Cinemark Egyptian 24 and XD

so I saw Disney’s ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’ on the XD screen yesterday – and I was a bit underwhelmed by it, mind you it was great to see this where it supposed to be seen – on the big screen… but. The image I though seemed soft and not as sharp as I hoped since a recent 4K restoration was done on the film (and has been making the rounds to select L.A theaters).

I love the ice cream here at the Egyptian.

As for ‘Spiderman’ the only extra scene came early on during the credit crawl.

I thought the 7.1 mix on the XD screen for ‘Prometheus’ was beyond stellar.

I saw the excellent Prometheus movie here on the XD screen and in 3D. Presentation and sound were exceptional. With Ridley Scott filming it in 3D, the holographic imagery and tactical displays are truly amazing. The large screen experience is especially appreciated during the sequence when the shot of the planet starts to rotate with the ship coming into focus. I was developing vertigo during the rotation part, but fortunately, it stopped before I could get nauseated. :) Some parts of the multi channel sound could be noticed especially around seat level, which adds to the immersion experience of the movie. I wanted to catch it at the AMC Tysons in ETX but they’ve got Tom Cruise’s ‘Rock of Ages’ movie there :P

The $14.75 price is more palatable, albeit slightly, then the $17 or $18 that AMC and Regal charges for 3D IMAX-lite.

For those frequent moviegoers out there. If you sign up on Cinemark’s email list, they send you a weekly coupon for a free beverage when you buy nachos or popcorn. I spent $5 on the nachos and got the $4 drink for free! Much better then paying $9 for the combo. When you think about it though, that little pack of Nachos may cost $1..$1.50 retail at your convenience store and the little ¼ cup of cheese..maybe 50c..you know what kind of profit killing they are making on that $9 combo price.

looks like a number of ‘classics’ are being shown in the coming months:

The Exorcist – 06/6
Citizen Kane – 06/13
Cool Hand Luke – 06/20
The Searchers – 06/27
That’s Entertainment – 07/04
North By Northwest – 07/18
Cabaret – 07/25

The Godfather Part II will be shown in large-format XD auditoriums on Thursday, April 19 Cinemark has shown trailers for these classic film screenings before some recently released films, usually ones of the same or similar genres.

A movie poster outside the theatre indicates that The Godfather will be shown on the XD screen on Thursday, March 1.

There has been a slight price bump to the XD prices.

Also visited the IMAX-lite auditorium at AMC Loews White Marsh 16 a while ago, which is similar in size (both seating capacity & auditorium size) to the XD at this theatre. However, the IMAX screen at White Marsh is not wall to wall due to emergency exits located on the left and right sides, behind the screen.

actually, Rave Fairfax 14 was the first all digital cineplex, then the Centreville 12 theatres, the Egyptian was the third, but in all fairness, the AFI Silver really was the first since DLP systems were on all three screens from day one.

Mazza’s #1 is the better of the THX houses even if all of the Mazza auditoriums are supposedly THX-certified. I did say bass boom is nicer in the [i]better[-i] THX houses. Bow-Tie’s Annapolis 1 comes to mind. As far as Potter in XD, it just may have been the soundtrack had little of that sound effect in the movie. I suppose this venue is the first in the DC/MD/VA metro are that is now entirely DP?

I saw the latest Harry Potter here in XD #12. The preshow ads almost filled the entire screen! Not bad and in better resolution without the pixellation you see at the Regals. Though not a fan of the series, the movie was sustainable for its almost 3 hour length. The late show crowd was sparse but given the film’s super wide release and its practically hourly show times, I suppose the number who did come was a decent turn out. Sound is good but bass is not DEEP and booming as in the better THX houses. The film is digitally bright but colors not as vibrant. I suppose its because of the 2K print master they used? The film’s $13 admission price is more palatable then AMC’s IMAX-lite’s $17.50. I suppose people along with me complained enough for them to hold the line on pricing? :) I didn’t check out the concession stand this time.

The majority of the standard auditoriums had new Barco DLP projectors installed this week. I’m assuming these are the new DLP Enhanced 4K-ready models but I didn’t have time to ask anyone.

The digital presentation of Unstoppable in auditorium 19 looked very bright and detailed with the new projector and had good sound levels to accompany it. I also enjoyed the film a lot.

The entrance to the XD auditorium has been updated as well with red neon lighting, a larger XD sign above the entrance and a redesigned XD poster case across from the auditorium entrance.

Piranha, Giles? PIRANHA???? In 3D, no less and paying $14.50 for XD???? I thought you were better than that :P :)

I want to see Avatar, again, too. Maybe tomorrow. My first experience was less than pleasurable given the fact that I had eaten some bad potluck food… The special edition should be worthy of the admission price.