Their sound system is Dolby 7.1 (clearly more modern as 7.1 sound I think first debuted in 2010), I’ve seen an animated logo for it before their films.
Like their sound, projection is also great, figured it was 4K but good to have that confirmed (theaters rarely distinguish between 4K and 2K digital projection in their marketing from what I’ve seen).
As for Dome IMAX, I saw a 45 min doc at the one in Cleveland.
It certainly had some interesting things about the experience, but I felt a bit dizzy at a couple points during the movie and for about 5 mins after, plus had a small headache. Not sure I would want to see a two hour+ movie that way.
Well, since we know they had to get permits to do the construction needed for laser, their hand may have been forced. Perhaps January was the only construction window available for a while.
October would have been the perfect month to have done laser construction, they could have had it ready for both Star Wars and other big fall films Spectre and Mockingjay, and the October IMAX releases were not big commercial performers. And it’s disappointing that didn’t happen for whatever reason, but I would understand if at least it means we get laser early 2016 rather than late in the year.
I think the Udar Hazy in a Museum just outside DC will play Star Wars in laser IMAX 3D, but yeah, both that and Jordan’s are like 5 hours drive away from NYC (maybe ultra-devoted fans will do it, but I don’t think I’ve ever gone more than 90 mins away just to see a movie).
All they’ve said before is IMAX plans to install the 70+ laser systems they’ve signed by the end of 2016 (already have the 15 or so they were planning for 2015), so if one of the issues is Lincoln has already removed their film equipment in anticipation of laser, I would prefer it if it means laser in January vs this time next year.
I doubt Hateful Eight has been pushed back, the limited release is December 25th, and the wide is January 8th, and Fandango probably just is reflecting that.
I suspect the Ziegfeld would indeed get more business from Star Wars, but they should have had made that decision already as SW got record pre-sales and many shows are already sold out, so seeing a Ziegfeld option on the day tickets went on sale would have helped them.
The problem is 15/70 prints cost 30k+ back in 2013, and if anything are more expensive now given how rarely film is made.
As I’ve said, Lincoln Square is probably a victim of its own success: why pay all that money for a laser install (though seems like it may come early 2016- fingers crossed) or a film print when it already has nearly sold out the entire first weekend (I have to decide between IMAX at Empire which is already filling up, or standard Real D at theaters closer to me) In the cheaper digital format.
Yes, Star Wars will be both letter and pillarboxed (I.e. windowed) even for the IMAX shot footage, same as all the recent digital releases at Lincoln. I’m not sure of the exact IMAX screen width used in digital, but I heard around 75 feet (with 25 feet taken up by black bars on the side), which seems about right based how it looks.
It is still bigger than the other IMAX locations in NYC, but not as dramatically so (other than Penn Station IMAX, which seems really quite small to me).
Nope, there are six laser 3D locations in the U.S.: TCL Chinese and Universal Citywalk in LA, Meteron in San Fran, Boeing Science Center in Seattle, and the two closest to NYC (though still pretty far) the Sunbrella theater in Reading MA, and Airbus IMAX in Chantily VA. So more than just LA, but clearly focused more on that region.
And IMAX/AMC didn’t just kill 15/70 now, that basically happened at the end of 2013, with anything since (like Interstellar) just being a special occasion. But it is too bad how second class the Lincoln IMAX became after that compared to what it used to be as a 15/70 location.
Tickets to Force Awakens now available in 3D, 2D, and digital IMAX 3D. There will be a limited number of 15/70 prints, but apparently are 2D only (cheaper than dual strip 3D prints) and are mainly focused in the few remaining film only locations, namely in some museums.
As for the whole film/digital debate, I think IMAX 15/70 is the best projection format I’ve seen (of course still haven’t had the chance to IMAX laser) and love the look of film as a source format, but for regular multiplex projection I prefer digital. I never got the TV in Public argument and feel it does look great, plus is much more stable, whereas 35mm projection perhaps looks better under ideal circumstances, but more often I was seeing it looking kinda poor, particularly in the last few years when it was being phased out (still would like to see it from time to time for nostalgia if nothing else).
Is rare to see new releases on film now, but at NYFF I got to see two upcoming films: Brooklyn and Son of Saul in 35. Brooklyn’s print was created just for the festival and despite some blemishes really did look terrific, quite possibly better than a DCP would, but Saul’s print looked like it had been around and a couple times I was worried the film was gonna fall apart.
Star Wars IMAX footage would be 1.43 filling the screen in laser, cropped to 1.9 in digital IMAX (with black bars on top and bottom and left and right at Lincoln), and then further cropped to 2.35 in normal theaters.
