azizisbored: WARNING: AMC theaters are running FAKE IMAX's and charging $5 extra for a slightly bigger screen. Boycott IMAX, AMC, and Regal. Don't let them fool you.
Justin
· 7 months ago
Aziz, you are right on. When I think of IMAX, I think of a HUGE fucking screen. I would be pissed off and feel cheated too. Don't let theses assholes win. Keep up the good fight.
On a side note, when are you coming to Denver? Come do a show. I work at a brewery and will give you free beer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Krzzykorean
· 7 months ago
First, I would like to say, the IMAX experience is what you make it. If you go to the theater to intentionally complain, knowing that it's not the "real IMAX", then you're an idiot. IMAX is not only about the size of the screen. Truely, IMAX is all about the picture clearity and super sound features. I used to work for Regal Entertainment Group at one of their "true" IMAX locations, and I have to admit, even some of the customers there were misinformed about a lot of things. Don't go off half-cocked just because you were to to cheap or to stupid to look into finding the "IMAX Experience" you had in your mind. When you first get to the theater of any kind, don't just "ASSUME" that they are all the same. I don't think there are very many people who would argue that standard 35mm film is the same as digital…DUH, not even close. So, the stupid notion that these "mini MAX" and the original "IMAX" are the same…well, let's just say, it's not rocket science.
Ok, next… "Digital IMAX". 1. Almost every movie in this modern age are shot in digital with digital effects cameras. 2. IMAX format is digital. 3. IMAX film is 70mm film stock moving at astonishing rate. 4. Digital projection or projectors are completely different than digital film. 5. IMAX pricing-it simply cost more to make a separate print and sound, that's why it cost more. most people don't realize the risk of a flop, or the money loss. 6. Here's one for all you smart people… IMAX is a Canadian based company! 7. The price of the IMAX tickets, actually all tickets, have many factors. Price increases are due to loss at the box office, whether it's because of refunds, sneak-ins, movie hopping or any other reason. I think it's sad when parents ALLOW their children to steal and teach them to LIE! That's what's happening when you defend your child for the ILLEGAL actions they just did. 8. If you pull up to an "IMAX" theater, and there is no section of the building that stands a lot bigger, then there's a good chance that that "IMAX" is the smaller one…DUH. 9. Change the thinking, don't go to the theater thinking you're going to be disappointed. If you do, you will. 10. Lastly, educate yourself before commenting on somthing you have no idea about…funny guy or not… you just sound STUPID!
So, to end this comment, I say… No matter what someone "FAMOUS" may say, sometimes they are given knowledge "credit" because they are "famous" instead of the actual accredidation of their words. No wonder some comedians are never taken serious in life, these kind of rant and blogs just make you sound STUPID!
krzzykorean on May 17, 2009
jessi
· 7 months ago
Why are you defending IMAX? Do more research. The IMAX films shown in regular theaters do not show the 70mm films, but films that are digitally enhanced. Also, why would you call someone stupid for not being aware of the size of a screen? If we think we are getting IMAX, which was on a 70 foot screen (give or take), are we supposed to know to call and make sure that it's what we think it is? Are we supposed to be aware that they might have changed the screen size (which only happened in the last few years btw)? As many people here have pointed out, there are IMAX theaters that are put into some places by digging underground instead of building up. How is anyone who isn't even aware that these "mini IMAX" ,as you called them, theaters even exist supposed to know that there could be a difference?
It is very easy to go around calling other people stupid, but smart people don't do it. They don't need to prove their intelligence by picking out the shortcomings of others. I don't think that not being aware means you are stupid, it just means you don't know. There is a huge difference. Especially when there is nothing indicating you are missing something in the first place. The only stupid people are those who know things but choose to ignore them.
holzfallen
· 7 months ago
"1. Almost every movie in this modern age are shot in digital with digital effects cameras."
Are you high?
best remote desktop program
· 4 months ago
Well, they are. Why is that surprising you?
Jonesey
· 7 months ago
HA HA HA HA...your rant...HA HA HA HA...please tell me you're joking...because the underlying hatred for things that you will never become or get near is coming through pretty clear. Such a bitter bitter krzzykorean...and for your silly rant i give you two "Brack Poo Noodoo's" out of five...
Mickey
· 7 months ago
Do you work for IMAX? There's no way you can compare a 30 foot-high screen squished into a legacy theatre showing a digital "print" with lower quality than 35mm vs. a specifically made theatre that has a 75-90 foot screen and inclined theatre seats showing a 70mm print. It's no contest. And IMAX and the theatre chains are clearly trying to deceive the public. You'll never catch me paying +$5 to sit in a LIMAX theatre. I have experience in marketing -- wake up, you're destroying the brand.
Marcus
· 7 months ago
You're truly a shithead of the corporations... Stupid is as...ah you know the movie. Grow up and face reality. You are the problem with this situation and economy, you slobbering Pavlovian dog. Marcus
Cookie
· 6 months ago
Dear Goofball...
Are you nuts? What your defense for IMAX equates to is an automaker selling a Jaguar, and then when things get going really well in sales, substituting a Jetta. Yeah, it'll get you from point a to point b, and it has the same service schedule, and you can get leather seats in both, but they are NOT the same...which is why you will pay thousands upon thousands more for a jaguar.
