Cineworld Cinema - Leicester Square
5 Leicester Square,
London,
WC2H 7NA
5 Leicester Square,
London,
WC2H 7NA
42 people
favorited this theater
Showing 76 - 100 of 721 comments
LARGE_screen_format:
You’re welcome. :–)
The only strict criteria I’m aware of is that, for non-IMAX content, IMAX Digital systems will only operate in a “crippled” mode, e.g. only one of the two projector (no 3D) is used. This includes non-IMAX trailers, advertising, etc. before an IMAX main feature, and with an IMAX with Laser projection system, this can be seen by putting on the supplied 3D glasses; one eye is blanked out. ;–)
I suspect 1.43:1 scenes would be shot on 15perf IMAX, e.g. “Dunkirk.”
IMAX themselves now offer digital cameras (1.9:1 ratio); however, if the objective is to achieve “IMAX” quality, then there are various options available—and the technology is developing at a rapid pace!
When the “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” picture “opened up” to 1.9:1, I actually said to myself “wow… this is… IMAX.”
It really is an exciting time for “large format” content as astonishing results are now possible, and things are only going to get better. :–)
Interesting! I shall have to acquire a copy. :–)
The clarity and detail, as demonstrated by e.g. the close shots of Morgan Freeman’s face, is certainly startling.
Thanks for the detailed information and links. ;o)
Didn’t realise that non-IMAX cameras could be used for scenes that are shown as 1.43:1 or 1.9:1 ratio on IMAX screens.
Lucy is judged by many to be a reference quality 4K UHD movie.
LARGE_screen_format:
Interesting. I suspect it’s a regurgitated press release, and sure enough, it is:
Empire Cinemas Expands IMAX Commitment with Three-Theatre Deal in England.
From IMAX – Lucy:
“Lucy: The IMAX Experience will be released in select international IMAX theatres only.”
I actually rather enjoyed “Lucy,” even if the premise and execution was absurd. Fantastic picture quality also.
I ended up seeing it twice at the LSQ IMAX, as I wanted a friend to experience a screening in a “real cinema,” the Orange/EE Wednesdays promotion was still available (albeit for IMAX screens there was a modest uplift charge for the “free” ticket), and I was quite happy to watch “Lucy” again.
Neither screening was terribly busy, and IIRC, on my second visit, I had a brief conversation with a member of staff, who when asked how the IMAX screen was doing, looked rather sheepish and said that “it is… building awareness” and “it is a success.”
To be fair to IMAX/Empire Cinemas, the “new” IMAX sites referenced in the above-linked press release didn’t suffer from the same problem as LSQ under Empire Cinemas, including the inability to get bookings of the biggest releases.
Of course, it is now very much a success, and given the very high grosses achieved over at the BFI London IMAX, as well as the Central London prices, I wouldn’t be surprised if for certain releases it is one of the highest grossing IMAX venues on an international basis.
LARGE_screen_format:
Yes it was; as usual, when films are programmed for both the IMAX and Superscreen at LSQ, the IMAX shows the 3D version, and the Superscreen the 2D version.
Exactly, that’s why I went there at the last minute when I found myself in a location with just enough time to get there a few minutes before the auditorium doors were open. :–) I had thought about seeing it in the Superscreen, actually, but it was heavily booked—and I had better acquire an Unlimited card prior to the next Superscreen visit!
In the “non-IMAX” scenes, the 3D conversion was, for the most part, dreadful—“cardboard cut-out” look and constrained by the general shallow depth of field (i.e. most objects not in focus, including close shots of adjacent actors) of the photography—an aesthetic choice that doesn’t work well for 3D. The 3D in these scenes, however, is relatively subtle.
3D was very effective in the “full height” scenes, though I don’t think mostly “in your face,” either.
I like 3D, but I wouldn’t be overly concerned about only having seen it theatrically in 2D.
