AMC Empire 25
234 W. 42nd Street,
New York,
NY
10036
234 W. 42nd Street,
New York,
NY
10036
80 people
favorited this theater
Showing 226 - 250 of 785 comments
It’s been over a week since IMAX showings for this theater have appeared on Fandango, nor are IMAX showings included in advance tickets here for films like Logan and Beauty and the Beast (I believe even if they plan on showing those titles in IMAX, can’t place the tickets on sale until the screen is ready to reopen). So whatever renovations IMAX/AMC are planning for the year, seems like they are currently in process.
Yeah, IMAX just started developing the laser system for smaller theaters mid 2016 and had no timeframe for when it would be ready. Now IMAX does sometimes like to test out a new system in secret before officially unveiling it, but this year may be too soon, particularly when IMAX signed over 70 deals for the big laser system and there are about 40 laser IMAXes currently in use, which means getting those remaining ones installed probably comes first.
Also, based on the article, it seems like IMAX may start installing their updated sound system in some locations without putting in a laser projector as part of the same project, and they have announced plans for some kind of IMAX VR experience opening in a NYC location in 2017 (which could be part of a redesigned auditorium). A lot of what the changes are won’t be clear until renovation actually begins (which isn’t right now at least, as Resident Evil is currently playing in the IMAX per Fandango).
AMC seems to be doing this to make their IMAX auditoriums more distinct from their standard auditoriums. Pretty much all of their retrofitted IMAX auditoriums are exactly the same as the other auditoriums in those theatres, excluding the screen, projectors, and sound systems.
AMC added illuminated IMAX signs above those auditorium entrances and outside the building but nothing else to distinguish them from their standard auditoriums. At some of the newer IMAX locations, they have redesigned the exterior of IMAX auditoriums with a more distinct entryway, similar to the Dolby Cinema auditorium entrances but without the illuminated projection wall in the entryway (which is exclusive to Dolby Cinema). Adding plush seating that is different from the other auditoriums also makes those IMAX auditoriums more distinct. This seems to be what they’re planning for those IMAX locations designated in the article.
What I’m curious about is the IMAX laser projectors. Would their current laser projectors fit in those smaller projection booths? I doubt IMAX finished their compact laser system several years ahead of schedule. Unless they’re modifying the booth to accommodate their current laser projection system.
Screen sizes, however, seem to remain the same.
New doors, really…?
According to the following article, this location and others with IMAX will be renovated with new seating, IMAX 12-channel sound systems and updated auditorium entrance branding.
“For the past year, AMC has been renovating and upgrading IMAX at AMC locations around the country, installing IMAX’s laser projection and 12-channel immersive sound as well as plush rocker seating at popular locations including AMC Lincoln Square 13 in New York and AMC Metreon 16 in San Francisco. Renovations are also expected to take place in the coming months at AMC Empire 25 in New York, AMC Burbank 16 in Los Angeles, AMC Northpark 15 in Dallas and Navy Pier IMAX at AMC in Chicago – including sound and seating enchantments as well as re-designed entryways and auditorium branding.”
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/amc-theatres-expands-imax-partnership-211100244.html
“They plan on renovating the IMAX at this theater sometime this year to match that of the Lincoln Square imax.”
According to opening day press, the Lincoln Square IMAX screen is 8 stories high. The Empire may install laser projection, but matching the Lincoln Square screen would be quite an architectural feat.
I’m not seeing any imax shows on fandango. Maybe they are upgrading it somehow?
Except for the new Dolby Cinema screen, this theater is in desperate need of seat renovations. Even if they do not go the way of recliners, new seats are warranted
Yea @moviebuff82 I’m gonna need a source or two on that because it seems VERY impossible to expand this theater in the way you are talking about unless they destroy a whole level of shoebox theaters, which I doubt because they can show more foreign and indie films, it’ll never happen.
Honestly, if I had to pick a theater that would get that type of renovation, I’d give to AMC Garden State in NJ. There’s nothing above the theater so it can be as big as it wants and they already have plenty of fame being the biggest mall/theater in the area too so it wouldn’t hurt, especially with AMC Clifton getting Dolby, Paramus is gonna need the business it drives away. Of course, this all just opinion here, but it kinda make sense if they did it this way
No way this theater could match the Lincoln Square. There is no way to install a larger screen. Probably just install the same type of seating and possibly laser projection which is not really needed for the size screen that is there.
They plan on renovating the imax at this theater sometime this year to match that of the lincoln square imax.
Theatre 8 usef to be theatre 6. The manager said the number changed due to the original plans. It was supposed to be 8 when the theatre opened in 2000
I think AMC should renovate every screen with recliners but that would cost a lot of money and time for a 16 year old complex that slowly became the top grossing theater in America after a lukewarm summer in 2000.
Alpinedownhiller- I think it’s screen 6 (certainly is the one which used to be ETX) which is now the Dolby Cinema screen, and that has fewer seats because it uses those large recliners that cut seating capacity more than half.
Also there are two IMAX laser locations in the Washington D.C. area (part of the Smithsonian museum system and thus can’t play R rated movies, but do play other Hollywood IMAX releases), but true there are more in other parts of the country as well as certain overseas markets.
@Kurtpvincent – if you want deep blacks and great contrast, etc. check out IMAX Laser, I’d say it outdoes ever the best film did for contrast and color (unfortunately there are barely any around, I think Lincoln Square and Reading, Boston are the only two in the entire Northeast)
Thanks.
One odd thing is I found a review that claims #6 is the ETX screen but looking at the seating list on the other page, #6 has only 156 seats. The article also said #7 was big but that has even less seats. I wonder if they re-did the auditorium numbers since that 2011 article?
Hopefully the seating list on the other page isn’t wrong with the numbering.
Just to elaborate a bit further, the IMAX is obviously the biggest screen in this theater, though the Dolby Cinema and screens 13 and 18 (which have over 370 seats) are large as well. I think a few screens in the 20s on the top floor are pretty small, but in general the other screens are at least typical multiplex size.
@alpinedownhiller
Based on the earlier comment about seating sizes per screen, it says #17 has 262 seats. That’s a good size and not a shoebox screen with 100 or less seats
What are the screen sizes like here? Are any those super tiny little shoe box screens? Anyone know if #17 is tiny or pretty big?
Sounds similar to what i usually watch at AMC in Rockaway with a 2d version of a 3d converted movie where the movie looks sharp during the previews but when the lights go down its blurry. This theater is in need of an upgrade soon.
Be warned – saw Rogue One last night in theater 18 – in 2d. Projector image was subpar – very dim with poor contrast. It wasn’t bad enough for people to walk out – but it was not great. Really missing the vibrancy of a good old film print.
I agree.
I have to say that I cant disagree with you folks. Me personally, I can care less about all this laser stuff, etc, but these people with the which seat in which row and this and that. Whatever happened to just going to the movies, watch the damn thing, and enjoy it? I guess I’m just really getting old or I missed something along the way.
hdtv267 is not the annoying one here, although his responding to every asinine post can get a little tiring.
This is not a blog about current attractions, ticket sales, etc. Please find somewhere else to discuss those matters…
“MISSION:IMPOSSIBLE 2”, “GLADIATOR” and “THE PERFECT STORM” all out-grossed “X-MEN” that summer.