Maybe you should marry IMAX...hee hee. I would've been pissed too, if I couldn't tell the difference between movies and spent five dollars a ticket more. The price of tickets now is outrageous enough that I have to PLAN which movie I might see, because a night at the movies costs me upwards of fifty dollars.
momo
· 6 months ago
Hey, Captain Pompous Krzzykorean-The point of this, which you obviously missed, is the fact that most folks are familiar with IMAX in the largest format. You don't see IMAX bragging about the smaller venues do you? No. They advertise and promote the traditional IMAX theaters. They simply need to make a branding distinction between the venues. Make sense? Good. Now pull your head out of your ass, you must have a headache by now.
Krzzykoreanisfuckingstupid
· 6 months ago
I don't know if someone who can't spell the word "clarity" and properly use "too" should really be calling anyone else stupid.
I don't think anyone would quit going to AMC just because someone famous told them too. Aziz did not just use his status to get his way. He specifically backed up his argument with facts. Also, many people have been disappointed by this new IMAX and it is false advertising for them not to have warned people that they should not expect the IMAX they are used to. So it makes perfect sense that people are upset. What does not make sense, however, is how some moron like you, wastes your time sounding like an arrogant prick because (I'm assuming) you have no life. If you did have a life, you would realize that this is just someone venting about a theater experience that was far less than satisfactory and you should just go on with your day. People like you make me sick. If you don't like what you read keep it to yourself. Otherwise you are just an arrogant douche bag with nothing to fulfill you so you spend time spouting off your ignorance at people who don't really want to hear it. Good for you.
sane voice
· 5 months ago
Did you really read after you typed 1. Almost every movie in this modern age are shot in digital with digital effects cameras.
WRONG, the percentage of film shot digitally (feature films) is absymally low
2. IMAX format is digital. GREAT 3. IMAX film is 70mm film stock moving at astonishing rate. did you just say that?? then what is the previous comment at 2 . Make up your mind is it digital or film stock?? 4. Digital projection or projectors are completely different than digital film. yes,we know that, we also know -dvd are different from DVD players -VHS are different from VCR -BD are different from BD players
did you just realise the stupidity of your comment #4
Point is not about being famous or not ,it is all about feeling cheated. and moreover somebody using his status to point out a scam/cheat, what's wrong in that.It makes sense
IMAXman
· 5 months ago
Just 2 small things man,
"1. Almost every movie in this modern age are shot in digital with digital effects cameras." - IMAX films are not shot with digital cameras, they use 15/70mm film specifically for the detail available in the film as opposed to digital.
"2. IMAX format is digital." - no it isn't, IMAX format refers to the image dimensions, i.e. a squarer image compared to that of what most films are shot in, letterbox or the like. The fact that IMAX is starting to use digital does not mean that IMAX format means digital. Something to think about, the Sydney IMAX in Australia (the largest flat screen IMAX, roughly 30mx36m) can't upgrade to digital for some time because digital projection is still too crap to deliver a half decent image to a screen that size. Hope that clears up some things
Bonzewitnos
· 2 weeks ago
KrzzyKorean - or whatever the fuck your stupid names is......
WRONG, WRONG, WRONG YOU DUMB JACKASS!!! your comment makes you sound even stupider because you are defending the way corporations get away with false advertising which essentially STEALING FROM THE PUBLIC, RAPING OUR POCKETBOOKS, for their own greedy pockets. No, not like children who because the movie maybe sucked or the screen wasnt IMAX big like the title suggests it will be, and they movie-hop after they paid to get in because the movie was boring, the two dont even compare you ignorant Korean.
meh
· 5 months ago
this is a case when bootlegging should be morally ok. record the movie and then sell it for your $5. justice served.
Toad
· 7 months ago
I am amazed so many people here are calling this guy a loser for expressing a point that he feels strongly about. Every single one of you will at some point be screwed over. How do you think you are going to feel? Wouldn't you be angry? Wouldn't you want to tell people about it? I bet you would be pissed if the people you told called you a loser and to get a life cupcake. Okay so perhaps he could have left and gone somewhere else, but I doubt many people would actually leave part way into a movie they really wanted to see. Not getting up and leaving at the beginning doesn't prohibit the man from making a complaint. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, maybe he could have dealt with this differently, by email maybe, or have just gone ahead and trashed the company name on Twitter. Web based material has been known to change peoples perceptions based on what they have read online. I am not certain people care so much when it comes to cinemas though. Surely you go to the one that is showing what you want to see and is close enough to get to. But not everybody is the same and not everybody deals with being screwed over in the same way. He is right that this is about a principle. Just because it seems minor to some, doesn't make it less important to him. A very quick bit of research on the web (which is quite useful for finding stuff out when you aren't slagging people off) shows that Aziz is actually right about the size, although it can apparently vary. The original point of IMAX was to dramatically increase the resolution of the image by using a much larger film frame, so he has asked actually for a reasonable refund. For the record I wouldn't have threatened the manager of a cinema with bad publicity. He has no real buy in to the companies future at the end of the day and so doesn't really care. If the twitter thing needed to be said (and I am not certain it did) it would have been of more interest to the company itself. Personally, if I felt so strongly about this, I would give the negative publicity anyway and then make a complaint to the people who really care, enclosing a link to the negative publicity and including the fact that their manager is telling customers that he doesn't care about them.
