Yes I just called this theatre and no it won’t be shown in HFR or Atmos. Me no like. The GM said it was almost ready for Atmos and they haven’t upgraded to HFR at the time I spoke to the General Manager.
“Life of Pi” can assure old-timers that digital cinematography can be as beautiful as film. I’m not putting one format better than the other. It’s more spiritual than Hugo and Avatar, and it made me reflect on life. This is THE place around NYC to see that movie, other than Ziegfeld which is actually in NYC. (No I haven’t seen it yet at the Ziegfeld)
Moviebuff82, a part of me is sad to hear that because it grew up with the THX brand being known for greatness, but another part of me could care less. Most movie theaters in the New York area suck now with a few exceptions (Ziegfeld, Garden State, Lincoln Square) but I’ve never been to Clifton Commons and might like to visit there one day. THX means nothing to me anymore, as there are thousands of Blu-ray movies that look and sound excellent and are not THX-certified, same with movie theaters. I once went to AMC Bay Plaza Cinema 13 just for the THX certification and it was HORRIBLE. The movie started 40 minutes late and we eventually left the place 10 minutes into the movie once it started. Learned a lesson that day. Eventually that place lost its THX certification.
Now for the good non-THX theaters the ETX in Garden State Plaza where I saw “Life of Pi” can give most THX auditoriums a run for their money. The ETX trailer they played before the film reminded me of the power THX can, or used to have. Fortunately for me I can relive THX and “Amazing Life” anytime at my home theater.
Came back from “Life of Pi” in 3D on the ETX screen (#3). Being a Dolby Atmos location for “Brave” (it no longer says this location is with Atmos on Dolby’s website, but it is still set up for the system) and “Life of Pi” being an Atmos film, this might be the place to see it in. Atmos wasn’t advertised, and the film was presented in at least 7.1.
And wow, what a place to see a movie. It’s everything the Tyson’s Corner 16 in McLean, VA wishes to be but isn’t. This is the superior theater. The ETX setup has two Sony 4K projectors (which at first I thought it wasn’t enough for a big screen like these types of theaters but produced outstanding pictures and clarity) in dual-projector mode for 3D. The sound was also massive and sometimes pushes the chairs. The seats were comfy, but a bit squeaky. Going to visit again someday.
I don’t go to the ETX in Tyson’s often. The only times I’ve watched a movie on that screen were Transformers: Dark of the Moon and The Lion King (3D reissue), both in 2011. The former surprised me with the unadvertised feature of Dolby 7.1, and even though Michael Bay films are too loud usually, it didn’t sound awful and pretty much rocked the house! The latter filled up the entire screen with its 1.78:1 aspect ratio and was pretty clear, even though the DCP was in 2K making fuzzy images a given when blown up to a giant screen, and the 7.1 remix sucked.
But back to the Bow-Tie, I forgot to mention that the BTX has yet installed ceiling speakers for Atmos. I haven’t asked the GM about what type of projector setup the auditorium has. Unlike the ETX, the screen is enhanced for scope films, so the full aspect ratio of the Bond trailer fit the screen. It is expected to be ready by November, to be opening with Skyfall.
Went to this theatre to see Hotel Transylvania in auditorium #4. The presentation was in RealD 3D and Sony 4K. They played a Sony Digital Cinema 4K snipe before the film, something I haven’t seen in a theatre before. This multiplex, or at least the auditorium I went in, was poorly EQ’d. Too irrative and loud, trailers before the film were too loud.
The Feature Presentation trailer I’ve mentioned earlier was replaced by a generic trailer that no longer bears the National Amusements name, but is immortalized albeit Showcase Cinemas.
Had an awesome experience last morning. I was just checking out the place, not seeing a movie, and the general manager came up to me and gave us a demo of the BTX auditorium under construction. So I watched the Skyfall trailer being projected in 4K on that giant screen, and boy that was pretty awesome. It gives the ETX in Tyson’s a run for its money.
