I also attended yesterday’s 12:45 PM show of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Both curtains are being used after the film credits.
Yesterday was my 43rd movie at the Ziegfeld, more movies that I’ve seen anywhere outside of the Philly region other than the DC Uptown and NYC Paris. I started in 1995 with 2 period epics about Scotland, Rob Roy and Braveheart. In 1996, I enjoyed another costume drama, Moll Flanders. Reserved seating began following renovations which resulted in theater’s 1997 reopening for the restored 70mm Vertigo (which I saw at the DC Uptown). In 1998, I saw another costume drama, Great Expectations, followed by 2 WW2 epics: Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line (sold out as it was only in LA & NYC’s UA Union Square). In 1999, the curtains were still used but the slide show began and I saw Pushing Tin and in 2000 another costume drama, Anna and the King.
In 2001, I saw another WW2 epic, Enemy at the Gates, then Moulin Rouge (which had a 2 week East Coast exclusive at the Ziegfeld & is my favorite new movie musical seen at the Ziegfeld), the restored 35mm roadshow of Funny Girl which was awesome to see, and the fun Ocean’s Eleven (digital projection). In 2002 I enjoyed the incredible, restored Metropolis and Solaris. In 2003, I saw Chicago, the forgettable Down With Love, the 30th Anniversary of The Way We Were, and the sea drama Master and Commander. In 2004, I saw The Day After Tomorrow and Ocean’s Twelve. In 2005, I saw the Raging Bull (which had its 25th Anniversary gala premiere at the Ziegfeld, besting the original at the Sutton), War of the Worlds, and The Great Raid (but went to the Paris to see a movie until the Ziegfeld’s projection booth exhaust fan was repaired, which it fortunately was that day)
In 2006, I saw Triston and Isolde and then had one of the greatest movie experiences of my life when during the classics festival, I saw The Godfather and Part II with a half hour break, this being the 1st time I saw Part II on a movie screen. I also saw Casino Royale (James Bond) in 2006. In 2007, I saw Dreamgirls, then the excellent Zodiac, Ratatouille (one of my favorite animated movies) and Enchanted. In 2008, I saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and in 2009, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Preferring 35mm to digital projection, I went elsewhere until everywhere was digital and in 2012 saw The Bourne Legacy (which unlike the original trilogy, I disliked), then The Master in 70mm (the 70mm resolution was outstanding). In 2013, I saw 42, then Captain Phillips. In 2014, I saw Jersey Boys, Gone Girl, Interstellar (in 70mm and photographed & wrote about it in the 70mm newsletter), and Into the Woods. In 2015, I saw Mission Impossible-Rogue Nation.
I’ve added more photos, from yesterday. I’ve written text describing the theater’s design, that will be added to the Introduction above. Thanks to Walter Reade, Cineplex Odeon, Cleaview, and Bow Tie for operating the Ziegfeld for all these years! It was built to showcase movies at a time when the same movie was not playing blocks away in multiplexes and sadly NYC does not have the common sense to find a way to keep it to showcase movie premieres & special events!
I can comment because I lived there 1985 to 88 & visited thereafter. Saw at the Uptown: Silverado, Out of Africa, Manhunter, the Name of the Rose (a favorite of mine there), The Mission, the 3 Vietnam War movies- all flat, Platoon being the best, Kubrick’s 2nd best, No Way Out, Princess Bride, Cry Freedom, Mississippi Burning, Lawrence of Arabia (one of my favorite film screenings ever!), Field of Dreams, Back to the Future Part II, and Born on the Fourth of July (and on same day “Glory” at KB Cinema in 70mm 6 track). As “The Last Emperor” opened at the Jennifer, I saw it there, not knowing it would move to the Uptown. If only I had been there one week earlier, I could’ve seen Apocalypse Now according to your list! The Redux version at NYC Astor Plaza was another of my favorite film screenings ever, but at the Uptown would’ve been even better! And I still haven’t seen The Sand Pebbles, which would’ve been great to have seen there, too. Coates, happy now?
ABC TV news tonight showed night lit marquee of what I expect is this theater, as where Trump is going to speak. Never mind the candidate, the marquee lit looked great!
I have not yet heard that any movie theater is receiving the actual movie -not ads or previews, via satellite! Hard drives are more complex than a DVD or blu ray. Digital they all are, yes.
