I don’t remember all of that (I was in elementary school at that time after all) but do remember the usher announcing the show as well as doing something at the end in the early days of this IMAX theater. But they dropped that stuff a long time ago, I think at least since the IMAX transitioned into mostly showing Hollywood movies rather than the IMAX exclusive nature/science films.
Only thing now is the short IMAX logo intro you would also get at Kips Bay, Empire 25, or most IMAX sites.
Ninja Turtles 2, Warcraft, and likely Now You See Me 2 are joining X-Men’s start and playing in both Times Square theaters, due to many studios dropping clearance requests.
Seems like we might have to say goodbye to Indies as well as having films which played in these theaters much longer than in most theatrical locations, which is what I thought were some of the best things about having so many available screens in the Times Square area (currently Disney, WB, and Sony still believe clearances are ultimately good for the industry and are honoring them, and I hope they continue).
15/70 IMAX still shows here regularly (only “real” IMAX left in NY that way). Check their website and they list the digital and film IMAX showings (I saw National Parks Adventure on IMAX film here back in March).
Waterguy56, I think that’s indicative of what’s going to be problem for Dolby Cinema as it tries to compete with IMAX. If you buy an IMAX ticket, you know you are getting a title with the IMAX remastering on visuals, as well as an IMAX sound mix. But in Dolby Cinema, may not get a title mastered for Dolby Vision, or even with an Atmos sound mix (though as you say, still get the comfortable seats and a very nice laser projection system).
Anyway, I bet Dolby assumed most of its screens would just play Civil War until X-Men/Alice (both of which are Dolby Vision/Atmos titles I believe) but since this theater skipped that film, and with the IMAX still committed to Jungle Book, makes sense for them to go with something else in the Dolby Cinema.
X-Men Apocalypse is going to playing both here (in Dolby Cinema and regular formats) and the Ewalk (regular formats and then RPX and 4DX), as well as both theaters on East 86th street, plus other theaters very close to each other.
I understand some of the reasons behind passing the clearance rules, and maybe it’s just that it’s new to me, but on first impression I don’t like it. It feels to me like a way for the biggest studio releases to get everywhere, and that might leave less room for smaller releases (and I like blockbusters probably more than most people, so don’t want to sound like I’m hating on them, but feel having variety in film options is crucial).
I agree, doing a premiere in a multiplex which is showing other movies (I actually was going to see Everybody Wants Some here a few weeks ago and when I arrived the showing had been cancelled so they could host a NYC premiere that night) just isn’t the same as having a movie palace all to itself.
I would think the Paris theater would be a better option, but studios rarely seem to use that location, and I imagine if studios aren’t happy with Lincoln Square for premieres, they may look for special venues like Batman v Superman did with Radio City, or host it in a different city.
IMAX has said that at least for now, they are only doing laser on screens 80feet wide or bigger, so that suggests digital cannot fill that size.
Also, purely by eyeballing it, I would guess the current digital set up is about 75 feet wide, there are significantly sized black bars on both the left and right.
I saw Civil War here as well, and yes they always show digital IMAX windowboxed here since the projectors can’t fill the screen.
Only 15/70 IMAX filled the screen on the sides for widescreen movies, and completely with IMAX shot scenes (laser would do the same if they ever actually install it- has been delayed like 4 times already, and now Sydney IMAX is saying delayed till 2017 for them, which is crazy as it’s the world’s largest movie screen and really should have been one of the early ones to get the system)
Yes, typically films can’t play both here and the E-Walk, though Fox has said they are dropping that clause from their contracts starting with X-Men: Apocalypse (so it could become the first movie to play in same locations simultaneously in years, if not ever).
Age of Ultron also played the E Walk instead of Empire, which was nice as it freed up this theater to be one of the few domestic locations to play Mad Max: Fury Road in IMAX during its initial release.
Saw BvS in 4DX here this weekend, and yeah at the start it seems really cool, but there is a reason this type of experience usually is seen in short theme park rides. As with a 2.5 hour movie it can get exhausting, take you out of the movie, and even uncomfortable at times (didn’t like getting sprayed with water so I turned that off which is an option), and I found IMAX to be a better way to see this film.
Still, I would like to at least try it one more time with a shorter film (also I didn’t buy any concessions for the film, and would advise anyone seeing 4dx to do the same as I could see that being a problem). We’ll see if the high ticket price also becomes a problem, but at least for now I had to sit in the first row and looked like most showings were sold out, and it is something which I can see perhaps having more lasting appeal to tourists and kids (when I described it to my nephews they thought it was the coolest thing).
