IMAX

‘Wild Ocean 3-D’ in IMAX Offers Breathtaking Cinematography, Profound Message

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:15:19 -0500

CHICAGO – “Wild Ocean 3-D” – an unforgettable nature documentary playing now in IMAX at Chicago’s Navy Pier – dives to the depths of the ocean and through the vastness of the sea with breathtaking 3-D cinematography and a profound message for all mankind.

From plankton to sardines, dolphins, seals, whales, sharks, gannets and man, Mother Nature’s greatest example of the food chain has been captured off the Wild Coast of South Africa and preserved on film in this educational documentary.

The film takes place along the spectacular South African coast where the Zulu and the Western worlds meet at Kwazulu Natal, which is where tropical meets the sea on the Wild Coast.

Click here to read Allison Pitaccio’s full review
of “Wild Ocean 3-D” in our reviews section!

Click here for our full “Wild Ocean 3-D” image gallery!

An African penguin stands tall atop a rock on Bird Island, Eastern Cape in the IMAX film “Wild Ocean 3-D”.
Photo credit: Steve McNicholas

Breaking surf sprays behind a fisherman on Sezela Beach, KwaZulu-Natal in the IMAX film “Wild Ocean 3-D”.
Photo credit: Steve McNicholas

History-Making ‘U2 3D’ Feature-Length Film Redefines Concert Experience

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:40:04 -0500

CHICAGO – Shot with more digital 3D cameras than any other film project, the feature-length “U2 3D” film production revolutionizes the concert experience on the big screen.

Directors Catherine Owens and Mark Pellington bring together incredible cinematography and surround sound to create this intimate musical experience in a 360-degree landscape. Even more, “U2 3D” etches itself into history as the first-ever, live-action, three-dimensional concert film.

The U2 “Vertigo” tour was filmed throughout seven shows in Argentina in one of the largest stadiums in South America. The most amazing feature of this film is the contagious energy it releases.

Click here to read Allison Pitaccio’s full review
of “U2 3D” in our reviews section!

Click here for our full “U2 3D” image gallery!

Report: ‘The Dark Knight’ Trailer Expected to Surface Online Early Next Week

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:15:58 -0500

I’ve been hearing similiar rumblings and Superhero Hype! has now gone on record about it. Moments ago, the credible site reported that “The Dark Knight” trailer will surface online early next week at its official Web site. The Superhero Hype! report is after the graphic.

As you may know, the new trailer for “The Dark Knight” debuts in standard theaters with “I Am Legend” on Friday and the prologue will be shown with IMAX showings of the Will Smith film.

But when will the trailer officially be online? Early next week at the official Web site, we have been told.

‘The Dark Knight’ Delivers Sensory Orgasm in IMAX Prologue Before ‘I Am Legend’

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:23:29 -0500

I went to screen “I Am Legend” on Wednesday to experience “The Dark Knight”.

That statement doesn’t speak grimly about my feelings for Will Smith. I was looking forward to learning his legend and I’m glad I did. The night at Chicago’s Navy Pier IMAX, though, went to its first six minutes with the Joker as the star.

A production still from “The Dark Knight” prologue.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.
Before I skipped the capacity crowd awaiting entrance into the theater, I stopped to listen to people’s pre-conceived motivations for spending a chilly Wednesday evening at the movies.

People weren’t there because it was free. More important, many people weren’t talking about “I Am Legend”. The buzz king went to Nolan & Co. A few people even went so far as to say they’d consume “The Dark Knight” prologue and skip out immediately thereafter.

I spoke to the publicist running the screening moments before heading in. He was in a panic.

He just got off the phone from New York because “the prologue wasn’t going to show,” he said. At the mere quiet mention of the notion, the few critics who heard it threw their hands in the air in disgust.

I’m paraphrasing, but the publicist immediately retorted: “Don’t worry. It’ll be there now. I made sure of it.” Their nerves were calmed and I now felt vindicated after having to miss last week’s sneak peak of the prologue following yet another “The Dark Knight” viral game.

