Does it have to be IMAX?

Peoria Journal Star ^ | August 14, 2010 | John Sharp

[Immerito]

PEORIA —

When Aziz Ansari, a star on NBC's "Parks and Recreation," walked into an IMAX Theatre in California last year to watch Star Trek, he was disappointed.

Ansari took to his blog and lampooned the Canadian-based company for what he called false advertising since the movie theater screen is much smaller than a typical seven-story IMAX screen seen at museums and theme parks.

It generated a buzz in the media, and a response from the company's CEO who said consumers embraced the smaller-sized IMAX screens and the experience it provides.

The TV star's disappointment in IMAX underscores some of the concerns Peoria museum officials have as they look for the appropriate digital 3-D technology for the new $140 million Downtown complex.

Industry insiders claim there are other options in the marketplace for high-definition, giant screen digital cinema, even though IMAX is the brand most people recognize.

Local museum supporters agree and are hedging their bets that some

thing better might be out there. They are unwilling to commit to IMAX right now, although some city officials including Mayor Jim Ardis are curious as to why the Canadian-based entertainment company's name isn't included in the latest redevelopment plans.

[Yo-Yo]

The screen has the IMAX aspect ratio, and the seats are much closer to the screen so the average audience member has the same field of vision filled at the smaller multiplex IMAX theaters as they would in one of the Amusement Park IMAX theaters where they sit farther from the screen.

The multiplex IMAX theaters use the same 70mm film and projectors, where most of the other screens in the theater are using video projectors these days. (It's the mirrors...)

Lighten up, Francis.

[Cyber Liberty]

... a star on NBC's "Parks and Recreation," ...

Huh, what? What's that?

[Immerito]

I was wondering the same thing. :-)

[Immerito]

I didn’t know those details. Thank you for explaining.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Yeah, when I saw Trek, I was disappointed, too. They butchered the canon beyond all comprehension.

[Yo-Yo]

Oh my gosh, my remarks were aimed at the author of the piece, not you!

[Immerito]

Understood.

What I found most informative about the piece were the comments; it seems the local (liberal-controlled) government has promised the Peorian taxpayers an IMAX theater, and now, many of the locals aren’t pleased at this current chain of events.

Hopefully there will be more than a few incumbents unseated at the local level.