International 3D Society Announces 3D Technology Century Award Winners

LOS ANGELES – (BUSINESS WIRE) – The International 3D Society announced today that IMAX, RealD and Texas Instruments DLP Cinema will each be honored with a Century Award for their historical achievement at the Stereoscopic 3D Technology Awards scheduled for October 19, 2010 at 7pm at the Mann’s Chinese Theatre.

The Century Award is the highest honor bestowed by the membership of the International 3D Society and a blue ribbon panel of stereoscopic experts. Three companies will be recognized for their historical achievement in Stereoscopic 3D over the past thirty years. IMAX is being honored for its “Solido Systems” technology, RealD for its “Cinema System” digital 3D projection technology and Texas Instruments for its “DLP Cinema” technology.

“IMAX Solido was an important stepping stone in the evolution of IMAX 3D technology. It introduced millions of moviegoers to IMAX 3D and we’re honored to be recognized with this award as we continue to break new ground in 3D cinema with our current digital projection system,” stated Brian Bonnick, IMAX’s Executive Vice President, Technology.

“The RealD Cinema System introduced today’s digital 3D revolution by blending cutting-edge 3D science with a new breed of digital cinema projection to solve the issues inherent to film-based 3D of old,” said Joseph Peixoto, President of Worldwide Cinema at RealD.

” Who would have thought that our 3D technology invention that started in our lab would now be enabling a major part of digital cinema 3D worldwide,” said Dave Duncan, business manager for Texas Instruments, DLP Cinema Products. “We are very proud to receive this award and are committed to furthering 3D from the theater to the home and now the classroom for interactive learning.”

The black-tie Stereoscopic 3D Technology Awards ceremony will recognize technological achievement across the stereoscopic medium.

“These Century Awards will record for history the technologies, organizations and individuals responsible for 3D’s extraordinary journey,” added Jim Chabin, President of the International 3D Society.

Buzz Hays, Society Chair and Executive Stereoscopic 3D Producer for the Sony 3D Technology Center, Sony Corporation of America, noted, “The field of stereoscopic 3D has progressed dramatically in the past decade and continues to evolve daily as more and more talented individuals get involved and identify new needs and opportunities. 3D technologies continue to advance, it is important to recognize the achievements of the visionaries who created the tools to empower the artists who, together, will propel our medium forward.”

The International 3D Society is a professional community dedicated to advancing the arts and technologies of Stereoscopic 3D. The 3D Technology Awards Show will feature MasterImage3D passive glasses and technology and NEC projectors and equipment.

XpanD and Panasonic are Platinum Sponsors, NEC Display Solutions is a Gold Sponsor and Nvidia and Quantel are Silver Sponsors of the 3D Technology Awards Show. International 3D Society sponsors include Signature Sponsor XpanD and Founding Sponsors MasterImage 3D, Panasonic Hollywood Lab, The Walt Disney Studios, DreamWorks Animation (DWA), Dolby and IMAX and Member Sponsors Discovery Communications, Autodesk and DirecTV.

Press Release >>

UPDATE: Additional coverage on the International 3D Society awards:

Hollywood in HiDef: 3D Society Century Award for IMAX, RealD, DLP

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Director Howard Hall talks filmmaking with AlphaOmega

AlphaOmega has interviewed veteran underwater filmmaker Howard Hall on his filmmaking process. Hall has directed numerous IMAX films including Coral Reef Adventure, Deep Sea 3D, Into the Deep 3D, and his latest film Under the Sea 3D.

Some people are saying that 3D is currently being overdone by Hollywood. Personally, I agree and I think that the technology should be reserved for films like “IMAX: Under the Sea 3D”. What does 3D technology mean to you and how has it impacted your work? Does it allow you to tell a story that otherwise would not be possible? Where do you see it going?

There is no question that we are experiencing a 3D revolution. IMAX experienced this revolution ten years ago. After several successful IMAX 3D films were released, including my Into the Deep in the early 1990s, it became evident that the audience was solidly behind 3D. Ticket sales for average 3D films easily outstripped sales for excellent 2D films. In IMAX, that enthusiasm hasn’t waned during the last fifteen years. Now it’s happening in digital cinema and I think it is here to stay.

Making 3D films is much more difficult than making 2D films. Books have been written on the reasons why this is true. The gear is complicated, the editing is difficult, it’s easy to make technical errors that make 3D viewing really unpleasant. For narrative films I am not sure it’s worth it. For 70mm IMAX 3D it’s a different story. What 70mm IMAX does best is take audiences someplace they could never physically go, like underwater. In 70MM IMAX 3D audiences experience the undersea environment in a format that is the next best thing to being there. You will have noticed I say 70mm IMAX rather than just IMAX. Today there are two IMAX formats available. Some theaters are IMAX digital, showing two streams of 2K (2,000 lines of horizontal resolution) images to create 3D. By comparison IMAX 70mm film 3D theaters show two 70mm films with an equivalent resolution of about 12K (12,000 lines of horizontal resolution) each. My IMAX films have all been captured in 70mm film.

Read the full interview here: Link >>

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Reuben H. Fleet Science Center And ScholarShare To Celebrate Grandparents Day

August 31, 2010 – Grandparents and their grandkids can celebrate National Grandparents Day with free admission to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center’s exhibit galleries provided compliments of the ScholarShare College Savings Plan and Fidelity Investments. On Sunday, September 12, 2010, grandchildren are invited to bring their grandparents to the Fleet Science Center for a day of free hands-on fun in seven interactive exhibit galleries.

The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center offers exciting “do touch” science exhibits for visitors of all ages. Grandparents and their young grandkids, aged 5 years and younger, will especially enjoy visiting “Kid City,” a special exhibition where preschool age visitors create, work, play and learn as they experience the wonders of the everyday working world. ScholarShare and Fidelity have sponsored a portion of new hands-on interactives that will be unveiled as the final phase of a two-part renovation of the exhibition this October. Visitors to the Fleet on Sunday, September 12 will get a sneak preview of a new Fire Truck exhibit made possible by ScholarShare. The Fire Truck will be on display in the main exhibit gallery, where visitors will be able to climb aboard for a special photo opportunity. Older children and their grandparents will not want to miss the new exhibition “Earth Exposed,” where they will come face to face with erupting geysers, crumbling mountains and wind-driven waves. “Block Busters!” offer visitors of all ages the opportunity to building amazing structures with thousands of KEVA planks – no glue or connectors necessary!

The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center will be open 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 12. Visitors can pick up their free exhibit gallery pass at the ticket counter upon arrival. Free parking is available adjacent to the museum and along Park Blvd.

Press Release >>

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Digital IMAX opens in Tucson this Friday

The Arizona Daily Wildcat wants you to know 10 things about the new digital IMAX opening at Tucson’s AMC Loews Foothills 15:

You don’t need to make the pricey pilgrimage to Phoenix to see movies in IMAX anymore. This Friday, the AMC Loews 15 Theater at the Foothills Mall will be unveiling its new IMAX screen. Here’s what you should know about the new theater:

1. AMC did not build a new auditorium. The theater converted auditorium number 2, one of Foothills’ largest, into the new IMAX auditorium.

2. The new screen is 47 feet, seven inches wide and 24 feet tall. The IMAX auditorium at the Harkins Arizona Mills Theater still has us beat with a screen that’s about eight stories wide and six stories tall.

3. The Foothills Mall also added a custom surround sound system to accommodate the unique size, seating capacity and acoustic paneling of the auditorium.

Read the rest of the list here: Link >>

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New image from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Warner Bros. Pictures has released this new image from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The final chapter of the Harry Potter film series begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione leave Hogwarts behind and set out to find and destroy the Horcruxes, the secret to Voldemort’s power and immortality.

Part I comes to IMAX 3D theaters November 19, 2010, and Part II on July 15, 2011.

BMZ Film Page >>

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New Mexico Museum IMAX closed for repair

The Alamogordo Daily News reports:

THe Clyde W. Tombaugh IMAX Dome Theater and Planetarium at the New Mexico Museum of Space History will be closed Monday through Wednesday for maintenance on the Spitz starfield projector. The projector is capable of showing the night sky on any given date in history or at the present. It is primarily used to enhance planetarium programs. For more information, call 437-2840 or visit the website at www.nmspacemuseum.org.

Source >>

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Twilight Eclipse to open at Science North’s IMAX

Sudbury, Ontario’s Science North IMAX Theatre will open The Twilight Saga: Eclipse beginning September 9. The Sudbury Star reports:

On Sept. 9, Twilight fans of all ages will be lining up at Science North to be among the first to sink their teeth into Twilight Eclipse: The IMAX Experience.

Advance tickets are on sale and will be available on-line at http://sciencenorth.ca/imax, in person at Science North, or by calling (705) 523-IMAX (4629).

. . .

“If you’ve been wondering what all the buzz is about with regards to Twilight, this special IMAX run would be a terrific opportunity to find out,” Tim Quetton, marketing specialist at Science North, said in a release. “You’ll be immersed in the thrill and suspense of the story like never before.

“It will appeal to people familiar with the story and those who haven’t seen it before. The IMAX experience alone is great entertainment value.”

Article >>

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IMAX, Thailand’s Major Cineplex Group project 3D growth

The Bangkok Post reports:

Imax Corp and its exclusive partner in Thailand, Major Cineplex Group Plc, are projecting strong growth over the next several years thanks to the popularity of new digital and 3D technology.

“The trend has been spreading worldwide ever since Hollywood studios started trying to attract more viewers to cinemas by offering them better picture and sound quality using digital and 3D technology,” said Vicha Poolvaraluck, the chairman of Major Cineplex.

Over the next 3-5 years, he estimates movie producers around the world will reduce their use of basic 35-millimetre film to less than 30% of the total. Currently, about one-third of motion pictures in the US have already been converted to the digital system.

In Thailand, digital movies represent only 10% to 15% of movie releases.

Article >>

UPDATE: Additional news on digital 3D growth in Asia:

The Nation: Major upbeat on IMAX investment

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IMAX stock expected to grow over next 5 years

The Motley Fool think IMAX stock rocks:

Cheap stocks are great, but sometimes you get what you pay for. What’s the use of a bargain-basement P/E ratio if the company can’t grow? I have a long investment horizon and a high tolerance for risk, so I’m more interested in promising growth stocks than stodgy dividend machines.

To find stocks that satisfy my need for speed, while also going on sale at a great price, I like to look at the PEG ratio. It’s such a Foolishly useful metric that we’ve been known to call it the Fool Ratio. Divide the trailing P/E ratio of a stock by the estimated five-year earnings growth, and you have a neat little package representing the growth-adjusted value of the company. A fairly valued stock should land near the 1.0 mark. Higher numbers might indicate an overvalued security. A strong business with a low PEG ratio rocks!

IMAX (Nasdaq: IMAX) is sporting a way-low PEG ratio of 0.8 today. The bottom line is expected to grow by about 23% a year over the next five years, and the stock is trading at a very reasonable 19 times trailing earnings.

Article >>

UPDATE: More news on IMAX stock:

Comtex SmarTrend: SmarTrend’s Candlestick Scanner Detects Possible Bullish Engulfing Pattern for Imax (IMAX) | Top 5 Companies in the Movies & Entertainment Industry With the Best Relative Performance (LGF, IMAX, NWSA, TWX, LCAPA)

The Motley Fool: Will IMAX Shorts Get Burned in 3-D? | Dream Stocks for Contrarian Investors

LearningMarkets: Looking Back at Recent Earnings from IMAX; IMAX, CAJ, EK, XRIT

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New Tron Legacy IMAX poster

Walt Disney Pictures has released the IMAX poster for Tron: Legacy.

