SIFF Cinema Downtown

2100 4th Avenue,
Seattle, WA 98121

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Showing 226 - 250 of 266 comments

Ed Solero
Ed Solero on October 15, 2007 at 10:36 pm

I was mulling over a trip to Seattle, including a visit to the Martin – but I’d really love to experience a true three-strip Cinerama presentation at some point in my lifetime. Are such occurences at this theatre far and few between? I imagine that three-strip prints are in short supply – especially for “How the West Was Won” – but I don’t really have much knowledge in that area. Is there an archival print (or set of prints as it were) of HTWWW and maybe “This is Cinerama” in good condition that are still allowed to be screened here or in L.A.?

As a side note, I’m curious about the website advertisement for the upcoming 70MM film festival noting that “2001: A Space Odyssey” is an “original B print.” Do I understand that correctly to mean the print is not in “A” condition – or is there some other meaning that escapes me?

droben
droben on October 14, 2007 at 3:36 pm

Thanks for the info, JSA. I shall definitely be seeing it then.

JSA
JSA on October 14, 2007 at 3:33 pm

D Roben: Tron was shot in Super Panavision 70.

Mike (saps)
Mike (saps) on October 13, 2007 at 12:15 am

I recommend that you see ANY movie at this unique theater, no matter what is playing. You won’t be sorry.

droben
droben on October 12, 2007 at 10:58 pm

Some corrections and comments are in order to some of the posts starting in September, 2007.

First, the theater no longer has a digital projection system. It was taken out a few years ago. I don’t know what the system was, and I have no idea if they plan to install a new one. Though AMC has announced that all their theaters will be going digital, I’m not sure if the Cinerama will be one of them since AMC only manages it for owner Paul Allen.

Second, the Cinerama screen is not “folded up.” It is permanently installed behind the second screen used for everyday showings. The second screen is dismantled (a job that takes 10 to 12 hours) so that Cinerama films can be projected on the proper screen.

Third, the rumor involving the improper installation of the screen is totally false. I was able to inspect the screen close up and the slats were always aligned correctly. There was an initial problem in that the slats were not anchored correctly so that the breezes from the air conditioning system did cause a somewhat minor rippling effect, but this has been corrected.

Fourth, neeb’s posting contains several factual errors in the first and second paragraphs. I know it is not his or her fault since the erroneous information came from the theater’s website. Contrary to what the website states, Top Gun, Ghostbusters and Titanic are simply 70mm blowups from 35mm stock. 2001 and Lawrence of Arabia were shot on 65mm stock (not sure about Tron) and the difference between those two and 70mm blowups is like night and day. And, as all of you should know, these films can be shown in any theater equipped with 70mm capabilities.

If any of you are planning a visit to Seattle, I would recommend that you plan on seeing either 200l or Lawrence of Arabia. Tron certainly has my interest for its rarity, though I wasn’t a big fan when it first came out. When I saw Ghostbusters in 70mm a couple of years ago at the Cinerama, the print was very grainy. Top Gun is already gone and you couldn’t pay me enough money to see Titanic again.

neeb
neeb on October 10, 2007 at 10:12 am

http://www.cinerama.com/special_events.asp

The Cinerama
70MM FILM SERIES

Screening now through March, 2008, you’ll have the opportunity to view six classic films there, shown in super crisp 70MM. Shot on film twice the size of a typical 35MM motion picture, these super high-resolution films are known for their amazing clarity and detail on the big screen.

There were a limited number of these high-resolution films made, and Cinerama is one of only a few theaters able to screen them.

Cinerama will show the following spectacular 70MM films through March 2008: (Sunday screenings at noon; Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m.)

-2007-
Top Gun: October 7 and 9
Ghostbusters: November 4, 6, 11 and 13
Titanic*: November 25 and 27, December 2 and 4

-2008-
2001: A Space Odyssey**: January 27 and 29, February 3 and 5
Tron: February 24 and 26, March 2 and 4
Lawrence of Arabia: March 16, 18, 23, and 25

budyboy100
budyboy100 on September 17, 2007 at 1:31 am

there is a rumor on the internet that the louvered screen was incorrectly installed, ie, the edges were lined up end to end instead of overlapped and pointed toward the back of the auditorium. Can anyone verify/refute this rumor?

Thanks

markinthedark
markinthedark on September 10, 2007 at 2:56 pm

I thought some features were still film.

Mike (saps)
Mike (saps) on September 10, 2007 at 2:38 pm

We’re lucky the Cinerama screen is still on site, although presently folded up.

Giles
Giles on September 10, 2007 at 2:24 pm

so all the features there now are DLP digial projection – right?

BarryMonush
BarryMonush on August 24, 2007 at 3:28 pm

Was in Seattle recently and made it a point to visit the Cinerama to see THE SIMPSONS MOVIE. What a wonderful trip back to the Sixties. Comfortable auditorium, huge screen, and absolute pleasure seeing a movie there. I hope someday to see a genuine Cinerama film there as well.

