short article with the relevant parts sounding way better than the wrecking ball mentioned as a possibility in recent comment:
sources told The Post, the theater with 100 feet of sidewalk frontage has been leased to Oracle Projects International, a Singapore-based producer and designer of technology-driven entertainment and multimedia events.
Oracle Special Projects says it specializes in “delivering complete customized turnkey solutions for world-class special events, permanent installations and landmark attractions around the world.” It says its “proprietary 360-degree Video Project Dome venues” have “revolutionized the events and entertainment sphere.”
Ah, the 4th paragraph here says the 2.89 is letterboxed http://www.in70mm.com/news/2008/west_digital/index.htm
I’m no expert on Cinerama so can’t say for sure.
The Dome is only showing ONE film in Cinerama style, How the West was Won though in digital. Some footage is shown that was actually filmed (not showing gigolos). Again, the 70mm versions regarding the other films are different than 3 strip Cinerama. What I don’t understand is the reference to no good prints of Mad World because today Seattle Cinerama was showing 70mm of such though possible from a private collector?
The Ultra-Panavision 70, which is not exactly the same as Cinerama, and its aspect ratio is 2.76. The digital How the Was Won has more image than originally projected. I applaud Mr. Sittig’s professionalism & dedication to correct presentations! Of course, many of us would prefer film to digital, but unfortunately, I don’t think there’s decent 70mm prints of Grand Prix or Battle of the Bulge, so restored digital is what will be shown- and enjoyed!
I liked Cineplex Odeon. They overspent on acquiring & furnishing theaters & could not sustain that business model but they gave theatergoers curtained screens, marble floors, custom carpets, etc, at least in the DC & NYC theaters I attended regularly.
I’ve noticed just about everything here seems to be shown these days in digital, with the rare exceptions of the 70mm screenings. That’s disappointing!
I wouldn’t put much credence in a theater chat site unless there was more specific information. Unless somebody asked the theater staff they would not know if it was a blu ray or 2k or 4k whether downloaded from satellite as typical or harddrive. As to colors, it was a digital version & such scans do not always resemble what the film had. As stated, in my experience, the Fathom TCM screenings are NOT blu rays- I’ve asked. But, at one of those screenings, the colors looked ridiculous & when checked online that was the criticism of the digitization of that film.
Vindanpar, are you sure it was a showing of the Blu ray rather than a 2k or 4k version (even if not the roadshow)? In 2012, I saw a beautiful 70mm print of the roadshow at AFI Silver, so there’s a roadshow available to digitize if not already done. When I’ve attended Fathom screenings- which this was, they usually are 2k or so.
I’m reposting a yelp comment (5-27-18 by A and JS of San Francisco)– This review is mainly a post about the size of the various theaters. While Fandango does list auditorium numbers with showtimes, the size of the screens is rather mysterious until you are there. Auditoriums 1 – 6 are upstairs, and 1 and 2 are biggest, huge even. Downstairs are auditoriums 7 – 15. Avoid the tiny, nearly worthless 14 & 15, which are almost like big screen televisions. I thought, just by sight comparison, that 8 and 13 were maybe a little larger than the others downstairs, but this may be my imagination. Would love to see more posts/more information about this. I love a big screen, but don’t want to see, or pay for, IMAX. Anyone else have an opinion to contribute?
The source material for the 2001 70mm IMAX print will be from Nolan’s new 70mm prints but it will be issued in Imax form. I don’t know the aspect ratio. Since 2001 wasn’t filmed with IMAX film cameras, which produce more resolution than regular 70mm film, I don’t figure how there will be any benefit other than giant screen. Article about https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/christopher-nolans-2001-a-space-odyssey-restoration-books-imax-theaters-1131276
As Terry says “at the expense of capacity” I’ve been in awe of this theater partly because when looking around in the auditorium at a full house for various films like James Bond, special events, and other sold out films, there were hundreds- 1700 or so, filmgoers! Now the capacity will be severely shrunk though I haven’t read a total number. I hope films will be properly masked & the curtain used, as it was before AMC acquired Odeon.
Enjoyed today the restored 4 hour 10 minute “Cleopatra” (1963) in what looked like like a perfect, new 70mm print! 2.2 aspect ratio. Surround sound. Proper use of the curtain before movie, at intermission & after movie. Surround sound.
Cutlman1, I was also thinking of the Prince Edward. I wasn’t in those- only in the Empire before division & Odeon L Sq, being here in the States & visiting in recent years. But, I know of them.
