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

[dvdmike]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

If it's used as effectively as on Ghost Protocol then it will make a HUGE impact. I still get chills thinking of the moment when the camera flies over the top of the Burj and the mattes slink away to reveal that vertiginous IMAX frame. Simply awesome.

(That's something which Nolan doesn't quite get with IMAX IMO, the way that he cuts back and forth between formats with little rhyme or reason whereas other directors have more of a sense of showmanship when it comes to how they use it.)

Nothing beats the catching fire one for me, but the first guardians one was great

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by dvdmike

So 4k master? Or upscale?

No way will they blow the 15/70 down to 2K digital only to record it back out to 15/70. The 15/70 print (and probably the 15/70 shots in the Laser 4K DCP) will be derived from original 65mm materials separate from whatever regular 2D/3D grade the movie receives, you can be sure of that.

Given that there's only a handful of these prints, fingers crossed they've run them directly from the 65mm negative (with blown up 35mm cut to A/B rolls) to avoid the IP-IN-print stages.

Originally Posted by dvdmike

Nothing beats the catching fire one for me, but the first guardians one was great

The Catching Fire one was a zinger, but the slight irony of that IMAX 'unveiling' shot is that a fair bit of that first sequence at the arena was shot full-frame Super 35. Looked mighty fine nonetheless.

[dvdmike]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

No way will they blow the 15/70 down to 2K digital only to record it back out to 15/70. The 15/70 print (and probably the 15/70 shots in the Laser 4K DCP) will be derived from original 65mm materials separate from whatever regular 2D/3D grade the movie receives, you can be sure of that.

Given that there's only a handful of these prints, fingers crossed they've run them directly from the 65mm negative (with blown up 35mm cut to A/B rolls) to avoid the IP-IN-print stages.


The Catching Fire one was a zinger, but the slight irony of that IMAX 'unveiling' shot is that a fair bit of that first sequence at the arena was shot full-frame Super 35. Looked mighty fine nonetheless.

Nothing wrong with some super 35

I hope so, and hope the bfi have it on last week of April

[GLaDOS]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

If it's used as effectively as on Ghost Protocol then it will make a HUGE impact. I still get chills thinking of the moment when the camera flies over the top of the Burj and the mattes slink away to reveal that vertiginous IMAX frame. Simply awesome.

(That's something which Nolan doesn't quite get with IMAX IMO, the way that he cuts back and forth between formats with little rhyme or reason whereas other directors have more of a sense of showmanship when it comes to how they use it.)

You just made me a bit sad about me not seeing Ghost Protocol on IMAX.

And I agree. Aside from perhaps Interstellar, I agree that Nolan doesn't show much showmanship with the format as people like Brad Bird, although he does make use of the format to emphasize scale.

Maybe Snyder might follow Nolan's approach more. Although he IS known for style over substance most of the time, so Snyder showing some showmanship with the format might be surprising.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by GLaDOS

You just made me a bit sad about me not seeing Ghost Protocol on IMAX.

And I agree. Aside from perhaps Interstellar, I agree that Nolan doesn't show much showmanship with the format as people like Brad Bird, although he does make use of the format to emphasize scale.

Maybe Snyder might follow Nolan's approach more. Although he IS known for style over substance most of the time, so Snyder showing some showmanship with the format might be surprising.

What I found surprising was a film like Catching Fire really using the height of the IMAX frame, not just to emphasise scale but to actually frame shots for the 1.43 ratio and not care about the 2.40 extraction (which had to be tilt and scanned to contain the action for the fixed widescreen version, unlike the 2.40 'safe' framing of Nolan et al).

[dvdmike]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

What I found surprising was a film like Catching Fire really using the height of the IMAX frame, not just to emphasise scale but to actually frame shots for the 1.43 ratio and not care about the 2.40 extraction (which had to be tilt and scanned to contain the action for the fixed widescreen version, unlike the 2.40 'safe' framing of Nolan et al).

Lawrence really used the while frame, it made sense to use the format
As did Gunn weirdly (not real IMAX I know)

[The Debts]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

If it's used as effectively as on Ghost Protocol then it will make a HUGE impact. I still get chills thinking of the moment when the camera flies over the top of the Burj and the mattes slink away to reveal that vertiginous IMAX frame. Simply awesome.

(That's something which Nolan doesn't quite get with IMAX IMO, the way that he cuts back and forth between formats with little rhyme or reason whereas other directors have more of a sense of showmanship when it comes to how they use it.)

Star Trek Into Darkness also made use of IMAX quite well, switching to 35mm for interior shots while exterior used 65mm.

BTW, will Batman v Superman also have 2D showings in digital or will it be exclusive to the 70mm version like Star Wars was? I swear I saw some posts here and there saying that the showings would alternate, like Man of Steel did.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by The Debts

Star Trek Into Darkness also made use of IMAX quite well, switching to 35mm for interior shots while exterior used 65mm.

BTW, will Batman v Superman also have 2D showings in digital or will it be exclusive to the 70mm version like Star Wars was? I swear I saw some posts here and there saying that the showings would alternate, like Man of Steel did.

It will have showings in both 2D and 3D in digital, with IMAX claiming it is up to the individual theaters to decide how they want to present the film.

Looking at Fandango, seems like half the digital theaters will just be doing 3D, and the other half will be splitting between formats (typically 2 showings a day in 2D, and 3 or 4 in 3D).

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by GLaDOS

Apparently there are now IMAX showings listed for Batman v Superman around my area, but the Smithsonian IMAX theaters aren't listed.

Smithsonian Udvar Hazy tickets ARE available for purchase online and at the box office. Both 2D and 3D versions

[GLaDOS]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

Smithsonian Udvar Hazy tickets ARE available for purchase online and at the box office. Both 2D and 3D versions

But not at the Lockheed Martin IMAX theater.

