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The latest movie theater news and updates
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March 5, 2009
Mysterious Odeon item
For ten years, I’ve owned the most fantastic object. It’s a stainless steel tablespoon. It was originally owned by my late grandmother, and my mother has no idea where she got it.
What makes this spoon so fantastic is what’s stamped on it. On the front of the handle is the ‘O’ logo of the original deco design. On the back, running up the handle, is stamped “ODEON THEATRES”.
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Huge surge in moviegoing due to poorer economic times
Not only is revenue surging but even attendance is on pace to reach high peaks.
While much of the economy is teetering between bust and bailout, the movie industry has been startled by a box-office surge that has little precedent in the modern era. Suddenly it seems as if everyone is going to the movies, with ticket sales this year up 17.5 percent, to $1.7 billion, according to Media by Numbers, a box-office tracking company.
And it is not just because ticket prices are higher. Attendance has also jumped, by nearly 16 percent. If that pace continues through the year, it would amount to the biggest box-office surge in at least two decades.
Read the full story at the New York Times.
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March 4, 2009
Colonial Theater suffers damage
BLUEFIELD, WV — On Friday February 27, 2009, the Colonial Theater was severely damaged due to the collapse of the Matz-Milner Hotel which was adjacent to the theater.
If the theater can be repaired is unknown at this time. The main concern is of course people’s safety in the area. Lots of traffic has been detoured around the area.
When the Hotel collapsed it took a big chunk of the theatre with it. It is a sad day to see such a beautiful structure destroyed.
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3D Projection meets small town cinema
PRYOR, OK — Evolving with the times once again, the Allred Theater is installing 3D projection to continue providing the best movie going experience to its patrons. According to The Daily Times, the local newspaper, “The Allred is the oldest continuously operating theater in the nation that is making this complete transition.”
The first phase of installation will begin March 16th. Gene Oliver, the owner of the Allred, says “The Allred is the first small-town independently owned theater in Green Country to commit to Digital/3D film projection. It also has the highest year to date increases of any theater in Green Country.” (Quote from the Daily Times)
The Allred Theater, in Pryor, Oklahoma, is a 5-screen Art Deco theater built in 1917. The theater is equipped with DTS digital sound throughout.
To see the press realease, visit The Daily Times.
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5th Todd A0 festival st the Schauburg Cinema
KARLSRUHE, GERMANY — It’s that time again folks. Herbert’s 5th TODD-AO festival at the Schauburg Cinema. Full program to be confirmed.
Dear Friends,
We are now preparing the 5th instalment of the “Todd-AO 70mm Festival” to be held this year from 2 – 4 October 2009 at the Schauburg in Karlsruhe, Germany.This festival, dedicated to a movie format over 50 years old, is a dream for a lot of movie fans around the world. Today, movies and cinemas have reached a time of change – a change from film based to digital cinema and a change in the way movies are felt and understood. We are sure, that our “Todd-AO 70mm Festival” presented on the curved screen of the Schauburg not only will make you remember cinema-going from a time long ago, but also make you aware of the responsibility we all have: To honour the genius of so many people who have given us stories and unforgettable moments in breathtaking and crystal clear large format pictures.
Read more at In 70mm.
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March 3, 2009
Funding to rescue New Granada Theatre
PITTSBURGH, PA — Gaming revenue will be used to save the New Granada Theatre.
A $1.1 million project to stabilize the iconic New Granada Theater in the Hill District got its final piece of funding today.
The Allegheny County Community Infrastructure and Tourism Board, set up to dole out $80 million in state casino gambling revenues over the next decade, awarded $91,000 today to the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation to complete the funding to help shore up the building.
Read the full story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
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Announcing The Senator Community Trust, LLC
BALTIMORE, MD — Locals are consolidating their efforts to move the Senator Theatre into its next phase.
A group of local community and business leaders announced today that they have organized to realize the goal of community-based non-profit ownership and preservation of the historic Senator Theatre.
Recognizing the need for the community to take the leadership in implementation of the vision to establish The Senator as the premiere community-based entertainment and educational venue in the area, the group has formed The Senator Community Trust LLC, which is now in the process of seeking non-profit status.
The entire press release can be read here.
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Audio watermarking technique could locate movie pirates
With new audio watermarking technology, pirated movies will be traceable.
In an attempt to deter camcorder piracy, researchers have been developing watermarking techniques that embed a secret message into a movie indicating when and where the movie was shown. Once the movie is posted on the Internet, this secret message can be extracted to reveal the movie theater and showtime, and the theater can implement additional surveillance to deter piracy. However, these watermarking techniques cannot identify the recording location in the theater.
How much affect will it have?
Read more at Physorg.
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March 2, 2009
Sony and RealD to provide 3D digital cinema system
Sony Electronics and RealD have announced that they will be working together to provide 3D digital cinema systems for exhibitors. The system is designed for Sony’s 4K digital cinema projectors.
[quote]Sony Electronics and RealD are working together to provide exhibitors with 3D digital cinema systems that combine a single Sony 4K projector and its new 3D dual lens adapter with RealD technology, including a specially designed optical filter tuned for the projector, resulting in the ability to deliver crisp 3D images to screens up to 55 feet in width.
Sony and RealD have also entered into a separate agreement that gives RealD the exclusive right to purchase and distribute Sony’s 3D lens adapter for use with polarized filter systems in Sony digital cinema projection system 3D deployments in the United States, Canada and Europe. In addition to the Sony 3D adapter, RealD will provide hardware and software, including its Cinema System and 3D EQ “Ghostbuster” technology, for 3D playback on Sony 4K digital cinema systems worldwide.[/quote]
Read more at Yahoo! Finance.
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Will the recession change movies?
An article suggests that the state of the economy could affect the types of films studios are releasing.
Analysts say the recession also is likely to affect the types of movies being made by Hollywood, how they’re made and what will succeed.
Based on recent successes, there’s evidence to suggest studios will continue to focus on comedies and action films.
Read more at CNN.