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

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

The two others I know of are Jungle Book and Transformers: The Last Knight (though may be missing something else), all of which played at the AMC Empire. Though Titanic and now Alita are the only ones I went to, as I picked IMAX 3D for Rogue One and Last Knight, and Real D for Jungle Book

as I recall Jungle Book had a very limited Dolby Cinema 3D presentation since at the time, Dolby didn't have that many systems out that could actually present the movie as such.

Originally Posted by xbs2034

Oh sure, but what I was saying was on Tuesday night, there were IMAX showings offered, but only if a theater didn't have a Dolby Cinema 3D (not all Dolbys can show 3D) capable screen. But when a theater did have such a screen, they would select that version over IMAX, laser or not.

In NYC the way it broke down was Kips Bay (IMAX digital, no Dolby Cinema) played it in IMAX 3D, AMC 34st (IMAX Digital and a Dolby Cinema, but 2D only Dolby) also played it in IMAX 3D, and Lincoln Square and AMC Empire (both with IMAX laser theaters and 3D capable Dolby Cinemas) played the Dolby Version. So combined with Monday being exclusive to Dolby 3D, it seems like that was the preferred format.

from what I was told, and read somewhere if a theater complex has both a Dolby and an IMAX auditorium, IMAX always got the upper hand and preference first to present a movie as such.

[CelluloidPal]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

James Cameron on Dolby Vision 3D - Alita: Battle Angel | Dolby Cinema | Dolby - YouTube

I see. There was a quote or post with Cameron talking about IMAX 3D so I thought he recommended that as the main option.

[CelluloidPal]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

with Alita - you will get more visual information, expanding vertical screen expanding scenes in IMAX than the Dolby Cinema presentation. If you're more a 'sound' person, I'd say DC, if it's all visual, go for IMAX.

Yeah, IMAX 3D does maximizes the visuals but the sound was great there.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

Yeah, IMAX 3D does maximizes the visuals but the sound was great there.

IMAX 6-track sound doesn't hold a candle up to Dolby Atmos sound IMO.

[CelluloidPal]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

IMAX 6-track sound doesn't hold a candle up to Dolby Atmos sound IMO.

No disagreements there. Problem is the closest DC screen is in Georgetown and that does not have 3D installed in it like Tyson's or Hoffman

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

IMAX 6-track sound doesn't hold a candle up to Dolby Atmos sound IMO.

Though 12 Channel IMAX vs Atmos is a different matter.

Hard to say cause I've seen more in 12 Channel, and Force Awakens is the only movie I've experienced both mixes (I saw that three times theatrically, and the audio advantages offered over the 5.1 mix I saw in the first viewing were apparent in both though I felt in Atmos- and it could be that theater, seat, etc- it got too loud at a few points), but I feel like I may prefer the IMAX 12 Channel and at the very least it's close.

[Dubstar]

Okay - I'll correct myself here, generally I've found Atmos to be my fave of the immersive audio mixes BUT I will say the 12 channel mixes of "Sully" and "Age of Ultron" to be superior and much more active than their Atmos mixes

[Fang Zei]

Is it that the theaters showing Alita in 2D-DC can’t do 3D-DC or are they simply choosing not to for whatever reason?

I saw Alita last night at Air & Space downtown DC in Imax laser 3D, my fourth laser screening and first in laser 3D. Made sure to wear my contacts to avoid any problems with the 6p glasses, which I still found to be a little uncomfortable. They’re heavier than real-d and Liemax, which I’m assuming used the same glasses as the 15/70 3D system, which I never got to see before the museum converted to laser three years ago. Other than the 2D documentaries I saw there as a kid in the early 90’s, the only movies I saw in 15/70 were Dark Knight, Ghost Protocol and John Carter (all at Udvar-Hazy) Dark Knight Rises (midnight Thursday opening at the Johnson Imax RIP) and Interstellar (Air&Space DC).

Glasses comfort aside, this was probably the best 3D presentation I’ve yet seen. I’m still curious to check out Dolby Cinema 3D to see how the light levels compare. The dark scenes in Alita still looked a little too dark in laser 3D.

[benji888578]

Originally Posted by Fang Zei

Is it that the theaters showing Alita in 2D-DC can’t do 3D-DC or are they simply choosing not to for whatever reason?

