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PARADISO : cinema cafe bar
     

This small classic movie theatre located in Wanaka is a real find. Comfy old sofas, an old Morris Minor, a cafe & bar serving delicious meals before, during or after the movie. Homemade icecream, world-famous hot cookies fresh every intermission & a warm welcome from the friendly staff & Patron. Loads of guides list the cinema as a "must do" & it is truly a memorable movie experience!

"Desrevedly one of Wanaka's biggest attractions & just maybe a NZ National Treasure!" NZ Lonely PLanet

"Halfway through, the film stopped & we had a short interval. Everyone went outside to the adjoining cafe & got freshly baked cookies (still warm), homemade ice cream or a beer & then settled back into their chairs. This is how all cinemas should be. It was more like being round someone's house." UK Guardian

Read some of our reviews

Opening Hours...

The Cinema and Cafe are open 1/2 an hour before the start of the first movie, 24 / 7. Generally the opening times are;

Mon - Fri : 3.30pm
Sat - Sun : 1.30pm

Reservations by phone only...
03 443 1505

  Censor's Classifications
  G Approved for general exhibitions
  G* Approved for general exhibition - followed by any recommendation that the Chief Censor may specify.
  PG Parental guidance recommended for younger viewers.
  M Suitable for mature audiences 16 years and over.
  R (Followed by such age as the Chief Censor may specify) Approved for exhibition only to persons ... years of age and over.
  R* Followed by a statement of the class or description of persons to whole the film may be exhibited and the places, dates and times, where or when the film may be exhibited.
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Thursday 2 September
4:00 pm Inception
(M) [2h45]
"A scintillating exploration of dreams, reality & the fine line that divides them, Inception toys with our minds on a massive scale, sending us on a dizzying trip which makes all our preconceptions spin relentlessly, like a twirling top...a unique & stunning entertainment that is as enjoyable as it is ambitious." urbancinefile "Affecting & profoundly entertaining!" NZ Herald 4/5
6:45 pm Letters to Juliet
(PG ) [2h00]
"A tour of sunny Tuscany, food & wine tastings & fiery exchanges between the groom & bride to be on their pre-wedding ‘honeymoon’ in Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s love story, Romeo & Juliet...Vanessa Redgrave is wonderful as Claire, a charming, wise & warm woman who has lived a full life of happiness & sorrow, and who encourages Charlie to follow his heart, not wait 50 years like she has. The double romantic payoff is beautifully directed & performed; it’s not just what but how it’s done in this satisfying escapist romance aimed at women, young or old." urbancinefile
8:45 pm Micmacs
(M) [2h15]
"With the same kind of mood & whimsy as Delicatessen & his unforgettable Amelie, Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Micmacs takes us on a rollicking trip into the unexpected world of arms dealers. Tragedy & comedy are joined at the hip in this quirky & inventive film...It's the incongruity of the characters, the bizarre situations & the logic (or not) of what transpires that gives the film its greatest charm...The action is dense and wacky, the humour is clever and if the sight gags don't get you, the ideas will. Often chaotic and confusing, Micmacs is enchanting and appealing in equal doses. Guaranteed to give you a new perspective, Jeunet's film is an original. A welcome one at that!" urbancinefile
Friday 3 September
4:00 pm Going the Distance
(R16) [2h00]
"Raunchy, but still sweet & charming light entertainment...Drew Barrymore & Justin Long's natural, relaxed on-screen chemistry drives this romantic comedy... includes the raunchy humour you normally find in director/producer Judd Apatow's more male-centric bro-mances...Embrace & enjoy it!" NZ Herald 3/5 "A mishap-filled thanksgiving dinner, an artificial tanning scene, inebriated dart throwing, plus conversations about dry humping are some of the subsequent high/low points...Drew Barrymore is appealing & Justin Long is surprisingly good!" urbancinefile
