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

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by NegaScott128

The opening was shot on spherical, and the rest of the movie was anamorphic.
You can see this in the bokeh shape.

I never saw it in IMAX, so I can't say whether the ending was expanded. But I do know the opening was.

They shot the Mexico stuff in 4-perf S35 spherical in order to assist with giving the VFX team enough room on the negative to cover the transitions during the 'unbroken' camera move, and of course it made zero sense to shoot all the aerial stuff anamorphic in that scene. DP Hoyte van Hoytema also felt that S35 has a grittier look than anamorphic which was more suitable for that sequence.

The rest of the film was shot anamorphic 35mm apart from the Thames chase and other aerial inserts. According to AC November '15, van Hoytema - himself a committed lover of film - chose the Alexa 65 in conjunction with Panavision's new Primo 70 spherical glass (a combo later used on Passengers) because he felt he needed the wider latitude of digital given how low-light that Thames scene was going to be.

Which, incidentally, makes a mockery of the following claim, given than van Hoytema had literally just come off of shooting 15-perf 65mm on Interstellar:

Originally Posted by testmon1182

Just look at this shot, exposing for Joker and the henchmen in the shadow of the bank and yet the background is still visible and if shot on digital and would have been blown out. It's ridiculous.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

GotG had select scenes in changing AR. Only 1 scene had Frame Break.

I don't think Manassas' IMAX 3-d screen is not properly calibrated. The only reasons I go there are for the collectible tickets and the no reserved seating at the IMAX screen.

As I mentioned in the GotGv2 thread, they actually ended up showing Fate of the Furious instead of GotGv2. The big clues to this.......first the IMAX Countdown animation was that of for Fate of the Furious and second the UNIVERSAL Logo animation was playing........then it was a scene that looked like something out of those movies (I didn't see FotF). People actually started getting up thinking they were in the wrong theater. Then the movie stopped......and after about 5 minutes it restarted with a generic IMAX Countdown and then the movie started.

This is the second time this has happened at that theater as with the first showing of KONG the 3d projector in the IMAX screen wasn't active for the first 30 mins.

Write to IMAX's quality assurance email, I wrote them once about a sound issue and I know others have on other things, and they respond. Those issues seem like they could've been caught with quick QA checks before running the movie, and with IMAX advertising a premium experience and charging a premium price, they are totally unacceptable IMO (even for a regular theatrical presentation, a theater manager should do checks of the new releases as they get the DCP files in advance for just that reason).

[testmon1182]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

They shot the Mexico stuff in 4-perf S35 spherical in order to assist with giving the VFX team enough room on the negative to cover the transitions during the 'unbroken' camera move, and of course it made zero sense to shoot all the aerial stuff anamorphic in that scene. DP Hoyte van Hoytema also felt that S35 has a grittier look than anamorphic which was more suitable for that sequence.

The rest of the film was shot anamorphic 35mm apart from the Thames chase and other aerial inserts. According to AC November '15, van Hoytema - himself a committed lover of film - chose the Alexa 65 in conjunction with Panavision's new Primo 70 spherical glass (a combo later used on Passengers) because he felt he needed the wider latitude of digital given how low-light that Thames scene was going to be.

Which, incidentally, makes a mockery of the following claim, given than van Hoytema had literally just come off of shooting 15-perf 65mm on Interstellar:

[Geoff D]

Why so serious?

[GLaDOS]

I'm sorry but CAN YOU GUYS SEND ME THE SAUCE FOR THOSE IMAX GIFS!?!?

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

Write to IMAX's quality assurance email, I wrote them once about a sound issue and I know others have on other things, and they respond. Those issues seem like they could've been caught with quick QA checks before running the movie, and with IMAX advertising a premium experience and charging a premium price, they are totally unacceptable IMO (even for a regular theatrical presentation, a theater manager should do checks of the new releases as they get the DCP files in advance for just that reason).

On the Regal Ticket Receipt there is a code for a survey. I fill out a report about what happen and all they do is give me a free pass and don't fix the problem. :-\

It's one thing to forget to turn on the 3d IMAX projector (leading to one side of the glasses being darker than the other) but to have the WRONG movie start playing? The FotF Car IMAX 3d Countdown should have been a dead giveaway to the projectionist that this may not be GotGv2 playing.

[Zhorik]

Does IMAX have a non-laser (non-6P) 4k projector planned? Or is their end game to coax all their clients to upgrade to 4k laser?

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Zhorik

Does IMAX have a non-laser (non-6P) 4k projector planned? Or is their end game to coax all their clients to upgrade to 4k laser?

2K laser? that sounds very counter-intuitive

[Dubstar]

The Smithsonian is doing a five day Harry Potter marathon over at Lockheed - just saw 'Sorcerer's Stone' and 'Chamber of Secrets'. IMAX must have received crummy film elements from Warner's to work with in creating the new DMR for 'Stone', it was really bad: the movie looked yellow tinged, all the long shots looked like first generation VHS, but on the plus side the closeups were sharp and the sound was good. 'Chamber' was a complete 360 and made up for the 'Stone's flaws. Can't wait to see 'Azkaban and 'Goblet of Fire' later this afternoon/evening.

[ITDEFX101]

What makes your IMAX more special than my IMAX that you get better stuff than we do? LOL

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

The Smithsonian is doing a five day Harry Potter marathon over at Lockheed - just saw 'Sorcerer's Stone' and 'Chamber of Secrets'. IMAX must have received crummy film elements from Warner's to work with in creating the new DMR for 'Stone', it was really bad: the movie looked yellow tinged, all the long shots looked like first generation VHS, but on the plus side the closeups were sharp and the sound was good. 'Chamber' was a complete 360 and made up for the 'Stone's flaws. Can't wait to see 'Azkaban and 'Goblet of Fire' later this afternoon/evening.

Heh. Someone in the UHD forum saw these a while back and started saying stuff like the CG had been redone, how good the first movie looked etc etc. I thought he was talking bollocks, glad to have it confirmed.

Originally Posted by Dubstar

2K laser? that sounds very counter-intuitive

No, he means a conventional 4K projection system instead of it being 2K digital or 4K laser, there's no in-between when it comes to IMAX installs.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

'Chamber' was a complete 360 and made up for the 'Stone's flaws.

If you do a 360 you're just went in a circle and are at the exact same point you started


(half-that)

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

If you do a 360 you're just went in a circle and are at the exact same point you started


(half-that)

You're right .... der ...

Just got back from seeing 'Goblet' my back was killing me from last night's double feature and I just couldn't quite bring myself to another four and half hours - but wow ...this movie redeemed itself from a first rate transfer - no 35mm print imperfections in the digital transfer, stunning deep dark black levels, ultra sharpness, and a highly bombastic dynamic audio ranged surround sound replication - this delivered a top notch IMAX laser presentation

[Zhorik]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

2K laser? that sounds very counter-intuitive

Originally Posted by Geoff D

No, he means a conventional 4K projection system instead of it being 2K digital or 4K laser, there's no in-between when it comes to IMAX installs.

Yes, I meant IMAX using the Barco 4k Xenon or 4k laser-phosphor for sites that don't want to fork out for a 4k 6P laser projector. It would address their slow laser roll out.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

GotG had select scenes in changing AR. Only 1 scene had Frame Break.

I don't think Manassas' IMAX 3-d screen is not properly calibrated. The only reasons I go there are for the collectible tickets and the no reserved seating at the IMAX screen.

As I mentioned in the GotGv2 thread, they actually ended up showing Fate of the Furious instead of GotGv2. The big clues to this.......first the IMAX Countdown animation was that of for Fate of the Furious and second the UNIVERSAL Logo animation was playing........then it was a scene that looked like something out of those movies (I didn't see FotF). People actually started getting up thinking they were in the wrong theater. Then the movie stopped......and after about 5 minutes it restarted with a generic IMAX Countdown and then the movie started.

