I saw something similar when I saw John Wick here in IMAX Digital (lines in center of screen, only visible in the bright scenes) I think in that case it may have been pattern left from the pre-show content which wasn’t properly turned off before the feature. I also remember when this theater first went digital in Fall 2013 there were some issues with the earliest showings.
So glad I saw Fantastic Beasts at the Empire 25. I hope to see Rogue One here, and sounds by then the kinks should be worked out, with 3D and other finishing touches ready (taking a week off before Rogue One seems like a good idea, I wonder if they should’ve just canceled the first week of Fantastic Beasts showings or even waited till Rogue One so everything could have been properly finished and calibrated before the reopening).
First IMAX showings currently listed are for Saturday. It will play in IMAX 2D here, meaning the IMAX 3D version (which uses frame breaks with IMAX’s expanded aspect ratio) will only be at Empire 25 in Manhattan.
Celboy: tickets are on sale for this coming weekend in 4k/3D/120 for Billy Lynn. What happened was this (and the LA screen with that format) had a one week exclusive window to the film before it hit any other theaters.
Yes, laser IMAX can do the classic 1:43 ratio (was always announced as a feature of the system). The only laser IMAX film I saw, Force Awakens, had a 1:43 sequence, and Batman v Superman and Ghostbusters also used 1:43 for laser IMAX.
CHH32- people working for IMAX have already confirmed on Twitter that it won’t play Doctor Strange and that their goal is to be ready for Fantastic Beasts. Apparently there are going to take a status look at it in the next couple days (they may be testing the projector and sound for instance)
Moviebuff82: Fantastic Beasts is being released in both IMAX 2D and 3D (Kips Bay and Penn Station have 2D, Empire 25 has 3D and my gut is Lincoln Square probably will also if it is ready in time), it seems like most Warner Bros IMAX releases do this strategy (In the Heart of the Sea, Batman v Superman, and Suicide Squad all split between 2D and 3D IMAX showings).
Celboy: yes those Billy Lynn tickets are for 4K/3D/120 fps showings, and apparently here and one theater in LA playing that format will get a one week exclusive window on the picture, with the wide release in standard format moved to Nov 18.
Darth_Vader444: Billy Lynn isn’t scheduled to be an IMAX release, so I don’t think there is any correlation (though yes, fully expect Rogue One to play in IMAX laser here).
But what it means is the regular-sized Kings screen on the second floor, which underwent the million dollar renovation to be able to host the world premiere of Billy Lynn (custom built projector, and required other auditorium changes) will also be one of a handful of screens worldwide playing it in the 120 fps/3D/4K format Ang Lee shot it in when that releases on November 11.
My brother and sister are seeing Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk here as part of NYFF. Its the “Kings” screen which has gone through the million dollar renovation in order to be able to play it in 120 fps/3D/4K, and my brother checked with the theater and confirmed it will play in that format during its regular theatrical release (as expected given all the trouble of prepping the screen for its NYFF premiere).
Sounds like IMAX renovations are going well so far. According to IMAX’s chief marketing officer the hope is to re-open with Doctor Strange, but it will be open “for sure” with Fantastic Beasts (and naturally play Rogue One as well, this also goes with the plan I heard from staff at the theater right before the renovation began).
Moviebuff82- IMAX has said they’ve started developing a laser system for the smaller screens, though there is no timeframe given for when it would be ready or any guarantee it would be put here early on (Lincoln Square waited two years), so I wouldn’t expect it for a long while.
As for highest grossing movie ever here, I think it would likely be The Force Awakens (#1 domestic film ever unadjusted for inflation, as well as the top adjusted gross since this theater’s been open, and it played to big crowds here well into it’s release) with Avatar probably the only other possible alternative.
Mikeoaklandpark- Sully (and any film shot with IMAX cameras) is 2.35 in other theaters as part of the agreement for using those cameras is that the expanded image be exclusive to IMAX screens.
Also, RPX is just Regal taking the screen they already have and giving it the large format designation, there isn’t another party involved working on the projection and sound like with IMAX or Dolby Cinema (though I don’t want to hate on Regal too much, for standard screens and theater maintenance I’ve mostly liked the chain).
Because the IMAX screen here is under renovation, they went ahead and installed IMAX equipment at Alice Tully Hall (which I don’t believe is listed here as it doesn’t do commercial runs of movies, but does also host many New York Film Festival showings) a few blocks away just to be able to host the Sully premiere.