He also told me that the BTX auditorium is ready for Dolby Atmos and will be ready to show The Hobbit in 48fps.
So a few weeks ago, I went to the Westbury Stadium again to see “The Amazing Spider-Man” in LIEMAX 3D (auditorium #2). Picture and sound were far superior than my unfortunate experience with “Brave” at the same place. There was some ghosting when the first 3D trailer started (“Frankenweenie”), but this was fixed right away. I have to say this was the best LIEMAX I’ve ever been to, and it even beats the LIEMAX in Tyson’s Corner Mall with its “gigantic” screen and all its problematic performances. Hooray Westbury Stadium!
Do any of the auditoriums here still show 35mm? I would really like to see a showing of TDKR in 35mm, as it was the first film to come from an actual “film” interpositive in years in an age of digital dominance. I know I will be sacrificing uncompressed PCM sound, and the taller IMAX ratio, but I’ll be getting some analog goodness for my eyes! If everything in this joint is now all digital, that’s fine, but I’m personally not a fan of Sony’s 4K projectors, should it be shown on that. Maybe I’ll see it in 4K in the ETX auditorium at Tyson’s Corner.
I have no words. I am deeply saddened at the tragedy at this theater. My heart goes out to all the victims. First Heath Ledger, and now 10-14 men, women and children.
Went to this cinema for the first time today. Saw “Brave” in 3D and Dolby 7.1. I don’t know what people are saying about crystal clear images and staggering sound.
First of all, the auditorium (#9) had a red Exit sign ON THE SCREEN (lower left side of it). Since this was a scope film, this was very annoying, to see a little red “EXIT” hover over the screen as if it were some television logo bug. The black levels, as with most 3D presentations, were kind of washed out with the glasses that I was removing and putting back on my 3D wear to see if I was missing any dark areas, and apparently, I was losing I think 5 or 10 percent of contrast. Or perhaps I am spoiled with the Barco and Christie setups around where I live. The sound was pretty off-putting. Although the eight channels of sound is always a nice treat, it seemed like the LCR channels were EQ’d to a point where the bass was non-existant and the treble was cranked. The LFE channel was still in use, I think, but the stage speakers still sounded very shallow. The projectionist fixed this problem during the middle of the film, but throughout the film, some parts sounded very brittle that afterwards I had an ache in my left ear. But this is my first experience there, nonetheless. Maybe it was just an off presentation, all theaters have at least one of them in their lifetime.
I’m willing to give this theater another try. Pics coming in a moment.
Saw “Marvel’s The Avengers” in their IMAX-lite auditorium. (Screen #1) Some of the staff here are very rude, for example, I was filming a 360-turnaround of the third floor on my phone, and this lady blocked my camera lenses telling me that I wasn’t allowed to film the employees, or something like that. Sheesh, it isn’t like filming a movie at the cinema! Also, the lines for the concessions are WAYY too slow. A few people in line trying to get snacks felt like 30. Anyways, the IMAX auditorium is pretty nice, in some ways superior to the IMAX-lite in the AMC Tyson’s Corner 16. On the other hand, the Empire IMAX felt like a joke. There was this constant rattling noise during moments with a lot of bass (thankfully this only happened during the trailers) and some of speakers were popping. At least it sounds like it was calibrated more accurately, unlike the ear-splitting EQ of the Tysons IMAX.
The AMC Empire 25 is almost like a big parody of your typical multiplex. Although I’ve never been to the other 24 screens, it’s scope favors quantity over quality at a glance.
A few months ago, I attended the DC Shorts film festival at this place, auditorium #4. It sounded as if the woofers on the stage speakers were blown. As of January 2012, I have no word on whether they fixed it or not. Digital projection was so-so, but it may have been because of the source.