First you say: Okay so perhaps he could have left and gone somewhere else, but I doubt many people would actually leave part way into a movie they really wanted to see. Not getting up and leaving at the beginning doesn't prohibit the man from making a complaint.
I say: He DIDN’T JUST COMPLAIN….he THREATENED…AND he asked for his MONEY back after WATCHING THE ENTIRE MOVIE!!! Hello!!!! Just try to go to a restaurant, EAT ALL THE FOOD and THEN say I want my money back because the food was terrible. Noone would do that because most people don’t have shit for brains like Mr. Moron here.
This clown should shut the fuck up, go back to his lame comedy and stop polluting the Internet with his ignorance.
For crissakes dude….talented comedians become famous utilizing their talents. Is this the only way you can gain notoriety…by being the biggest fucking tool in the U.S.A.???
Spine
· 7 months ago
You, sir, are a moron. People like you who take getting screwed over in stride and don't have the backbone to stand up for whats right are the problem. As for ignorance, you are the epitome of it.
Bah
· 7 months ago
I like your restaurant analogy. If you go to steak and shake and order a hamburger and shake, and they bring you the hamburger but never bother to come around to bring you the shake, do you owe them for both the hamburger and shake if you were starving and ate the hamburger?
The threat was a joke. Read and then write.
bryanzilla
· 7 months ago
A normal, reasonable person would get the waiter/waitress's attention and say something like "Excuse me, you forgot my shake."
BUT.....you folks apparently would YELL at the cashier and threaten them "I've got 25,000 twitter followers and I'm going to TELL THEM ALL YOU DIDN'T GIVE ME MY SHAKE!!!!!!!"
And of course...since you DIDN'T DRINK THE SHAKE you wouldn't have to pay for it like you would have to PAY for a movie that you watched in it's ENTIRETY.
So please, Mr/Mrs Fuckwad, get a workable analogy before you write. OK?
Johnross1968
· 7 months ago
That was a workable analogy. What he was saying is He payed for something and didnt get the whole thing. He payed for a Hamburger AND a shake..he got the hamburger part but didnt get the shake....He payed for the Imax experience (Digital this and that AND ON A BIG SCREEN) He got part of it but not the WHOLE THING. It wasn't on a BIG IMAX screen. Any advertisement for Imax always spouts about how big the screen is and how immersive it is. He didn't get that. Buy the standards the manager is claiming what Imax is my HD flat screen TV could be considered IMax. But its NOT. If you pay for IMax you should get IMax not some watered down excuse for it. And as for the Mr/Mrs Fuckwad comment. First off there is no reason for being a complete jerk. Second off your inability to understand to what most consider a fairly simple analogy is not his fault. How about you show at least the mental capacity of a second grader before you write, OK?
To the parent post, congrats. Americans should stop being such pussys. Its because we dont have a backbone that people and corperations think they can do the shit they do. Everything from Imax/not Imax all the way to Torture/Not torture.
Guy
· 7 months ago
Sorry People but the hamburger and shake analogy is wrong. It would be like going into the finest restaurant and ordering filet mignon for $100.00. The waiter brings you a hamburger. If you eat THE hamburger you don't owe the restaurant $100.00 since you didn't have the filet you owe the apporpriate price for the hamburger.
ilikehamburgers
· 5 months ago
He was willing to pay for the hamburger. He was not willing to pay $100 for the hamburger that was called a filet mignon. It was ONLY a hamburger. A damn good hamburger, but a hamburger. He just wanted the advertised difference back that he was charged in advance, since he was ONLY given a hamburger as tasty as it was. And I admit it really was a tasty hamburger. But it was only a hamburger, not a Filet.
c-dub
· 7 months ago
Uhhhh-greed. This is the only correctly functioning analogy.
Bah
· 7 months ago
I agree, if you buy something, like a meal with a milk shake or a ticket to see an IMAX movie, and you only get part of what you ordered, you should only have to pay part of the bill.
You still have an issue with reading. Aziz never said anything to the cashier about twitter, he said something to the manager about twitter. Your point that yelling people shouldn't gain you a lot of empathy is still valid, although it loses some value coming from someone so fond of caps lock and calling me fuckwad.
Wolfeman
· 7 months ago
These dumbfucks are the reason our country is so complacent. remember when people used to speak their mind? At least this dude is trying to create some change, because if people talk about it, the demand will make this lying ass company at least label it BULLSHIT IMAX, or something to the like.
incredimarc
· 7 months ago
"Excuse me, you forgot two thirds of my screen area. Can you bring that to me, please?"
bryanzilla
· 7 months ago
Thank you Mark for also pointing out how his analogy is wrong for this issue.
Apples and oranges. :-)
No offense intended Bah...'fuckwads" is a term of endearment and I do love you.
Jeff
· 7 months ago
How about, "Bryanzilla, you are a fucking imbecile?"
