Watch out for "fake" IMAX

[vawitch]

I was sooo jonzed to see Star Trek in IMAX @ my local AMC. Having only seen 1 other IMAX film, at the A&S Annex in Chantilly (Transformers 07), I had nothing to compare it to. And since The Dark Knight came out before the theater was ready, nothing's come out I wanted to pay the extra $5 for.

So I went to see Star Trek in "IMAX" at Potomac Mills 15, Woodbridge VA.

Whenever there wasn't lots of actions happening, that your eye is trying to focus on, I easily noticed "square pixels", or what others call a screen-door effect. Either way - distracting.

Upon reading this article @ AintItCoolNews.com, it would appear my eyes were NOT deceiving me.

From now on, since I'm picky about what I'm coughing extra $ for on movies - I'll budget my time & gas to go to the A&S Annex. For an evening show, it is (before $2) shipping the same price per ticket at Chantilly as Potomac. It is a bit more expensive for kids & seniors... but you get the proper experience. The flipside is - no concessions @ Chantilly. Ah well - for most films, no big deal. I'll eat & drink before & after, and have gum or mints handy to keep my throat from being dry.

Comments

[karinablue-rose.livejournal.com]

That would be just too cool to see Star Trek at the IMAX.I plan on going to see Star Wars this Friday.

[okami-myrrhibis.livejournal.com]

Star Wars (and which one) or Star Trek?

[thedooz.livejournal.com]

that is so lame. Sorry you got cheated. i would have been upset too. Man! that blows.

[seagull2eagle.livejournal.com]

That sucks. :( I can't believe they're letting them use the brand without the screens - how is anybody supposed to tell if it's a real IMAX or not? That's the whole point of a brand!

[okami-myrrhibis.livejournal.com]

Ahhh - see - that's the thing. The theaters wanted to/suggested using "IMAX Digital" to differntiate. IMAX heads went "Nah, it's as good as IMAX - just more accessible!".

Which is BS. It isn't - even I, who has seen 1 true IMAX & 1 pseudo-IMAX can tell the difference. Other than a *little* bit of blurriness during some bust action scenes in TF, I had NO problems w/ the size - but felt like I was *right there*. Not so w/ the pseudo-Imax.

Just wanted to pass the word, since summer-blockbuster season is here, with a new Transformers offering (tho Potter in IMAX should be good, just not sure I will pay the time & gas to see it).

[tfrework.livejournal.com]

Transformers 2 in IMAX at Udvar-Hazy is going to be a must see!

Though technicly, even gum or mints are against the rules there...

[okami-myrrhibis.livejournal.com]

When's the tickets go on sale? Are you planning on seeing it local to home first, or @ U-H? Trying to coordinate a trip for the parents & friends out to U-H - as well as my geek-trip midnight showing LOL.

[tfrework.livejournal.com]

Well, U-H is a little close to home for me than for you. There's only one or two options I would have closer.

But I have to think about if I want it on IMAX the first time I see it. IMAX is maybe too big to take in everything happening on the screen and I remember thinking that I was glad I saw TF1 on a regular screen first.

Hmmm. A dilemma.

[okami-myrrhibis.livejournal.com]

I know - I'm thinking first time/midnight madness @ local theater; then the OMG FX experience @ U-H.

Course, we can always hope our first viewing will be @ Paramount XD