AFI Silver Theatre

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.

‘The Dark Crystal’ looked great – the pic seemed overmmatted, the image looked wider than what it’s supposed to be (2.35), but the sound and music score in particular seemed really restrained.

This coming Saturday and Monday’s showing of ‘Ryan’s Daughter’ will be in digital projection – which may or might not be a bad thing. Going to check it out Monday night.

man, I saw ‘Aliens’ at the crappy Mazza Gallerie theaters when they were on the lower lever – terrible theatre to experience such a great movie. Sadly from the newsprint program I got over the weekend, the cut of ‘Aliens’ is the theatrical cut.

It was great to see all the films at the recent Silverdocs festival being shown in DLP in all three auditoriums as such. About 2 percent of the films were actual 35mm prints.

“Totally Awesome 80’s Movies Part 2” open next month through the end of August – and I can’t wait to see ALIENS on the big screen – the last time I saw it theatrically was at the lower level theatres at Mazza Gallerie on their small rinky dink screens (long gone btw)

other films in the series will include:

The Goonies
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
The Breakfast Club
Sixteen Candles
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains
Better Off Dead..
One Crazy Summer
The Dark Crystal
Labyrinth
They Live
Can’t Buy Me Love
The Thing
Poltergeist
Flashdance
Videodrome
Videodrome
Dirty Dancing
Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure
Adventures in Babysitting
Aliens
Near Dark

Oh good. It may be worth a visit. I imagine it will be shown in the Historic Theater or #2. Hulk was a decent flick, better than the Ang Lee version. The crowd loved it as well. :)

Is it in 70mm? The AFI site doesn’t say. I’m guessing not. I’m curious how it will look. I’m planning on seeing the Hulk Sat night….though it would be nice to see Ben Hur on the big screen (if it were 70mm)