Large Format/"Premium" Theaters (IMAX 15/70, Digital IMAX, XD, ETX, RPX, etc.)

[antovolk]

So 1.43 Laser locations are getting the following graphic from IMAX to use for First Man promo:



https://www.facebook.com/11404548862...type=3&theater

[Riddhi2011]

This video shows a few IMAX clips (cropped to 1.78:1) from First Man -

Experience First Man to the Fullest in IMAX - YouTube

[xbs2034]

That's the exact same video I got as part of the trailers with Venom, except the Lunar shots were in 1.43

[xbs2034]

I saw First Man in the new IMAX multiplex laser projection system at AMC Empire tonight. I have mostly high praise for the system, with a few presentation caveats that keep me from being over the moon about it.

First off, in the trailers the image quality was absolutely stunning, I think contrast wise it actually may be a bit better than Lincoln Square's laser system, though one issue is they seemed to program the trailers incorrectly. Then with the film, one concern I had was that the 16mm footage would look rough on the IMAX system and that was indeed the case, wish most of the film had been shot in 35mm. The IMAX footage was absolutely jaw dropping, very much in line with 15/70 footage in Force Awakens and Dunkirk I saw on larger laser screens (though I think still a bit behind 15/70 projection based on just recent comparison of The Dark Knight), I just wish there was a more of it- I don't think the lunar sequence was any longer than Force Awakens' one.

The presentation issue I did have was with the exit sign illumination reflecting during dark shots. I hear this has been an issue with various laser projectors before (I've seen it in the Dolby Cinema at that same theater and Landmark West 57th which is an all laser theater), and I believe most of it had to do with the row I was sitting in (my brother and I moved back in the credits to compare and the problem was almoatly completely solved). I'll make sure when next going there to sit in a different spot, but it's the one thing that I feel keeps the system at that location from being a home run.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

I saw First Man in the new IMAX multiplex laser projection system at AMC Empire tonight. I have mostly high praise for the system, with a few presentation caveats that keep me from being over the moon about it.

First off, in the trailers the image quality was absolutely stunning, I think contrast wise it actually may be a bit better than Lincoln Square's laser system, though one issue is they seemed to program the trailers incorrectly. Then with the film, one concern I had was that the 16mm footage would look rough on the IMAX system and that was indeed the case, wish most of the film had been shot in 35mm. The IMAX footage was absolutely jaw dropping, very much in line with 15/70 footage in Force Awakens and Dunkirk I saw on larger laser screens (though I think still a bit behind 15/70 projection based on just recent comparison of The Dark Knight), I just wish there was a more of it- I don't think the lunar sequence was any longer than Force Awakens' one.

The presentation issue I did have was with the exit sign illumination reflecting during dark shots. I hear this has been an issue with various laser projectors before (I've seen it in the Dolby Cinema at that same theater and Landmark West 57th which is an all laser theater), and I believe most of it had to do with the row I was sitting in (my brother and I moved back in the credits to compare and the problem was almoatly completely solved). I'll make sure when next going there to sit in a different spot, but it's the one thing that I feel keeps the system at that location from being a home run.

and what was your impression of the 12-channel sound mix for 'First Man' ?

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

and what was your impression of the 12-channel sound mix for 'First Man' ?

Very solid. I wouldn't say it is quite at the very top tier of 12 channel mixes I've heard, but it certainly does add to the intensity during the flight sequences, and you can really feel the bass impact from the rocket boosters (my brother thought it may have been even a little too much with that)

[antovolk]

Question to the peeps who saw First Man in 1.43- how were the intercuts to Super 16 footage during the moonwalk sequence presented? 1.90 version has that footage cropped from 2.40 to 1.90 - is it cropped further to 1.43 in that version?

[Dreamliner330]

I saw First Man in 1.90 IMAX. I don't really think the IMAX scenes added a whole lot. I still would have seen it in IMAX if it was scope the whole time.

One interesting thing I did notice though, in a lot of the shots the scope matting wasn't a crisp clean line, there was hair and dirt and stuff...on the top, bottom and it moved around where it was. Must have been a dirty matte during scanning or something.

Not really certain what it could be though, you'd think they would have cleaned it up if it was during the import to digital...?

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

I saw First Man in 1.90 IMAX. I don't really think the IMAX scenes added a whole lot. I still would have seen it in IMAX if it was scope the whole time.

One interesting thing I did notice though, in a lot of the shots the scope matting wasn't a crisp clean line, there was hair and dirt and stuff...on the top, bottom and it moved around where it was. Must have been a dirty matte during scanning or something.

Not really certain what it could be though, you'd think they would have cleaned it up if it was during the import to digital...?

Yes I noticed this too during the digital imax version last night... Nice to see some film grain.

Where the Lunar scenes amazing in IMAX? No. I think it was a waste. The audio mix wasn't as aggressive as I'd hoped. Honestly I was expecting something as strong as Apollo 13 but nope..

