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

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

I have NO idea what's going on with the IMAX screen over at Rio, but I'll be over there tomorrow to see 'G:KoM' on the Prime screen (3D and Dolby Atmos [!] woohoo) so I'll ask. But back to the Prime screen, I was just wow'd by the presentation of 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse' here, while it wasn't a 3D presentation, the image had significant pop and the Atmos system was top notch - hope the system hasn't take a turn for the worse.

update on the Rio IMAX screen - while it was told me that the IMAX screen would be converted in time for 'Endgame' that wasn't the case, the conversion started at the beginning of April and what was told to me today was that the auditorium could open as early as next week's "Men in Black 4" but definitely in time for 'Toy Story 4'

as to the Prime '3D / Dolby Atmos' presentation of 'Godzilla: King of the Monsters" stunning, just stunning. What was odd with the prior weekend screening of the movie at Mazza Galleria, was that at one scene when Kyle Chandler and Vera Farmiga are yelling at one another in the truck; the DCP had somehow eliminated the voice track but kept the background FX sound cues, obviously it was intact for today's screening.

[CelluloidPal]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

update on the Rio IMAX screen - while it was told me that the IMAX screen would be converted in time for 'Endgame' that wasn't the case, the conversion started at the beginning of April and what was told to me today was that the auditorium could open as early as next week's "Men in Black 4" but definitely in time for 'Toy Story 4'

as to the Prime '3D / Dolby Atmos' presentation of 'Godzilla: King of the Monsters" stunning, just stunning. What was odd with the prior weekend screening of the movie at Mazza Galleria, was that at one scene when Kyle Chandler and Vera Farmiga are yelling at one another in the truck; the DCP had somehow eliminated the voice track but kept the background FX sound cues, obviously it was intact for today's screening.

I haven't been to the Rio theater since Loews Cineplex ran it.
Has the place changed that dramatically?

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

I haven't been to the Rio theater since Loews Cineplex ran it.
Has the place changed that dramatically?

yes, the whole complex got a complete makeover, new 'Prime' auditorium with 3D / Dolby Atmos, updated IMAX-laser system; all new seating; new MacGuffins Bar & Lounge, new box office, new escalator to the second floor.

[ITDEFX101]

Dark Phoenix...No expanded AR. Very aggressive audio track though. Seems to be a tad stronger than Godzilla (?!?!!?)

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

Dark Phoenix...No expanded AR. Very aggressive audio track though. Seems to be a tad stronger than Godzilla (?!?!!?)

The overhead sound cues during the train sequence was doing overtime - damn impressive 12-channel soundmix


Question: anyone know what the IMAX quality control email is - I'm somehow not finding it online ?

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

The overhead sound cues during the train sequence was doing overtime - damn impressive 12-channel soundmix


Question: anyone know what the IMAX quality control email is - I'm somehow not finding it online ?

I thought the shuttle launch and X-Jet flight rescue sequences were really strong.

Ask and you shall receive!
cqo@imax.com

I don't know if you guys ever saw the email response I got from IMAX after I wrote a professional email to them about my local IMAX theater.
-----------------
Dear ITDEFX101,

Firstly let me apologize for not getting back to you sooner. I was overwhelmed with events at the Toronto International Film Festival.

I apologize for the recurring sound issues at this venue and will have our technicians investigate immediately.

Joe will be in touch and provide two complimentary tickets in the hope we can regain you trust.

We'll try and get this fixed for Blade Runner and would love a report from you. Glad you like Udvar, one of my favourite IMAXes.

Regards
David Keighley
CQO, EVP IMAX Corp.
-----------------------

[UFAlien]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

huh?

not according to this press release back in 2014:

Cinemark first to install Barco’s laser projector in North America and raise the bar on image quality

I got the model name wrong but my point still stands. Notice the article you link only mentions XD in reference to the Auro sound installations. It doesn't offer any indication how many laser projectors Cinemark bought or where they were being installed.

The same pre-show ads that you reference about the 11.1 audio clearly state a specific model line for their projectors, the "Barco DP4K B-Series state of the art projectors, capable of delivering 33,000 lumens and 35 trillion colors."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0EBxDbR4hI&t=9s

A hop over to Barco's website and you find those exact specs listed for the DP4K-32B, their top of the line Xenon projector: DP4K-32B

Their laser projectors don't have a B-series, and none of them match those specs.

[Dubstar]

^ okay, so I'm wrong ...

"and we're walking"

[Dreamliner330]

I've decided I'm over the IMAX 2D shenanigans. I still prefer IMAX 3D to everything else but if I have the option of regular 3D I will take it over IMAX 2D. Usually I will mention to the manager that I'd like the volume to be turned up a bit and they oblige, then I sit close and I get at least a mini IMAX experience. All the screens around here are LIMAX 2K 1.9 retrofits anyway, so it's not much of a compromise.

I saw Godzilla 3D & Dark Phoenix 3D in regular rooms and they were great. A theater about 45 minutes from me is the only place I could find showing Spiderman Homecoming in IMAX 3D, I will drive wherever I have to for IMAX 3D, so that is where I'm going. IMAX 2D will never get another dollar from me so long as a 3D presentation is available elsewhere.

