Ok, let's talk film. Tonight at midnight the new Indiana Jones film screens across the country for public viewing. Seeing the midnight show with all the fans, everyone screaming as the old Paramount sign morphs into whatever it morphs into, something resembling a mountain is a total delight. It has been a pleasure to live in a time when not only did I go to the theater to see all the originals on the big screen, but I am also get to see the sequels on the big screen. Which reminds me (taps playing), it is time to remind ourselves of the great loss of Cinedome Theatres in Orange, Ca. Now the Cinedome theaters were around in the 70's.
They were torn down in the mid 90's to make room for some corporation to further resuscitate middle management for some bleak business. Yet, while these magnificent theaters lasted they housed all of the ripe, anticipated film in Orange County, Ca. Nowadays, there are four or five multiplexes in the area that do the job of the old Cinedome, so its importance was demonised when newer theaters were built.
They were torn down in the mid 90's to make room for some corporation to further resuscitate middle management for some bleak business. Yet, while these magnificent theaters lasted they housed all of the ripe, anticipated film in Orange County, Ca. Nowadays, there are four or five multiplexes in the area that do the job of the old Cinedome, so its importance was demonised when newer theaters were built.
I am going to talk about a few things here in reference to watching movies in a theater. First off, the only way to see a film is in a theater. Period. I know what a lot of people say, "I'd rather watch a movie at home! There is no difference". Well, my Filmfans! There is a huge difference. Lets look at the large whole left in film watching made by the loss of the Orange Cinedome. The Cinedome was a large, domed theater, It provided curved screens. 
I could describe what it was like, however I need to quote the article by Bill Kallay. He is much more poetic than I am. "The layout of the domes, much like a curved amphitheater, was spacious and luxurious. Plush curtains and entry music greeted movie goers, at least until slide shows took over the pre-movie screen. Though the Cindedome wasn't perfect, it was a theater one remembered even if the film was bad. The floors in the domes were hollow, so walking on them was like walking on a wooden box. Going to the bathrooms was always an interesting experience.Few theaters I've encountered allowed me to do my business and still hear the loud movie soundtrack in the dome above me. And Cinedome prided itself on pre-popped popcorn.But Cinedome was a modern movie palace. Sitting in the domes, one was always comfortable due the rocking chairs the theater had. The dome's ceiling seemed like it went on into infinity. And the presentation Cinedome was a treat. Even on 35mm stereo releases, the theater would always rock. But it was on 70mm presentation that Cinedome was legend.
In "Raiders of the Lost Ark", the boulder rumbled over your head. In "Ghostbusters", Slimer floated through your chest and back into the large surround speaker behind you. In "True Lies", you felt the bullet casings falling on the bathroom floor in Arnold's in-famous fight."
I could describe what it was like, however I need to quote the article by Bill Kallay. He is much more poetic than I am. "The layout of the domes, much like a curved amphitheater, was spacious and luxurious. Plush curtains and entry music greeted movie goers, at least until slide shows took over the pre-movie screen. Though the Cindedome wasn't perfect, it was a theater one remembered even if the film was bad. The floors in the domes were hollow, so walking on them was like walking on a wooden box. Going to the bathrooms was always an interesting experience.Few theaters I've encountered allowed me to do my business and still hear the loud movie soundtrack in the dome above me. And Cinedome prided itself on pre-popped popcorn.But Cinedome was a modern movie palace. Sitting in the domes, one was always comfortable due the rocking chairs the theater had. The dome's ceiling seemed like it went on into infinity. And the presentation Cinedome was a treat. Even on 35mm stereo releases, the theater would always rock. But it was on 70mm presentation that Cinedome was legend.
In "Raiders of the Lost Ark", the boulder rumbled over your head. In "Ghostbusters", Slimer floated through your chest and back into the large surround speaker behind you. In "True Lies", you felt the bullet casings falling on the bathroom floor in Arnold's in-famous fight."
Yes, filmfans that is what it was like. Seeing a film on the big screen, projected from plastic film is experiencing a story, while watching a film on TV is just that, watchin a movie. I had the pleasure of seeing Braveheart on the Big Screen last year in Cerritos and let me tell you, it was breathtaking. I was fully wrapped in the story of William Wallace and for once I was not just waiting for the battle scenes to come on.
Seeing a good film in a theater is to experience. I saw Raiders for the first time in 1981 at Cinedome and I attribute that experience to Raiders being my Favorite film of all time. The experience of seeing the first Indiana Jones while having your socks rattled off your feet by the sound and having your eyes bulge at the melting faces-in your face- was unreal. And I was only 8 years old. I could honestly give you a million reasons why it will unarguably be better to watch film on film, but it all boils down to the actual experience. Nothing, no amount of home equipment, will compare. So enjoy seeing Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull on the big screen. I now recommend the Irvine Spectrum for this experience, but most theaters are ok nowadays.
It's gonna be a great time. This film will NOT be the greatest film ever. Do not go in with higher than life expectations. This is an adventure film that was made to provide fun fun entertainment. That's it. That's why also Raiders is my favorite film, because it does what few films do now, it has fun and entertains without ego. Please filmfans, use this weekend to remember why we go to movies in the first place, to be entertained.
It's gonna be a great time. This film will NOT be the greatest film ever. Do not go in with higher than life expectations. This is an adventure film that was made to provide fun fun entertainment. That's it. That's why also Raiders is my favorite film, because it does what few films do now, it has fun and entertains without ego. Please filmfans, use this weekend to remember why we go to movies in the first place, to be entertained.
On film news, Christian Bale has signed on to do three terminator films. I am in too good of a mood to bag on my dead cow theroies, but yes this is a dead cow. And the execs are all thinking that Christian Bale can do for Terminator what he did for Batman. OF COURSE they conveniently forget that Christopher Nolan and Co. had more to do with that than Bale. But, execs have the brain power of a single cell battery. So my note to the execs, it is STORY and DIRECTION as well as actors that make a great film. Bale will be a great face to see, but without great direction, it won't matter.
Though in the article it does say that they are looking at the script from a "fan" point of view. That is good news, but I would like to see a writer look at it artistically. Have fun with it. Fall in love with it. Don't only think like us. That's how we got Snakes on a Plane, from a bunch of execs TRYING to think like us.
Though in the article it does say that they are looking at the script from a "fan" point of view. That is good news, but I would like to see a writer look at it artistically. Have fun with it. Fall in love with it. Don't only think like us. That's how we got Snakes on a Plane, from a bunch of execs TRYING to think like us.
Until Tomorrow! Live life like a rock star parties! And lets' talk film!
http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/va/20080520/121134355100.html
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117986200.html?categoryId=1970&cs=1&query=hobbit
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7411013.stm
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