Batman v Superman 4DX tickets are over $28 here. I’m always interesting in seeing anything new, and would like to try 4DX once or twice, but that is getting into sticker shock territory.
The IMAX update won’t be happening soon, that’s the reason they reinstalled the film projector (which had originally been removed in anticipation of putting in a laser projector). The latest word given is the fall, but given multiple delays already, don’t count on anything until the renovation has actually begun.
I would assume A Beautiful Planet will play at Lincoln Square. I checked and it isn’t going to be playing at the Museum of Natural History right away (as I’ve said, this follows the typical roll-out of IMAX produced documentaries which usually play multiplexes first and museums later) and if they are going through all the expense of creating and projecting a print for the premiere, don’t see why they wouldn’t also use it for a one week run. And yes these documentaries typically are 1.44 for the entire runtime and some of the best IMAX experiences.
Actually one thing which really excites me about the laser system beyond the sound is a 24/7 remote monitoring system which will constantly check for any projection or sound errors (even ones which could be upcoming). I’ve seen a couple showings with issues in the digital IMAX years, and this should solve that and ensure the best presentation whenever possible.
Also, as I expected, Eileen Campbell has confirmed A Beautiful Planet will indeed play in 70mm IMAX at Lincoln Square. She specifically mentions that and BvS when saying why they reinstalled the 70mm projector, so Civil War and others will likely be in digital.
Giles: yes, but that would be part of the whole laser renovation, and indeed factors into why that renovation takes weeks.
Right now they are just reinstalling the old 70mm IMAX projector they removed when they thought they were going to do laser soon and never need it again, but the plan changed as a laser installation isn’t happening at least for a while (IMAX says late summer now, but we’ve seen them delay it multiple times before)
They now have Zootopia IMAX 3D shows up for the weekend, only Thursday (today) seems to have canceled IMAX shows. Also while I do think reinstalling the projector will take at least half a day, once they have it in they will probably use the rail system they had before, which can move a film or digital projector into place in a matter of minutes.
Indeed it is interesting that there is no IMAX scheduled for this weekend when all the other screens seem to have their showtimes up.
Could be still deciding between Zootopia and Deadpool, or perhaps they have to cancel some shows to reinstall the 70mm projector (the IMAX screen will be hosting the premiere of 10 Cloverfield Lane on March 8th, and they will also be doing early screenings of BvS here, so this might be the ideal time for that).
Jungle Book certainly won’t be in 70mm and I bet Civil War won’t either (despite having 20 minutes filmed with IMAX cameras).
Even if a theater has a 70mm projector in place (and if Lincoln reinstalls this, I’m sure they are still not removing their digital projector until laser comes in), a studio still has to provide a 70mm print, which many are reluctant to do when those costs tens of thousands to make vs $150 or so to provide a digital IMAX copy.
Eileen Campbell (who works for IMAX and responds to fan questions) said it was removed in anticipation of going to laser.
Though probably with the multiple laser delays, they realized it was not the best move to get rid of the projector (indeed A Beautiful Planet opens in April and was confirmed to get 15/70 prints long ago, so they could also use the projector for that, and that’s something I would certainly see at Lincoln Square), which is somewhat good news, but likely also suggests the laser installation could be coming in the fall or even later.
I guess that’s why the Lincoln Square IMAX showings aren’t up yet on Fandango, probably need to confirm they can reinstall the projector (always could be a technical issue, and indeed IMAX says list is subject to change) before they sell the tickets.
Probably won’t be seeing BvS here, but according to the Natural History Museum’s website, they still do some film showings regularly (I always feel an IMAX site should not throw away their film projector until they get laser), so may check out 15/70 again there.
I always say wait for an official press release or word that construction has begun before getting too excited (indeed we saw this change for Deadpool).
But at the moment, Fandango just has Real D showings listed for Batman v Superman at Lincoln Square (in the Lowes screen) while there are IMAX showings up for the Empire, Kips Bay, and 34st. So hopefully means that renovation would happen at that time. If that were the case, certainly would be ready for the summer movie season.
If anyone wants to see it in IMAX 2D, that will be an option at 34st (figured they would have IMAX 2D showings as well given WB’s track record and that was also the case for Man of Steel).
Neither the Museum of Natural History nor the IMAX website says anything about Beautiful Planet locations yet.
Typically what happens with documentaries like this actually produced by IMAX themselves (not some nature documentary company) is they play in the NYC multiplex locations for a week or two before moving onto a longer run at museum sites.
I don’t remember all of that (I was in elementary school at that time after all) but do remember the usher announcing the show as well as doing something at the end in the early days of this IMAX theater. But they dropped that stuff a long time ago, I think at least since the IMAX transitioned into mostly showing Hollywood movies rather than the IMAX exclusive nature/science films.