I don't have a ride to the Airbus IMAX theater (which is more than 2 hours from my place and 45 minutes from my University). *sigh* Time to get tickets to see the LieMAX version nearby

[antovolk]

UK: BFI IMAX TICKETS ON SALE NOW
http://www.odeon.co.uk/cinemas/bfi_imax/211/
Manchester Printworks will also show 70mm IMAX: http://www.odeon.co.uk/cinemas/manch...printworks/11/

Odeon LSQ will show non-IMAX 70mm
http://www.odeon.co.uk/films/batman_...n_70mm/100896/

[Eric The Duke]

Originally Posted by GLaDOS

But not at the Lockheed Martin IMAX theater.

I don't have a ride to the Airbus IMAX theater (which is more than 2 hours from my place and 45 minutes from my University). *sigh* Time to get tickets to see the LieMAX version nearby

If you can make it to downtown DC, there is a way to get to the AIRBUS theater with public transportation.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

It will have showings in both 2D and 3D in digital, with IMAX claiming it is up to the individual theaters to decide how they want to present the film.

Looking at Fandango, seems like half the digital theaters will just be doing 3D, and the other half will be splitting between formats (typically 2 showings a day in 2D, and 3 or 4 in 3D).

Man of Steel had some 2D showings of the film, but this film is more evenly split. I am actually surprised that there are some IMAX film prints being made. The biggest films should always get some prints made, it makes movies, going to the movies, and just discussing movies way more fun.

The worlds first laser location (Scotiabank) is showing in 2D, so something tells me the movie is not tracking all that well. This would be the first time a movie played at the Scotiabank in 2D when they had the opportunity to run in 3D.

[antovolk]

Originally Posted by MrsMiniver

Man of Steel had some 2D showings of the film, but this film is more evenly split. I am actually surprised that there are some IMAX film prints being made. The biggest films should always get some prints made, it makes movies, going to the movies, and just discussing movies way more fun.

The worlds first laser location (Scotiabank) is showing in 2D, so something tells me the movie is not tracking all that well. This would be the first time a movie played at the Scotiabank in 2D when they had the opportunity to run in 3D.

IMAX are getting all the US laser locations to play it in 2D.....or at the very least with alternating 2D and 3D shows. Nothing to do with tracking. They're also letting US digital locations to do alternating 2D/3D shows. The demand for 2D is there.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by GLaDOS

But not at the Lockheed Martin IMAX theater.

I don't have a ride to the Airbus IMAX theater (which is more than 2 hours from my place and 45 minutes from my University). *sigh* Time to get tickets to see the LieMAX version nearby

Yeah I don't get that either. They just opened the renovated laser system in town at the Lockheed Martin IMAX screen and they don't book it ??? huh? how utterly annoying.

[Eric The Duke]

Looks like the AIRBUS IMAX has removed 3D showings of B vs. S.

[seannyd]

This might be a shot in the dark but I haven't been able to get any information from the source or anywhere else online, but does anyone know why the Henry Ford IMAX in Dearborn has dropped IMAX and become simply a "Big Screen Experience"? I'm curious to know if anyone might have some sort of inside info on what happened there.

They were hands down the best screen in the state (although to be fair I've never been to the Grand Rapids one) and if they get fewer Hollywood movies I'll be very disappointed - even though I think the last new movie they got was a year and a half ago with Interstellar.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Eric The Duke

Looks like the AIRBUS IMAX has removed 3D showings of B vs. S.

that's too bad, but I'd rather see this in 4K and not 2K 3D.

Originally Posted by seannyd

This might be a shot in the dark but I haven't been able to get any information from the source or anywhere else online, but does anyone know why the Henry Ford IMAX in Dearborn has dropped IMAX and become simply a "Big Screen Experience"? I'm curious to know if anyone might have some sort of inside info on what happened there.

They were hands down the best screen in the state (although to be fair I've never been to the Grand Rapids one) and if they get fewer Hollywood movies I'll be very disappointed - even though I think the last new movie they got was a year and a half ago with Interstellar.

although there's no reasoning behind the conversion they did state this on their Facebook page:

"Kathy, while we've moved away from IMAX, we'll be featuring a great collection of mission-focused movies once our Giant Screen Experience opens this spring. Keep an eye on our website for our new showtimes to be released. Hopefully you'll join us to see the new theater!"

maybe they didn't want to get stuck with some of the dreck that IMAX is releasing - i.e, 'Gods of Egypt' - licensing and maintaining IMAX is a pretty expensive venture for some institutions and museums. Harrisburg Pennsylvania's Whitaker Center Select Medical (former) Imax Theatre changed over to standard digital projection (which actually got them in trouble since they were leased to IMAX for another few years - oops)

Theater's are realizing that with the advances in cinema projection and audio - it makes more sense to custom install a 4K and laser DLP systems, upgrade the audio to Dolby Atmos and not be wedded to IMAX, which also guarantees more movies than what IMAX offers.

[Rodney-2187]

Found a Dolby AMC Prime screen near me. I'll be checking it out soon. Supposedly laser projection?

The Regal RPX and Cinemark XD theaters around me are just stadium seating and large screens, and I've seen all sorts of screen sizes labeled as IMAX. There is one Regal Theater near me with the large leather recliners and reserved seating that has been my go to. Also a small local chain that serves really good food and beer has the leather recliners and reserved seating as well. Their screens are exceptionally bright for some reason, but I don't know what kind of projectors they use.

[Dubstar]

^ Cinemark XD screens use Barco 4K projectors, not sure about Regal uses on their RPX screens