I saw Alita last night at Air & Space downtown DC in Imax laser 3D, my fourth laser screening and first in laser 3D. Made sure to wear my contacts to avoid any problems with the 6p glasses, which I still found to be a little uncomfortable. They’re heavier than real-d and Liemax, which I’m assuming used the same glasses as the 15/70 3D system, which I never got to see before the museum converted to laser three years ago. Other than the 2D documentaries I saw there as a kid in the early 90’s, the only movies I saw in 15/70 were Dark Knight, Ghost Protocol and John Carter (all at Udvar-Hazy) Dark Knight Rises (midnight Thursday opening at the Johnson Imax RIP) and Interstellar (Air&Space DC).

Glasses comfort aside, this was probably the best 3D presentation I’ve yet seen. I’m still curious to check out Dolby Cinema 3D to see how the light levels compare. The dark scenes in Alita still looked a little too dark in laser 3D.

It’s a choice.

I understand the 3D effect is opposite digital IMAX where the depth comes toward you from the screen, whereas all the others the depth is from the screen into/behind the screen...was the 3D effect immersed into the room or like the others?

While Dolby Cinema is capable of 3D, I’ve read that the DCs have only been 2D, except for maybe one or two films in Dolby Cinema’s early days. Someone that goes correct me if I’m wrong. (None close to me...4+ hrs drive.)

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by benji888578

It’s a choice.

I understand the 3D effect is opposite digital IMAX where the depth comes toward you from the screen, whereas all the others the depth is from the screen into/behind the screen...was the 3D effect immersed into the room or like the others?

While Dolby Cinema is capable of 3D, I’ve read that the DCs have only been 2D, except for maybe one or two films in Dolby Cinema’s early days. Someone that goes correct me if I’m wrong. (None close to me...4+ hrs drive.)

The vast majority of Dolby Cinema releases have been 2D, though there have been several 3D releases before. I think the most recent before Alita was Titanic in Dec 2017.

I’m not an expert in Dolby 3D, but from what I understand, their 3D requires extra equipment so some of their theaters are just 2D capable only (and indeed Alita is playing in Dolby Cinema 2D in many locations).

The first film to release in Dolby 3D was Jungle Book, and Jon Faverau was a huge fan of the format and mentioned he thought it was the best way to see the movie, but noted it was available in just 3 US locations and 4 international ones (I assume because of equipment needed as there were way more Dolby Cinema locations than that at the time that played it in 2D)
https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comm...y_ways_to_see/

[CelluloidPal]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

The vast majority of Dolby Cinema releases have been 2D, though there have been several 3D releases before. I think the most recent before Alita was Titanic in Dec 2017.

I’m not an expert in Dolby 3D, but from what I understand, their 3D requires extra equipment so some of their theaters are just 2D capable only (and indeed Alita is playing in Dolby Cinema 2D in many locations).

The first film to release in Dolby 3D was Jungle Book, and Jon Faverau was a huge fan of the format and mentioned he thought it was the best way to see the movie, but noted it was available in just 3 US locations and 4 international ones (I assume because of equipment needed as there were way more Dolby Cinema locations than that at the time that played it in 2D)
https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comm...y_ways_to_see/

I experienced Dolby 3D a year or two back during a screening for Hitchcock's Dial M for Murder. The glasses I thought fit me find and I wear perscription eyeglasses and the images was pretty nice and well lit.

[CinemaFirst]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

The vast majority of Dolby Cinema releases have been 2D, though there have been several 3D releases before. I think the most recent before Alita was Titanic in Dec 2017.

I’m not an expert in Dolby 3D, but from what I understand, their 3D requires extra equipment so some of their theaters are just 2D capable only (and indeed Alita is playing in Dolby Cinema 2D in many locations).

The first film to release in Dolby 3D was Jungle Book, and Jon Faverau was a huge fan of the format and mentioned he thought it was the best way to see the movie, but noted it was available in just 3 US locations and 4 international ones (I assume because of equipment needed as there were way more Dolby Cinema locations than that at the time that played it in 2D)
https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comm...y_ways_to_see/

In the US perhaps. Internationally, at least here in Europe, the vast majority of DC releases have been in 3D. Unfortunately in my opinion.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

I experienced Dolby 3D a year or two back during a screening for Hitchcock's Dial M for Murder. The glasses I thought fit me find and I wear perscription eyeglasses and the images was pretty nice and well lit.

I should clarify I was specifically referring to the Dolby Vision 3D one would find in Dolby Cinema. Not the old Dolby 3D glasses system which plays in regular theaters.

A chain near me uses that (or at least used to, they don’t do much 3D anymore and last title I saw in 3D with them was Lego Batman) and those are fine, though I noticed the image is a bit darker than Real D (fine in brighter films though in a darker title like The Legend of Tarzan I found it to be an issue). I also wear prescription glasses and noticed the Dolby Vision 3D for Alita could give me a bit of reflection issues, but those weren’t common and comfort wise it was fine.

