Translation from English

Monday, August 5, 2013

Clearview Cinemas First Avenue Upper East Midtown, --NO MAKE THAT THE ZIEGFIELD ON THE WEST SIDE

If there are NO reviews for Clearview Cinemas up on First Avenue, I am going to wonder if maybe there is not something funny about the whole review thing on the internet!

Clearview here has been around long enough I believe ( I have never been there)

Let's see...OMG, you are not going to believe this, this placed JUST CLOSED!!

Well, then, there is another Clearview, the Ziegfeld, over in Midtown West where I went years ago and loved it..let me see if there is a photo on the net--

From the Yelp reviews I see, you are in like Flynn with the Ziegfeld Clearview...

Clearview Cinemas Ziegfeld

4.5 star rating
147 reviews Rating Details
Category: Cinema  [Edit]
141 W 54th St
New York, NY 10019
Neighborhoods: Midtown West, Theater District
(212) 765-7600
Nearest Transit Station:
7 Av (B, D, E)
57 St - 7 Av (N, Q, R)
57 St (F)
Good for Kids:
Yes
About This Business:
Alamo Drafthouse is an entertainment brand comprised of the acclaimed cinema-eatery chain, the largest genre film festival in the United States and a… read more »
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147 reviews in English

  • Review from

    New Orleans, LA
    5/30/2013 1 check-in here
    The Ziegfeld: Perhaps the last vestige of the grand movie houses that once graced many a neighborhood in New York City. How I weep for those days of yore. I used to work across the street from Loews Paradise on Grand Concourse in The Bronx where it was abandoned for at least a decade until 05. I'd stare out at it woefully from the side of windows about 40 feet from my dour, windowless cubicle. It didn't give me hope, by the way, only contributed to my daily dose of ennui.

    Now that I've sucked back the sigh, let's get to a comparative analysis of movie- going experiences.

    The movie: The Great Gatsby.

    First Viewing: the ultra-modernish (at least for New Orleans) Theatres at Canal Place, where they have a top chef who created a menu that features such delights as truffle popcorn and carefully curated cheese plates. You pick your own seat and order cocktails and the aforementioned menu items via a red button next to your luxury leather recliner and your refreshments are brought to you by the staff. Pretty awesome that there aren't more than 50 other people in the intimate theater with you. It's a really phenomenal experience, so don't get me wrong.

    Second viewing: The Ziegfeld. There's the grandeur - the chandeliers, the ornate wallpaper and curtains, the actual real life announcement presented by theater management via microphone before the show starts. The thousand seats that make you feel like you're about to witness a masterpiece, even if the movie is Rent (the last movie I saw at the Ziegfeld if you must know).

    The 3D (!?!??!) Well, I can get over that. At least it's not that IMAX bs.

    So, despite all the bells and whistles of my local (adored) theater, Gatsby demands that you see it in *this* theater. I might not have enjoyed a couple glasses of wine and truffle popcorn during this viewing, but wow. Glorious.

    Single screen movie houses have gone the way of the soulless multiplexes. So now, what do we have left in New York City? The Paris, yes, and The Ziegfeld. It's a New York Must.
  • Review from

    • 16 friends
    • 14 reviews
    Lower East Side, Manhattan, NY
    2/19/2013 1 check-in here
    Amazing theater!!!!!!!

    I've never been to a movie theater like this and I felt compelled to write about it. Is not like all over theaters here in the city, there is only one screen and a big seating area. When I mean big I mean BIG!!!!! Honestly I think this place can seat probably about 500 people easily.

    It reminds you of an old school cinema where people would get dressed up and go to these grand gala events and watch a premiere.

    It really brings you back to the olden times of cinema and entertainment. The decor takes you back as well and you feel like you took a trip back in time.

    My girlfriend was right, I am spoiled going here because every other theater will be compared to this one.
  • Review from

    Queens, NY
    2/6/2013 1 check-in here
    I came here for a special screening of Silver Linings Playbook with a conversation afterwards with David O. Russell, Robert De Niro (Special late edition added guest) and Jennifer Lawrence (GORGEOUS).

    I would have came just to watch De Niro and J-Law speak.  But the movie was an added bonus.  Or is it the other way around?

    The movie was amazing.  I saw it once online (perks of being a union member).  But in the theater it adds so much more and for the duration of the film you are so entertained, driven & focused into this film that nothing else matters.

    The space is actually quite grand with red carpet walkways and nice plush seating.