We were first treated to a trailer for “The Spiderwick Chronicles”.

The next trailer – for a film documenting a rock star – was relatively unimpressive and forgettable. Then a sweeping shot of downtown Gotham ushered in “The Dark Knight” prologue and the theater erupted in applause.

You immediately felt the difference between a typical trailer preceding the big event as this prologue is a short film in its own right. Its design is to introduce the Joker as the crazed fiend he is. He’s indeed feared, he’s indeed demented and he indeed delivers on the frenetic hype.

The story leading up to his unmasking deliberately makes his revelation deliciously climatic. You love to hate Heath and feel no remorse loving him all the while.

For this Chicagoan who has been covering the ins and outs of the film as it has taken over our Windy City, the prologue feels much like home. I’d be watching and instantly recall reporting on that courthouse and stepping foot on those very floors when I was beckoned there for jury duty.

A cameo by William Fichtner (“Go,” “Armageddon,” “Contact”) as a Gotham National Bank manager proves even in just a glimpse the power of this cast from roles as big as Heath Ledger as the Joker and Christian Bale as Batman all the way down to this small bank manager who dominates a memorable scene.

William Fichtner in “The Perfect Storm”.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.
Director Chris Nolan will be remembered as an innovator who made the premeditated choice to work with director of photography Wally Pfister and IMAX technicians to mark the first time in Hollywood history the larger and heavier IMAX cameras were used to film select sequences.

Rather than succumbing to the quality degradation inherent in converting traditional 35-millimeter film to the largesse of IMAX, Nolan filmed directly using the 60-millimeter, sensually orgasmic format. The wait was worth the remuneration and serves as yet another telltale sign that “The Dark Knight” will be the film of 2008.

Warner Bros. Formally Announces ‘The Dark Knight’ Prologue Before ‘I Am Legend’ in IMAX

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:44:58 -0500

We already knew about this, of course, but Warner Bros. on Wednesday released its official announcement that “The Dark Knight” prologue will be featured in its entirety before “I Am Legend” in IMAX.

Both are Warner Bros. films. “I Am Legend” opens in theaters everywhere on Dec. 14. The first showing in Chicago will be at the Navy Pier IMAX screen (700 E. Grand Ave.) at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 14. “The Dark Knight” is slated to open everywhere on July 18, 2008.

A description of the prologue surfaced on Dec. 3. The prologue will be in IMAX 2D. Wednesday’s formal announcement was made by Warner Bros. president of domestic distribution Dan Fellman.

The following information was sent to me in a statement:

The release of the opening six minutes of the movie marks the world premiere of the first footage ever shot with extremely high-resolution IMAX cameras for a major motion-picture release.

In an unprecedented move, director Christopher Nolan employed IMAX cameras for a number of sequences in “The Dark Knight”.

In the statement, Nolan said the following on the news:

I’ve always found the IMAX format to be completely astounding in terms of the crispness and clarity of the image and sound as well as the sheer size and scope.

I knew that if you could shoot scenes of a feature film in that format – not just blow up a 35-millimeter film to fit those screens but actually to shoot with IMAX cameras – you could achieve an incredibly immersive experience.

No one had ever done it before, but with a lot of careful preparation by our director of photography (Wally Pfister) and the help of the IMAX technicians, the results are beyond our expectations.

When you watch the finished product, it’s like being on an amazing roller coaster. It’s literally larger than life.

Will Smith in “I Am Legend”.
Photo credit: IMDb
I also received this information on the topic on Dec. 10:

Beginning at 11 p.m. on Dec. 13 in the Navy Pier IMAX theater lobby, ticket-holding audience members will be invited to join in a variety of “I Am Legend”-themed games.

A series of “last-man standing” competitions will dare contestants to be the last one standing while hopping on one foot, in a hoola-hoop contest and in a battle of the wits [that tests] fans on their knowledge of Will Smith’s acting history.