The film follows Sam Flynn, the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn, who looks into his father’s disappearance and finds himself pulled into the digital world of Tron where his father has been living for 25 years.

Tron: Legacy comes to IMAX 3D theaters December 17, 2010.

BMZ Film Page >>

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National Geographic Entertainment Acquires Flying Monsters 3D for Release to Giant Screen and Digital 3-D Cinema

WASHINGTON (Aug. 31, 2010) — National Geographic Entertainment’s Cinema Ventures (NGCV) group has acquired the film “Flying Monsters 3D,” a new adventure from award-winning Atlantic Productions in association with Sky 3D. The film uses 3-D and CGI technology to immerse audiences in a prehistoric world inhabited by pterosaurs, flying vertebrates with a wingspan of up to 45 feet that lived alongside dinosaurs. Produced by filmmaker Anthony Geffen and narrated by veteran filmmaker and renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough, the film is scheduled for launch around the world in 2011.

Applying the same state-of-the-art 3-D CGI technology that was used recently in “Avatar,” “Flying Monsters” also will employ pioneering scientific techniques that reveal new details about pterosaurs. From discovering pterosaur embryos that show they might have flown from birth to figuring out how a creature the size of a giraffe could possibly fly, “Flying Monsters” will resolve mysteries that have intrigued scientists for more than two centuries.

In fall 2007, NGCV produced and released in 3-D and 2-D “Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure,” a groundbreaking film that has become one of the highest grossing giant screen films ever. When it premiered, “Sea Monsters” was the first original giant screen film to release simultaneously in IMAX and digital 3-D theaters and had the largest day-and-date release for an original giant screen film in industry history.

“We have high hopes that ‘Flying Monsters’ will build on the soaring box office success of ‘Sea Monsters,’” said Mark Katz, president, distribution, NGCV.

“It’s almost as if this animated 3-D technology was created to tell our story. With a pterosaur’s eye-view of a hyper-real prehistoric Earth in 3-D CGI, our audience will see the challenges of survival, including courtship, flying and hunting,” said Anthony Geffen, who also produced and directed the recently released and widely praised 35mm and giant screen National Geographic film “The Wildest Dream: Conquest of Everest,” the dramatic story of George Mallory’s attempt to become the first person to summit Mount Everest.

“3-D is a wonderful way of seeing the world as the pterosaurs did,” said David Attenborough. “Pterosaurs are the most unlikely of creatures, but they dominated the skies for millions of years, and now this film will enable us to fly in 3-D with them, the largest flying creatures the world has ever known.”

“For National Geographic it begins and ends with a compelling story, stunning visual images and factual accuracy,” said Lisa Truitt, president, NGCV. “‘Flying Monsters’ is the right movie to push those values while providing the best 3-D entertainment experience possible for families.”

Press Release >>

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Ultimate Wave Tahiti wins Ocean Sports category at Blue Ocean Film Festival

The Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D took home the award in the Ocean Sports category at Monterey’s Blue Ocean Film Festival.

The Ultimate Wave Tahiti follows nine-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater and Tahitian surfer Raimana Van Bastolaer as they seek out the best waves at Tahiti’s famed reef at Teahupo’o. The film is currently playing in IMAX and other Giant Screen theaters.

The Blue Ocean Film Festival is a global film festival and conservation summit for underwater filmmakers and marine researchers. It was held in Monterey, California August 24-29.

Check out the full winners list here: Link>>

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IMAX Signs Theatre Deal With Cinema City International

Largest IMAX Operator in Central and Eastern Europe Adds Locations in Israel

Exhibitor Also Upgrades Its Existing IMAX Locations With IMAX’s Digital Projection Technology

NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IMAX Corporation (Nasdaq:IMAX) (TSX:IMX) today announced an agreement with Cinema City International, the largest exhibitor in Eastern Europe and long-standing operator of IMAX® theatres in the region, to install two new digital IMAX theatre systems in Israel, which are currently anticipated to open in 2011. As part of the deal, Cinema City also committed to upgrading all eight of its existing film-based IMAX locations with IMAX’s digital projection technology, following the success of its first IMAX digital upgrade in Lodz, Poland earlier this year. Five of these locations are scheduled to be upgraded this year, and the remaining three upgrades are to be completed in 2011. The deal brings the total number of digital IMAX theatre systems operated by Cinema City to 11 and the total number of IMAX theatres expected to be in operation in Europe and Israel by 2012 to more than 80. The Company’s announced number of theatre systems signings year-to-date has increased to 128 worldwide, which compares to 35 system signings in all of 2009.

