If the projection angle was lowered or only the top of the screen was used the picture would be much improved. The lack of light and cross reflections would probably remain though.
Actually the Dome’s problems are not limited to geometry distortion which is visible from any seat. There’s also cross reflections, the loss of vertical picture info in the middle of the screen, and the lack of light. 70mm probably helps quite a bit there though.
IMO 1.85:1 films are much more tolerable in the Dome but the light problem is a deal breaker, even if it’s being projected in 2k. It’s just too dim.
Trip Report for 12/22/07
Curtain lights are indeed on during the Screenvision preshow. Doh.
Curtains didn’t close between trailers and main feature. Aww.
Sound system rocked so I’m mostly satisfied. I Am Legend isn’t a very sharp film though. The trailers before looked really really detailed but the actual movie was soft, like it had been filtered or the source/DI was less than 2k. Hmm.
I doubt there will be any need to make a 9/11 recreation movie anytime soon as there’s tons of footage and two movies already to fill that void: WTC and United 93.
Sad to hear about the problems over at Grauman’s. The Screenvision “preshow” is indeed terrible and also infected the Village in Westwoood.
While the curtains not closing and opening is a big no no I’m more worried about the sound and picture though. The last few times I’ve been to Grauman’s the sound hasn’t been cranked and/or the subwoofers haven’t been very active. You’d think that with all the premieres that go through there that the sound system would be continually calibrated and maintained, right?
Anyone see Beowolf in digital 3-d here? I was thinking about going but heard it’s being shown letterboxed, not using the full screen. If that’s true then forget it.
I agree with Mark Capbell. The Landmark complex is like the antithesis of what this website stands for. Do they even have curtains or constant height screens?
Maybe American Cinemateque can buy it? Sure would beat driving out to Santa Monica or even the Egyptian. Still needs a complete restoration/fixing though, especially new AC.
But will anyone go down there?
Sounds pretty good. Anything to make that area live again.
So are they going to reuse the structure or are they in prep for tearing it all down?
Not unless you want to use it for a movie shoot or a party, I think.
Why isn’t South Pasadena doing anything to protect this theater? It’s disgusting.
That’s indeed half of the twinned balcony. Looks to be in pretty good shape too. How much damage is there?
A soap opera? What the hell? lol
Yes.
If the projection angle was lowered or only the top of the screen was used the picture would be much improved. The lack of light and cross reflections would probably remain though.
This place needs an org like Amaerican Cinemateque to step in… Minus the butchering (ie Egytpian) of course.
Actually the Dome’s problems are not limited to geometry distortion which is visible from any seat. There’s also cross reflections, the loss of vertical picture info in the middle of the screen, and the lack of light. 70mm probably helps quite a bit there though.
IMO 1.85:1 films are much more tolerable in the Dome but the light problem is a deal breaker, even if it’s being projected in 2k. It’s just too dim.
I guess you’re right. It has it’s nostalgic purpose. The distortion is godawful though. Prepare to see a bannana-shaped Discovery.
Why would anyone want to see 2001 on the Dome’s smile-vision screen?
Trip Report for 12/22/07
Curtain lights are indeed on during the Screenvision preshow. Doh.
Curtains didn’t close between trailers and main feature. Aww.
Sound system rocked so I’m mostly satisfied. I Am Legend isn’t a very sharp film though. The trailers before looked really really detailed but the actual movie was soft, like it had been filtered or the source/DI was less than 2k. Hmm.
Whatever they do I hope they bring back the Technicolor Digital trailer, just change the powered by Qualcom text to Thomson.
What does a sound call consist of? Tones from each channel?
Is Beowolf being shown on a 2k projector at Arclight? They used to have an older 1.3k DLP.
I doubt there will be any need to make a 9/11 recreation movie anytime soon as there’s tons of footage and two movies already to fill that void: WTC and United 93.
I do expect more tv series and docudramas though.
Chicago is more of a car chase city.
Sad to hear about the problems over at Grauman’s. The Screenvision “preshow” is indeed terrible and also infected the Village in Westwoood.
While the curtains not closing and opening is a big no no I’m more worried about the sound and picture though. The last few times I’ve been to Grauman’s the sound hasn’t been cranked and/or the subwoofers haven’t been very active. You’d think that with all the premieres that go through there that the sound system would be continually calibrated and maintained, right?
So essentially it’s playing windowboxed. Jeez, no wonder people would be disappointed.
Is the Village showing Beowolf like that too? I hope not.
NYC and every landmark in it has been blown to bits in countless movies. Can’t Lady Liberty get a little trashing too?
Anyone see Beowolf in digital 3-d here? I was thinking about going but heard it’s being shown letterboxed, not using the full screen. If that’s true then forget it.
I agree with Mark Capbell. The Landmark complex is like the antithesis of what this website stands for. Do they even have curtains or constant height screens?
National, Grauman’s, Cinerama Dome, the Village. To bad the Egyptian or Warner Pacific aren’t on that list.
Maybe American Cinemateque can buy it? Sure would beat driving out to Santa Monica or even the Egyptian. Still needs a complete restoration/fixing though, especially new AC.