Northbridge Western Australia 6003
(08) 9227 1771
http://www.luna.com.au
Paradiso is one of the few cinemas left open in the CDB, and the one that shows the most interesting films, mostly European films and awarded ones.
I have a mix of feelings about the Paradiso. I like the location and place, and I go there often, but the atmosphere is decadent and boring, and the selection of movies mainstream. No spark anywhere or from anybody.
Despite its great location, and the mix of cosy and fully-sized cinema theatres, the place looks desert most of the times, no matter the time of the day you go, the day of the week you go. I have often felt like a loner, despite me going there to share the movie with other humans. You know, if I wanted to watch a movie on my own I would do so comfortably at home. I have rarely found the cinema theatres full, and it is usually Oscar-related movies or popular foreign comedies. The last two A separation, and A Chinese Tale.
The Paradiso hosts the French, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, and Israeli Film Festivals every year. That is great. What is not great is the selection of movies shown, which is usually made of bland comedies, feel-good movies and an isolated drama... mainstream. They are great if you want to practice any of those languages or see anything foreign in general, especially if you attend the special events they host. Honestly, I would rather have a World Movies film festival showing terrific films from different countries of a given year, than well-marketed mediocre national ones. Wouldn't you? If you really love Indie, independent and good-quality world movies go elsewhere.
Another thing that bugs me is that the people selling the tickets never seem to be happy or smiley. That is so, because there is usually one person attending to the sale of tickets, and another to the bar, and one, if we are lucky, helping the other two in special events. This is so even if the cue reaches the street. They are overworked many times, and cannot show any spark, because they do not have any left.
The good thing about the Paradiso is that, most times, you can seat wherever you want, and cry freely at a movie without having to fake that a tiny particle of dust is the cause.
I like the Paradiso, but they need to revamp the place, still keeping its essence, and to have a better selection of movies. On the other hand, many of the movie festivals show the films at awkward times, which are impossible for any working person to attend.
They used to have a better selection of movies in the past, so I do not know what is happening.
