Mazza’s #1 is the better of the THX houses even if all of the Mazza auditoriums are supposedly THX-certified. I did say bass boom is nicer in the better THX houses. Bow-Tie’s Annapolis 1 comes to mind. As far as Potter in XD, it just may have been the soundtrack had little of that sound effect in the movie. I suppose this venue is the first in the DC/MD/VA metro are that is now entirely DP?
Mazza’s #1 is the better of the THX houses even if all of the Mazza auditoriums are supposedly THX-certified. I did say bass boom is nicer in the [i]better[-i] THX houses. Bow-Tie’s Annapolis 1 comes to mind. As far as Potter in XD, it just may have been the soundtrack had little of that sound effect in the movie. I suppose this venue is the first in the DC/MD/VA metro are that is now entirely DP?
I saw the latest Harry Potter here in XD #12. The preshow ads almost filled the entire screen! Not bad and in better resolution without the pixellation you see at the Regals. Though not a fan of the series, the movie was sustainable for its almost 3 hour length. The late show crowd was sparse but given the film’s super wide release and its practically hourly show times, I suppose the number who did come was a decent turn out. Sound is good but bass is not DEEP and booming as in the better THX houses. The film is digitally bright but colors not as vibrant. I suppose its because of the 2K print master they used? The film’s $13 admission price is more palatable then AMC’s IMAX-lite’s $17.50. I suppose people along with me complained enough for them to hold the line on pricing? :) I didn’t check out the concession stand this time.
A 10/22/10 Washington Post article reports that the 7200 sq ft venue has three auditoriums seating 95, 75 and 50 people. Sounds like a cozy place to see a movie.
Aside from the traditional movie theater concession fare of popcorn, candy and soda; they reportedly will serve beer, wine and “gourmet nibbles.” Hmmm. I interpret that as high end fare such as foie gras nuggets? :D
Hmm. Even if they installed DCinema here, look back at Steve’s post about how AMC replaced the sound system with an inferior one. Dumb, dumb, dumb AMC.
They should put DP at the Uptown. If it works for Seattle’s Cinerama, and from what I gather their screen is also 70', it should work here, too.
On an aside note, I’m wondering if you can sneak into the IMAX-lite auditorium or is it far and away from the others and always attendant staffed? Hmmmm.
The Air & Space’s Chantilly IMAX would be a good alternate and REAL IMAX theater to see Potter. I’m not a real Potter fan, but am looking more forward to the Narnia and Tron sequels.
I happened to stumble on this article several months ago about the restoration efforts of WSS with the newly found original soundtrack. Here is the link: http://www.in70mm.com/news/2010/wss/index.htm
$17.50 a ticket?? $17.50??? Its ticket gouging deja vu. Didn’t the exhibitors learn from the mistake they made this past summer about out pricing themselves? I know many midnight shows are sold out all over, but the IMAX-lite prices are ridiculous. King of Prussia’s real IMAX venue has the same price. I’d rather see it there, spend the night and go shop at the mall. :) The thing is my previous experiences there have met with a projector breakdown of some sort ever since Polar Express in ‘04.
Wow, MovieTix! I just scanned the Egyptian roster of movies and, yes, most of their auditoriums are DP. As much as I have enjoyed DP presentation, it is an auditorium’s sound that makes the ‘theatrical experience’ for me. Aside from the XD auditorium, the others are good, but not great. Plus, the fact there are never any reduced admission prices for XD keeps me from coming back and going to AMC where I can at least earn points for concession fare and free tickets.
Cinemark must have spent a bundle with the upgrades. Your disclosure of this makes me want to check them out again. Thanks.
I thought Regal had an alternative to the IMAX-lite format that AMC uses. At least that is what I thought the E-Walk has. I suppose they are converting a theater, as opposed to actually extending the plex? If they book Tron here, it may be worth checking out, but I may want to see it at a real IMAX theater.
They should have a 70mm retrospective. I’m not a fan of silent films. I appreciate their history and place in cinema, but thats it. I remember seeing Metropolis on TV with modern music years ago. For its time, it was quite imaginative.
