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

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by UFAlien

Presumably the projector image is off-center from the screen. The screen is 1.72:1 while the maximum height of an IMAX Digital image is 1.90:1. So it'll never fill the full height of the screen unless they crop the sides off. Or are you saying that bottom edge doesn't move at all?

The bottom is always cropped...no matter what. It has to be a design flaw....that's never been addressed.

[Riddhi2011]

Originally Posted by Amar1

Also found these pics on the interwebs: although it doesn't list the Science Museum you can estimate the relative size using the measurements of the screen (24.3m by 16.8m).

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

By the way, Prasads is no longer an IMAX screen (not affiliated with IMAX anymore, either). The screen has been folded down to a 2.40:1 ratio, just like what happened to the even bigger Kolkata Mani Square 15/70 IMAX. I have seen film projections on both and preferred the Kolkata one as it was larger. Both were originally 1.43:1 ratio screens. Presently, there's not a single 15/70mm IMAX commercial theatre in India, and there were at least three (IMAX Big Cinemas Wadala, Mumbai). Even most (or all) Govt. science centre IMAX/Omnimax screens have been converted to digital. I know Kolkata has. It's a sad, sad picture in India. Only the LIEMAXes remain.
I hear they are converting a regular cinemascope screen into IMAX in Kolkata, at the South City Mall INOX. But from what I have learned so far, it's just going to be a 2.39:1 screen with expensive dual 2K IMAX projectors. That's called ROBBERY in broad daylight!

[CelluloidPal]

Does anybody know if theaters still even mask their screens?
Tried to see The Foreigner at the nearest theater in Silver Spring earlier but didn't even bother to flip a switch or something to even close the curtain. I was at that same theater last week to see Blade Runner 2049 and they managed to mask that screen.
I don't know if it's certain auditoriums or the entire theater or chain. I had to get a readmission pass because I used my MoviePass card and I don't know the policy of ticket refunds.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

Does anybody know if theaters still even mask their screens?
Tried to see The Foreigner at the nearest theater in Silver Spring earlier but didn't even bother to flip a switch or something to even close the curtain. I was at that same theater last week to see Blade Runner 2049 and they managed to mask that screen.
I don't know if it's certain auditoriums or the entire theater or chain. I had to get a readmission pass because I used my MoviePass card and I don't know the policy of ticket refunds.

Most theaters I've gone to do at least mask for flat and scope (though if there is some other AR, like 1.37 or 2.0, then you are pretty much out of luck unless it is a speciality theater), but there are some that don't. I think sometimes masking isn't built into theaters, or they may just stop bothering, an AMC near me did that when they renovated with recliners, they stopped using the masking that had been there just a couple months prior.

And of course there can be masking errors, for instance I saw Doctor Strange on a screen alternating showtimes with the flat Boo: A Madea Halloween, and they just set the masking for Boo, and you could actually make out the outline of the image covered behind masking in the brighter scenes (while not using masking doesn't bother me too much, that's the kinda thing I could consider complaining and asking for a readmit pass for).

Also, premium screens like IMAX and Dolby Cinema seem to not use masking, even in complexes where the other screens do.

[CelluloidPal]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

Most theaters I've gone to do at least mask for flat and scope (though if there is some other AR, like 1.37 or 2.0, then you are pretty much out of luck unless it is a speciality theater), but there are some that don't. I think sometimes masking isn't built into theaters, or they may just stop bothering, an AMC near me did that when they renovated with recliners, they stopped using the masking that had been there just a couple months prior.

And of course there can be masking errors, for instance I saw Doctor Strange on a screen alternating showtimes with the flat Boo: A Madea Halloween, and they just set the masking for Boo, and you could actually make out the outline of the image covered behind masking in the brighter scenes (while not using masking doesn't bother me too much, that's the kinda thing I could consider complaining and asking for a readmit pass for).

Also, premium screens like IMAX and Dolby Cinema seem to not use masking, even in complexes where the other screens do.

