You know you have struck a nerve when the publicist refuses to return your email asking about the press release they sent to you.
AMC Theatres (putting the R before the E in theatres makes it classier and more British, which could be backfiring on them considering all of the riots and stuff going on across the pond these days) is trumpeting the addition of an IMAX screen to the AMC Georgetown 14 this fall, which will debut with the release of Contagion: The IMAX Experience on September 9. However, the experience might be disappointing for most.
If you are like me, when I hear IMAX, I start to have visions of massive screens in my head, which is why I saw Fantasia 2000, Star Trek and The Dark Knight in full-fledged IMAX theaters (or is that theatres?).
However, a few years ago, IMAX decided to redefine the expectations of what makes a screen an IMAX screen in an effort to expand the number of "IMAX" screens in the market (and allowing everyone involved to charge higher or premium prices for the experience more often).
A traditional IMAX screen is up to 76 feet by 97 feet in size, which is massive! The trend in IMAX screens being installed in multiplexes, like the AMC Georgetown 14, is for a size of 28 feet by 58 feet. It is bigger than your normal screen, but it isn't 76' by 97'.
However, IMAX does not make a distinction between the different sizes. Is this an attempt to make you believe you are paying extra for the massive screen, since IMAX was marketed for many years as a bigger visual experience?
As far as IMAX is concerned, they say IMAX is about more than just the size of the screen. They say it is also about the crisper resolution and better sound, so, if you go to see Contagion: The IMAX Experience, when Gwyneth Paltrow's character gets the bird flu, you will be amazed by the crystal clarity of the snot coming from her nose, and the vibrant sound of her puking her guts out.
IMAX also argues the immersion of the audience member is greater even at the smaller screen size since you will be closer to the screen in the smaller multiplex theater. In essence, the screen looks massive because you are closer, which is not a crazy thought. This is why you sat as close as possible to the TV when you were a kid and laughed when your mother said you would go blind from it.
I have a feeling I might be invited to see Contagion: The IMAX Experience when the movie is released in a few weeks, unless IMAX, AMC Georgetown 14 and/or the local publicists are so angry over this story they ban me.
I will let you know if the experience is worth the extra money, even if I have to take it out of my own pocket.
AMC Theatres (putting the R before the E in theatres makes it classier and more British, which could be backfiring on them considering all of the riots and stuff going on across the pond these days) is trumpeting the addition of an IMAX screen to the AMC Georgetown 14 this fall, which will debut with the release of Contagion: The IMAX Experience on September 9. However, the experience might be disappointing for most.
If you are like me, when I hear IMAX, I start to have visions of massive screens in my head, which is why I saw Fantasia 2000, Star Trek and The Dark Knight in full-fledged IMAX theaters (or is that theatres?).
However, a few years ago, IMAX decided to redefine the expectations of what makes a screen an IMAX screen in an effort to expand the number of "IMAX" screens in the market (and allowing everyone involved to charge higher or premium prices for the experience more often).
A traditional IMAX screen is up to 76 feet by 97 feet in size, which is massive! The trend in IMAX screens being installed in multiplexes, like the AMC Georgetown 14, is for a size of 28 feet by 58 feet. It is bigger than your normal screen, but it isn't 76' by 97'.
However, IMAX does not make a distinction between the different sizes. Is this an attempt to make you believe you are paying extra for the massive screen, since IMAX was marketed for many years as a bigger visual experience?
As far as IMAX is concerned, they say IMAX is about more than just the size of the screen. They say it is also about the crisper resolution and better sound, so, if you go to see Contagion: The IMAX Experience, when Gwyneth Paltrow's character gets the bird flu, you will be amazed by the crystal clarity of the snot coming from her nose, and the vibrant sound of her puking her guts out.
IMAX also argues the immersion of the audience member is greater even at the smaller screen size since you will be closer to the screen in the smaller multiplex theater. In essence, the screen looks massive because you are closer, which is not a crazy thought. This is why you sat as close as possible to the TV when you were a kid and laughed when your mother said you would go blind from it.
I have a feeling I might be invited to see Contagion: The IMAX Experience when the movie is released in a few weeks, unless IMAX, AMC Georgetown 14 and/or the local publicists are so angry over this story they ban me.
I will let you know if the experience is worth the extra money, even if I have to take it out of my own pocket.
