May 13 2009 Aziz v. IMAX
When you pay extra for an IMAX screen, you expect it to be ludicrously large--so vast that a six-foot man standing in the way of the screen would go nearly unnoticed--right? Well, I expect that. And so did comedian Aziz Anzari (Human Giant, Parks and Recreation), but when he went to an AMC Theatre in Burbank this weekend, he ended up paying five dollars extra for an IMAX screen only marginally bigger than usual, which the theater justified as being IMAX due to its "IMAX quality picture and sound." He complained, AMC workers refused to give any refund, he blogged about it, and now it's an internet thing.
Adding to the controversy, IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond has now defended the smaller screens, saying, "The overwhelming majority of comments on that guy’s blog this morning, more than 90% of them, are vehemently disagreeing with him. And consumers are confirming this with their continued purchases of tickets."
My take: Shut up, Richard Gelfond. When you started touting your idiotic brand name (Image MAXimum!!!) a few years ago, the before-the-movie commercials I saw bragged, "THIS SCREEN IS SO BIG YOU WILL BE PLAGUED BY FEELINGS OF INADEQUACY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE," or something to that effect. I don't remember anyone adding, "Oh, and also some IMAX screens are normal size and just have a slightly better picture, but still cost a ridiculous amount of money. So watch out for those." That is some B. shit.
So, has this happened to anyone else? And does anyone actually agree with the CEO, that it's fine to advertise a screen as IMAX and then reveal it's not even giant? If so, how is it working in IMAX's fake opinion dissemination department?
Sep 11 2008 Batman Would Like Some Oscars Too, The Soloist
Warner Bros. has announced The Dark Knight will have an IMAX rerelease in January, so that come voting time, Academy members will remember, oh yeah, there was that Batman movie. From THR:
Warner Bros. wants a statuette -- or 10 -- for "The Dark Knight." So the studio plans to rerelease its blockbuster Batman sequel in January, the height of Academy Awards voting season."It's just a matter of bringing it back as a reminder for people," a studio insider said.
The second run will be a slightly altered cut where the "magic trick pencil" scene is repeated several times and followed by a title that says, "Seriously, did you see that shit? Plus, HE'S DEAD."
Mar 26 2008 Exclusive New Theaters for Rich Turds!
Movie theaters have long been one of the few places in America where people of all ages and backgrounds, regardless of their social or economic standing, can meet to partake in a communal experience. So it's about time someone fixed that.
Australian conglomerate Village Roadshow has begun a 5-year, $200 million venture to create a line of swanky, upper-class cinemas that boast "plush reserved seating, special parking privileges and upscale food and beverage offerings with seat-side waiter service," (no exclusive water fountains?) plus "a 40-seat-maximum patron capacity and an even higher-end atmosphere [than existing deluxe theaters]". But, of course, such luxurious amenities come at a price: an inflated $35-a-ticket price tag, just high enough to keep out the hoi polloi.
If you want to be one of the first affluent assholes to find their movie experience disturbed exclusively by iPhones, it sounds like the first Gold Class Cinema will be heading to the Chicago area.
Apr 20 2007 Bono, Edge, Spiderman: WTF?
Oh Spiderman, how long must we sing this song?
I can't believe the news today
Get ready for "Spider-Man: The Broadway Musical."
Oh I can't close my eyes and make it go aw-aaaaaayy...
Marvel Studios is putting the pieces together for a musical on the Great White Way starring the popular superhero, which will be directed by Tony winner Julie Taymor, with U2's Bono and the Edge creating new music and lyrics for the project."
And today the millions cry....