6:00 pm The Girl Who Played with Fire
(R16) [2h30]
"At its simplest, "Fire" tells of Mikael's efforts to exonerate Lisbeth. At its most baroque, it explores a vast web of sex trafficking & deep-rooted conspiracy that goes back decades & touches on Lisbeth's inflammatory background. Alfredson directs with a perceptive eye & a roving camera, using oblique angles for a script that unfolds with programmatic efficiency. The stars help. Nyqvist's face is soft & bemused; Rapace's angular & ironclad from pain...a mean Scandinavian noir with a gynocentric message, & it still makes for a good two hours of moody entertainment." SF Chronicle
8:30 pm Get Him to the Greek
(R16) [2h15]
"Fans of Judd Apatow's brand of humour will get off on this fast-paced, rowdy and uncouth comedy about sex, drugs, rock 'n roll and vomit that heavily relies on shocking its target audience. It's Russell Brand (charismatic & crazy) and Jonah Hill (gauche & willing) teamed up again (remember Forgetting Sarah Marshall?) and they're in top form - if you like that kinda thing. A chaotic and turbo-charged ride with laughs and groans and despite its crass downmarket humour, the film has an inventive script that keeps us guessing as we scream together down the corridors of excess." urbancinefile
Saturday 4 September
12:00 pm Toy Story 3
(PG) [2h00]
"This installment, the best of the three, is everything a movie should be: hilarious, touching, exciting and clever. The voices behind Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and the rest of the playthings contribute mightily to the character development in what is easily the summer's best movie thus far!" USA Today
2:00 pm The Karate Kid
(PG) [2h45]
"In the original, Pat Morita played the wise old martial arts master, Mr Miyagi. This time it's the likeable Jackie Chan...his martial arts work (inc. all the training, stunts & choreography, are superb.)... Jaden Smith is fine as the plucky dreadlocked Dre, & all the supports are great, notably the Chinese baddies...for youngsters looking to live out a wish fulfilment about underdogs overcoming their bullies, it should do fine." urbancinefile "The Karate Kid is surprisingly sure-footed & deft in its new setting...the chemistry between Jaden Smith & Jackie Chan grounds the movie, imbuing it with sincerity & poignance. The film is solidly entertaining!" USA Today
4:45 pm Letters to Juliet
(PG ) [2h00]
"A tour of sunny Tuscany, food & wine tastings & fiery exchanges between the groom & bride to be on their pre-wedding ‘honeymoon’ in Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s love story, Romeo & Juliet...Vanessa Redgrave is wonderful as Claire, a charming, wise & warm woman who has lived a full life of happiness & sorrow, and who encourages Charlie to follow his heart, not wait 50 years like she has. The double romantic payoff is beautifully directed & performed; it’s not just what but how it’s done in this satisfying escapist romance aimed at women, young or old." urbancinefile
6:45 pm Micmacs
(M) [2h15]
"With the same kind of mood & whimsy as Delicatessen & his unforgettable Amelie, Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Micmacs takes us on a rollicking trip into the unexpected world of arms dealers. Tragedy & comedy are joined at the hip in this quirky & inventive film...It's the incongruity of the characters, the bizarre situations & the logic (or not) of what transpires that gives the film its greatest charm...The action is dense and wacky, the humour is clever and if the sight gags don't get you, the ideas will. Often chaotic and confusing, Micmacs is enchanting and appealing in equal doses. Guaranteed to give you a new perspective, Jeunet's film is an original. A welcome one at that!" urbancinefile
8:45 pm Inception
(M) [2h45]
"A scintillating exploration of dreams, reality & the fine line that divides them, Inception toys with our minds on a massive scale, sending us on a dizzying trip which makes all our preconceptions spin relentlessly, like a twirling top...a unique & stunning entertainment that is as enjoyable as it is ambitious." urbancinefile "Affecting & profoundly entertaining!" NZ Herald 4/5
