SANIBEL ISLAND, FLORIDA -- The Island Cinema has reopened under new ownership and after an extensive five-month renovation.
During the renovation, the entire two-screen theater was completely gutted, including the electrical system, with nothing left except for the projector booth door.
Each auditorium features 60 soft, extra-wide, leather-like rocking seats, a new digital projector, nine surround-sound speakers and three ceiling fans, with new air conditioning throughout.
The Bacik family bought the theater after selling their interest in Royal Shell Vacations. The family wanted a business they could run together. The first movie screened was "Quantum of Solace."
Read more in the Island Reporter.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Mann's Chinese gets "3D sound" system
HOLLYWOOD, A -- Iosono, a spinoff of Germany's Frauhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology, has installed its first "3-D sound" system in Mann's Chinese 6's digital theater.
The system uses 380 speakers set six inches apart around the walls of the auditorium. Iosono explained that it uses "wavefield synthesis" to envelop the audience with sound. It can play regular movie soundtracks as well as those specially mixed for the sustem.
The system is expected to cost about 30% more than a "good" 5.1 surround sound system as well as additional installation costs.
It was shown off during last week as part of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers' Technical Conference.
Read more in The Hollywood Review.
The system uses 380 speakers set six inches apart around the walls of the auditorium. Iosono explained that it uses "wavefield synthesis" to envelop the audience with sound. It can play regular movie soundtracks as well as those specially mixed for the sustem.
The system is expected to cost about 30% more than a "good" 5.1 surround sound system as well as additional installation costs.
It was shown off during last week as part of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers' Technical Conference.
Read more in The Hollywood Review.
3D sports could be next big thing
Sporting events in 3D could be the next big thing in digital cinema as a company called 3ality Digital is coordinating a test broadcast of the NFL's Thursday Night Football game in 3-D on Dec. 4th.
The game will be beamed via satellite to the Mann Chinese 6 in Hollywood, and theaters in Boston and New York.
3ality was behind the recent U2 3D concert film. Technicolor Digital Cinema is providing the satellite transponder time and digital downlink services.
Read more in The Hollywood Reporter.
The game will be beamed via satellite to the Mann Chinese 6 in Hollywood, and theaters in Boston and New York.
3ality was behind the recent U2 3D concert film. Technicolor Digital Cinema is providing the satellite transponder time and digital downlink services.
Read more in The Hollywood Reporter.
Marcus Theatres installs 12th UltraScreen
ORLAND PARK, IL -- Marcus Theatres has installed a new 70-foot-wide UltraScreen at the Orland Park Cinema. It was unveiled November 26th in time for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
It was installed in a 400-seat auditorium that has been renovated from the ground up.
In addition to the UltraScreen, the hall is using Crown Digital D-Chain amplifiers and JBL ScreenArray speakers.
This is the company's 12th UltraScreen installation and the second in Illinois
Read more at MarketWatch.
It was installed in a 400-seat auditorium that has been renovated from the ground up.
In addition to the UltraScreen, the hall is using Crown Digital D-Chain amplifiers and JBL ScreenArray speakers.
This is the company's 12th UltraScreen installation and the second in Illinois
Read more at MarketWatch.
Digital projection not always perfect
The public may think digital cinema is perfect but that's not the case. Quite frequently things go wrong such as during an advance screening of the new Brad Pitt movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" when the picture was green and no amount of tweaking could change that. The screening was cancelled.
Other recent snafus include a screening of Steven Soderbergh's Spanish-language "Che" where it played without subtitles for 15 minutes before the showing was cancelled. A few weeks later, subtitles from "Che" played during a screening of "Doubt." In that case, the problem was quickly fixed.
However, digital projection did provide an advantage when a woman became ill during a screening of "Revolutionary Road." After an ambulance took the woman away, the projectionist was able to rewind the film a few minutes so the audience could get the full impact of the film. If it was film, it would have had to be done in real time, delaying the picture even more.
Read more in Variety.
Other recent snafus include a screening of Steven Soderbergh's Spanish-language "Che" where it played without subtitles for 15 minutes before the showing was cancelled. A few weeks later, subtitles from "Che" played during a screening of "Doubt." In that case, the problem was quickly fixed.
However, digital projection did provide an advantage when a woman became ill during a screening of "Revolutionary Road." After an ambulance took the woman away, the projectionist was able to rewind the film a few minutes so the audience could get the full impact of the film. If it was film, it would have had to be done in real time, delaying the picture even more.
Read more in Variety.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Pickwick Theatre celebrates 80th anniversary
PARK RIDGE, IL -- The Pickwick Theatre will celebrate its 80th anniversary by playing the same silent film it played when it opened: "Lilac Time" with Gary Cooper and Colleen Moore.
The theater, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is distinctive for its 100-foot art deco tower. It has been in continuous operation since 1928 without any modification to the original auditorium and has been owned by the same family since 1967.
Read more about the history of the theater in the Norride-Harwood Heights News.
The theater, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is distinctive for its 100-foot art deco tower. It has been in continuous operation since 1928 without any modification to the original auditorium and has been owned by the same family since 1967.
Read more about the history of the theater in the Norride-Harwood Heights News.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Conneaut Plaza Theatres reopens under new management
CONNEAUT, OH -- The Conneaut Plaza Theatres reopened under new management last weekend after closing last September. Ironically, the recent closing of the nearby Ashtabula Plaza Theatre laid the foundation for reopening the Plaza.
