to run the show does not know what he’s doing. I miss the days when theaters were run by professionals.
Went to see THELMA and LOUISE yesterday. Before it started, I heard the high school employees in the projection booth unsure about what to do. The girl hit the button the movie started and it played the whole time in widescreen (2:35) format in a flat screen (1:85) and the pic was dark. They never adjusted the projector or screen. Add to that, the side lights were on in the theater the entire time as well as on the screen and they didn’t keystone the image, it was sloping on an angle. One might say, I should have gotten up out of my seat to tell them, my answer would be, “Shouldn’t the theater make sure the film is playing right and the customer doesn’t need to do that?”, plus, I’m positive some kid at the desk would have said that’s the way they sent the film, as well as, there was no one at the desk all afternoon. Theaters are run by kids who have no idea (or care) about what to do and to ensure the film plays right. it cost me $13.50. They have “King and I' coming up this weekend, I’m sure they’ll screw that up too, I will not attend the Commons theater
Yep, another foreign series and two weeks of “Blood Simple” (really? two weeks?) Guess I won’t be spending much time at the film forum this summer
Poor theater atmosphere, very uncomfortable.
The atmosphere looks dark and seats uncomfortable and the admission price is a standard NYC high. I like that they show 35MM, I’ll try it out and hope it’s a good bet.
I’ve never been there but after reading many reviews I think I will not attend this theater. Why pay $14+ to see a movie with a small screen, bad ambience and questionable projection. I have a big 80" screen and projector at my home. I went to the Angelika a while back and was not impressed at all, I like Film Forum though.
I hope they have a great revival series for the Summer. I was overjoyed at the Universal 100 and Sci-Fi series. It made me go into the city many times but sometimes FF will devote summer to obscure foreign series or something (for me at least) not worth taking the trip to NYC for.
Saw “My Fair Lady” in Oct. it was presented letterboxed in a 1:85 flatscreen. They didn’t correct the projector settings.
I was a college student and the first film I saw there was “The China Syndrome” in fall of 79. For the next four years that place became my go-to place for movies and the 1 dollar admission for a college student was the best. Spent many an afternoon and night there. Does anyone have any pictures of the Collegetown to display?
Saw “Still Alice” last winter. The theater looked like a messy room with stuff laying all over the floor. The theater had a dank, dark atmosphere and there was a lot of noise throughout the film (air blower?) Not a good theater but for the neighborhood I’m sure it works. This theater is still up and running
Is was great to see 70MM again, however, I think Tarantino’s experiment will not change things. The Ultra Panavision image only filled half the screen,the images did not pop off the screen as they would in digital (This film will play well on blu-ray at home since it’s mostly interior) If Hateful 8 played a theater equipped with the cinerama screen then it would be an experience, but the cost would be enormous. I kept thinking that if this film played a special run at an equipped theater geared for the image, with reserved seating, then it would be an event. The sound was outstanding and the movie itself was great. At one point a line ran down the film from wear and tear and there was some dropouts, it made me smile and think of the old days when it was all film. I don’t know if 70MM fever will spread (for special event screenings I hope so) but I applaud QT for bringing back the roadshow. I saw LAWRENCE OF ARABIA at the Ziegfeld in 70MM in 2002 for the 40th and I was awestruck!!!
I was a loyal patron of the Big Screen Classics since it began. Unfortunately, the series now only shows either a DVD or blu ray copy and a $10 admission price.I have stopped going to the Lafayette for the Big Screen series as I can watch blu ray at home and not pay $10 for it. While I applaud the people running Lafayette for bringing the series all these years and do realize that they weren’t making much of a profit especially with all the senior passes, I cannot justify the trip, the admission price and the fact that I’m not getting a presentation befit of a total movie lover. If they are still successful, then keep it going, but with Nelson and Pete I always knew I was going to get a big screen classic experience and always did. It’s sadly, time for me to say goodbye to the Lafayette but thank them for the over 100 big screen classics I did see there. Still the best theater on the east coast!!
Where’s the listing for the original FABIAN theater on this site?? They too it down?