Sunday 5 September
12:00 pm Toy Story 3
(PG) [2h00]
"This installment, the best of the three, is everything a movie should be: hilarious, touching, exciting and clever. The voices behind Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and the rest of the playthings contribute mightily to the character development in what is easily the summer's best movie thus far!" USA Today
2:00 pm Inception
(M) [2h45]
"A scintillating exploration of dreams, reality & the fine line that divides them, Inception toys with our minds on a massive scale, sending us on a dizzying trip which makes all our preconceptions spin relentlessly, like a twirling top...a unique & stunning entertainment that is as enjoyable as it is ambitious." urbancinefile "Affecting & profoundly entertaining!" NZ Herald 4/5
4:45 pm Going the Distance
(R16) [2h00]
"Raunchy, but still sweet & charming light entertainment...Drew Barrymore & Justin Long's natural, relaxed on-screen chemistry drives this romantic comedy... includes the raunchy humour you normally find in director/producer Judd Apatow's more male-centric bro-mances...Embrace & enjoy it!" NZ Herald 3/5 "A mishap-filled thanksgiving dinner, an artificial tanning scene, inebriated dart throwing, plus conversations about dry humping are some of the subsequent high/low points...Drew Barrymore is appealing & Justin Long is surprisingly good!" urbancinefile
6:45 pm The Girl Who Played with Fire
(R16) [2h30]
"At its simplest, "Fire" tells of Mikael's efforts to exonerate Lisbeth. At its most baroque, it explores a vast web of sex trafficking & deep-rooted conspiracy that goes back decades & touches on Lisbeth's inflammatory background. Alfredson directs with a perceptive eye & a roving camera, using oblique angles for a script that unfolds with programmatic efficiency. The stars help. Nyqvist's face is soft & bemused; Rapace's angular & ironclad from pain...a mean Scandinavian noir with a gynocentric message, & it still makes for a good two hours of moody entertainment." SF Chronicle
9:15 pm Knight & Day - Last Week!
(M) [2h00]
An action-comedy centered on a fugitive couple on a glamorous and sometimes deadly adventure where nothing and no one - even themselves - are what they seem. "It's a quintessential movie hybrid: a romantic thriller with exciting high-speed chases, brisk comedy & exotic scenery & best of all, stars Tom Cruise & Cameron Diaz make a surprisingly charming couple...in a lackluster summer, Knight shines as an original that thankfully lacks 3-D projection, sequel connections or comic-book associations." USA Today
Monday 6 September
4:00 pm Inception
(M) [2h45]
"A scintillating exploration of dreams, reality & the fine line that divides them, Inception toys with our minds on a massive scale, sending us on a dizzying trip which makes all our preconceptions spin relentlessly, like a twirling top...a unique & stunning entertainment that is as enjoyable as it is ambitious." urbancinefile "Affecting & profoundly entertaining!" NZ Herald 4/5
6:45 pm Letters to Juliet
(PG ) [2h00]
"A tour of sunny Tuscany, food & wine tastings & fiery exchanges between the groom & bride to be on their pre-wedding ‘honeymoon’ in Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s love story, Romeo & Juliet...Vanessa Redgrave is wonderful as Claire, a charming, wise & warm woman who has lived a full life of happiness & sorrow, and who encourages Charlie to follow his heart, not wait 50 years like she has. The double romantic payoff is beautifully directed & performed; it’s not just what but how it’s done in this satisfying escapist romance aimed at women, young or old." urbancinefile
8:45 pm Going the Distance
(R16) [2h00]
"Raunchy, but still sweet & charming light entertainment...Drew Barrymore & Justin Long's natural, relaxed on-screen chemistry drives this romantic comedy... includes the raunchy humour you normally find in director/producer Judd Apatow's more male-centric bro-mances...Embrace & enjoy it!" NZ Herald 3/5 "A mishap-filled thanksgiving dinner, an artificial tanning scene, inebriated dart throwing, plus conversations about dry humping are some of the subsequent high/low points...Drew Barrymore is appealing & Justin Long is surprisingly good!" urbancinefile
