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

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by Tony208

My favorite screen is now the AMC Prime at Empire 25. Even front row seats are good seats, but back row might be too far away.

Lincoln Square Imax just gets crappier all the time.

I saw SW again this weekend, this time at the Empire Dolby Cinema. I agree the seats and sound are great there, but the screen is still a bit small for my liking.

Also, this was my first Dolby Vision mastered title I've seen there, and the details in the black levels were very noticeable, but I didn't see a huge image quality improvement overall otherwise, and still feel Crimson Peak (which I saw on that screen at an advance screening) may have actually looked better on those projectors despite not being in Dolby Vision.

BTW, take it with a grain of salt until it's announced, but according to some on Cinema Treasures, IMAX plans on putting in laser at Lincoln Square timed into the release of Deadpool (which should certainly improve quality there)

[Rodney-2187]

Most theaters now have huge screens and stadium seating. Picture QUALITY is another thing. I like a big screen, but I care more about it being clear and bright. I have found no other way to determine which theaters have the best picture than visiting them, because no matter what they say their equipment is, I've found all sorts of quality variations.

Another factor is seating. I LOVE assigned seating. Buy my tickets online in advance and no hassle.

I'm seeing more theaters offering big leather recliners, beer, and higher quality food. Give me a good bacon cheeseburger and a draft and you just made dinner and a movie one stop shopping.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by dvdmike

Have you seen it just there? Just wondered about colour comparison

I've seen it in IMAX (digital) and 3D RPX with Atmos.


Best picture quality, black levels, colors.

[Brosef78]

I've now seen "The Force Awakens" in both IMAX 3D Laser (at the San Francisco Metreon) and in IMAX 70mm (at the San Jose Tech Museum Dome). The Laser was really great overall, and the sequence shot in IMAX is pretty spectacular. Having seen it in 2D previously (in the 70mm format, and a 2K DCP) there was incredible depth in the IMAX 3D Laser format to some of the dark sequences that made the sequences come alive for me in which it felt sort of muddled for me previously. I'm so happy the Metreon has Laser projection now instead of the previous digital presentations they had. It felt very much akin to their 70mm projections of the past.

The actually 70mm presentation was pretty unique in that I've never seen a movie projected on a dome ceiling before. Luckily I was able to get great seats otherwise it might have been a terrible experience, having to look up at a dome for over two hours and kill my neck in the process. My seats, and the seats of my party, where pretty much in the center of the dome. The opening scroll was very warped at the center when projected, and if I hadn't seen the movie previously I would have been hopelessly turning my head left and right to read it all. Typically the image in the center of the screen was warped throughout, kind of like a wide-angle lens. But overall it was good experience to see it in 70mm, and the dome format gave it added depth (imagine a curved screen from left and right, as well as top and bottom). The took up your whole peripheral, and the IMAX sequence went unnoticed to my wife because the image as already took up the whole field of vision to her. I wouldn't say it's the ideal way to see the film (especially if you are stuck with a bad seat) but it's a worthwhile experience none the less.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

I saw SW again this weekend, this time at the Empire Dolby Cinema. I agree the seats and sound are great there, but the screen is still a bit small for my liking.

Also, this was my first Dolby Vision mastered title I've seen there, and the details in the black levels were very noticeable, but I didn't see a huge image quality improvement overall otherwise, and still feel Crimson Peak (which I saw on that screen at an advance screening) may have actually looked better on those projectors despite not being in Dolby Vision.

BTW, take it with a grain of salt until it's announced, but according to some on Cinema Treasures, IMAX plans on putting in laser at Lincoln Square timed into the release of Deadpool (which should certainly improve quality there)

How large was the Dolby Vision screen?

As for Lincoln, it is getting laser. There was a delay in AMCs part, they did not want the IMAX shut down before the holidays for any reason.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by MrsMiniver

How large was the Dolby Vision screen?

As for Lincoln, it is getting laser. There was a delay in AMCs part, they did not want the IMAX shut down before the holidays for any reason.

The Dolby Vision would be around 45 feet wide I think. The IMAX screen in that theater is 58 feet wide, and it is noticeably larger.

[Spike M.]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

The Dolby Vision would be around 45 feet wide I think. The IMAX screen in that theater is 58 feet wide, and it is noticeably larger.

The IMAX screen at Lincoln (and Metreon in San Fran), is 100 feet wide. No idea what it is with 2K Xenon projection.

