I've always loved going to the movies. As a child, going to the movies was a special event for many reasons. The movies had content, technology and ambiance that you simply could not recreate at home.

Programming was extremely limited on broadcast television. My channel choices were ABC, CBS, NBC, or PBS. It wasn't until later that Fox and HBO entered the picture. I still remember the premier of Star Wars on HBO and how big a deal that was...

Besides content, there was also picture and sound. Watching TV when I was a child often meant black and white picture on a CRT less than 19 inches! No remote control and not even built in stereo speakers. One lonely little pulp driver jammed behind a plastic grill somewhere on the set.

Going to the movies brought with it a picture and sound that was larger than life! Combine that with the fact that I spent some of my childhood in Los Angeles and Downtown Hollywood: movies were a big deal. LA had some pretty amazing theaters back in the 70's. They added to the experience.

Fast forward 30 years and it'a a whole new story. We recently had a new theater open with Dolby Atmos, reclining seats, an "Ultra Screen", and other state of the art touches. You can even enjoy a cold craft brew while watching the latest release. Yet, with all of this, I still found myself missing my home theater.

The picture, sound and conveniences of my home theater have completely offset the advantages of going to the movies. With 1080p on a 110" screen at 12 feet the visual impact is just as good as a theater. The comfort of reclining couches, pillows, and a soft blanket are clearly better. Middle age has made a necessity of an intermission at around the 60 minute mark as well and it's nice to be able to pause the movie. Finally, there is the sound.

It seems to me that theaters have been spending less and less on their sound equipment. There seems to be far less guttural impact, balance, and resolution. This last Atmos experience left me a little underwhelmed. To be fair, the entire sound system was lacking. My Integra receiver, Emotiva amplifiers, and GET speakers provide for a much better experience. The theater's system was loud, but harsh and fatiguing. My home theater, anchored by the Triton Ones, is never fatiguing and provides balance, depth, transparency, and all of the visceral impact I could desire. Movies have never sounded better!

Going to the movies is no longer the special event of yesteryear. The advantages of content, technology, and ambiance have vanished. I guess the better way to look at it is that I have brought that magic home. What a wonderful life!

Cheers,

T Cobe

Very well said T. Cobe!!!!!!
You did not mention 3D, but I will add that 3D movies at home are FAR better than those in the theater where they
give you cheapo glasses and everything is darker.
And I totally agree about the sound!!!!!
And I can sit in my holy shorts and watch a movie at home!!!!
God Bless,
Wayne

T Cobe: I agree with you in regards to "home theater"...the sound, the convenience, and especially the ability to pause, are worth the cost of admission. But in terms of the Commercial Movie experience, the "home theater" does not compare to a Bill Warren IMax presentation. The sound, screen size, and atmosphere, are literally mind boggling.


A few interesting tidbits about Bill Warren's IMAX in Wichita, KS.

$7.2-$10 million project
It's one of the biggest screens in the world : 6 stories tall and about 100 feet wide.
It has a IMAX Silver Screen, one continuous piece of fabric/cost $90.000.

Curtain cost $118.000.00

600 faux leather seats

2 digital projectors equipped with 6,000-watt bulbs running simultaneously to light up the screen.

It takes 60,000 watts of power to run the soundsystem.

Speakers 700 lbs. each

IMAX for your home runs 1 million-2 million.

If you ever get a chance to go...GO...it will blow your mind.

Wayne- Very true about the 3D. The reason I selected my projector was specifically for it's brightness and ability to display a 3D image with sufficient lumens. Of course, a movie with a squishy pillow, comfy clothes, and a fuzzy blanket is hard to beat as well!

Anthem- A well implemented IMAX is nearly impossible to beat and certainly captures the movie magic! My first IMAX experience was Saving Private Ryan in San Antonio on the River Walk. It was AWESOME in every sense. The impact of the invasion of Normandy scene was truly beyond words!

Cheers,

T Cobe

Well YEAH, the IMAX theater in Wichita or San Antonio River Walk (one of my favorite places on this earth) cannot be beat!
But, when I lived in the States, I can't remember ever hearing of an IMAX showing any real movies, I only ever saw the Sapce Ship Columbia or some documentary or such. Saving Private Ryan, the beach invasion scene on IMAX would have CRUSHED IT!!!!
I think it is awesome that they show real movies now. I seriously did NOT know that.
The next best is one we have in Austin, TX and a few other places, called the Alamo Drafthouse Cimema. I see one in San Antonio and Kansas City, MO, Omaha, NE and more. You can get great food and drink there and watch a movie too.

BUT you still cannot be as comfy (sit there in your undies) in the IMAX or the Alamo, still cannot ask them to pause it so I can go to the toilet. They wont rewind it for you to go back and see what you missed, or what you want to have another look at.

And T. Cobe, everyone who comes to my home theater and sees what 3D can really do-just cannot believe it is this good! How does it look on your big screen with your projector??? Would love to visit!!!
I love my home theater!!!!!
God Bless,
Wayne

Wayne,

I watched Saving Private Ryan at the River Walk IMAX in the 90s so I'm not sure what they play these days but it was an amazing experience. I've also been to the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. The experience was very similar to my recent experience at another local chain here in Wisconsin except the beer selection was phenomenal. I think they had close to 30 beers on tap at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. That's better than most bars that specialize in craft beer.

Movies at home are still my preference for the majority of film releases. I only go to the theater these days when a movie looks to good to wait for a Blu-Ray release. Sicario may be just such a movie this weekend. 3D at home has been great. Transformers:Age of Extinction was a great reference quality film for both sound and picture. I also noticed it is "real" 3D thanks to your reference of the realorfake3d.com source. If you're ever in Wisconsin, you're certainly most welcome to stop in for a movie!

I may be taking a trip to Austin this Winter if you have any recommendations for food and fun.

Cheers,

T Cobe