The Majestic’s screens are mixed; some rooms have side masking and some rooms have top masking. #20 is the largest room (about 465 seats) with side masking and #1 the next largest (about 435 seats) with top masking.

14 is not the smallest room, I know #12 is a little smaller (with about 98 seats; not sure if it is the smallest, but it’s the smallest room I’ve been in so far…)

The sound at the Majestic does tend to be unimpressive; better than some theaters I’ve been to, but not one of my favorites.

really? that’s really wide – however, how would a 1.85 film look? I’m definately going to see ‘Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland’ at the Majestic since it’s a non-scope film and it would take up more of the whole wall (with no screen ‘top and bottom’ decreasing)

CinemarkFan – you asked about theatres that do side masking – i.e, extending the screen’s sides – I saw ‘Avatar 3D’ again at Mazza and the screens opens horizontally to reveal a scope (2.35) film

Usually after a bad experience, I do not return. I made an exception this time as this theater had the only booking and showing of the movie “Precious” and would be exiting this market for the time being. I attended the last showing this past Thu 1/21, in Auditorium 14, which presumably, is the smallest of the 20. The screen was decent sized and had stereo surrounds but as in original post, the sound is muffled. As I write this, I am not sure if it detracted from my enjoyment of the movie, which is a mixed bag. If you park in the garage, there is no free or reduced parking fees during the day.

I usually do not purchase movie concession food, especially at the movie chains because of the exorbitant prices, but since I had my elderly Dad in tow, he was cranky and hungry. Surprisingly, the pizza ordered was quite good and made fresh for me. With my Regal points, I received free popcorn, which was okay. I wished all the Regals had popcorn flavorings other than that oily glop they try to pass for butter. Not being much of a coffee drinker, I asked the cashier (who was very friendly) to explain the difference between a latte and cappucino, which she tried to explain. I ended up ordering the latte as it seemed to have more coffee in it, but was not worth the $3.50. So if you MUST order hot food..get the pizza, or the free popcorn, if your points allow for it.

It seems #1 and #2 are the digital theaters. I’m thinking I saw “Day After Tomorrow” in #1 when this place opened.

SDS is Super Dimension 70, a new 70mm format which operates at 48fps and presents each frame rate twice at a display rate of 96 images per-second. It wouldn’t cost much at all to project. A 4k digital projector costs about 150-200 grand. With SDS-70, the theater/distributor would be leasing the projector, which would be paid for via the admissions sold.

Yes, 70mm has a ratio of 2.20: 1. But if the screen had side-masking for a 2.35: 1 presentation, 70mm masking would be no problem. But alas, this place features the top/bottom masking that makes it look like you’ve paid $10 to see a DVD.

Granted, major studios themselves won’t get off the digital tit to make 70mm. This would have to come from a filmmaker with the clout to do whatever he/she wants. I’ve seen a demo of this new system, and it puts digital anything to shame. Will digital become like 35mm? You bet. Will it top 70mm? Not until I am old and grey.

Thanks for the info Giles. I’m currently doing a study on modern multiplex screens that could show a 70mm or SDS-70mm presentation on one of the screens. Looks like I’ll have to exclude the Majestic from the list.

Are there any other multiplexes nearby that has side-masking?

Does the large screen have side-masking? I’m curious.

as of July 1st (2009) there are now two 3D systems, a brand new one for ‘Ice Age 3D’ (a Sony 4K unit) in auditorium #1, the prior system which is not a Sony system.

according to Fandango, the theatre’s debuting it’s 3D system this Friday with the Jonas Brother’s Concert film.

Recently saw in the Washington Post that the theatre has switched hands over to being a Regal now. Maybe now we’ll see some of the larger screens there being converted to digital projection.