Bah
· 7 months ago
Love you too friend! :D
one
· 7 months ago
bryanzilla, seriously, you should have come to your senses at the ''steak - shake'' comparison had you understood it... it's a shame AMC will keep ripping off uninformed people like you...
jessi
· 7 months ago
I think he was being sarcastic.
Common Name
· 7 months ago
Wow, you are angry.....Do you work for IMAX?
voice for sanity
· 7 months ago
OK Bryanzilla. You start off semi-intelligently and then your comments always devolve into profanity-laced name calling... such STUPIDITY on YOUR part erodes the so-called value of your comments.
Just because somebody else doesn't have the intellectual capacity to compose an analogy you can't shoot holes in (come on, it's always easy to shoot holes in somebody else's analogies) doesn't make their underlying point invalid, nor does it give you the right to go off on an irrelevant rant that you would never say to somebody like that in person... unless, of course, you're the kind of guy who spends all his spare time in fist fights.
denba
· 7 months ago
He was only asking for the $5 extra he paid for the IMAX experience (which he didn't get) back not the $10 to see the movie.
Sophia621
· 7 months ago
Hey jackass,he wanted his money back because he didn't get what he paid for,not the entire amount,just the part he was overcharged for.To put into terms your lard ass would understand,you sit your fat ass down in a restaurant and order the filet mignon,that's a steak,and they bring you a hamburger, you eat it cause you a fat bastard and you are hungry right.Now here is the tricky part,they still charge you the price of the more expensive meal,do you feel ripped-off?
Asphodel
· 7 months ago
ok well, here's the problem with that. (and again, I DO Agree that we're getting ripped off with this IMAX thing) The problem is, say you get that hamburger and they charge you for a steak. THAT is a problem and I agree you should get your money back. But what he did was pay for an IMAX screen FIRST. He walked in, saw it was wrong, and watched it anyway. If he was that upset ( and by the way he speaks about it I assume he was) he shoukd have walked right back out before the movie started and gotten his money back.
Asphodel
· 7 months ago
Although I DO very much agree here with the fact that the IMAX theatres are ripping us off, I also think he went about this all wrong. You guys are right here, if he didn't like the fact that the screen wasn't as big as he thought it shoud be, he could have walked right back out and got his money back. I work as a waitress and I know how assholes like this can get. You don't like it? Fine, don't come back. But for christ sake, don't go yelling at people who can't give you money back after you've watched the whole film or ate the whole meal or whtever else. Yell and rant online or wherever you want, but leave the poor people that work there alone.
Tillie
· 7 months ago
He wouldn't mind paying for the movie.....but he had to pay extra $5....for a non-IMAX experience. He didn't leave because he wanted to see the movie that he'd been waiting to see....not because he thought he was getting an IMAX experience. It's like I'm hungry, I'll eat this shitty burger anyway.....but I better get my money back for not getting the filet....get it? or are you too dense? not dense enough?
sweetworld
· 7 months ago
polluting the internet?? you chose to read it "bryanzilla". if it makes you so angry then go read a less "toxic" blog. zac efron's might better.
Esse
· 7 months ago
It is definitely a valid point that threatening people is not necessary to get a point across. However, I do think that it is different that he was asking for his money back due to false pretenses versus the movie being bad. Obviously if the movie was bad then he would have walked out immediately. However, his displeasure was due to the fact that the theater was advertised as an IMAX theater and was not a "real" IMAX theater since the screen is only a quarter of the size. I think you might need to recalculate your point. But I have a feeling you are a person that may blog a lot and loves the attention as long as you are right. You're definitely someone who gets his rocks off by putting people in their place. Have fun with that. Peace.
USA Lover
· 7 months ago
Ok smartie....duh!! Would u pay for the shake if u didn't get it!!! He asked for a partial refund - the cost for IMAX experience. Also, like the way u were being racist but tyring to be suttle - U.S.A - another ignorant ass!!!! Just grow some balls & say what u mean or by the way, what is your talent besides being a douche bag??
Tillie
· 7 months ago
ah, he did not ask for his money back....only the $5 which he paid extra for the IMAX screen and did not get.
I would be mad too.....paid extra $5 for nothing. Aziz is in the RIGHT!
jessajeffries
· 7 months ago
i like how you take something posted on a comedians website as a serious posting - and then spent this much of your life devoted to something so OBVIOUSLY meant to be taken dead serious.
i'm creeped out by you bryanzilla.
yuck.
shekharpatel
· 7 hours ago
Dude! He asked for the difference only and not for the entire amount. The difference is what the theater is charging for a fake IMAX experience.
EZB
· 7 months ago
What makes him a retard is how he went about trying to get his money back. He no doubt had a cockiness in his voice, or added his attitude while typing this to make him sound like a rejected South Park character.
IMAX (short for Image MAXimum) is a motion picture film format and projection standard created by Canada's IMAX Corporation. The traditional version of IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems. A standard IMAX screen is 22 metres (72 ft) wide and 16.1 metres (53 ft) high, but can vary.
