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Buckle up, kkelmyss.
There are two film formats still projected in theaters today: 35mm and 70mm (aka 65mm).
35mm was repurposed from Kodak's 135 photographic film standard. Instead of running the film horizontally behind the lens, it was run vertically. This enabled more exposures per foot of film at less resolution. But as cinema grew in popularity, the desire for cleaner images and higher resolutions also grew. Larger exposure area was necessary to achieve this.
Cinerama was a cumbersome, yet impressive, short-lived solution. This standard required three synchronized 35mm cinema cameras to record the movie and three synchronized 35mm projectors to display the three separate film reels as one large-format ultra-wide image. Insane and beautiful.
VistaVision was a simpler solution. It simply rotated the 35mm film 90 degrees and ran it horizontally behind the lens like still cameras. This significantly increased the exposure area and thus the resolution. VistaVison was only relevant for about 10 years but laid the groundwork for future innovation. The format was famously used by ILM for its renowned special effects, starting with Star Wars. And was resurrected last year to film The Brutalist.
70mm was the straight forward answer to increasing exposure area—just make the film bigger. This standard was run vertically past the lens like standard 35mm and offered nearly double the resolution. 65mm film is actually used for shooting and the finished movie is transferred to 70mm film for projecting. The terms are used interchangeably because they both contribute the finished product. Lawrence of Arabia is a notable film shot using 70mm to accommodate its ultra-wide vistas.
IMAX 70mm took inspiration from VistaVision. It rotates 70mm film 90 degrees and runs it horizontally behind the lens further increasing the exposure area and putting it within spitting distance of medium format photography. These are big-ass exposures. It's dramatically more expensive to shoot and project movies in this format. But it produces a gorgeous high-resolution image. And gives Christopher Nolan a huge hardon.
Acquisition formats vary for movies. But when it comes to projection, there are predominantly only two film formats today. You're most likely to find a standard 35mm projector at your local independent theater. IMAX 70mm is the other and it's even rarer. Standard 70mm projection rarer still.
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i think i love u omg thank you so much for sharing and for the visual explanation too!! feeling like a true #cinephile right now after finally understanding the difference LOL
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let me break it down…
Anthology 10 dollars a lot of lesser known avant garde films mixed in with art/foreign films. most things are also projected on film. really good place if your looking for something different.
Moma is like 10 dollars too but if you’re a student you can get a free entry ticket which allows for a free movie ticket you just have to ask the desk. Moma has alot of stuff on film also and is always putting up classics And retrospectives on filmmakers
Momi is also 10 and has a ton of cool 35mm more mainstream films always playing such as kubrick or Micheal mann.museum’s section is also cute especially if you like the muppets.
Lincon center is a good place to go see indies/foreign movies that have come out recently also around 10 dollars also do some retrospectives remasters and 35mm screenings
Spectacle is a community run Brooklyn theater that is one room and plays obscure cinema very fun place to go out to with friends and see something different.
Roxy has some good 35mm screenings good date place to take someone.very comfy inside this fancy hotel downside is little more expensive but overall one of the better theater experiences in New York. Warning hipster central however 😭
Feb 13, 2024
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if you are trying to get tickets for imax 70mm showing of dune part two at lincoln square amc in nyc (they just went on sale) i recommend using "Atom" as your ticket broker thing because it seems to have the fastest/easiest way to switch between seatmaps of different time/dates. so if you're looking for a screening with centered seats in the back row then you will appreciate the UI for Atom. although also it is a bit slow and site maybe crashing since everyone wants that worm and im not talking about timothee chalamets pecker
edit: and if im wrong abuot this then let me know
Jan 26, 2024
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Jul 25, 2024
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This combo has just been here the whole time?!
Feb 6, 2025
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i will eat one every day i do not give a fuck anymore
Jan 30, 2024