Prizes will include film paraphernalia, IMAX tickets, concession-stand coupons and a few surprise items.

Though we already know it, the following plot information was included in the Dec. 12 statement:

“The Dark Knight” reunites director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale who reprises the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne. In the new film, Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime.

With the help of lieutenant Jim Gordon and district attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets.

The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as the Joker.

Teaser Trailers Coming For ‘The Dark Knight,’ New ‘Indiana Jones,’ New ‘Star Trek’

HollywoodChicago.com — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 20:12:59 -0500

ComingSoon.net on Sunday published new details about when we should expect teaser trailers from “The Dark Knight,” “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” and the new “Star Trek” film.

ComingSoon.net has learned new details about the upcoming teaser trailers for three of [2008’s] highly anticipated movies.

Keep in mind … the online debuts for these trailers will probably be earlier in the week of release for the movie it is attached to and … the trailer may not be shown with every print of the film.

First up, the first trailer for Steven Spielberg’s “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” is now planned for a debut in [Feb. 2008].

Harrison Ford (left) and Shia LaBeouf in “Indiana Jones
and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”.
Photo credit: IMDb
While we don’t know for sure with which movie it will show, Paramount’s biggest film that month is “The Spiderwick Chronicles”. Keep your eye on that one.

Of course, it’s possible Paramount will decide to debut footage earlier during the Super Bowl, but we’re not sure.

In just two weeks on Dec. 14, Warner Bros. will release the teaser trailer for … “The Dark Knight” in standard theaters with “I Am Legend”.

Christian Bale as Batman in “The Dark Knight”.
Photo credit: IMDb
As was previously announced, the studio will be showing the seven-minute opening scene of “The Dark Knight” before the screenings of “I Am Legend” in IMAX.

“Star Trek” fans won’t have to wait long for the first teaser for the J.J. Abrams-directed film.

Paramount is planning a debut with the Abrams-produced monster movie “Cloverfield,” [which is opening] on Jan. 18, 2008.

I am screening “I Am Legend” in IMAX two days earler – on Dec. 12 – so stay tuned for information on “The Dark Knight” teaser trailer.

‘The Dark Knight’ Releases Behind-the-Scenes IMAX Featurette

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 10:02:21 -0500

Just in time to give thanks for Thanksgiving, “The Dark Knight” just released a new IMAX featurette that reveals fresh behind-the-scenes imagery.

Director Chris Nolan and director of photography Wally Pfister discuss why they decided to use IMAX cameras in select sequences.

They speak on the grandeur not only of the filming format but also of the heaviness of the camera itself and having to craft custom-built rigs to support them.

I’ve uploaded the IMAX featurette to YouTube and embedded it below.

DreamWorks Sets Milestone, Inks Four-Picture Deal With IMAX 3D

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:39:35 -0500

The man means business. On July 12, 2007, I published an interview with IMAX Filmed President Greg Foster in Time Out Chicago where he promised “the vast majority will be in 3D” down the road.

I just received word that IMAX announced its first multiple 3D picture deal with a Hollywood studio. DreamWorks is blazing a path as the innovator on the heels of Friday’s high-profile release of “Beowulf” in IMAX 3D.

The IMAX 3D releases will include “Monsters vs. Aliens” in March 2009, “How to Train Your Dragon” in Nov. 2009 and “Shrek Goes Forth” in May 2010. “Kung Fu Panda” will be released in IMAX 2D in June 2008.

“DreamWorks Animation envisions 3D as the future of CGI animation,” said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler in a statement.

The IMAX 3D titles are slated to be among the first shown with IMAX’s digital 3D projection system, which is scheduled to appear in June 2008. Paramount will be the exclusive distributor of the pictures.

“DreamWorks Animation’s creative spirit is well suited for IMAX 3D,” Foster said on the announcement.