210 replies to this topic

[antovolk]

Good news: seems like the Empire Leicester Square IMAX will screen SPECTRE with the first-in-Europe IMAX laser projectors:

http://www.liveforfi...icester-square/

Slightly unsure if this will actually be the case since Odeon are already promoting that their Leicester Square theatre will show SPECTRE and there's that odd rule that only one cinema in Leicester Sq can show a film at a time but - if the Empire do show it, I think it's a no brainer that this is the best place to see the film on opening night in central London.

[Vauxhall]

What's the consensus for the best place for opening night in London? (Assuming the Royal Albert Hall isn't available to everyone...)

[antovolk]

What's the consensus for the best place for opening night in London? (Assuming the Royal Albert Hall isn't available to everyone...)

I'm going Empire Leicester Sq because of IMAX Laser (and it's a wonderful cinema at that, best IMAX in town for non-70mm IMAX films - if this were shot with IMAX cameras it'd have to be the BFI). Then again we're yet to know what special things Odeon have planned for opening night...and whether the Empire will have any special things in the first place (only Odeon mentioned special stuff happening)

Also I think this will be the first time a Bond film will play in general release at two Leicester Square cinemas simultaneously.

Edited by antovolk, 05 September 2015 - 04:40 PM.

[Vauxhall]

Great, thanks. I'll aim for one of those in Leicester Square then I think.

[Shrublands]

I think it will be the Odeon Leicester Square for me. The bulk of Spectre has been shot in anamorphic scope, I really want to see what the Panavision photography is like. With IMAX you can't really appreciate the photographic compositions.

I'll go for the more immersive IMAX experience later. 

[antovolk]

Hm, curious what makes you feel that you can't appreciate the anamorphic cinematography as much in IMAX. I take the fact that IMAX screens themselves are of a taller aspect ratio and hence will have black bars top and bottom has an effect?

[Shrublands]

Hm, curious what makes you feel that you can't appreciate the anamorphic cinematography as much in IMAX. I take the fact that IMAX screens themselves are of a taller aspect ratio and hence will have black bars top and bottom has an effect?

 

It might just be me, but as IMAX screens as designed to fill your field of vision, I lose sight of the overall composition within the frame.

Roger Deakins said something about the audience not being able to see the the full composition, but rather look at areas within the frame. I see what he means.

[antovolk]

Ah, I understand your point and similarly remember Deakins talking about that, he also didn't seem very happy with what IMAX did for Skyfall too. I guess it also depends on where you sit....

[antovolk]

Ok Odeon now have tickets up - looks like no IMAX locations are doing the 8pm opening night, first IMAX showings are 11:30/midnight Not even BFI IMAX....disappointed.

Update: something fishy is going on as it seems just the two Central London IMAXes aren't doing opening night, IMAXes in Greenwich and Swiss Cottage are doing it...wtf?

[Vauxhall]

The Odeon website is really struggling in places, particularly for Leicester Square. Still plugging away.

[Shrublands]

It was a struggle, but finally got my tickets.

[antovolk]

Yeah, it's saying online booking temporarily stopped.

I'm tempted to pull the trigger for midnight at the Empire but I wanna hold out till call centres are open to find out why they or BFI aren't doing 8pm.

[Vauxhall]

It was a struggle, but finally got my tickets.

Same. Countdown on!

[Shrublands]

 

It was a struggle, but finally got my tickets.

Same. Countdown on!

 

 

It's so exciting. I thought it was going to sell out before I got them booked!

The system is totally overloaded.

[antovolk]

Lots of good seats at BFI ready taken, while Empire not so much haha.

[Vauxhall]

Lots of good seats at BFI ready taken, while Empire not so much haha.

Good luck!

My plan/hope is to do the BFI for my second viewing.

[antovolk]

Thanks!

Empire will be better option though as they will have higher quality IMAX laser projection...and it's even wider than the BFI (but not as tall, given that the film wasn't filmed with IMAX cameras it's fine)

State of affairs for the BFI midnight showing

[antovolk]

Apologies for double post: Swiss premiere to take place at 3,500 seater Hallenstadion in Zurich http://www.hallensta...es-bond-spectre

[thecasinoroyale]

Got my ticket for opening night - 8pm! Woohoo!

[antovolk]

Just spoke to the guys at ODEON regarding the lack of BFI IMAX opening night 8pm shows - some company have booked out private screenings of the film every day at 8pm for the whole week (26th till the 30th)

[thecasinoroyale]

Private screenings for the whole week? Crikey - that's keen.

[antovolk]

Private screenings for the whole week? Crikey - that's keen.

At least ODEON could've told them not to do it Monday given it's meant to be opening night, alas....

 

Anyway Empire's offices open at 10, giving them a call to find out what's going on with the Leicester Square IMAX...

[Major Tallon]

Many, many thanks to members of our CBn travel group (Goodnight, Professor Dent, Jeff 007) who, in a marathon late-night session (at least for the North American contingent), landed us both first night and IMAX tickets.  Simply the best group of friends ever.

[antovolk]

A nice lady at Empire Cinemas' booking line gave me an email address for the Leicester Square IMAX cinema - emailing them to find out what's happening, why there's no opening night show.

In the meantime, pulled the trigger for the Odeon Leicester Square, not to far off the side in Row U. If Empire pans out, I'll see if I can get a refund or if someone wants the ticket and they can get it from me on the day.

[Shrublands]

Got a couple of seats in the Royal Circle at the Odeon Leicester Square. Lucky, as it's sold out now. 

[Vauxhall]

Got a couple of seats in the Royal Circle at the Odeon Leicester Square. Lucky, as it's sold out now.

Well played. I'll be down below you somewhere in the middle stalls.

Glad I got up early.

[antovolk]

Empire IMAX emailed back, they have an "event associated with the premiere" hence no opening night showing.

Well Odeon here we come...

Edited by antovolk, 07 September 2015 - 10:09 AM.

[stromberg]

A nice lady at Empire Cinemas' booking line gave me an email address for the Leicester Square IMAX cinema - emailing them to find out what's happening, why there's no opening night show.

In the meantime, pulled the trigger for the Odeon Leicester Square, not to far off the side in Row U. If Empire pans out, I'll see if I can get a refund or if someone wants the ticket and they can get it from me on the day.

Same thinking here. Far right in Row T it is for me...

[antovolk]

A nice lady at Empire Cinemas' booking line gave me an email address for the Leicester Square IMAX cinema - emailing them to find out what's happening, why there's no opening night show.

In the meantime, pulled the trigger for the Odeon Leicester Square, not to far off the side in Row U. If Empire pans out, I'll see if I can get a refund or if someone wants the ticket and they can get it from me on the day.

Same thinking here. Far right in Row T it is for me...

Well, as I posted above, they have some event going on so sticking with Odeon....

[antovolk]

Holy crap, so the Empire Leicester Square IMAX DID seemingly add an 8pm showing on the 26th but it's now sold out...

UPDATE: shenanigans - the telephone booking team are saying it's not listed at all on their system...

Edited by antovolk, 08 September 2015 - 03:58 PM.