Big Changes for movie lovers in Calgary

[Oxygen-Supply]

Calgarians will be able to experience the best in digital cinema including 3D movies, with the installation of two digital projection systems, one to be located at Cineplex Odeon Sunridge Spectrum and the second to be installed at Scotiabank Theatre Chinook.

Looks like the Cinemas are fighting back against HDTV.

DLP Cinema projectors deliver the most visually stunning, razor-sharp images that movie goers have ever seen. Each system will be further enhanced with the addition of REAL D 3D technology enabling these two theatres to also present the latest 3D movies.

According to other website this technology can broadcast sporting event live in 3D. Now that would be cool! Coming soon to a theater near you, your Calgary Flames in 3D.

Hanna Montana

The bad news looks like Hanna is the first things they will be showing. 300 teenage girls in one place, you can count me out for that one.
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=826552

[fredr123]

So, what movies have been released recently in this new(er) digital format that Calgarians have been missing out on? If I recall correctly, Lucasfilms was distributing digital versions of the new Star Wars Trilogy several years ago already but few theatres were equipped to take advantage of it.

The cynic in me worries that we'll be charged a premium to see films in these new formats despite only marginal improvements in the awesomeness of the movie-going experience.

[Bobblehead]

Clean the frickin' screens.

Last couple movies I was at (different theatres) both had marks of some sort on the screen, and once I notice it I can't ignore it.

They charge so much to see a movie, they need to have the experience worth the money.

[SportsJunky]

Now if they can just find a way to ban the jackpots that always seem to sit beside me talking to their friends, taking cell phone calls, texting etc...

[MarchHare]

Meh.

I'd still prefer to watch films at home on my couch, where I have Blu-Ray, HDTV, and Dolby Surround. The days of seeing a film at the cinema for the "best possible experience" are long over.

Other advantages home viewing has over the theatre:

- For the price of two tickets, I can practically buy the film outright and watch it as many times as I want.

- I don't have to sit through 10 minutes of ads before the trailers even start, let alone the feature.

- I don't have to deal with annoying audience members who either a) won't shut the hell up or b) don't turn their cell phone off or c) bring their children who can't sit still for two hours to the film.

- I don't have to pay obscene prices for drinks and snacks.

[Bobblehead]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ All too true.


But, of course, if movie receipts go down it will be blamed on piracy.

[Russic]

Now that I have bluray, I have lost all reason to go to the theatre. Prices would have to go down to get me back in one, and with these kinds of upgrades I can't imagine that is likely to happen any time soon.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Meh.

I'd still prefer to watch films at home on my couch, where I have Blu-Ray, HDTV, and Dolby Surround. The days of seeing a film at the cinema for the "best possible experience" are long over.

Other advantages home viewing has over the theatre:

- For the price of two tickets, I can practically buy the film outright and watch it as many times as I want.

- I don't have to sit through 10 minutes of ads before the trailers even start, let alone the feature.

- I don't have to deal with annoying audience members who either a) won't shut the hell up or b) don't turn their cell phone off or c) bring their children who can't sit still for two hours to the film.

- I don't have to pay obscene prices for drinks and snacks.

That's factually true. We used to buy a lot of DVDs, in part, based on that same reason. However, outside of a handful of our favorites we don't tend to rewatch our DVDs more than once or twice. I wonder how many other people are in the same boat...

[Barnes]

Well as much as I want to see Hanna Montana, I will have to say; who gives a #^$&. I would pay 10 -12 dollars to see current movies either downloaded or VOD. Why can't they do that rather than try and save the theaters?

[Got Miikka?]

Originally Posted by fredr123

If I recall correctly, Lucasfilms was distributing digital versions of the new Star Wars Trilogy several years ago

Yep, I went out of my way to catch a screening of Episode II in digital while I was in New York at a Loews on 42 street.

Couldn't really tell the difference.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by fredr123

So, what movies have been released recently in this new(er) digital format that Calgarians have been missing out on? If I recall correctly, Lucasfilms was distributing digital versions of the new Star Wars Trilogy several years ago already but few theatres were equipped to take advantage of it.

The cynic in me worries that we'll be charged a premium to see films in these new formats despite only marginal improvements in the awesomeness of the movie-going experience.

Call me a cynic also. It seems to me when movies were being shown on the IMAX screen you had to pay more. Guess i'll continue to support the 5 dollar discount cinema off Canyon Meadows drive. Most movies released today aren't worth the 10 plus dollars the Cineplex is charging.

[Hack&Lube]

Theatres screwed up when they stopped having intermissions. That was a real cash cow for actually making money. An intermission and decent food prices means that people actually go out and buy stuff to eat, especially when you have intermission ads about food like at the classic drive-in.

Nowadays, the food is overpriced because theatres don't sell enough because people usually skip it or are too impatient to buy popcorn before the movie starts and that's all they get. If you make them watch half a movie, get hungry, show them ads about food, they will salivate, walk out and then you can sell them decent food at decent prices and the whole experience is better.

[Locke]

I rarely go to the theater and I dont see this changing that.

Marginal improvement with what will likely be a substantial premium on an already inflated cost in addition to what is a pretty poor moviegoing experience.

No thanks.

[JohnnyFlame]

Originally Posted by Dion

Call me a cynic also. It seems to me when movies were being shown on the IMAX screen you had to pay more. Guess i'll continue to support the 5 dollar discount cinema off Canyon Meadows drive. Most movies released today aren't worth the 10 plus dollars the Cineplex is charging.

Ditto I only go to see specific movies that are big screen extravaganzas and only when they move to the cheap theater. Otherwise the comfort of home and much cheaper treats make an appearance at the movies a rare event.

[csnarpy]

I miss the double or triple features. With intermissions of course.

When I was living in Van, a long, long, long time ago, I saw the Star Wars trilogy (4,5 & 6). Man it was a great experience for a kid. They had regular movie theatre food and homemade stuff as well. 5 minute intermission every hour and 15 mins between movies.

Long day but great for the parent to keep the kid entertained!

[Flash Walken]

300 teen girls in one place you say...

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

300 teen girls in one place you say...

Where do I sign up

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Where do I sign up

Be sure to take some Advil with you. 300 teennage girls screaming is bound to give anyone a massive headache

[Dion]

I'm suprised this type of movie theatre hasn't opened in Calgary.

Cinema & Drafthouse is the only place in Northeast Pennsylvania where you can enjoy movies while at the same time enjoying quality food and drinks. Our patrons have the choice of sitting at either 2 or 4-person tables or at a counter. Once seated, movies goers are attended to throughout the movie by a member of Cinema & Drafthouse's excellent waitstaff. Admission to a show is only $4.00! Be advised all patrons under 21 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

http://www.cinemaanddrafthouse.com/company.php

And the menu.....

http://www.cinemaanddrafthouse.com/menu.php

[simmer2]

I guess I'm in the minority here with watching movies at the theatre. I find the whole theatre experience adds to the movie. In a comedy if a theatre is full, the movie is that much more entertaining. The same can be said for a drama or a thriller. Ultimately, you are paying for the atmosphere of seeing a movie in the theatre and I really like that part.

The best comparison I can think of is this: would you rather see a Flames game in the 300 level or at home in HD? At home you can follow the play better and the picture is better quality because you can actually make out the numbers on the jersey. If I had to choose though, I would take the nosebleeds any day because you get the atmosphere of the game. I can wear my jersey and cheer along with everyone else when we score, just as I can laugh with everyone in the movie theatre.