A similar undertaking was done previously with the Vienna Opera House to show the Mission Impossible 5 premiere in IMAX.
Hateful Eight was incorrectly framed and then out of focus at the beginning (fixed soon after overture/openung credits sequence) and image cut out with sound still going for about 30 seconds near the end.
As for other films, I saw the typical problems of badly scratched prints, muddy images, colors changing in the middle of a scene due to print damage, etc. (these were all 35mm showings in 2012-2013 as I noticed problems with film projection becoming more frequent, and the last years I found film projection of new releases outside of very rare circumstances).
Lincoln Square IMAX installed digital in Fall 2013, so they may have had some QA system in there (the digital IMAX system was installed really fast though- they were closed for just 3 or 4 days), but the customer service team mentioned that as part of the renovation when I was there a couple weeks ago. Could be it’s a more advanced QA system designed for laser projection and the new sound system.
CF100, I feel seeing a new film print properly projected is gorgeous, but those probably only happen now in special events. In regular multiplexes as you say substandard projection was not uncommon particularly as a film was shown more and got some damage, and it got worse in the last five years or so as trained film projectionists became rare so that I’d even go to the first showing on film of a movie like Hateful Eight and there were significant issues.
But while I do feel DCP is better in the everyday multiplex world, there always is a chance for error and I think one of the issues with more automated theater operations now is usually there isn’t someone there checking for problems when they occur. Which is why I think the system IMAX is putting in is promising, the screen should be properly calibrated and be getting some more oversight, even if it is done remotely.
If you look at Fandango’s list of theaters with reserved seating: http://www.fandango.com/reserved-seating-theaters
it looks like AMC is planning on adding reserved seating to a ton of theaters, including almost all in New York.
I feel that reserved seating has its place, but more for premium offerings like IMAX or the theaters with recliners (which is what AMC was mostly using it for before), and kinda wish on the normal 300 seat screens they just kept it as is since that can turn into a hassle, particularly if you are going to the movie as a last minute thing.
I don’t know about specific screens, but other than the IMAX (which is somewhere between a 1.9 and 2.35 aspect ratio) I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole theater was scope. I’ve always seen them move the masking in on the left and right for 1.85 films shown here.
Just a little more to add to Billy Lynn, the NY Times indeed say it is expected that Lincoln Square will play Billy Lynn in Ang Lee’s format during theatrical release
I figured (given the expense/trouble involved with specially outfitting a screen) but still nice to hear.
Also, sounds like Lincoln Square may be the only theater to play it that way, though there will be 4k/3D/60 fps and 4k/2D/120 fps showings at other theaters.
As for IMAX laser, I was told their hope was for the start of holiday season blockbusters but definitely by Thanksgiving barring a major delay, so sounds like they aiming for Doctor Strange but could slip to Fantastic Beasts.
This theater will host the first ever 3D/4K/120 fps public showing with the World Premiere of Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk on October 14th. It will be in relatively small screen with 300 seats, and hopefully also plays that way during its commercial run here.
The IMAX screen is scheduled to close after this weekend, for laser and other improvements (new seats, sound system, quality assurance monitoring system). Their plan is indeed to reopen for the holiday season blockbusters provided there are no delays in construction.
I don’t see anything official on IMAX’s account, and we know they’ve delayed plans multiple times, so can’t get too excited until the renovation actually begins.
But if it starts after Sucide Squad’s run, seems unlikely they would have it ready for Sully (the first Hollywood film almost entirely shot with IMAX cameras) on Sept. 9, but maybe for Terence Malick’s Voyage of Time (which you know would look great in IMAX laser) in October, and obviously they would only do it if they can be open for Holiday blockbusters like Doctor Strange and Fantastic Beasts.
The two obvious reasons BowTie would sell are either the theater wasn’t doing the business they were hoping for (someone who came to this theater more often than me could probably say if the renovations led to a big increase in attendance), or Cinepolis' offer was too attractive to pass up.
It could be Cinepolis was interested in trying to get into the Manhattan market (plenty of exhibitors are) and probably easier to make a deal with BowTie than a mega chain like Regal or AMC.
Went here tonight, and it’s clearly in a transition period. The Bowtie signage outside was gone, with just a simple Cinepolis banner in its place, and the Cinepolis logo was used before the movie, but the ticket and seats still bore the Bowtie logo. Concessions seemed no different than under Bowtie, but that may be updated in the future.