“We have been operating IMAX theatres for many years and have seen first-hand how the IMAX business drives incremental revenue for an entire theatre complex and improves the overall perception of going to the movies for consumers,” said Moshe (Mooky) Greidinger, Chief Executive Officer of Cinema City International. “Earlier this year we upgraded our film-based IMAX system in Lodz with IMAX’s digital system and have already recorded significantly improved operating results. The elimination of high film print costs and added program flexibility has made our decision to add new locations and upgrade all of our existing IMAX locations an easy one to make. We’re very excited about our future with IMAX and look forward to offering more consumers in Eastern Europe and Israel awe-inspiring entertainment experiences.”

“Cinema City’s significant endorsement of our digital projection system and extensive experience with marketing the IMAX brand in the region makes them an ideal partner to have as we continue to focus on growth in Europe and surrounding markets,” said IMAX Chief Executive Officer Richard L. Gelfond. “Theatre system signings are continuing to build momentum this year in the wake of several recent strong box office performances and in anticipation of our continuously growing slate of event Hollywood films.”

“Cinema City has done a fantastic job of introducing millions of consumers in Central and Eastern Europe to The IMAX Experience® and we look forward to working with them now in Israel to expand the IMAX audience base even further,” added Larry T. O’Reilly, IMAX’s Executive Vice President, Theatre Development.

IMAX’s digital projection system delivers The IMAX Experience and helps drive profitability for studios, exhibitors and IMAX theatres by eliminating the need for film prints, increasing program flexibility and ultimately increasing the number of movies shown on IMAX screens. The system can run both IMAX and IMAX® 3D presentations.

Press Release >>

UPDATE: More coverage on IMAX’s theater deal in Israel:

The Associated Press: Imax to install 2 theaters in Israel

The Hollywood Reporter: Imax, Cinema City ink Israel deal

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New Zealand’s Event Cinemas to open The Ultimate Wave Tahiti

Event Cinemas in New Zealand will open The Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D beginning next week. 3 News writes:

Surfing fans are in for a treat next month when Event Cinemas play a 3D surf film on the Giant Screen.

The Ultimate Wave Tahiti is said to plunge audiences into the stunning beauty of an island paradise on a quest to find the perfect wave-riding experience.

Surfing legend Kelly Slater and famed Tahitian waterman Raimana Van Bastolaer star in the movie, which was filmed at Teahupo’o, a world-renowned surfing location off the south-west of Tahiti.

“Like Kelly Slater himself – the epitome of what the best surfer in the world should be in terms of athletic prowess, intelligence and courage – to many the wave at Teahupo’o is indeed the ultimate wave,” says director Stephen Low.

Article >>

UPDATE: More on The Ultimate Wave Tahiti in New Zealand:

Surf.co.nz: Catching the Ultimate Wave Just Got Easier

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Video: New clips, TV spots and featurette from Resident Evil: Afterlife

We’ve posted four new clips, two TV spots and a featurette from upcoming film, Resident Evil: Afterlife. Check them out below.

In a world ravaged by a virus infection, turning its victims into the Undead, Alice (Milla Jovovich) continues on her journey to find survivors and lead them to safety.

The film opens in IMAX 3D theaters September 10, 2010.

He’s Going to Land

Needle Dive

The Axeman

Tower Swing

View the TV spots and featurette after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Coming Up at IMAX Theatre at Palisade Center: Avatar Special Edition, Dinosaurs, Owls and Harry!

