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News & ArtsThursday, May 14, 2009
Film The Bullshit Imax Experience
Posted by Jonah Spangenthal-Lee on Thu, May 14, 2009 at 3:38 PM
I was really fucking psyched when I heard that a 14-screen movie theater opening within walking distance of my apartment near Northgate was going to have an Imax screen. I've missed out on seeing Batman, Harry Potter and Star Trek at Imax because it's just such a pain in the ass to go to the Pacific Science Center. Now, I was going to have a giant, 72 foot screen practically in my backyard. Well, it turns out I don't have much to be excited about.
It appears that Imax has been shilling out its brand to movie theaters across the country, building smaller digitally equipped screens which are nothing like the massive 72-foot wall of movie at the Pacific Science Center. Comedian Aziz Ansari had a big blog freakout earlier this week over Imax's apparent false advertising after he was duped into paying an extra five bucks to see Star Trek on a normal-sized screen:
I went with a friend of mine to see Star Trek: The IMAX Experience at the AMC Theatre in Burbank today. I drove out of my way to see the film on the large IMAX screen and paid an extra $5 for the ticket, which felt worth it at the time.HOWEVER, we get in the theatre and its just a slightly bigger than normal screen and NOT the usual standard huge 72 ft IMAX screen. I was very upset and apparently this problem is happening all over at Regal and AMC theatres. Here’s a graphic representation of what’s happening at these “FAKE IMAX” screens:
Last month, Roger Ebert also chimed in on the "fake Imax" phenomenon:
It is ironic that IMAX, a company founded to provide a top-quality alternative to standard projection, has lowered its traditional standards and the value of its famous name. A true IMAX film is in 70mm, and is seen on a vast 72' x 53' screen, with all stadium seating. Now theaters advertised as IMAX are occupying modified multiplexes, where their standard screen has been only somewhat enlarged and the projection is digital. To charge extra for this IMAX experience is false advertising. A true IMAX theater is still a great place to see films such as "The Dark Knight." If the IMAX theater you're considering has opened somewhat recently, check it out carefully.
Imax is, of course, defending their not-Imax-sized theaters—claiming they've got fancy schmany digital projectors and sound—but digital projection and better sound are still no substitute for a gimongous, high-resolution screen.
The Thornton Creek theater opens later this month. I'll report back with confirmation of my disappointment.
1
I call bullshit on your claim that the Pacific Science Center is hard to reach, Jonah. I drove there on Sunday from Northgate and it was just fine. I drove there yesterday from Beacon Hill and it was also fine, though traffic was a little slow downtown and street construction in Belltown made things a little pinched.
In fact, I do pretty well at getting from everywhere, to everywhere, and I am not the world's best navigator by any stretch. Sometimes I even go to the eastside, the south end, even Snohomish County! It would BLOW YOUR MIND.
Do you and Dominic really have that much trouble getting to places even within Seattle city limits?Maybe I should start a ridesharing service for Stranger writers; I'll call it something like the Hothouse Flower Van Pool. Better yet, why don't I just call it the Waambulance.
In fact, I do pretty well at getting from everywhere, to everywhere, and I am not the world's best navigator by any stretch. Sometimes I even go to the eastside, the south end, even Snohomish County! It would BLOW YOUR MIND.
Do you and Dominic really have that much trouble getting to places even within Seattle city limits?Maybe I should start a ridesharing service for Stranger writers; I'll call it something like the Hothouse Flower Van Pool. Better yet, why don't I just call it the Waambulance.
5
WTF Greg? I think Jonah's point is more about the psuedo-IMAX theatres than Pacific Science Center's accessibility.
I went to the AMC Southcenter theatre yesterday to see Star Trek and drove down there specifically because of the IMAX (wow there's more than one IMAX in Seattle? Great! So I thought)
Jonah's right. First thing I said when we walked into the theatre was "This doesn't look like an IMAX screen".
Yeah, the screen was bigger than what you normally find in multiplexes, but it wasn't worth an extra $5. Does Cinerama charge extra for their shows because they have a bigger than normal screen? Does AMC charge extra for the "regular" screens where they're doing digital projection? No and No.