Overall, never been really impressed with this theater, not a convenient location for me, screens on the smaller size, and masking either not used or properly set up, though the theater is notable to me as being the first in NY with digital projection when it played An Ideal Husband in Summer 1999.
When I went to see Independence Day Resurgence tonight in the IMAX, sections of the theater were closed off as they were renovating (seems to be done in stages with some screens closed first, and the next screens will close when the others reopen). I know the comfy reclining chairs will be part of the renovation (even had a sample pair in the lobby), though hopefully they will also give any projection/sound improvements needed, as well as spiff up the lobby/concessions section.
It will also be interesting if the IMAX screen has any improvements done or also gets new chairs- FWIW I believe IMAX gets control on auditorium layout with their screens.
Moviebuff82, since Ghostbusters IMAX tickets are already on sale for mid July, that seems to leave no time for renovations before Suicide Squad at the start of August. Maybe for Sully (which is mostly shot in IMAX), maybe later in the Fall for films like Fantastic Beasts or Rogue One, or maybe not this year at all. Given all the delays which have already occurred, would not be shocked if they wait till next Fall and perhaps show Nolan’s Dunkirk on a film print (which you know the director would like).
ImaxGeek, no projection room viewing gallery (I believe this video shows the projection booth as it was clearly filmed at Lincoln Square https://m.youtube.com/?#/watch?v=C-VjiPRR5cY ) though they used to have some decorations/video outside the IMAX screen about the format back when the theater first opened, but those must have been taken down years ago
Yes, the IMAX here has never had masking (actually that’s pretty common of IMAX screens in general, but sadly even some multiplex screens are not masked anymore).
It wasn’t as big an issue until Fall 2013 when they put the digital projectors in and presentations became windowboxed, and since digital was supposed to just be a stop gap solution until laser, they never seemed to want invest in crating a masking system for that screen (though it’s been almost three years since the transition to IMAX digital)
I saw something similar when I saw John Wick here in IMAX Digital (lines in center of screen, only visible in the bright scenes) I think in that case it may have been pattern left from the pre-show content which wasn’t properly turned off before the feature. I also remember when this theater first went digital in Fall 2013 there were some issues with the earliest showings.
So glad I saw Fantastic Beasts at the Empire 25. I hope to see Rogue One here, and sounds by then the kinks should be worked out, with 3D and other finishing touches ready (taking a week off before Rogue One seems like a good idea, I wonder if they should’ve just canceled the first week of Fantastic Beasts showings or even waited till Rogue One so everything could have been properly finished and calibrated before the reopening).
First IMAX showings currently listed are for Saturday. It will play in IMAX 2D here, meaning the IMAX 3D version (which uses frame breaks with IMAX’s expanded aspect ratio) will only be at Empire 25 in Manhattan.
Celboy: tickets are on sale for this coming weekend in 4k/3D/120 for Billy Lynn. What happened was this (and the LA screen with that format) had a one week exclusive window to the film before it hit any other theaters.
Yes, laser IMAX can do the classic 1:43 ratio (was always announced as a feature of the system). The only laser IMAX film I saw, Force Awakens, had a 1:43 sequence, and Batman v Superman and Ghostbusters also used 1:43 for laser IMAX.
CHH32- people working for IMAX have already confirmed on Twitter that it won’t play Doctor Strange and that their goal is to be ready for Fantastic Beasts. Apparently there are going to take a status look at it in the next couple days (they may be testing the projector and sound for instance)
Moviebuff82: Fantastic Beasts is being released in both IMAX 2D and 3D (Kips Bay and Penn Station have 2D, Empire 25 has 3D and my gut is Lincoln Square probably will also if it is ready in time), it seems like most Warner Bros IMAX releases do this strategy (In the Heart of the Sea, Batman v Superman, and Suicide Squad all split between 2D and 3D IMAX showings).
Celboy: yes those Billy Lynn tickets are for 4K/3D/120 fps showings, and apparently here and one theater in LA playing that format will get a one week exclusive window on the picture, with the wide release in standard format moved to Nov 18.
Darth_Vader444: Billy Lynn isn’t scheduled to be an IMAX release, so I don’t think there is any correlation (though yes, fully expect Rogue One to play in IMAX laser here).
