Uptown Theatre

Uptown is currently showing new Star Trek Into the Darkness movies, in 2D & 3D showings. Last I asked, late 2011, the curtain motor had broke & the company wasn’t repairing it.

This theater holds so many memories for me. The premiere’s of many great films including 2001:A Space Odyssey, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, and Fiddler On the Roof, all in the 1960’s. The mother of my school mate at the time was a child herself during WWII in Japan, and some of the scenes in Fiddler reminded her of wartime in Japan bringing tears to her eyes as the lights came up at intermission.

In the 1980’s and 90’s I also saw the restored re-release of Rear Window here and Vertigo. Spartacus was also shown here with Jean Simmons in attendance.

Classic films, including 70mm always looks better on bigger screen venues like here, unless its a true 70mm film..filmed in 65mm and NOT a blow up. I remember seeing many 70mm films here, almost all blow ups and wondering why there was so much grain. Grain is one of those detractions that hinder the best theatrical experiences. On the other hand, the saving grace was the six-track stereo sound track that envelopes and draws you into the movie. Even some of the worst movies I’ve ever seen were decent theatrical ‘experiences’ because of the immersive sound and picture.

Raiders would’ve been nice to see again on the Uptown’s bigger screen. Unfortunately, I had to miss it this time around. A one week run is too short.

but even AMC’s non-booking of say the one off ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ screening on the 4th of October or even the Indiana Jones marathon (tomorrow) convey’s that AMC doesn’t care or want to make the effort to present alternate programming on a screen that needs (and deserves) it. Honestly, I kind of wish AMC would wipe it’s hands of the theater and let someone like the folk over at the Avalon take over and book films like the Castro does.

I have heard that “Trouble with the Curve” is probably opening here, in a week.

I, too, have only been to the Uptown once. That was in 1963 or 1964 to see “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” I thought it was going to be in 3-projector Cinerama, and was disappointed to find out it wasn’t.

I keep notes of what I see, and my notes are 70mm for Raiders. Somebody may wish to check the Washington Post ad.

I really don’t remember Raiders being in 70mm for the anniversary at the Uptown (note, I ran it in 70mm on the original release in 1981 at the KB Cinema and then in 1982 in 70mm at the KB MacArthur…it was the movie that closed the MacA as a single.

I too wish that the Uptown remained a show place and retained its 70mm projectors…it would be my preferred place to watch big-screen movies…but with how the Uptown is being run…what would be the point?

Note, the AFI/Silver will likely run the new 70mm movie that just premiered in Chicago called The Master

SG

JodarMovieFan, yes, 2001 was last 70mm for me too at the Uptown, and yes, no more equipment but digital. You are presumably aware that the AFI Silver now has a 70mm festival with 13 titles? Though I agree they belong on the mega sized Uptown screen, it is still neat they are there. I am not sure that there’s any other theater showing 70mm in all of the Northeast coast of the USA.

Amen to that Howard and Giles. I sometimes get jealous at reading the programming at Hollywood’s Cinerama Dome when they have one of their retro festivals. Then I have to remind myself that that theater is in the movie capital and they have ready access to the prints and people who can make things happen.

Howard, I think 2001 was the last 70mm movie I saw at the Uptown for its 40th anniversary. I remember taking my friend there for a different movie experience. He kept asking me what kind of movie it was and I had to tell him it will be unlike anything he has seen before and will probably not see anything like it again. At the time, we saw the movie K-Pax prior and it was one of those movies that provoked discussion on its meaning. I told him there was that similarity in the thought provoking nature but 2001 was heavy on visuals that were ahead of its time and is considered one of the greatest films of all time by some.

Unfortunately, he did not share my opinion and thought it was the worst thing he had ever seen. The movie was too long and that if he had edited it, it would have lasted 30 minutes. Our ensuing argument got no where and would make for an interesting movie on its own, along the likes of My Dinner With Andre. I blame his sentiment on the post MTV generation and how today’s movies seem to be edited with something happening every 120 frames or so. I call it Gen Y ADD.

We have a running joke between us in that every time he takes me to a movie I do not like that I have to pay for, he will have to sit through 2001, again. :)

The last time I wrote to AMC was to complain about a bad experience at their Magic Johnson Theater in Landover, MD. At that time, there was no contact AMC or email. You had to write to their headquarters in KS or someplace. I wrote and got no response. I suppose writing now may not make a difference or not.

I had thought they took out their 70mm projectors based on an earlier post. So..70mm anything is not going to happen. Given the size of the screen, perhaps IMAX-lite would be? As much as I like the Silver Theater, their tiny screen, in comparison to the Uptown’s, doesn’t do much for me and of the 70mm presentations I have seen, they have not been anything that was truly memorable.

question: can someone help me out with a inquiry regarding a screening of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ a few years back, it was a 35mm print and I could have sworn the it was the expanded title of ‘Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark’ – I’m sure it was, but some folk on another website says such print with the title was never theatrically released as such. ???

Secondly, I have to say I’m getting sick and tired of AMC not giving the Uptown it’s dues in booking alternate programming – specifically the upcoming Indiana Jones marathon on September 15th.

The other insult is the non-booking of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ on October 4th. I don’t get it, AMC gives the shaft to the Uptown when it comes to these screenings and treats the Uptown like a bastard child. Enough is enough for those of who like to write emails, letters, whatever – give AMC corporate a piece of your mind (I have).

ABC TV news tonight showed a very long line of people going into the Uptown for “The Dark Knight Rises” ABC news asserted that moviegoers aren’t going to let that one person (the Colorado shooter) destroy everybody’s plans.