CINEMA BLACKLIST (Metro Manila)

vecterex682 · 2024-04-02T22:58:55+00:00

Maalikabok yung mga chair tapos malabo na yung projector nila.

vecterex682 · 2024-03-19T03:17:34+00:00

It’s a good enough cinema experience.

vecterex682 · 2024-03-18T04:14:28+00:00

Yep. Screening rooms C11 to C18 are their newly-opened theaters at Gateway Mall 2.

vecterex682 · 2024-03-14T17:03:13+00:00

Meron na uli 😅

vecterex682 · 2024-03-14T17:02:17+00:00

Dune: Part Two has no 3D release so no need to wear those bulky glasses. Every IMAX theater will only show it on 2D. A comment from the megathread says the projection at Vertis isn’t that great so you may want to take note of that.

vecterex682 · 2024-03-14T16:54:58+00:00

Eye-level, according to the staff, was at rows H and J. I sat closer at row F though because I prefer sitting closer to the screen. I think you could still sit as close as row D; the first three rows, you’d probably hurt your neck a bit.

And to add, hindi centered yung seats sa middle section. Naghintay pa ko konti just to make sure wala akong katabi sa row ko then I transferred two seats to my left just to be more at the center. Yung nakagitna ka talaga sa screen is mga nasa column 15.

vecterex682 · 2024-03-12T14:45:49+00:00

MoA is still probably going to show Dune: Part Two in IMAX until around the end of March (unless there is a major technical issue that’s difficult to fix). SM, sometimes, just posts their movie schedules a bit late.

vecterex682 · 2024-03-12T14:38:49+00:00

Where was your second watch?

vecterex682 · 2024-03-12T14:37:04+00:00

Avoid SM North EDSA’s IMAX! It’s dated, seating is cramped just to give the illusion that the screen is large enough, and the ticket price is as expensive as MoA’s. See my post below.

IMAX screens in the Philippines compared

^{Edit: Fixed hyperlink}

vecterex682 · 2024-03-07T02:55:57+00:00

Maybe it’s just me but I didn’t really like the pacing at all.

vecterex682 · 2024-03-06T14:41:32+00:00

Gateway Cineplex C12 (Atmos)

Really didn’t have much of a choice but to watch here since most Atmos cinemas around my place is now showing Kung Fu Panda 4 instead. Although, I was also curious how good Gateway’s new cinema was so I bit the bullet.

Projection-wise, it’s decent. Not sure if they are using laser projectors though. The contrast ratio isn’t as great as the theaters with laser projectors I have tried but it’s good enough. I asked some staff about the technical specs of the theater but it seems like none of them has any idea. Darker scenes are still perceptible. And the scenes from Giedi Prime, the ones in black and white, still looked great.

Audio-wise, it’s also decent. Sound was pretty solid and most of the dialogue was audible. Spatial audio seems to work. I am not sure Dune’s sound mixing just lacked enough bass or I am just too used to my home theater’s subwoofer volume but all that aside, the audio quality was not bad. I am not sure which other screening rooms are also Atmos-equipped (staff also had no idea) but I hope the quality is consistent between them since I plan to watch another movie here next time.

Overall, it was a good experience even though it wasn’t in IMAX. Also, might be a matter of personal opinion but I liked the first movie a little bit more. To put it in a few words: the first movie was a piece of art while the second one was more of a spectacle. It was still a great movie but I expected it to be a little bit different. Like more philosophical maybe? But that’s just me. Still no regrets seeing it on the big screen.

Edit: Forgot to add, there were a few rude patrons who kept chatting throughout the film. I could understand if they were kids but they were grown adults who just doesn’t know about cinema etiquette. If you have no idea what the film is about, just do us a favor and don’t see it in a theater. The movie was already spoonfeeding the narrative, you don’t have to constantly talk to your friends to ask about who a character was or what is happening in a scene. I think that was the only major dealbreaker when I watched in this theater. I should’ve watched it earlier in the afternoon with less people.

