I was just going by what you were saying. In the previous years, I forgot which auditorium was already DLP equipped. I do not recall the auditorium’s number but placement wise, it reminded me of Tysons. What I was saying before was that going by your assumption that 6 had the new install, it would make sense to have them book the new movie Amelia there as opposed to just putting back the older movie, which I’m assuming is the Meatballs 3D movie.
If you go and see Amelia there on time, let us know if there’s a new trailer for the digital system. I don’t think the next big digital movie will come until the movie 2012 is released in a few weeks. That one deserves the IMAX treatment given the size and scale of the destruction fx. Or, the Jim Carrey Disney Christmas Scrooge movie.
Yes, it was 6. If thats the case, why would they show an older movie with the new system? I’d think they would use the new system with the new movie. I should’ve asked. :) Besides, it was the only movie that I recall that specifically had the DP by the title. Also, Movietickets.com has just Wild Things in IMAX and regular film since there’s no DP designation.
I saw Amelia here at the 11am matinee (and perfect price of $6) but arrived late because I had to drop some folks off at a wedding in Pasadena. The film, itself, was good but not great. Its good to see Hillary Swank play a character who doesn’t die horribly…which probably means she won’t get another Oscar for portraying Amelia Earhart. I must say one does believe she captures what Amelia may have been at the time; a little reserved, but having an inner strength to continue despite the odds and obstacles.
Since I arrived late, I could not observe any pre-show ads for the auditorium’s new format. I’m hoping next time I will. The picture itself is as good as digital touts itself to be, bright, flicker and scratch free. The best colors to come out are blues and reds. One could count the freckles on Amelia though they varied throughout the film. At one point, her makeup made her look as if she had chicken pox. Maybe such crystal clarity is not such a good thing. To be honest, I can’t tell the difference between 2K and 4K Digital. You’d think 4K would be twice as sharp. Perhaps a CGI heavy film like a Star Trek would show better. Let’s hope one of the Christmas fx-heavy releases makes it to this venue and in the 4K format to say for sure. I want another try at it.
YIPPY! More power to you. Since a few of the theaters I go to are patronized by shall I say a more ‘urban’ crowd, the need for off-duty police officers would necessitate implementing a policy of kicking out cell phone users during a show. The kids that are employed are no match brawn-wise for many of the offenders.
Other than the much often discussed lousy projection/sound issues, nothing is worse than having to watch a movie and see that annoying backlight of a cell phone in use.
Having attended U of MD in the 90s, I did see one movie here. I was thinking about the place in recent years and thought it had closed since it was not advertising in the Post like it used to. It wasn’t until this year, that I re-discovered it again. I remember when first run movies would come out they would have free showings the day or two days prior to its general release for some titles. If no one knows it exists to be open to the general public, who is going to come?
They do have competition by way of the recently opened and superior Regal Royale 14 across from PG Mall and the Academy 8 on the other side of Greenbelt. If they advertised, had a regular schedule and priced movies right, more would come.
I could’ve sworn there was a listing for this theater once upon a time. It was back in ‘90 or '91 that I was drawn to this venue because of the CDS install for the engagement of Terminator 2. To be honest, though the sound was loud, but it did not better the 70mm THX engagement because of THX’s better sound separation. Loud is one thing, sound distinction is another. Of particular mention is the end scene with the T1000(?) being frozen by nitrogen then blown away by the T1’s hardware. The falling T1000 pieces sounded like falling and crashing pieces of glass crystal with that distinctive ping when it hits a solid surface. A very cool effect visually and aurally. :)
I know I’ve seen a few other movies here in the 90s but have not been back since. Parking is not easy to find unless you pay or walk a great distance.
Landmark is nearby and offers your art house counter programming. This venue books your usual Hollywood fare.
Aha. An opening announcement is found here: View link
I am surprised I never heard anything about this place even though I frequent this area almost weekly. Its too bad it didn’t have a chance. All that money invested and contruction done..a waste.
Sorry for the long delay in posting. I actually found this news bit in the Washington Business Journal. It states that the closure was due to a failed $5M expansion (!) of this venue to become, as Joe states above, a cinema and drafthouse. The owners of the Arlington Cinema N Drafthouse, who were behind the project cited the county’s long delayed permit process and excessive costs. The original news article can be found at View link
Comparatively speaking, is this better than IMAX-lite at the AMC’s? AMC and IMAX have diluted the IMAX branding with the installs at AMC. Sound is not so great either as the best THX certified theaters deliver better sound. I think twice about patronizing an AMC IMAX-lite presentation unless its a matinee where the price is more reasonable.
