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

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by ManBeast

Has anyone seen it in Dolby Cinema? Bet it looks amazing...

Regular laser and Atmos will have to do for me!

I did. It looked ok. However it's somewhat drab & color drained. Probably to emulate the 1970s look.

[Riddhi2011]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

I did. It looked ok. However it's somewhat drab & color drained. Probably to emulate the 1970s look.

I saw it in regular 2K 3D and it was gorgeous, abundantly vivid and perfectly bright, despite the glasses. Larry Fong's cinematography was one of the few wonderful things about the movie. The anamorphic lens and the colour grading emulated the photochemical film look very well, though not perfectly. If someone told me they shot this on film, I'd probably have believed them.

There are a few "Digital" looking shots though and some missteps with too much grading in certain scenes where the colours look cartoonish. But other than that, it was one of the most gorgeous looking digitally shot films I've ever seen. Really harks back to that rich celluloid look in almost every single frame of photography.

I think Fong surely deserves an Oscar nomination for his work on 'Skull Island.'

Maybe, your theatre didn't project it properly. I'm saying this because my first 2K 2D showing was surprisingly dim and muddy. The 3D presentation was better than the 2D in every respect.

If only the actual movie was as good as the cinematography, then the film would've become a classic.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Riddhi2011

Which spoiler are you talking about? That Kong and Col. Packard shot was already in the trailers. If you are talking about the Godzilla shot, it's from those older Japanese films, not from the forthcoming ones.

ahhh - gotcha --- phew!

anyone hear "Kong Skull Island" in Atmos, was it 'crazy on a stick' awesome like "Godzilla" (2014)

[jm149]

My local theater recently upgraded an auditorium to AMC Prime, which is the Dolby Atmos/Vision. Decided to try it with Skull Island.

Honestly, the sound was way over the top. Seemed even louder than IMAX to me (I'd be interested to see if this was in fact true or not). And i never thought there was such a thing as too much bass, but it turns out there definitely is. The rumbling in the seats is so unnecessary and distracting. I had read great things about the Atmos sound but its hard to judge when everything is as loud as it was.

Image seemed to be very crisp, no problems there during the film itself -- although text in the end credits that were near the edge of the screen were out of focus. Perhaps this has to do with the curved screen and/or dual projectors were not quite aligned?

Overall very disappointing becuase I was really looking forward to it and was hoping it might be my new go-to theater. Would be interested to know if these are common issues with Dolby Cinema, or if it might have been specific to the film/theater. Because I likely won't try it again for a while.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by jm149

My local theater recently upgraded an auditorium to AMC Prime, which is the Dolby Atmos/Vision. Decided to try it with Skull Island.

Honestly, the sound was way over the top. Seemed even louder than IMAX to me (I'd be interested to see if this was in fact true or not). And i never thought there was such a thing as too much bass, but it turns out there definitely is. The rumbling in the seats is so unnecessary and distracting. I had read great things about the Atmos sound but its hard to judge when everything is as loud as it was.

Image seemed to be very crisp, no problems there during the film itself -- although text in the end credits that were near the edge of the screen were out of focus. Perhaps this has to do with the curved screen and/or dual projectors were not quite aligned?

Overall very disappointing becuase I was really looking forward to it and was hoping it might be my new go-to theater. Would be interested to know if these are common issues with Dolby Cinema, or if it might have been specific to the film/theater. Because I likely won't try it again for a while.

The only title I've seen in both Dolby Cinema and IMAX is The Force Awakens (saw it in Real D with a standard sound system, then Dolby Cinema, then IMAX laser) and I thought the sound in the Dolby Cinema was louder than the other formats, perhaps too loud at a few points.

That showing also had a sometimes blurry image at the bottom right corner, so I think the lasers may not have properly aligned, I've seen great picture quality in other Dolby Cinema screenings though so probably doesn't happen that often.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by jm149

My local theater recently upgraded an auditorium to AMC Prime, which is the Dolby Atmos/Vision. Decided to try it with Skull Island.

