Poltergeist 25th Anniversary (One Night Only) Oct 4th

[TomOpus]

Looks like they're releasing this to theaters for one night only just before the DVD release on Oct 9th.

Anyone thinking about seeing this on the big screen? I'd love to see it again in a theater but I hate these "one night only" things because it doesn't give you much room to plan.

[KillerCannibal]

I'd like to think this will be playing somewhere near me, but I know the reality is that it'll be in one theater up in L.A. Anyone have a listing of participating theaters?

[TomOpus]

I would check the usual places like Fandango. I know it's playing at both an AMC and a Regal here.... but I didn't check other chains.

[dsa_shea]

Is the "one night only" really cost effective for the studios? Why not "one weekend only" at least?

[TomOpus]

I know. You would think they would include the weekend but I guess they didn't want to compete with new releases.

[big whoppa]

Is the "one night only" really cost effective for the studios? Why not "one weekend only" at least?

Probably. Is there really enough interest in a 25 year old movie that can fill a movie theater for more than one night? Probably not.

[zombiezilla]

Nah. I'll buy the new DVD, though.

[riley_dude]

If it were any day but that Thursday I would probably go. I work late that night so I won't be able to see it.
Ashame they couldn't have had it playing on a Friday or Saturday.

[Geofferson]

I will probably be checking it out.

[Adam Tyner]

Is the "one night only" really cost effective for the studios?Yeah. They almost certainly aren't shipping film prints around, so distributing this thing digitally is cheap, and they probably aren't spending much on advertising.

[cardsfan111]

Looks like they're releasing this to theaters for one night only just before the DVD release on Oct 9th.

Anyone thinking about seeing this on the big screen? I'd love to see it again in a theater but I hate these "one night only" things because it doesn't give you much room to plan.
Just curious -- where'd you hear about this? If it were in internet site, I'd be interesting in reading more about it. Thanks!

[Trevor]

one website to find local showtimes (http://www.mrmovietimes.com/movies/Poltergeist-25th-Anniversary-NCM-Event.html?date=1567009)

[OutRun2]

the DVD release on Oct 9th.

Nice! Specs?

[TomOpus]

Nice! Specs?There's a thread in the main forum. Amazingly, the extras are pretty sad.

[tommyp007]

Not showing near me, but I'll get the dvd.

[nateman]

There's a thread in the main forum. Amazingly, the extras are pretty sad.
That’s the understatement of the year; the extras for the new 2-Disc ‘Special Edition’ are just plain out pathetic.

I’ll still be picking it up though. :) Me love the ‘Double-Dip’!

[RagingBull80]

In Oklahoma City at the AMC Quail Springs theater they're showing this Oct. 31-Nov. 4 at midnight.

I'm not going to see it but they're showing 'The Shining' at midnight Oct. 25-28 and I'll being going to one of those showings.

[abintra]

Yeah. They almost certainly aren't shipping film prints around, so distributing this thing digitally is cheap, and they probably aren't spending much on advertising.

I went to a preview once that was transmitted via satellite and the quality was terrible. Anyone know if this would be something along those lines or is there another digital method that is comparable to film quality.

[Mosskeeto]

I went to a preview once that was transmitted via satellite and the quality was terrible. Anyone know if this would be something along those lines or is there another digital method that is comparable to film quality.
The method that is assumed to be used in the example here is a DLP system and the quality is as good as anything, anywhere. The studios are pushing the cinema chains to install these as the films do not have to be printed just cached on servers but the chains are resisting due to the huge expense. Here's a link for more info: http://www.dlp.com/tech/what.aspx

[Captain Jackal]

Caught wind of this a couple days ago when I was looking up showtimes. Luckily it is play near me, schedule permitting I"ll be there.

[MTRodaba2468]

If it were playing in my area, then I probably would.

Knowing my area, though, we probably won't.

[Trevor]

If it were playing in my area, then I probably would.

Knowing my area, though, we probably won't.
I used the website I linked above to try a few KY zip codes for you, and no luck, but you may want to try it yourself since I don't know where you live.

[SpaceBoy]

I saw Halloween like this last year, it was fun to watch on the big screen but our digital projector had a problem getting it from the satellite so I didn't have the audio for the bonus stuff leading up to the movie. I guess I was lucky, that they got it working in time for the full feature.

I'll try to hit this, thanks for the info.

[Darth Maher]

I always assumed that they just threw in the DVD and played that for these types of screenings. Shows what I know. :o :blush:

I WILL be attending this screening in the Chicago suburbs though. There's one right by my house. It's about time. I'm tired of driving into the damn city or all the way to Lincolnshire (an hour away). I know I shouldn't complain. There are some people in the sticks who don't get this opportunity.

[KillerCannibal]

Sweet. This is playing at the Regal in Foothill Ranch @ 7:30 on the 4th. I'll be there.

[asianxcore]

The closest theater showing this in my area is a 1 1/2-2 hour drive.

Still thinking about if I want to go or not.

[B5Erik]

I saw it in the theaters when it first came out. Saw it twice, actually.

I'm fine with the DVD at this point. Great movie, though. VERY freaky the first time through...