Only thing now is the short IMAX logo intro you would also get at Kips Bay, Empire 25, or most IMAX sites.
Ninja Turtles 2, Warcraft, and likely Now You See Me 2 are joining X-Men’s start and playing in both Times Square theaters, due to many studios dropping clearance requests.
Seems like we might have to say goodbye to Indies as well as having films which played in these theaters much longer than in most theatrical locations, which is what I thought were some of the best things about having so many available screens in the Times Square area (currently Disney, WB, and Sony still believe clearances are ultimately good for the industry and are honoring them, and I hope they continue).
15/70 IMAX still shows here regularly (only “real” IMAX left in NY that way). Check their website and they list the digital and film IMAX showings (I saw National Parks Adventure on IMAX film here back in March).
Waterguy56, I think that’s indicative of what’s going to be problem for Dolby Cinema as it tries to compete with IMAX. If you buy an IMAX ticket, you know you are getting a title with the IMAX remastering on visuals, as well as an IMAX sound mix. But in Dolby Cinema, may not get a title mastered for Dolby Vision, or even with an Atmos sound mix (though as you say, still get the comfortable seats and a very nice laser projection system).
Anyway, I bet Dolby assumed most of its screens would just play Civil War until X-Men/Alice (both of which are Dolby Vision/Atmos titles I believe) but since this theater skipped that film, and with the IMAX still committed to Jungle Book, makes sense for them to go with something else in the Dolby Cinema.
X-Men Apocalypse is going to playing both here (in Dolby Cinema and regular formats) and the Ewalk (regular formats and then RPX and 4DX), as well as both theaters on East 86th street, plus other theaters very close to each other.
I understand some of the reasons behind passing the clearance rules, and maybe it’s just that it’s new to me, but on first impression I don’t like it. It feels to me like a way for the biggest studio releases to get everywhere, and that might leave less room for smaller releases (and I like blockbusters probably more than most people, so don’t want to sound like I’m hating on them, but feel having variety in film options is crucial).
moviebuff82, advanced IMAX tickets for Warcraft are already on-sale for Lincoln Square, so not sure why you don’t think it is playing in IMAX.
The only thing is the IMAX fan event is being done at AMC Empire 25 instead.
I believe the IMAX, balcony in the Loews, and three screens in the basement have stadium seating.
I agree, doing a premiere in a multiplex which is showing other movies (I actually was going to see Everybody Wants Some here a few weeks ago and when I arrived the showing had been cancelled so they could host a NYC premiere that night) just isn’t the same as having a movie palace all to itself.
I would think the Paris theater would be a better option, but studios rarely seem to use that location, and I imagine if studios aren’t happy with Lincoln Square for premieres, they may look for special venues like Batman v Superman did with Radio City, or host it in a different city.
IMAX has said that at least for now, they are only doing laser on screens 80feet wide or bigger, so that suggests digital cannot fill that size.
Also, purely by eyeballing it, I would guess the current digital set up is about 75 feet wide, there are significantly sized black bars on both the left and right.
I saw Civil War here as well, and yes they always show digital IMAX windowboxed here since the projectors can’t fill the screen.
Only 15/70 IMAX filled the screen on the sides for widescreen movies, and completely with IMAX shot scenes (laser would do the same if they ever actually install it- has been delayed like 4 times already, and now Sydney IMAX is saying delayed till 2017 for them, which is crazy as it’s the world’s largest movie screen and really should have been one of the early ones to get the system)
Yes, typically films can’t play both here and the E-Walk, though Fox has said they are dropping that clause from their contracts starting with X-Men: Apocalypse (so it could become the first movie to play in same locations simultaneously in years, if not ever).
Age of Ultron also played the E Walk instead of Empire, which was nice as it freed up this theater to be one of the few domestic locations to play Mad Max: Fury Road in IMAX during its initial release.
Saw BvS in 4DX here this weekend, and yeah at the start it seems really cool, but there is a reason this type of experience usually is seen in short theme park rides. As with a 2.5 hour movie it can get exhausting, take you out of the movie, and even uncomfortable at times (didn’t like getting sprayed with water so I turned that off which is an option), and I found IMAX to be a better way to see this film.
Still, I would like to at least try it one more time with a shorter film (also I didn’t buy any concessions for the film, and would advise anyone seeing 4dx to do the same as I could see that being a problem). We’ll see if the high ticket price also becomes a problem, but at least for now I had to sit in the first row and looked like most showings were sold out, and it is something which I can see perhaps having more lasting appeal to tourists and kids (when I described it to my nephews they thought it was the coolest thing).
