A Few Words About A few words about...™ 2001: A Space Odyssey -- in BD & HD (1 Viewer)

[Josh Steinberg]

Incidentally, thanks to my AMC A-list subscription, I’ll be able to see this for free. I will endeavor to see as many variations as I can and will report back when I do.

 

[Jim*Tod]

I did make the effort to see the 70mm print, driving over 200 miles to do so. As reported the presentation and the print at AFI Silver were decidedly substandard. I do not choose to see 2K IMAX but it is what is available within a reasonable distance. I saddens me that this compromised version is the best I can do, but I really do not have any choice.

 

[Wayne_j]

I just checked and my local Xenon IMAX will be showing 2001. I think I will go to the 7:15 Thursday preview.

 

[Tino]

How can you determine which IMAX projection system is being used?

 

[Tino]

Never mind. Found a list online. Apparently the closest IMAX Laser location to me is the AMC Lincoln Square. Was hoping my IMAX theater near me was but nope.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

Yeah, but unfortunately Lincoln Square is going to be one of the places showing the Nolan 70mm print instead of the new 4K restoration.

Empire 25 in Times Square will have the restoration on their xenon system.

I’m going to try to see it at both, Lincoln for the sheer size of it, and Empire for a peek at the restoration.

 

[Robert Harris]

My answer: because IMAX consistently delivers quality presentations at their theaters and remains accountable to their audience if they fall short.

I’ve seen many presentations with the IMAX 2K dual projector system that have exceeded 4K presentations of the same film in regular auditoriums.

I think the bigger question is, why show a questionable 70mm print when they’ve got brand new, state of the art dual 4K laser projectors right there?

I’m all in favor of watching The Dark Knight, shot with IMAX 15/70 film and contact printed from the original negative, on film. But I don’t understand the point of showing a poor quality print over a better quality digital file, which would be the case with “2001” at those select locations.

IMAX conversions give the audience a nice boost in quality, with their proprietary tech, but two 2k projectors do not 4k make.

What you get is a nicely balanced, properly bright image, and quality audio, that one can feel in their chest.

But unless the process can allow the full resolving power of an original 70mm print, and black blacks, I’ll still go for 4k.

As to the Nolanized 70mm prints, they’re not “questionable.” They’re true 5-perf 70mm prints with fourth to sixth generation imagery, along with all of the generational and age related analogue ills that can befall film.

They are precisely what they are, which can fool many a filmgoer into believing that they’re actually viewing 2001 as Mr. Nolan intended, when he made the film.

 

[Robert Harris]

Yeah, but unfortunately Lincoln Square is going to be one of the places showing the Nolan 70mm print instead of the new 4K restoration.

Empire 25 in Times Square will have the restoration on their xenon system.

I’m going to try to see it at both, Lincoln for the sheer size of it, and Empire for a peek at the restoration.

Is there now sizzle regarding xenon lamps, as something special?

Worth paying an extra ten for xenon?

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

I'd pay ten extra for IMAX carbon-arc.

 

[dpippel]

Never mind. Found a list online. Apparently the closest IMAX Laser location to me is the AMC Lincoln Square. Was hoping my IMAX theater near me was but nope.

Care to share a link?

 

[Tino]

Care to share a link?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IMAX_venues

 

[Gary Seven]

The IMAX in Ft. Lauderdale is 4K laser with 12 channels boasting 52,000 watts. Starts showing 8/23. I think I will check it out.

 

[dpippel]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IMAX_venues

Thanks Tino! Looks like I'm SOL.

 

[questrider]

How can you determine which IMAX projection system is being used?

Never mind. Found a list online. Apparently the closest IMAX Laser location to me is the AMC Lincoln Square. Was hoping my IMAX theater near me was but nope.

Care to share a link?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IMAX_venues

There's also this handy map that @UFAlien at blu-ray.com created and maintains which specifies not only the type of projector(s) but the size of the screen as well:

Commercial IMAX Theatres
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1cDWIGxzcBYV_bMXEu9M0NshXv9A&ll=30.7667963948781,-4.21875&z=2

Keep in mind that there are only 12 IMAX theatres in North America that have a 4k laser projection system and four of them—AMC Universal Citywalk IMAX, Universal City, AMC Lincoln Square IMAX, New York City, AMC Metreon IMAX, San Francisco, and Ontario Place Cinesphere IMAX, Toronto—are showing Nolan's unrestored 70mm print.

I'm disappointed that of the four 70'+-wide IMAX screens in the Chicagoland area, only one has listings for 2001: A Space Odyssey as of today. And one of those without a listing is the 85'-wide screen at Navy Pier with 4k laser projection.

It's also disappointing that this 4k DCP is an IMAX exclusive and they aren't rolling it out to the Dolby Cinemas as well. It wouldn't necessarily had to have been graded for Dolby Vision or Atmos, but at least there would be more theaters showing it natively with 4k laser projectors.

 

[usrunnr]

The Hollywood Chinese Theater is showing 2001 in Imax Laser 4k. It has an odd size screen. Does anyone have experience seeing Imax here? How do you think 2001 will look on this screen?

 

[Robert Harris]

The Hollywood Chinese Theater is showing 2001 in Imax Laser 4k. It has an odd size screen. Does anyone have experience seeing Imax here? How do you think 2001 will look on this screen?

If the screen is still the silver material, there are objectionable hotspots. Might have been removed since my last visit.

 

[ArnoldLayne]

"They are precisely what they are, which can fool many a filmgoer into believing that they’re actually viewing 2001 as Mr. Nolan intended, when he made the film."

LOL!!

 

[Felix Martinez]

The IMAX in Ft. Lauderdale is 4K laser with 12 channels boasting 52,000 watts. Starts showing 8/23. I think I will check it out.

My go-to theater in South Florida. Excellent.

 

[Patrick McCart]

I'll be seeing 2001 at the same AMC I went to in 2012 to see Lawrence of Arabia (in 4K DLP), so I'm optimistic. They're an all-4K house and even the regular screens are huge.

 

[TonyD]

My go-to theater in South Florida. Excellent.

I keep begging Dolby and AMC to open a premium format screen and sound system over on the west coast.
Only thing we have is an ordinary Imax In lower Ft Myers. :^(