as it should be the case, that’s ridiculous to think that theaters should increase tix price just because the technology seems to dictate it – good for them.
five front channel sound tends to be very front heavy Jodar – and for it’s time it sounded great – 8-track SDDS with five front + stereo surround sounded even more impressive! (let’s hope this configurement winds up on DCI sooner than later). I can’t wait to see ‘Khartoum’ and ‘Lord Jim’ next week.
writing a physical letter to corporate may not get you an answer, I’ve never got one, but the alternate ways to vent one’s frustration with AMC and specifically the Uptown is via AMC’s facebook page and/or AMC’s website which has an email option under ‘contact us’
question: can someone help me out with a inquiry regarding a screening of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ a few years back, it was a 35mm print and I could have sworn the it was the expanded title of ‘Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark’ – I’m sure it was, but some folk on another website says such print with the title was never theatrically released as such. ???
Secondly, I have to say I’m getting sick and tired of AMC not giving the Uptown it’s dues in booking alternate programming – specifically the upcoming Indiana Jones marathon on September 15th.
The other insult is the non-booking of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ on October 4th. I don’t get it, AMC gives the shaft to the Uptown when it comes to these screenings and treats the Uptown like a bastard child. Enough is enough for those of who like to write emails, letters, whatever – give AMC corporate a piece of your mind (I have).
Here, in part, is one Kiefaber posted Sunday morning:
“The bevy of overlapping emotions that flow through me on a daily basis, exfoliating from a deep well of frustration and misunderstanding, are compounding as I witness a dear family loved one be torn asunder and into pieces, without anesthesia,” he wrote. “The screams haunt my days and nights. All that I can do of late at sunset, is wander the site of the day’s carnage, searching for any recognizable bits and pieces of skin and flesh, or chunks of snarled innards, respectfully collecting them each day for proper internment.”
~~
one word: cuckoo…
~~
I know it’s probably been noted before Jodar, but I know at one point extra subwoofers were added to the Senator’s sound system in 1998 for Roland Emmerich’s ‘Godzilla’ remake.
Don’t quote me but I think the installation of the 8-SDDS sound system debuted with ‘Episode I: The Phantom Menace’
oh I forgot to mention I recently saw Tangerine Dream in performance at the Howard – great show by the way, and what a beautiful restoration of the theater!
got a chance to check out Auditorium 1 for ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ – very impressive digital projection with the film’s integration of IMAX shot scenes and standard 35mm which looked great on it’s DCP – however… there appeared to be a smudge just to the left of mid-center, which is either on the glass of the projection booth or (perish the thought) on the lenses of the projector itself – management said they would look into it and correct it. The sound seemed to be on the low end and was no where as bombastic or loud as at the Avalon (and that was 35mm and lossy audio) Lastly, I was none to pleased with the audience, at one point some jerk put his hand (and middle finger) directly in front of projector – that’s the problem with the projection booth being that low and close to audience level.
the auditoriums that were untwinned were 1 & 2, and 3 & 4 (the latter which is now screen 2, is the largest screen). All the screens are now ‘digital’ featuring Christie 4K upgradeable projectors and can/will playback 7.1 audio
holy batman! The presentation of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ really demonstrated the loudness levels the speakers could handle here at the Avalon – even though the Dolby Digital 5.1 is not lossless audio when compared to sound from digital projection – the bass was powerful and relentless.
so I saw ‘The Watch’ on screen 4 and the Sony image looked fantastic! great clarity, sharpness and color – the blue of the ‘Neighborhood Watch’ jackets just jumped out. Considering there is significant throw from the projection booth to the screen, I guess AMC figured out that Sony could and can do the job – and it does.
Oddly on the audio side, there’s a slight buzz that is emitting out of one (or possibly more) of the speakers from behind the screen – in the quiet moments, which isn’t many in the movie, it becomes quite apparent and distracting – management said he’d look into the problem.
so I talked with the manager this evening and she said that all the systems are Sony 4K projector’s including the new installations on screens 1 and 4 – really? it took THAT long?!?