All right now..lets not start false rumors. AMC’s website has showtimes through the 24th and as Howard has said, the Informant is the next movie to be booked. Doesn’t sound like closure to me.
Since I was in the neighborhood, I drove by this place and it is boarded up. There were teens and the usual riff raff hanging around the building doing who knows what. The marquee that used to list showtimes and titles had a thank you note for the years of patronage and encouraged moviegoers to visit their sister plexes.
Being that there is a Walmart next door, this location could easily be converted to a Sams Club, if not a movie theater or church.
I caught “My One and Only” in #1 on a matinee showing this past week. Presentation was very good. They played a Stomp themed Dolby Digital trailer which didn’t really show off the theater’s sound capabilities other than being loud. I had no clue the movie was a biopic of sorts and thought the performances all around were quite good. Unfortunately, I must’ve been tired as I fell asleep between the 1/3 and ½ of the movie. I doubt I will see it again in theaters and will wait for it to come on cable before I see it again. :)
The problem with younger 20-somethings and this article is the fact that most people of this generation have never experienced proper theatrical exhibition. We won’t even talk about 70mm exhibition of yesteryear. I am talking about proper projection and sound the way movies are to be properly experienced. You are seldom to get that at your local Regal or AMC crapplex. Its no surprise that they would rather watch movies on their iPods or home sets and not spend the $10 to see it in a movie. Even $14.50 for IMAX-lite at AMC is barely a half notch better then their other presentations. Can you imagine David Lean saying how great Lawrence of Arabia is on an iPod? Heresy I say! Shame shame shame!
Okay Jason, what exactly are your plans to reopen the Foundry 7 given retail is still there or is it? I haven’t been there recently, but I could drive by there this labor day weekend to be sure.
Re: Wisconsin 6. Yes, it is Fannie Mae owned, but wouldn’t they jump at the chance to lease it out and earn some money if Jason has funds to open a theater again? Auditoriums 4 and 5 were 70mm, imagine the programming they could have classic-wise. The other screens weren’t too bad, even if they were smaller.
Re: Cinema. I’m having second thoughts. A single screen large venue would be hard to run in this day and age. Twinning would be a disaster and yield another long tunnel-type screening room configuration.
Re: MacArthur. How would you get CVS to go? When I visited there a few years ago, their retail floor space occupies just the old lobby area. The building goes into the side of a hill where maybe they could relocate to what was the balcony area, perhaps expanding it to allow for an entrance on the left side? The auditoriums must still be intact, undoubtedly used for stock and storage but, again, given the limited retail floor space usage, they definitely do not utilize the auditorium sizes of the former 3 auditoriums for stock. No way. So you’d need to reinstall the screens, sound system and presumably, seats and projection system. The entrance on MacArthur Blvd is probably where the stock trucks line up and enter in, which was the emergency exit for the theater (#2? maybe).
So…you could bring back Auditoriums 1 and 3; small, yet intimate little theaters. Auditorium 2, the main one with the 600 or so seating capacity and 60' screen. The 3 screens would be good to offer second run programming and keep #2 or the main one for your new releases, exclusives or other special programming. I’d like to see a 70mm retrospective at least twice a year; fall and spring seasons maybe? I’m getting ahead of myself..I know. :)
Re: Old Embassy Theater. On second thought, I’d be hesitant to drive to that part of town on a late night. Parking is difficult, too. The MacArthur seems to be in a safer part of town even if its still DC. Plus, its closer to home in MD :)
Then I take it there are two DP auditoriums; 6 and 12? 6 wasn’t that big of an auditorium and the sound was ho hum. Its not worth the drive for me unless they are consistent or I have business in that part of town.
Wasn’t the Foundry a plex of shoebox theaters? You would have stiff competition from the AMC Georgetown for sure. Have you looked at other area venues? I think the Wisconsin 6 is vacant and would be better, the plex is larger and the 4 and 5 were THX certified once upon a time. :) There is garage parking, a McDonalds across the street and there’s busy Wisconsin Ave traffic going back. It needs a larger marquee to be seen then the one they had in the past.
Of course, I would prefer someone to bring back the MacArthur, it had 3 theaters, balconies, with one massive (the original) one that could show 70mm, if current tenant CVS could be booted out. It is surrounded by a wealthy suburban neighborhood. The Cinema is another treasure and the last time I went there the furniture store that replaced it is gone.
