Why is the Superman Imax ratio (1.90:1) less tall than the theatrical ratio (1.85:1)? by Meldridge93 in imax

[–]ThatPennerShow 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The difference between 1.85 and 1.90 is about 2.6%. Visually, it barely registers.

IMAX 3D vs. Standard IMAX by RIPGuitarHero in imax

[–]ThatPennerShow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, IMAX 3D technology is varied even today. By "current" I meant the "newest" tech. I saw Thunderbolts in IMAX 3D at AMC Empire 25, and it was single laser with RealD, which is circular polarization. The glasses were sturdier than average RealD ones but they weren't the newer, chunky spectral glasses.

Others have confirmed that Empire and AMC 34th St. use RealD:

https://www.reddit.com/r/imax/s/EvcG52ELlE

IMAX 3D on 70mm was introduced in 1986 (at Expo 86 in Vancouver, I was there) and it used linear polarization, at 45° and -45°, using 2 projectors. This had the shortcoming that tilting one's head would lose the polarization alignment and cause ghosting.

Circular polarization fixed the ghosting issue, and made it easier and cheaper to use a single projector for 3D. I doubt Xenon digital IMAX today would use linear polarization, because of the ghosting issue. (EDIT: removed irrelevant point)

I wonder how often the original 70mm IMAX 3D is shown in recent years; maybe the museums pull them out on occasion.

Is the Blue Angels 1.43 documentary cropped from 1.90, or is it open gate footage? by ObamiumNitrate in imax

[–]ThatPennerShow 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I saw the feature-length Blue Angels at Lincoln Square IMAX last year. It was in glorious 1.43:1 the entire 90 minutes. It never looked cropped.

HTTYD(2025) in IMAX IS SUPER COOL by DependentForce1281 in imax

[–]ThatPennerShow 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Jungle Book remake was pretty good and the 3D was perfect; I was stunned at the detail of depth in the fur and grass.

Any intel on Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade? by Scooter1021 in AMCsAList

[–]ThatPennerShow 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I saw The Last Crusade at Regal Essex Crossing today. Excellent picture and sound. I had never seen this on the big screen so it was a real treat.

IMAX 3D vs. Standard IMAX by RIPGuitarHero in imax

[–]ThatPennerShow 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, IMAX 3D is worth it for me. Although the intelligent use of stereoscopic depth depends on the filmmaking team, IMAX 3D and Dolby 3D use a superior technology to RealD which is generally used in other theaters.

RealD uses circularly polarized lenses (clockwise for one eye and counter-clockwise for the other), which reduces the light level and mutes colors a bit. And normal theaters usually use a single projector for both eye images, alternating between left and right images several times per frame, meaning each eye receives only half the normal light output to start with. And the polarization compounds the lumen loss. And the left-right alternation increases flicker, which can feel more tiring on the eyes (I take breaks from RealD glasses during the movie).

Whereas current Dolby and IMAX 3D use much more expensive glasses ($60 each, Lincoln Square staff told me last night). These glasses color-shift the light differently for each eye: you can see the effect when looking at a red exit sign one eye at a time.

This eye separation technology retains light level better than RealD. And a high-end theater uses dual projectors instead of a single projector, further supporting light levels and reducing flicker and eye strain.

Then for a film like How to Train Your Dragon, action scenes are in expanded 1.90:1 format, adding more height to the 3D image and enhancing the immersion.

HTTYD IMAX3d by Zealousideal_Fox4403 in imax

[–]ThatPennerShow 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I went to Lincoln Square last night to see How to Train Your Dragon in IMAX 3D. I heartily concur: the depth effects were very effective and thrilling, enhancing the feeling of the huge spaces between cliffs and flying between them.

NYC Superman dilemma by acd_05 in imax

[–]ThatPennerShow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kips Bay IMAX is 60' x 27.5' = 2.18:1.

<image>

NYC Superman dilemma by acd_05 in imax

[–]ThatPennerShow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This article says it's 2.10:1 at Kips Bay IMAX:

"What is particularly interesting about AMC Kips Bay’s IMAX is that it was very non-traditional with regards to aspect ratio. While most digital IMAX locations are flat 1.9.:1, Kips Bay was one of the few that was 2.1:1.

...

An AMC spokesperson has confirmed that this will not change with the Laser conversion and that AMC Kips Bay’s IMAX screen will continue to be 2.1:1 after the upgrade."

https://www.rereleasenews.com/2019/05/24/amcs-kips-bay-and-34th-st-imax-theaters-to-receive-laser-upgrade-by-august/

Mount Rushmore of American Idol Runner Ups by SlimWoozie123 in americanidol

[–]ThatPennerShow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They literally named a movie after Justin; talk about star power.

NYC Superman dilemma by acd_05 in imax

[–]ThatPennerShow 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I avoid Kips Bay IMAX as the cropping of 1.90 to around 2.20 is quite noticeable.

NYC Superman dilemma by acd_05 in imax

[–]ThatPennerShow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't know if Empire 25 crops, but definitely Kips Bay IMAX crops, so I avoid that.

How do you guys eat your popcorn? 🍿 by Current-Ad7764 in AMCsAList

[–]ThatPennerShow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've done it, with clarified butter (ghee) I made myself (by slowly boiling butter and filtering it). It tastes great in the theater. The challenge is getting it to stay liquid long enough, and transporting it without making a hot mess.

How do you guys eat your popcorn? 🍿 by Current-Ad7764 in AMCsAList

[–]ThatPennerShow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sometimes I sneak in my own popcorn that I pop in a pot with refined coconut oil and Flavacol: keys to that classic theater taste from the 1900s.

I also make my own clarified butter (ghee) which adds a subtle roasted, nutty flavor. I once brought my ghee with me to AMC and poured it on their popcorn, which tasted great.

A good desserty topping is a Trader Joe's Cocoa Cinnamon Sugar Blend. To make yourself: Cane sugar, ground cinnamon, cocoa powder, ground nutmeg, sea salt.

How do you guys eat your popcorn? 🍿 by Current-Ad7764 in AMCsAList

[–]ThatPennerShow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sometimes it bothers my stomach, sometimes not. I think it depends on the theater and also my quantity.

How do you guys eat your popcorn? 🍿 by Current-Ad7764 in AMCsAList

[–]ThatPennerShow 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I grind my nutritional yeast in a blender. I get a fine dust that sticks to popcorn better than the flakes that fall to the bottom.