as much as I am critical about the digital projector/inconsistent sound levels here at AMC Tysons and specifically on the ETX screen; I thought ‘Man of Steel’ was by far the best the system has had to offer. Sound levels were appropriately loud and forceful (not migrane inducing as ‘A Good Day to Die Hard, or 'The Hobbit’ for that matter) and while not as nuanced as ‘Oblivion’s soundmix, the Atmos mix had a ton of energy. The 3D displayed no ghosting. And while the critics have been rather savage to the film, I on the other hand was quite entertained by it. The script maybe a tad flawed and vapid, but Snyder’s action set pieces are dynamic and exciting. In regards to Brandywine Maryland’s Xscape plex, the reclining seats are great, but what I saw there the other day didn’t really have me wanting to go their on a regular basis – it has minor problems of it’s own.
I saw ‘Fast and Furious 6’ on screen 8 this afternoon, and for the most part it was a decent presentation. Interestingly the 2.35 image was moved up to take up the upper part of the screen, not in the center as most 1.85 fixed screens usually do. But… the lighting from the stairs at the lower front of the screen bounce up back onto the screen, so not only was there a light ‘light’ source in the lower black border but when ever there was a predominantly dark scene the flaw was even more obvious. Management said they’d look into the problem and see if it could be fixed. The 5.1 audio mix, while bombastic really didn’t complement or really show off the 10.2 audio system, I barely heard ANY overhead sound effects. On the plus side I love the seats, talk about comfortable, I could have fallen asleep in them. I also love the fact that there were only around three trailers NOT like Regal’s mind numbing twenty minutes worth of trailers. The DLP system for those interested is a Christie projector.
a mini Spielberg retrospect is happening this month Friday and Saturday late night with digital DCP’s of Jaws, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, E.T … and Close Encounters (director’s cut ) in 35mm (!!! awesome!)
saw ‘Renoir’ on screen 1 last night via the new Christie DLP digital projector and it both looked and sounded fantastic. Great brightness, color and the lossless audio complimented and brought out the best of what digital projection can do with a film that is actually shot in 35mm. Technical note: screen one’s projector is upgradable to playback 4K DCP’s and supposedly set up to also feature 7.1 audio (although I wasn’t able to hear ‘Star Trek: Into Darkness’ which did play on screen 1, but was bumped to screen 2 for this week). Screen 2 projector is also a Christie projector; a Solaria One to be exact.
I’d see ‘After Earth’ but not IMAX – 4K DCP’s are being distributed so any projectors out there like the Sony one’s at most AMC’s seem more than suitable. I got to the Udvar Hazy an hour and 15 minutes BEFORE the 7:15pm showing on last Monday and one, I didn’t have to pay the parking (cough ‘rip off’) and obviously the first in line – I was no need or rush to see it in it’s first three days of release. You now have me wanting to check out the Xscape plex in Brandywine
to be fair (or negative in this case) the Atmos mix of Iron Man 3 was nothing to rave about in the first place. I gather Atmos' rollout is planned on variants that I am not aware of, but I’d expect the Xscape might happen here. More Regal Atmos upgrades are happening in the coming months and Bow Tie Reston’s is supposedly still happening.
interesting about the differing sound mix, I didn’t even bother seeing/hearing it in Atmos here – since I wanted to check out the IMAX shot scenes in an actual 15/70 venue (i.e, Udvar Hazy). Would like to see ST:ID again, in 3D, but more than likely be down at the National History Museum (which starts a week from today).
Giles
commented about
Cinemaon
May 17, 2013 at 6:52 pm
actually the Coate playdate story (on in70mm.com) states the Jenifer, not the Cinema played ‘Return of the Jedi’ (which is correct since that’s where I remember seeing it at)
“After an extensive renovation, Landmark’s Bethesda Row Cinema reopens Friday, May 3 with a number of brand new, modern amenities including the addition of a full-service bar, luxury reserved seating in each auditorium, RealD 3D projection and an expanded concession menu. Each of the eight auditoriums features crystal clear projection and sound systems. They have also been outfitted with new plush, leather-like chairs designed to provide maximum comfort to patrons. Plus, the theatre has installed a new digital system that will provide a satellite feed for domestic and international performances. Seating in each auditorium is now entirely reserved, whether customers purchase tickets online, print at home or buy them at the box office.