Coming up at IMAX Palisades Center: Avatar Special Edition, Dinosaurs Alive 3D, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole, & Harry Potter

The IMAX Theatre at Palisades Center in West Nyack, NY is well known for hosting fun value-added promotions and offering movie-goers an exceptional movie experience on the biggest screen in our area and the next several months are no exception.

Starting August 27th, IMAX Theatre at Palisades Center will present the special edition release of Avatar- IMAX 3D with un-released spectacular CG footage selected by James Cameron. The stunning scenes add to the film’s beauty and magic. Movie goers should check the IMAX website (www.imax.com/palisades) for free limited-edition commemorative collector’s pins at select Avatar shows during this limited run engagement presented on the giant IMAX screen in 70MM 3D.

In early September families will enjoy viewing Dinosaurs Alive! 3D at the IMAX Theatre at Palisades Center. This 40 minute film is a global adventure of science and discovery, featuring the earliest dinosaurs of the Triassic Period to the monsters of the Cretaceous ‘reincarnated’ life-sized for the giant IMAX screen. Audiences will journey with some of the world’s preeminent paleontologists as they uncover evidence that the descendants of dinosaurs still walk (or fly) among us.

On September 24th, audiences will be treated to the beautiful new film Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole based on the books series of the same name. In the film, Soren, a young barn owl, is kidnapped by owls of St. Aggie’s, an orphanage where owlets are brainwashed into becoming soldiers. He and his new friends escape to the island of Ga’Hoole, to assist its noble, wise owls who fight the army being created by the wicked rulers of St. Aggie’s. A very special program will take place at the IMAX Theatre at Palisades Center on October 2nd, when movie-goers will be treated to an encounter with live owls. Check the website for details.

Coming to the theatre this winter is Harry Potter and The Deathly Hollows Part I, all in 3D opening November 19th and Tron Legacy opening December 17th.

For last minute news and information, people are encouraged to sign up to follow IMAX on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/imaxpalisades and on Facebook.

IMAX Corporation is one of the world’s leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in immersive motion picture technologies. IMAX Theatre at Palisades Center is located on the top floor in the Palisades Center Mall in West Nyack near Target. For information on tickets and showtimes, visit www.imax.com/palisades.

Press Release >>

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Peoria’s riverfront museum in negotiations for non-IMAX giant screen digital theater

Illinois’ The Peoria Journal Star reports:

Despite the overwhelming support, some council members expressed frustration with a recent lack of communication on several museum-related issues, namely IMAX.

Some council members questioned why the name “IMAX” – the Canadian-based company and the largest and most recognizable brand of large digital screens and immersive theater technology in the world – is no longer a part of the agreement.

Museum officials are instead negotiating for a “giant screen digital theater” with a 52-foot-tall-by-70-foot-wide screen that might be purchased from another company.

[Ryan Beasley, vice president of the Peoria Riverfront Museum board of directors] said it was about “eight to 10 weeks ago” when museum board members first learned that IMAX might not be a guaranteed suitor for the project.

Concerns have been raised by museum officials that IMAX charges about twice as much as other companies in an advance payment in order to utilize its brand. Also, officials are concerned with a potential lack of flexibility in determining what type of programming can be featured on the IMAX screen.

But pro-museum officials touted IMAX as part of the project leading up to an April 2009 referendum that narrowly was approved by voters supporting the project with $40 million in sales taxes. In recent weeks, the potential lack of an IMAX-brand theater has caused public concern.

City officials also said they were not made aware of the IMAX situation until recent weeks.

“This is a serious issue,” at-large City Councilman Ryan Spain said. “It’s a big problem. The fact it was understood eight to 10 weeks ago and not communicated appropriately to this body, the Peoria County Board and others is frankly pretty problematic.”

Ardis agreed. He also requested Beasley publicly read a letter during the meeting that indicated the museum’s view on the digital screen.

Beasley said it’s still the museum board’s priority to negotiate for an IMAX-brand screen. He said it could take a couple of months before it’s determined which brand’s screen is showcased at the museum.

