Bow Tie Annapolis Mall 11
1020 Annapolis Mall,
Annapolis,
MD
21401
1020 Annapolis Mall,
Annapolis,
MD
21401
1 person
favorited this theater
One of two Annapolis multiplexes and probably one of the Washington, DC area’s better run, yet lesser known venues. This venue opened in 1999 along with the new food court at Westfield’s Annapolis Mall.
The venue boasts state of the art digital sound systems (Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS), digital projection in #10 and #11 and THX certification currently in #1 (the largest and best of the 11), #2 and #9.
Contributed by
JodarMovieFan
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Recent comments (view all 35 comments)
Madagascar 3 in Digital (non-3D) was good in #1. Surrounds were very good. I think the film would have been better in 3D as there were many ‘in your face’ moments. The character eyes could have been drawn better as they looked too flat and dead. I know thats not the theater’s fault, but its just an observation that drew attention to itself during character close ups.
This is a nice place and its near by me. I let them know I will not be back till they have 4K projectors. Not having THX sucks but not as a big deal as 4k is. They were one of the last few that keep THX this long. My under standing every thing is still the same just made it 7.1 just no THX stamp or certification.
I saw The Amazing Spider-Man in 3-D in auditorium number two. The audio presentation proved solid, at times very dynamic, but otherwise a very unimpressive showing. Isn’t it now proper form to project 3-D features at levels brighter than usual, to counteract the glasses? The 2-D trailers (including The Dark Knight Rises, Lawless, and Total Recall) were incredibly dim and hazy, and the situation didn’t improve during the feature with the 3-D (sun)glasses on. Honestly, a bit of a disaster of a presentation; nauseating during the motion-filled action sequences, with the entire color palette reduced to a bland grey. I am not a huge fan of the 3-D illusion in general, but I’ve seen gorgeous and satisfactory 3-D presentations at this theatre before (Avatar, Fright Night), so I know they can do much, much better.
Oh, also: at both this theatre and its sister at the Harbour Center, I notice they’ve at long last decided to utilize their sound systems to their fullest. For the longest time, the Dolby 7.1 “ALL…AROUND…YOU” left/rear/right introduction just played as “ALL…dead air…YOU” in most every auditorium. This sound-system promo has been playing properly for the last month and a half or so.
Ahhh finally, some bloggers to share experiences with!
1, my favorite still has the THX plaque on it. Unless THX does not know they re still advertising THX certification, they should take it down. Otherwise, they must still have that auditorium certified.
I saw the latest ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift’ in 3D in #9. It was THX cert once upon a time, but the surrounds weren’t as powerful as it could have been. Sitting up towards the back, I was hoping for that immersive experience but heard mostly sounds in the front, with an occasional left speaker sound effect. Disappointing.
Also, the staff needs to be more attentive. The ticket taker took my ticket and forgot to give me 3D glasses while talking to the co-worker at the concession stand. Bad.
Given my lackluster experience in #9, it was even more disheartening to hear the loud end music to Batman Dark Knight Rises from #1. Hmmm. I’m holding out to see it in real IMAX when I have time to go downtown.
On a different note, it seems Bow Tie will be rolling out their own version of IMAX-lite and XD, with their BTX. They could easily tear down Screens 5 and 6 and combine them to one BIG 80' screened auditorium to compete with Cinemark’s XD and the IMAX-lite installs at AMC and Regal. Regal’s new Crofton venue will have IMAX-lite, so it makes sense to build one here to keep up with the competition.
I’ve recently seen The Bourne Legacy and The Expendables 2 in house number one. Amazing presentations. Crisp digital picture. Thunderous (but also clear and nuanced) sound; I could even understand the majority of Sly Stallone’s lines, lol. Top-notch.
Also saw ParaNorman in 3-D, in house number two. Decent enough presentation. Good sound. The picture was a bit dim, but this isn’t too surprising when one is watching a largely nocturnal film with virtual sunglasses on. I would have rather seen it in 2-D, but the film is only on one screen, and the 2-D evening show didn’t fit my schedule.
This past week, I saw Whitney Houston’s final film ‘Sparkle’, during a matinee and, surprisingly, largely attended screening in #11. I had trepidations that the sound may not have been great as if it were in #2 or 9, but was pleasantly surprised. 11 was my first positive experience with digital projection, albeit at 1.2K resolution 10 yrs ago. ‘Sparkle’ looked digital great, too.
The sound was played up and very enjoyable. Of course, the inevitable comparison to ‘Dreamgirls’ is unwarranted, Jordin Sparks holds her own in her movie debut. One special thing I have noticed in Whitney Houston movies is that when she sings, she’s filmed live singing and not lip synching and ‘acting’ in the moment. You can see her vibrato motions in her throat. In this film, there’s no exception.
A film like this is best enjoyed with a vocal crowd. Since this is an African American film, there were many blacks in attendance, even older couples. There was this black lady who kept clapping, amen-ing and even exclaimed ‘kick his ass’ as Mike Epps' character was being beaten by the sisters for beating one of their own. It was a great crowd pleasing good time had by all.
This week, I saw “Bourne Legacy” in #5. Coming in a little late, I missed the trailers and sat too close to the front. The jerky camera and quick shots made me a little woozy afterward but not as bad as seeing “Born on the Fourth of July” in 70mm at the Uptown way back in ‘88. Digital perfect presentation, no detractions. The movie seemed more of a reboot with the new Jason. It runs like the first movie, including the open ending.
The venue needs to upgrade their self service kiosks to accept the BowTie movie card like Regal and AMC do. Since no one was as the closed Customer Service desk, I had to trek back to the box office to get my movie credit and ticket. Not very good customer service. :P
I saw “Here Comes the Boom” in #1 a few weeks ago. There weren’t really anything I wanted to see so I just chose it randomly. The ticket taker laughed at my reason for choosing it. It wasn’t bad as I thought and, of course, the sound and picture in #1 was top notch.
Last week, I saw Hotel Transylvania in #11 flat. As usual, the presentation was really good, bright picture, great surround and probably better appreciated without the 3D and darkness. I think the singing could have used stronger bass, but that may have been the sound mix and not the theater’s fault. It just seemed to beg for more bass given the rap elements. They had previous of a Despicable Me sequel among other CGI animated films.
My friend and I caught a sneak peak of GI Joe: Retribution in 3D, special for Bow Tie Criterion Members in #11. The Dolby 7.1 trailer played nicely, but for some unknown reason, the sound level was not up to what it should be. The trailers, usually played loud..were subdued. The final Star Trek Into Darkness had none of that ‘boom’ ‘boom’ deep bass as in other venues. The film was bleh. Though the one action sequence where the bike splits up and becomes independent weapons was cool.