Justin, let’s just say that you’d forget your favorite AMC Rockaway and its stadium seating, non-curtain rising/falling cookie cutter screen plex. Maybe you’d be daily blogging about the Ziegfeld here as well. :D
On my infrequent visits, I do have to say that its hit or miss presentation wise. Sometimes the curtain is used, sometimes not. Sometimes the sound levels and overall experience is stupendous and then not.
Interesting proposals. I am glad they are not shrinking or otherwise carving up the main auditorium. I wish/had hoped they could build a little balcony in theater 2. Its about the same size, if probably larger, than the old MacArthur theater in DC had when it had twins during its ‘83 remodel.
I’ve never regularly frequented a theater that served alcohol. I just hope the booze (as I’m a non-drinker) doesn’t lead to loud and obnoxious patrons during the shows. Its one thing to have college aged patrons when the big blockbusters are booked to full house..just imagine what it would be like if these kids are boozing.
How about an espresso/high end pastry/bakery bar? If you’re going to serve alcohol, how about some decent coffee and/or baked goods aside from the usual popcorn, candy and soda fare?
As long as they don’t touch the main auditorium, I’m fine. Nicer and larger restrooms. Fine. It was my impression that the Cusacks had plans to maintain the big screen but shrink the main auditorium. Hopefully, I am wrong. As far as the holiday releases, I do not know what is coming that I want to see on the Senator’s larger screen aside from Harry Potter.
Great job as always! This movie came out way before I was born, but I have been to the Warner Theatre for live shows and the inside is quite ‘small’ compared to say, DC’s Uptown.
Baltimore’s Town Theater is relatively nearby but its boarded up. I am curious to know if their screen and theater was more similar to our Uptown or more like the Warner, which, come to think of it, is like the Hippodrome in Balto.
My prayers and sympathy to the family. You’ll be missed. I wonder if they’ll have movie theaters in heaven…if they do, they’ll need a darn good projectionist like you, Norelco. If St Peter tries to give you a harp as you pass the pearly gates, ask for a darn good movie projector, instead. :D
I saw Star Wars: Episode One The Phantom Menace here way back in ‘99. Like similar Hoyt multiplexes of this site, they had 2 BIG theaters and several smaller ones. The BIGGER auditoriums..some (I’m guessing 400-500 seat capacity with the bigger 50-60 ft screens) had Dolby EX.
When my friend passed away, I seldom, if ever went back to this place. The proliferation of gang-type crowds were a turn off.
I just read today that the place is for sale, along with its Hunt Valley counterpart. This facility supposedly is 75,000 sq. ft.
Gotta love living near DC and having the Smithsonian and all its historical artifacts available to be seen in the various museums for FREE. 70mm would be nice, maybe they could upgrade in the future?
Its got to be before 1999. I thought there was a listing for this venue. I’ve been here before probably the first time being around 2001 for the showing of Moulin Rouge. The auditoriums are all about the same size, with stadium seating. Nothing is remarkable about them that I can recall. At least one auditorium is 3D capable and at least two for DP.
I think Summer BO got off to a wrong start by the greed of certain production companies with the release of Shrek and a few others in May. You can charge only so much no matter how enthused your audience is about your product. What did it go up to..$17 or so until it retreated back?
I was being flippant, of course, about the DVD sound level problem. You’d think as a viewer, more so the Manager of a Movie Theater, you would want to see/experience movies as optimally as you can, which means decent sound levels to create that immersive experience. You’d think AFI, of all places, would be more concerned to not show movies at conversational levels. If I managed the place, I’d make sure sound levels are up even if I have to create some of my own.. :D
I wrote back to the Manager I emailed before to see what response I get. I’ll post it when/if I receive it.
