10 replies to this topic

[twincity]

The Triad's 2nd IMAX theater will open later this year at the Palladium 14.  This IMAX is one of 9 that Regal Entertainment Group plans to open this year.


http://www.wxii12.co...348/detail.html

Edited by twincity, 20 July 2011 - 03:57 PM.

[DigitalSky]

Cool I didn't know the Triad had a first IMAX

[cityboi]

This is certainly great news and i'm happy for both Winston-Salem and High Point, but I would have to think there has to be a reason why Greensboro, the Triad's largest city doesn't have one yet, unless IMAX is considering a downtown site and isnt ready to do it yet. It just seems odd that the largest city in the Triad will be the last to get one if Greensboro even gets one at all. Im not sure how many IMAX theaters they will put in one market at least in an area the size of the Triad. But I'm really am hoping they will build one in downtown Greensboro. The Duke Power site next to the Childrens Museum is a great location for one and there is enough land there for it to be incorporated in a mixed-use development. We need a downtown IMAX in the Triad.

Edited by cityboi, 21 July 2011 - 06:27 AM.

[twincity]

I highly doubt IMAX is looking at downtown Greensboro until a developer proposes a multiplex.

Whats happening is a lot of these theater companies, (ex. Regal for HP and Southern for W-S) have set up agreements with IMAX to install x amount of theaters within x amount of years.   I'm assuming a city's size has little to do with it.  Its up to the theater company to decide where to install the upgrades, not IMAX.  Maybe the Palladium has better numbers than Grande 16 in Greensboro.

[cityboi]

twincity, on 21 July 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

I highly doubt IMAX is looking at downtown Greensboro until a developer proposes a multiplex.

Whats happening is a lot of these theater companies, (ex. Regal for HP and Southern for W-S) have set up agreements with IMAX to install x amount of theaters within x amount of years.   I'm assuming a city's size has little to do with it.  Its up to the theater company to decide where to install the upgrades, not IMAX.  Maybe the Palladium has better numbers than Grande 16 in Greensboro.

Regal owns both the Palladium and the Grande so maybe we will see an IMAX at Friendly Center soon. If IMAX theaters are only built as a part of multiplex theaters, I agree with you that one may not be built downtown. Its not that downtown itself can't support a multiplex theater. Its just that the Carousel Cinemas is probably too close to downtown, less than 1 mile. Heck carousel cinemas is already in close proximity to the Grande at Friendly Center. I think they are a mile a part. Its not really feasible to build another mutliplex theater in close proximity to two major theaters. They should have just built carousel cinemas downtown instead of at Battleground and Wendover Ave.

Greensboro (another 4,000 feet southeast and the Carousel would be in the central business district. Jeez why couldn't they just build the damn thing downtown?)



see how close the Carousel is to the Grande? I recently saw the movie Super 8 at the Carousel. It was the first time I had been there and the first time in a long while since I had gone to the movies. I was surprise to see that a small fountain soft drink was $5 !! and  I thought $3 for a can soda on a cruise ship was high. The movie itself was almost $10. It would make sense to put an IMAX at the Grande though. Both the Triangle and Charlotte area have at least 3 IMAX theaters so I guess we can expect Greensboro next.

Edited by cityboi, 21 July 2011 - 09:23 AM.

[twincity]

I should clarify. A downtown multiplex or a major downtown attraction is the only way downtown G-boro will get an IMAX.    I forgot...musumems and major entertainment venues have IMAXes also.  I can see the Natural Science Center getting one as well as other G-boro multiplexes.

[cityboi]

twincity, on 21 July 2011 - 10:09 AM, said:

I should clarify. A downtown multiplex or a major downtown attraction is the only way downtown G-boro will get an IMAX.    I forgot...musumems and major entertainment venues have IMAXes also.  I can see the Natural Science Center getting one as well as other G-boro multiplexes.

yes that would be nice. The Greensboro Children's Museum may or may not be a large enough attraction for an IMAX. We can always hope for the Greensboro Triumph Center HAHAHA.  But meanwhile I'm happy for High Point. Its nice to hear some good news down there after announcements of plans to eventually close Oak Hollow Mall.

Edited by cityboi, 21 July 2011 - 10:13 AM.

