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

[BaerGriggs]

I didn't end up seeing this on an IMAX as I don't think that St. Louis has a real one anymore, but it looked great on one of Wehrenberg's Mega Screens. Can't wait to own this on Blu.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by saprano

Brad Bird's excuse for MI:GP was our home theaters are not like IMAX. Well duh, but the effect still works at home when the movie is 2.35:1 then it opens up to fill your screen. Not to mention better PQ and using the full resolution of bluray.

I trust Lionsgate to do the right thing. But it seems WB is the only studio who cares about keeping the theatrical experience intact for bluray.

But the majority of theaters showing these films will NOT have alternating aspect ratios. So, in reality, they are preserving the way most people see them. Theres only 697 IMAX theaters worldwide, with maybe 400 or so being in the US. Out of 4,163 screens (for Catching Fire), that's a pretty small percentage.

In addition, everything "opened up" for IMAX is also technically framed the same as the rest of the film (in, say, 2.39), because so many theaters will be showing it that way. So the framing is actually correct on the non-open matte version.

IMAX is just showing you more headroom, that was never meant to be seen anyway.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by retablo

But the majority of theaters showing these films will NOT have alternating aspect ratios. So, in reality, they are preserving the way most people see them. Theres only 697 IMAX theaters worldwide, with maybe 400 or so being in the US. Out of 4,163 screens (for Catching Fire), that's a pretty small percentage.

In addition, everything "opened up" for IMAX is also technically framed the same as the rest of the film (in, say, 2.39), because so many theaters will be showing it that way. So the framing is actually correct on the non-open matte version.

IMAX is just showing you more headroom, that was never meant to be seen anyway.

Normally I'd agree with that last statement (although not the sentiment of your post in general because I wants that extra goodness preserved on the home video version ) but Catching Fire's IMAX scenes are the exception to the rule, because they really do use the 1:44 frame properly.

[Harry110]

Can anyone tell me how I can find out if Hunger Games: Catching Fire is playing in 15/70 IMAX near me? The websites don't distinguish.

I'm in Los Angeles. Two theatres used to show 15/70, but I've heard they switched to digital. Not sure if that means they've done away with the film projectors completely. Thanks.

[Poya]

Originally Posted by Harry110

Can anyone tell me how I can find out if Hunger Games: Catching Fire is playing in 15/70 IMAX near me? The websites don't distinguish.

I'm in Los Angeles. Two theatres used to show 15/70, but I've heard they switched to digital. Not sure if that means they've done away with the film projectors completely. Thanks.

Try the IMAX at the Universal Citywalk.

[Harry110]

Originally Posted by Poya

Try the IMAX at the Universal Citywalk.

I've heard they've switched. Anyway to confirm without driving all the way over there?

[Poya]

Originally Posted by Harry110

I've heard they've switched. Anyway to confirm without driving all the way over there?

You can always call them. I doubt they converted. That's be a horrible decision considering how big the screen is.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Poya

You can always call them. I doubt they converted. That's be a horrible decision considering how big the screen is.

I think it's totally premature for any 15/70 IMAX theater to go digital BEFORE the rollout of the laser systems that will retain the full 4:3 aspect ratio/screen dimensions... but hey, that's just my opinion on the subject.

[Poya]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

I think it's totally premature for any 15/70 IMAX theater to go digital BEFORE the rollout of the laser systems that will retain the full 4:3 aspect ratio/screen dimensions... but hey, that's just my opinion on the subject.

I doubt those laser projectors will be as good as the film projectors. They're just 4K.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Poya

I doubt those laser projectors will be as good as the film projectors. They're just 4K.

I agree, 4K laser will not replicate 15/70, but if I ran an IMAX screen/theater and I knew that film was being fazed out, I wouldn't sacrifice the screen size to 1.78 knowing that 'laser' wouldn't dictate that aspect of the conversion.

[antovolk]

Rave 18 should be showing it in 15/70.

Here's a list of worldwide locations showing CF in 15/70: avindustries.co.uk/cfimax (url tag breaking redirect, copy and paste link)

[Harry110]

Originally Posted by antovolk

Rave 18 should be showing it in 15/70.

Here's a list of worldwide locations showing CF in 15/70: avindustries.co.uk/cfimax

That is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.

