“How to Train Your Dragon” is Sensational in IMAX 3D

Theatrical release poster (Paramount Pictures)

Even if you’ve seen “How to Train Your Dragon” at a conventional theater, you’ll do yourself a favor to go see it again at the National Infantry Museum’s IMAX  Theater.  As  New York Times movie reviewer A.O Scott says, “And the real distinction of ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ — the reason it deserves to be seen in a theater with special glasses on, rather than slapped on the DVD player when the children are acting up — lies in those airborne sequences..”  Add the huge IMAX screen and those dragons really soar.

 After enjoying the IMAX experience with a fairly good-sized audience Saturday evening, I can understand why the movie got so many good reviews.  Not only is the animation art breathtaking, but, you actually start caring about the characters, including the dragon Toothless. 

 While I heartily recommend this highly entertaining animated film, I would add one note of caution.  It is extremely violent with a lot a crashing sound effects and dragons spitting blazing fire.  It might be too scary for a child under five. A friend of mine said it would be too scary for a child under ten.  I guess it depends on the child.  Of course, people like to be scared by movies. I guess it’s sort of like the thrill you get when riding a rollercoaster.  One friend told me a few years ago that when she took her small boy to see “Jurassic Park,” he got down on the floor and hid under the seat, but when she asked him, “Do you want to leave?” he said “No!”

Infantry Museum’s IMAX Theater Shows “To Hell and Back” Sunday, Audie Murphy’s Birthday

NATIONAL INFANTRY MUSEUM’S IMAX  SHOWS THE AUDIE MURPHY BIO SUNDAY EVENING, JUNE 20, 2010, AT 6.

Audie Murphy was the most decorated soldier of World War II. The military's top award, the Medal of Honor, was one of the many he was given. After the war he became a movie star and played himself in "To Hell and Back." He was killed when his private plane crashed in 1971. His grave at Arlington is the second most visited, with John F. Kennedy's being most visited. (U.S. Army photo)

The showing of “To Hell and Back” is a benefit screening for the local Audie Murphy club.  Proceeds will go to the club and the museum. The public is invited. Tickets are $10.

Though shown int he IMAX Theater, it will not be an IMAX movie, shown instead on the theater’s digital projector which is similar to the ones in Carmike Cinemas.  

Speaking of projectors, we’ll take a closer look at the IMAX projectors and how the theater has fared in its first year of operation starting Monday. Stay tuned.

PODCAST: 2009 YEARENDER

You won’t find “yearender” in the dictionary. It’s a term used by broadcasters for reports and documentaries at year’s end to feature the big stories of the year.  That’s what this podcast does, except, being a blog, it get’s personal.

Just click on 2009 YEARENDER

Correction on IMAX at Patriot Park Ticket Prices

Here’s a correction to my previous post on ticket prices at IMAX at Patriot Park,  which opens for business tomorrow afternoon.

Dick,

Thank you for the wonderful review and photos that you posted.  I would like, however, to point out some discrepencies in your listed prices.  Prices are not based on time of day, as Dark Knight will be playing at 3:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Prices for films 70 minutes and under (which are primarily documentaries) are:
$8.00 General
$7.00 Senior/Student/Military
$6.00 Child
$6.00 All groups 20 or more (except school groups)
$5.50 All school groups 10 or more

Films over 70 minutes (concerts and Hollywood films):
$10.00 General
$9.00 Senior/Student/Military
$8.00 Child
$8.00 All groups 20 or more

All group tickets must be reserved at least 24 hours in advanced.

Hope this helps.  And again, thanks for the great coverage!

Joe Kleiman
Director of Attractions and IMAX Programming
National Infantry Foundation

Behind the Scenes at IMAX at Patriot Park, Home of the New National Infantry Museum

Before last Thursday the only thing I knew about IMAX theaters is that the screens dwarf all other movie screens,  and the viewing experience is exhilarating,  and the IMAX 3D film experience is astounding.   I learned those things at IMAX theaters in Chattanooga, Atlanta,  Pensacola,  and at one other place that I can’t remember.  When I went to the sneak preview given for Columbus area media at the IMAX at Patriot Park in the Soldier Center section of the National Infantry Museum Thursday,  I learned how it works.

IMAX at Patriot Park, National Infantry Museum, Columbus, GA

My former WRBL-TV co-worker and present friend Chris Joiner,  projection and audio visual manager of IMAX at Patriot Park,   which is part of the new National Infantry Museum on Fort Benning Boulevard in Columbus, Georgia,  invited me to join him in the projection booth.   There I got to see the two IMAX projectors that throw the incredibly huge and clear picture on the five story high and 70 foot wide screen. 

Chris Joiner, IMAX Projection and Audio Visual Manager, IMAX at Patriot Park, National Infantry Museum

Each of these projectors costs  $600,000.   Only one of them is used for non-3D films.  It takes both of them for 3D.   These projectors and the 15/70 film, which is ten times larger than 35mm film used in ordinary movie theaters, produce a picture 9 times clearer than any other movie theater in the region.  It is so huge that you become immersed in it.

Becky Donovan, assistant projectionist, loads 15/70 IMAX film into $600,000 projector, IMAX at Patriot Park, National Infantry Museum, Columbus, Georgia

Many regular movie theaters use digital projection now instead of film,  and when IMAX at Patriot Park shows movies made in the conventional format,  it will use the theater’s $90, 000 digital projector.  Those conventional movies in the letterbox format will not fill the entire IMAX screen,  but will still be larger than in any other regional theater.  Many of the military oriented Hollywood films shown on Military Monday will be shown in the conventional format,  but the rest of the week only IMAX movies will be shown.

You’ll be able to particpate in the IMAX experience starting next Thursday, Marh 19th, when the Soldier Center, or first half of the National Infantry Museum, will open.   And,  if  you like,  you can eat in the museum’s full service restaurant.  Also,  on that day,  the first basic training class graduation ceremony will be held on the parade grounds in back of he musem.  That part of the musem complex is actually on the Fort Benning reservation, but the museum building is located in Columbus.  The grand opening of the entire musesum will be on June 19th.  Former Secretary of State and General Colin Powell will be one of the notables attending that event.

On Thursday the IMAX theater will show two documentaries,  Mysteries of Egypt starts at 5:30,  Everest starts at 6:30,  and the Hollywood hit The Dark Night, a Batman movie,  at 7:30.   Prices for films 70 minutes and under are $8 for general admission, $7 for seniors, active and retired military, and high school and college students,  $6 for children in non-school groups of 20 or more, and $5 for school groups of 20 or more.  (For double features add $4 for second film.)  Prices for films over 70 minutes long are $10 for general admission,  $9 for seniors, active/retired military and dependents, and high school and college students, $8 for children. 

Is it worth it?  Based on my experiences in IMAX theaters, including the sneak preview at this one,  I would definately say yes.