Crimson Peak should be a great choice for Lincoln IMAX, as 1.85 is very close to the digital IMAX 1.9 and you should get almost as big a image as possible with the current set-up (would be like IMAX footage in Force Awakens size-wise for the whole film).
I too really want to see IMAX laser here soon. AMC seems to be the processing of installing laser in Citywalk in LA and Meteron in San Fran, so they are clearly willing to take the expense when they feel it is a worthwhile investment/demand, so I suppose polite messages to IMAX/AMC on social media like Twitter and Facebook requesting it for Lincoln Square can’t hurt.
It is possible to take 70mm footage and release it in digital projection, same as any other source format.
While Hateful Eight will get a limited 70mm (regular 5/70, not IMAX 15/70) exclusive window, the vast majority of people will see it in digital projection with its wide release two weeks later.
Hey Howard, that was the fanboy article I was referring to (Making Star Wars is a fansite, and have had wrong info before, so I would take what they say with a grain of salt). I did some looking into it when that article first came out and can find no concerte info about a 15/70 release (which IMAX confirmed back in June 2014 for Interstellar).
Also Syndey IMAX, the world’s largest screen, lists it as playing in digital on their website https://www.imax.com.au/films/star-wars-the-force-awakens/ and if IMAX/Disney is not gonna supply a print there, then where would they? I’m assuming 15/70 releases of Hollywood movies sadly ended with Interstellar, but maybe IMAX will surprise us, and at least as I said the laser locations will do the full 1.43 ratio for IMAX shot footage.
Waterguy65, yes the digital IMAX uses less of the screen than 15/70 and laser (those two are “real” IMAX, digital is the “fake” or “liemax”).
There has been no confirmation of 15/70 prints of Force Awakens being made (there is a fanboy article about it, but wouldn’t trust it), and reports last year were Interstellar was the final 15/70 release (and it has been the only one of 2014 and 2015 so far), so very possible they will show it in digital IMAX. If you wanted to see it in full image IMAX, the IMAX laser locations in the Boston and DC areas are the closest (I miss full IMAX, latest 15/70 presentation I saw at Lincoln Square was Catching Fire, and the last 15 or so times I’ve gone its always been liemax).
IMAX has said they plan on going from the dozen or so laser IMAXes now in use to 70+ worldwide by the end of 2016, so presumably Lincoln Square would be in that rather large 2016 window (IMAX has said they do plan to eventually convert the theater).
Mockingjay Pt 2 now confirmed to play in IMAX here with tickets going on sale today. With an already full fall slate of The Walk (playing now), Crimson Peak, and Spectre on sale, that means no laser IMAX, at least this year.
I think the theater’s success is part of the reason behind the decision- laser systems are expensive to install, and they may even lose seats, so if the theater is seemingly losing no business in windowboxed digital that it had when it was 15/70, I can see why AMC are in no rush to pay the laser expense and lose four weeks of business during the renovation process.
Movieholic: probably the reason why the screen didn’t seem as big with Apes is that is a 1.85 movie, so not as much of the screen space is being used as with the 2.35 films which make up the majority of the Ziegfeld presentations.
That’s a tough call for a theater to make between Star Wars and Hateful Eight, but I do think Star Wars may be the right way to go (obviously it will be massive, question is if SW will bring more business there when it will be all over the place, vs H8 which would probably only be in one or two other NYC theaters with the 70mm exclusive window). I suppose they could run SW for three weeks, and then the DCP of Hateful Eight when it goes wide Jan 8, 2016, but that seems kinda unfitting for such a location.
Anyway, hope they book something soon (Scott’s The Martian is getting very good early reviews and would fit the location IMO). Always a shame to see this theater closed for a period of time.
Oh, and I did some checking and they apparently will still be projecting IMAX digital when Spectre arrives. Fandango lists it as a digital IMAX showing (whereas I’ve seen IMAX laser designated as such in those locations on Fandango) and earlier it was said the seating chart would be changed as part of the laser renovation, but I went onto Fandango for the Spectre screenings and same rows and seat # available for reserved seating.
Since skipping Hunger Games is their only other option to do renovations before Star Wars, yeah, I’m back to feeling pretty likely IMAX laser won’t come till 2016 here (just don’t want IMAX trying to still hype it as “new” tech then when it will have been in other theaters for over a year).
The Dolby Cinema construction is complete, and the Prime screen has now re-opened as the only laser projection screen in NYC (according to Fandango they are showing Mission Impossible Rogue Nation there this week).