    I'd come here again to watch a film, free or otherwise.
  • Review from

    Brooklyn, NY
    8/5/2013 1 check-in here
    I love the quality of this theater. Very vintage feel. The hallway was so nice. I can see a TINY wedding happening there. Extremely lush and the lighting is perfect. I went for We're the Millers, enjoyed the movie and staff. Only complaint, it is quite cold in the theater though. More than usual. I was actually quite surprised that they show movies on the regular here! It's too nice for the everyday riff raff. Who picks the only movie to play and how does one make such a decision? Pressure mounting. How do they make any income off one movie? Anyway cool little theater if you are going for a red carpet event since one movie choice won't cut it for me.
  • Review from

    Montclair, NJ
    7/24/2013 1 check-in here
    This must be what little orphan Annie felt like when Daddy Warbucks took her to a night at the movies. WOW.  I was so amazed at the grandness of this space. Once you enter the theatre, you really see how amazing this whole experience must have been in the days when regality and opulance were all the rage at the theatre.
    Fittingly, I went to see The Great Gatsby so it was quite easy to immerse myself in the luxury of it all. Red plush carpets, great chandeliers, high ceilings and gold painted trimmings are a thing of the past but I love knowing this place is still around.
  • Review from

    • 11 friends
    • 107 reviews
    Washington, DC
    6/28/2013
    Old but classy. I love this theater and if theater bathrooms could be described as luxurious it would apply here. It's always nice to have a sink with a mirror in your stall. The staff is also pretty amazing.
  • Review from

    Manhattan, NY
    12/9/2012
    Here is my comparison  -

    When I went to 34th Loews for 3D avatar, I was there ON TIME and I was the last one entered the theater and the only seat I could find is the one on front roll, in the left corner. After 20 minutes watching the movie, I got motion sickness and had to run out of the room. I couldn't find any staff to ask for a refund. I was traumatized to watch any other 3D since then. Bitter...

    When I went to Clearview for 3D Life for Pi, I was there ON TIME and I was welcomed by the red carpet and greeted by warm staff. I was also impressed by the vintage decor everywhere. There were only 1/10 of the seats occupied. I picked the best seats I want and I could even put my legs on the back of the seats in front of me (shhhh~) because there was nobody in the front roll. I enjoyed the entire 2 hours with popcorn on my left hand, hot chocolate on my right hand, relaxed legs, fantastic 3D adventure of Pi...

    Clearview is MY theater in town from now on.
  • Review from

    Manhattan, NY
    11/14/2012 1 check-in here
    As the ONLY remaining movie palace-type theater in New York City, I have to give this place a good review. How sad that a 1960's concrete building is all we have left of an era of spectacular movie houses...

    The Ziegfeld opened in 1969, replacing the actual Ziegfeld Theatre that was built by Florenz Ziegfeld in 1927...only to be torn down by a real estate takeover in 1966 (and the fact that theatres and other buildings like this were not yet protected by landmark status...Penn Station, anyone?).

    The screen is huge, the recent-ish renovations have kept it looking clean and sounding great. Did I mention the screen? It's huge. Like...transport you out of your daily life huge.

    Seeing a movie here is an event. It's worth making it special. Hit up a local bar for pre or post-theater cocktails, get some popcorn and have a fun night at the movies.
  • Review from

    Manhattan, NY
    11/19/2012 1 check-in here
    Best movie house in NYC!  This is truly a movie palace that will sweep you away to a time of beauty where you feel as though you are at a gala opening where Judy Garland and Clark Gable could be hiding somewhere amongst the commoners. Oh and the women's bathrooms... It should have a trailer just to itself! The are noteworthy and just as elegant as the rest of the decor.
    Only thing I did not like was the ushers on the bottom floor that were pushy for us to move when we attempting to admire the detailing of our surroundings. Other than that I would have to say it is the best theater in New York, especially the crowd that attends which is just as important as the seating and screen quality itself.
  • Review from

    New York, NY
    Updated - 7/5/2012 1 check-in here
    I recently revisited this theater to see "The Amazing Spider-Man" and it's every bit as awesome as it was before.  They've added two kiosks where you can pick up tickets you purchased online and it was cute to see them handing out samples of popcorn as I entered the theater.

    The theater is still beautiful and well maintained.  If it tells you anything, people were taking pictures left and right before the movie started.  It truly is a stunning theater to sit in.  Kudos to Clearview for keeping this place awesome!
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    1 Previous Review: Show all »

    • 5/15/2009
      I've seen movies on and off here since the 80's.  Every time I go I am blown away by the beauty of… Read more »
  • Review from

    • 39 friends
    • 174 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    10/29/2012
    Very elegant upscale style theater with impressive interior design. It feels like you just stepped into a movie set yourself when you come here because of all of the large walls and the huge space inside.

    I came here to see Harry Potter and what a perfect place to be for such a film. The entire audience was dressed to impress with their detailed costumes and wands and everything you could expect to see at Hogwart's if it were real. The staff also staged a costume contest after the show ended which was entertaining even though I did not expect any of that when I first got there. I wouldn't come here for regular everyday movies, but when you are super excited to see a film and want to get 110% out of the experience, this is the place to come!
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