I think this place tries too hard to be like its younger brother, the Bethesda Row Cinema. Same basement approach, same style, but I dislike the layout of the auditoriums. Maybe I should see a legitimate film at this place instead of some cheap specialty engagements. Though it would be nice if Landmark could bring E Street’s extended repertoire to Bethesda Row. But then again, “Tinker, Tailor…” is playing on three screens there, but does it hurt to expand Landmark’s Capital Classics and Midnight Madness series to Bethesda?
Sorry for my arrogance. Anyways, read my username.
A very nice art house cinema. While the sound and projection systems are hardly marvels, the modern architecture of the place helps the showmanship. The progressive (and I hate that term) concessions include some of the best popcorn in the area, with gourmet cookies and espresso. The auditoriums excel acoustically, with little-to-no audio bleed within other rooms, but sadly you can still hear the projector running during the quietest bits. One thing I can complain, is that their repertoire isn’t diverse enough, allowing the same film to be run on more than one screen. But on the other hand, it should help consumers, given the fact that this is a very busy place where tickets sell out quickly. I recommend entering the theatre around 45 minutes before the show, as this place can get very crowded.
I think the description was a bit too critical. I grew up on this theater before we moved. When we used to live in Flushing, NY, this was the place to go. Good concessions, mostly good auditoriums, and I remember there was also a Ben & Jerry’s here.
I went to the College Point Multiplex Cinemas for the first time in 1999, around when it opened, I think. The earliest film I remember seeing there was “Toy Story 2”, and if I’m not mistaken it was also shown in the then-new Dolby Digital Surround EX system (matrixed rear center channel, essentially). I was only four years old, and even then I was dazzled by the beautiful dye-transfer 35mm print and spacious Dolby EX sound.
Ever since then, this theater played a big part of my childhood, be it kids films, event films, adult films (that some I walked out of), Pixar films, pretty much any film a child growing up in the early-noughts would want to go to.
If I’m not mistaken, this cinema was also THX-certified for a short period of time, around 2005, I believe. But during that time, they never played a THX trailer, and the quality paled in comparison to the Loews Auditorium at the Loews Lincoln Square 13 & IMAX (now AMC). Even without THX, this was a decent place that showed first-run films in 35mm Dolby Digital (and EX in some auditoriums). A casual moviegoer couldn’t ask for more.
In 2008, one of the auditoriums was converted to digital for the wave of 3D films coming. I am unsure about the equipment used in this auditorium, but it had RealD technology. I have tons of RealD glasses with the old RealD logo from this theatre (and I also think Regal Countryside 20) before they started to tell the audience to recycle their glasses. Ever since I moved in the fall of 2008, I never got to see that theater again, until two years later.
In the summer of 2010, while visiting New York, me and a couple of friends saw “Despicable Me” in 2D at the College Point. It was opening night, last showing, and the 35mm print that was used looked older than a week to me! I mean, if a print has been showing for a week and looks like that, that would be fine, but this was on opening night! Probably earlier showings on that day looked better, but that was when I realized that College Point Multiplex was degrading in their 35mm presentations. Possibly to make way for D-Cinema, I guess.
On the same visit, I saw “Toy Story 3” in 2D with my dad one afternoon. As for the print, it seemed to have degraded, but worse since this film was a month old. I think during the last 20 minutes, the Dolby Digital track dropped out and it went to the backup Dolby SR track, that’s how bad the projectionists ruined it. Nonetheless, this was the last film I ever saw at the College Point Multiplex, and a very fitting one since it symbolizes the end of childhood, and my childhood with the College Point Multiplex, once a fine place for exhibition, has ended. Even more so fitting when the previous film in the series was the first film I saw there.
In 2011, looking back at it now seeing how it is, I learned that the entire theater has been converted to digital, with Sony 4K projectors. This isn’t a bad thing, unless they don’t do it right. This made me worry about a special National Amusements feature presentation trailer that has been so dear to my heart every time I visited the theater. I highly doubt that trailer will ever be converted to DCP, as it has been used as early as 2000-2001 I think, and the College Point played it in front of all their 35mm shows since then, even “Toy Story 3.” If I can describe it, it began with a light at a center, and little peepholes of light appeared one by one, each one appeared faster like a crescendo. All the light coming out of the peepholes formed the big N logo of National Amusements, and a byline reading this appears:
NATIONAL AMUSEMENTS F E A T U R E P R E S E N T A T I O N
The soundtrack of the bumper was pretty cool. It demonstrated the power of a sound system in those shoebox multiplex auditoriums.