[Creed]

I've lived my life having to wear 3D glasses over my glasses, and I'm fine with it.

Surprised that Dolby 3D glasses can fit okay enough:

[Dubstar]

personally I find it hard to use my glasses with the IMAX-laser glasses, for Dolby Cinema 3D I can. For RealD glasses I use my own 3D glasses that can go over my prescription glasses - they also let in more light than the one's the theaters give out.

Originally Posted by Fang Zei

Is it that the theaters showing Alita in 2D-DC can’t do 3D-DC or are they simply choosing not to for whatever reason?

I saw Alita last night at Air & Space downtown DC in Imax laser 3D, my fourth laser screening and first in laser 3D. Made sure to wear my contacts to avoid any problems with the 6p glasses, which I still found to be a little uncomfortable. They’re heavier than real-d and Liemax, which I’m assuming used the same glasses as the 15/70 3D system, which I never got to see before the museum converted to laser three years ago. Other than the 2D documentaries I saw there as a kid in the early 90’s, the only movies I saw in 15/70 were Dark Knight, Ghost Protocol and John Carter (all at Udvar-Hazy) Dark Knight Rises (midnight Thursday opening at the Johnson Imax RIP) and Interstellar (Air&Space DC).

Glasses comfort aside, this was probably the best 3D presentation I’ve yet seen. I’m still curious to check out Dolby Cinema 3D to see how the light levels compare. The dark scenes in Alita still looked a little too dark in laser 3D.

shhh we don't speak of that museum and that auditorium they demolished for the sake of expanding it's cafeteria and additional exhibition room.

I personally thought the black levels weren't as inky as they should have been for the Dolby Cinema presentation of 'Alita' - they should have been inkier as you noted in IMAX-laser.

[Dubstar]

Some more info on the IMAX laser installs in the DC/MD/VA area - AMC Hoffman is slated for it's conversion in late summer, early Fall. AMC Georgetown is set for early 2020.

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

Some more info on the IMAX laser installs in the DC/MD/VA area - AMC Hoffman is slated for it's conversion in late summer, early Fall. AMC Georgetown is set for early 2020.

Interesting. Any idea if Manassas Regal IMAX is scheduled for an upgrade as well? They went reserved seating all of a sudden two weeks ago and the manager was like they are going to get upgraded seats but not the recliners like other Regal's but similar seats to Regal in Gainesville. I have this funny feeling that they are going to downgrade and remove their IMAX screen and completely remove it and be like an RPX lite compared to Gainesville.

Just seeing the reserved seating numbers numbers vs Gainesville numbers shows me that they aren't as busy as their Gainesville cousin in the next town over. :\

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

Interesting. Any idea if Manassas Regal IMAX is scheduled for an upgrade as well? They went reserved seating all of a sudden two weeks ago and the manager was like they are going to get upgraded seats but not the recliners like other Regal's but similar seats to Regal in Gainesville. I have this funny feeling that they are going to downgrade and remove their IMAX screen and completely remove it and be like an RPX lite compared to Gainesville.

Just seeing the reserved seating numbers numbers vs Gainesville numbers shows me that they aren't as busy as their Gainesville cousin in the next town over. :\

well supposedly Regal's are supposed to get IMAX laser upgrades from what I had read in an online story of April of last year, but the manager over at the Majestic (Silver Spring) was completely clueless - in general Regal is run like a three ring circus and/or like that classic "Who's on first' comedy sketch. I'd be curious to hear what sort of reaction/answer you'd get in asking the managers over oat Manassas or Gainesville.

and for the record, the recliners over at Regal Rockville are ridiculous - recliners now resemble beds when fully reclined - seeing folk practically lying down borders on 'tackiness' in my mind, but that's another subject altogether.

[Dreamliner330]

It is frustrating to see IMAX running away from 3D. I see Captain Marvel is getting expanded IMAX scenes but no 3D (in IMAX) and it’s getting very hard to find premium 3D theaters. IMAX has two projectors which translates to bright and awesome 3D. So frustrating they are abandoning it.

I tried to find the Captain Marvel thread but it got locked. Apparently the behind the scenes shenanigans are ruining discussions everywhere.

[GLaDOS]

Apparently, the Maryland Science Center (a real IMAX venue) has upgraded to Laser projection, and their first Hollywood showing will be Captain Marvel.