I've asked IMAX and AMC to make IMAX 3D available in at least one theater or one showing and they aren't doing it. I saw Aladdin IMAX 3D and Endgame IMAX 3D and both looked spectacular. It's so short sighted to run away from 3D when they're the best in the industry at it.

IMAX 3D > 3D > IMAX 2D > Regular

You can be razzled and dazzled with all the "Lasers and Colors" marketing shtick you want, but nothing will ever compete with 3D in terms of immersion. You see the world in 3D, watch movies in 3D!

[BluBonnet]

I don't know if this was mentioned before, but they're showing a Soundgarden concert on IMAX for one day only, July 1st

https://www.imax.com/movies/soundgar...max-experience

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

I've decided I'm over the IMAX 2D shenanigans. I still prefer IMAX 3D to everything else but if I have the option of regular 3D I will take it over IMAX 2D. Usually I will mention to the manager that I'd like the volume to be turned up a bit and they oblige, then I sit close and I get at least a mini IMAX experience. All the screens around here are LIMAX 2K 1.9 retrofits anyway, so it's not much of a compromise.

I saw Godzilla 3D & Dark Phoenix 3D in regular rooms and they were great. A theater about 45 minutes from me is the only place I could find showing Spiderman Homecoming in IMAX 3D, I will drive wherever I have to for IMAX 3D, so that is where I'm going. IMAX 2D will never get another dollar from me so long as a 3D presentation is available elsewhere.

I've asked IMAX and AMC to make IMAX 3D available in at least one theater or one showing and they aren't doing it. I saw Aladdin IMAX 3D and Endgame IMAX 3D and both looked spectacular. It's so short sighted to run away from 3D when they're the best in the industry at it.

IMAX 3D > 3D > IMAX 2D > Regular

You can be razzled and dazzled with all the "Lasers and Colors" marketing shtick you want, but nothing will ever compete with 3D in terms of immersion. You see the world in 3D, watch movies in 3D!

From what I understand, that’s not on AMC, as IMAX controls the bookings in their theaters and decided two years ago to minimize 3D.

Though at least on the AMCs (I’d have to travel well over an hour to get to an IMAX which is not AMC) here they seem to do an okay job with a IMAX 3D option. Typically either one show a day at all theaters (like with Endgame) or they will designate one of the theaters to be the 3D one (like with Venom, one showed it just in 3D, while I think the other three were 2D only). The only exception I recall (when 3D was an option, obviously many IMAX releases are 2D only now everywhere domestically) is Black Panther where the closest IMAX playing it in 3D was 2.5 hours away.

[Dreamliner330]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

From what I understand, that’s not on AMC, as IMAX controls the bookings in their theaters and decided two years ago to minimize 3D.

Though at least on the AMCs (I’d have to travel well over an hour to get to an IMAX which is not AMC) here they seem to do an okay job with a IMAX 3D option. Typically either one show a day at all theaters (like with Endgame) or they will designate one of the theaters to be the 3D one (like with Venom, one showed it just in 3D, while I think the other three were 2D only). The only exception I recall (when 3D was an option, obviously many IMAX releases are 2D only now everywhere domestically) is Black Panther where the closest IMAX playing it in 3D was 2.5 hours away.

I'm fine with AMC designating one theater or showtime to be 3D, but they don't do that with all titles. It just seems crazy to me that titles like Godzilla, Dark Phoenix, Toy Story, MIB, etc would be in IMAX 2D only.

The AMC/IMAX thing is a joke. They point to each other whenever there is an issue. My local theater had some issue with an audio amplifier that went on for 3 months or so and the work around was low-volume audio. It frustrated me so much because I couldn't hear dialog in Civil War because of popcorn munching. When I mentioned it to the manager the response was "nobody else has complained and IMAX said people couldn't tell a difference" to which my immediate reply was "well then, what am I standing here?"

I think most "average people" who "don't like 3D" haven't really experience IMAX 3D as they usually complain about having to wear glasses or it being too dark. If they saw IMAX 3D, they'd see how bright it really was and wouldn't complain about the glasses as it'd likely be worth the tradeoff.

AMC says the compare 3D sales to 2D and 2D outperforms, but then they stack the deck against 3D: 1PM showings for 3D vs 7PM showing for 2D. Or that time they played 2D week 1 and 3D week 2.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

I think most "average people" who "don't like 3D" haven't really experience IMAX 3D as they usually complain about having to wear glasses or it being too dark. If they saw IMAX 3D, they'd see how bright it really was and wouldn't complain about the glasses as it'd likely be worth the tradeoff.

The glasses for 3D IMAX are heavier and more uncomfortable than any other 3D glasses out there. I took someone to watch a recent movie in 3D IMAX and her nose hurt badly afterwards b/c the glasses were heavier than anything she'd ever worn.

