Is it time this country got a second chance at IMAX?

Nerdkiller1991

Considering the amount of movies being converted for IMAX nowadays, isn't it about time we had at least one IMAX theatre? Its sad that all we had was one and that shut down after 2 years of operation? To me, it seemed like it was too much, too soon, but now we're in an era where we're seeing more and more movies getting the IMAX treatment, its sad that we're the ones left behind. What do you think? Should we get the giant screen, or are we just fine the way we are?

Mickeroo

You're right you know! IMAX is really popular these days and most of the big blockbusters come out in IMAX, there's no way it would flop this time.

Nolanger

It flopped before because the films were rubbish. Then the staff occupied the building. However, doubt this trend for releasing new releases on IMAX format will last?

Sanjuro

While I'd love an IMAX to open up here again, I dunno if it'd last. It seems multiplexes have too much of a grip on the cinema industry here. The IFI is the go-to arthouse cinema, but I've heard that the Lighthouse is in trouble. Which is a shame because I love The Lighthouse. I fear an IMAX cinema would suffer the same fate.

Nerdkiller1991

Nolanger wrote: »

It flopped before because the films were rubbish. Then the staff occupied the building. However, doubt this trend for releasing new releases on IMAX format will last?

I wasn't that the movies were rubbish. It was because they were all documentaries, which don't really go down well with the average movie going public. I would be willing to go see something like Hubble 3D, but it would be a hard time to find anyone else who would also want to go.

Sanjuro wrote: »

While I'd love an IMAX to open up here again, I dunno if it'd last. It seems multiplexes have too much of a grip on the cinema industry here. The IFI is the go-to arthouse cinema, but I've heard that the Lighthouse is in trouble. Which is a shame because I love The Lighthouse. I fear an IMAX cinema would suffer the same fate.

Well some good promotion will get the ball rolling. I mean, we've seen movies advertise that they're in IMAX, Like Shrek Forever After, Iron Man 2 and Toy Story 3. And if those cinemas ever go belly up, we could simply convert them (although I wouldn't want to go with digital IMAX, as that's considered inferior to regular IMAX).

Nolanger

The last thing we need is another new cinema showing the exact same movies as the other multiplexes.

Duggy747

I would absolutely love to see a movie in IMAX here, while James Cameron is pushing 3D Christopher Nolan is pushing what's possible on IMAX technology.

The Dark Knight really showed how IMAX could be utilised in mainstream movies:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taQAtJ3NjaU

Nolan had also said he wanted to film as much of Batman 3 in IMAX as possible, that in itself would be a remarkable feat considering the noise and size of the cameras.

It would be nice to see but they're costly things to build on their own or extend onto existing multiplexes if the movies / customers aren't there.

Nerdkiller1991

Nolanger wrote: »

The last thing we need is another new cinema showing the exact same movies as the other multiplexes.

Well IMAX is a completely different kind of cinema format.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMAX

johnny_ultimate

IMAX screens don't need to be IMAX only. When I saw The Dark Knight in Canada, there was an IMAX screen in the multiplex, alongside regular ol' screens. Now, I don't know if we have a cinema that could currently fit an IMAX screen - Screen 17 is big, but not that big! - but if they're building any new cinema complexes in the future it would be something to consider for sure. Anything that persuades people to hit up the big screen instead of alternative mediums is welcome in my eyes.

But yes, I'd rather more screens for smaller films first tbh!

jaykhunter

I share the same sentiments as Nerdkiller. I think CineWorld should just re-model part of their cinema with iMAX instead of making a new iMAX cinema. (lower costs). But for it to actually work they've gotta bring out all the blockbusters that are available in iMAX, out as iMAX. Whenever i'm in the states i make a point to see at least one film this way, it's really fantastic. It's more of a new experience than 3D will ever be.