The new owners of the two-screen mall cinema, a married couple, have installed new carpeting and given the place a new coast of paint. They also put in a new concession stand that offers an extended menu that includes hot dogs, nachos and pizza to be baked on the premises by Pizzi Cafe. They hope that will help them compete with the bigger multiplexes.
The couple has been learning how to run the projectors and other equipment from the former manager.
Read more in the Star Beacon.
The new owners of the two-screen mall cinema, a married couple, have installed new carpeting and given the place a new coast of paint. They also put in a new concession stand that offers an extended menu that includes hot dogs, nachos and pizza to be baked on the premises by Pizzi Cafe. They hope that will help them compete with the bigger multiplexes.
The couple has been learning how to run the projectors and other equipment from the former manager.
Read more in the Star Beacon.
Disney re-signs with IMAX
The Walt Disney Disney Co., which hasn't released a theatrical film in IMAX for over five years, has signed a five-picture deal with the large format film company. IMAX will distribute the films starting in November 2009 with Robert Zemeckis' "A Christmas Carol" starring Jim Carrey. Zemeckis' two previous films, "The Polar Express" and "Beowulf," were released in IMAX.
Disney says it had not given up on IMAX but that it was busy launching its own Disney Digital 3D, which is a rebranding of the Real 3D system.
With the world economic crisis slowing down the expansion of digital and 3D screens, teaming up with IMAX, which has its own digital and 3D systems, makes sense.
The industry believes it has to achieve 3,000 screens to be able to exclusively open a film digitally and not limit its profitability. It is estimated that there will be 2000 digital screens by next year, 1000 screens short.
Disney has a long history with IMAX starting with "Fantasia 2000" which was exclusively released to IMAX theaters for four months. In 2002, "Treasure Island" was the first film to debut both in IMAX and conventional theaters at the same time. Since then, the studio has released several short documentaries in IMAX, with the last one being "Roving Mars" in 2006.
Read more in CNN Money.
Disney says it had not given up on IMAX but that it was busy launching its own Disney Digital 3D, which is a rebranding of the Real 3D system.
With the world economic crisis slowing down the expansion of digital and 3D screens, teaming up with IMAX, which has its own digital and 3D systems, makes sense.
The industry believes it has to achieve 3,000 screens to be able to exclusively open a film digitally and not limit its profitability. It is estimated that there will be 2000 digital screens by next year, 1000 screens short.
Disney has a long history with IMAX starting with "Fantasia 2000" which was exclusively released to IMAX theaters for four months. In 2002, "Treasure Island" was the first film to debut both in IMAX and conventional theaters at the same time. Since then, the studio has released several short documentaries in IMAX, with the last one being "Roving Mars" in 2006.
Read more in CNN Money.
Historic Ioka Theater to close on Christmas Eve
EXETER, NH -- The historic Ioka Theater, which has operated since 1915 when it showed "Birth of a Nation," will close its doors on Dec. 24th. The main reason is the high cost of installing a sprinkler system, with high energy costs and insurance costs as contributing factors.
The theater has 500 seats in the main auditorium with a smaller second screen in the basement which formerly served as the area's YMCA.
The need for a sprinkler system came about because of the disasterous Station nightclub fire several years ago in Rhode Island. Many New England states have enacted laws requiring sprinkler systems in entertainment venues of more than 100 patrons. This is forcing many marginal bars and restaurants to close. Sprinkler systems can cost anywhere between $40,000 for a small space to over $200,000 for a large space.
Read more here and here in Seacoast Online.
The theater has 500 seats in the main auditorium with a smaller second screen in the basement which formerly served as the area's YMCA.
The need for a sprinkler system came about because of the disasterous Station nightclub fire several years ago in Rhode Island. Many New England states have enacted laws requiring sprinkler systems in entertainment venues of more than 100 patrons. This is forcing many marginal bars and restaurants to close. Sprinkler systems can cost anywhere between $40,000 for a small space to over $200,000 for a large space.
Read more here and here in Seacoast Online.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Grand Rapids' Studio 28 to close
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Studio 28, West Michigan's first multiplex and at one time, one of the largest cinemas in the US with 20 screens, is closing November 23rd.
The theater is falling victim to newer nearby cinemas with stadium seating and modern conveniences.
It originally opened as a single-screen theater in 1965 and expanded to six screens in 1976. In 1984 it doubled to 12 screens with 4,000 seats. In 1988 it grew to 20 screens, becoming the world's first megaplex.
The owner said ticket sales had fallen about 75% from the 1990s to about a half million dollars a year. He was also facing the cost of a new roof that had been built in pieces.
An auction of memorabilia will be held about a month after the theater closes. Employees are being offered jobs at other Celebration! theaters.
Read more at MLive.com and at Wood TV 8.
The theater is falling victim to newer nearby cinemas with stadium seating and modern conveniences.
It originally opened as a single-screen theater in 1965 and expanded to six screens in 1976. In 1984 it doubled to 12 screens with 4,000 seats. In 1988 it grew to 20 screens, becoming the world's first megaplex.
The owner said ticket sales had fallen about 75% from the 1990s to about a half million dollars a year. He was also facing the cost of a new roof that had been built in pieces.
An auction of memorabilia will be held about a month after the theater closes. Employees are being offered jobs at other Celebration! theaters.
Read more at MLive.com and at Wood TV 8.
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