[42041]

Saw SW in Imax Laser this evening (first time seeing their new laser projection setup) and man, I'm kinda regretting it... like I usually do with IMAX blowups. The laser projection seems great, mind you, a more than worthy replacement for their 70mm system, but the best looking part of the presentation was the IMAX promo reel... actual movies continue to look subpar blown up to a screen sized for 15/70. Really hope they bring that tech to more screens that aren't absurdly large.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by Spike M.

The IMAX screen at Lincoln (and Metreon in San Fran), is 100 feet wide. No idea what it is with 2K Xenon projection.

I was talking about the AMC Empire IMAX (which also has a Dolby Cinema/Vision screen). Yup Lincoln Square was like 100 feet, but probably uses around 75 feet in the digital IMAX projection.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

I've seen it in IMAX (digital) and 3D RPX with Atmos.


Best picture quality, black levels, colors.

what did you think of the Atmos mix? heard it yesterday - personally didn't wow me.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

what did you think of the Atmos mix? heard it yesterday - personally didn't wow me.

Subtle. Opened up the film in 3D space (so to speak). Not aggressive with the overhead effects but bass was impressive, especially in the Force scenes.

[Dr_Bedlo]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

what did you think of the Atmos mix? heard it yesterday - personally didn't wow me.

I have to agree with PeterTHX. There definitely were some subtle differences. I noticed on more than one occasion the sound really all around me. I thought the IMAX presentation I saw on my first screening was a little more bombastic, but the Atmos had enough wow to make me appreciate the long drive to my closest Atmos theater.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Dr_Bedlo

I have to agree with PeterTHX. There definitely were some subtle differences. I noticed on more than one occasion the sound really all around me. I thought the IMAX presentation I saw on my first screening was a little more bombastic, but the Atmos had enough wow to make me appreciate the long drive to my closest Atmos theater.

In IMAX I found the sound at times fatiguing. It was never that way in Atmos - naturally powerful without being overwhelming. Dialogue was balanced and clear.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Subtle. Opened up the film in 3D space (so to speak). Not agressive with the overhead effects but bass was impressive, especially in the Force scenes.

that's what disappointed me the most. I'm going to see this again in IMAX-laser and am curious if the 12-channel mix will differ at all.

[The Debts]

Anyone here planning on seeing The Revenant in Dolby Atmos? I'm curious to see how a film like that is going to play in the format.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by The Debts

Anyone here planning on seeing The Revenant in Dolby Atmos? I'm curious to see how a film like that is going to play in the format.

"Birdman" in 5.1 was amazing, so I think that Alejandro González Iñárritu and his sound designers can knock this out of the ballpark with the 7.1 and Atmos mix. My Arclight theater is playing this as such - can't wait to see/hear it next week!

[BaerGriggs]

Originally Posted by The Debts

Anyone here planning on seeing The Revenant in Dolby Atmos? I'm curious to see how a film like that is going to play in the format.

I'll be seeing it next Monday most likely at the AMC Barrywoods in KC. Really looking forward to it, that theater sounds incredible and it's just below IMAX 70mm in terms of presentation and sound in my opinion. I don't believe that this film will be utilizing the HDR Dolby Vision capabilities that AMC Prime now includes but still should be a great show. Hopefully more and more films will now have Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos included now that Star Wars has.

[Dubstar]

say what you will about the camera's used for 'The Revenant' but the DCP's sent out to theaters from Fox/Deluxe are 4K - so not only will this sound good, but it should look great as well.

[BaerGriggs]

The Revenant is my new pick for the best sounding film I've ever experienced in theaters. I would highly recommend seeing it in Dolby Atmos if you get the chance, I promise that you won't regret it. The surreal sounds of the wilderness are enhanced by the fact that this film has less dialogue than most other movies and it really stands out.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by BaerGriggs

The Revenant is my new pick for the best sounding film I've ever experienced in theaters. I would highly recommend seeing it in Dolby Atmos if you get the chance, I promise that you won't regret it. The surreal sounds of the wilderness are enhanced by the fact that this film has less dialogue than most other movies and it really stands out.

I can't decide which I enjoyed more 'Everest' and this are both vying for my favourite Atmos mixes of the year. Even though much of the movie implements outdoor sound, I thought the moment when Captain Andrew Henry walks off screen, up the stairs and directly over the characters ... and us - that was also aurally really incredible sound placement and highly effective use of the ceiling speakers.

wasn't aware that AMC had booked this at Tysons on the ETX screen, and saw it there instead of Arclight (which is on a much smaller screen).