Who's all been to an IMAX cinema?

Cleeecooo said:
Went to the one in Wimbledon. It was okay.

Then I went to the BFI IMAX in Waterloo. AMAZING!!! the screen was just massive.
Click to expand...

I went the other way round, Waterloo IMAX then Wimbledon (and now Kingston) and found Wimbledon perfectly fine!

Wimbledon is a good cinema, but Kingston is better
 
Buchanan0204 said:
Ahhh... I had it all planned, your putting me off now. I'm quite geeky that way, I like to make sure things are optimal... if it's sub par I would rather just see a normal movie.

How would I go about finding out if it's "Proper" and what is the exact definition of proper?

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Proper would be a film that's actually been shot in the IMAX format with 65mm film stock that's printed onto 70mm for projection.

Aside from the films which are specifically designed for IMAX, most are few and far between. One recent example that most are aware of is the scene in the Dark Knight, but that's just the one scene.

Basically, 70mm is huge, it's almost 10k of resolution which dwarfs 35mm which is typically 2k.

With films that aren't shot in IMAX format, they are simply 35mm images which are being upresed to IMAX, you can often spot the detrimental effect this has.

The fact that so many IMAX branded smaller cinemas has popped up hasn't helped things much. So In my opinion there is no benefit at all to seeing something in IMAX unless it's actually IMAX, just got to a regular screen otherwise.
 
Last edited:
Been to the one in Sydney (in fact I can see it from my apartment).. world's largest.. amazing!!

From Wiki:
The world's largest cinema screen (a 15/70 mm IMAX) is the LG IMAX Theatre in Sydney, Australia. It is approximately eight stories high, with dimensions of 35.73 × 29.42 m (117.2 × 96.5 ft) and covers an area of more than 1,015 m2 (10,930 sq ft).
Click to expand...
 
I went to the one in South ken. Science Museum and watched a TERRIBLE documentary on SARDINES... I actually Fell asleep it was the most boring 45 mins of my life...

It was a fullsize full length screen and the 3D effects were quite impressive but after the first 5 or 6 times it soon became ... meh.. I imagine a decent film with an interesting storyline might actually help lol

The best effect was a black guy holding a Machette and it was kinda pointing into the audience... It felt just like a Night out in Peckham, impressed.
 
I been to one in Metrocentre to see Iron Man 2, looked really good and I swear the seats were vibrating, it was that loud :D

Somewhat expensive though but I suppose worth it for certain films.
 
The BFI IMAX is just amazing with its monstrous screen and ear blowing sound system. Just make sure you get central seats about two thirds of the way up. The experience is fantastic.
 
I saw ghosts of the abyss (titanic film) at the one at the science museum in LDN, it was awesome.
 
I've been to one twice. Once to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1 and the other time to see Tron Legacy 3D. Both were pretty good. The bigger screen and sharp quality made for an enjoyable experience.

I've been to the Odeon in Braehead and I call tell you its a good cinema.
 
I watched quite a few movies at the BFI IMAX when I lived in London. Fantastic experience if you had a good seat.
 
Nexus said:
Proper would be a film that's actually been shot in the IMAX format with 65mm film stock that's printed onto 70mm for projection.

Aside from the films which are specifically designed for IMAX, most are few and far between. One recent example that most are aware of is the scene in the Dark Knight, but that's just the one scene.

Basically, 70mm is huge, it's almost 10k of resolution which dwarfs 35mm which is typically 2k.

With films that aren't shot in IMAX format, they are simply 35mm images which are being upresed to IMAX, you can often spot the detrimental effect this has.

The fact that so many IMAX branded smaller cinemas has popped up hasn't helped things much. So In my opinion there is no benefit at all to seeing something in IMAX unless it's actually IMAX, just got to a regular screen otherwise.
Click to expand...

^This. IMAX Digital (the one they use for screen conversions at existing cinemas) uses two 2K projectors on a screen as big as they can fit in the existing building (which is obviously often not much bigger than the screen its replacing). The original IMAX screens are huge by comparison and, as Nexus has correctly said, the resolution is far higher (on films where IMAX cameras have been used).
 
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...d=113621990356540393221.000469b6c5915161c3667

a google map of IMAX vs LIEMAX (the real ones and the fake ones!). It only covers 3 in the UK (the BFI one which is real, and wimbledon/greenwich ones that are fake).

Real IMAX's as mentioned above are projected in a totally different way.

Custom made projectors (Two of them, projecting the left eye and the right eye) using 70mm film (brought in by forklift) set up on the heads.

dsc4891.png



Speakers are custom made again and unbranded as far as i know. still pumped through in 5.1 with a few repeaters at the front behind the screen.
dsc4896.png


all through a custom made software package that is used to... do everything basically! they program in their presets for each film (they will adjust the cinema processor for the louder/quieter films so it's comfortably loud) and can test/diagnose/lineup their system everytime a new film is in.

dsc4923.png

dsc4930.png



Hope i don't get shot for showing these :P but the point is.... real IMAX is in a different league to other cinemas. Worth the extra money tbh!
 
Last edited:
Thread title is malformed, but still understandable.

IMAX is great. I've been going to the BFI one in Waterloo for some years, and can recall seeing Avatar (twice!), Star Trek, Alice in Wonderland, Watchmen, Sucker Punch and the newest Harry Potter film.

The most impressive was certainly Avatar, but the most enjoyable was Sucker Punch - the audio in that cinema is second to none!
 
First went to the BFI IMAX to see the new Star Trek, amazing experience, screen and sound are fantastic plus everyone there were big sci-fi fans.

Since then been to see Transformers 2, and the last two Harry Potter films, got tickets booked for the last Harry Potter film next month.

Last film I saw they had refurbished the seats and sound at the BFI and gave a little tech demo before the film, they lit up behind the screen and it's just loaded full of speakers.

Yer, I'm a little excited for next month :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom