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

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by Kaonashi

I saw it at a "premium" large format called "MAXX" (sounds like rip-off IMAX, I know), the whole film was 1.90:1, and during the credits you could see that the sides were cut off because the text was cut off too. It bugged me because I got the feeling that a few of the shots I recognised from the trailers looked zoomed in/cropped, and started wondering if maybe the theatre had been projecting it wrong.

EDIT: by "it" I mean Star Wars: The Last Jedi, forgot I was posting in a general IMAX thread.

Is it a native 1.9 screen with no masking? If so, it might not be incorrectly projected as much as the theater making a deliberate attempt to fill the screen and avoid black bars (which can indeed get annoying when it ruins shot composition).

I also The Last Jedi in IMAX laser today. Tickets were bought before I knew about no 1:43 IMAX ratio, cause with as crowded and crazy as Star Wars gets opening weekend in IMAX there, probably would have gone to a smaller theater instead. Still, the presentation was excellent of course. Only mention of IMAX filming I spotted were IMAX camera operator and IMAX camera operator assistant listings in the credits.

[Kaonashi]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

Is it a native 1.9 screen with no masking? If so, it might not be incorrectly projected as much as the theater making a deliberate attempt to fill the screen and avoid black bars (which can indeed get annoying when it ruins shot composition).
.

From my eyes it’s a 16:9 screen, I saw Spider-man Homecoming on it and that was framed correctly with black bars at the top and bottom of the picture. Blade Runner 2049 was shown in 1.90:1, the top of the screen was filled with only a black bar at the very bottom of the frame. Thor Ragnarok and TLJ looked the same with this but I think BR2049 was the only film to officially have the whole thing expanded to 1.90:1, and if I remember correctly the border on the credits fit the screen (until they switched off the power and stopped the film half way through the credits) so I’m guessing it was this version.

[GLaDOS]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

I also The Last Jedi in IMAX laser today. Tickets were bought before I knew about no 1:43 IMAX ratio, cause with as crowded and crazy as Star Wars gets opening weekend in IMAX there, probably would have gone to a smaller theater instead. Still, the presentation was excellent of course. Only mention of IMAX filming I spotted were IMAX camera operator and IMAX camera operator assistant listings in the credits.

Yup. Definitely sounds like the same case as The Prestige. IMAX for source experimentation and/or aerials.

I still think it's beautifully shot, and dat grain.

[UFAlien]

One of my two local Cinemark multiplexes, the Cinemark West Springfield 15, just had a major renovation and converted their two largest auditoriums into adjacent XD auditoriums, one with recliner seating and one with normal seating. The nearby Hampshire Mall Cinemark has had a single XD screen for years. The West Springfield location already had abnormally large screens in most of its auditoriums so I was hoping it'd translate into even larger XD screens but sadly I went tonight and that's not the case.

The XD in the Hampshire Mall is in the "Flat" ratio, fully unmasked. The two XD screens in West Springfield are both Scope ratio screens with curtains (though I haven't seen a Flat presentation so I don't know if they actually use them/have masking or if they're just decorative). Sadly, the West Springfield screens are about the same width as the Hampshire Mall one, maybe slightly narrower, and because they're Scope that makes them significantly smaller overall (especially for Flat movies). My guesstimate on width is about 56 feet (which I arrived at rather unscientifically by counting ceiling tiles which appear to be four feet each).

They're still big enough that if you sit in the center row they roughly fill your horizontal field of vision, so it's perfectly fine for Scope presentations. It's just a disappointment because in all honesty I'm not even 100% sure if the screens are actually any bigger than they were before the renovation, and with the Luxury Lounger installation the stadium seating angle isn't as sloped as it otherwise would be so the trick of immersing you by moving you closer to a same-size screen isn't in effect the same way it could be.

Here's the Luxury Lounger XD at the West Springfield theatre:


And the standard XD at the Hampshire Mall theatre:

[CelluloidPal]

I just got an e-mail from Regal that a 4DX screen has installed at Gallery Place.
Currently, The Last Jedi is playing there.

What's the deal with 4DX?

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

I just got an e-mail from Regal that a 4DX screen has installed at Gallery Place.
Currently, The Last Jedi is playing there.

What's the deal with 4DX?

If you've been on motion simulator rides at theme parks, it is essentially a feature length version of that. I think it's fun for dumb for under two hour action/horror movies, but it definitely can get distracting or tiring and would not recommend it over other premium formats like IMAX for at least first viewings of movies you are really interested in.

[GLaDOS]

If I want moving seats to go in sync with whatever's going on-screen, I'd go to Disneyland and ride Star Tours.

[CelluloidPal]

Originally Posted by GLaDOS

If I want moving seats to go in sync with whatever's going on-screen, I'd go to Disneyland and ride Star Tours.

I would never go to Disneyland. However, there was one similar to what you described. Anyone here remember the Days of Thunder ride?

[Scorpion Soldier]

Anybody seen The Greatest Showman in Dolby Cinema? I know the release doesn't have Dolby Vision but I figured I'd ask for some thoughts before I go Wednesday.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

I just got an e-mail from Regal that a 4DX screen has installed at Gallery Place.
Currently, The Last Jedi is playing there.

What's the deal with 4DX?

and from what I understand the audio is still standard 7.1 - NOT immersive Atmos, Auro or DTS-X (rolls eyes)

I went to see 'The Last Jedi' up in Syracuse New York at Regal Destiny USA Stadium 19 on the RPX screen and it brilliantly displayed what and how Regal are considered lazy in showcasing a movie in their so claimed 'premium experience' - the image was soft, the green exit signs bounce back onto the screen (ten times worse than AMC and select Dolby Vision screens flaws). 7.1 sound was okay, but Regal really needs to step up to the plate and offer immersive audio on ALL it's RPX screens. All in all, the whole experience was just average, going to resee the movie in IMAX-laser/3D to dazzle the ears and eyes.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by UFAlien

One of my two local Cinemark multiplexes, the Cinemark West Springfield 15, just had a major renovation and converted their two largest auditoriums into adjacent XD auditoriums, one with recliner seating and one with normal seating. The nearby Hampshire Mall Cinemark has had a single XD screen for years. The West Springfield location already had abnormally large screens in most of its auditoriums so I was hoping it'd translate into even larger XD screens but sadly I went tonight and that's not the case.

The XD in the Hampshire Mall is in the "Flat" ratio, fully unmasked. The two XD screens in West Springfield are both Scope ratio screens with curtains (though I haven't seen a Flat presentation so I don't know if they actually use them/have masking or if they're just decorative). Sadly, the West Springfield screens are about the same width as the Hampshire Mall one, maybe slightly narrower, and because they're Scope that makes them significantly smaller overall (especially for Flat movies). My guesstimate on width is about 56 feet (which I arrived at rather unscientifically by counting ceiling tiles which appear to be four feet each).

They're still big enough that if you sit in the center row they roughly fill your horizontal field of vision, so it's perfectly fine for Scope presentations. It's just a disappointment because in all honesty I'm not even 100% sure if the screens are actually any bigger than they were before the renovation, and with the Luxury Lounger installation the stadium seating angle isn't as sloped as it otherwise would be so the trick of immersing you by moving you closer to a same-size screen isn't in effect the same way it could be.

Here's the Luxury Lounger XD at the West Springfield theatre:


And the standard XD at the Hampshire Mall theatre:

did they update the sound system as well?? Supposedly Cinemark also upgraded all it's XD screens to implement Barco's laser projection systems which provide better brightness and color, was this the case as well?

[CelluloidPal]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

and from what I understand the audio is still standard 7.1 - NOT immersive Atmos, Auro or DTS-X (rolls eyes)

Well, that stinks.

[ITDEFX101]

Why hasn't there been a class action lawsuit into the deceptive advertisements of these theater companies when it comes to their premium theaters features?

[Dubstar]

I find it actually amazing that even with Regal Entertainment Group being the second largest theater chain in the US, they really cheap out on certain theater amenities - I honestly couldn't give two shits about reclining seats and all, but when it comes to sight and sound Regal fails miserably. Interestingly Landmark is taking the high road with the recent 57 West theater in New York City in offering Barco 2K and 4K projection on all seven of it's screens as well as 7.1 surround sound. Likewise here in the DC area, it's the other chains and independent theaters that also do a much better job, Arclight Bethesda: all 7.1, one 4K system. AFI Silver: all 4K / 7.1. Angelika Mosaic: all 7.1, one 4K system. Avalon: theater one: 4K, 7.1

[xbs2034]

Looks like The Last Jedi is starting to lose its stranglehold on premium screens this weekend. I see The Post getting some Dolby Cinema show times this weekend, Jumanji will apparently play in other Dolby Cinemas. And I saw Insidious in RPX yesterday and was impressed with the presentation (that theater had been renovated over last Summer/Fall, don't think it's an Atmos film but is an Atmos theater and sounded great).

Some IMAX screens will start switching next week with The Commuter.

[ITDEFX101]

Well at least you got the Post showing up in your area. I am getting annoyed that some of these great films people are talking about are in limited engagement and when I wait it out for wide release, my theater still doesn't carry it.

[Scorpion Soldier]

IMAX confirmed that Black Panther will have the aspect ratio opened up to 1.90:1.
https://twitter.com/IMAX/status/950508132698148865
Most likely select scenes like Guardians/Ragnarok.

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by Scorpion Soldier

IMAX confirmed that Black Panther will have the aspect ratio opened up to 1.90:1.
https://twitter.com/IMAX/status/950508132698148865
Most likely select scenes like Guardians/Ragnarok.

So.....no chance this movie is going to pull a TLJ right? Where we expected to see the AR open up in select scenes yet the release is locked down in it's AR.

[GLaDOS]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

So.....no chance this movie is going to pull a TLJ right? Where we expected to see the AR open up in select scenes yet the release is locked down in it's AR.

Nope. Black Panther will indeed get the special IMAX treatment.

No point in advertising TLJ being shot with IMAX cameras if they won't open up.

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by GLaDOS

Nope. Black Panther will indeed get the special IMAX treatment.

No point in advertising TLJ being shot with IMAX cameras if they won't open up.

Fuuuuccckkkk. Udvar Hazy won't sell advanced tickets for it...so I will be stuck seeing it at my local D-IMAX theater. :\ Yeah it will open up (sort of) but not the same as Udvar. Oh well at least I get to put the 2 free passes I got from IMAX that I was saving for TLJ but after finding it didn't open up, I was like oh damn I gambled and lost.