AMC I found out first hand. I saw T2 in 3D at their Georgetown location and they didn't mask that screen and it looked funny. Now I question whether to go there or that new Tysons location unless the next movie I want to see is flat. IMAX, I know doesn't mask their screens but the screen is so massive, you can't even see it the black bars.

[Riddhi2011]

In India, 99% of screens are cinemascope (2.39:1), today. A limited number of 70mm (2.20:1) and even fewer flat (1.85:1) screens exist. No theatre mask movies as per aspect ratio nowadays. Some of the old single screen theatres used to do that. Multiplexes don't care!

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

AMC I found out first hand. I saw T2 in 3D at their Georgetown location and they didn't mask that screen and it looked funny. Now I question whether to go there or that new Tysons location unless the next movie I want to see is flat. IMAX, I know doesn't mask their screens but the screen is so massive, you can't even see it the black bars.

I was under the impression that AMC offers masking on all its screens EXCEPT it's Dolby Cinema screens which are fixed at 1.90

Interestingly the Regal down in Charlottesville offers what is best to be described as 'floating screens' fixed at 1.85 (no masking) which results in scope movies to be letterboxed

[UFAlien]

My local Cinemark has masking only for the larger scope screens when they show a flat movie. Scope movies on flat screens are letterboxed with no masking.

[fontcow]

I'm heading to my first Dolby Cinema experience at a matinee for Blade Runner 2049 tomorrow morning. Wish me luck.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

I was under the impression that AMC offers masking on all its screens EXCEPT it's Dolby Cinema screens which are fixed at 1.90

Interestingly the Regal down in Charlottesville offers what is best to be described as 'floating screens' fixed at 1.85 (no masking) which results in scope movies to be letterboxed

The only AMC I've come across which outright dropped masking is Kips Bay, and that was done along with the reclining chair renovations which began last holiday season. The six screens in the left hallway are flat, and the four larger ones in the right hallway (including the IMAX) are scope.

Have seen some other things, like Steve Jobs projected letterbox, and Swiss Army Man projected window box (this one was almost certainly an error scope screen was set to a flat projector setting, and then the movie was within that container), but think those were isolated incidents.

Though, as mentioned, films with usual aspect ratios like Jurassic World and A Ghost Story were not fully masked (with the latter, they moved the scope masking in after the pre show, and showed the movie pillarboxed within a flat container).

I don't think all Dolby Cinemas are 1.9 either. The one Ive seen is scope, and they used pillarboxing for Crimson Peak (and that was even for a press screening, where they usually try and present as well as possible, which makes me think there was no masking option).

[ManBeast]

I will be in New York City next week. Really hope Blade Runner 2049 will still be in Dolby Cinema as would love to see that again projected in laser with Dolby Atmos.

Only the Brave is also out so not sure if they will share the screen. I just read this is formatted for IMAX (1:90:1) so would rather watch that in the laser IMAX in Lincoln Square.

Any other good cinemas I should be aware of in NYC? Want to go to the Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn and the Metrograph as well!

[Predatorix38417]

Originally Posted by ManBeast

I will be in New York City next week. Really hope Blade Runner 2049 will still be in Dolby Cinema as would love to see that again projected in laser with Dolby Atmos.

Only the Brave is also out so not sure if they will share the screen. I just read this is formatted for IMAX (1:90:1) so would rather watch that in the laser IMAX in Lincoln Square.

Any other good cinemas I should be aware of in NYC? Want to go to the Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn and the Metrograph as well!

There's also Geostorm next week, so Blade Runner's probably on its final week in both IMAX and Atmos.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by ManBeast

I will be in New York City next week. Really hope Blade Runner 2049 will still be in Dolby Cinema as would love to see that again projected in laser with Dolby Atmos.

Only the Brave is also out so not sure if they will share the screen. I just read this is formatted for IMAX (1:90:1) so would rather watch that in the laser IMAX in Lincoln Square.

Any other good cinemas I should be aware of in NYC? Want to go to the Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn and the Metrograph as well!