I’ve got the word from one of my NY friends that they still play this trailer in 2011, but only on film presentations. He also says that the digital auditoriums sounded worse than the film ones, which should have been the opposite. It’s kind of sad.
The College Point Multiplex lost its original splendor and now it’s just “another multiplex that enjoys to eat the patron’s hard-earned money and give them either the poison of scratched-up 35mm prints, or poorly-EQ’d uncompressed PCM audio that sounds compressed.”
I wish somebody can rebuild this place to its original splendor. I’ve never been to this place before, but it sounds like it was just amazing. That’s that.
Saw “The Muppets” today at this place, auditorium #4. Here are my initial thoughts about there theater:
This was my first time at the Mazza Gallerie, and it was a surprising experience. I’ve expected the place to go all digital but then I noticed a little scratch on that AMC Coming Soon snipe. I guess I didn’t read up too well. For a THX house, this place was very modest. AMC didn’t bother to promote their THX certification on all seven screens, not even a little sign in the lobby that reads “THX Certified Cinema” or something like that. The screen (auditorium 4) was pretty big, and I’m a fan of the homey textures on the side walls. While the sound system was decent, I think it didn’t push it up to it’s fullest potential (at least for this screen). It was lossy, 20-year-old Dolby Digital, and while it still sounds decent, it’s starting to show its age in the days of uncompressed PCM audio. The print looked very well, with some scratches here or there after three weeks. They do a better job at handling 35mm than the Regal Countryside 20 can handle itself. Definitely going to go there again.
I’ve never lived to see this palace, I used to live by it. Hearing about this place now makes me very sad, that nobody bothered to restore it. It might have been nauseating by today’s standards, but if it ever re-opens, I will definitely check it out. Favorited.
Under AMC, this theater SUCKS! The management had no idea what they’re doing, such as a show being delayed by 40 minutes, poor sound system, etc. I advise you NOT to go into the #11-13 screens. They suck. I’ve heard that #1 is still THX-certified, but I’ve only peeked in that auditorium during a film. AMC should get their act together.
I wish I visited this theater when GCC operated it.
If I’m not mistaken, the ETX screen has Dolby Surround 7.1 installed. Although Dolby doesn’t say so in their website, I could have sworn I’ve heard sounds coming in four different directions behind me when I saw Transformers 3 there.
The Dolby Digital “Egypt” and “Rain” trailers are indeed promos that advertise Dolby Digital in an auditorium. Even though most theaters (if not all) have Dolby Digital installed, it depends if the theater decides to play a trailer before the film. Having a Dolby promo before a film may be a tradition at some theaters, or some chains, but all the other Dolby Digital equipped theaters I’ve been to don’t play a trailer advertising the system. You can easily search for the Egypt and Rain trailers on YouTube, as they are common in home theater circles.
It’s not great, s**t-your-pants showmanship like the Empire Leicester Square or GCC Northpark. I’m just saying it’s better showmanship than your average Regal or other average multiplex.
Damn… On that photo you could clearly see the after-image of the old Cineplex Odeon logo.
I remember seeing The Chronicles of Narnia: TLW&tW (2005) at this theater, and seeing the Dolby Digital “Egypt” trailer before the film began. That was the only time I’ve been to that theater, and the only time I saw a Dolby trailer in a theater, until I saw The Illusionist (2010) at Landmark’s Bethesda Row Cinema, which played the Dolby “Rain” trailer prior to the film.