You speak of Visions, what about the Embassy theater, itself? Its just sitting there now isn’t it? I do not know what or why the previous venture didn’t make it. I suppose lack of patronage, which is understandable given its location. I think with the right programming, discount nights/days, Sun AM special features, Sat midnight specials, etc. it could’ve done better but then who knows? We’re still in a recession.
If you were to go to the MD suburbs, I know the Flower Theater is vacant. It was a church but it should be easy to convert back to a theater. The neighborhood has a large Hispanic population so programming for them should be considered. On the other side of Takoma Park, closer to DC, is the Takoma Theater. Not sure of its current status but I believe it is outfitted for both stage and film presentations.
I have used and relied on the local movie directory for years, until recently. In my area we have DC, Maryland and Virginia and the venues that are within. If a movie opened, it was a great source of one glance info to find where your movie was opening, when it was showing, which theater and what the theater amenities had for that particular movie. Before it was 70mm, Stereo, Dolby Stereo. Now its Digital Stereo, Digital Projection. 3D, IMAX and/or THX certification if the venue so advertises it. Now its virtually nothing. It sucks. The movie ads, themselves, do not have the delineation it used to either. Now you have to bookmark the various chains and independents in your browser and open them in tabs to get the info. It sucks.
In 1991, I saw Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country with my friend in what I believe was #5. Compared to my experience at the then THX-certified Union Station’s Grand Theater, the sound and experience here was poor. Since then, I have never been back.
The mall is still standing. There are several small shops inside and a food court in the basement level. With the AFI and Regal nearby, I don’t know how much successful this place would be given the accessibility of 27 screens within blocks of each other. When I went to the Burlington Factory store near the theater, you can still see the refreshment stand there. I do not know what remains of the theater interiors. I am sure the seats and equipment are all gone.
Great retrospective, Michael even though the site has discussed this movie before. I like your 70mm feature on in70mm.com, too.
I was too young to see a rated R movie, much less anything else in a theater so said my conservative parents. By that time, in early ‘79, I had seen Superman, Rocky and Escape From Alcatraz in theaters since my oldest brother pretty much forced us (my brothers) since he had the car and driver’s license. I do vividly remember the ads on tv for it and even those were creepy. The eerie music, the slow title revelation and the very short snippets of the movie and the cracking egg and light effects. It wasn’t until early '80 that I snuck in to see this movie, at a midnight showing, at the now closed AMC Academy 6 in Greenbelt MD. The theaters were one of the first of the AMC’s in the DC area and were basically shoe box theaters with Dolby sound. The crowd was packed and for a pre-teen having not seeing such a film was shocking to say the least. The chest burster scene had people screaming as well as the other scenes involving the alien. What was especially cool was the final countdown when Ripley engages the auto destruct and runs through the Nostromo corridor with that cool strobe lighting effect in the theater.
When they released the re edited version in ‘04, I caught it in DLP and THX and thoroughly enjoyed it and the new scenes. Even though by that time I had seen the movie many times, the digital sound mix still had me and my movie going friend jumping during the scary scenes.
Even though I did not experience this movie in 70mm, it still is quite an experience in 35mm or even DP. They don’t make them like this anymore. I hear Ridley Scott is involved in a prequel. It should be interesting and one to see when it comes out.
I saw Wizard for the first time on film at Baltimore’s Senator Theater for its 60th anniversary back in ‘99. It was my first time to the theater and have been a patron since. The theater boasted a new print where the non-Oz scenes were in its original sepia tone and not color. I never knew or saw it that way. On tv, prior to that, it always in black and white then to color when Dorothy left her house and ventured into Munchkin Land and Oz. I brought my parents along and they, too, were totally enthralled with this viewing even though we’ve seen the movie many times on tv. And surprisingly, neither of them fell asleep during the show (they usually do during other movies which is why I seldom take them out.)
If an area theater has it on film, I’d rather see it there as opposed to HD TV. Its not in DP either. May as well watch it at home on tv.
Since he shot the movie in IMAX, I am especially looking forward to experiencing it in a TRUE IMAX venue and not the AMC IMAX-lite venues. True IMAX films are immersive but if you can add believable 3D, it can be something truly spectacular. I think Cameron is onto something really good.