[Daytripper]

Just watched this movie for the first time in years about a year ago....and I felt like it held up really well. Unlike most movies of the 80's. Very classy and scary movie.

[Steve Phillips]

The problem with these showings is that they don't seem to be using the same digital delivery method as they do with new releases.

For example, my local theater plays new releases in DLP form that look stunning on the newest digital projectors (the same ones set up for Real D).

However, for these type of showings (such as HALLOWEEN) last year, they used the much older digital unit they run the "pre-shows" with before 35mm film showings. The quality is awful, much worse than 35mm film and way lower than 2K+ digital presentations. HALLOWEEN looked awful last year, like a DVD or even VHS blown up. They advertised it as HD but it looked far from it.

I'd love to see a 35mm print of POLTERGEIST on the big screen again, or a high quality digital presentation, but I won't pay to see it beamed in by satellite in such poor quality.

[Living Dead]

Playing 3 miles from my house in Los Angeles. I'm definitely going.

[Matthew Chmiel]

The problem with these showings is that they don't seem to be using the same digital delivery method as they do with new releases.

For example, my local theater plays new releases in DLP form that look stunning on the newest digital projectors (the same ones set up for Real D).

However, for these type of showings (such as HALLOWEEN) last year, they used the much older digital unit they run the "pre-shows" with before 35mm film showings. The quality is awful, much worse than 35mm film and way lower than 2K+ digital presentations. HALLOWEEN looked awful last year, like a DVD or even VHS blown up. They advertised it as HD but it looked far from it.

I'd love to see a 35mm print of POLTERGEIST on the big screen again, or a high quality digital presentation, but I won't pay to see it beamed in by satellite in such poor quality.
I agree with Steve.

When I saw Coachella: The Movie about a year and a half ago, it was basically a satellite feed projected on a large screen. It looked like shit and easily a waste of $10 (besides the fact that the documentary sucked on top of that). The only time they actually busted out a 35mm print was for their preview screenings of The Descent (before it's theatrical release). That I was extremely happy about, but Regal decided to attach a 20-minute Fangoria featurette on the flick before the movie started which NEARLY FUCKING RUINED the movie.

[Hulkabrgr]

Just got back from a screening of this, and was very dissapointed. The film was shown in the wrong ratio. It looked like it was shown in a 1:85 ratio, but it still did not take up the whole screen. During the opening, and ending credits, it went to a letterboxed 2:35 ratio. If they are going to charge 10 dollars for one of these screenings, it should at least be shown correctly.

[zaphod2467]

Just got back from a screening of this, and was very dissapointed. The film was shown in the wrong ratio. It looked like it was shown in a 1:85 ratio, but it still did not take up the whole screen. During the opening, and ending credits, it went to a letterboxed 2:35 ratio. If they are going to charge 10 dollars for one of these screenings, it should at least be shown correctly.

And even worse, the "Poltergeist" scenes in the after-movie waste-of-time about real poltergeists WERE in 2:35 OAR. -rolleyes-

[KillerCannibal]

And to think I was a little upset I decided to pass on this last night. Good move on my part it seems. I can't believe this is how they show one of the greatest ghost films of all time. Blasphemy.

[Brent L]

I went to see it as well, and while I noticed the obvious flaws (although I didn't mention them to my cousin), I was happy with it for the most part.

Then again, that's more than likely because when I tried to pay they couldn't get my bank card to swipe, something wrong with their machine, so they went ahead and just let me watch it for free. :lol:

[too much]

Yeah, I saw this the other night. Easily the worst presentation of a movie that I can ever remember seeing at a theater. I also noticed the correct ratio in the "special feature" garbage they showed after the movie. They didn't even turn the lights down until a good 5 minutes into the movie. I should have just left then.

[Trevor]

Totally forgot to go to the screening in my area, now I'm glad I missed it though.

[Steve Phillips]

Now I'm *really* glad I didn't go.

[Hulkabrgr]

After getting back from the screening, I emailed Fathom Events to express my dissapointment at the film being shown in the wrong ratio.
This is the email that I just recieved from their customer service:

Dear Jordon,



Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate your comments and will take them into consideration for future event offerings. We are sorry for your disappointment in our recent Fathom Events presentation of Poltergeist on October 4, 2007. It is always Fathom’s goal to provide a truly unique and exclusive experience each and every time. In order to preserve the historical value and integrity of the presentation, our studio partners chose to provide Poltergeist to us in a specific format to compliment the commentary at the end of the movie. The aspect ratio delivered was 1.85:1. Going forward, we will ensure that the right expectations are set with our customers.



Thank you again for feedback and we do hope to see you at another event hosted by Fathom in the near future.



Fathom Events


Besides the fact that they spelt my name wrong (a small pet peeve), do you think that WB and Speilberg actually gave Fathom a film in the wrong ratio?

[TomOpus]

I give my humble apologies for anyone that went because they heard about the showing due to this thread. If I knew it would be such a sub-par presentation, I would never have brought it to anyone's attention.

[chanster]

Fathom’s goal to provide a truly unique and exclusive experience each and every time.

Yea, its unique allright..a piece of shit unique!