NOTHING states that there is a 'regulation' to the type of screen, if you read up on it, what makes IMAX an IMAX is the film that is used. The larger screens are fashioned to show off the higher resolutions, but there is no IMAX standard of a screen size. Because you got lucky with a place with a huge screen doesn't mean every IMAX showing will be the same, or near the same. I frequent Cape Canaveral's IMAX which towers the theater, going to any other IMAX viewing I wouldn't expect something of that calibur. Perhaps a phone call, "hey how big is your IMAX screen?" could have prevented your degenerate self from looking like a tool in public.
Jake
· 7 months ago
He's not asking for a full refund, just the $5 extra he payed for IMAX, which obviously, he didn't get.
Star
· 7 months ago
Up until now it wasn't common knowledge that IMAX screens varied from location to location, so if the general public is not aware of this difference why would they call up and ask how large the screen is? (I’m sure now that the public is aware of the difference those that would feel cheated will be more aware.) Not to mention IMAX is associated with extremely large screens, so to walk in and get something the third of the size of a traditional IMAX screen (as these newer digital versions are a younger addition to the IMAX bank account) they rightly so should be annoyed. If it's no big deal why not differentiate between the sizes right up front? Post somewhere that this is not the normal 70+ foot screen? Because if people know that the size is smaller than they will just opt for the regular showing and the theatre loses the extra $5. This is nothing new though, movie theatres have been out to rip people off since day one, look at the concession stand prices.
jessajeffries
· 7 months ago
i like how you take something posted on a comedians website as a serious posting - and then spent this much of your life devoted to something so OBVIOUSLY meant to be taken dead serious.
i'm creeped out by you also EZB.
yuck.
Chucky
· 7 months ago
AMC does not accept customer complaints via email -- company policy.
As for the OP? That all-caps rant about AMC and Regal can get this thread taken down if their lawyers ever see it.
Sven
· 7 months ago
Screw you and the lawyers....ass wipe. If it isn't a full size IMAX screen they shouldn't be charging extra for the movie. Civil suit I feel could be coming for the AMC lawyers to chew on?
Karry
· 7 months ago
No one gives a fuck. Their "lawyers" are peeing their pants right now, and you'll probably lose your job from all the budget cuts and bankruptcy.
Mike Trasatti
· 7 months ago
I respect your problem with IMAX and join you in your BOYCOTT.
B Hammy
· 7 months ago
This argument has grown ridiculously out of proportion, mostly for people who don't get why this is a very clear case of bait and switch. You tell people they're getting an Imax experience, which pretty obviously means a gigantic-assed screen, and you give them a completely freaking awesome digital projection presentation on a pretty normal sized screen, and you're doing nothing more than conning them into giving you money for something they aren't going to get. The restaurant analogies aren't even correct because they imply an erroneous substitution on behalf of the company. Imax knows what people think of their name and they're going to use it to rip people off for as long as they can get away with it, and thanks to Aziz, that probably won't be as long as their business model predicted. That Imax guy is a douche, as is Bryanzilla.
Enrique
· 5 months ago
Excellent dude!! totally agree
William
· 7 months ago
there is a reason it is called the imax experience, you dumb fucker.... It give the experience of imax.... get it dummy. Stop wasting our time with yourself serving spew of " oh I have 25000 twitter followers baaawww" Maybe we should let the twitter guys know what your doing, throwing around the twitter name in a threating way???? How many followers do you think you'll have then..... Get a life fuck face
Kay
· 7 months ago
IMAX Experience doesn't mean its kinda like IMAX, it means that you experience all that IMAX has to offer a viewer. Just because they say that it is good and video quality of an IMAX movie doesn't actually make it so. The sound behind an IMAX movie is actually set-up completely different then that of a normal movie. Every aspect behind an IMAX movie is different that's why it cost more. I think you are ridiculous for not seeing the point the guy is making and just jumping on some self defensive rant that really shows no understanding or thought process.
Duke Nukem
· 7 months ago
It gives the experience of Imax? Wow, you must be the dumbest person alive still able to use a computer. Imax = 70ft screen and amazing sound. "Imax experience" is 25ft screen....how is that the same experience? That's like saying you have IMAX experience at your home on a 50inch plasma and bose surround sound. How exactly can you say those experiences are the same, or even remotely close?
Hao
· 7 months ago
WHAT is the point of defending IMAX and AMC? Do you have some stake in it Does your mom clean the gum from under their theater seats? I'm the heads at corporate are lining up to give you a reach-around for coming to the rescue of "the imax experience." If anything, this guy has given this matter some attention, and maybe it'll save you $5 in the future.
The Truth
· 7 months ago
William, nobody gives a shit what you think, but heres the truth:
A digital version of IMAX started rolling out in 2008. The new system is a projection standard only; there are no digital IMAX cameras.
Digital IMAX systems can show either normal or 3D content in DCI or IMAX digital format (which in itself is a superset of DCI). Being a digital system alleviates the need for the use of bulky film reels and facilitate inexpensive distribution of IMAX features, the more compact nature of digital equipment means the system can fit inside a normal multiplex cinema complex rather than the specialised buildings IMAX normally requires.
