Parc it here by MATTHEW HAYS I, for one, never really minded the somewhat shabby state of things at the Cinéma du Parc in recent years. Chairs that weren't like the ones in first-class sections of airplanes, no arcade outside, those cheesy retro '70s couches. What's not to like? But indeed, for all its quaintness, the cinema did need a facelift. And since Daniel Langlois, Softimage founder and Ex-Centris owner, bought the joint last year, he's been slowly refurbishing its seats, sound system and upgrading its screens. Thus the folks at the Parc--Langlois, Claude Chamberlan and programmer Don Lobel and cult/midnight movie programmer Mitch Davis--want you to check out their revamped digs. The space will be co-hosting the New Film and Media Festival, along with Ex-Centris, beginning next Thursday, Oct. 11. The only sucky thing about it is the announcement that the face lift will mean a slight increase in prices for consumers. Admission for a first run movie will now be $8, while rep and cult stuff will cost you $7. Students, $6, children and seniors, $5. A membership card is 10 films for $50. For my money, it's still the best bargain in town. Opening in cinemas this week is a brand new print of Funny Girl, Barbra Streisand's feature debut, the 1969 film that had her belting out ballads from a tug boat, amid other places (she won an Oscar for it). This film is odd for a number of reasons: It's funny to watch Babs on the big screen in what is actually a half-decent film, long before she became a martyr to the wrong kind of kitsch. (No, I wasn't a fan of The Mirror Has Two Faces. Did anyone actually like that movie?) It's also odd to watch a traditional musical, where people break into song and dance, but no one feels they have to succumb to MTV aesthetics as a way of apologizing for returning to the genre. There's something about Omar Sharif that is odd, no matter what. He's sort of a concept in and unto himself. And finally, there's something terrifically nostalgic about watching New York in this light, after... you know. The new print of Funny Girl opens this Friday, Oct. 5. Streisand isn't the only messiah who's gracing screens this week. Tonight, Oct. 4, the experimental documentary about Montreal Jewish poet A.M. Klein, Messiah From Montreal, screens at the Saidye Bronfman Centre. Tickets are $10 a pop, or $25 if you want to attend the cocktail reception which precedes the screening. Info: 345-2627 ext. 3010. The film stars none other than the late great Canuck thespian Al Waxman. Finally, the award-winning doc about the isolated native community of Ojibway village, Hollow Water, will air on the new Documentary Channel this Sunday, Oct. 7 at 2:30 p.m. The film profiles a community that is working to correct years of violence and sexual abuse through their own innovative programs. Director Bonnie Dickie's doc is both informative and poignant; a solid bit of programming for the trailblazing channel. COMMENTS: mhays@mtl-mirror.com