[cityboi]

ok someone posted on another website and stated that these IMAX theaters in Winston-Salem and High Point are actually "fake IMAXes" or "Mini-IMAX". He said while the theaters use IMAX projectors, the screens are only slightly larger than regular screens and no where near the size as the ones in a single IMAX theater like in Raleigh which negates much of what makes IMAX so awesome to begin with. When they retrofit a theatre for an IMAX they just move the screen a little closer to the seats or add a slightly larger screen and then charge IMAX prices. IMAX films are digital but many theaters are already showing digital films. According to the poster the experience wont be the same, so I wonder if the Triad will ever get a full IMAX theater. I hope Greensboro gets one. If a single IMAX isnt built downtown with some mixed-use entertainment development, then maybe another place like at the coliseum. But now im not so sure I want one of these retrofits in Greensboro.

This kinda sucks because it appears as though these IMAX theaters in Winston-Salem and High Point aren't that much different from regular theaters. They just do some minor upgrades, slap the IMAX name on it and people are convinced they have a real IMAX in their town. I guess that explain how two "IMAXs" are opening up in the Triad within months of each other because its not a huge investment.

an article

http://www.film.com/...bid=Xe56LDKI9W-

Here is the difference between a "real" IMAX and a "fake" IMAX. The screens in Winston-Salem and High Point are the size of the Empire 25 screen pictured below. Bottom line if you want a true IMAX experience you will still have to drive to Charlotte or Raleigh.



Because of the huge screen size the "real" IMAX have a much steeper seating arrangement.

Edited by cityboi, 27 July 2011 - 10:14 AM.

[twincity]

I guess this makes you happy cityboi.    Your reaction to Greensboro being "left out" has you throwing out insults left and right.  See my sig.   So no need to be upset any longer.  Rural Winston-Salem and tiny High Point will continue to stay in their place.

IMAX website clearly says that IMAX theaters vary in size.  Its not only about the screen's size, but the clarity and sound.  Winston's is 60' x 30'.  SO I guess you can call it a Mini IMAX, but fake it is not.

[cityboi]

twincity, on 27 July 2011 - 10:20 AM, said:

I guess this makes you happy cityboi.    Your reaction to Greensboro being "left out" has you throwing out insults left and right.  See my sig.   So no need to be upset any longer.  Rural Winston-Salem and tiny High Point will continue to stay in their place.

IMAX website clearly says that IMAX theaters vary in size.  Its not only about the screen's size, but the clarity and sound.  Winston's is 60' x 30'.  SO I guess you can call it a Mini IMAX, but fake it is not.

"Basically IMAX is whoring out their brand name and trying to trick people. These new “IMAX” theatres are really just nice digital screens with good sound, but they ARE NOT IMAX, in that they don’t have the huge 72 ft gigantic screen which people would expect. However, they still charge $5 more for tickets as they would for the regular IMAX."

http://azizisbored.t...mc-theaters-are



"Not only are the IMAX Digital screens much smaller in size, but also a much lower resolution. IMAX digital currently uses two 2K-resolution Christie projectors to project two 2K images over each other, producing an image that is potentially of a slightly higher resolution than common 2K digital cinema."

http://www.slashfilm...#0_undefined,0_

not happy and not trying to insult but it is a disappointment because I was under the impression these were going to be IMAX theaters with the super sized screens. The super sized screens are an important part of the IMAX experience because its about total immersion. Some have suggested that you could get the same experience of the W-S and High Point IMAX just by sitting closer to the screen at a regular theater. Some people have even called these smaller theaters "liemax". But it could be a good thing for Greensboro that it doesn't already have one yet. I'm holding out hope for one of the big ones. Action Greensboro has been trying to get one of those for some time now. But there is no doubt that the IMAX screens in W-S and High Point will have the best picture and sound quality in the Triad.

Edited by cityboi, 27 July 2011 - 12:54 PM.

[Beany]

Having gone to the IMAX in Chattanooga, TN I can't see how a theater could be retrofitted to be a real IMAX.  The IMAX there has a huge screen and steep rake of seating.  You literally have to move your head up down and sideways to see the whole picture.  Most of the shows are in 3D and 3D combined with a humongous screen makes you really feel like you are in the picture.

Personally though, I don't like them.  The films I have seen on them were about 45 minutes long and after 45 minutes I was ready for it to be over.  Huge screen + 3D = headache for me.  I'd rather watch a quality movie in 2D on a normal size screen.

[NCMike1981]

I personally don't care for the whole 3D thing as after a few mins it starts to give me a headache