Despite those advantages, one big disadvantage is the resolution of the picture is much lower than normal IMAX. The screens used by digital IMAX installations are also much smaller (28x58 feet) than those found in traditional IMAX cinemas. Despite these facts, the digital installations are marketed simply as IMAX, drawing no distinction to the traditional 15/70 IMAX – much to the dismay of 15/70 IMAX cinema owners.[5]
Deals have already been signed with Hollywood studios for IMAX 3D features, such as "Shrek Goes Fourth 3D".[6]
IMAX digital currently uses two 2K-resolution Christie projectors with Texas Instruments Digital Light Processing technology alongside parts of IMAX's proprietary system. The two 2K images are projected over each other, producing an image that is potentially of a slightly higher resolution than common 2K digital cinema. Originally, IMAX had been considering using two Sony 4K projectors.[7]
IMAX recently signed a deal with AMC to start utilizing this new technology beginning July 2008[8] in the US. In December 2008 two digital screens were opened inside Odeon Cinemas in the UK[9] and three inside Hoyts Cinemas in Australia with a fourth to follow later in 2009[10].
Now YOU go fuck yourself.
Jeff
· 7 months ago
Wow. Busted. If you're going to copy and paste DIRECTLY from Wikipedia, at least take the time to remove the endnotes. Dead giveaway that you didn't write that. I'm not taking William's side, I'm just saying it makes you look like an idiot with the "go fuck yourself" comment considering that was not knowledge you had prior to posting.
Vidar
· 7 months ago
At least he did his homework, instead of being a willfully ignorant prick like this William douche.
Wikipedia isn't a sin. The guy just educated every dickbag that bothered to read his post.
Jeff
· 7 months ago
Not gonna lie, I didn't know all that about IMAX before reading it. I found it funny though that the comment says "here's the truth" and is written by "The Truth." Gives a false sense of credit to the "author" but hey, welcome to the internet I guess.
Kchaney
· 7 months ago
"Wikipedia isn't a sin." No it is not, it is for fools.
cd
· 7 months ago
Kchaney is a fool!
The Truth
· 7 months ago
Well Jeff, I didn't claim I wrote the information from the Wiki article, I just c&p what was in the article itself. I'm assuming now that because I didn't credit the Wikipedia article for it, I'm being made fun of.
As for looking like an idiot, that's your point of view. I've experienced viewings at IMAX facilities in Memphis, Nashville, Huntsville, and tallahassee, and with that experience comes expectations about what "The IMAX Experience" actually is.
Imax is a large specialized 70mm film format being displayed on either a 70ft high specially curved screen or dome with a high powered sound system and extremely bright and clear visuals.
IMAX Digital is not the same as the Famed IMAX format.That's the point I'm making.
The quality is lower, the resolution is lower, and to me, its nothing more than something like the giant-screen theaters that have popped up here and there, and those theaters used 50ft screens with 35mm projectors, which is murder on the eyes, because you are using the same type projector and bulb system to blow an image up more than double its size.
AMC is at fault here as much as IMAX, because they aren't being specific about what IMAX system they are using, and IMAX is at fault because they are allowing AMC to delude customers into thinking they are getting a traditional IMAX experience when in fact, they aren't.
Jeff
· 7 months ago
You know, now that I think about it, when I went and saw "The Dark Night" on IMAX in Madison, Wisconsin, I was blown away by the size of the screen. It was how I remembered seeing IMAX at the Chicago Field Museum as a kid, being a true IMAX screen. However, when I went to see Dark Night again on IMAX only two weeks later, but this time in St. Louis, I wondered what the hell was going on with the screen. It was not nearly as big as it should have been but I just attributed that to being really high the first time I saw the film. Guess I can just be glad there's a true (or at least DAMN close to being true) size IMAX screen in Madison.
Btw holding down that damn shift key every time I type "IMAX" is starting to get fucking annoying.
bob
· 7 months ago
william, people like you suck at life and dont deserve to have the internet. you call people dummy and fuck face. SUCKS YOUR A BITCH. get on aziz's level
Shannon
· 7 months ago
William... you're very, very, stupid. Step away from any device that allows you to interact with others. 1) Why are you bothering to defend these companies? That's just stupid. Do you sweep popcorn for them or something? 2) He's probably getting more followers after this. Why would the "twitter guys" (who they are, I don't know) care what he's doing? Most of his followers are here... so... maybe don't argue that. 3) You sound like a disgusting person. I know that doesn't have anything to do wih anything, but the way you speak makes me want to vomit. Here's some hints: Punctuation is your friend, use it (emphasis on using it) appropriately. For example, "get it dummy" should have a question mark. Now, I know, The fact you didn't graduate from middle school makes this difficult, but you should know people judge you on such things. Oh, and an ellipse has 3 periods "..." not "......" - that looks silly, yes? Maybe proof-read what you write? Or just... I dunno... don't talk?
dredre
· 7 months ago
Shannon, normally I would jump all over you for being so reactive, but William's comment is so damn bad that I really can't complain.
Kchaney
· 7 months ago
Shannon: After reading what you wrote the rest of us want you to also step away from any device that allows you to interact with others.
whatever
· 7 months ago
step away comment cracked me up!!
