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Dome vs Rectangular IMAX.

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params7

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In preparations for DKR, I've been doing some research on the best IMAX theater to go to. I know of the many fake digital IMAX theaters near me which I will be avoiding. (For those who don't know, read: http://www.slashfilm.com/qa-imax-theatre-real-imax-liemax/
List of 15/70mm true imax theaters - http://www.lfexaminer.com/theaUSA.htm)

Where I am in Philly, I have two options - King Of Prussia UA IMAX (flat) and Franklin Institute Museum Dome IMAX.

Both will be showing DKR.

I was really looking forward the Dome Imax. The screen is supposed to be humongous and absolutely engulf your entire field of vision. But after reading some reviews of the theater - some people are saying its too big for its own good and action scenes can give you motion sickness. -
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tuttleman-imax-theater-philadelphia

This worries me. Has anybody else here seen TDK/Inception or other Imax movies in a Dome imax? How was your experience and how would you compare it to a flat Imax?
 
I'm much more used to the rectangular screen, and would probably prefer it in general. But the dome feels special and I like watching documentary like stuff on them.
 
A good dome IMAX experience requires a program that's specifically lends itself to the dome experience. Some documentaries work out really well but I've felt like movies tend to view better on flat IMAX screens.
 
I saw Watchmen on a dome IMAX and it sucked ass. I had to crane my head to different parts of the screen depending on what was going on.

Maybe my theater sucked (Aviation Museum in Long Island) but I won't be taking that risk again. DKR at Lincoln Square for me.
 
FooTemps said:
A good dome IMAX experience requires a program that's specifically lends itself to the dome experience. Some documentaries work out really well but I've felt like movies tend to view better on flat IMAX screens.
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I agree. I've seen a couple of feature films on dome screens and even sitting in the back row was a bit too much for me.
 
I prefer the big flat screen for pretty much everything that isn't specifically filmed for the dome. The curvature distortion will become less apparent after a while, but never really goes away entirely.

I saw 'Begins on the dome and I'd definitely prefer a flat screen for Batman.
 
The only real IMAX in Maryland is at the Science Center.

Dammit.

Should I even bother going to the fake IMAX vs a regular movie theater? The IMAX is pretty far away.
 
TwinIonEngines said:
I saw 'Begins on the dome and I'd definitely prefer a flat screen for Batman.
Click to expand...
Why would you go see a non-IMAX film at an IMAX screen?

Az987 said:
Should I even bother going to the fake IMAX vs a regular movie theater? The IMAX is pretty far away.
Click to expand...
For DKR, no. For digitally shot films, yes. LieMAX digital theatres, while not 'true' IMAX, are the best way to experience films shot on digital. Seeing Prometheus at the Cardiff LieMAX was incredible.
 
I saw Dark Knight on a dome in Denver and it was awesome. At least I think it was a dome.

Now I'm stuck in Germany with none around me to be played in English without German subtitles. Someone help :(
 
Stop saying Domed IMAX is good for action now, cause I bought tickets to flat Imax.

I'll check out DKR in the domed imax next week just to experience it though.
 
GAF, stop saying that non-dome IMAX screens are 'lie-maxes'. Films like MI4 still use IMAX cameras and 'fake imax' cinemas will give you that super big screen experience that you will miss in a regular theatre.
 
If I'm watching a film I'd much rather watch it on the rectangle. I guess if it's a doc with flyover shots of rivers and mountains the dome is ok, but I don't dig it for movies.
 
I've only ever been in domes for documentaries. I'm not sure I'd want to watch a feature film having to strain my neck constantly.
 
whitehawk said:
GAF, stop saying that non-dome IMAX screens are 'lie-maxes'. Films like MI4 still use IMAX cameras and 'fake imax' cinemas will give you that super big screen experience that you will miss in a regular theatre.
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No one is saying that. There is a difference between certain types of flat IMAX screens.
 
Bboy AJ said:
I saw Dark Knight on a dome in Denver and it was awesome. At least I think it was a dome.

Now I'm stuck in Germany with none around me to be played in English without German subtitles. Someone help :(
Click to expand...

Yea, I saw Dark Knight, Star Trek, Watchmen on a domed IMAX. Was amazing.
 
Dome IMAX is awful...seeing TDK at Franklin was a massive mistake.

You are too close to the action to make out quick cuts and during dialogue scenes with people on extreme opposite ends of the screen you literally have to turn your head from side to side.

The sound system, picture clarity and viewablility of the KOP IMAX makes it the hands down easy winner.

Trust me. Dome IMAX's entire purpose is to enhance the "I'm actually IN the movie" effect, but in an action narrative, it just doesn't work.

KOP all the way.
 
params7 said:
In preparations for DKR, I've been doing some research on the best IMAX theater to go to. I know of the many fake digital IMAX theaters near me which I will be avoiding. (For those who don't know, read: http://www.slashfilm.com/qa-imax-theatre-real-imax-liemax/
List of 15/70mm true imax theaters - http://www.lfexaminer.com/theaUSA.htm)

Where I am in Philly, I have two options - King Of Prussia UA IMAX (flat) and Franklin Institute Museum Dome IMAX.

Both will be showing DKR.

I was really looking forward the Dome Imax. The screen is supposed to be humongous and absolutely engulf your entire field of vision. But after reading some reviews of the theater - some people are saying its too big for its own good and action scenes can give you motion sickness. -
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tuttleman-imax-theater-philadelphia

This worries me. Has anybody else here seen TDK/Inception or other Imax movies in a Dome imax? How was your experience and how would you compare it to a flat Imax?
Click to expand...

I saw The Dark Knight in the Dome at the Franklin. Don't do it. The film isn't really shot for it, and at best it's disorienting.

I GREATLY prefer the experience at the KOP imax. It's not even a debate.

GAF, stop saying that non-dome IMAX screens are 'lie-maxes'. Films like MI4 still use IMAX cameras and 'fake imax' cinemas will give you that super big screen experience that you will miss in a regular theatre.
Click to expand...

It's not Dome versus "non dome". Imax Digital is much, much smaller than regular "flat" Imax screens, and uses a digital projector instead of 70mm film. Even the flat "real" imax theatres position the screen so that it extends above and below your field of vision- Imax digital doesn't do this. it's just a slightly larger regular theatre screen. There's a huge gap in size and quality between the two.
 
Dome IMAX is the only IMAX. Its not great for everything, but for films shot in that aspect ratio there is nothing more immersive
 
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