Honestly, the sound was way over the top. Seemed even louder than IMAX to me (I'd be interested to see if this was in fact true or not). And i never thought there was such a thing as too much bass, but it turns out there definitely is. The rumbling in the seats is so unnecessary and distracting. I had read great things about the Atmos sound but its hard to judge when everything is as loud as it was.

Image seemed to be very crisp, no problems there during the film itself -- although text in the end credits that were near the edge of the screen were out of focus. Perhaps this has to do with the curved screen and/or dual projectors were not quite aligned?

Overall very disappointing becuase I was really looking forward to it and was hoping it might be my new go-to theater. Would be interested to know if these are common issues with Dolby Cinema, or if it might have been specific to the film/theater. Because I likely won't try it again for a while.

As to the blurring you were seeing - that is from the unbalanced projectors - i saw that at my first DC screening at AMC Georgetown's screen - talked to the msnager, he said he'd get his projectionist to look into it and correct just it, AND he gave me a readmittance
ticket

[ZoetMB]

Originally Posted by Riddhi2011

Will Kong in 70mm have the 2.20:1 aspect ratio, or will it be letter-boxed 2.39:1.? 70mm screens are 2.20:1, for those that don't know.

Actually, while most 70mm presentations were 2.2:1 (except for Ultra Panavision and a few 1.85:1 70mm films), this cropped out some of the image (horizontally) when they were blowups from 35mm 2.35:1 (in the analog era) or 2.39:1 (in the digital era). So at the end of the 35mm to 70mm blowup era, there were a few films that were 2.35:1 in 70mm.

Among them was a revival of Sleeping Beauty in 2002 and Die Hard 2 (1990), Superman, The Untouchables and Star Trek IV (although I don't think I noticed when I saw these films in 70mm). Had 35mm to 70mm blowups continued, this probably would have become the standard, as suggested by Rob Hummel in the 7th edition of the American Cinematographers Manual, which was published in 1993.

IMO, as much as I'm a fan of what was the 70mm format, 2K blowups to 70mm don't look good and are a waste of the format. It's not like they contain analog magnetic soundtracks - they have DTS digital tracks.

[ZoetMB]

Originally Posted by jm149

My local theater recently upgraded an auditorium to AMC Prime, which is the Dolby Atmos/Vision. Decided to try it with Skull Island.

Honestly, the sound was way over the top. Seemed even louder than IMAX to me (I'd be interested to see if this was in fact true or not). And i never thought there was such a thing as too much bass, but it turns out there definitely is. The rumbling in the seats is so unnecessary and distracting. I had read great things about the Atmos sound but its hard to judge when everything is as loud as it was.

Image seemed to be very crisp, no problems there during the film itself -- although text in the end credits that were near the edge of the screen were out of focus. Perhaps this has to do with the curved screen and/or dual projectors were not quite aligned?

Overall very disappointing becuase I was really looking forward to it and was hoping it might be my new go-to theater. Would be interested to know if these are common issues with Dolby Cinema, or if it might have been specific to the film/theater. Because I likely won't try it again for a while.

Images are generally perfect at the AMC Prime Dolby Cinema at the AMC Empire 25 on 42nd street in NYC, but it's not a curved screen. I do think it's frequently too loud, but you'd be amazed how much bodies absorb the sound, so if you see it in an empty theater, it's going to sound much louder than when the theater is full. The problem today is that directors don't understand dynamic range and they have such an inferiority complex about the film that they constantly force the mixers to make everything rock concert loud.

I've always found the bass reasonable. I don't like the bass seat vibrators and I wish there was a switch to shut them all, but I've found that while it's heavily used in trailers, it wasn't used much in the films I've seen there.