The Prime screen is currently closed for a few weeks of renovation because it will then be reopening as a Dolby Cinema location complete with the Vision laser projection. As far as I know, the IMAX screen here (which is still playing) will remain normal digital, at least for a little while.
I went to Mission Impossible here as well (also saw Ant-Man a couple weeks back as I want to go here as much as possible if it is indeed closing soon). And actually, not only was the presentation quality great as usual, but at that showing (7:30 PM Friday) there was a decent crowd of a couple hundred people- not nearly sold out but more than I usually see there.
Was this said recently, that would be great if true (I remember when they first switched to digital in fall of 2013 the manager said the plan was to go to laser sometime in the second half of 2014, so I’m a bit skeptical until they lock down an actual month or other clear time frame).
Interesting that they would also put in new seats (I understand they don’t want to go with recliners, but I find the IMAX seats decent already, it is some of the ones in the downstairs screens that feel like they may be falling apart) could certainly see it taking longer than 4 weeks to renovate if they did that as well which likely means a big film or two will be skipped if they open this year.
Given we are already getting press releases/announced schedules for IMAX locations converting to laser for Feb 2016 dates and still no announcement on a timetable for Lincoln Square, I’m not optimistic it is happening this year. One other nice bit of info the article gives is that it takes approx. 4 weeks to convert to laser, so unless they are going to begin the process after Mission Impossible or Man from Uncle at the very latest we can probably write it off from happening this year (don’t see them cutting off the runs of Everest and The Walk when those films are opening early in IMAX, and after those there isn’t much time before the big holiday blockbusters starting with Spectre).
As for the non-IMAX screens, I also think the place could use some renovation (and it does great business, so it would make financial sense). I’ve seen Ex Machina and a test screening of Steve Jobs here recently, and the screens/seats were showing their age.
It would be great if they fixed the curtain and used it for all screenings. But when we know the theater loses a lot of money and may be closing soon (obviously nobody knows outside of Cablevision/BowTie but I wouldn’t be shocked if they close the theater after the summer movie season as that usually is a slow time for the Ziegfeld), I don’t think they are looking to spend even a couple thousand on a fix which is not necessary for the theater to operate normally.
Their sound system is Dolby 7.1 (clearly more modern as 7.1 sound I think first debuted in 2010), I’ve seen an animated logo for it before their films.
Like their sound, projection is also great, figured it was 4K but good to have that confirmed (theaters rarely distinguish between 4K and 2K digital projection in their marketing from what I’ve seen).
As for Dome IMAX, I saw a 45 min doc at the one in Cleveland. It certainly had some interesting things about the experience, but I felt a bit dizzy at a couple points during the movie and for about 5 mins after, plus had a small headache. Not sure I would want to see a two hour+ movie that way.
Well, since we know they had to get permits to do the construction needed for laser, their hand may have been forced. Perhaps January was the only construction window available for a while.
October would have been the perfect month to have done laser construction, they could have had it ready for both Star Wars and other big fall films Spectre and Mockingjay, and the October IMAX releases were not big commercial performers. And it’s disappointing that didn’t happen for whatever reason, but I would understand if at least it means we get laser early 2016 rather than late in the year.
I think the Udar Hazy in a Museum just outside DC will play Star Wars in laser IMAX 3D, but yeah, both that and Jordan’s are like 5 hours drive away from NYC (maybe ultra-devoted fans will do it, but I don’t think I’ve ever gone more than 90 mins away just to see a movie).
I agree.
All they’ve said before is IMAX plans to install the 70+ laser systems they’ve signed by the end of 2016 (already have the 15 or so they were planning for 2015), so if one of the issues is Lincoln has already removed their film equipment in anticipation of laser, I would prefer it if it means laser in January vs this time next year.
I doubt Hateful Eight has been pushed back, the limited release is December 25th, and the wide is January 8th, and Fandango probably just is reflecting that.
I suspect the Ziegfeld would indeed get more business from Star Wars, but they should have had made that decision already as SW got record pre-sales and many shows are already sold out, so seeing a Ziegfeld option on the day tickets went on sale would have helped them.
The problem is 15/70 prints cost 30k+ back in 2013, and if anything are more expensive now given how rarely film is made. As I’ve said, Lincoln Square is probably a victim of its own success: why pay all that money for a laser install (though seems like it may come early 2016- fingers crossed) or a film print when it already has nearly sold out the entire first weekend (I have to decide between IMAX at Empire which is already filling up, or standard Real D at theaters closer to me) In the cheaper digital format.