I really need to realise that franchise films these days require having some knowledge of the backstory set in previous installments, and I’d probably do well read a plot summary beforehand. In “fast-paced” films, I tend to miss key exposition in the first act as I’m distracted by assessing picture/sound quality and looking around the auditorium. :–(
I think they were the only 1.9:1 ratio scenes; AFAIK they weren’t shot on IMAX cameras but rather using Panavision Millennium DXLs with Primo 70 series lenses. These are so-called large format cameras boasting a 40.96mm wide sensor (c.f. 24mm for “35mm” format.)
You might find this video to be of interest:
Panavision – DXL2: A Wider Gamut.
65mm IMAX film cameras certainly were used…
Photo of Director Brad Bird and IMAX camera rig.
According to a July 2018 update from intu, three months were left until opening, with units being handed over to retailers for fit-out:
“The first unit to open will be the 4-storey Debenhams on September 27th, with lots of other great brands opening shortly after.”
Not sure if this relates to the timeframe for the cinema, but seems reasonable to assume around October or if there is slippage, November. Then again, depending on project sequencing, if “handover” means from shell/core only then the cinema “fit-out” is presumably rather more involved than the average retail unit.
Thats amazing. How about in america?
Found this piece of information interesting bearing in mind the amount of overseas IMAX auditoria that exist especially in the U.S.
“In less than a year since its opening, the IMAX Leicester Square ranked as the world’s highest-grossing IMAX site for the 2014 blockbuster thriller Lucy.“
Excerpt taken from this article:
http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/12930981.Basildon_set_to_get_state-of-the-art_IMAX_cinema_screen/
Will do.
I hope to visit and watch a movie in the IMAX auditoria as soon as possible (depending on what is being shown at the time) after it opens to the public.
Large screen format, I assist this site- feel free to post on this page (which I read) with opening date of Watford Cineworld. Not sure we will create a page until actual opening, but possibly, and surely, once it is open.
@CF100
Was the presentation of Mission: Impossible – Fallout in IMAX 3D? I watched it on the opening day in 2D but then on seeing this review where it was awarded the maximum score of 35/35, had considered travelling to Hemel Hempstead to watch it again, this time in IMAX 3D. Sadly, didn’t manage to and it has today been replaced by Ant-Man and the Wasp.
https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2454659/to-3d-or-not-to-3d-buy-the-right-mission-impossible—-fallout-ticket
Be interested to hear your comments on the 3D effect considering this was a post-production conversion, as are most movies, and not natively shot in 3D.
I enjoyed the movie and even rewatched all of the other five movies in the franchise before and after this latest instalment in the franchise.
The scenes in Kashmir during the final act, were they the only ones filmed using IMAX cameras and opened up to fill the whole screen? I had expected the Burf Khalifa scene in Ghost Protocol to have been filmed in IMAX but alas I don’t believe it was? It certainly isn’t listed on the wiki list of movies filmed using IMAX cameras.
The new intu shopping centre redevelopment in Watford have set an opening date of 27th September 2018 for the 4-storey Debenhams store as phase one of the opening. No other details have yet been released with regards to the opening date of the new Cineworld 9-screen cinema which includes an IMAX screen. Had hoped it would open this month.
Presumably one of the Cinema Treasures Admin team will create a new page for it once it’s official release date has been officially announced?
Correction to previous post: 151 RGB LED bars, not 171.
I attended a screening of “Mission Impossible—Fallout” in the IMAX auditorium today, having booked my ticket at the “last minute” (by which I mean, just enough time to get to the cinema some minutes before the auditorium doors were opened!)
This was foolish in that I did not consider whether the film was worth seeing—albeit, its current Rotten Tomatoes score is 97%(!)—so “research” may not have been of any assistance!
It turns out that the film IS worth seeing—but, IMO, only for the visuals in the final act. Set in Kashmir, numerous stunning shots of mountainous terrain in “full height” IMAX Digital (1.9:1) are featured, presumably digitally acquired (CGI aside) using Panavision Millennium DXLs (8K source format) per IMDb Technical Specifications.
Full use of the 12 channel IMAX sound system was apparent in these scenes, e.g. strongly directional helicopter sounds panned overhead.
