MASSAGE, MEAL AND MOVIE
ENIGMA SHADOW THEATRE ELEVATES YOUR PRE-MOVIE RITUALS
Iadmit my usual pre-movie viewing ritual is buying snacks and a drink from the outside and smuggling them into the theatre. But when you’re actually excited about a particular blockbuster (and/or a date you’re going to see it with), you may want to turn it into a memorable occasion.
Enigma: The Shadow Screen at Paragon Cineplex has recently been revamped to stay ahead of the curve of hi-end cinemas in Bangkok. If you can afford to splurge, this is where you can turn your usual movie viewing into an A-list experience.
After a short walk on a carpeted walkway — like a VIP — you’ll arrive at the entrance of Enigma where various perks await you inside its exclusive lounge. Designed by award-winning architect Diego Granda, the lounge 2.0 hits you with an air of elegance and timelessness, unlike its former interior, which felt more minimal.
Do make a point of arriving early (and with an empty stomach) before showtime to enjoy all the perks and the nice ambience. Refresh with a welcome drink before plopping yourself into a massaging chair to feel what it’s like to be kneaded by robots (they are coming, people). It doesn’t beat a human masseur or masseuse but it should help you relax while you bask under the light of that chandelier. Then select one dish, two drinks (one alcoholic drink and one soft drink or two soft drinks) and your flavour of popcorn from the menu provided. You can choose to enjoy them in the lounge or inside the theatre. I decided to save my popcorn and soft drink for the movie.
The theatre’s interior has also been given a face-lift to match its luxurious lounge. Your seats are basically hi-tech beds, big enough for two, covered in lustrous fabrics with a shiny duvet and posh pillows beautifully laid over them. You may want to jump right into it but there are slippers provided so you won’t get any dirt from your shoes on them. With the press of a button, it can also be raised, lowered or curled up and down so you can watch the movie in your most comfortable position. There’s only a slight partition between these bed seats in case you and your plus one want to snuggle without prying eyes. Each bed is also equipped with — ahem — a butler button which you press when you want to summon a service. Is your bejewelled iPhone 7 Plus low on battery? There’s a USB slot to recharge it while you’re enjoy the movie.
The Inception- esque sequences of Doctor Strange looked fly on the big screen with the surround sound — I wasn’t so crazy on the “climax”, though. With a great setting like this, it’s easy to get lost in the celluloid magic in front of you. Well, unless the film super sucks.
A two-seat bed seat costs B4,000 per couple. Of course, you can pay for the movie with all the extras for less than that, but if you think of this as a convenient package consisting of a dinner date and movie with attentive services, this isn’t such an outrageous offer. Had the F&B offerings been of gourmand levels (and I think the theatre has many partners to choose from within Siam Paragon), then this offer could be much more tempting.
Want something of better value? There’s only one triplet sofa-bed in the theatre for the price of B5,000, in case you’re a couple with a third-wheel friend, a family of three, or you’re in a ménage à trois (we don’t judge). Obviously, this kind of movie experience isn’t something you do every weekend but definitely something to consider when you want to impress someone.
Enigma: The Shadow Screen at Paragon Cineplex (10am-10pm) is on the sixth floor of Siam Paragon. Check out facebook.com/ParagonIMAX and goo.gl/ Jif39h for movie line-up and showtime.