This is the second time this has happened at that theater as with the first showing of KONG the 3d projector in the IMAX screen wasn't active for the first 30 mins.

Not to be snarky here (and I'm pretty sure you've explained this prior) - other than the collectible tickets, why not just go over into Chantilly to the Udvar Hazy IMAX laser system?

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

Not to be snarky here (and I'm pretty sure you've explained this prior) - other than the collectible tickets, why not just go over into Chantilly to the Udvar Hazy IMAX laser system?

Oh I agree. I really hate paying for parking at Udvar. Usually the first two weeks of a big movie there is a huge line. I remembered for TFA in 2015, I had to wait 2 hours in line the following week after it's release. There always seems to be a rush for everyone to get to the top row because no one wants to hit the front rows. Glad they don't force people fill up seats by order of entry.

Anyways I do plan to visit it for either WW or Transformers. I am sure TF will have a number of Full Frame sequences that will look amazing at Udvar.

and of course The Last Jedi..............that is going to be incredible at Udvar.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

Oh I agree. I really hate paying for parking at Udvar. Usually the first two weeks of a big movie there is a huge line. I remembered for TFA in 2015, I had to wait 2 hours in line the following week after it's release. There always seems to be a rush for everyone to get to the top row because no one wants to hit the front rows. Glad they don't force people fill up seats by order of entry.

Anyways I do plan to visit it for either WW or Transformers. I am sure TF will have a number of Full Frame sequences that will look amazing at Udvar.

and of course The Last Jedi..............that is going to be incredible at Udvar.

parking's free after 4pm.

why anyone would want to sit on the back top row is beyond me - the closer you are to the middle is the best place for the immersive audio with the top channels actually being directly overhead. Yeah the first two rows are supremely sucky and way too close to the screen.

I'm actually surprised Udvar (and Lockheed) are getting the R-rated 'Alien: Covenant' movie - since for the longest time R-rated movies were against Smithsonian policy - guess they decided to relax on that. Just for the record Lockheed has shown one off showings of 'Logan', 'Mad Max Fury Road', 'Blade Runner', 'Alien', Aliens'

~~

question: I thought Cinemark's XD screen's were Barco laser projector's - why are they not advertising this more aggressively.

speaking of Cinemark and their XD screens:

May 04, 2017 02:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time
PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), a leader in the motion picture exhibition industry, has aligned with THX, renowned as the guarantor of best-in-class cinemas and consumer electronics, to certify Cinemark’s private-label premium large format XD auditoriums. THX certification will ensure XD auditoriums offer a superior audiovisual experience for moviegoers and provide an unparalleled entertainment environment.

Cinemark Partners with THX to Certify XD Auditoriums

Cinemark operates more than 225 XD auditoriums throughout the US and South and Central America, offering audiences the highest quality movie-going experience, including:

Enormous wall-to-wall screens
Crisp, clear digital projection, with 2D and 3D capabilities
Immersive, surround sound audio systems that enable customers to hear the movies as the filmmakers intended
Premium seats with Luxury Lounger electric recliners in many auditoriums
THX optimized auditorium design
“Cinemark XD is the number one private-label premium large format in the world and our partnership with THX will take it to another level,” commented Mark Zoradi, Cinemark’s CEO. “Our XD auditoriums offer the highest presentation and sound standards as we strive to provide the best entertainment possible. The THX certification will further substantiate to our guests that the XD experience is extraordinary.”

“We will bring a fully immersive, exceptional movie-going experience to savvy audiences by partnering with Cinemark, a highly regarded and established brand in the motion picture exhibition industry,” offered Ty Ahmad-Taylor, THX CEO & President. “THX has a longstanding reputation as the acclaimed brand for audio and visual performance. This partnership reinforces THX’s ties to the cinema world, ensuring vivid, memorable cinematic experiences for fans craving premium big screen, audiophile-worthy movie-watching. This serves as the first step in spearheading a PLF alliance.”