I was just going by what you were saying. In the previous years, I forgot which auditorium was already DLP equipped. I do not recall the auditorium’s number but placement wise, it reminded me of Tysons. What I was saying before was that going by your assumption that 6 had the new install, it would make sense to have them book the new movie Amelia there as opposed to just putting back the older movie, which I’m assuming is the Meatballs 3D movie.
If you go and see Amelia there on time, let us know if there’s a new trailer for the digital system. I don’t think the next big digital movie will come until the movie 2012 is released in a few weeks. That one deserves the IMAX treatment given the size and scale of the destruction fx. Or, the Jim Carrey Disney Christmas Scrooge movie.
Yes, it was 6. If thats the case, why would they show an older movie with the new system? I’d think they would use the new system with the new movie. I should’ve asked. :) Besides, it was the only movie that I recall that specifically had the DP by the title. Also, Movietickets.com has just Wild Things in IMAX and regular film since there’s no DP designation.
I saw Amelia here at the 11am matinee (and perfect price of $6) but arrived late because I had to drop some folks off at a wedding in Pasadena. The film, itself, was good but not great. Its good to see Hillary Swank play a character who doesn’t die horribly…which probably means she won’t get another Oscar for portraying Amelia Earhart. I must say one does believe she captures what Amelia may have been at the time; a little reserved, but having an inner strength to continue despite the odds and obstacles.
Since I arrived late, I could not observe any pre-show ads for the auditorium’s new format. I’m hoping next time I will. The picture itself is as good as digital touts itself to be, bright, flicker and scratch free. The best colors to come out are blues and reds. One could count the freckles on Amelia though they varied throughout the film. At one point, her makeup made her look as if she had chicken pox. Maybe such crystal clarity is not such a good thing. To be honest, I can’t tell the difference between 2K and 4K Digital. You’d think 4K would be twice as sharp. Perhaps a CGI heavy film like a Star Trek would show better. Let’s hope one of the Christmas fx-heavy releases makes it to this venue and in the 4K format to say for sure. I want another try at it.
YIPPY! More power to you. Since a few of the theaters I go to are patronized by shall I say a more ‘urban’ crowd, the need for off-duty police officers would necessitate implementing a policy of kicking out cell phone users during a show. The kids that are employed are no match brawn-wise for many of the offenders.
Other than the much often discussed lousy projection/sound issues, nothing is worse than having to watch a movie and see that annoying backlight of a cell phone in use.
Having attended U of MD in the 90s, I did see one movie here. I was thinking about the place in recent years and thought it had closed since it was not advertising in the Post like it used to. It wasn’t until this year, that I re-discovered it again. I remember when first run movies would come out they would have free showings the day or two days prior to its general release for some titles. If no one knows it exists to be open to the general public, who is going to come?
They do have competition by way of the recently opened and superior Regal Royale 14 across from PG Mall and the Academy 8 on the other side of Greenbelt. If they advertised, had a regular schedule and priced movies right, more would come.
I could’ve sworn there was a listing for this theater once upon a time. It was back in ‘90 or '91 that I was drawn to this venue because of the CDS install for the engagement of Terminator 2. To be honest, though the sound was loud, but it did not better the 70mm THX engagement because of THX’s better sound separation. Loud is one thing, sound distinction is another. Of particular mention is the end scene with the T1000(?) being frozen by nitrogen then blown away by the T1’s hardware. The falling T1000 pieces sounded like falling and crashing pieces of glass crystal with that distinctive ping when it hits a solid surface. A very cool effect visually and aurally. :)
I know I’ve seen a few other movies here in the 90s but have not been back since. Parking is not easy to find unless you pay or walk a great distance.
Landmark is nearby and offers your art house counter programming. This venue books your usual Hollywood fare.
Either late ‘85 or early '86, shortly after “The Color Purple” finished its run.
Aha. An opening announcement is found here:
View link
I am surprised I never heard anything about this place even though I frequent this area almost weekly. Its too bad it didn’t have a chance. All that money invested and contruction done..a waste.
Upon further digging. I found an article that talks specifically about the theater here:
View link
Sorry for the long delay in posting. I actually found this news bit in the Washington Business Journal. It states that the closure was due to a failed $5M expansion (!) of this venue to become, as Joe states above, a cinema and drafthouse. The owners of the Arlington Cinema N Drafthouse, who were behind the project cited the county’s long delayed permit process and excessive costs. The original news article can be found at View link
Comparatively speaking, is this better than IMAX-lite at the AMC’s? AMC and IMAX have diluted the IMAX branding with the installs at AMC. Sound is not so great either as the best THX certified theaters deliver better sound. I think twice about patronizing an AMC IMAX-lite presentation unless its a matinee where the price is more reasonable.