I've always wondered how they get those projectors perfectly aligned because there has to be some parallax distortion between them. But I've never seen a problem in the double-projector theaters I've been to. The AMC Empire 25 Dolby theater has become my go-to theater, in spite of how expensive it is, but I don't wind up going that often because most of the movies they show are action crap.

[Spike M.]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

The problem today is that directors don't understand dynamic range and they have such an inferiority complex about the film that they constantly force the mixers to make everything rock concert loud.

They do it so the guy coughing two rows in front of you or the loud popcorn chomper isn't in competition with their movie for your ears. I get crazy frustrated when I hear a mix with a crazy dynamic range; dialogue that doesn't command the audience's attention tends to lead to more chatty Kathy's, and then when it gets crazy loud during action, that's equally as obnoxious.

But my whole thing is that ambient audience or theater noise (doors closing, fans going, etc...) should never like, be able to be at a competitive volume level as character dialogue. I should never, ever, need to try to listen to a movie.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by jm149

My local theater recently upgraded an auditorium to AMC Prime, which is the Dolby Atmos/Vision. Decided to try it with Skull Island.

Honestly, the sound was way over the top. Seemed even louder than IMAX to me (I'd be interested to see if this was in fact true or not). And i never thought there was such a thing as too much bass, but it turns out there definitely is. The rumbling in the seats is so unnecessary and distracting. I had read great things about the Atmos sound but its hard to judge when everything is as loud as it was.

Image seemed to be very crisp, no problems there during the film itself -- although text in the end credits that were near the edge of the screen were out of focus. Perhaps this has to do with the curved screen and/or dual projectors were not quite aligned?

Overall very disappointing becuase I was really looking forward to it and was hoping it might be my new go-to theater. Would be interested to know if these are common issues with Dolby Cinema, or if it might have been specific to the film/theater. Because I likely won't try it again for a while.

I have never wasted my time with Atmos. Too many times the local cinema near was advertising the movie in Atmos only to find out it was not an Atmos release. I know the projectionist there and he tells me that if the movie is a Dolby 7.1 film, they have been instructed to increase the fader to 7.5...if the film is Dolby Atmos then they reduce the fader to 6.5....Same theater has an IMAX sceen, I would much rather just watch the movie in the IMAX theater.

[Riddhi2011]

The thing I honestly feel sad about is the diluting of the IMAX brand. IMAX used to be this huge screen, which was wider and taller than your average screen. IMAX screens were all about height, the sense of vertigo, it was never about widescreen.

The full 1.44:1 ratio experience was tremendous! I recently saw 'Alaska Wild: National Parks Adventure' on an OMNIMAX dome with film projection. You literally felt like flying inside that 1.44:1 image (it wasn't a wide image).

Nowadays, the 1.89:1 screen is nothing but a glorified Academy Flat (1.85:1) screen. I don't care about the sound more than the visuals. And I have lost interest in Imax because they made their aspect ratio smaller. And it seems, they are now making 1.89:1 their standard. Truly sad.

[Dreamliner330]

Originally Posted by MrsMiniver

I have never wasted my time with Atmos. Too many times the local cinema near was advertising the movie in Atmos only to find out it was not an Atmos release. I know the projectionist there and he tells me that if the movie is a Dolby 7.1 film, they have been instructed to increase the fader to 7.5...if the film is Dolby Atmos then they reduce the fader to 6.5....Same theater has an IMAX sceen, I would much rather just watch the movie in the IMAX theater.

I also prefer the consistency of IMAX but I think AMC Prime/Dolby Theater/Dolby Atmos+Vision it's different than regular theaters with Atmos.

Minnesota just got its first AMC prime theater with Dolby Vision and a laser projector so I am excited to go check that out.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by Riddhi2011

The thing I honestly feel sad about is the diluting of the IMAX brand. IMAX used to be this huge screen, which was wider and taller than your average screen. IMAX screens were all about height, the sense of vertigo, it was never about widescreen.