[Dubstar]

I see that some of the specialty screens in and around the DC area have been converted to playback High Frame Rate movies

Cinemark Egyptian 'XD' screen + Fairfax Corner 'Xtreme' screens.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by BaerGriggs

I didn't end up seeing this on an IMAX as I don't think that St. Louis has a real one anymore, but it looked great on one of Wehrenberg's Mega Screens. Can't wait to own this on Blu.

I watched it in digital IMAX. There are no more film IMAX locations near me anymore so digital it was. I was interested in the IMAX sequences. My thoughts were that they were a little pointless unless seen in true IMAX. I still enjoyed it and I really liked the presentation, the sound was great and I can't complain about the reserved seating.

[AmrlKJaneway]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

I see that some of the specialty screens in and around the DC area have been converted to playback High Frame Rate movies

Cinemark Egyptian 'XD' screen + Fairfax Corner 'Xtreme' screens.

Here's the list;

http://www.imax.com/community/blog/p...imax-theatres/

[BaerGriggs]

I saw Desolation of Smaug on one of the new AMC Prime screens today, specifically at AMC Barrywoods 24 in Kansas City, Missouri. From AMC's webpage, the description is as follows:

Recliner chairs that have subwoofers integrated into them so guests can “feel” the action they see on-screen

Dolby Atmos sound technology and JBL speakers surround guests on all sides for a world-class, immersive audio experience

A specialized screen that enhances the visual beauty of every film seen in an AMC Prime auditorium

Basically, I believe they retrofitted the original "ETX" screen with a few upgrades to make it into the AMC Prime. I visited the theater last year to see An Unexpected Journey and the Dolby Atmos was fantastic then too, but the audio was on a completely different level today.

As I walked in, I notice that EVERY single driver on every speaker in the entire room was illuminated with red LED lights. Truly awe-inspiring and that's before I even heard a thing coming out of them. I counted no less than 50 visible speakers in the room..that's not counting the front speakers. 20 side speakers with 8 drivers each, 20 ceiling speakers, and at least 8 rears that I could see clearly. There were subwoofers and possibly transducers under every row of seats in the room..the bass was so punchy and hit incredibly hard during scenes with Smaug.

The screen is presumably quite similar to other AMC ETX screens..quite large for a non-IMAX screen and more than big enough for me. Filled up my entire field of view and I'm nearly certain it was 4K if not even higher resolution digital projection (I know that the Hobbit movies are filmed in 6K Red format I believe but I'm not sure if they're projected this way). Overall I was quite pleased with the video presentation as well.

The reclining leather seats were also a major plus. Very very comfortable and a pleasant surprise after just having normal seats when I visited last year.

Overall I rate the AMC Prime experience as a 10/10 for myself today. I only paid $10.50 for a 3D Matinee and I thought it was more than worth the price. Here's hoping AMC expands this program to other ETX theaters across the country.

[Tony208]

Looks like more of the ETX screens are going to Prime. Empire 25 in times square is getting it, can't wait to try it out. We don't have anything special like a d-box or 4D around here.

https://www.amctheatres.com/amc-prime

[pappy97]

So...no question that Bob Bullock's Texas Theater in Austin will have Interstellar in IMAX 15/70, right?

As a side question, the new trailer for the film says:
"70MM IMAX, 70MM, and 35MM on November 5"

How would a 70MM NON-IMAX print differ from 70MM IMAX print? And where can you see this in 70MM non-IMAX, and why would you want to? (My guess is this will be a way to see it in the correct aspect ratio, but not a huge screen, but I don't know for certain)

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by Tony208

Looks like more of the ETX screens are going to Prime. Empire 25 in times square is getting it, can't wait to try it out. We don't have anything special like a d-box or 4D around here.

https://www.amctheatres.com/amc-prime

LOL Wtf 20 dollars per ticket really!

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by pappy97

So...no question that Bob Bullock's Texas Theater in Austin will have Interstellar in IMAX 15/70, right?

As a side question, the new trailer for the film says:
"70MM IMAX, 70MM, and 35MM on November 5"

How would a 70MM NON-IMAX print differ from 70MM IMAX print? And where can you see this in 70MM non-IMAX, and why would you want to? (My guess is this will be a way to see it in the correct aspect ratio, but not a huge screen, but I don't know for certain)

70mm non-IMAX still has better resolution than 35mm, and in fact the image density may be better than in IMAX since the screen won't be as large. However, 70mm non-IMAX might be in fixed 2.20:1 (slightly different from scope 2.40:1). Only IMAX (both 15/70 and Digital) is getting the shifting aspect ratios.