All right now..lets not start false rumors. AMC’s website has showtimes through the 24th and as Howard has said, the Informant is the next movie to be booked. Doesn’t sound like closure to me.
Since I was in the neighborhood, I drove by this place and it is boarded up. There were teens and the usual riff raff hanging around the building doing who knows what. The marquee that used to list showtimes and titles had a thank you note for the years of patronage and encouraged moviegoers to visit their sister plexes.
Being that there is a Walmart next door, this location could easily be converted to a Sams Club, if not a movie theater or church.
I caught “My One and Only” in #1 on a matinee showing this past week. Presentation was very good. They played a Stomp themed Dolby Digital trailer which didn’t really show off the theater’s sound capabilities other than being loud. I had no clue the movie was a biopic of sorts and thought the performances all around were quite good. Unfortunately, I must’ve been tired as I fell asleep between the 1/3 and ½ of the movie. I doubt I will see it again in theaters and will wait for it to come on cable before I see it again. :)
Noooooooooo.
I thought the studios were to help subisize the digital transitions so that the smaller independents have some help with the costs?
The problem with younger 20-somethings and this article is the fact that most people of this generation have never experienced proper theatrical exhibition. We won’t even talk about 70mm exhibition of yesteryear. I am talking about proper projection and sound the way movies are to be properly experienced. You are seldom to get that at your local Regal or AMC crapplex. Its no surprise that they would rather watch movies on their iPods or home sets and not spend the $10 to see it in a movie. Even $14.50 for IMAX-lite at AMC is barely a half notch better then their other presentations. Can you imagine David Lean saying how great Lawrence of Arabia is on an iPod? Heresy I say! Shame shame shame!
Okay Jason, what exactly are your plans to reopen the Foundry 7 given retail is still there or is it? I haven’t been there recently, but I could drive by there this labor day weekend to be sure.
Re: Wisconsin 6. Yes, it is Fannie Mae owned, but wouldn’t they jump at the chance to lease it out and earn some money if Jason has funds to open a theater again? Auditoriums 4 and 5 were 70mm, imagine the programming they could have classic-wise. The other screens weren’t too bad, even if they were smaller.
Re: Cinema. I’m having second thoughts. A single screen large venue would be hard to run in this day and age. Twinning would be a disaster and yield another long tunnel-type screening room configuration.
Re: MacArthur. How would you get CVS to go? When I visited there a few years ago, their retail floor space occupies just the old lobby area. The building goes into the side of a hill where maybe they could relocate to what was the balcony area, perhaps expanding it to allow for an entrance on the left side? The auditoriums must still be intact, undoubtedly used for stock and storage but, again, given the limited retail floor space usage, they definitely do not utilize the auditorium sizes of the former 3 auditoriums for stock. No way. So you’d need to reinstall the screens, sound system and presumably, seats and projection system. The entrance on MacArthur Blvd is probably where the stock trucks line up and enter in, which was the emergency exit for the theater (#2? maybe).
So…you could bring back Auditoriums 1 and 3; small, yet intimate little theaters. Auditorium 2, the main one with the 600 or so seating capacity and 60' screen. The 3 screens would be good to offer second run programming and keep #2 or the main one for your new releases, exclusives or other special programming. I’d like to see a 70mm retrospective at least twice a year; fall and spring seasons maybe? I’m getting ahead of myself..I know. :)
Re: Old Embassy Theater. On second thought, I’d be hesitant to drive to that part of town on a late night. Parking is difficult, too. The MacArthur seems to be in a safer part of town even if its still DC. Plus, its closer to home in MD :)
Then I take it there are two DP auditoriums; 6 and 12? 6 wasn’t that big of an auditorium and the sound was ho hum. Its not worth the drive for me unless they are consistent or I have business in that part of town.
Wasn’t the Foundry a plex of shoebox theaters? You would have stiff competition from the AMC Georgetown for sure. Have you looked at other area venues? I think the Wisconsin 6 is vacant and would be better, the plex is larger and the 4 and 5 were THX certified once upon a time. :) There is garage parking, a McDonalds across the street and there’s busy Wisconsin Ave traffic going back. It needs a larger marquee to be seen then the one they had in the past.