“The minute one approaches the theatre they will see our stunning new marquee and quickly realize the attention to detail this theatre received. We begin a new chapter at Bethesda Row and will continue to provide the best movie experience in town,” said Landmark Theatres' CEO and President Ted Mundorff.
The theatre was remodeled from top to bottom to give it a renewed sense of style and contemporary feel. From the new, fully digital box office with specially lit LED screens featuring films and show times to high end wall coverings and oversized lounge-style seating in the bar, every aspect was designed to meet the demands of today’s discerning customers. As you go down the escalator, there is a shimmering screen over the lobby with glistening crystals. The brand new bar will feature a wide variety of beer, wine and liquor including many local brews and film-themed cocktails."
just the clarify the iPic theaters are opening up at Mid Pike Plaza (where the Toys R Us is) for some reason I was thinking White Flint ‘mall’. I’ve seen NO construction on the complex where the Silverspot cinemas are supposed to be. In terms of the Arclight there will be 16 screens and hopefully like the La Jolla theater have a specialty ‘wide-screen’ auditorium with Dolby Atmos sound(fingers crossed). As of February this year, there’s this new story and web video simulation of how the theater and the new food court will look: http://rockville.patch.com/articles/montgomery-mall-unveils-video-simulation-of-new-cinema-food-court
as far as I know the new iPic theaters are still on track for over at Mid Pike Plaza (where the Toys R Us is) and I still have no idea if the Silverspot Cinemas are still being constructed (and specifically where – supposedly by the DSW shoes/Hamburger Hamlet area of Old Georgetown Road) AND… the Arclight theaters over at Montgomery Mall. I wonder if AMC is willing to keep this open with eminent stiff competition of at least two of the theaters opening in 2014-15 – time will tell – these auditoriums are so antiquated, I’m surprised they have stayed open this long. The long standing rumor that While Flint Mall might be razed, this might not be around – maybe Cinemark will rise out of the ashes and construct a theater with a gargantuan ‘XD’ screen and obliterate the competition (har har)
and yet another Dolby Atmos mixed movie comes along and blows the last one out of the water – ‘Oblivion’ takes the cake with a sci-fi themed movie where the soundmixers place sound in some truly amazing areas of the auditorium – in this one the music score takes center stage. The Drones burst of energy and bass staccato sound pummels us the viewers to extraordinary effect. And since this isn’t a 3D film – there’s no ghosting flaws I’ve noted in past 3D presentations.
well the El Cap and Dolby Theater have the upper hand in that they are both Dolby Atmos equipped, and in my opinion, sound better than standard IMAX 5.0 sound.
reserved seating is now available only for the IMAX screen. Saw ‘Jurassic Park’ on the IMAX screen last night and wow, what a stellar presentation; both the 3D and sound were incredible. Second to ‘Titanic’, this both looked and sounded top notch!
^ and it has digital projection AND 7.1 – nice. Had stopped in town to go to my favourite cafe ‘Four and Twenty’ last week on my way to and from Iowa. (sadly did not have the time to check out a film at the theater).
on April 28th, the Avalon Double Anniversary Celebration is occurring with the screening of ‘Side by Side’ followed by a post film Q&A with the Washington Post’s Ann Hornaday (and others) to support the theaters transition to digital projection.
any idea if any of the other auditoriums feature 7.1 surround sound? I know I’ve noted this before, but the only other theaters where the entire complexes are equipped as such are: Bow Tie Reston, Archlight Mosaic, and the upcoming Alamo Drafthouse Ashburn
the only way they could compete with the other spangly new theaters would be to have state of the art 4K DLP digital projection and 7.1 surround sound. Will the main theater feature 35mm/70mm/Digital projection?