I have movie theater operator friends but I am guessing you don’t. I will reply to one aspect- yes, DVDs & SD cards don’t pose the kind of problems that often are present when a movie theater finds it can’t open or project a digital film. We are talking about a 2k or 4k “hard drive” and computerized projector.
To further explain, how often do you replace your computer? your digital camera? probably every few years in both instances, out of date. Not so 35mm film projectors which last many years. But digital film projectors…….
yes, I mean 2k hard drives, or as you state, with 2k resolution. It is well known that digital projectors go out of date way quicker than any 35mm film projectors ever did! And then must be expensively replaced. As to digital files….when your digital presentation “goes down” your show is canceled. Film projector problems could often be quickly fixed- not so when the computer or digital projector has a problem. Movie theaters are well aware….
And as I’ve stated, I do understand that new films are not going to be projected other than with digital.
this article may be the recent plans, for a triplex including a new 400 seat main auditorium-
http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/revamped-cinema-planned-kings-road-9481124
It is not my imagination that 2k film does NOT have the resolution of 35mm film. That’s fact. Digital cameras are more convenient for people. digital projection is more convenient for movie theaters. Convenience doesn’t mean better. And, digital projectors are far LESS reliable & last far less time than film projectors. Of course, everybody IS switching to digital projection. Maybe eventually some, including laser, will be better than film.
35mm is more like 4k film not 2k in terms of resolution and 6k doesn’t approach 70mm. (That’s why some 70mm classics were scanned at 8k) The 70mm print that I saw of The Hateful Eight at AFI Silver had no dirt, focus or stability issues and greater resolution of detail than anything I’ve seen in 2k or 4k film. Film is also easier on the eyes. I’ve not experienced laser projection & don’t know much about it but I’d take real film over 2k or 4k anytime!
I was thinking of “Far and Away” in my reply. I am guessing the digital version of The Hateful Eight is also shown as 2.76 aspect ratio like the 70mm version.
I also attended yesterday’s 12:45 PM show of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Both curtains are being used after the film credits.
Yesterday was my 43rd movie at the Ziegfeld, more movies that I’ve seen anywhere outside of the Philly region other than the DC Uptown and NYC Paris. I started in 1995 with 2 period epics about Scotland, Rob Roy and Braveheart. In 1996, I enjoyed another costume drama, Moll Flanders. Reserved seating began following renovations which resulted in theater’s 1997 reopening for the restored 70mm Vertigo (which I saw at the DC Uptown). In 1998, I saw another costume drama, Great Expectations, followed by 2 WW2 epics: Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line (sold out as it was only in LA & NYC’s UA Union Square). In 1999, the curtains were still used but the slide show began and I saw Pushing Tin and in 2000 another costume drama, Anna and the King.
In 2001, I saw another WW2 epic, Enemy at the Gates, then Moulin Rouge (which had a 2 week East Coast exclusive at the Ziegfeld & is my favorite new movie musical seen at the Ziegfeld), the restored 35mm roadshow of Funny Girl which was awesome to see, and the fun Ocean’s Eleven (digital projection). In 2002 I enjoyed the incredible, restored Metropolis and Solaris. In 2003, I saw Chicago, the forgettable Down With Love, the 30th Anniversary of The Way We Were, and the sea drama Master and Commander. In 2004, I saw The Day After Tomorrow and Ocean’s Twelve. In 2005, I saw the Raging Bull (which had its 25th Anniversary gala premiere at the Ziegfeld, besting the original at the Sutton), War of the Worlds, and The Great Raid (but went to the Paris to see a movie until the Ziegfeld’s projection booth exhaust fan was repaired, which it fortunately was that day)
In 2006, I saw Triston and Isolde and then had one of the greatest movie experiences of my life when during the classics festival, I saw The Godfather and Part II with a half hour break, this being the 1st time I saw Part II on a movie screen. I also saw Casino Royale (James Bond) in 2006. In 2007, I saw Dreamgirls, then the excellent Zodiac, Ratatouille (one of my favorite animated movies) and Enchanted. In 2008, I saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and in 2009, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Preferring 35mm to digital projection, I went elsewhere until everywhere was digital and in 2012 saw The Bourne Legacy (which unlike the original trilogy, I disliked), then The Master in 70mm (the 70mm resolution was outstanding). In 2013, I saw 42, then Captain Phillips. In 2014, I saw Jersey Boys, Gone Girl, Interstellar (in 70mm and photographed & wrote about it in the 70mm newsletter), and Into the Woods. In 2015, I saw Mission Impossible-Rogue Nation.