Yes I just called this theatre and no it won’t be shown in HFR or Atmos. Me no like. The GM said it was almost ready for Atmos and they haven’t upgraded to HFR at the time I spoke to the General Manager.
“Life of Pi” can assure old-timers that digital cinematography can be as beautiful as film. I’m not putting one format better than the other. It’s more spiritual than Hugo and Avatar, and it made me reflect on life. This is THE place around NYC to see that movie, other than Ziegfeld which is actually in NYC. (No I haven’t seen it yet at the Ziegfeld)
Moviebuff82, a part of me is sad to hear that because it grew up with the THX brand being known for greatness, but another part of me could care less. Most movie theaters in the New York area suck now with a few exceptions (Ziegfeld, Garden State, Lincoln Square) but I’ve never been to Clifton Commons and might like to visit there one day. THX means nothing to me anymore, as there are thousands of Blu-ray movies that look and sound excellent and are not THX-certified, same with movie theaters. I once went to AMC Bay Plaza Cinema 13 just for the THX certification and it was HORRIBLE. The movie started 40 minutes late and we eventually left the place 10 minutes into the movie once it started. Learned a lesson that day. Eventually that place lost its THX certification.
Now for the good non-THX theaters the ETX in Garden State Plaza where I saw “Life of Pi” can give most THX auditoriums a run for their money. The ETX trailer they played before the film reminded me of the power THX can, or used to have. Fortunately for me I can relive THX and “Amazing Life” anytime at my home theater.
Came back from “Life of Pi” in 3D on the ETX screen (#3). Being a Dolby Atmos location for “Brave” (it no longer says this location is with Atmos on Dolby’s website, but it is still set up for the system) and “Life of Pi” being an Atmos film, this might be the place to see it in. Atmos wasn’t advertised, and the film was presented in at least 7.1.
And wow, what a place to see a movie. It’s everything the Tyson’s Corner 16 in McLean, VA wishes to be but isn’t. This is the superior theater. The ETX setup has two Sony 4K projectors (which at first I thought it wasn’t enough for a big screen like these types of theaters but produced outstanding pictures and clarity) in dual-projector mode for 3D. The sound was also massive and sometimes pushes the chairs. The seats were comfy, but a bit squeaky. Going to visit again someday.
I don’t go to the ETX in Tyson’s often. The only times I’ve watched a movie on that screen were Transformers: Dark of the Moon and The Lion King (3D reissue), both in 2011. The former surprised me with the unadvertised feature of Dolby 7.1, and even though Michael Bay films are too loud usually, it didn’t sound awful and pretty much rocked the house! The latter filled up the entire screen with its 1.78:1 aspect ratio and was pretty clear, even though the DCP was in 2K making fuzzy images a given when blown up to a giant screen, and the 7.1 remix sucked.
But back to the Bow-Tie, I forgot to mention that the BTX has yet installed ceiling speakers for Atmos. I haven’t asked the GM about what type of projector setup the auditorium has. Unlike the ETX, the screen is enhanced for scope films, so the full aspect ratio of the Bond trailer fit the screen. It is expected to be ready by November, to be opening with Skyfall.
Went to this theatre to see Hotel Transylvania in auditorium #4. The presentation was in RealD 3D and Sony 4K. They played a Sony Digital Cinema 4K snipe before the film, something I haven’t seen in a theatre before. This multiplex, or at least the auditorium I went in, was poorly EQ’d. Too irrative and loud, trailers before the film were too loud.
The Feature Presentation trailer I’ve mentioned earlier was replaced by a generic trailer that no longer bears the National Amusements name, but is immortalized albeit Showcase Cinemas.
Had an awesome experience last morning. I was just checking out the place, not seeing a movie, and the general manager came up to me and gave us a demo of the BTX auditorium under construction. So I watched the Skyfall trailer being projected in 4K on that giant screen, and boy that was pretty awesome. It gives the ETX in Tyson’s a run for its money.
He also told me that the BTX auditorium is ready for Dolby Atmos and will be ready to show The Hobbit in 48fps.