Last week, I happened to catch two movies that were part of the 80’s film retrospective. Specifically, the Richard Donner cut of Superman II and Star Trek III. A few months ago, I had written and requested if they could show at least one known 70mm print of ST3 in circulation and shown recently at the Laehmle Theater in LA. Initially, I received a response, from the webmaster, saying to look at the website again. DUH. Its not in 70mm. I replied and received another response stating that the 70mm print they could get was not as highly rated as the one shown this past week. Hmmm.
Superman II on the bigscreen was a welcome, if disappointing experience. The movie was advertised as being in Blue Ray. That may not be such a bad thing as the movie looked good in the Historic Auditorium. Unfortunately, the volume was played too low with barely discernible surrounds. I’d have to say the movie sounded better on my Sony system at home then it did here. Unfortunately, I do not have a 40 ft screen to myself to enjoy…
Star Trek III was also a disappointment. Its ironic that the movie played here over 26 years ago but not in 70mm. Apparently, they got a 35mm print that I’m reasonably sure was a mono print. There was no stereo sep/surround at all. As many times as I’ve seen this movie both in 70 and 35mm and in stereo at home, I know what parts are supposed to deliver when it comes to sound. Background chatter was not distinct, nor separate, or altogether non-existent during the bridge scenes and as the Enterprise enters and leaves Spacedock.
I had complained about the sound level being too low and the manager on duty and he said the film would be played loud. The reason for Superman II being so low in the sound department was that “it was a DVD.” I was about to say to him “so that means you can’t increase the sound playback on DVDs in your multi-million dollar theater?” The Manager had warned the 20 or so patrons in attendance that the film had scratches in some places and would be granting refunds prior. I did not notice anything that detracting to warrant a refund, other than the lack of SURROUND STEREO.
If the prior two lackluster presentations are indicative as to how they do retrospectives, then whats the point of having them? The awful presentations are more worthy of a Regal or AMC, not AFI.
Lastly, once again they ran out of my favorite pretzels. Is it my bad luck, or do they just don’t stock them anymore. Take them off the menu then. :P
Mazza’s #1 is the better of the THX houses even if all of the Mazza auditoriums are supposedly THX-certified. I did say bass boom is nicer in the better THX houses. Bow-Tie’s Annapolis 1 comes to mind. As far as Potter in XD, it just may have been the soundtrack had little of that sound effect in the movie. I suppose this venue is the first in the DC/MD/VA metro are that is now entirely DP?
Mazza’s #1 is the better of the THX houses even if all of the Mazza auditoriums are supposedly THX-certified. I did say bass boom is nicer in the [i]better[-i] THX houses. Bow-Tie’s Annapolis 1 comes to mind. As far as Potter in XD, it just may have been the soundtrack had little of that sound effect in the movie. I suppose this venue is the first in the DC/MD/VA metro are that is now entirely DP?
I saw the latest Harry Potter here in XD #12. The preshow ads almost filled the entire screen! Not bad and in better resolution without the pixellation you see at the Regals. Though not a fan of the series, the movie was sustainable for its almost 3 hour length. The late show crowd was sparse but given the film’s super wide release and its practically hourly show times, I suppose the number who did come was a decent turn out. Sound is good but bass is not DEEP and booming as in the better THX houses. The film is digitally bright but colors not as vibrant. I suppose its because of the 2K print master they used? The film’s $13 admission price is more palatable then AMC’s IMAX-lite’s $17.50. I suppose people along with me complained enough for them to hold the line on pricing? :) I didn’t check out the concession stand this time.
A 10/22/10 Washington Post article reports that the 7200 sq ft venue has three auditoriums seating 95, 75 and 50 people. Sounds like a cozy place to see a movie.
Aside from the traditional movie theater concession fare of popcorn, candy and soda; they reportedly will serve beer, wine and “gourmet nibbles.” Hmmm. I interpret that as high end fare such as foie gras nuggets? :D
It appears they are open now showing movies. Should the status now be open? :) The line up looks interesting.
Hmm. Even if they installed DCinema here, look back at Steve’s post about how AMC replaced the sound system with an inferior one. Dumb, dumb, dumb AMC.
