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Events
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May 10, 2012
Cinerama Dome plays seven fan favorites
HOLLYWOOD, CA — Arclight Cinemas' Cinerama Dome Theatre in Hollywood will play seven classic films on the big screen, May 11 through May 17. Films include 3 MGM roadshows, “Ben Hur”, “Doctor Zhivago”, and “Gone with the Wind” and four films directed by Stanley Kubrick, “Barry Lyndon”, “Full Metal Jacket”, “The Shining” and “Lolita”. All seven films will be presented in 4K digital.
Tickets are available online at arclightcinemas.com.
(Thanks to William for providing the photo.)
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April 25, 2012
CinemaCon Day Two: High Frame Rate, Mixed Appraisals
Warner Bros. and the Walt Disney Company rolled out their stars and their upcoming films for exhibitors attending CinemaCon yesterday, but it was the ten minutes of footage of “The Hobbit” that garnered much of the attention and division. Shown in 48 frames per second, the casino floor of Caesars Palace and the trade show floors above were humming with interest and derision for the footage. For a good breakdown of reactions, read this EW blog post.
Before the Warner Bros. presentation, Chris Dodd of the MPAA and John Fithian of NATO welcomed attendees to CinemaCon. Dodd reemphasized the importance of theatrical exhibition to the global industry and the need to combat piracy here and abroad. Fithian relayed the industry’s continued optimism in 2012, especially considering this year’s numbers to date, and argued for the relative affordability of ticket prices and the overall stability of the exhibition industry.
Across the convention, exhibitors, equipment manufacturers, and distributors seem to be in a very good mood. With box office up across North America—and tensions cooled after last year’s VOD announcement that took place on the last day of the convention—there seems to be little tension this year. In addition, for the first time in ten years, all six majors (plus Lionsgate) will present their slate of films to exhibitors. Yesterday’s tally of stars, directors, and executives greeting attendees included Johnny Depp, Tim Burton, Christopher Nolan, John Lasseter, John C. Reilly, Mila Kunis, James Franco, Joe Roth, Sam Raimi, and many others. Is it a show of solidarity for theatrical exhibition or a smart use of CinemaCon to generate publicity for films such as “Brave”? Probably both.
Today’s big technology demonstration will be laser projection and, later, Sony Pictures will promote their upcoming slate to exhibitors. Grab some more coffee and see you at Caesars…
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April 24, 2012
CinemaCon Day 1: Pirates, Dictators, and the Global Box Office
The opening of this year’s CinemaCon featured a full lineup of speakers for “International Day,” with panels on the tremendous growth of the international exhibition market, and a gala opening night event from Paramount Pictures. During the day, panels focused on customer service, digital cinema, alternative content, and marketing, amongst other topics. Millard Ochs, President of Warner Bros. International Cinemas, noted that exhibitors need to pay more attention to younger audiences who are online, watching TV, and playing video games instead of going to the movies. In Japan, he noted, surveys show that sleeping is a more favorable activity for youth than going to Hollywood movies.
At night, Paramount’s presentation before a packed audience celebrated the company’s 100th anniversary and highlighted the studio’s 2012 product, including “Madagascar 3,” “GI Joe,” “Rise of the Guardians,” and “The Dictator.” Despite appearances by stars such as Chris Rock and The Rock, Sacha Baron Cohen staged the night’s most memorable moment when he appeared in character as “The Dictator.” Cohen skewered Hollywood (and the West) in his comedic appearance. You won’t find the routine on YouTube anytime soon, though, since cell phones were strictly prohibited. One attendee who ignored this warning was arrested, according to organizer Mitch Neuhauser, part of CinemaCon and the industry’s focus on piracy. A long and busy day ended for some at 1am after a screening of “The Dictator.” The trade show starts up again at 7:45am. Grab some coffee as the trade show floor opens today …
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April 18, 2012
Seattle Cinerama to present a classic Science Fiction Film Festival April 19-May 2
SEATTLE, WA — A new science fiction festival is coming to the Seattle Cinerama this month. Highlights include “Metropolis” featuring the Alloy Orchestra and a new 70 mm print of “2001” A Space Odyssey."
Get more details at their official website.
(Thanks to Bill Huelbig for providing the photo.)
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April 12, 2012
Last of three movie theater murals to be unveiled in downtown Hayward
HAYWARD, CA — The movie theater mural mentioned here is finally complete.
After two and a half years of laborious effort and nearly losing his artist assistant fiance in a near fatal scaffold fall accident on the project, Bay Area, Award-Winning Artist Andrew Kong Knight has completed his third and final monumental mural in the series called “Hayward Meets Hollywood,” located in his hometown in downtown Hayward, Ca.
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April 11, 2012
LRS tickets onsale today
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Conservancy’s popular annual film series, Last Remaining Seats, will go onsale to the general public today. This year’s selections feature such classic as “The Big Sleep” and the “Paper Moon”. Some of the theatres featured are rarely open to the public or even less often show films. The series typically sells out quickly so don’t wait to make your purchase.
See the lineup and buy tickets here.
(Thanks to William for providing the photo.)
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March 29, 2012
Orpheum celebrates 100 years
NEW BEDFORD, MA — On April 15, 1912, as people in New Bedford were getting ready for the Grand Opening of the Orpheum Theatre, little did they realize that the famed steamship, “RMS Titanic” had struck an iceberg and sank, taking along over 1,500 souls on that very same day.
But although the Titanic was lost, the Orpheum Theatre and French Sharpshooters' Hall opened to large crowds. It was one of the jewels of this area’s many theaters. It was cherished for its entertainment by many of this region’s local citizens for 46 years until it closed in 1958.
The organization O.R.P.H., INC. (Orpheum Rising Project Helpers) with support of the Community Building Mini-Grant Program of the United Way of Greater New Bedford, invites the public to join us in celebrating this 100 year milestone and to highlight plans to save this historic landmark.
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March 9, 2012
Egyptian celebrates 90 years
LOS ANGELES, CA — It’s had its fair share of ups and downs but the Egyptian Theatre is making it to 90. The theatre will kickoff a year of celebrating the anniversary with a special tour this weekend followed by more events later this year.
(Thanks to monika for providing the photo.)
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March 7, 2012
This is DCP at the Film Forum
NEW YORK, NY — With theaters around the world making the switch to digital, one of the most famous repertory houses still standing, the Film Forum, decided to use this time of change as a platform for discussion. Their “This DCP” (“DCP” standing for Digital Cinema Package") festival is meant to show their audience what they’ll be missing (or possibly what they’d be gaining), with a conversion.
Read more in Capital New York.
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March 2, 2012
Balboa Theater birthday party not to be missed
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Still going strong after 86 years, the Balboa Theatre will celebrate its birthday Sunday. As part of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival, they’ll show “Safety Last!” that evening with accompaniment from renowned pianist Frederick Hodges.
Read more in the San Francisco Chronicle.
(Thanks to Patrick Crowley for providing the photo.)