SIFF Cinema Downtown

2100 4th Avenue,
Seattle, WA 98121

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Showing 176 - 200 of 262 comments

GregF
GregF on March 1, 2009 at 10:42 pm

A small correction. There’s also a showing on Thursday the 5th at 8PM as well.

droben
droben on March 1, 2009 at 8:50 pm

I had the opportunity to see “The Untouchables” last Thursday and what an experience it was. The print the Cinerama obtained was flawless with no scratches or color fading. If I didn’t know any better, I would say that the print had just come from the lab—it was that good!

There’s only one screening left on Tuesday, March 3, at 8 PM. If you’re in the Seattle-Tacooma area, do yourself a favor and see it.

The Seattle Cinerama is to be commmended for bringing back these films. Unfortunately, the only advertising for the series is on their website. There were only about 20 people in the audience when I saw it and, with numbers like that, I can’t imagine them continuing this series. So I’ll just repeat what Bob Jensen said above: “To keep 70mm films coming to the Cinerama, please go see these films!”

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois on February 24, 2009 at 4:57 am

From

http://www.in70mm.com/now_showing/index.htm

Coming to the Seattle Cinerama

In 70mm Dolby Stero

“The Untouchables"
Tuesday 2/24/2009
Thursday 2/26/2009
Sunday 3/1/2009
Tuesday 3/3/2009

“Gremlins"
Sunday 3/15/2009
Tuesday 3/17/2009
Thursday 3/19/2009
Sunday 3/22/2009
Tuesday 3/24/2009
Thursday 3/26/2009

To keep 70mm films coming to the CINERAMA, please go see these films!

GregF
GregF on February 21, 2009 at 7:29 pm

Yeah…and The Untouchables in 70MM as well! Sweet!! I think I’ll pass on Gremlins, though…

CinemarkFan
CinemarkFan on January 17, 2009 at 11:05 pm

Damn, now I’m jealous of ya’ll in Seattle. You guys get to see Vertigo not only at the Cinerama, but in 70MM too.

Ah, if only plane or train tickets cost $5.

GregF
GregF on January 17, 2009 at 4:32 pm

Vertigo is coming! Cool!

View link

GregF
GregF on December 27, 2008 at 3:24 pm

Has anyone been here since the new seats and twinkly ceiling stars were installed? It was pretty comfy before…

Chris Utley
Chris Utley on July 7, 2008 at 3:42 pm

Calm down, Leon. The Seattle Cinerama DOES HAVE – and USE – CURTAINS.

AND, contrary to popular belief, the standard screen that they use to show non-Cinerama films is slightly curved as well.

roxy1927
roxy1927 on July 3, 2008 at 10:18 am

The screen in the photo is gorgeous.
The Rivoli and the Warner had huge curved screens though to be honest I don’t don’t know to what extent.
Seeing 2001 at the Rivoli was such an overwhelming experience for me that I don’t want to see it again on a flat screen. It was one of the greatest movie experiences of my life. It gave you a sense of 3 D but it was better. Things did not pop out at you like a gimmick.
The Warner also showed 3 strip Cinerama. I would like to know however if their screen of the 60’s and 70’s was different. Also the Capitol when it was showing movies like Zhivago and Planet of the Apes.

If distortion is a problem I thought you could rectfy most of it with lens. Who would notice?. Yes the movie aficiandos, but who else in today’s day and age? I mean we are not in 1952. I’ve seen some pretty lousy presentations and it seems I’m the only one who complains so they just think I’m being difficult.

OK so if they have to change the screen to have 3 strip couldn’t they have as someone said above showing at the same time films like Lawrence, Magnificent Men, 2001 SOM and many others so that the curved screen could be utilized for longer periods of time once a year?
Otherwise Cinerama in the name of the theater is considerably less than accurate.
And I hope they use curtains otherwise an important effect is thrown away.
At the Rivoli when you suddenly see that Hal is reading their lips the curtains started to close with the screen getting narrower slowly focusing on Hal.
Shocking and unbelievably chilling.

And if you were never in the Rivoli, Warner, or Criterion in New York to see 70mm than you have nothing to tell your grandchildren.

JSA
JSA on July 3, 2008 at 9:41 am

Maybe Leon is referring to the fact that the Seattle Cinerama screen is louvered (the Dome’s isn’t), when he states that it is the “only” Cinerama screen in the nation. A point that some Cinerama purists (not me however) may agree. The 3-strip shows at the Dome are terrific, and the recent 70 mm screening of “2001” there was a knockout.

In retrospect, tearing down the screen for the “2001” shows earlier this year, really did not make much sense, considering the fact that they were still running their regular fare on the flat screen. The downtime due to the labor involved (as stated in the above post by D Roben) was simply not justifiable, as opposed to the situation where a full week of Cinerama features are scheduled, and all the films would take advantage of the curvature and screen size.