They should put DP at the Uptown. If it works for Seattle’s Cinerama, and from what I gather their screen is also 70', it should work here, too.
On an aside note, I’m wondering if you can sneak into the IMAX-lite auditorium or is it far and away from the others and always attendant staffed? Hmmmm.
The Air & Space’s Chantilly IMAX would be a good alternate and REAL IMAX theater to see Potter. I’m not a real Potter fan, but am looking more forward to the Narnia and Tron sequels.
I happened to stumble on this article several months ago about the restoration efforts of WSS with the newly found original soundtrack. Here is the link: http://www.in70mm.com/news/2010/wss/index.htm
$17.50 a ticket?? $17.50??? Its ticket gouging deja vu. Didn’t the exhibitors learn from the mistake they made this past summer about out pricing themselves? I know many midnight shows are sold out all over, but the IMAX-lite prices are ridiculous. King of Prussia’s real IMAX venue has the same price. I’d rather see it there, spend the night and go shop at the mall. :) The thing is my previous experiences there have met with a projector breakdown of some sort ever since Polar Express in ‘04.
Wow, MovieTix! I just scanned the Egyptian roster of movies and, yes, most of their auditoriums are DP. As much as I have enjoyed DP presentation, it is an auditorium’s sound that makes the ‘theatrical experience’ for me. Aside from the XD auditorium, the others are good, but not great. Plus, the fact there are never any reduced admission prices for XD keeps me from coming back and going to AMC where I can at least earn points for concession fare and free tickets.
Cinemark must have spent a bundle with the upgrades. Your disclosure of this makes me want to check them out again. Thanks.
I thought Regal had an alternative to the IMAX-lite format that AMC uses. At least that is what I thought the E-Walk has. I suppose they are converting a theater, as opposed to actually extending the plex? If they book Tron here, it may be worth checking out, but I may want to see it at a real IMAX theater.
Personal bias ;)
They should have a 70mm retrospective. I’m not a fan of silent films. I appreciate their history and place in cinema, but thats it. I remember seeing Metropolis on TV with modern music years ago. For its time, it was quite imaginative.
Justin, let’s just say that you’d forget your favorite AMC Rockaway and its stadium seating, non-curtain rising/falling cookie cutter screen plex. Maybe you’d be daily blogging about the Ziegfeld here as well. :D
On my infrequent visits, I do have to say that its hit or miss presentation wise. Sometimes the curtain is used, sometimes not. Sometimes the sound levels and overall experience is stupendous and then not.
Interesting proposals. I am glad they are not shrinking or otherwise carving up the main auditorium. I wish/had hoped they could build a little balcony in theater 2. Its about the same size, if probably larger, than the old MacArthur theater in DC had when it had twins during its ‘83 remodel.
I’ve never regularly frequented a theater that served alcohol. I just hope the booze (as I’m a non-drinker) doesn’t lead to loud and obnoxious patrons during the shows. Its one thing to have college aged patrons when the big blockbusters are booked to full house..just imagine what it would be like if these kids are boozing.
How about an espresso/high end pastry/bakery bar? If you’re going to serve alcohol, how about some decent coffee and/or baked goods aside from the usual popcorn, candy and soda fare?
As long as they don’t touch the main auditorium, I’m fine. Nicer and larger restrooms. Fine. It was my impression that the Cusacks had plans to maintain the big screen but shrink the main auditorium. Hopefully, I am wrong. As far as the holiday releases, I do not know what is coming that I want to see on the Senator’s larger screen aside from Harry Potter.
Great job as always! This movie came out way before I was born, but I have been to the Warner Theatre for live shows and the inside is quite ‘small’ compared to say, DC’s Uptown.
Baltimore’s Town Theater is relatively nearby but its boarded up. I am curious to know if their screen and theater was more similar to our Uptown or more like the Warner, which, come to think of it, is like the Hippodrome in Balto.