Yes, Star Wars will be both letter and pillarboxed (I.e. windowed) even for the IMAX shot footage, same as all the recent digital releases at Lincoln. I’m not sure of the exact IMAX screen width used in digital, but I heard around 75 feet (with 25 feet taken up by black bars on the side), which seems about right based how it looks.
It is still bigger than the other IMAX locations in NYC, but not as dramatically so (other than Penn Station IMAX, which seems really quite small to me).
Nope, there are six laser 3D locations in the U.S.: TCL Chinese and Universal Citywalk in LA, Meteron in San Fran, Boeing Science Center in Seattle, and the two closest to NYC (though still pretty far) the Sunbrella theater in Reading MA, and Airbus IMAX in Chantily VA. So more than just LA, but clearly focused more on that region.
And IMAX/AMC didn’t just kill 15/70 now, that basically happened at the end of 2013, with anything since (like Interstellar) just being a special occasion. But it is too bad how second class the Lincoln IMAX became after that compared to what it used to be as a 15/70 location.
Tickets to Force Awakens now available in 3D, 2D, and digital IMAX 3D. There will be a limited number of 15/70 prints, but apparently are 2D only (cheaper than dual strip 3D prints) and are mainly focused in the few remaining film only locations, namely in some museums.
As for the whole film/digital debate, I think IMAX 15/70 is the best projection format I’ve seen (of course still haven’t had the chance to IMAX laser) and love the look of film as a source format, but for regular multiplex projection I prefer digital. I never got the TV in Public argument and feel it does look great, plus is much more stable, whereas 35mm projection perhaps looks better under ideal circumstances, but more often I was seeing it looking kinda poor, particularly in the last few years when it was being phased out (still would like to see it from time to time for nostalgia if nothing else).
Is rare to see new releases on film now, but at NYFF I got to see two upcoming films: Brooklyn and Son of Saul in 35. Brooklyn’s print was created just for the festival and despite some blemishes really did look terrific, quite possibly better than a DCP would, but Saul’s print looked like it had been around and a couple times I was worried the film was gonna fall apart.
Star Wars IMAX footage would be 1.43 filling the screen in laser, cropped to 1.9 in digital IMAX (with black bars on top and bottom and left and right at Lincoln), and then further cropped to 2.35 in normal theaters.
Crimson Peak should be a great choice for Lincoln IMAX, as 1.85 is very close to the digital IMAX 1.9 and you should get almost as big a image as possible with the current set-up (would be like IMAX footage in Force Awakens size-wise for the whole film).
I too really want to see IMAX laser here soon. AMC seems to be the processing of installing laser in Citywalk in LA and Meteron in San Fran, so they are clearly willing to take the expense when they feel it is a worthwhile investment/demand, so I suppose polite messages to IMAX/AMC on social media like Twitter and Facebook requesting it for Lincoln Square can’t hurt.
It is possible to take 70mm footage and release it in digital projection, same as any other source format.
While Hateful Eight will get a limited 70mm (regular 5/70, not IMAX 15/70) exclusive window, the vast majority of people will see it in digital projection with its wide release two weeks later.
Hey Howard, that was the fanboy article I was referring to (Making Star Wars is a fansite, and have had wrong info before, so I would take what they say with a grain of salt). I did some looking into it when that article first came out and can find no concerte info about a 15/70 release (which IMAX confirmed back in June 2014 for Interstellar).
Also Syndey IMAX, the world’s largest screen, lists it as playing in digital on their website https://www.imax.com.au/films/star-wars-the-force-awakens/ and if IMAX/Disney is not gonna supply a print there, then where would they? I’m assuming 15/70 releases of Hollywood movies sadly ended with Interstellar, but maybe IMAX will surprise us, and at least as I said the laser locations will do the full 1.43 ratio for IMAX shot footage.
Waterguy65, yes the digital IMAX uses less of the screen than 15/70 and laser (those two are “real” IMAX, digital is the “fake” or “liemax”).
There has been no confirmation of 15/70 prints of Force Awakens being made (there is a fanboy article about it, but wouldn’t trust it), and reports last year were Interstellar was the final 15/70 release (and it has been the only one of 2014 and 2015 so far), so very possible they will show it in digital IMAX. If you wanted to see it in full image IMAX, the IMAX laser locations in the Boston and DC areas are the closest (I miss full IMAX, latest 15/70 presentation I saw at Lincoln Square was Catching Fire, and the last 15 or so times I’ve gone its always been liemax).
IMAX has said they plan on going from the dozen or so laser IMAXes now in use to 70+ worldwide by the end of 2016, so presumably Lincoln Square would be in that rather large 2016 window (IMAX has said they do plan to eventually convert the theater).
