IMAX all not Created Equal

[bmw68]

I am having a debate with a Buddy of mine and I would like our Forum Members to weigh-in.
If we could make this a Poll it be Great.

I pefer Channelside IMAX while he prefers AMC Vets. This is for IMAX Studio Films ie Star Trek, Dark Knight ect not IMAX movies ie Ring Of Fire, Oceans ect.

I do not include Mosi as we both don't care for that as it seems to distort studio films.

I think that the Sound and Screen are better at Channelside.

He likes the Smaller Screen found at AMC and thinks the sound is better.

Let me Know what you all think.

Thanks
bMw

[pilotbob]

I don't even know what the diff is. I went to see Trek at the AMC Vets sunday. They have "IMAX" there. But, are there some theaters that are IMAX and some that aren't? If so, what is the difference between IMAX and not IMAX?

BOb

[Kendo]

I didn't know AMC Vets had an IMAX. I thought only MOSI, Channelside and Bay Walk did. I've only been to MOSI and Channelside and between the two, feature films are better at Channelside.

[AmelFl]

Baywalk is great

[runningnak3d]

A better question is which Imax theaters down here are 65mm, and which ones are digital.

I went to see Star Trek at the Imax theater at Muvico in St. Pete, and dear God did it suck (the transfer as well as the movie -- but I will stick to the transfer).

Digital Imax theaters are all going to pretty much look alike (not taking the screen into account, or the alighnment of the two projectors). When the transfer is done to digital, all of the theaters get the same copy, so if it sucks at one, it will suck at all.

Whoever did the digital transfer for ST must have been half blind and on crack. The black level was TOTALLY messed up and the colors were all washed out. Absolutely the WORST digital Imax transfer I have ever seen.

[veritas]

Try here:

http://gizmodo.com/5250625/cineplexes-getting-imax-but-is-it-imax-or-conspiracy?skyline=true&s=i

IMAX vs IMAX conversions, AKA:Retro Imax, into theaters (Baywalk).

Best IMAX is at the Luxor Casino in Las Vegas, second is at Lincoln Center in NYC.

[CANDY76MAN]

Try here:

http://gizmodo.com/5250625/cineplexes-getting-imax-but-is-it-imax-or-conspiracy?skyline=true&s=i

IMAX vs IMAX conversions, AKA:Retro Imax, into theaters (Baywalk).

Best IMAX is at the Luxor Casino in Las Vegas, second is at Lincoln Center in NYC.

great article...so is the imax at channelside a true imax and not a retrofit?

[runningnak3d]

After doing more research on digital IMax, I have come to the conclusion that watching a film at Baywalk wouldn't be so bad as long as the digital transfer was done properly.

IMax is 1.37:1 aspect ratio, so a TRUE IMax screen is not only HUGE, but it is in the wrong aspect ratio for modern feature movies. Plus the sound system of the new digital IMax standard is more suited for feature movies.

From what I have been able to gather from the net, the IMax theater at Channelside is REAL IMax, so I am not sure if it would be the best place to see a movies like The Dark Knight or Star Trek. However, it would be the ONLY place to see TRUE IMax films, like Oceans or the Space one.

Now my main question that is left unanswered is: Are all digital transfers of regular 35mm film movies done by the same company. If so, that is just sad...

-- Brian

[ramarc]

Don't judge IMAX based on Baywalk Muvico -- they don't calibrate their theaters/projectors very well. Half the time, 'regular' movies aren't even in focus and the image spills over the top and/or side of the screen. So any issues you see with an IMAX film are most likely the projectionist's fault and not the film.

[bmw68]

I find the same with Channelside, it is true Imax ie 70ft screen, but the sound sometimes is off. Saw Speed Racer and the sound and video were not in sync so it seemed like a old Kung Fu movie. For Speed Racer not to bad but other movies it is Bad. I think Channelside has a technichian there that is not in love with their job that causes those issues. But for me all in all Channelside is Def the Real Deal, MOSI is too big for Studio Films IMHO. And Imax AMC is a joke that screen is not anything special and the audio is just on par with the other theaters nothing special.