So these wanna-be IMAX theatres are a definite scam in my book. Jonah, you'll probably be disappointed.
I went to the AMC Southcenter theatre yesterday to see Star Trek and drove down there specifically because of the IMAX (wow there's more than one IMAX in Seattle? Great! So I thought)
Jonah's right. First thing I said when we walked into the theatre was "This doesn't look like an IMAX screen".
Yeah, the screen was bigger than what you normally find in multiplexes, but it wasn't worth an extra $5. Does Cinerama charge extra for their shows because they have a bigger than normal screen? Does AMC charge extra for the "regular" screens where they're doing digital projection? No and No.
So these wanna-be IMAX theatres are a definite scam in my book. Jonah, you'll probably be disappointed.
6
I think I will go to a movie at the new NG Imax, then storm out in the middle causing a big scene.
7
Total scam. Did you hear what IMAX co-CEO/douchebag Richard Gelfond said? Here's his bullshit reasoning: "People don't say 'The 3 isn't a real BMW because it's smaller.'"
Problem there, Gelfond, is that you PAY LESS for the 3-series beamer. Because they're NOT AS GOOD. Meanwhile, you're still charging the same price.
FAIL
Problem there, Gelfond, is that you PAY LESS for the 3-series beamer. Because they're NOT AS GOOD. Meanwhile, you're still charging the same price.
FAIL
8
I think the stupid-ass Regal Cinemas IMAX on Transit Road in Buffalo (Barfalo), or technically...Lancaster?....is similarly a bullshit IMAX. I seem to remember some dumb infomercial at the beginning telling us the screen was five stories tall...I don't know how many feet that is, but I do know that the only things that seemed different was that there were way fewer seats jammed up way closer to the screen, everything was louder, and I left The Dark Knight with a terrible headache. There was also a homemade Batman sign on butcher paper on the theatre door that was pretty horribly awesome.
Strike one million, Buffalo. I still hate you.
Strike one million, Buffalo. I still hate you.
9
I saw Star Trek at the Lincoln Square "IMAX" and, yeah, not IMAX. Slightly bigger than a normal screen, and they already have stadium seating, so it wasn't a bad moviegoing experience. But it wasn't worth more money. And I could see individual pixels occasionally. Not quite the same as the immersive, peripheral-vision-enveloping traditional IMAX experience. And it is incredibly lame and stupid of them to cheapen their brand like that. Basically in the Seattle area, if it's not at the Science Center, save your money and just do a regular screening.
10
The new Lincoln Square Cinemas in downtown Bellevue advertise an IMAX theater, sure to be one of these mini-MAXes.
I'll know for sure when my suburbanite younger brother attends a screening and gets all pissed. I wonder if I should warn him?
I'll know for sure when my suburbanite younger brother attends a screening and gets all pissed. I wonder if I should warn him?
11
Also, judging from the graphic, though, apparently there is a genuine "Lincoln Square IMAX" theater somewhere outside of Washington State. This is not what I refer to, of course...
12
#10, warn him. He'll likely have almost the exact same moviegoing experience at one of their non-"IMAX" screenings. It's safe to say that if it's a new "IMAX", it's not a real one. And if it's part of a chain like AMC or Regal (Lincoln Square isn't, I think, but it's the exception), then stay away.
14
Apparently the digital "IMAX" 2k digital projection resolution is just a tiny bit higher than a high-def television. So it's basically equal to blowing up a Blu-ray image to theater size. So: pixels! The main difference from a regular screening I really noticed was that the sound was cranked to a ridiculous level.
15
#12: I know I SHOULD warn him, I'm contemplating not doing so as some kind of older-brother hazing bullshit. I should probably give that up considering I'm 30 and he's 21 at this point...
16
@5: The part he's calling BS on is Jonah's claim that "it's just such a pain in the ass to go to the Pacific Science Center."
Compared to crossing the street, sure. Otherwise, it is definitely a pretty lame complaint.