So a few weeks ago, I went to the Westbury Stadium again to see “The Amazing Spider-Man” in LIEMAX 3D (auditorium #2). Picture and sound were far superior than my unfortunate experience with “Brave” at the same place. There was some ghosting when the first 3D trailer started (“Frankenweenie”), but this was fixed right away. I have to say this was the best LIEMAX I’ve ever been to, and it even beats the LIEMAX in Tyson’s Corner Mall with its “gigantic” screen and all its problematic performances. Hooray Westbury Stadium!
Do any of the auditoriums here still show 35mm? I would really like to see a showing of TDKR in 35mm, as it was the first film to come from an actual “film” interpositive in years in an age of digital dominance. I know I will be sacrificing uncompressed PCM sound, and the taller IMAX ratio, but I’ll be getting some analog goodness for my eyes! If everything in this joint is now all digital, that’s fine, but I’m personally not a fan of Sony’s 4K projectors, should it be shown on that. Maybe I’ll see it in 4K in the ETX auditorium at Tyson’s Corner.
I have no words. I am deeply saddened at the tragedy at this theater. My heart goes out to all the victims. First Heath Ledger, and now 10-14 men, women and children.
Went to this cinema for the first time today. Saw “Brave” in 3D and Dolby 7.1. I don’t know what people are saying about crystal clear images and staggering sound.
First of all, the auditorium (#9) had a red Exit sign ON THE SCREEN (lower left side of it). Since this was a scope film, this was very annoying, to see a little red “EXIT” hover over the screen as if it were some television logo bug. The black levels, as with most 3D presentations, were kind of washed out with the glasses that I was removing and putting back on my 3D wear to see if I was missing any dark areas, and apparently, I was losing I think 5 or 10 percent of contrast. Or perhaps I am spoiled with the Barco and Christie setups around where I live. The sound was pretty off-putting. Although the eight channels of sound is always a nice treat, it seemed like the LCR channels were EQ’d to a point where the bass was non-existant and the treble was cranked. The LFE channel was still in use, I think, but the stage speakers still sounded very shallow. The projectionist fixed this problem during the middle of the film, but throughout the film, some parts sounded very brittle that afterwards I had an ache in my left ear. But this is my first experience there, nonetheless. Maybe it was just an off presentation, all theaters have at least one of them in their lifetime.
I’m willing to give this theater another try. Pics coming in a moment.
Saw “Marvel’s The Avengers” in their IMAX-lite auditorium. (Screen #1) Some of the staff here are very rude, for example, I was filming a 360-turnaround of the third floor on my phone, and this lady blocked my camera lenses telling me that I wasn’t allowed to film the employees, or something like that. Sheesh, it isn’t like filming a movie at the cinema! Also, the lines for the concessions are WAYY too slow. A few people in line trying to get snacks felt like 30. Anyways, the IMAX auditorium is pretty nice, in some ways superior to the IMAX-lite in the AMC Tyson’s Corner 16. On the other hand, the Empire IMAX felt like a joke. There was this constant rattling noise during moments with a lot of bass (thankfully this only happened during the trailers) and some of speakers were popping. At least it sounds like it was calibrated more accurately, unlike the ear-splitting EQ of the Tysons IMAX.
The AMC Empire 25 is almost like a big parody of your typical multiplex. Although I’ve never been to the other 24 screens, it’s scope favors quantity over quality at a glance.
A few months ago, I attended the DC Shorts film festival at this place, auditorium #4. It sounded as if the woofers on the stage speakers were blown. As of January 2012, I have no word on whether they fixed it or not. Digital projection was so-so, but it may have been because of the source.
I think this place tries too hard to be like its younger brother, the Bethesda Row Cinema. Same basement approach, same style, but I dislike the layout of the auditoriums. Maybe I should see a legitimate film at this place instead of some cheap specialty engagements. Though it would be nice if Landmark could bring E Street’s extended repertoire to Bethesda Row. But then again, “Tinker, Tailor…” is playing on three screens there, but does it hurt to expand Landmark’s Capital Classics and Midnight Madness series to Bethesda?