I find it out that the Seattle Cinerama isn’t listed – the fact that it able to playback digital 2K and 4K projection, 70mm and Cinerama prints is a major plus
to answer your question thebrat: supposedly all the screens are digital, although the last time I asked when ‘Ted’ got released and was being shown on screen 1 (the largest screen) it was still 35mm. I’m sure there are other screens in the DC area that are showing ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ in 35mm, but I definitely know that the Avalon over in Chevy Chase, literally maybe a 10 minute walk east from Mazza is showing it in 35mm.
oh hellz yeah! we have a date or thereabouts for the opening of the Angelika, since the website for Ron Fricke’s ‘Samsara’ will be shown there in 4K digital projection (!) starting September 21st … oh the anticipation!!!!!
is this the same theater that in70mm.com is stating that is getting an exclusive 70mm engagement of P.T Anderson’s latest film ‘The Master’ (come this October)?
“The classic Village Theatre, in the Westwood Village/west Los Angeles area of L.A. is reported to be in view as a site for a 70mm run of the new film from Paul Thomas Anderson (PT Anderson), "The Master”. Although the Village hasn’t run a 70mm print for many years, a 70mm conversion kit for their venerable Norelco/Philips DP70 has been tracked down, and, pending final decisions and arrangements, it seems likely that L.A. will have its first commercial engagement of a new movie, presented “in the splendor of 70mm” in many years (last known previous one was “Hamlet”, back in December 1996)."
personally I’m all for the theaters themselves creating specialty big screens – it means that other non-IMAX films get the deluxe treatment, it also helps that these screens have at least 7.1 surround sound capabilities, while IMAX is the traditional 5.0 audio setup.
I know this is a problem also at the Arclight Dome, but is it as severe? I don’t know if this true, but supposedly this can be rectified on the Christie projector lense but at a significant cost – I would rather AMC talk with Chrisite and see if something can’t be done and not go down the path of removing the curved screen.
as it should be the case, that’s ridiculous to think that theaters should increase tix price just because the technology seems to dictate it – good for them.
ABC 7 is stating the theater will become a vaudeville type ‘live’ theater.
five front channel sound tends to be very front heavy Jodar – and for it’s time it sounded great – 8-track SDDS with five front + stereo surround sounded even more impressive! (let’s hope this configurement winds up on DCI sooner than later). I can’t wait to see ‘Khartoum’ and ‘Lord Jim’ next week.
much thanks sguttag on that little tidbit of news regarding ‘The Master’
writing a physical letter to corporate may not get you an answer, I’ve never got one, but the alternate ways to vent one’s frustration with AMC and specifically the Uptown is via AMC’s facebook page and/or AMC’s website which has an email option under ‘contact us’
and yes, sadly the 70mm projector is gone … :(
I’m really curious in knowing what the theater’s sound/digital projector system will get installed in the renovation
question: can someone help me out with a inquiry regarding a screening of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ a few years back, it was a 35mm print and I could have sworn the it was the expanded title of ‘Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark’ – I’m sure it was, but some folk on another website says such print with the title was never theatrically released as such. ???
Secondly, I have to say I’m getting sick and tired of AMC not giving the Uptown it’s dues in booking alternate programming – specifically the upcoming Indiana Jones marathon on September 15th.
The other insult is the non-booking of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ on October 4th. I don’t get it, AMC gives the shaft to the Uptown when it comes to these screenings and treats the Uptown like a bastard child. Enough is enough for those of who like to write emails, letters, whatever – give AMC corporate a piece of your mind (I have).
(from the aforementioned article):
Here, in part, is one Kiefaber posted Sunday morning:
“The bevy of overlapping emotions that flow through me on a daily basis, exfoliating from a deep well of frustration and misunderstanding, are compounding as I witness a dear family loved one be torn asunder and into pieces, without anesthesia,” he wrote. “The screams haunt my days and nights. All that I can do of late at sunset, is wander the site of the day’s carnage, searching for any recognizable bits and pieces of skin and flesh, or chunks of snarled innards, respectfully collecting them each day for proper internment.”
~~
one word: cuckoo…
~~
I know it’s probably been noted before Jodar, but I know at one point extra subwoofers were added to the Senator’s sound system in 1998 for Roland Emmerich’s ‘Godzilla’ remake.
