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

[Dubstar]

this really doesn't have anything to with PLF screens, but more on the reopening of the former Arclight Montgomery Mall (Bethesda, MD) theatre as an AMC. I was there yesterday and it was interesting to see what renovations they did, well ... uh, nothing. The seats are still there, no recliners (thank god) but the retaining of masking, specifically vertical masking for scope films.

[KINGDANGER]

I just want to vent my frustration with my local Premiere IMAX. It's gone completely downhill since "renovations" which include the installation of recliners (which are mostly broken in every central row now) as well as railing that obscures a great portion of the screen. I am not very short (5'11") and yet have to sit on the edge of my seat with exacting posture to line up the top of the rail with the very bottom of the screen. If you were to fully recline, the rail obscures over 20% of the screen. Hardly a premium viewing experience as marketed. Why I continue to go there is beyond me. I have contacted IMAX to notify them of what I consider a gross deviation from the IMAX presentation standard as well as local theater management. IMAX assured me that they would investigate this theater and the local GM claims their railing system is ADA compliant and offered myself and a companion, free accommodations for any screening of my choice which I respectively declined. Despite this, I have been back 4 times since renovations and tried different rows. I came early this past week for The Batman and checked almost every center row. Only A,B and C offer an unobstructed, although neck-breaking view. D is almost the best choice but the backs of every recliner 9-17 are literally broken off and crookedly propped behind the seat at an askewed angle. When I had to change rows from D to H last time due to this, I was told "Oh yeah those seats are from Columbia" whatever that means lol.

[voltz]

Does the Twin Cities still have a proper IMAX?

Haven't been there since the Titanic exhibition from years back, but I would very much like to go again.

[singhcr]

Originally Posted by voltz

Does the Twin Cities still have a proper IMAX?

Haven't been there since the Titanic exhibition from years back, but I would very much like to go again.

If by proper you mean film IMAX or Omnimax, no.

[voltz]

The real thing from where you're breaking your back trying to look up at the whole screen.

[xbs2034]

https://deadline.com/2022/03/imax-ne...as-1234981086/

IMAX developing improved 15/70 cameras, sounds like designed to be quieter and easier to use. While I do think the laser system is great (Dune in 1.43 at Lincoln Square was might impressive), something about film, and particularly large format film, has never truly been matched as capture format IMO so great to see them investing in this.

[BluBonnet]

I won't deny it, it sounds interesting. But I still think they'll go with whatever cheapest for the majority of IMAX screens.

[Gacivory]

I'm surprised it took them so long.

[Modren]

I wish they'd also make a push for new IMAX film projectors, but I guess if this makes shooting in 15/70 more accessible then that's good too.

[Lee A Stewart]

Shooting a movie in IMAX 15/70 and showing a movie in IMAX 15/70 are two totally different things. They do not necessarily go hand in hand.

[unberechenbar]

Does this mean we'll see more IMAX sequences in movies? Instead of situations like how No Time to Die only had a few IMAX scenes due to a shortage of cameras?

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

https://deadline.com/2022/03/imax-ne...as-1234981086/

IMAX developing improved 15/70 cameras, sounds like designed to be quieter and easier to use. While I do think the laser system is great (Dune in 1.43 at Lincoln Square was might impressive), something about film, and particularly large format film, has never truly been matched as capture format IMO so great to see them investing in this.

Heh. I think IMAX were secretly hoping that film would just die off so they wouldn't have to keep the old 15/65 clunkers going, but pesky people kept on using them and for all the money that gets spunked on their up-keep they must've figured out it'd be cheaper just to design and fabricate more reliable modern versions thereof, and maybe properly sound-proofed ones too which would be #1 on Nolan's IMAX wish list. Though one wonders how the sound proofing will be done, they'll still be shuttling that 65mm film through at 6 feet per second.

[Lee A Stewart]

15/70 IMAX cameras cost about $12,000 to $16,000 per week per camera to rent. Then you have to carry insurance at a $500,000 replacement cost per camera.

$2 a foot to shoot and another $1 a foot (???) to process. A 2 hour movie 15/70 IMAX print is around $420,000. Because they make so few prints they strike them directly from the camera negative. This also preserves the ultra high resolution that IMAX is famous for.

IMO . . . if Nolan died tomorrow . . . so would 15/70 IMAX as a format.

[Cherokee Jack]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

this really doesn't have anything to with PLF screens, but more on the reopening of the former Arclight Montgomery Mall (Bethesda, MD) theatre as an AMC. I was there yesterday and it was interesting to see what renovations they did, well ... uh, nothing. The seats are still there, no recliners (thank god) but the retaining of masking, specifically vertical masking for scope films.

You don’t like recliners? They’re a godsend for longer films IMO. And the seat rumble in Dolby Cinema can’t be beat IMO.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Cherokee Jack

You don’t like recliners? They’re a godsend for longer films IMO. And the seat rumble in Dolby Cinema can’t be beat IMO.

generally no, the ones at Regals and AMC's that nearly go full on back are ridiculous - they look they are inciting folks to sleep, jerk off or f*** (sorry, I'm in a crass mood)

I do like the rumble seats in Dolby Cinema - during 'The Batman' ~ "whoah!"

The ones at Showplace ICON are cool ~ they heat up!

[unberechenbar]

I didn't know the seats in Dolby Cinema rumble. That sounds interesting. I've only been to one once.

[Dubstar]

so sorry if this comment is more about the movie 'RRR' than about a theatre system, but the overall presentation of this at Showplace ICON The Boro really solidified my opinion that the complex is the best in the entire DC/MD/VA area. I'm sure the colors had a little extra boost in Dolby Cinema, but in 4K laser the movie had pop and sharp 'as a pin' imagery. I've stated this in the past, that AMC Tyson's Dolby Cinema audio system is one of the worst hit or miss presentations when it comes to Atmos playback, but here at the Boro, because you don't have walls behind you at every row, sound delination and precision placement of audio cues in and around in essentially a holospheric bubble; it was not only LOUD and bombastic but the entire auditorium was alive with sound & music - I've never been this impressed since 'Ready Player One' at Arclight Bethesda, which at the time WAS the best calibrated Atmos system in the area.

Side note comment: I had no idea that for this engagement The Boro's ticket price for 'RRR' was $25 (I had a re-admittance ticket, so I didn't have to pay said amount) and the Dolby Cinema admission price was $40 (what, what, WHAT?! that's insane)

[puddy77]

Heads up for those with 1.43 IMAX screens nearby, Pixar's Lightyear will have 1:43 scenes:

Originally Posted by puddy77

~ 30 minutes of 1:43 IMAX footage.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/li...xar-toy-story/

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by unberechenbar

I didn't know the seats in Dolby Cinema rumble. That sounds interesting. I've only been to one once.

Depends on the location, I think I’ve been to 4 Dolby Cinemas and two had rumble but two didn’t

[Poya]

The rumble is due to the speakers being bassy as hell. IMAX has them, too.