Last night, Turner Classic Movies and Fathom--a company that distributes high-definition operas and stage plays to movie theaters--presented Casablanca in 485 theaters--mostly or entirely big multiplexes--across the USA. Needless to say, the movie was digitally projected. The event was tied to Casablanca's 70th anniversary. In fact, the show was officially titled Turner Classic Movies Presents … Continue reading Watching Casablanca, Digitally Projected, at a Big Multiplex
Category: Technical
The Challenges of Digital Projection, Part 3: Preservation
In my first two pieces on the conversion to digital projection, I covered what the conversion would do to theaters and how it would likely effect small distributors and classic film presentation. In this final installment, I discuss the scariest part of all: Will studios and archives be able to preserve their motion pictures in … Continue reading The Challenges of Digital Projection, Part 3: Preservation
The Challenges of Digital Projection, Part 2: Distribution
As the theatrical film industry moves to digital projection, will we still be able to watch independent films and classic movies on the big screen? Last week I covered one major issue: How will small, independent theaters finance expensive new projectors and the servers required to run them? This week I'm covering the other side … Continue reading The Challenges of Digital Projection, Part 2: Distribution
The Challenges of Digital Projection, Part 1: The Theaters
Esthetically speaking, I see no problem with digital projection. Under the best of conditions, 2K DCP projection looks better than 35mm film--and 4K looks better than 2K. An incompetent projectionist can ruin a digital presentation, of course, but with film, they can ruin the presentation and the print. As transitions go, digital hardly changes the … Continue reading The Challenges of Digital Projection, Part 1: The Theaters
Changing Film Technologies Reflected in Best Picture Nominees
If either The Artist or Hugo wins the Best Picture Oscar, it will say something interesting about how the Hollywood community accepts the technical changes around them. If Hugo wins, it will be the first 3D movie, and the first shot digitally, to win the prize. If The Artist wins (which would please me far … Continue reading Changing Film Technologies Reflected in Best Picture Nominees
Black and White Films in a Color World
I’ve read a lot about the birth of color movies, but little about the reverse transition: the near death of black and white. (I say “near death” because, thankfully, a few films are still made in shades of gray.) Until the late 1930’s, almost every Hollywood film was in black and white. A decade later, … Continue reading Black and White Films in a Color World
Movies and Showmanship
I know people who use the word showmanship to refer to a high technical quality in motion picture presentation—usually referring to old-fashioned technology. I don’t. When I think of "showmanship," I don't think of movies. I think of circuses, magic shows, and rock concerts. Showmanship isn't about technology, but about live human beings putting on … Continue reading Movies and Showmanship
Days of Heaven At the Cerrito
I first saw Terrence Malick’s historical, visually poetic epic, Days of Heaven, in 1978. It was brand new back then, and I saw it in 70mm, at San Francisco’s now-defunct Regency II. I saw it a second time last night at the Cerrito. I’m pleased to report that it is still a great film. Which … Continue reading Days of Heaven At the Cerrito
In Praise of Digital Projection
I’m a cinema purist. I want my films shown in the correct aspect ratio. I don’t approve of colorization, adding new and “improved” special effects, or 2D-to-3D conversions. I’m offended when the DVD or Blu-ray disc of a classic doesn’t include the original mono soundtrack. Yet, in terms of the esthetic cinematic experience, I wouldn’t … Continue reading In Praise of Digital Projection
Great Projection Saturday, Part 2: 70mm & Lawrence of Arabia
After yesterday’s digital projection morning, I went home, relaxed for a few hours, then went with my wife to the Castro to see Lawrence of Arabia in 70mm. This wasn’t a new experience, but an old, beloved one. Hollywood made a lot of long epic movies in the 50s and 60s. Many of them were … Continue reading Great Projection Saturday, Part 2: 70mm & Lawrence of Arabia
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