Of course, I would prefer someone to bring back the MacArthur, it had 3 theaters, balconies, with one massive (the original) one that could show 70mm, if current tenant CVS could be booted out. It is surrounded by a wealthy suburban neighborhood. The Cinema is another treasure and the last time I went there the furniture store that replaced it is gone.
You speak of Visions, what about the Embassy theater, itself? Its just sitting there now isn’t it? I do not know what or why the previous venture didn’t make it. I suppose lack of patronage, which is understandable given its location. I think with the right programming, discount nights/days, Sun AM special features, Sat midnight specials, etc. it could’ve done better but then who knows? We’re still in a recession.
If you were to go to the MD suburbs, I know the Flower Theater is vacant. It was a church but it should be easy to convert back to a theater. The neighborhood has a large Hispanic population so programming for them should be considered. On the other side of Takoma Park, closer to DC, is the Takoma Theater. Not sure of its current status but I believe it is outfitted for both stage and film presentations.
I have used and relied on the local movie directory for years, until recently. In my area we have DC, Maryland and Virginia and the venues that are within. If a movie opened, it was a great source of one glance info to find where your movie was opening, when it was showing, which theater and what the theater amenities had for that particular movie. Before it was 70mm, Stereo, Dolby Stereo. Now its Digital Stereo, Digital Projection. 3D, IMAX and/or THX certification if the venue so advertises it. Now its virtually nothing. It sucks. The movie ads, themselves, do not have the delineation it used to either. Now you have to bookmark the various chains and independents in your browser and open them in tabs to get the info. It sucks.
In 1991, I saw Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country with my friend in what I believe was #5. Compared to my experience at the then THX-certified Union Station’s Grand Theater, the sound and experience here was poor. Since then, I have never been back.
The mall is still standing. There are several small shops inside and a food court in the basement level. With the AFI and Regal nearby, I don’t know how much successful this place would be given the accessibility of 27 screens within blocks of each other. When I went to the Burlington Factory store near the theater, you can still see the refreshment stand there. I do not know what remains of the theater interiors. I am sure the seats and equipment are all gone.
Great retrospective, Michael even though the site has discussed this movie before. I like your 70mm feature on in70mm.com, too.
I was too young to see a rated R movie, much less anything else in a theater so said my conservative parents. By that time, in early ‘79, I had seen Superman, Rocky and Escape From Alcatraz in theaters since my oldest brother pretty much forced us (my brothers) since he had the car and driver’s license. I do vividly remember the ads on tv for it and even those were creepy. The eerie music, the slow title revelation and the very short snippets of the movie and the cracking egg and light effects. It wasn’t until early '80 that I snuck in to see this movie, at a midnight showing, at the now closed AMC Academy 6 in Greenbelt MD. The theaters were one of the first of the AMC’s in the DC area and were basically shoe box theaters with Dolby sound. The crowd was packed and for a pre-teen having not seeing such a film was shocking to say the least. The chest burster scene had people screaming as well as the other scenes involving the alien. What was especially cool was the final countdown when Ripley engages the auto destruct and runs through the Nostromo corridor with that cool strobe lighting effect in the theater.
When they released the re edited version in ‘04, I caught it in DLP and THX and thoroughly enjoyed it and the new scenes. Even though by that time I had seen the movie many times, the digital sound mix still had me and my movie going friend jumping during the scary scenes.
Even though I did not experience this movie in 70mm, it still is quite an experience in 35mm or even DP. They don’t make them like this anymore. I hear Ridley Scott is involved in a prequel. It should be interesting and one to see when it comes out.
I saw Wizard for the first time on film at Baltimore’s Senator Theater for its 60th anniversary back in ‘99. It was my first time to the theater and have been a patron since. The theater boasted a new print where the non-Oz scenes were in its original sepia tone and not color. I never knew or saw it that way. On tv, prior to that, it always in black and white then to color when Dorothy left her house and ventured into Munchkin Land and Oz. I brought my parents along and they, too, were totally enthralled with this viewing even though we’ve seen the movie many times on tv. And surprisingly, neither of them fell asleep during the show (they usually do during other movies which is why I seldom take them out.)
If an area theater has it on film, I’d rather see it there as opposed to HD TV. Its not in DP either. May as well watch it at home on tv.
Since he shot the movie in IMAX, I am especially looking forward to experiencing it in a TRUE IMAX venue and not the AMC IMAX-lite venues. True IMAX films are immersive but if you can add believable 3D, it can be something truly spectacular. I think Cameron is onto something really good.