As for the image, no I wouldn't say it's bright enough, and I've seen at least 2 dozen movies in 3D IMAX in the last couple of years.

[Chaotic]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

Dark Phoenix...No expanded AR. Very aggressive audio track though. Seems to be a tad stronger than Godzilla (?!?!!?)

Much stronger than Godzilla. I was disappointed with Godzilla's.

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

I'm fine with AMC designating one theater or showtime to be 3D, but they don't do that with all titles. It just seems crazy to me that titles like Godzilla, Dark Phoenix, Toy Story, MIB, etc would be in IMAX 2D only.

The AMC/IMAX thing is a joke. They point to each other whenever there is an issue. My local theater had some issue with an audio amplifier that went on for 3 months or so and the work around was low-volume audio. It frustrated me so much because I couldn't hear dialog in Civil War because of popcorn munching. When I mentioned it to the manager the response was "nobody else has complained and IMAX said people couldn't tell a difference" to which my immediate reply was "well then, what am I standing here?"

I think most "average people" who "don't like 3D" haven't really experience IMAX 3D as they usually complain about having to wear glasses or it being too dark. If they saw IMAX 3D, they'd see how bright it really was and wouldn't complain about the glasses as it'd likely be worth the tradeoff.

AMC says the compare 3D sales to 2D and 2D outperforms, but then they stack the deck against 3D: 1PM showings for 3D vs 7PM showing for 2D. Or that time they played 2D week 1 and 3D week 2.

I agree with you here. I have been to various "IMAX" theaters from Regal to AMC to Udvar Hazy IMAX here in Northern VA. The presentation quality is mixed every single time. Either the dialog is too low or rest of the audio is not equalized to missing rear effects coming from the speakers. Some movies where you would expect the audio mix would be strong ends up being weaker than expected...example Pacific Rim: Uprising. There was a cricket like sound coming from the rear speakers during the movie yet management was like "I hear nothing".... or when they confirm there is a problem they just give a free readmit pass. Ready Player One's audio presentation was absolutely amazing.

As for 3d IMAX...it is a mixed bag for me. Every person has their own experiences with it. For me I have sat in various locations during an IMAX 3d presentation. I will use that short Pandas 3d from last year. If I sat dead center of the theater, the 3d effects work as intended. If I sit further back or towards the sides the image looks more glassy and less 3d.

I sit mostly in the last row and on the side so I can easily get up and leave to go to the bathroom if needed easily.

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

The glasses for 3D IMAX are heavier and more uncomfortable than any other 3D glasses out there. I took someone to watch a recent movie in 3D IMAX and her nose hurt badly afterwards b/c the glasses were heavier than anything she'd ever worn.

As for the image, no I wouldn't say it's bright enough, and I've seen at least 2 dozen movies in 3D IMAX in the last couple of years.

3d glasses are a mixed bag in my area. The standard Real 3d glasses are ok, but the IMAX 3d glasses are far worse quality. My local Regal IMAX uses these Yellow/Red hard plastic glasses where the lenses sometimes are spotty and the temples will not close.

Probably the biggest annoyance that I have with the last IMAX movies in my theater is that raise the house lights as soon as the credits roll. I am like dude the cleaning person takes less than 5 mins to clean the theater. I find it strange that it will be 30 mins to 45 mins before the next showing. Do they use that time to cool down the projectors?

[xbs2034]

I used my $4 T Mobile ticket for a second go around to see Dark Phoenix and do it at the new Regal at Essex Market in Manhattan and with their RPX screen. And I have to say, it feels like the really went for a rip off here.

No Atmos or special audio format, just 7.1 that I seem to get at all Regal screens (did notice a little extra punch to the audio vs seeing it in I believe 5.1 at AMC though), no laser projection which some Regal screens as well as other premium theaters are doing now, and unlike the RPXs I’ve been to in Times Square and Boston that had big screens, this was one of those ones where they take a slightly larger than average screen and move the seats closer to the screen to make it appear bigger. It has reclining seats but I believe the whole theater does, and only a little interior design seemed different from what they would standardly offer. Also all RPX showings were in 2D, and I did notice some diminishment in the action scenes without 3D, but the train scene was still awesome, too bad it can be a bit of slog at times getting to that.

[ITDEFX101]

MIB International. Expanded AR during the entire movie.....huh??!?!? I thought it wasn't filmed in IMAX.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

MIB International. Expanded AR during the entire movie.....huh??!?!? I thought it wasn't filmed in IMAX.

It’s a 1.85 movie so it should fill a digital IMAX screen

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

It’s a 1.85 movie so it should fill a digital IMAX screen

What was Godzilla:KOTM and DP? Those were presented in Letterbox on the same imax screen.

Dumbo was also presented in full frame as well.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

What was Godzilla:KOTM and DP? Those were presented in Letterbox on the same imax screen.

Dumbo was also presented in full frame as well.

Yeah, those first two were scope movies, and Dumbo was a 1.85 title as well (makes sense that’s the aspect ratio Burton prefers, with MiB I think the other films in the series were 1.85 so they may have just wanted to keep it consistent).