“We want to get this thing wrapped up as quickly as we can,” Beasley said. “It’s our No. 1 priority now.”

Article >>

UPDATE: Additional news on Peoria’s in development museum:

Peoria Journal Star: Peoria council approves riverfront museum agreement | New camera keeps eye on museum progress | Riverfront museum construction to start Sept. 7

WEEK News 25: City Council Gives Green Light to Build the Block

The Community Word: We Were Promised an IMAX Theatre!

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World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX opens Dolphins and Whales, Dinosaurs Alive

St. Augustine, Florida’s World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater will open two new IMAX films beginning September 3, Dolphins and Whales: Tribes of the Ocean an Dinosaurs Alive!:

The World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater is opening two new films, Dolphins & Whales: Tribes of the Ocean and Dinosaurs Alive! Sept. 3 and will sponsor a variety of family fun events throughout the weekend to kick off the new films.

Activities will begin Sept. 3 with a Dinner & Movie VIP event that will include dinner at Fairways Cafe starting at 5:30 p.m., a presentation by Frank Gromling of Ocean Publishing, and showings of Dolphins & Whales: Tribes of the Ocean at 7 p.m. and Dinosaurs Alive! at 8:30 p.m. VIP tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for children ages 4 to 12, with special pricing for World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater Movie Club members. For information, call 940-4010. General admission tickets are also available.

On Sept. 4, the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater will hold Dolphins & Dinos Day from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families can enjoy a live remote with Lite 96.1 FM as well as demonstrations from Mad Science, information from St. Johns Riverkeeper and ice cream samples from Coldstone Creamery.

Guests can also take advantage of the theater’s “Dollar Double Feature” Sept. 3 through 6, which allows guests to see one film at regular price and a second for $1. This offer does not include “Toy Story 3.”

For information, call 940-IMAX or go to
www.WorldGolfIMAX.com.

Source >>

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THR: More details on ‘Avatar’s’ new scenes, DVD

The Hollywood Reporter has details on the Avatar re-release and special edition Blu-ray and DVD:

It’s ba-a-a-ck … and longer than ever.

James Cameron’s sci-fi epic “Avatar” revisits global multiplexes this weekend in a quest to pad its record $2.74 billion worldwide boxoffice and hype DVD and Blu-ray Disc special editions planned for the fall. In fact, the theatrical rerelease is billed as a “special edition” of the eco-themed fantasy based on an extra 8 1/2 minutes of footage featuring additional action segments and other scenes.

THR also has learned that the 2D DVD and Blu-ray Disc special editions expected to hit store shelves in November will feature at least 16 minutes of extra “Avatar” footage. A 3D version of the movie won’t be available for home entertainment until next year.

“Avatar” producer Jon Landau said new scenes included in the now 171-minute theatrical special edition involve action sequences and narrative-deepening extensions of key scenes involving the blue-skinned Na’vi of Pandora and their human visitors.

Article >>

UPDATE: More on the Avatar: Special Edition release:

MTV: James Cameron Dreaming Up Technology ‘Wish List’ For ‘Avatar’ Sequels

Mother Nature Network: ‘Avatar’ sequel won’t arrive until 2014

Contactmusic: Lengthened Avatar Something New Every 15 Minutes

RopeOfSilicon: ‘Avatar’ DVD and Blu-ray to Include an Even Longer Cut of the Film

Salon.com: James Cameron re-releases “Avatar,” dishes on sequels

Daily Mail: A REALLY blue movie: Re-released Avatar to feature additions to Na’vi love scene

USA Today: Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ returns to big screen with extra scenes

Reuters: A Minute With: James Cameron talking new “Avatar”

Minneapolis Star Tribune: James Cameron spills

The Hollywood Reporter: ‘Takers,’ ‘Exorcism’ to fend off ‘Avatar’ reissue

The Boston Globe: Still king of the world

The Washington Post: James Cameron on the special edition of ‘Avatar,’ eco-conscious DVDs and BP