My prayers and sympathy to the family. You’ll be missed. I wonder if they’ll have movie theaters in heaven…if they do, they’ll need a darn good projectionist like you, Norelco. If St Peter tries to give you a harp as you pass the pearly gates, ask for a darn good movie projector, instead. :D
I saw Star Wars: Episode One The Phantom Menace here way back in ‘99. Like similar Hoyt multiplexes of this site, they had 2 BIG theaters and several smaller ones. The BIGGER auditoriums..some (I’m guessing 400-500 seat capacity with the bigger 50-60 ft screens) had Dolby EX.
When my friend passed away, I seldom, if ever went back to this place. The proliferation of gang-type crowds were a turn off.
I just read today that the place is for sale, along with its Hunt Valley counterpart. This facility supposedly is 75,000 sq. ft.
Gotta love living near DC and having the Smithsonian and all its historical artifacts available to be seen in the various museums for FREE. 70mm would be nice, maybe they could upgrade in the future?
How about showing 70mm movies, or better yet, a 70mm festival in the near future..like before the end of the year? :)
Its got to be before 1999. I thought there was a listing for this venue. I’ve been here before probably the first time being around 2001 for the showing of Moulin Rouge. The auditoriums are all about the same size, with stadium seating. Nothing is remarkable about them that I can recall. At least one auditorium is 3D capable and at least two for DP.
I think Summer BO got off to a wrong start by the greed of certain production companies with the release of Shrek and a few others in May. You can charge only so much no matter how enthused your audience is about your product. What did it go up to..$17 or so until it retreated back?
I was being flippant, of course, about the DVD sound level problem. You’d think as a viewer, more so the Manager of a Movie Theater, you would want to see/experience movies as optimally as you can, which means decent sound levels to create that immersive experience. You’d think AFI, of all places, would be more concerned to not show movies at conversational levels. If I managed the place, I’d make sure sound levels are up even if I have to create some of my own.. :D
I wrote back to the Manager I emailed before to see what response I get. I’ll post it when/if I receive it.
Last week, I happened to catch two movies that were part of the 80’s film retrospective. Specifically, the Richard Donner cut of Superman II and Star Trek III. A few months ago, I had written and requested if they could show at least one known 70mm print of ST3 in circulation and shown recently at the Laehmle Theater in LA. Initially, I received a response, from the webmaster, saying to look at the website again. DUH. Its not in 70mm. I replied and received another response stating that the 70mm print they could get was not as highly rated as the one shown this past week. Hmmm.
Superman II on the bigscreen was a welcome, if disappointing experience. The movie was advertised as being in Blue Ray. That may not be such a bad thing as the movie looked good in the Historic Auditorium. Unfortunately, the volume was played too low with barely discernible surrounds. I’d have to say the movie sounded better on my Sony system at home then it did here. Unfortunately, I do not have a 40 ft screen to myself to enjoy…
Star Trek III was also a disappointment. Its ironic that the movie played here over 26 years ago but not in 70mm. Apparently, they got a 35mm print that I’m reasonably sure was a mono print. There was no stereo sep/surround at all. As many times as I’ve seen this movie both in 70 and 35mm and in stereo at home, I know what parts are supposed to deliver when it comes to sound. Background chatter was not distinct, nor separate, or altogether non-existent during the bridge scenes and as the Enterprise enters and leaves Spacedock.
I had complained about the sound level being too low and the manager on duty and he said the film would be played loud. The reason for Superman II being so low in the sound department was that “it was a DVD.” I was about to say to him “so that means you can’t increase the sound playback on DVDs in your multi-million dollar theater?” The Manager had warned the 20 or so patrons in attendance that the film had scratches in some places and would be granting refunds prior. I did not notice anything that detracting to warrant a refund, other than the lack of SURROUND STEREO.
If the prior two lackluster presentations are indicative as to how they do retrospectives, then whats the point of having them? The awful presentations are more worthy of a Regal or AMC, not AFI.
Lastly, once again they ran out of my favorite pretzels. Is it my bad luck, or do they just don’t stock them anymore. Take them off the menu then. :P