I think there is consensus that with the huge, curved screen (75 feet wide) at the Odeon Marble Arch that the screen was the largest in the West End, at least after Cinerama sized screens were gone from other theaters and it may have been the best showplace for many films while the curved screen was there. The stats also indicate that from 1963 until the auditorium was divided, the Empire’s large screen was about 60 feet wide (never mind the program’s assertion as to 63 feet, accurate or not), larger than the 47 feet wide (scope) Odeon Leicester Square. All three auditoriums were still very impressive & we will wait to see what size screen will be at the Odeon L. Sq. It might be interesting to take a step back & compare the Cinerama sized screens of West End theaters that previously had such screens.
BobbyS, the Music Box is correct re Around the World if they don’t want to show a print faded to pink. I’m looking forward to seeing Cleopatra this weekend in 70mm at Museum of Moving Images in NYC (Queen) which has a page on this website. Last weekend Hello, Dolly! looked like a new, perfect 70mm print so I hope Cleopatra is same quality.
I enjoyed yesterday the restored “Hello, Dolly!” in what looked to me like a perfect, new 70mm print! 2.2 aspect ratio. Surround sound. Proper use of the curtain before movie & at intermission & after movie. Others who attended were in awe of how great the new “2001” print looked. I’m looking forward to the rare screening of the epic 4 hour+ “Cleopatra” next weekend!
so far as I know, there is not a new theater tenant, but this is a wonderful new blogged article with photos https://www.avoidingregret.com/2018/08/photo-essay-catedral-de-la-fe-flips.html
The Baltimore Business Journal has an article only avail to subscribers dated Jan 19 of this year, with headline “City pumps $550k into dilapidated Ambassador Theater to save it”
short article with the relevant parts sounding way better than the wrecking ball mentioned as a possibility in recent comment:
sources told The Post, the theater with 100 feet of sidewalk frontage has been leased to Oracle Projects International, a Singapore-based producer and designer of technology-driven entertainment and multimedia events. Oracle Special Projects says it specializes in “delivering complete customized turnkey solutions for world-class special events, permanent installations and landmark attractions around the world.” It says its “proprietary 360-degree Video Project Dome venues” have “revolutionized the events and entertainment sphere.”
Ah, the 4th paragraph here says the 2.89 is letterboxed http://www.in70mm.com/news/2008/west_digital/index.htm I’m no expert on Cinerama so can’t say for sure.
both sides at the far ends? see Restoration https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_the_West_Was_Won_(film)#Restoration
The Dome is only showing ONE film in Cinerama style, How the West was Won though in digital. Some footage is shown that was actually filmed (not showing gigolos). Again, the 70mm versions regarding the other films are different than 3 strip Cinerama. What I don’t understand is the reference to no good prints of Mad World because today Seattle Cinerama was showing 70mm of such though possible from a private collector?
The Ultra-Panavision 70, which is not exactly the same as Cinerama, and its aspect ratio is 2.76. The digital How the Was Won has more image than originally projected. I applaud Mr. Sittig’s professionalism & dedication to correct presentations! Of course, many of us would prefer film to digital, but unfortunately, I don’t think there’s decent 70mm prints of Grand Prix or Battle of the Bulge, so restored digital is what will be shown- and enjoyed!
I liked Cineplex Odeon. They overspent on acquiring & furnishing theaters & could not sustain that business model but they gave theatergoers curtained screens, marble floors, custom carpets, etc, at least in the DC & NYC theaters I attended regularly.
Sold & demolition expected http://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/south-kensington/fine-fare-building-girard-will-torn-soon
article re Roman era coins- https://www.cnn.com/style/article/roman-gold-coins-italy-cressoni-theater-trnd/index.html
I’ve noticed just about everything here seems to be shown these days in digital, with the rare exceptions of the 70mm screenings. That’s disappointing!
As to what I saw re South Pacific: http://www.in70mm.com/news/2006/south_pacific/index.htm
http://www.afi.com/silver/films/2012/v9i3/70mm.aspx
6 track meant 5 tracks behind screen, 1 surround. Usually remixed into the digital formats. Not identical.
I wouldn’t put much credence in a theater chat site unless there was more specific information. Unless somebody asked the theater staff they would not know if it was a blu ray or 2k or 4k whether downloaded from satellite as typical or harddrive. As to colors, it was a digital version & such scans do not always resemble what the film had. As stated, in my experience, the Fathom TCM screenings are NOT blu rays- I’ve asked. But, at one of those screenings, the colors looked ridiculous & when checked online that was the criticism of the digitization of that film.