It was a good film but I wasn't impressed.

[Dreamliner330]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

Yes I noticed this too during the digital imax version last night... Nice to see some film grain.

Where the Lunar scenes amazing in IMAX? No. I think it was a waste. The audio mix wasn't as aggressive as I'd hoped. Honestly I was expecting something as strong as Apollo 13 but nope..

It was a good film but I wasn't impressed.

The movie would have been significantly better if they cut out 20-30 minutes of the family drama and left just enough to feel the stakes. The space scenes were excellent, especially that opening test flight scene. The drama elements dragged it down too much.

I also heard hints of La La Land in the score.

8/10 without family drama, 6.8/10 as is.

I’ll still buy it.

[UFAlien]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

I saw First Man in the new IMAX multiplex laser projection system at AMC Empire tonight. I have mostly high praise for the system, with a few presentation caveats that keep me from being over the moon about it.

Did they embiggen the screen/renovate the auditorium, or was it just new projectors?

[Eric The Duke]

I saw First Man at the Airbus IMAX yesterday and the 1.43 lunar scenes were great. I felt like I was on the moon at times.

I really hope this isn't the last time a feature film has 1.43 footage but I think it might be.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by UFAlien

Did they embiggen the screen/renovate the auditorium, or was it just new projectors?

Just new projector. They did renovate the auditorium last year (changed seats, sound, and interior design) though the screen size remained the same.

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by Eric The Duke

I saw First Man at the Airbus IMAX yesterday and the 1.43 lunar scenes were great. I felt like I was on the moon at times.

I really hope this isn't the last time a feature film has 1.43 footage but I think it might be.

Was it crowded at Udvar?

[Eric The Duke]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

Was it crowded at Udvar?

The 4:30 show wasn't. But there were a good amount of people waiting for the 7PM show.

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

The movie would have been significantly better if they cut out 20-30 minutes of the family drama and left just enough to feel the stakes. The space scenes were excellent, especially that opening test flight scene. The drama elements dragged it down too much.

I also heard hints of La La Land in the score.

8/10 without family drama, 6.8/10 as is.

I’ll still buy it.

True... I thought Ron Howard would have done a better job in directing the family drama. Heck anyone approach him to do this movie? or did it just pass it over for Star Wars (solo)?

[Riddhi2011]

Originally Posted by Eric The Duke

I really hope this isn't the last time a feature film has 1.43 footage but I think it might be.

Don't say such things! There are filmmakers who are using the ratio. Wonder Woman 1984 and Star Wars IX will film select scenes in IMAX 1.43:1. Also, as long as Christopher Nolan is making films, he'll continue to use the IMAX celluloid format to its maximum potential.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Riddhi2011

Don't say such things! There are filmmakers who are using the ratio. Wonder Woman 1984 and Star Wars IX will film select scenes in IMAX 1.43:1. Also, as long as Christopher Nolan is making films, he'll continue to use the IMAX celluloid format to its maximum potential.

oh I hadn't read that, cool ! I remember reading that at one point, there was talk that the entire movie might be shot in 5 perf/70mm

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

Yes I noticed this too during the digital imax version last night... Nice to see some film grain.

Where the Lunar scenes amazing in IMAX? No. I think it was a waste. The audio mix wasn't as aggressive as I'd hoped. Honestly I was expecting something as strong as Apollo 13 but nope..

It was a good film but I wasn't impressed.

really? during the dialogue scenes they were quietesque, but during the training scenes, the launches, the sound had such a crescendo and loudness

[RustinCohle]

Saw this at Lincoln Square IMAX. Loved the movie but the IMAX wasn’t worth it for those couple minutes at the end. Almost felt awkward watching all of those close up shots on a screen that big (100’x80’).

[Riddhi2011]

Saw First Man at a small digital IMAX (1.89:1), yesterday. The film was good and the IMAX sequence, though short, was beautiful, including the full-frame 16mm IMAX shots (1.89:1 in my case). It was quite emotional.

Looking back at it, the IMAX aspect ratio serves a sublime function in the film. The emptiness of the moon and the removal of cinemascope black bars are symbolic of the vast expanse of life. It is symbolic of going beyond our narrow pain (2.39:1) to the vastness of the outside (1.43:1/1.89:1). Armstrong needed the emptiness and the boundlessness of space and the alien terrain to let go of those terrible emotional baggage that was thrust upon him; loss of child, close friends and the like.

This is more of a story of human loss and letting go, rather than of achievement. It has good re-watch value. The music tugs at your heartstrings; especially the soothing vocals. The only thing I disliked was the extremely loud and shaky camera shots during the various flight sequences/tests, etc.

This IMAX theatre's projection is also very poor and I every time I go, I see pixels, blocking from even the centre row. I don't think they are blurring the second DCP file to produce a smooth image.