AdoraKiaOra
AdoraKiaOra on May 3, 2007 at 8:19 am

I have seen a number of movies at the Seattle Cinerama on my 2 or 3 visits there every year. They include Gladiator and recently Dreamgirls. Watching a movie in a theatre that presents its self in such a proffessioal way takes your mind back to the hey days of movie going. Everything about the building is fantastic. The screen is amazing and has an equally amazing sound system. Go! Go! Go! A great evening.

carolpowell
carolpowell on September 25, 2006 at 9:26 am

Dose anyone know this history? movie house called Kellie’s in Seattle Washington
Family History says that Minnie (Miller) Haas opened the first movie house in Tucson AZ. The first in Tucson was The Lyric “it was the first grind house in Arizona” it was called a grind house because they showed movies over and over again on a daily basis.
The reason I think Minnie was the owner of the Old Pima was because it operated between 1916 and 1920. Minnie and her brother came into some money around that time. Her brother Louis Clair Miller opened a movie house called Kellie’s in Seattle Washington. The AZ chain was operated under the Diamos umbrella or the Diamos Brothers’ Lyric Amusement chain of theatres throughout Southern Arizona, the Fox West Coast theatre chain this some how all ties together.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley on January 9, 2006 at 10:56 pm

The 68 foot “placeholder” screen is curved also. I’ve heard lots of folks complain that films projected on genuine 90 foot Cinerama screens (like the one at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood) look very distorted and out of focus in parts. I can’t tell, though.

JodarMovieFan
JodarMovieFan on January 2, 2006 at 9:38 pm

I am curious as to why this venue couldn’t show regular films on the curved screen. We have a curved 70' screen at DC’s Uptown where they show regular films all the time. They don’t look distorted or unviewable at all.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley on January 2, 2006 at 6:54 pm

WOW!!! Now that is one amazing theatre! Kudos to Paul Allen for resurrecting a true cinema treasure!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley on December 29, 2005 at 7:36 pm

Going to Seattle for the first time tomorrow…and watching “Narnia” here on Saturday. I can’t wait!!!

l4nd0
l4nd0 on December 3, 2005 at 1:08 pm

While in Seattle, it is definately worth a special trip to the Cinerama, regardless what is playing.

The single screen, THX certified auditorium sports the best sound I’ve ever heard in any theater ever, including Chicago’s McClurg Court, LAs Village, and San Franciscos Metreon.

The theater primarily uses its massive flat screen, however for annual festivals they take that screen down, and assemble the (even more) massive curved cinerama screen, and show cinerama 3 projector format films, and 70MM films on the curved screen. I was fortunate enough to see Lawrence of Arabia in that format, it was spectacular.

The Cinerama was an early adopter of DLP technology, however they no longer project movies in DLP (as of Spring 05). Rumor has it that they recieved their DLP projector on loan from Boeing (I can confirm Boeing manufactured the Cineramas DLP projector), but that it was unreliable, and the resolution was pixelated on Cineramas massive screen.

Mike (saps)
Mike (saps) on September 18, 2005 at 12:37 am

I recently visted this theater and had an excellent experience. The renovation was superb; the lobby reminded me a bit of the United Nations/JFK Airport International Style, bland but clean, with blue tile thoughout.

I was happy to see a lovely pale purple curtain covering the screen, rather than pre-show advertising. The curtain opened to reveal a tremendous screen, which seemed to go from floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall. The manager later told me that the Cinerama screen is folded up behind this screen, and is ready to be reassembled whenever a Cinerama feature is presented, such as How the West Was Won, which screened a while back.

The auditorium seems to be done in a post-modern atmospheric style, including twinkling lights that go out when the feature starts. The orchestra level seats were comfortable rocking ones. I sat in the balcony (because I could!) where the seats didn’t rock, except, oddly, in the front row, which thus provided a good view of the ceiling and a not-so-great view of the screen.

Needless to say, the presentation was first-rate, with a bright, clear picture and crystal clear sound.

The locals really seem to love this theatre, especially since it was recently spared from the wrecking ball. I join them in their support.

(While in Seattle I also visted and have commented upon the Paramount, the 5th Avenue, the Egyptian, the Colisuem and the Meridian.)

Gooper
Gooper on September 10, 2005 at 1:09 pm

saps, I look forward to your observations. I used to work at the Paramount (still standing) and the Music Hall (now long gone), so my Seattle movie palace thoughts are a mixture of the wistful and the glorious. The Cinerama dodged a bullet, and for that we can all be grateful. Happy touring!

Mike (saps)
Mike (saps) on September 10, 2005 at 8:26 am

I am in Seattle now and hope to make a report when I return!

Forrest136
Forrest136 on September 10, 2005 at 4:22 am

When will this theatre actually show a CINERAMA film?

kateymac01
kateymac01 on September 10, 2005 at 1:02 am

FYI: The Seattle Cinerama falls under the AMC chain now, not General Cinemas.