Hopefully when this 3D fad blows over, the real next gen tech (super duper high def IMAX) will become the next big thing. I'd hit that and buy it breakfast the next morning if i could :pac:

Nerdkiller1991

jaykhunter wrote: »

I share the same sentiments as Nerdkiller. I think CineWorld should just re-model part of their cinema with iMAX instead of making a new iMAX cinema. (lower costs). But for it to actually work they've gotta bring out all the blockbusters that are available in iMAX, out as iMAX. Whenever i'm in the states i make a point to see at least one film this way, it's really fantastic. It's more of a new experience than 3D will ever be.

Hopefully when this 3D fad blows over, the real next gen tech (super duper high def IMAX) will become the next big thing. I'd hit that and buy it breakfast the next morning if i could :pac:

Well the problem with IMAX in a cinema chain, is that they would usually cheap out by installing a digital IMAX with a smaller screen not much bigger than a normal screen (but at least you know what you're getting at). I'm sure with negotiations, we could see at least a single purpose built one, using regular IMAX (but we might need some sponsors if we need to fund it).

Nerdkiller1991

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43944923@N00/452048710/

Theres our old IMAX. What a sad way to go, considering that nobody cared for it back then.

expectationlost

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

IMAX screens don't need to be IMAX only. When I saw The Dark Knight in Canada, there was an IMAX screen in the multiplex, alongside regular ol' screens. Now, I don't know if we have a cinema that could currently fit an IMAX screen - Screen 17 is big, but not that big! - but if they're building any new cinema complexes in the future it would be something to consider for sure. Anything that persuades people to hit up the big screen instead of alternative mediums is welcome in my eyes.

But yes, I'd rather more screens for smaller films first tbh!

was the imax was not part of the multiplex,i see it was called the sheridan imax, was it not even part owned ugc? i wonder if there any imax screens in venues that aren't just imax cinemas? so it could be used when a big film isn't on

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMAX#IMAX_venues

eg
L'Hemisfèric — an Imax Cinema, Planetarium and Laserium. Built in the shape of the eye and has an approximate surface of 13,000 m².

can this show regular imax films its not clear, that would be cool we have number of planetarium but not a massive modern one, if they'd ever built a science museum in the docklands...,or the build it sandyford.


what about the convention centre (isn't the back inside wall a projection screen)

Nerdkiller1991

Even though this is from a few months back, it looks like we're finally getting a new IMAX theatre.

http://www.movies.ie/movie_news/UCI_buys_11_Irish_cinemas__plans_IMAX_cinema_for_Dublin

nix

I went over to London to watch Avatar on IMAX on release, well worth the trip, its was amazing.

Sadly, with the state this country is in, we wont see imax again for years if ever...

Glad ill be in Canada for TDKR

Nerdkiller1991

nix wrote: »

I went over to London to watch Avatar on IMAX on release, well worth the trip, its was amazing.

Sadly, with the state this country is in, we wont see imax again for years if ever...

Glad ill be in Canada for TDKR

Ahem...read the above post.

jaykhunter

I don't know if they'll be in time for TDKR but I really hope so! I contemplated going to London just to see it on IMAX but i couldn't justify it. Stoked to be able to see IMAX films in Dublin. I generally just go to the movies for blockbuster/IMAX films so this is fantastic for me.

nix

Believe it when I see it built

Could still yet be years off if so, so my point still stands

Nolanger

Never mind the IMAX. Bring back the double bill cinema in Abbey Street!

Nerdkiller1991

jaykhunter wrote: »

I don't know if they'll be in time for TDKR but I really hope so! I contemplated going to London just to see it on IMAX but i couldn't justify it. Stoked to be able to see IMAX films in Dublin. I generally just go to the movies for blockbuster/IMAX films so this is fantastic for me.

I am planning on going to the London IMAX, too...but I don't have a credit card to reserve tickets...or a passport. DAMN YOU, LIFE!

Boo Radley

Nerdkiller1991 wrote: »

I am planning on going to the London IMAX, too...but I don't have a credit card to reserve tickets...or a passport. DAMN YOU, LIFE!