Sorry for my arrogance. Anyways, read my username.
A very nice art house cinema. While the sound and projection systems are hardly marvels, the modern architecture of the place helps the showmanship. The progressive (and I hate that term) concessions include some of the best popcorn in the area, with gourmet cookies and espresso. The auditoriums excel acoustically, with little-to-no audio bleed within other rooms, but sadly you can still hear the projector running during the quietest bits. One thing I can complain, is that their repertoire isn’t diverse enough, allowing the same film to be run on more than one screen. But on the other hand, it should help consumers, given the fact that this is a very busy place where tickets sell out quickly. I recommend entering the theatre around 45 minutes before the show, as this place can get very crowded.
Pictures coming soon.
I think the description was a bit too critical. I grew up on this theater before we moved. When we used to live in Flushing, NY, this was the place to go. Good concessions, mostly good auditoriums, and I remember there was also a Ben & Jerry’s here.
I went to the College Point Multiplex Cinemas for the first time in 1999, around when it opened, I think. The earliest film I remember seeing there was “Toy Story 2”, and if I’m not mistaken it was also shown in the then-new Dolby Digital Surround EX system (matrixed rear center channel, essentially). I was only four years old, and even then I was dazzled by the beautiful dye-transfer 35mm print and spacious Dolby EX sound.
Ever since then, this theater played a big part of my childhood, be it kids films, event films, adult films (that some I walked out of), Pixar films, pretty much any film a child growing up in the early-noughts would want to go to.
If I’m not mistaken, this cinema was also THX-certified for a short period of time, around 2005, I believe. But during that time, they never played a THX trailer, and the quality paled in comparison to the Loews Auditorium at the Loews Lincoln Square 13 & IMAX (now AMC). Even without THX, this was a decent place that showed first-run films in 35mm Dolby Digital (and EX in some auditoriums). A casual moviegoer couldn’t ask for more.
In 2008, one of the auditoriums was converted to digital for the wave of 3D films coming. I am unsure about the equipment used in this auditorium, but it had RealD technology. I have tons of RealD glasses with the old RealD logo from this theatre (and I also think Regal Countryside 20) before they started to tell the audience to recycle their glasses. Ever since I moved in the fall of 2008, I never got to see that theater again, until two years later.
In the summer of 2010, while visiting New York, me and a couple of friends saw “Despicable Me” in 2D at the College Point. It was opening night, last showing, and the 35mm print that was used looked older than a week to me! I mean, if a print has been showing for a week and looks like that, that would be fine, but this was on opening night! Probably earlier showings on that day looked better, but that was when I realized that College Point Multiplex was degrading in their 35mm presentations. Possibly to make way for D-Cinema, I guess.
On the same visit, I saw “Toy Story 3” in 2D with my dad one afternoon. As for the print, it seemed to have degraded, but worse since this film was a month old. I think during the last 20 minutes, the Dolby Digital track dropped out and it went to the backup Dolby SR track, that’s how bad the projectionists ruined it. Nonetheless, this was the last film I ever saw at the College Point Multiplex, and a very fitting one since it symbolizes the end of childhood, and my childhood with the College Point Multiplex, once a fine place for exhibition, has ended. Even more so fitting when the previous film in the series was the first film I saw there.
In 2011, looking back at it now seeing how it is, I learned that the entire theater has been converted to digital, with Sony 4K projectors. This isn’t a bad thing, unless they don’t do it right. This made me worry about a special National Amusements feature presentation trailer that has been so dear to my heart every time I visited the theater. I highly doubt that trailer will ever be converted to DCP, as it has been used as early as 2000-2001 I think, and the College Point played it in front of all their 35mm shows since then, even “Toy Story 3.” If I can describe it, it began with a light at a center, and little peepholes of light appeared one by one, each one appeared faster like a crescendo. All the light coming out of the peepholes formed the big N logo of National Amusements, and a byline reading this appears:
NATIONAL AMUSEMENTS
F E A T U R E P R E S E N T A T I O N
The soundtrack of the bumper was pretty cool. It demonstrated the power of a sound system in those shoebox multiplex auditoriums.