New York Post: Re-released ‘Avatar’ to feature sexy extra scenes

MovieWeb: Avatar Special Edition Blu-ray/DVD Brings Back Earthbound Opening

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Mummies of the World Welcomes Milestone 100,000th Visitor

MUMMIES BECOMES ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PAID EXHIBIT OPENINGS IN CALIFORNIA SCIENCE CENTER HISTORY

Photo: A 6,420-year-old child mummy – one of the oldest ever discovered – is among those featured in Mummies of the World, the largest exhibition of human and animal mummies and related artifacts ever assembled, making its world premiere at the California Science Center in Los Angeles on July 1, 2010. Featuring mummies and objects from South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Egypt, it demonstrates how science can shed light on history and culture. Tickets on sale June 6: www.californiasciencecenter.org, or 323-SCIENCE (323-724-3623). (PRNewsFoto/American Exhibitions)

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ — Mummies of the World, the largest exhibition of mummies ever assembled, welcomed its 100,000th visitor Thursday, Aug. 19 – just seven weeks after its July 1 world premiere at the California Science Center. This benchmark achievement makes Mummies of the World one of the most successful paid exhibit openings in the Science Center’s 13 years. At the end of July, the California Science Center and American Exhibitions, Inc. announced extended weekend hours to accommodate popular demand for the must-see exhibition, one of Los Angeles’ hottest attractions this summer.

“Crowds have been lining up to see Mummies of the World since it opened,” says Jeff Rudolph, president of the California Science Center. “It has been gratifying to see that so many people appreciate the opportunity this exhibit offers to learn more about the scientific research involved in the study of mummies.”

James Medrano of Pomona, Calif., was the 100,000th visitor to the exhibition since a group of Hollywood celebrities including Seth Green, Virginia Madsen, Edward James Olmos and Alex Trebek celebrated its opening at a VIP event earlier this summer. He brought his daughter, Camille, 15; son, Aiden, 11; and their cousin, Adrian Guerrero, 10, to see the exhibit before school began again. The family was in line when they were informed of the milestone.

Medrano and his family received a special 100,000th visitor package, including the 338-page, 230-illustration Mummies of the World exhibition catalog, edited by Alfried Wieczorek and Wilfried Rosendahl, from Prestel Publishing (Munich, Germany); a Mummies of the World DVD; and a one-year “Explorer Family Membership” to the California Science Center, including four complimentary IMAX vouchers, two parking vouchers and an attraction pass good for four rides on the high wire bike or climbing wall, and a 10-percent discount at all restaurants.

“This is exciting,” Medrano said. “We’ve been hearing about this exhibition, and my daughter said that looks interesting, let’s go and check it out. It took us an hour to get here – we had tickets to get in at 11 a.m., and were worried we’d be late. And now here we are – a good surprise.”

Attracting visitors from far and wide to the California Science Center, Mummies of the World is now among the highest-ranked paid exhibits ever hosted by the Science Center. In its first 50 days, the exhibition has welcomed 100,000 visitors through the door; ticket sales including future dates put the total number at 106,687. The total number for the first Body Worlds exhibition – another world premiere – which the Science Center hosted from July 2, 2004 to Jan. 23, 2005, was 102,525 during the same time frame. The total number for the Titanic exhibition, which the Science Center hosted from Feb. 9 to Sept. 1, 2003, was 66,412 during its first 50 days.

“As a leading marketing partner for Mummies of the World, LA INC. the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau is pleased to mark this attendance milestone in such a remarkably short time,” says Michael McDowell, LA INC.’s Senior Director for Cultural Tourism. “The early and continued success of Mummies of the World is just the latest indicator of Los Angeles’ reputation for presenting world-class cultural and educational exhibitions that capture and stir the imagination of residents and visitors alike.”

Mummies of the World is open until 7 p.m. PT on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with the last ticket sold at 5:30 p.m. PT, though Sept. 5. The exhibition is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT.

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