You can use this instead of a credit card: https://www.3v.ie/

If you have a driving license it should be fine for a trip to London. If not, save up and get a passport. I recently moved to the UK so plan to hit the IMAX in London for TDKR too.

Nerdkiller1991

Boo Radley wrote: »

You can use this instead of a credit card: https://www.3v.ie/

If you have a driving license it should be fine for a trip to London. If not, save up and get a passport. I recently moved to the UK so plan to hit the IMAX in London for TDKR too.

I already have a 3V card...but I don't think I can use it on foreign currency. Never tried it before.

Boo Radley

Nerdkiller1991 wrote: »

I already have a 3V card...but I don't think I can use it on foreign currency. Never tried it before.

I've booked hotels in Wales and bought from Amazon.co.uk using the 3v. Should be alright. You will of course need to make sure you have enough to cover the conversion costs.

emeraldstar

Nerdkiller1991 wrote: »

Even though this is from a few months back, it looks like we're finally getting a new IMAX theatre.

http://www.movies.ie/movie_news/UCI_buys_11_Irish_cinemas__plans_IMAX_cinema_for_Dublin

"[T]here are discussions to include an IMAX cinema screen that will seat 400 people at the O2/Point complex"

I wouldn't get my hopes up just yet, if I were you.

Bullseye1

While it would be great to have an IMAX screen here again there have only been a handful at most actually shot in IMAX. In recent times part of The Dark Knight and Tron were shot in true IMAX. Most films shown in IMAX are simply just expanded to fill the screen.

Dotrel

Nolanger wrote: »

It flopped before because the films were rubbish.

Was about to say that. When the IMAX was in Dublin before they weren't showing Harry Potter or The Dark Knight (or equivalent for the time). All they seemed to offer were short-length generic "discovery channel" type demos about space and dinosaurs etc. So basically they had no "name" pulling power and the stuff they had on you didn't really know what you were going to be paying for anyway.

I reckon an IMAX with proper Marquee movies could be a success this time around. I've even heard of people travelling to London to see certain blockbuster movies in IMAX so it clearly has pulling power if you offer the public what they want.

Nolanger

I went to the Dublin IMAX and thought it was sh*t! The seats were too high up because the screen was huge and they were too close to this screen. There was no atmosphere either, like being on holidays and visiting a planetarium! Then some woman working there had to give a tour of the cinema and had to talk to the customers before the movie started to tell everyone where the bleedin' fire exits were. No wonder it closed down. Also, got the impression no-one really gave a toss about the IMAX back then. It was more for tourists and school tours.

nix

Dotrel wrote: »

Was about to say that. When the IMAX was in Dublin before they weren't showing Harry Potter or The Dark Knight (or equivalent for the time). All they seemed to offer were short-length generic "discovery channel" type demos about space and dinosaurs etc. .

The imax screen was gone well before any movies took advantage of it, hence why you only seen discovery like movies in it.

They got the imax screen when there wasnt a market for it really and then got rid of it as it was a big waste of money. They should have held on for a decade or so before getting it...

crazygeryy

nix wrote: »

The imax screen was gone well before any movies took advantage of it, hence why you only seen discovery like movies in it.

They got the imax screen when there wasnt a market for it really and then got rid of it as it was a big waste of money. They should have held on for a decade or so before getting it...

i dont know anything about imax and im willing to try anything but i wish to god 3D would **** off back to where it came from.

Sad Professor

I'd imagine IMAX depends on the success of 3D to a certain extent. Cinemas and studios aren't going to be in a rush to offer IMAX films if they think cinemagoers aren't interested in the "next film revolution" that is 3D.

nix

Avatar is the only 3D movie i enjoyed, id be well up for the change if they made the effort like that movie did, i tire of the half assed **** they keep throwing at us, a movie advertising 3D and then only about 2-3 scenes in the movie with noticeable 3D effects, its silly and clearly fooling nobody..