News Analysis India

Tag: IMAX

  • Dune: Part Two  completely shot in IMAX

    By Express News Service

    The makers of Dune: Part Two have announced that the sequel film has been completely shot in IMAX. Warner Bros confirmed the same during the CinemaCon event held recently.

    It is to be noted that the first part was only 40% shot on IMAX. Speaking about shooting the sequel on IMAX, director Denis Villeneuve was quoted as saying, “Definitely. [Cinematographer] Greig Fraser and I, we fell in love with this format, and definitely there be—even probably more—IMAX footage in this movie. Definitely.”

    The shooting for the second part has been wrapped up. The science fiction film stars Timothée Chalamet in the lead role. Based on the 1965 novel by the same name, Dune is set in a distant future and inhospitable desert planet Arrakis, as the film focuses on Paul Atreides and his family thrust into a war for the planet.

    Along with Timothée, the film will also see other cast members returning, including Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Javier Bardem, among others. Apart from them, the second part will also see additional cast members such as Christopher Walken, Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, among others.

    Dune sequel will release on November 3. 

    The makers of Dune: Part Two have announced that the sequel film has been completely shot in IMAX. Warner Bros confirmed the same during the CinemaCon event held recently.

    It is to be noted that the first part was only 40% shot on IMAX. Speaking about shooting the sequel on IMAX, director Denis Villeneuve was quoted as saying, “Definitely. [Cinematographer] Greig Fraser and I, we fell in love with this format, and definitely there be—even probably more—IMAX footage in this movie. Definitely.”

    The shooting for the second part has been wrapped up. The science fiction film stars Timothée Chalamet in the lead role. Based on the 1965 novel by the same name, Dune is set in a distant future and inhospitable desert planet Arrakis, as the film focuses on Paul Atreides and his family thrust into a war for the planet.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Along with Timothée, the film will also see other cast members returning, including Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Javier Bardem, among others. Apart from them, the second part will also see additional cast members such as Christopher Walken, Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, among others.

    Dune sequel will release on November 3.
     

  • Hyderabad swoons to ‘Avatar’ frenzy

    By Express News Service

    Avatar: The Way of Water will take us back to the world of the Na’vis after the wait of 13 long years on December 16. The first movie Avatar released in 2009, remains the biggest movie of all time. It was certainly a visual masterpiece — beautiful to behold, and Hyderabadis have a special place for it.

    Back in 2009, some millennials spent their month’s worth of pocket money on it, and this time movie goers are travelling from other states — to experience it on the newly renovated IMAX big screen. “Last month I decided that whatever may happen I will watch Avatar: The Way of Water on the big screen only!” said Hemanth, a freelance writer from Vijayawada. Hemanth has come to Hyderabad to watch the first show on day one, travelling 300 km. “The movie is only experienced to the fullest when screened on the big screen. I watched it back in 2009.”

    There are some 60-70 screens in Hyderabad and if not all, most are packed with Avatar:  The Way of Water shows, back to back. Prasad multiplex has 20 shows on six of its screens in 3D format on December 16, beginning at 8 am. Some of the single-screen talkies in the city are, like never before, running movie shows from 7.30 am onwards.

    Tickets are available, but one will have a hard time catching up with the show at IMAX big screen. “I remember it well, two months ago, Avatar 2009, was re-launched, and I had a hard time booking the tickets. Because it was housefull in the first week. Also, the IMAX big screen was under renovation so I had to watch the movie on a 70mm screen. This time, I booked the ticket two weeks back, yet I was unable to get a seat in the top row,” says Prahasith Reddy, a designer for a gaming company in the city. He added, “To be honest, I have watched the trailer at least 50 times.”

    “When the first Avatar movie was released, I was in college and I vividly remember the craze it had. It was an experience then and it would be an experience now too. I am trying very hard to book tickets for the new Avatar movie for this weekend.

    But almost everywhere it is sold out. I will have to be patient and wait till I get tickets on the IMAX big screen. No one can beat the movie-watching experience of that screen when it comes to movies like Avatar,” said Joy Mukherjee, an MNC employee.

    “I’ve seen Avatar in IMAX 3D on the same screen and it was breathtaking. But I’m sure the normal digital print also delivers there. They recently updated the old dull projector to the Barco DualLaser projection system but still use a single laser for reasons known to them, and it’s really good. The sound is also a lot better even though they have not updated it, but are planning for Atmos. Avatar: The Way of Water is being planned for the usage of dual laser projection,” shared Allvaiis, a user wrote on Reddit, four months before the movie’s release.

    Avatar: The Way of Water will take us back to the world of the Na’vis after the wait of 13 long years on December 16. The first movie Avatar released in 2009, remains the biggest movie of all time. It was certainly a visual masterpiece — beautiful to behold, and Hyderabadis have a special place for it.

    Back in 2009, some millennials spent their month’s worth of pocket money on it, and this time movie goers are travelling from other states — to experience it on the newly renovated IMAX big screen. “Last month I decided that whatever may happen I will watch Avatar: The Way of Water on the big screen only!” said Hemanth, a freelance writer from Vijayawada. Hemanth has come to Hyderabad to watch the first show on day one, travelling 300 km. “The movie is only experienced to the fullest when screened on the big screen. I watched it back in 2009.”

    There are some 60-70 screens in Hyderabad and if not all, most are packed with Avatar:  The Way of Water shows, back to back. Prasad multiplex has 20 shows on six of its screens in 3D format on December 16, beginning at 8 am. Some of the single-screen talkies in the city are, like never before, running movie shows from 7.30 am onwards.