Anna
· 7 months ago
Here HEre William. This guy gets a little power because of his name and wants to take on a company that has been around BEFORE HE WAS BORN...They are so well respected in the theater community and make movie companies a lotta dough. Think about that when you're going for your next big role, Aziz.
Dave
· 7 months ago
Who's the "theater community" and why do they hold the benchmark for respect in this situation?
Rod
· 7 months ago
the "theater community" needs to go to hell anyway. 14 dollars for stale popcorn and a flat drink, 15 dollars for a fake IMAX ticket, so on and so forth. It's terrible. Maybe this "theater community" needs to start giving a shit about their customers, and not just making money. Everybody wants to make goddamn money, and nobody cares about customer satisfaction anymore... Shame...
Kchaney
· 7 months ago
Wow Anna: "been around BEFORE HE WAS BORN...They are so well respected in the theater community and make movie companies a lotta dough"
Those three reasons are perfect justifications not to cry bullshit over blatantly false advertising by IMAX. You must be a share holder in the company.
Karry
· 7 months ago
Yes, so is the catholic church, but you don't here anyone with the knowledge of their lies and deception giving them any respect. Shut the fuck up you cunt.
Scott
· 7 months ago
I don't think YOU get it... it's false advertising, it's also counter-productive advertising, it's bad for the IMAX name... people know better (well not all people... im pointing at you dummy).
It's also not IMAX which is traditionally 70mm film... it's "digital IMAX"
whatever
· 7 months ago
dumbass william do you think "twitter guys" will cancel his account. in fact he's projecting the power and reach of twitter in this way. btw he probably has a life you can only dream of!! so you need to get a life.
Amused Reader
· 7 months ago
You seem to whine a great deal, and demanding a refund never works when (as he said) you stayed for the entire movie. You either get to have your principles and walk out, or you get to have the (overpriced) product. Not both.
The experience at the Regal IMAX place I went to a few weeks ago was certainly a step above a typical theater - I have no complaints.
Ron
· 7 months ago
The first ten minutes of speed Racer on IMAX were screwed up. I watched the rest AND got a full refund.
AMC also has an announcer talk over the end credits of IMAX movies directing people to their exits. UNACCEPTABLE. I respect the artists who work on films and don't appreciate someone interrupting their credits as they scroll.
Not cool.
VoG
· 7 months ago
As the guy who IS the recorded voice you hear, we only did that after numerous people fell walking down the stairs in the theaters (traditionally you need to exit at the rear of an Imax theater due to it's steep seating platform.) Trust me, I don't like the speech either, but we make sure to place it where it causes minimal distraction to the closing credits. It's the sacrifice of the 12 seconds of credit music over the possibility you'll break your neck.
Kea
· 7 months ago
That is a require by law to have an emergency exit. It should be before the movie starts. Not time just bring it to the attention of the manager/projectionist
Shannon
· 7 months ago
I feel like "Amused Reader" is an "Employee"
melissa lawson
· 7 months ago
what are you talking about? just because you went through an entire more doesn't mean you shouldn't get a refund. you can eat a basically a whole meal at a restaurant and then at the end complain you didn't really like it and get your money back. you pay for what you want, not less than, and usually with most businesses they will compensate you because in these situations, no matter how small the complaint, the customer is always right
YoctoYotta
· 7 months ago
People like you are what's wrong with this country. If your meal is bad, stop after the first bite. Eating the whole thing and then complaining makes you nothing more than a scamming cunt. Is your free meal really worth looking like a total lying piece of shit criminal?
"one bite mike"
· 7 months ago
Yeah, you should be a stand up citizen like "Yocto Yotta." You can tell by his phrasings he's a nice guy.
YoctoYotta
· 7 months ago
I'm only a foul mouthed jerk when I see people glorifying abhorrent public behavior themselves. As I sort of alluded to in my reply to athynz below, if Melissa's comment is qualified with "when there's something actually legitimately wrong with the meal like the presence of a hair or raw food" as opposed to just making a preferential judgment that you don't like something that was prepared as it should be, then an apology would be in order. Her implication that "you pay for what you want" and "the customer is always right" is fucked up, and if you disagree, then you are part of the problem in my personal opinion. If the projector at the theater you are at breaks down at any point in the movie, you are entitled to a refund. If you realize the theater's accouterments aren't what you were expecting but everything's working fine and you decide to sit through the whole thing and then bitch afterward, you are an asshole. Does that make me an asshole --my inappropriately insulting language towards a woman aside-- for considering the business' rights as opposed to thinking greedily only about myself?
yesyoureanasshole
· 7 months ago
yes it does make you one
Rod
· 7 months ago
The business rights? seriously? please think about that for only 1 minute. A business has one goal, which is to give a satisfactory product. If you don't do things in a proper manner, you shouldn't be in business. Most businesses find that out the hard way. This tough economic time is basically taking out the trash. Circuit City has always been bashed for bad customer service, and at times not honoring valid warranties. They had a shoddy business and people were angry before, but now they're gone. Good riddance, by the way. The customer is always right. And by the way, how do you know by the first bite that the food isn't good? Maybe you get to the middle of your burger to find it's over or undercooked. Same with a steak. One cut, one bite doesn't get the idea across. But you eat the rest of the fries and drink. Well why not? You are hungry, after all. But you still didn't get what you purchased, simple as that.