But what it means is the regular-sized Kings screen on the second floor, which underwent the million dollar renovation to be able to host the world premiere of Billy Lynn (custom built projector, and required other auditorium changes) will also be one of a handful of screens worldwide playing it in the 120 fps/3D/4K format Ang Lee shot it in when that releases on November 11.
My brother and sister are seeing Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk here as part of NYFF. Its the “Kings” screen which has gone through the million dollar renovation in order to be able to play it in 120 fps/3D/4K, and my brother checked with the theater and confirmed it will play in that format during its regular theatrical release (as expected given all the trouble of prepping the screen for its NYFF premiere).
https://mobile.twitter.com/eileenatimax/status/784376712285085696
Sounds like IMAX renovations are going well so far. According to IMAX’s chief marketing officer the hope is to re-open with Doctor Strange, but it will be open “for sure” with Fantastic Beasts (and naturally play Rogue One as well, this also goes with the plan I heard from staff at the theater right before the renovation began).
Moviebuff82- IMAX has said they’ve started developing a laser system for the smaller screens, though there is no timeframe given for when it would be ready or any guarantee it would be put here early on (Lincoln Square waited two years), so I wouldn’t expect it for a long while.
As for highest grossing movie ever here, I think it would likely be The Force Awakens (#1 domestic film ever unadjusted for inflation, as well as the top adjusted gross since this theater’s been open, and it played to big crowds here well into it’s release) with Avatar probably the only other possible alternative.
Mikeoaklandpark- Sully (and any film shot with IMAX cameras) is 2.35 in other theaters as part of the agreement for using those cameras is that the expanded image be exclusive to IMAX screens.
Also, RPX is just Regal taking the screen they already have and giving it the large format designation, there isn’t another party involved working on the projection and sound like with IMAX or Dolby Cinema (though I don’t want to hate on Regal too much, for standard screens and theater maintenance I’ve mostly liked the chain).
https://mobile.twitter.com/IMAX/status/773304839774216192
Because the IMAX screen here is under renovation, they went ahead and installed IMAX equipment at Alice Tully Hall (which I don’t believe is listed here as it doesn’t do commercial runs of movies, but does also host many New York Film Festival showings) a few blocks away just to be able to host the Sully premiere. A similar undertaking was done previously with the Vienna Opera House to show the Mission Impossible 5 premiere in IMAX.
Hateful Eight was incorrectly framed and then out of focus at the beginning (fixed soon after overture/openung credits sequence) and image cut out with sound still going for about 30 seconds near the end.
As for other films, I saw the typical problems of badly scratched prints, muddy images, colors changing in the middle of a scene due to print damage, etc. (these were all 35mm showings in 2012-2013 as I noticed problems with film projection becoming more frequent, and the last years I found film projection of new releases outside of very rare circumstances).
Lincoln Square IMAX installed digital in Fall 2013, so they may have had some QA system in there (the digital IMAX system was installed really fast though- they were closed for just 3 or 4 days), but the customer service team mentioned that as part of the renovation when I was there a couple weeks ago. Could be it’s a more advanced QA system designed for laser projection and the new sound system.
CF100, I feel seeing a new film print properly projected is gorgeous, but those probably only happen now in special events. In regular multiplexes as you say substandard projection was not uncommon particularly as a film was shown more and got some damage, and it got worse in the last five years or so as trained film projectionists became rare so that I’d even go to the first showing on film of a movie like Hateful Eight and there were significant issues.
But while I do feel DCP is better in the everyday multiplex world, there always is a chance for error and I think one of the issues with more automated theater operations now is usually there isn’t someone there checking for problems when they occur. Which is why I think the system IMAX is putting in is promising, the screen should be properly calibrated and be getting some more oversight, even if it is done remotely.
If you look at Fandango’s list of theaters with reserved seating: http://www.fandango.com/reserved-seating-theaters it looks like AMC is planning on adding reserved seating to a ton of theaters, including almost all in New York.
I feel that reserved seating has its place, but more for premium offerings like IMAX or the theaters with recliners (which is what AMC was mostly using it for before), and kinda wish on the normal 300 seat screens they just kept it as is since that can turn into a hassle, particularly if you are going to the movie as a last minute thing.