The certification process has already commenced and should be fully complete within the next 12 months.

[ITDEFX101]

Yeah but if you think about it...if the movie starts at 4:15, 4:30 then it may be a challenge to get good seats. Their cashiers are painfully slow. Then to run down stairs and wait in a long line then see everyone make a run for their seats. Yeah the middle section is awesome but I don't care... I usually sit in the top row....however it kind of creeps me out when one of their staff members is sitting in the back of the theater and lets everyone in who went upstairs to go to the bathroom since I think they lock the doors downstairs once the movie starts. I swore during TFA, the guy back there let people in about 43 times...geez.

And yes I do sneak in soda, but by the time I get to the screen, it's already room temp... blah and yep they do check all bags when coming in. You would wish there would be a separate entrance they could make just for the theater.

Wait.............. Alien Covenant is showing at Udvar?!??!?!?!?!

[Zhorik]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

[Show spoiler]parking's free after 4pm.

why anyone would want to sit on the back top row is beyond me - the closer you are to the middle is the best place for the immersive audio with the top channels actually being directly overhead. Yeah the first two rows are supremely sucky and way too close to the screen.

I'm actually surprised Udvar (and Lockheed) are getting the R-rated 'Alien: Covenant' movie - since for the longest time R-rated movies were against Smithsonian policy - guess they decided to relax on that. Just for the record Lockheed has shown one off showings of 'Logan', 'Mad Max Fury Road', 'Blade Runner', 'Alien', Aliens'

~~

question: I thought Cinemark's XD screen's were Barco laser projector's - why are they not advertising this more aggressively.

[Show spoiler]speaking of Cinemark and their XD screens:

May 04, 2017 02:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time
PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), a leader in the motion picture exhibition industry, has aligned with THX, renowned as the guarantor of best-in-class cinemas and consumer electronics, to certify Cinemark’s private-label premium large format XD auditoriums. THX certification will ensure XD auditoriums offer a superior audiovisual experience for moviegoers and provide an unparalleled entertainment environment.

Cinemark Partners with THX to Certify XD Auditoriums

Cinemark operates more than 225 XD auditoriums throughout the US and South and Central America, offering audiences the highest quality movie-going experience, including:

Enormous wall-to-wall screens
Crisp, clear digital projection, with 2D and 3D capabilities
Immersive, surround sound audio systems that enable customers to hear the movies as the filmmakers intended
Premium seats with Luxury Lounger electric recliners in many auditoriums
THX optimized auditorium design
“Cinemark XD is the number one private-label premium large format in the world and our partnership with THX will take it to another level,” commented Mark Zoradi, Cinemark’s CEO. “Our XD auditoriums offer the highest presentation and sound standards as we strive to provide the best entertainment possible. The THX certification will further substantiate to our guests that the XD experience is extraordinary.”

“We will bring a fully immersive, exceptional movie-going experience to savvy audiences by partnering with Cinemark, a highly regarded and established brand in the motion picture exhibition industry,” offered Ty Ahmad-Taylor, THX CEO & President. “THX has a longstanding reputation as the acclaimed brand for audio and visual performance. This partnership reinforces THX’s ties to the cinema world, ensuring vivid, memorable cinematic experiences for fans craving premium big screen, audiophile-worthy movie-watching. This serves as the first step in spearheading a PLF alliance.”

The certification process has already commenced and should be fully complete within the next 12 months.

According to 2011 Barco Press Release the Cinemark rooms are fitted with 4k Xenon 32B (dual in XD) and 23B (in standard rooms).

[ITDEFX101]

I see that Alien Covenant is now set to show for RPX! Hopefully they will give out collectible tickets for it.