JSA

droben
droben on July 2, 2008 at 8:59 pm

With all due respect, Leon…

First off, the Seattle Cinerama is not the only three-panel Cinerama theater in the US. The Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles is also equipped to show original Cinerama and has for the past few years on a sporadic basis (as has the Seattle Cinerama).

Second, when Paul Allen bought the Cinerama, he was thinking out of the box. Sure, the big curved screen is impressive, but showing any 35MM print (especially scope)on that screen results in a horrible distortion of the projected image as well as creating a focusing nightmare.

Now, I can’t speak to the theaters you mentioned, but it’s very possible that those screen curvatures were at 120 degrees (a lesser curve) vs. the Cinerama’s 146 degrees (a very deep curve). The problems I mentioned above are not as evident on a 120 degree screen, but still are an issue.

Thirdly, don’t forget that the Seattle Cinerama is a business. Removing the “flat” screen and then putting it up again takes many man hours and results in lost revenues. It is not a cheap undertaking.

When the Seattle Cinerama schedules another week-long Cinerama/70MM festival, you can be sure that the flat screen will come down. And, as I’ve stated before, I will post details here as soon as it is announced.

roxy1927
roxy1927 on July 2, 2008 at 7:08 am

Reading above comments about the flat screen and the curved screen behind it why in the world are they showing 2001 on a flat screen when they have the only Cinerama screen in the country?
Too much assembly required is a pretty lame excuse. Then why have a Cinerama screen if you hardly ever use it?
And what I especially don’t get is the fact that The Capitol and the Warner Cinerama, and Rivoli in NY often had 35 mm presentations between their 70mm films. And when I saw the salute to 70mm in the late 70’s at the Warner I hardly think they went to such trouble to present it. Also I saw Superman 2 there and it was the same screen.
The Rivoli occasionally showed 70mm in the 70' which I saw on the wide curved screen. I never heard of a screen change and it would not have been worth it especially over night.
Somebody at the Seattle needs to think out of the box.

KingBiscuits
KingBiscuits on July 1, 2008 at 10:30 pm

I wonder how the theatre became the main theatre in Seattle for CC/DVS presentations. A good move by Mr. Allen, helping entertain the hearing and visually impared.

ZiegfeldMan
ZiegfeldMan on April 22, 2008 at 12:04 pm

Any Chance for “How The West Was Won” to coincide with Warner’s DVD package this summer?

Thanks

droben
droben on April 19, 2008 at 9:53 pm

The Cinerama’s website states that the “film is aged with discoloring.” Awkwardly worded, but at least they’re being truthful.

JSA
JSA on April 17, 2008 at 3:17 pm

“Superman” will be playing for a week. I’m curious as to the condition of the print.

delta
delta on April 17, 2008 at 2:48 am

This is how the flat screen is installed in front of the permanent Cinerama louvered screen at pictureville.
[url=http://www.in70mm.com/news/2006/cinerama_pictureville/index.html]

neeb
neeb on April 17, 2008 at 1:43 am

Apparently the Cinerama is playing Superman 1978 in 70mm this weekend.

The Arclight could learn a thing or two from their Seattle brethren.

GregF
GregF on March 23, 2008 at 6:03 pm

I took a friend who had never seen Lawrence before this afternoon. We were both impressed. This is the place where I saw it for the first time. There were only 2 problems. One was a known problem and it had been posted in the lobby, so there wer no surprises. There was going to be a 1.5 minute silence just before the intermission. It was a problem with the print. The other problem was a lot of frame jumping during the tent scene. Not sure if that was a problem beforehand or not, but it was sorted out in short order. Well done! Can’t beat 7th row center!

GregF
GregF on March 20, 2008 at 10:57 pm

Good to know. I’m planning on going to the noon show on Sunday as well.

droben
droben on March 17, 2008 at 12:03 pm

A friend of mine saw Lawrence on Sunday and said that the presentation was flawless and that the print was excellent. She also said that the theater was about ¾ full, which is quite impressive for an early Sunday show. I’m planning to see it next Sunday. I’ll post my impressions afterwards.

GregF
GregF on March 16, 2008 at 10:00 pm

Did anyone see the 70mm Lawurence of Arabia today? I hope it was better than the 2001 presentation on Feb. 3rd.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton on March 9, 2008 at 11:48 pm

Oh Bob, stop it!… you’re making me homesick… again!!!

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois on March 8, 2008 at 7:42 am

Why isn’t a WIDESCREEN WEEKEND done here each year as is done in Great Britain? Just think, a whole weekend with, 3-strip CINERAMA and 70mm “CINERAMA”, 3-strip CINEMIRICLE, 3-strip KINOPANORAMA, 70mm TODD-AO etc.! Everyone should bug the heck out of the Gods in charge of the Seattle CINERAMA. To see what we are missing see: View link

“Ladies and Gentlemen, This is CINERAMA!” Lowell Thomas September 30, 1952