SIFF Cinema Downtown
2100 4th Avenue,
Seattle,
WA
98121
2100 4th Avenue,
Seattle,
WA
98121
48 people
favorited this theater
Showing 151 - 175 of 273 comments
Giles, I attended “HP7” on Thanksgiving. And I have to admit…(sigh)…the Digital projection looks quite amazing! I hope others will chime in too, but I was very impressed! The image had a nice warm ‘grain’ similar to 35/70mm. NO pixalization at all. Another thing I noticed, it wasn’t a perfectly steady “powerpoint” projection-like image. It had just a touch of movement like film does if you know what I mean, visable during credits especially. The only thing missing was that occasional speck of dust and cue marks every 20 minutes! The sound was just amazing, it’s been the last 10 years since the first remodel.
Cinema is not own by AMC anymore.
The re-opening spurred the online Post-Intelligencer to run an article recalling the original opening of the theater in January, 1963: View link
An article on the re-opening.
View link
someone please post back how Harry Potter 7 looks and sounds! (please … please)
great to hear the DP system is a Christie ‘Series 2’ projector.
Their new site is up: http://www.cinerama.com :)
The Cinerama will debut its new 3D system when the Tron sequel opens there in mid-December. How it will look, I’ll never know since I am unable to view 3D.
This means that Harry Potter will only be there for four weeks, and that’s a good thing. Rapid turnover is essential for single screen theaters to survive. Those long, forced runs with the same film playing past its “sell by” date spell nothing but doom. I hope this is a sign of things to come.
so I gather the theatre is reopening for the midnight showing of ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows (Part 1) on the 18th.
Amen to that! Thanks.
Kryten,
35mm for sure…and everything else in my last post. Since Paul Allen renovated the Cinerama, it’s been a major venue for many film festivals (Seattle International, Jewish, Gay and Lesbian to name a few) and not everything shown at these festivals is digital, to which I am very thankful. Nothing beats projection of FILM when it’s done right!
Yay! 35mm for sure? And 16mm? Wow…truly retro along with Cineranma. I guess we are the luckiest movie-goers in the world. Props to Paul Allen for keeping it going. :)
When the Cinerama renovations are complete, they will be able to present 16mm, 35mm, 70mm, digital, 3D and three-panel Cinerama. The only format missing is IMAX and Seattle has a fine real IMAX theater about a half-mile away.
I have not heard what digital system will be used, but I’m sure it will be the best Paul Allen’s money can buy.
I have no idea what the layout of the projection room is like, but the AFI Silver theater has screen 1 set up to playback 35mm, 70mm and DLP digital projection – I’m sure a similiar installation at the Cinerama could be accomplished. Has anyone heard what type of projector is being installed – the best at the moment are Christie and Barco (4K DLP) that has enough light to throw on specifically extra large screens.
Hello kryten, They didn’t mention 35mm in the e-mail I received from them (I should have asked that specifically too). But, I would assume since their projector is a “35/70”, they would retain both capabilities. As for normal engagements though, it could very well be all Digital.
Awesome! It would be a shame if they lost those capabilities. Thanks for the update. Did they say anything about 35mm? So far, it sounds like it’s all digital after the upgrade.
Ok, good news… The theater told me they are indeed retaining it’s 70mm & 3-panel Cinerama capabilities! And will continue it’s occasional screenings of such in the future! Wheew!
Great photo on that article.
Well done Seattle.
Hmmm…3D at the Cinerama? Wonder how much THOSE tickets will cost? As far as digital projection, it was bound to happen as technology improved. At other theaters DP does look impressive. I just hope they don’t completely get rid of the 35/70mm equipment; It would still be nice to see a (real) movie on film there once and a while!
http://www.in70mm.com/news/2010/seattle/index.htm
More Info
New retrofit, and AMC won’t be running it afterwards:
View link
Hmmmm…not sure about 3D here. There’s enough of those in this part of town.
“Just this morning I saw ‘Toy Story 3’ here and it was a great presentation and the curtain presentation was near spot on”.
Well, that is good to hear…At least once and a while they get it right. I have not had good luck when I attend. Ron, Agreed. A theater like the Cinerama should have a seasoned (older) projectionist! “No kids allowed” in the booth!
Per the web site AMC runs the Cinerama.
Sounds like the Cinerama needs to hire a good old fashioned projectionist. It’s unforgivable to have a great venue with sloppy projection work. I know Paul Allen ownes the place but it is run by one of the major circuits. If Mr. Allen was told about the presentation issues he might be able to put some presure on whoever runs the theater to clean up their act.
Just this morning I saw ‘Toy Story 3’ here and it was a great presentation and the curtain presentation was near spot on.
To sit in a cinema balcony these days is a rare and fantastic experience!A brilliant place to see a movie.