The full 1.44:1 ratio experience was tremendous! I recently saw 'Alaska Wild: National Parks Adventure' on an OMNIMAX dome with film projection. You literally felt like flying inside that 1.44:1 image (it wasn't a wide image).

Nowadays, the 1.89:1 screen is nothing but a glorified Academy Flat (1.85:1) screen. I don't care about the sound more than the visuals. And I have lost interest in Imax because they made their aspect ratio smaller. And it seems, they are now making 1.89:1 their standard. Truly sad.

Yeah I have heard that over and over again. Yes digital IMAX is not the same as the older film based IMAX which provides a fantastic experience. But for me, I like the fact that IMAX is dual projector and usually strives for some kind of consistency. I grew up when movie projection was far superior than it is today. At least IMAX is nice and bright. Larger screen. Consistent standards. My favorite type of theater is one with a 25ish foot screen, real masking, and a curved slope seating and not stadium seating which I despise.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

I also prefer the consistency of IMAX

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

I also prefer the consistency of IMAX

Consistently painfully too loud

[Dreamliner330]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Consistently painfully too loud

[FAShaffi]

Originally Posted by FAShaffi

I'm seeing it in Dolby Cinema on Tuesday morning and in 70MM that night, will report back with both of my experiences!

saw 70MM Kong last night, looked amazing, even better than Fantastic Beasts IMO, which was also a near flawless presentation

[ITDEFX101]

I find it more annoying that theaters crank the audio to full on trailers but when the movies start they drop it to about 50 to 60 percent. I am all for theaters that do Sensory Friendly films for children with special needs, but I am wondering how *low* they drop the sound? To the point of hearing more chewing then the dialog of the movie?

I have always read that the sound systems are optimized so it doesn't matter where you sit in the theater but this is not true. I have sat in the far top rows in the theater and don't get that surround sound effect. If I sit middle center area, I get the good stuff but mostly we get damned by stupid fools who sit behind us and start talking.

Spoke to the manager last night about my Kong experience about how the 3-d projector wasn't active during the first 10 minutes and she was telling me that they *could* have restarted the movie but the MOD didn't do it and was notified. I did ask if there was a special timer on the film that prohibits restarts/resets and she told me that no they could have restarted the film and just make the next showing a little late.

Being promoted inside of a movie theater must be super easy if they have these 20 year olds running them.

[singhcr]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

I also prefer the consistency of IMAX but I think AMC Prime/Dolby Theater/Dolby Atmos+Vision it's different than regular theaters with Atmos.

Minnesota just got its first AMC prime theater with Dolby Vision and a laser projector so I am excited to go check that out.

I saw Logan there. There are a few nagging issues with the "safety" lights being on during the film, but they are in the lower corner of the screen and the management there is trying to get the Dolby technicians to fix it. That is what they told me when I complained. It didn't distract my Logan viewing and I'm a picky bastard when it comes to presentation quality. The screen is 1.85:1 so it's letterboxed for scope movies and the red light is within the letterbox bars. The picture is incredible. I think you will like it.

BTW the seating is assigned at that theater now. I would not recommend sitting any closer than row G, personally.

[Dreamliner330]

Originally Posted by singhcr

I saw Logan there. There are a few nagging issues with the "safety" lights being on during the film, but they are in the lower corner of the screen and the management there is trying to get the Dolby technicians to fix it. That is what they told me when I complained. It didn't distract my Logan viewing and I'm a picky bastard when it comes to presentation quality. The screen is 1.85:1 so it's letterboxed for scope movies and the red light is within the letterbox bars. The picture is incredible. I think you will like it.

BTW the seating is assigned at that theater now. I would not recommend sitting any closer than row G, personally.

Awesome. Hopefully I can pick your brain a bit more:

Where is the 'break' in the rows where you enter the room?

How does it compare to the size of their IMAX screen?

Their seat selector is off center to the screen, which seat(s) are dead center to the screen?

What did you think of the image/sound quality compared to their IMAX room?