The IMAX-D screen is 70ft wide by 38ft tall.
as much as I am critical about the digital projector/inconsistent sound levels here at AMC Tysons and specifically on the ETX screen; I thought ‘Man of Steel’ was by far the best the system has had to offer. Sound levels were appropriately loud and forceful (not migrane inducing as ‘A Good Day to Die Hard, or 'The Hobbit’ for that matter) and while not as nuanced as ‘Oblivion’s soundmix, the Atmos mix had a ton of energy. The 3D displayed no ghosting. And while the critics have been rather savage to the film, I on the other hand was quite entertained by it. The script maybe a tad flawed and vapid, but Snyder’s action set pieces are dynamic and exciting. In regards to Brandywine Maryland’s Xscape plex, the reclining seats are great, but what I saw there the other day didn’t really have me wanting to go their on a regular basis – it has minor problems of it’s own.
I saw ‘Fast and Furious 6’ on screen 8 this afternoon, and for the most part it was a decent presentation. Interestingly the 2.35 image was moved up to take up the upper part of the screen, not in the center as most 1.85 fixed screens usually do. But… the lighting from the stairs at the lower front of the screen bounce up back onto the screen, so not only was there a light ‘light’ source in the lower black border but when ever there was a predominantly dark scene the flaw was even more obvious. Management said they’d look into the problem and see if it could be fixed. The 5.1 audio mix, while bombastic really didn’t complement or really show off the 10.2 audio system, I barely heard ANY overhead sound effects. On the plus side I love the seats, talk about comfortable, I could have fallen asleep in them. I also love the fact that there were only around three trailers NOT like Regal’s mind numbing twenty minutes worth of trailers. The DLP system for those interested is a Christie projector.
a mini Spielberg retrospect is happening this month Friday and Saturday late night with digital DCP’s of Jaws, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, E.T … and Close Encounters (director’s cut ) in 35mm (!!! awesome!)
saw ‘Renoir’ on screen 1 last night via the new Christie DLP digital projector and it both looked and sounded fantastic. Great brightness, color and the lossless audio complimented and brought out the best of what digital projection can do with a film that is actually shot in 35mm. Technical note: screen one’s projector is upgradable to playback 4K DCP’s and supposedly set up to also feature 7.1 audio (although I wasn’t able to hear ‘Star Trek: Into Darkness’ which did play on screen 1, but was bumped to screen 2 for this week). Screen 2 projector is also a Christie projector; a Solaria One to be exact.
I’d see ‘After Earth’ but not IMAX – 4K DCP’s are being distributed so any projectors out there like the Sony one’s at most AMC’s seem more than suitable. I got to the Udvar Hazy an hour and 15 minutes BEFORE the 7:15pm showing on last Monday and one, I didn’t have to pay the parking (cough ‘rip off’) and obviously the first in line – I was no need or rush to see it in it’s first three days of release. You now have me wanting to check out the Xscape plex in Brandywine
to be fair (or negative in this case) the Atmos mix of Iron Man 3 was nothing to rave about in the first place. I gather Atmos' rollout is planned on variants that I am not aware of, but I’d expect the Xscape might happen here. More Regal Atmos upgrades are happening in the coming months and Bow Tie Reston’s is supposedly still happening.
interesting about the differing sound mix, I didn’t even bother seeing/hearing it in Atmos here – since I wanted to check out the IMAX shot scenes in an actual 15/70 venue (i.e, Udvar Hazy). Would like to see ST:ID again, in 3D, but more than likely be down at the National History Museum (which starts a week from today).
actually the Coate playdate story (on in70mm.com) states the Jenifer, not the Cinema played ‘Return of the Jedi’ (which is correct since that’s where I remember seeing it at)
“After an extensive renovation, Landmark’s Bethesda Row Cinema reopens Friday, May 3 with a number of brand new, modern amenities including the addition of a full-service bar, luxury reserved seating in each auditorium, RealD 3D projection and an expanded concession menu. Each of the eight auditoriums features crystal clear projection and sound systems. They have also been outfitted with new plush, leather-like chairs designed to provide maximum comfort to patrons. Plus, the theatre has installed a new digital system that will provide a satellite feed for domestic and international performances. Seating in each auditorium is now entirely reserved, whether customers purchase tickets online, print at home or buy them at the box office.
