Dec 2 2009Going to the Theater Now Even More Riddled with Obnoxious Novelty
Remember when 3D movies were a novelty, when you'd put on cheap, silly red and blue-tinted glasses to see objects and limbs shoved deliberately at the screen? How things have changed, eh? Now 3D films are a billion dollar industry novelty, where you put on slightly higher quality silly glasses to see objects and limbs shoved deliberately at the screen but with the constant endorsement of James Cameron letting you know you're supposed to be super-immersed now.
But still, something is missing. Even with these 3D mock sunglasses dulling my vision, I can still see the faint line between the current 3D film experience and Univeral Studios' Back to the Future: The Ride. What I'm saying is: why aren't out seats moving around to simulate the experience of being jostled?
The makers of D-Box technology, the premier seat jostling system named after an SNL sketch, had that same absurd thought. So now we're getting it:
Ten select theaters across America will be equipped with special motion seats during showings of Sherlock Holmes. The seats will simulate the action during the movie, though they’ll remain motionless during dialogue driven moments.This is a gimmick which has been tried before and, frankly, never really took off. This time they’re using a system called D-Box Motion Code, which embeds cues in the frames of the film to perfectly synchronize whatever it is their seats decide to do with whatever’s happening on screen.
How exciting! When Holmes gets punched, my seat will lurch! As if the famous detective was pushing me around in a wheelchair and got knocked off the handles, I guess! I'm going to be so much more immersed in the film when it feels like I'm watching from the backseat of a Dodge Caravan going down a dirt road. Thanks, D-Box!
Sherlock Holmes Has A New Gimmick: Motion Seats [Cinema Blend]
Reader Comments
1. Fiona - December 2, 2009 1:30 PM
I normally love novelties and gimmicks, but this just sounds as horrible and distracting as the rumble pak for N64.
2. Cinema Obsessed - December 2, 2009 1:33 PM
This concept would make more sense if it were a huge blockbuster sci fi exlposions dinosaurs spaceships car crashes robots kinda movie. Not so much with a period piece like Sherlock Holmes...
3. albert - December 2, 2009 2:03 PM
this is so fucking stupid, like consumers need another reason for theaters to jack up prices on us. Even 3d is fucking retarded if you think about it. They charge you two to five additional dollars not for the glasses, but to cover the overhead from the theater having to upgrade to 3d equipment, now imagine if your ticket also had to cover a fucking swivel chair with a motor. I see this doing more harm than good because the additional increase in price will be prohibitive to most movie goers.
4. Remegy - December 2, 2009 4:04 PM
#2 is right, Sherlock Holmes is not the right movie to test this out. just like 3d, all this will do is take away from the movie...
5. Phil232 - December 2, 2009 5:04 PM
Well I've seen these at a tweeter a few years ago as I was looking for new gears for my theatre and I must admit this is really good. It was a bit too expensive for me to purchase it, but I would definitely go to the theatre if it was available in my area...
6. Brian - December 2, 2009 7:11 PM
Part of why I hate theaters is because my seat already rumbles when the douchebag behind me keeps kicking it.... now I'll pay extra for that. Great.
7. Soapfish - December 2, 2009 7:25 PM
I actually saw Astro Boy with D-BOX seats at the Mall of America. It was actually really fun. If you enjoyed rides like Star Tours or The Mystery Mine Ride than you would probably like it if done with the proper movie.Too bad the movie/Nicholas Cage sucked.
Sherlock Holmes plus D-box = kinda dumb
8. Matthew - December 2, 2009 9:36 PM
Yeah, Mall of America has had them for a LONG time. I think maybe they just took the seats out of the Mystery Mine Ride, and moved 'em into the theater. Saw Pandorum in them, and it wasn't too bad.
Sherlock holmes though, meh. I was surprised 2012 wasn't in that theater. Seems like a movie that would make good use of it.
9. Colton - December 3, 2009 6:59 PM
Yea, there's one thing missing: Being nearsighted and being able to see a 3d movie when you're wearing your prescription glasses.
When we went to see Coraline all my friends went "ooh" and "AHH !" but all I saw with my glasses covered with slightly bigger 3-d glasses was a blurry movie that I had to sit though for two hours.
10. frank - December 6, 2009 10:37 PM
More bitingly sarcastic than most of your other posts. I like the vitriol.
11. nike air yeezy - May 4, 2010 4:38 AM
The pictures shown on website match the goods shipped very well. I wanted to order the Airyeezy shoes and it was at available initially and my younger brother like it very,thank you.