    Tickets are available, but one will have a hard time catching up with the show at IMAX big screen. “I remember it well, two months ago, Avatar 2009, was re-launched, and I had a hard time booking the tickets. Because it was housefull in the first week. Also, the IMAX big screen was under renovation so I had to watch the movie on a 70mm screen. This time, I booked the ticket two weeks back, yet I was unable to get a seat in the top row,” says Prahasith Reddy, a designer for a gaming company in the city. He added, “To be honest, I have watched the trailer at least 50 times.”

    “When the first Avatar movie was released, I was in college and I vividly remember the craze it had. It was an experience then and it would be an experience now too. I am trying very hard to book tickets for the new Avatar movie for this weekend.

    But almost everywhere it is sold out. I will have to be patient and wait till I get tickets on the IMAX big screen. No one can beat the movie-watching experience of that screen when it comes to movies like Avatar,” said Joy Mukherjee, an MNC employee.

    “I’ve seen Avatar in IMAX 3D on the same screen and it was breathtaking. But I’m sure the normal digital print also delivers there. They recently updated the old dull projector to the Barco DualLaser projection system but still use a single laser for reasons known to them, and it’s really good. The sound is also a lot better even though they have not updated it, but are planning for Atmos. Avatar: The Way of Water is being planned for the usage of dual laser projection,” shared Allvaiis, a user wrote on Reddit, four months before the movie’s release.

  • ‘Wonder Woman’ director Patty Jenkins wants Hollywood studios to commit to theatrical releases

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: “Wonder Woman” director Patty Jenkins has urged Hollywood studios to commit to the theatrical experience once they emerge from the pandemic.

    Speaking at the theatre owners’ confab CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Jenkins also talked about Warner Bros’ decision to release “Wonder Woman 1984” in theatres and on HBO Max last December, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

    “I don’t know why we are talking about taking (exclusive theatrical windows) away. One studio should plant a flag and make a huge commitment to the theatrical experience and the filmmakers will go there,” the director said.

    Jenkins said her film’s release in theatres as well as on the streamer was “heartbreaking” but was “the best choice of a bunch of very bad choices.

    “It was a very, very difficult choice. It was such a dark time… I was happy to give it to the public,”Jenkins said.

    “I don’t think it plays the same on streaming. I did practical effects and shot it in Imax. It was painful,” she added.

    The director said she makes movies for the big screen.

    “I’m not a fan of day-and-date and I hope to avoid it forever. I make movies for the big screen experience.”

  • Marvel’s Scarlett Johansson-starrer ‘Black Widow’ soars to pandemic box office record

    By Associated Press
    Even with an option to watch “Black Widow” at home, audiences went to the movie theater in pandemic record numbers this weekend to catch the first Marvel movie released in two years. 

    The Walt Disney Co. said on Sunday, July 11, 2021, the superhero pic generated an estimated $80 million in ticket sales in North America. Combined with $78 million from international theaters and at least $60 million in Disney+ Premier Access rentals, “Black Widow” grossed over $215 million in its first weekend. The studio said it’s the largest domestic opening weekend since “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” debuted in 2019, pre-pandemic. 

    It’s a massive win for coronavirus-era moviegoing. In North America, the previous pandemic record-holder was Universal’s “F9,” which debuted to $70 million a few weeks ago. But unlike “Black Widow,” which is playing on 4,100 screens, the ninth “Fast & Furious” movie was exclusively in theaters. 

    “This was a pretty monumental weekend for the industry,” said Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore’s senior media analyst. “‘Black Widow’ played well on big screens and small screens. And it actually strengthens the case for movie theaters.”

    Dergarabedian noted that the vast majority of profits, $158.8 million, came from theaters. Around $12 million of that came from IMAX screens too.

    “Hollywood blockbusters continue to gain ground at the box office with each successive release, and that bodes very well for the many films lined up for exclusive worldwide theatrical release this fall and beyond,” said Rich Gelfond the CEO of IMAX.

    “Black Widow,” starring Scarlett Johansson, has had a long journey to theaters. Originally slated to come out in May of 2020, the blockbuster was delayed because of the pandemic. Disney ultimately decided to release it “day and date,” meaning it came out on more than one platform at the same time. “Black Widow,” in theaters and for a $30 rental on its subscription streaming service Disney+. Although not unprecedented for pandemic movie releases, or even for Disney, which did the same for “Cruella,” it’s the first Marvel movie to attempt the hybrid strategy. And it’s by far the biggest earner to date. 

    It is unusual for studios to release grosses from streaming profits in real-time. Many never do so, and some release figures weeks after the fact. 

    “‘Black Widow’s’ strong performance this weekend affirms our flexible distribution strategy of making franchise films available in theaters for a true cinematic experience and, as COVID concerns continue globally, providing choice to consumers who prefer to watch at home on Disney+,” said Kareem Daniel, the chairman of Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution, in a statement.

    The film was liked by audiences, who gave it an A-minus CinemaScore, and critics. “Black Widow” currently boasts an 80% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Men made up some 58% of the opening weekend crowd. 

    “F9” came in second place with an estimated $10.8 million, bringing its domestic total to $140.8 million in its third weekend out in North America. Globally, it’s grossed $541.8 million. Universal also held the third and fourth place spots with the animated sequel “The Boss Baby: Family Business,” which added $8.7 million, and the horror “The Forever Purge,” with $6.7 million. “A Quiet Place Part II” rounded out the top five with $3 million.

    Currently, 81% of North American theaters are open, and most are operating at full capacity. Overall the films this weekend grossed a total of $117 million. It’s the first time since the beginning of the pandemic that a moviegoing weekend has surpassed $100 million. 

    And while it’s promising for the industry as a whole, Marvel films have always been in a box office category of their own. Overall, they’ve grossed nearly $23 billion. 

    “Marvel films are a unique monster,” Dergarabedian said. “I don’t know that you’ll see this for every release.”