“The minute one approaches the theatre they will see our stunning new marquee and quickly realize the attention to detail this theatre received. We begin a new chapter at Bethesda Row and will continue to provide the best movie experience in town,” said Landmark Theatres' CEO and President Ted Mundorff.
The theatre was remodeled from top to bottom to give it a renewed sense of style and contemporary feel. From the new, fully digital box office with specially lit LED screens featuring films and show times to high end wall coverings and oversized lounge-style seating in the bar, every aspect was designed to meet the demands of today’s discerning customers. As you go down the escalator, there is a shimmering screen over the lobby with glistening crystals. The brand new bar will feature a wide variety of beer, wine and liquor including many local brews and film-themed cocktails."
just the clarify the iPic theaters are opening up at Mid Pike Plaza (where the Toys R Us is) for some reason I was thinking White Flint ‘mall’. I’ve seen NO construction on the complex where the Silverspot cinemas are supposed to be. In terms of the Arclight there will be 16 screens and hopefully like the La Jolla theater have a specialty ‘wide-screen’ auditorium with Dolby Atmos sound(fingers crossed). As of February this year, there’s this new story and web video simulation of how the theater and the new food court will look: http://rockville.patch.com/articles/montgomery-mall-unveils-video-simulation-of-new-cinema-food-court
so the theater space is up and running again – for live music this time. (wonder how long it will stay open?)
as far as I know the new iPic theaters are still on track for over at Mid Pike Plaza (where the Toys R Us is) and I still have no idea if the Silverspot Cinemas are still being constructed (and specifically where – supposedly by the DSW shoes/Hamburger Hamlet area of Old Georgetown Road) AND… the Arclight theaters over at Montgomery Mall. I wonder if AMC is willing to keep this open with eminent stiff competition of at least two of the theaters opening in 2014-15 – time will tell – these auditoriums are so antiquated, I’m surprised they have stayed open this long. The long standing rumor that While Flint Mall might be razed, this might not be around – maybe Cinemark will rise out of the ashes and construct a theater with a gargantuan ‘XD’ screen and obliterate the competition (har har)
and yet another Dolby Atmos mixed movie comes along and blows the last one out of the water – ‘Oblivion’ takes the cake with a sci-fi themed movie where the soundmixers place sound in some truly amazing areas of the auditorium – in this one the music score takes center stage. The Drones burst of energy and bass staccato sound pummels us the viewers to extraordinary effect. And since this isn’t a 3D film – there’s no ghosting flaws I’ve noted in past 3D presentations.
for the cost of their concession stand food – they are the one’s ripping off their customers, not their employees. Regal is being a cheap bastard.
I guess Sydney Australia isn’t happy about this..
well the El Cap and Dolby Theater have the upper hand in that they are both Dolby Atmos equipped, and in my opinion, sound better than standard IMAX 5.0 sound.
there’s rumour that this will be the flagship/debut of the new Barco/Kodak laser technology that IMAX plans on installing on 4:3 AR screens.
reserved seating is now available only for the IMAX screen. Saw ‘Jurassic Park’ on the IMAX screen last night and wow, what a stellar presentation; both the 3D and sound were incredible. Second to ‘Titanic’, this both looked and sounded top notch!
the theater closed on March 29th and will reopen May 3rd with “a new look” according to Landmark’s website.
^ and it has digital projection AND 7.1 – nice. Had stopped in town to go to my favourite cafe ‘Four and Twenty’ last week on my way to and from Iowa. (sadly did not have the time to check out a film at the theater).
on April 28th, the Avalon Double Anniversary Celebration is occurring with the screening of ‘Side by Side’ followed by a post film Q&A with the Washington Post’s Ann Hornaday (and others) to support the theaters transition to digital projection.
any idea if any of the other auditoriums feature 7.1 surround sound? I know I’ve noted this before, but the only other theaters where the entire complexes are equipped as such are: Bow Tie Reston, Archlight Mosaic, and the upcoming Alamo Drafthouse Ashburn
well at least it wont be expensive in 2D, the price for the D-Box screenings are outrageous if you ask me.
the only way they could compete with the other spangly new theaters would be to have state of the art 4K DLP digital projection and 7.1 surround sound. Will the main theater feature 35mm/70mm/Digital projection?