Tuesday 7 September
4:00 pm Going the Distance
(R16) [2h00]
"Raunchy, but still sweet & charming light entertainment...Drew Barrymore & Justin Long's natural, relaxed on-screen chemistry drives this romantic comedy... includes the raunchy humour you normally find in director/producer Judd Apatow's more male-centric bro-mances...Embrace & enjoy it!" NZ Herald 3/5 "A mishap-filled thanksgiving dinner, an artificial tanning scene, inebriated dart throwing, plus conversations about dry humping are some of the subsequent high/low points...Drew Barrymore is appealing & Justin Long is surprisingly good!" urbancinefile
6:00 pm Micmacs
(M) [2h15]
"With the same kind of mood & whimsy as Delicatessen & his unforgettable Amelie, Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Micmacs takes us on a rollicking trip into the unexpected world of arms dealers. Tragedy & comedy are joined at the hip in this quirky & inventive film...It's the incongruity of the characters, the bizarre situations & the logic (or not) of what transpires that gives the film its greatest charm...The action is dense and wacky, the humour is clever and if the sight gags don't get you, the ideas will. Often chaotic and confusing, Micmacs is enchanting and appealing in equal doses. Guaranteed to give you a new perspective, Jeunet's film is an original. A welcome one at that!" urbancinefile
8:00 pm Gone In 60 Seconds
(tbc) [1h15]
The launch of the 'Gone In 60 Seconds' Film Competition is always a good night. This year it launches with a selection of short films from the NZ Film Commission including ‘Good Taste makes Bad Taste’ - A Documentary on Peter Jackson! ONLY $5!
9:15 pm Get Him to the Greek
(R16) [2h15]
"Fans of Judd Apatow's brand of humour will get off on this fast-paced, rowdy and uncouth comedy about sex, drugs, rock 'n roll and vomit that heavily relies on shocking its target audience. It's Russell Brand (charismatic & crazy) and Jonah Hill (gauche & willing) teamed up again (remember Forgetting Sarah Marshall?) and they're in top form - if you like that kinda thing. A chaotic and turbo-charged ride with laughs and groans and despite its crass downmarket humour, the film has an inventive script that keeps us guessing as we scream together down the corridors of excess." urbancinefile
Wednesday 8 September
4:00 pm Inception
(M) [2h45]
"A scintillating exploration of dreams, reality & the fine line that divides them, Inception toys with our minds on a massive scale, sending us on a dizzying trip which makes all our preconceptions spin relentlessly, like a twirling top...a unique & stunning entertainment that is as enjoyable as it is ambitious." urbancinefile "Affecting & profoundly entertaining!" NZ Herald 4/5
6:45 pm The Girl Who Played with Fire
(R16) [2h30]
"At its simplest, "Fire" tells of Mikael's efforts to exonerate Lisbeth. At its most baroque, it explores a vast web of sex trafficking & deep-rooted conspiracy that goes back decades & touches on Lisbeth's inflammatory background. Alfredson directs with a perceptive eye & a roving camera, using oblique angles for a script that unfolds with programmatic efficiency. The stars help. Nyqvist's face is soft & bemused; Rapace's angular & ironclad from pain...a mean Scandinavian noir with a gynocentric message, & it still makes for a good two hours of moody entertainment." SF Chronicle
9:15 pm Going the Distance
(R16) [2h00]
"Raunchy, but still sweet & charming light entertainment...Drew Barrymore & Justin Long's natural, relaxed on-screen chemistry drives this romantic comedy... includes the raunchy humour you normally find in director/producer Judd Apatow's more male-centric bro-mances...Embrace & enjoy it!" NZ Herald 3/5 "A mishap-filled thanksgiving dinner, an artificial tanning scene, inebriated dart throwing, plus conversations about dry humping are some of the subsequent high/low points...Drew Barrymore is appealing & Justin Long is surprisingly good!" urbancinefile
 
 
       
Cinema Paradiso :: Ardmore Street, Wanaka :: info@paradiso.net.nz :: Reservations Phone +64 3 443 1505
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