I’ve got the word from one of my NY friends that they still play this trailer in 2011, but only on film presentations. He also says that the digital auditoriums sounded worse than the film ones, which should have been the opposite. It’s kind of sad.
The College Point Multiplex lost its original splendor and now it’s just “another multiplex that enjoys to eat the patron’s hard-earned money and give them either the poison of scratched-up 35mm prints, or poorly-EQ’d uncompressed PCM audio that sounds compressed.”
R.I.P. College Point Multiplex 1999 – 2010
Your soul is dead, but Satan eats your caresses.
I wish somebody can rebuild this place to its original splendor. I’ve never been to this place before, but it sounds like it was just amazing. That’s that.
Favorited.
Saw “The Muppets” today at this place, auditorium #4. Here are my initial thoughts about there theater:
This was my first time at the Mazza Gallerie, and it was a surprising experience. I’ve expected the place to go all digital but then I noticed a little scratch on that AMC Coming Soon snipe. I guess I didn’t read up too well. For a THX house, this place was very modest. AMC didn’t bother to promote their THX certification on all seven screens, not even a little sign in the lobby that reads “THX Certified Cinema” or something like that. The screen (auditorium 4) was pretty big, and I’m a fan of the homey textures on the side walls. While the sound system was decent, I think it didn’t push it up to it’s fullest potential (at least for this screen). It was lossy, 20-year-old Dolby Digital, and while it still sounds decent, it’s starting to show its age in the days of uncompressed PCM audio. The print looked very well, with some scratches here or there after three weeks. They do a better job at handling 35mm than the Regal Countryside 20 can handle itself. Definitely going to go there again.
I’ve never lived to see this palace, I used to live by it. Hearing about this place now makes me very sad, that nobody bothered to restore it. It might have been nauseating by today’s standards, but if it ever re-opens, I will definitely check it out. Favorited.
Under AMC, this theater SUCKS! The management had no idea what they’re doing, such as a show being delayed by 40 minutes, poor sound system, etc. I advise you NOT to go into the #11-13 screens. They suck. I’ve heard that #1 is still THX-certified, but I’ve only peeked in that auditorium during a film. AMC should get their act together.
I wish I visited this theater when GCC operated it.
If I’m not mistaken, the ETX screen has Dolby Surround 7.1 installed. Although Dolby doesn’t say so in their website, I could have sworn I’ve heard sounds coming in four different directions behind me when I saw Transformers 3 there.
The Dolby Digital “Egypt” and “Rain” trailers are indeed promos that advertise Dolby Digital in an auditorium. Even though most theaters (if not all) have Dolby Digital installed, it depends if the theater decides to play a trailer before the film. Having a Dolby promo before a film may be a tradition at some theaters, or some chains, but all the other Dolby Digital equipped theaters I’ve been to don’t play a trailer advertising the system. You can easily search for the Egypt and Rain trailers on YouTube, as they are common in home theater circles.
It’s not great, s**t-your-pants showmanship like the Empire Leicester Square or GCC Northpark. I’m just saying it’s better showmanship than your average Regal or other average multiplex.
Damn… On that photo you could clearly see the after-image of the old Cineplex Odeon logo.
I remember seeing The Chronicles of Narnia: TLW&tW (2005) at this theater, and seeing the Dolby Digital “Egypt” trailer before the film began. That was the only time I’ve been to that theater, and the only time I saw a Dolby trailer in a theater, until I saw The Illusionist (2010) at Landmark’s Bethesda Row Cinema, which played the Dolby “Rain” trailer prior to the film.