(Picture quality-wise, the rest of the film is lacking in detail with poor depth of field and I assume was mostly acquired on 35mm film per IMDb Technical Specifications, although no grain was apparent, suggesting heavy noise reduction.)
IMAX auditorium update:
Cineworld (Empire) Leicester Square update:
The building site notice still appears on the fire exit door to Leicester Street.
To add to ongoing observations of extreme minutiae, the left wall of the lower vestibule (i.e. underneath the section leading to the 4DX) now has black strips added. (Photo uploaded.) Interestingly (?), if it’s the same product visible in fit-out photos of Cineworld Broughton—see Image 1 and Image 2—these black strips might not actually be PMMA (aka Perspex/Plexiglass,) but Alupanel.
Empire Cinemas' registered office is, as of November 2017, 63-65 Haymarket. The “10 – Empire Studios” sign remains by the entrance to the upper level offices on the Leicester Place frontage, although no signs of activity were externally visible, it doesn’t seem unreasonable to assume that they’ve vacated.
[Added text to overcome “Your comment appears to be spam!” notification which appeared on reposting with minor edits. And some more text for another repost. :–(]
Hello-
to takethemichael. while I wouldn’t bet my next paycheck on it I could swear the theater that was playing the 70MM re-issue of The Ten Commandments the Summer of 1972 was named the Shaftesbury Cinerama. maybe it was the Casino Cinerama? who knows.
Thank you Zappomatic and others for the detailed and interesting comments and photos about the refurbishment of Cineworld Leicester Square.
bigjoe59: Could the Cinerama cinema you refer to be the Columbia Shaftesbury Avenue. The Columbia Cinema was sunk into the basement of a large office block and had 734 seats. Not cinerama but it had a huge curved screen for 70mm and Todd-AO presentations. Open as the Curzon Soho: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/6244
Former London Cinerama theatres: Casino Cinerama, Old Compton Street, Soho (now Prince Edward Theatre): http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/2497 Royalty Cinerama, Kingsway: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/11040 Coliseum Cinerama, St Martins Lane: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/11041
Passed by Cineworld (Empire) LSQ yesterday; alas “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” was playing in the IMAX/Superscreen. :–(
(ABBA, like them or not, have gifted the world with a large repertoire of popular songs written and arranged to a very high standard, many of which are classics, and I have no interest in watching/hearing them being mutilated in a corny sequel!)
Cineworld are now branding LSQ as “London’s premiere destination and home to the stars,” on the screen nearest to the entrance (mounted on the right side wall of the lower vestibule), with clips of various premiere/“red carpet” events being shown. (Photo uploaded.)
The only external sign of ongoing building work remains the “Construction Site” notice on the exterior of the Leicester Street fire exit doors.
Empire Cinemas' registered address has been changed to 63-65 Haymarket, aka Empire Haymarket. The “Empire Studios” sign remains by the the entrance door facing Leicester Place.
bigjoe59: Regarding the Cinerama you refer to, that format/system existed way before my time—but perhaps you mean the location that was originally, and is today, named the “Prince Edward Theatre”? It’s about 100 metres (on foot) from Shaftesbury Avenue.
Hello-
I thank Ken R. and Howard B. for their replies. to bad the Odeon Marble Arch was demolished. it was the 1st movie theater I’d ever been to that had a coffee bar. also the theater where I saw the Summer 1973 70MM re-issue of The Ten Commandments was most definitely called the Shaftesbury Cinerama.
“The Ten Commandments” got an ABC general countrywide re-release in March 1973, so its possible that it played the ABC Shaftesbury Avenue a little earlier. Originally a live theatre (Saville Theatre of 1931), from 1970 it became a twin-screen cinema for ABC. Still open today as the Odeon Covent Garden http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/911
I can partly answer from our side of the pond. The Odeon Marble Arch was divided into several auditoriums in 1996 & closed & demolished in 2006. http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1830 I know of at least 2 theaters, both also since divided up but still open though endangered, on Shaftsbury but I don’t see that either was called Cinerama.