I don’t know about specific screens, but other than the IMAX (which is somewhere between a 1.9 and 2.35 aspect ratio) I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole theater was scope. I’ve always seen them move the masking in on the left and right for 1.85 films shown here.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/23/movies/ang-lee-billy-lynns-long-halftime-walk-new-york-film-festival.html?hpw&rref=movies&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region®ion=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well
Just a little more to add to Billy Lynn, the NY Times indeed say it is expected that Lincoln Square will play Billy Lynn in Ang Lee’s format during theatrical release I figured (given the expense/trouble involved with specially outfitting a screen) but still nice to hear.
Also, sounds like Lincoln Square may be the only theater to play it that way, though there will be 4k/3D/60 fps and 4k/2D/120 fps showings at other theaters.
As for IMAX laser, I was told their hope was for the start of holiday season blockbusters but definitely by Thanksgiving barring a major delay, so sounds like they aiming for Doctor Strange but could slip to Fantastic Beasts.
http://www.filmlinc.org/nyff2016/daily/ang-lee-billy-lynns-long-halftime-walk-world-premiere/
This theater will host the first ever 3D/4K/120 fps public showing with the World Premiere of Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk on October 14th. It will be in relatively small screen with 300 seats, and hopefully also plays that way during its commercial run here.
The IMAX screen is scheduled to close after this weekend, for laser and other improvements (new seats, sound system, quality assurance monitoring system). Their plan is indeed to reopen for the holiday season blockbusters provided there are no delays in construction.
I don’t see anything official on IMAX’s account, and we know they’ve delayed plans multiple times, so can’t get too excited until the renovation actually begins. But if it starts after Sucide Squad’s run, seems unlikely they would have it ready for Sully (the first Hollywood film almost entirely shot with IMAX cameras) on Sept. 9, but maybe for Terence Malick’s Voyage of Time (which you know would look great in IMAX laser) in October, and obviously they would only do it if they can be open for Holiday blockbusters like Doctor Strange and Fantastic Beasts.
The two obvious reasons BowTie would sell are either the theater wasn’t doing the business they were hoping for (someone who came to this theater more often than me could probably say if the renovations led to a big increase in attendance), or Cinepolis' offer was too attractive to pass up.
It could be Cinepolis was interested in trying to get into the Manhattan market (plenty of exhibitors are) and probably easier to make a deal with BowTie than a mega chain like Regal or AMC.
Went here tonight, and it’s clearly in a transition period. The Bowtie signage outside was gone, with just a simple Cinepolis banner in its place, and the Cinepolis logo was used before the movie, but the ticket and seats still bore the Bowtie logo. Concessions seemed no different than under Bowtie, but that may be updated in the future.
Overall, never been really impressed with this theater, not a convenient location for me, screens on the smaller size, and masking either not used or properly set up, though the theater is notable to me as being the first in NY with digital projection when it played An Ideal Husband in Summer 1999.
And indeed they are renovating this place.
When I went to see Independence Day Resurgence tonight in the IMAX, sections of the theater were closed off as they were renovating (seems to be done in stages with some screens closed first, and the next screens will close when the others reopen). I know the comfy reclining chairs will be part of the renovation (even had a sample pair in the lobby), though hopefully they will also give any projection/sound improvements needed, as well as spiff up the lobby/concessions section.
It will also be interesting if the IMAX screen has any improvements done or also gets new chairs- FWIW I believe IMAX gets control on auditorium layout with their screens.
Moviebuff82, since Ghostbusters IMAX tickets are already on sale for mid July, that seems to leave no time for renovations before Suicide Squad at the start of August. Maybe for Sully (which is mostly shot in IMAX), maybe later in the Fall for films like Fantastic Beasts or Rogue One, or maybe not this year at all. Given all the delays which have already occurred, would not be shocked if they wait till next Fall and perhaps show Nolan’s Dunkirk on a film print (which you know the director would like).
ImaxGeek, no projection room viewing gallery (I believe this video shows the projection booth as it was clearly filmed at Lincoln Square https://m.youtube.com/?#/watch?v=C-VjiPRR5cY ) though they used to have some decorations/video outside the IMAX screen about the format back when the theater first opened, but those must have been taken down years ago
Yes, the IMAX here has never had masking (actually that’s pretty common of IMAX screens in general, but sadly even some multiplex screens are not masked anymore).
It wasn’t as big an issue until Fall 2013 when they put the digital projectors in and presentations became windowboxed, and since digital was supposed to just be a stop gap solution until laser, they never seemed to want invest in crating a masking system for that screen (though it’s been almost three years since the transition to IMAX digital)