Who here has been to an IMAX theatre?

[Nerdkiller likes BD]

I'm just wondering who here has been to one? I can't go in my country, cos the only one in Ireland has been closed down and converted into a normal cinema up in Dublin (although there is one up in Northern Ireland, it's too far from where I live). I'm pretty sure when time goes by and as there are more movies coming out in IMAX, that we'll be seeing more in my country.

Anyway, what was your first experience with IMAX like and what has been your favourite movie there?

[arush5268d]

I haven't been to one in many years...but there's a couple in my area (Houston, TX area). It's a pretty cool experience!

[BStecke]

The first movie I saw in an IMAX was the first Matrix. It was like three years after it had already been out, so it wasn't really formatted for IMAX, it was just a regular print on a REALLY big screen. Kind of disappointing.

The first movie I saw that was made for IMAX was Batman Begins. AWESOME experience. The PQ and AQ are typically top notch at the IMAX I go to, and the sheer size and scope of the affair is pretty exciting. So far I've seen Batman Begins, Superman Returns, and V For Vendetta in IMAX, and all were fantastic. I can't wait for Dark Knight.

[blu-backer]

I've seen 300 and The Polar Express on IMAX. Both films looked and sounded awesome.

[cajmoyper]

Originally Posted by BStecke

The first movie I saw that was made for IMAX was Batman Begins. AWESOME experience. The PQ and AQ are typically top notch at the IMAX I go to, and the sheer size and scope of the affair is pretty exciting. So far I've seen Batman Begins, Superman Returns, and V For Vendetta in IMAX, and all were fantastic. I can't wait for Dark Knight.

I went to watch this at the IMAX we had here when it came out and it was just a 35mm print so I didn't. I would've loved to have seen this in true IMAX form.

[BStecke]

Originally Posted by cajmoyper

I went to watch this at the IMAX we had here when it came out and it was just a 35mm print so I didn't. I would've loved to have seen this in true IMAX form.

I was actually kind of hesitant toward Superman because of the whole 3D deal. I thought it would be more disgracting than anything. It actually ended up being VERY cool. The sound was much, much better than the two standard showings I saw. The DD track on the Blu-ray is such a shame, as the film has some great sound. I'm so glad I was lucky enough to track down a BD with the PCM track.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by BStecke

I'm so glad I was lucky enough to track down a BD with the PCM track.

You just HAD to bring that up, didn't ya?

Experienced Imax several times. We have one here but unfortunately the theater management sucks. They can't bring Hollywood Imax in because of the high upfront cost and they don't want to foot the bill. So now they are just showing regular Imax film and 35mm prints of Hollywood movies. 35 mm films on Imax screens MUST BE AVOIDED.

We WERE about to get 2K RealD but then the cinema chain balked at the cost. I cannot fathom that logic seeing as more and more blockbuster films can be shown in digital.


fuad

[zak88lx]

My first IMAX experience was on our honeymoon.
We went to see the Texas Chainsaw Massacre on a 100 ft. IMAX screen.

The scene with Jessica Biel walking towards the house on an IMAX screen is something else...



Zak

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by Nerdkiller likes BD

I'm just wondering who here has been to one? I can't go in my country, cos the only one in Ireland has been closed down and converted into a normal cinema up in Dublin (although there is one up in Northern Ireland, it's too far from where I live). I'm pretty sure when time goes by and as there are more movies coming out in IMAX, that we'll be seeing more in my country.

Anyway, what was your first experience with IMAX like and what has been your favourite movie there?

I love IMAX (and all other large format film systems) but was never especially impressed by the DMR process used on Hollywood films create IMAX prints. Now, don't get me wrong, it's a great technology, and the IMAX prints are always an improvement on the standard prints, but they just aren't anywhere close to true IMAX. You just can't shoot on Super35 and print to 70mm / 15 perf and get full quality. Still, the IMAX prints are done under the best conditions, and the IMAX projectors are far better and brighter than the standard 35mm projectors in most theatres so there is an improvement. If you've ever seen a true IMAX presentation (or even "Fantasia 2000" which was photographed with IMAX cameras), though, the difference would blow you away.

The one thing that really bugs me about IMAX, though, is that they are preparing to shift to IMAX Digital (using 2k Christie projectors). Now, 2k projection is fine, but given that IMAX negatives easily contain over 10k worth of extractable resolution, it seems like a HUGE step backwards. Worse, they finally got a live action Hollywood film ("The Dark Knight") to shoot a portion of the film with IMAX cameras. I was really hoping that would lead to more and more films using IMAX as a photographic process, but if the projectors are going to be replaced with digital over the next few years then that becomes much less likely.

Anyway, the "Hollywood" movies I've seen in IMAX are:

• Fantasia 2000
• Apollo 13
• Beauty and the Beast
• The Lion King
• Harry Potter 3, 4, and 5
• Batman Begins
• V for Vendetta
• U2 3D

Originally Posted by zak88lx

My first IMAX experience was on our honeymoon.
We went to see the Texas Chainsaw Massacre on a 100 ft. IMAX screen.

The scene with Jessica Biel walking towards the house on an IMAX screen is something else...

Zak

It may have been on a large screen (that could also be used for IMAX), but they never released IMAX prints of that film, so it would have still have been a 35mm presentation. That's fairly common in IMAX theatres within mainstream cinaplexes as there aren't that many movies released in the IMAX format.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

35 mm films on Imax screens MUST BE AVOIDED.

I agree. I've seen a couple of hollywood films in an IMAX theater, and I wasn't really that impressed (300 was one of them, although I loved the movie itself).

However, I did see Everest in it's full 70mm glory, and it was absolutely breathtaking. I never thought a film could make me afraid of heights.

[Winn]

Worst movie going experience of my life. Left the theater early with an enormous headache. Was one of the nature shows. Can't remember which, I shut my eyes after about two minutes and felt my way to the door.

I guess I am immune to the subliminal message which convinces people that they are enjoying the ISUX experience.

[Psychonaut]

Saw 300 at the IMAX in Vegas. It was okay but not the life changing experience I had anticipated. The audio was phenominal, though.

[musicman1999]

The first IMAX film i saw was The Stones at the Max, great flick and made for IMAX.Have seen many hollywood films like Batman, Matrix,Potter,Beowulf and others but these are not real IMAX films but still look great. Nascar in 3d was also great.

bill

[blackhawktraffic]

Saw Harry Potter 3 and Matrix 3 in IMAX and it was awesome, wanted to see Transformers but didnt make it in time.

[jj5206]

i haven't seen any actual hollywood movies in imax, but i saw two imax movies in imax and it was amazing

[U4K61]

Several times, mostly to see documentaries like the climbing of mount Everest. It will be a while, if ever, we get to see PQ like that on a home theater system.

[rubberghost]

went to one in the mid-90's. i would like to go to one these days though.

[PS3FAN]

I go to the one at the howard huges center here in la. The only movies I've seen so far have been Transformers, I Am Legend, and Speed Racer. Can't wait for the dark knight.

[phlydude]

I went to the IMAX theatre in the Franklin Institute in Philly shortly after it opened. Saw some documentary with fly-overs of scenery (like the Soarin' ride in Disney)

Went last year when King Tut exhibit was in town and saw some movie on the Pharohs...that one gave me a headache...was too blurry and the seats are too close to the screen.