The NYC IMAXes have yet to post next week's showings, but Only the Brave is listed as "select IMAX theaters" which usually means it plays in either Kips Bay or Penn Station (American Made did in the former, Wolf Warrior 2 did in the latter for instance), and probably Geostorm plays in Lincoln Square and the Empire which are more attended and advanced IMAX screens.

Not sure what kinda theater you are looking for, but the Metrograph (which mostly does revival movies and are showing a lot of Stephen King adaptations this month), Alamo Drafthouse, Ipic by the Hudson River, and Landmark on West 57th are the ones to have opened fairly recently.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

The NYC IMAXes have yet to post next week's showings, but Only the Brave is listed as "select IMAX theaters" which usually means it plays in either Kips Bay or Penn Station (American Made did in the former, Wolf Warrior 2 did in the latter for instance), and probably Geostorm plays in Lincoln Square and the Empire which are more attended and advanced IMAX screens.

Not sure what kinda theater you are looking for, but the Metrograph (which mostly does revival movies and are showing a lot of Stephen King adaptations this month), Alamo Drafthouse, Ipic by the Hudson River, and Landmark on West 57th are the ones to have opened fairly recently.

The Landmark W.57th theater complex sounds pretty state of the art - laser projection and 7.1 surround sound in all its auditoriums

[FAShaffi]

Originally Posted by ManBeast

I will be in New York City next week. Really hope Blade Runner 2049 will still be in Dolby Cinema as would love to see that again projected in laser with Dolby Atmos.

Only the Brave is also out so not sure if they will share the screen. I just read this is formatted for IMAX (1:90:1) so would rather watch that in the laser IMAX in Lincoln Square.

Any other good cinemas I should be aware of in NYC? Want to go to the Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn and the Metrograph as well!

the Dolby Cinema in the AMC Empire 25 Times Square has a scope screen, which is very cool Metrograph is very cool, Alamo is of course great, both theaters actually care about quality and presentation, which is nice. of course the Lincoln Square IMAX is tied for the biggest one in the country, so that's great as well so many great theaters in NY, you'll have a great time lol

[ITDEFX101]

So I just found out last night after checking off and on for days that Geostorm will NOT have an IMAX release in the regal theaters in my area. Instead they will show Only the Brave in IMAX....wait what? I don't think OTB was set for IMAX release...but could be wrong. How quickly could they have set up this movie for IMAX projectors??? I thought the process takes weeks. Udvar seems to be giving BR more screen time.

Need to contact Regal as Geostorm was one of their movies listed as part of the IMAX B2G10off promo so they can update it with something else...

[Dubstar]

^ I just noted that Jigsaw is getting an IMAX release with the most recent TV ad - personally I don't think Udvar would be getting any of the three, they will just wait for Thor: Ragnarok

[ITDEFX101]

Ugh...more crap being projected into an IMAX Screen and charging 6.50 extra for projecting a letter boxed movie.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by ManBeast

I will be in New York City next week. Really hope Blade Runner 2049 will still be in Dolby Cinema as would love to see that again projected in laser with Dolby Atmos.

Only the Brave is also out so not sure if they will share the screen. I just read this is formatted for IMAX (1:90:1) so would rather watch that in the laser IMAX in Lincoln Square.

Any other good cinemas I should be aware of in NYC? Want to go to the Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn and the Metrograph as well!

If still interested/wondering, Blade Runner 2049 will be continuing at Lincoln Square's IMAX this weekend. It's out of the Dolby Cinema though, and no Only the Brave in NYC IMAX, though Geostorm is getting digital IMAX screens.

[ManBeast]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

If still interested/wondering, Blade Runner 2049 will be continuing at Lincoln Square's IMAX this weekend. It's out of the Dolby Cinema though, and no Only the Brave in NYC IMAX, though Geostorm is getting digital IMAX screens.

Thanks. Blade Runner is still in Dolby Cinema on the Monday so I will make every effort to see if on that day, hope I'm not too jet-lagged!

A bit disappointed Only the Brave won't be in the laser IMAX. Might still see this in Dolby Cinema as it looks like the full times haven't been added yet.

Cheers.

Oh god - Just seen the other Dolby Cinema title the week I am there is the new Tyler Perry movie...