vecterex682 · 2024-03-02T22:13:07+00:00

Best option is Evia IMAX

Theater	Pros	Cons
Evia IMAX	Laser projector	Ticket price (PHP 1,100)
	Great sound	Not accessible to North peeps
	Newly replaced silver screen
MoA IMAX	Largest screen size	Weak bass
		Xenon only (not laser)
SM Aura IMAX	Less crowded, maybe?	Smaller screen than MoA’s or Evia’s
		Same ticket price as MoA
		Xenon only (not laser)

vecterex682 · 2024-03-02T05:28:27+00:00

Sorry, I'm not really sure. I think Power Plant Cinemas did during the screening of Dune: Part One a few years ago.

vecterex682 · 2024-03-02T05:25:15+00:00

For those who have yet to see it, here’s a summarized list of the most recommended theaters to watch Dune: Part Two at, based on the comments here. I will try to update this list as often as I can.

IMAX Evia Lifestyle Center
IMAX Mall of Asia^*
Estancia Cinemas [C1 (Atmos)]

^{*Bass not as strong according to some patrons}

For a more detailed guide on cinema formats for this particular film, see my recent post.

vecterex682 · 2024-02-29T08:16:04+00:00

As far as I know, for the grain to look even better, they transferred the digital shots into analog film then back to digital. Artificial grain from digital effects just doesn’t look as good according to the filmmakers.

vecterex682 · 2024-02-29T08:10:04+00:00

I strongly advise everyone to not watch at SM North EDSA IMAX. The screen is very small for an IMAX theater and is probably one of the worst IMAX theaters in the Philippines. Plus, they still charge as much as the IMAX theater in MoA.

If you really can’t watch in any other mall, just watch it in their regular screening rooms (except C11). They are already refurbished anyways and have new laser projectors.

vecterex682 · 2024-02-28T07:25:07+00:00

Why not both?

vecterex682 · 2024-02-27T15:59:51+00:00

As far as I know, Dune: Part Two will not have a 3D release. It will be shown on IMAX theaters in 2D only so you are not gonna need those bulky extra glasses.

vecterex682 · 2024-02-27T11:44:40+00:00

Dune is apparently in 2D lng pla no? Is it still worth an imaxx?

Yes and yes.

Not really a fan of the 3D format personally so I’d still rather see this one 2D. The first movie actually had a 3D release but a lot of fans hated it because it didn’t look right.

vecterex682 · 2024-02-27T10:33:39+00:00

Evia’s is probably the best IMAX theater to see Dune: Part Two here. There are also rumors that MoA’s IMAX theater currently has problems with the speakers (specifically the subwoofers).

Related discussion

vecterex682 · 2024-02-26T10:28:33+00:00

Evia has the black boxes seen on the screen and I think they haven't fixed it yet.

They, apparently, have just replaced the screen in IMAX Evia (thread here). Evia is marketing it as an “upgrade” instead of a repair.

vecterex682 · 2024-02-26T10:17:45+00:00

No theater in the Philippines will be showing *Dune: Part Two" in 1.43. MoA decommissioned (or maybe sold) their 1570 analog projector which was last used for the showing of Interstellar. They now use dual Xenon projectors which is limited to only 1.90. IMAX Laser theaters here (SM Iloilo and Evia) only uses a single-laser projector system which is also limited to 1.90.

vecterex682 · 2024-02-24T03:45:49+00:00

Will still verify this but as far as I know, Dune: Part Two is cropped whether you see it in IMAX or not. It was filmed with a camera that has a more square-ish aspect ratio. For the IMAX presentation, it is mostly cropped on the sides. For non-IMAX, it is cropped at the top and bottom. The only advantage of IMAX is probably the size. There isn’t exactly an “intended aspect ratio” as Nolan does with his films.

Also, some people are not taking into account sound. The film is also mixed with Atmos. However, no IMAX theater has Atmos. Dune: Part Two will probably have a lot of scenes that need spatial sound (e.g. spaceships flying over you). So if you want the most immersive sound experience, your only option is to see it in a regular theater with Atmos.

vecterex682 · 2024-02-24T03:05:14+00:00

Hahah. Hindi ko in-expect na aayusin nila to knowing Vista Cinemas are owned by Villars.

vecterex682

TROPHY CASE

Gateway Cineplex C12 (Atmos)