Hello from NYC-
when i was in London the Summer of 1972 I went to two
movie theaters-the Shaftsbury Cinerama where i saw a
70MM re-issue of The Ten Commandments and the Odeon
Marble Arch where I saw Nicholas and Alexandra. are the
two theaters still standing?
Zappomatic: Thanks for your detailed response. :–)
The “picture frame” design that Empire Cinemas used in the former Screens 4-9 seemed to be a slightly odd throwback to the 1928 iteration of the Empire, particularly since very few patrons would “get” the reference! With the concealed edge lighting it did actually look quite good in person, though.
As you say the Cineworld refurbished auditoria are stripped down in terms of decorative features, but at least they don’t look tacky; I think Cineworld have shown some good judgement and restraint with their alterations to their LSQ cinema.
New seating is very comfortable and thickly padded although I found the back row of screen 2 to have been installed at perhaps a little too upright an angle with the headrest preventing me from sitting the way I wanted to – I didn’t notice this issue in screen 1. Surprisingly even the outer backs of the seats are padded and upholstered. The old seating was very comfortable so long as nobody was sitting in front of you, in which case the seat in front would recline back into your knees (it seemed to me a way of saving space, dressed up as a luxury). On balance I think I prefer the new seats.
Very bright, crisp picture with good black levels and contrast, and punchy sound however there was a noticeable keystone effect when projecting a flat picture. Sadly no moveable masking. In person I too was struck by the apparently low number of sidewall speakers however this might have been to do with the lighting which doesn’t tend to spread onto the walls.
These refurbished screens are less characterful than previously but no longer suffer from some of the frankly unacceptable viewing angles that they used to offer.
Zappomatic: Thanks for the photos, looks good!
(Hmm, except for the slightly tacky red backlit Cineworld “stars” on the sidewalls.)
360° photos of the foyer (one taken from upper vestibule, the other from the far end), Screen 1 and Screen 2 can be seen on Squaremeal’s website, under the “Virtual Tour” section towards the bottom of the page (“Room List” at the top right of the photo view area is used to select the desired shot.)
In the photo of Screen 1, the yellow upholstered door with “porthole” is still in place!
“Cineworld London Venues” — photos of the LSQ IMAX, O2 Superscreen, Cineworld Wembley and Wandsworth.)
There are photos of the 4DX auditorium in the “carousel” at the top of the page, and if it is available to book, it’s perhaps amusing to imagine a corporate event being ruined by rogue use of the 4DX environmental effects. ;–)
Photos of the former Cineworld (Empire) Leicester Square Screens 4/5 are available in Eomac’s literature in the PDF linked to from the linked page.
The new stadia do seem to have quite an improved rake. I can’t see more than 3 sidewall speakers in the “new” Screen 2, whereas the former Screen 4 had 4—although the front one may be washed out.
Zappomatic: How does the new Lino Sonego seating compare to the previous? (AFAIK from Seating Concepts.) Is the picture/sound quality up to standard?
Added photos of refurbished new screen 2
We’re lucky to have you posting direct links to licensing plans of interest @CF100 ;o)
LARGE_screen_format: Looking at the IMAX and Superscreen booking pages for LSQ, as well as one of the “studio”-sized auditorium, Cineworld’s booking system seems have two different layouts for the screen, one with “SCREEN” in a grey rectangle extending the full width, used for the “studio”-sized auditorium, and the other used for the IMAX/Superscreen, which show a similar rectangle, only the left/right sides are angled. This latter rectangle seems to have a maximum width of ~20 seats or so, and hence is the wrong relative width for the Superscreen as well as the IMAX. Clearly it’s a “generic” layout also in the sense that the seating distance from the screen isn’t represented to any kind of relative scale, either.
Licensing plans are definitely a fantastic resource, but I don’t think I’d thought to search for them either until I read a post on Cinema Treasures by Zappomatic. With inconsistent addresses, slow page load times, and so on— generally very clunky systems used—it’s not always easy to find what you’re looking for, though!