Batman v Superman 4DX tickets are over $28 here. I’m always interesting in seeing anything new, and would like to try 4DX once or twice, but that is getting into sticker shock territory.
The IMAX update won’t be happening soon, that’s the reason they reinstalled the film projector (which had originally been removed in anticipation of putting in a laser projector). The latest word given is the fall, but given multiple delays already, don’t count on anything until the renovation has actually begun.
I would assume A Beautiful Planet will play at Lincoln Square. I checked and it isn’t going to be playing at the Museum of Natural History right away (as I’ve said, this follows the typical roll-out of IMAX produced documentaries which usually play multiplexes first and museums later) and if they are going through all the expense of creating and projecting a print for the premiere, don’t see why they wouldn’t also use it for a one week run. And yes these documentaries typically are 1.44 for the entire runtime and some of the best IMAX experiences.
Actually one thing which really excites me about the laser system beyond the sound is a 24/7 remote monitoring system which will constantly check for any projection or sound errors (even ones which could be upcoming). I’ve seen a couple showings with issues in the digital IMAX years, and this should solve that and ensure the best presentation whenever possible.
Also, as I expected, Eileen Campbell has confirmed A Beautiful Planet will indeed play in 70mm IMAX at Lincoln Square. She specifically mentions that and BvS when saying why they reinstalled the 70mm projector, so Civil War and others will likely be in digital.
Giles: yes, but that would be part of the whole laser renovation, and indeed factors into why that renovation takes weeks. Right now they are just reinstalling the old 70mm IMAX projector they removed when they thought they were going to do laser soon and never need it again, but the plan changed as a laser installation isn’t happening at least for a while (IMAX says late summer now, but we’ve seen them delay it multiple times before)
They now have Zootopia IMAX 3D shows up for the weekend, only Thursday (today) seems to have canceled IMAX shows. Also while I do think reinstalling the projector will take at least half a day, once they have it in they will probably use the rail system they had before, which can move a film or digital projector into place in a matter of minutes.
Indeed it is interesting that there is no IMAX scheduled for this weekend when all the other screens seem to have their showtimes up.
Could be still deciding between Zootopia and Deadpool, or perhaps they have to cancel some shows to reinstall the 70mm projector (the IMAX screen will be hosting the premiere of 10 Cloverfield Lane on March 8th, and they will also be doing early screenings of BvS here, so this might be the ideal time for that).
Also, the regular 70mm projector the Ziegfeld had is a different system from an IMAX 70mm projector
Jungle Book certainly won’t be in 70mm and I bet Civil War won’t either (despite having 20 minutes filmed with IMAX cameras).
Even if a theater has a 70mm projector in place (and if Lincoln reinstalls this, I’m sure they are still not removing their digital projector until laser comes in), a studio still has to provide a 70mm print, which many are reluctant to do when those costs tens of thousands to make vs $150 or so to provide a digital IMAX copy.
Eileen Campbell (who works for IMAX and responds to fan questions) said it was removed in anticipation of going to laser.
Though probably with the multiple laser delays, they realized it was not the best move to get rid of the projector (indeed A Beautiful Planet opens in April and was confirmed to get 15/70 prints long ago, so they could also use the projector for that, and that’s something I would certainly see at Lincoln Square), which is somewhat good news, but likely also suggests the laser installation could be coming in the fall or even later.
I guess that’s why the Lincoln Square IMAX showings aren’t up yet on Fandango, probably need to confirm they can reinstall the projector (always could be a technical issue, and indeed IMAX says list is subject to change) before they sell the tickets.
Probably won’t be seeing BvS here, but according to the Natural History Museum’s website, they still do some film showings regularly (I always feel an IMAX site should not throw away their film projector until they get laser), so may check out 15/70 again there.
I always say wait for an official press release or word that construction has begun before getting too excited (indeed we saw this change for Deadpool).
But at the moment, Fandango just has Real D showings listed for Batman v Superman at Lincoln Square (in the Lowes screen) while there are IMAX showings up for the Empire, Kips Bay, and 34st. So hopefully means that renovation would happen at that time. If that were the case, certainly would be ready for the summer movie season.
If anyone wants to see it in IMAX 2D, that will be an option at 34st (figured they would have IMAX 2D showings as well given WB’s track record and that was also the case for Man of Steel).
Neither the Museum of Natural History nor the IMAX website says anything about Beautiful Planet locations yet.
Typically what happens with documentaries like this actually produced by IMAX themselves (not some nature documentary company) is they play in the NYC multiplex locations for a week or two before moving onto a longer run at museum sites.