M ZXR Posted June 10, 2010 Posted June 10, 2010 Went to the cinema the other day to see a movie which received a good review.(New York I love you) It's a rare thing for us these days with a little one. It was showing in one of their smaller theatres in an arthouse multiplex close to Auckland city. This'll be lovely I thought, only a few viewers in a more intimate environment. Movie starts, uh oh pictures a little grainy, no shadow detail etc What the heck,no they can't! It's not a dvd is it? It's certainly not 35mm. Watched the movie, some nice moments in it. Quite enjoyed it but couldn't help thinking how much better it could have been had the picture quality not bugged me the whole time. Young worker says 'don't you know we show dvds in that theatre' Well it transpired after tracking down the manager by phone the next day that it's not dvd as they stopped screening these 3 years ago but HD files and these are far superior according to the manager.(I'll check it out and get back to you if there's a problem with it she said). You could have fooled me! Dvd's on my modest plasma look better. How can they not advise you it's not actually a 35mm print you came to see. Are we just being too picky and pedantic? I haven't heard back. Who's had a similar experience?
Ernie1553552694 Posted June 10, 2010 Posted June 10, 2010 I saw a Bertolucci film a few years ago at the Rialto and I couldn't help but feel like you were describing the same experience we had. The presentation was really disappointing, and I know that a lot of homes have systems to rival a cinema, but the ritual of seeing a picture with a room full of strangers still seems to have some social capital. Even if it is only once or twice a year for us now...
AgrAde Posted June 10, 2010 Posted June 10, 2010 I often avoid the cinema. I'm invariably disappointed by the audio, video and lack of enthusiasm by the people who set the ruddy things up. The day I realised that i have it better at home was bittersweet.
dergib Posted June 13, 2010 Posted June 13, 2010 Dunedin Rialto does/used to play DVD's in their smaller of the three cinemas in Moray Place. I saw "The Motorcycle Diaries" in one of them it was awfully distracting with the low quality picture on such a big screen. I always check a cinema I don't know is playing 35MM
Brian Ono Posted June 13, 2010 Posted June 13, 2010 Its a case of cutting off their nose despite their face.If theatres hope to survive the against home theatre this isnt the way to do it.Here I avoid the smaller theatres because of the quality reduction.
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