Mockingjay Pt 2 now confirmed to play in IMAX here with tickets going on sale today. With an already full fall slate of The Walk (playing now), Crimson Peak, and Spectre on sale, that means no laser IMAX, at least this year. I think the theater’s success is part of the reason behind the decision- laser systems are expensive to install, and they may even lose seats, so if the theater is seemingly losing no business in windowboxed digital that it had when it was 15/70, I can see why AMC are in no rush to pay the laser expense and lose four weeks of business during the renovation process.
The theater is back open this weekend, showing Ridley Scott’s The Martian.
Movieholic: probably the reason why the screen didn’t seem as big with Apes is that is a 1.85 movie, so not as much of the screen space is being used as with the 2.35 films which make up the majority of the Ziegfeld presentations.
That’s a tough call for a theater to make between Star Wars and Hateful Eight, but I do think Star Wars may be the right way to go (obviously it will be massive, question is if SW will bring more business there when it will be all over the place, vs H8 which would probably only be in one or two other NYC theaters with the 70mm exclusive window). I suppose they could run SW for three weeks, and then the DCP of Hateful Eight when it goes wide Jan 8, 2016, but that seems kinda unfitting for such a location.
Anyway, hope they book something soon (Scott’s The Martian is getting very good early reviews and would fit the location IMO). Always a shame to see this theater closed for a period of time.
Oh, and I did some checking and they apparently will still be projecting IMAX digital when Spectre arrives. Fandango lists it as a digital IMAX showing (whereas I’ve seen IMAX laser designated as such in those locations on Fandango) and earlier it was said the seating chart would be changed as part of the laser renovation, but I went onto Fandango for the Spectre screenings and same rows and seat # available for reserved seating.
Since skipping Hunger Games is their only other option to do renovations before Star Wars, yeah, I’m back to feeling pretty likely IMAX laser won’t come till 2016 here (just don’t want IMAX trying to still hype it as “new” tech then when it will have been in other theaters for over a year).
Tickets for the new James Bond film Spectre are already on sale here for both IMAX and standard format.
The Dolby Cinema construction is complete, and the Prime screen has now re-opened as the only laser projection screen in NYC (according to Fandango they are showing Mission Impossible Rogue Nation there this week).
The Prime screen is currently closed for a few weeks of renovation because it will then be reopening as a Dolby Cinema location complete with the Vision laser projection. As far as I know, the IMAX screen here (which is still playing) will remain normal digital, at least for a little while.
I went to Mission Impossible here as well (also saw Ant-Man a couple weeks back as I want to go here as much as possible if it is indeed closing soon). And actually, not only was the presentation quality great as usual, but at that showing (7:30 PM Friday) there was a decent crowd of a couple hundred people- not nearly sold out but more than I usually see there.
Was this said recently, that would be great if true (I remember when they first switched to digital in fall of 2013 the manager said the plan was to go to laser sometime in the second half of 2014, so I’m a bit skeptical until they lock down an actual month or other clear time frame).
Interesting that they would also put in new seats (I understand they don’t want to go with recliners, but I find the IMAX seats decent already, it is some of the ones in the downstairs screens that feel like they may be falling apart) could certainly see it taking longer than 4 weeks to renovate if they did that as well which likely means a big film or two will be skipped if they open this year.
http://www.tnaqua.org/newsroom/entry/tennessee-aquarium-and-imax-sign-laser-technology-agreement
Given we are already getting press releases/announced schedules for IMAX locations converting to laser for Feb 2016 dates and still no announcement on a timetable for Lincoln Square, I’m not optimistic it is happening this year. One other nice bit of info the article gives is that it takes approx. 4 weeks to convert to laser, so unless they are going to begin the process after Mission Impossible or Man from Uncle at the very latest we can probably write it off from happening this year (don’t see them cutting off the runs of Everest and The Walk when those films are opening early in IMAX, and after those there isn’t much time before the big holiday blockbusters starting with Spectre).
As for the non-IMAX screens, I also think the place could use some renovation (and it does great business, so it would make financial sense). I’ve seen Ex Machina and a test screening of Steve Jobs here recently, and the screens/seats were showing their age.
It would be great if they fixed the curtain and used it for all screenings. But when we know the theater loses a lot of money and may be closing soon (obviously nobody knows outside of Cablevision/BowTie but I wouldn’t be shocked if they close the theater after the summer movie season as that usually is a slow time for the Ziegfeld), I don’t think they are looking to spend even a couple thousand on a fix which is not necessary for the theater to operate normally.