Don’t quote me but I think the installation of the 8-SDDS sound system debuted with ‘Episode I: The Phantom Menace’
oh I forgot to mention I recently saw Tangerine Dream in performance at the Howard – great show by the way, and what a beautiful restoration of the theater!
what sad news.
there’s a nice quick glimpse of the exterior of the theater in the movie ‘Ruby Sparks’
got a chance to check out Auditorium 1 for ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ – very impressive digital projection with the film’s integration of IMAX shot scenes and standard 35mm which looked great on it’s DCP – however… there appeared to be a smudge just to the left of mid-center, which is either on the glass of the projection booth or (perish the thought) on the lenses of the projector itself – management said they would look into it and correct it. The sound seemed to be on the low end and was no where as bombastic or loud as at the Avalon (and that was 35mm and lossy audio) Lastly, I was none to pleased with the audience, at one point some jerk put his hand (and middle finger) directly in front of projector – that’s the problem with the projection booth being that low and close to audience level.
the auditoriums that were untwinned were 1 & 2, and 3 & 4 (the latter which is now screen 2, is the largest screen). All the screens are now ‘digital’ featuring Christie 4K upgradeable projectors and can/will playback 7.1 audio
holy batman! The presentation of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ really demonstrated the loudness levels the speakers could handle here at the Avalon – even though the Dolby Digital 5.1 is not lossless audio when compared to sound from digital projection – the bass was powerful and relentless.
so I saw ‘The Watch’ on screen 4 and the Sony image looked fantastic! great clarity, sharpness and color – the blue of the ‘Neighborhood Watch’ jackets just jumped out. Considering there is significant throw from the projection booth to the screen, I guess AMC figured out that Sony could and can do the job – and it does.
Oddly on the audio side, there’s a slight buzz that is emitting out of one (or possibly more) of the speakers from behind the screen – in the quiet moments, which isn’t many in the movie, it becomes quite apparent and distracting – management said he’d look into the problem.
so I talked with the manager this evening and she said that all the systems are Sony 4K projector’s including the new installations on screens 1 and 4 – really? it took THAT long?!?
I find it out that the Seattle Cinerama isn’t listed – the fact that it able to playback digital 2K and 4K projection, 70mm and Cinerama prints is a major plus
to answer your question thebrat: supposedly all the screens are digital, although the last time I asked when ‘Ted’ got released and was being shown on screen 1 (the largest screen) it was still 35mm. I’m sure there are other screens in the DC area that are showing ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ in 35mm, but I definitely know that the Avalon over in Chevy Chase, literally maybe a 10 minute walk east from Mazza is showing it in 35mm.
oh hellz yeah! we have a date or thereabouts for the opening of the Angelika, since the website for Ron Fricke’s ‘Samsara’ will be shown there in 4K digital projection (!) starting September 21st … oh the anticipation!!!!!
is this the same theater that in70mm.com is stating that is getting an exclusive 70mm engagement of P.T Anderson’s latest film ‘The Master’ (come this October)?
“The classic Village Theatre, in the Westwood Village/west Los Angeles area of L.A. is reported to be in view as a site for a 70mm run of the new film from Paul Thomas Anderson (PT Anderson), "The Master”. Although the Village hasn’t run a 70mm print for many years, a 70mm conversion kit for their venerable Norelco/Philips DP70 has been tracked down, and, pending final decisions and arrangements, it seems likely that L.A. will have its first commercial engagement of a new movie, presented “in the splendor of 70mm” in many years (last known previous one was “Hamlet”, back in December 1996)."
which auditorium has the Atmos system?
I love the ice cream here at the Egyptian.
As for ‘Spiderman’ the only extra scene came early on during the credit crawl.
I thought the 7.1 mix on the XD screen for ‘Prometheus’ was beyond stellar.
personally I’m all for the theaters themselves creating specialty big screens – it means that other non-IMAX films get the deluxe treatment, it also helps that these screens have at least 7.1 surround sound capabilities, while IMAX is the traditional 5.0 audio setup.
… and AMC’s ETX, Marcus' Ultrascreens, Galaxy Theater’s DFX (Digital Fusion Experience, and Carmike’s Big-D screens
I know this is a problem also at the Arclight Dome, but is it as severe? I don’t know if this true, but supposedly this can be rectified on the Christie projector lense but at a significant cost – I would rather AMC talk with Chrisite and see if something can’t be done and not go down the path of removing the curved screen.