I’ve added more photos, from yesterday. I’ve written text describing the theater’s design, that will be added to the Introduction above. Thanks to Walter Reade, Cineplex Odeon, Cleaview, and Bow Tie for operating the Ziegfeld for all these years! It was built to showcase movies at a time when the same movie was not playing blocks away in multiplexes and sadly NYC does not have the common sense to find a way to keep it to showcase movie premieres & special events!
oops,this is the stairs area
oops, 1-22
oops, 1-22
oops, 1-22
oops, 1-22
oops, 1-22
oops, 1-22
oops, 1-22
sold to developer Charles C Johnson, no promise it will be a theater again-
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-bethlehem-boyd-owner-jefferson-20160118-story.html
Quickly looking at that link, it does not appear to be reserved seating.
Added photo from my friend Ben Leech. His email- 1942. Originally 2,500 seats. Recently gutted and converted into a cell phone mall.
Is there nobody attending the Loews auditorium who can take a photo showing the splendid decor of that auditorium & post it here?
see 5th paragraph of Introduction for description of Loews, described as the premiere auditorium above.
I can comment because I lived there 1985 to 88 & visited thereafter. Saw at the Uptown: Silverado, Out of Africa, Manhunter, the Name of the Rose (a favorite of mine there), The Mission, the 3 Vietnam War movies- all flat, Platoon being the best, Kubrick’s 2nd best, No Way Out, Princess Bride, Cry Freedom, Mississippi Burning, Lawrence of Arabia (one of my favorite film screenings ever!), Field of Dreams, Back to the Future Part II, and Born on the Fourth of July (and on same day “Glory” at KB Cinema in 70mm 6 track). As “The Last Emperor” opened at the Jennifer, I saw it there, not knowing it would move to the Uptown. If only I had been there one week earlier, I could’ve seen Apocalypse Now according to your list! The Redux version at NYC Astor Plaza was another of my favorite film screenings ever, but at the Uptown would’ve been even better! And I still haven’t seen The Sand Pebbles, which would’ve been great to have seen there, too. Coates, happy now?
ABC TV news tonight showed night lit marquee of what I expect is this theater, as where Trump is going to speak. Never mind the candidate, the marquee lit looked great!
I have not yet heard that any movie theater is receiving the actual movie -not ads or previews, via satellite! Hard drives are more complex than a DVD or blu ray. Digital they all are, yes.
I have movie theater operator friends but I am guessing you don’t. I will reply to one aspect- yes, DVDs & SD cards don’t pose the kind of problems that often are present when a movie theater finds it can’t open or project a digital film. We are talking about a 2k or 4k “hard drive” and computerized projector.
To further explain, how often do you replace your computer? your digital camera? probably every few years in both instances, out of date. Not so 35mm film projectors which last many years. But digital film projectors…….
yes, I mean 2k hard drives, or as you state, with 2k resolution. It is well known that digital projectors go out of date way quicker than any 35mm film projectors ever did! And then must be expensively replaced. As to digital files….when your digital presentation “goes down” your show is canceled. Film projector problems could often be quickly fixed- not so when the computer or digital projector has a problem. Movie theaters are well aware….
And as I’ve stated, I do understand that new films are not going to be projected other than with digital.
this article may be the recent plans, for a triplex including a new 400 seat main auditorium- http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/revamped-cinema-planned-kings-road-9481124
It is not my imagination that 2k film does NOT have the resolution of 35mm film. That’s fact. Digital cameras are more convenient for people. digital projection is more convenient for movie theaters. Convenience doesn’t mean better. And, digital projectors are far LESS reliable & last far less time than film projectors. Of course, everybody IS switching to digital projection. Maybe eventually some, including laser, will be better than film.
35mm is more like 4k film not 2k in terms of resolution and 6k doesn’t approach 70mm. (That’s why some 70mm classics were scanned at 8k) The 70mm print that I saw of The Hateful Eight at AFI Silver had no dirt, focus or stability issues and greater resolution of detail than anything I’ve seen in 2k or 4k film. Film is also easier on the eyes. I’ve not experienced laser projection & don’t know much about it but I’d take real film over 2k or 4k anytime!
I was thinking of “Far and Away” in my reply. I am guessing the digital version of The Hateful Eight is also shown as 2.76 aspect ratio like the 70mm version.
70mm scope films are shown at 2.2 aspect ratio not 2.35