Compared to crossing the street, sure. Otherwise, it is definitely a pretty lame complaint.
17
Getting to the Science Center from my house is pretty damn easy. You might have to pay for parking, but it's not a horrible drive at all.
18
credit where it is due, Jonah. The graphic screen size comparison originates here:
http://www.lfexaminer.com/20081016.htm
and the website, www.lfexaminer.com, is a great place to learn about various, er, minuta of large-format projection.
http://www.lfexaminer.com/20081016.htm
and the website, www.lfexaminer.com, is a great place to learn about various, er, minuta of large-format projection.
19
Oh, and re: IMAX sound - the new theaters do use the IMAX sound system, apparently, which involes some absurd number of channels, 32 or someting. The sound was the main thing that was reworked for the IMAX release of Watchmen, which is why I'm aware of this.
20
I keep missing IMAX movies that I really want to see at PacSci (www.pacsci.org/imax/) because parking is such a hit-and-miss nightmare in general. It pays to check the Center web-site (www.seattlecenter.com/events/) in advance to avoid nights with major events (which is a lot of nights). Then once you've paid to park and hike to the ticket booth you may find that your show is sold out, and so far as I know there's no way to check for that in advance; means that you have to purchase on-line to be safe. Its been worth it though to see "event" movies like the Harry Potter series etc, especially with the 3D segments.
21
This link will show you the iMax or "Liemax" screens. From inputting Seattle there's only one listed.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=…
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=…
22
I saw Star Trek at what I'm realizing what must have been a modified IMAX theatre (I've never been to one before), because the screen was 2-3 times bigger than a movie screen, but definitely not 72 feet. I thought it was really neat, and much more exciting than just seeing it on a regular screen. There were also fewer people in the theatre, and fewer rows of seats, so it wasn't as crowded. Maybe it wasn't six stories high, but I liked it, and if I had 15 dollars to spare I'd go again.
23
@20 -- My wife and I used to live in Lower Queen Anne, which has lead to me always knowing where to find free parking in the area. I HATE having to pay to park.
25
So, what you-all seem to be saying is that IMAX is now touting a screen size and aspect ratio that, 30 years ago was the standard, as the "new", "bigger" screen size? And charging extra for it?
Sounds suspiciously like Big Brother has increased the Chocolate ration yet again...
Sounds suspiciously like Big Brother has increased the Chocolate ration yet again...
26
Take the goddamned bus to the Pacific Science Center, people. It's in Seattle Center and on something 20+ bus lines. From some neighborhoods, it's hard to get downtown without going to Seattle Center first. "No parking" is a lame excuse.
27
I will add that the Pacific Science Center is a non-profit organization. So, not only are you getting a shitty experience at a sub-par "IMAX" theater, but you are also putting your boot on the throat of a worthwhile local organization that could really use your cash.
28
Comte @25: Yeah, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Next thing you know Obama will be bringing back military tribunals for terrorists. Ahem.
29
Liemax is bullshit! Don't support the lie and the lying liars who lie about it. The only poser out here who liked it is clueless as to what the difference is because she's has never seen a real Imax show. It's okay Electra, I used to like blowup dolls until I tried the real thing. If you saw the The Dark Night at the Seattle Center you would know what I'm talking about. That is the only commercial film shot with real IMAX cameras (the actual technology that brought this format to the forefront, not the sound and screen quality hyped for liemax). The action scenes were incredible and I experienced real anxiousness like I was standing on the edge of a skyscraper along with Batman and I just about creamed when he lept into the air. Parking and transportation issues aside, I acknowledge that if you have attempted to purchase tickets online from the Science Center (essential if you expect to get in) it is kind of a pain in the ass (you have to register on thier website and when I used a screen name the ticket seller almost refused to sell me tickets because the name on my credit card was not Drifter) but it is still worth it. Boycott liemax! Go to the real Imax when ever you can.
30
Can't you just take the monorail to Seattle Center?
*kneeslap*
ah, monorail, we love you, but bashing you never gets old
*kneeslap*
ah, monorail, we love you, but bashing you never gets old
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