AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

I’m thinking either Sat or Sun. I’m thinking there will be some kinks on the first night. I do not know if the theater runs prints before to discover problems before the actual showtime, but they should especially for 70mm and special presentations like this. That way any adjustments that can be made is performed before the actual curtain time.

As far as Facebook, I gave up on that. I had an account and could not control the spam that I would get after signing up.

As far as complaints about this theater, or I should say ORGANIZATION to be more precise, I have a major one that I’m chomping at the bit to post but I’m giving myself time to cool off before posting.

Thanks for reminding me. I almost forgot about it. Should be fun. I hope they use the curtain and they have proper intros by someone who knows something about the movie and the format. So if someone from AFI is reading this, please do a little research if you do plan to have someone talk WSS trivia. You have to educate those under 30 that cinema isn’t just digital projection and IMAX-lite. :D

Hooray. I’m wondering if this print will be the one with the recently discovered ORIGINAL 6-track soundtrack probably mixed for DTS? I’m looking forward to it even if I’m not a major fan.

On the Ziegfeld page, there are several blogs about its original run, with curtain usage and the intro with whistles and snapping fingers coming at you in stereo from different parts of the theater? Should be interesting.

On Wednesday, I saw “Black Swan” in the historic main # 1 auditorium. The curtain moved a bit afterwards in regard to slides, but did not open before the picture or close afterwards. Staff confirmed the curtain is used sometimes. Sound was great, with surround sound from side walls & back very loud. I had to guess which movie was in auditorium 1 because the website & answerimg machine announcement do not identify which movie is in which auditorium, and the offices were closed over the holidays. If staff is reading this, please identify which movie is in which theater on the website (even if there’s a caveat that last minute the movie might change)! Visiting from Philadelphia, my time was worth it only
if the movie that I wanted to see was in the historic auditorium. Enjoying a movie in the historic auditorium was a real treat.

I was being flippant, of course, about the DVD sound level problem. You’d think as a viewer, more so the Manager of a Movie Theater, you would want to see/experience movies as optimally as you can, which means decent sound levels to create that immersive experience. You’d think AFI, of all places, would be more concerned to not show movies at conversational levels. If I managed the place, I’d make sure sound levels are up even if I have to create some of my own.. :D

I wrote back to the Manager I emailed before to see what response I get. I’ll post it when/if I receive it.

Last week, I happened to catch two movies that were part of the 80’s film retrospective. Specifically, the Richard Donner cut of Superman II and Star Trek III. A few months ago, I had written and requested if they could show at least one known 70mm print of ST3 in circulation and shown recently at the Laehmle Theater in LA. Initially, I received a response, from the webmaster, saying to look at the website again. DUH. Its not in 70mm. I replied and received another response stating that the 70mm print they could get was not as highly rated as the one shown this past week. Hmmm.

Superman II on the bigscreen was a welcome, if disappointing experience. The movie was advertised as being in Blue Ray. That may not be such a bad thing as the movie looked good in the Historic Auditorium. Unfortunately, the volume was played too low with barely discernible surrounds. I’d have to say the movie sounded better on my Sony system at home then it did here. Unfortunately, I do not have a 40 ft screen to myself to enjoy…

Star Trek III was also a disappointment. Its ironic that the movie played here over 26 years ago but not in 70mm. Apparently, they got a 35mm print that I’m reasonably sure was a mono print. There was no stereo sep/surround at all. As many times as I’ve seen this movie both in 70 and 35mm and in stereo at home, I know what parts are supposed to deliver when it comes to sound. Background chatter was not distinct, nor separate, or altogether non-existent during the bridge scenes and as the Enterprise enters and leaves Spacedock.

I had complained about the sound level being too low and the manager on duty and he said the film would be played loud. The reason for Superman II being so low in the sound department was that “it was a DVD.” I was about to say to him “so that means you can’t increase the sound playback on DVDs in your multi-million dollar theater?” The Manager had warned the 20 or so patrons in attendance that the film had scratches in some places and would be granting refunds prior. I did not notice anything that detracting to warrant a refund, other than the lack of SURROUND STEREO.

If the prior two lackluster presentations are indicative as to how they do retrospectives, then whats the point of having them? The awful presentations are more worthy of a Regal or AMC, not AFI.

Lastly, once again they ran out of my favorite pretzels. Is it my bad luck, or do they just don’t stock them anymore. Take them off the menu then. :P

Nice looking.

Here is a photo circa 1938:
http://tinyurl.com/y98at5l

This is one of the best theaters in the world. I saw so many movies here: Sasquatch on a snow day in the 70’s, Superman 2, Empire Strikes Back, Star Trek 3, Terminator and dozens of others…
In 1985 I drank approx. 18 beers and whiskey shots and we went to see Missing in Action 2. I saw maybe 5 minutes of the movie and then spent the rest of the time hurling into the toilet. As my buddies dragged me out the whole toilet came loose from the wall and fell on its side, water flooding the bathroom.
I didnt go there for a few months, just in case.

‘Ben Hur’ in all it’s w-i-d-escreen goodness is screening this weekend (Saturday and Sunday, 16th and 17th)

I disagree…I love the popcorn. So much so that I always get a free refill from the cute girl behind the counter. I eat it at work all week long. She tells me that a lot of people do the same thing. If I had a gripe it would be that they often run out of butter. It’s real butter, too. I wish they’d keeop a bit more on tap, that’s all.

Looking forward to my yearly Casablanca fix. I have to renew my membership this month, too. It’ll be my fourth year as an AFI member. If you are a DC film lover it’s a no brainer. For $100 I get 8 free movies, invites to special screenings, the yearly AFI book, a years subscription to EW, yadda yadda. Again, a great (tax deductible, too) gift to myself!

We saw “Slumdog Millionaire” in the Historic Auditorium to a decent crowd. Excellent presentation and sound. The curtains were drawn after the slide show, which by the way FINALLY, after five years, has decent promos for all things AFI. They should have done this when they first opened. Its good advertising for the place and helps keep funds going in.

Unfortunately, they still don’t carry my favorite stuffed pretzels. After talking with the attendant, she says they changed vendors and haven’t had those for quite a long time. Another patron could be heard requesting the same thing as they advertise the availability of ‘gourmet pretzels.’ All they have now are the plain, yucky Costco-type frozen gup. No thanks. They do have single sized ‘gourmet pizza.’ I had the plain cheese one that was barely cooked in the middle even though the cheese on the outer edges was a little burned. Given all this, I may have to resort to sneaking in food from either next door’s Panera or one of the eateries close by. Shame on you, AFI. You can do better.