Vindanpar, are you sure it was a showing of the Blu ray rather than a 2k or 4k version (even if not the roadshow)? In 2012, I saw a beautiful 70mm print of the roadshow at AFI Silver, so there’s a roadshow available to digitize if not already done. When I’ve attended Fathom screenings- which this was, they usually are 2k or so.
I’m reposting a yelp comment (5-27-18 by A and JS of San Francisco)– This review is mainly a post about the size of the various theaters. While Fandango does list auditorium numbers with showtimes, the size of the screens is rather mysterious until you are there. Auditoriums 1 – 6 are upstairs, and 1 and 2 are biggest, huge even. Downstairs are auditoriums 7 – 15. Avoid the tiny, nearly worthless 14 & 15, which are almost like big screen televisions. I thought, just by sight comparison, that 8 and 13 were maybe a little larger than the others downstairs, but this may be my imagination. Would love to see more posts/more information about this. I love a big screen, but don’t want to see, or pay for, IMAX. Anyone else have an opinion to contribute?
The source material for the 2001 70mm IMAX print will be from Nolan’s new 70mm prints but it will be issued in Imax form. I don’t know the aspect ratio. Since 2001 wasn’t filmed with IMAX film cameras, which produce more resolution than regular 70mm film, I don’t figure how there will be any benefit other than giant screen. Article about https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/christopher-nolans-2001-a-space-odyssey-restoration-books-imax-theaters-1131276
As Terry says “at the expense of capacity” I’ve been in awe of this theater partly because when looking around in the auditorium at a full house for various films like James Bond, special events, and other sold out films, there were hundreds- 1700 or so, filmgoers! Now the capacity will be severely shrunk though I haven’t read a total number. I hope films will be properly masked & the curtain used, as it was before AMC acquired Odeon.
Enjoyed today the restored 4 hour 10 minute “Cleopatra” (1963) in what looked like like a perfect, new 70mm print! 2.2 aspect ratio. Surround sound. Proper use of the curtain before movie, at intermission & after movie. Surround sound.
Cutlman1, I was also thinking of the Prince Edward. I wasn’t in those- only in the Empire before division & Odeon L Sq, being here in the States & visiting in recent years. But, I know of them.
I think there is consensus that with the huge, curved screen (75 feet wide) at the Odeon Marble Arch that the screen was the largest in the West End, at least after Cinerama sized screens were gone from other theaters and it may have been the best showplace for many films while the curved screen was there. The stats also indicate that from 1963 until the auditorium was divided, the Empire’s large screen was about 60 feet wide (never mind the program’s assertion as to 63 feet, accurate or not), larger than the 47 feet wide (scope) Odeon Leicester Square. All three auditoriums were still very impressive & we will wait to see what size screen will be at the Odeon L. Sq. It might be interesting to take a step back & compare the Cinerama sized screens of West End theaters that previously had such screens.
BobbyS, the Music Box is correct re Around the World if they don’t want to show a print faded to pink. I’m looking forward to seeing Cleopatra this weekend in 70mm at Museum of Moving Images in NYC (Queen) which has a page on this website. Last weekend Hello, Dolly! looked like a new, perfect 70mm print so I hope Cleopatra is same quality.
Projectionist Nigel’s email to me re the Odeon LSQin 2014-never mind metric, yuck!
Total screen size on the screen frame is :– 52 x 26 feet.
70mm screen size :– 47 x 21 feet. Scope is :– 47 x 19'6 feet. 1.75 is :– 36'4 x 21 feet. 1.85 is :– 36'4 x 19'6 feet. 1.33 is :– 27'6 x 19 feet
I wrote my experience seeing “Around the World” 70mm here, http://www.in70mm.com/news/2014/afi_festival/index.htm
Article about this building- https://billypenn.com/2018/08/16/after-years-of-neighborhood-drama-a-historic-south-street-west-property-makes-progress/
I enjoyed yesterday the restored “Hello, Dolly!” in what looked to me like a perfect, new 70mm print! 2.2 aspect ratio. Surround sound. Proper use of the curtain before movie & at intermission & after movie. Others who attended were in awe of how great the new “2001” print looked. I’m looking forward to the rare screening of the epic 4 hour+ “Cleopatra” next weekend!
so far as I know, there is not a new theater tenant, but this is a wonderful new blogged article with photos https://www.avoidingregret.com/2018/08/photo-essay-catedral-de-la-fe-flips.html
The Baltimore Business Journal has an article only avail to subscribers dated Jan 19 of this year, with headline “City pumps $550k into dilapidated Ambassador Theater to save it”