YoctoYotta
· 7 months ago
As I said, if there's something *actually* wrong with a product, anyone has a right to a replacement or refund. The person I replied to, Melissa, made no mention of that scenario. She implied nothing more than that she couldn't understand how people could give Aziz a hard time about asking for a refund when, in her opinion, complaining to a business and asking for a refund is always an option because the customer is always right, which implies that they are right even if they are wrong (lying, etc.). Should I read further between the lines like everyone else and assume she meant otherwise?
athynz
· 7 months ago
And your comment here makes you look like a fucking prick. Is trolling here really worth it to make you look like a steaming pile of shit? Besides with your analogy, let's say the start of the meal everything was perfect and at the last bite something was undercooked, had a hair in it, or something else. Would you then not complain and judging from your language here call the manager and cook "scamming cunts"? Yeah, that's what I thought... Me I'd definitely complain and ask for a full refund because that hair, raw food, whatever ruined my dining experience. It is after all the job of the chef to make sure the meals from his kitchen are perfect or as close to is as possible.
Anyhow...
As for the article, hell yes he should have gotten his 5 bucks back at the very least! I hadn't heard about the whole wannabe IMAX thing until now - I don't go to many movies - but if I was psyched for the IMAX experience (and yes where I live we do have a real IMAX theater) and got what he did, I'd be pissed off too and ask for a full refund because it IS NOT IMAX, just some cheap imitation. Sure you say to do some research but if someone is like me and not really keepingup with the whole thing and I go to the theater expecting IMAX and getting a pale imitation... And as for looking at the building you can't really go by that - there could be more below the ground ya know... that is actually how the IMAX theater in my area is set up - they renovated part of an old building and dug down below the ground level to be able to incorporate the IMAX theater... from the front of the building you cannot tell there is a true IMAX theater in it.
YoctoYotta
· 7 months ago
Yes, no excuse, my language was rough. I agree with you, if there is something legitimately wrong with a meal, then asking for it to be corrected or a refund is appropriate. That was not what the comment I replied to was implying though. I won't apologize for what I said in the context of what she actually wrote, but I am sorry if I misunderstood her unwritten words that you've abstracted from her comment.
IncbsChmr
· 7 months ago
What if you eat almost the whole meal and are almost done and then bite into something that really wasn't up to par and ruined your whole meal? I would want a FULL refund also.
Really?
· 7 months ago
You paid 5 extra dollars to a movie, not shot for the IMAX format, in the IMAX format.
Seriously?
This is a retarded crusade. You fail at life.
The fact of the matter is you saw a movie that was LEGALLY branded a certain way. No one is to blame but you. IMAX theater 'popped' up all over the place rather quick, and you didn't think to check to see if they were 'legit' or not.
The other side of this argument is..
I have been to several IMAX theaters across the south, and no 2 of them were the same. How do you expect a theaher to conform to a standard that is nonexistent.
NO U
· 7 months ago
Dude, you're retarded. There hasn't been a Hollywood movie shot for the IMAX format. Only a few scenes in the Dark Knight, a few scenes in Transformers 2, and documentaries.
You don't know what you're talking about.
brandon
· 7 months ago
That doesn't mean they dont show films on true imax screens. The issue is not what the movie is it's that the imax screen is a certain size and by brandin a smaller size screen "Imax" you tarnish the name.
Really?
· 7 months ago
Did you bother to read what I said?
I know there hasn't been a Hollywood movie shot for IMAX, that's the whole point. Why would you pay for the IMAX experience, when you aren't getting it it?
7oby
· 7 months ago
Read up on IMAX. "A standard IMAX screen is 22 metres (72 ft) wide and 16.1 metres (53 ft) high, but can vary."
It can vary a little bit, but to go from 72 ft to 58 ft is a little more variance than usual.
Really?
· 7 months ago
I have been to IMAX theaters with big rectangles, and one that were convex. Both were called IMAX. This is not 'a little variation'.
robind
· 6 months ago
Correction: it went from an expected 72 ft wide of your 'average' imax screen to 28 feet wide. That's not even close.
need to check up on Imax. Huh?
· 7 months ago
why would you need to check to see if an imax theatre is legit or not? that doesn't make any sense
Really?
· 7 months ago
He is complaining about something he didn't research. He even said he assumed this or that.
cass
· 7 months ago
why the fuck would you research a movie theater?!?! when i think IMAX, i think HUGE. research done. if there was a different size screen in the theater im getting ready to purchase a ticlet at, they should have a posted notice. they do it for the people that dont like shaky camera scenes-- why not for people who dont feel like being misled ??
Kchaney
· 7 months ago
No research required you fool. IMAX means BIG SCREENS and HIGH RES they themselves defined it that way and sold it that way from day one. Now they offer something very different under the same name. Like renaming a Yugo to a Ferrari and selling it sight unseen. Fools like you would argue; "well, it is a car, what's the big deal?"
Kchaney
· 7 months ago
Put the pacifier back in you mouth and go back to sleep.
Mike
· 7 months ago
I might not have gone about it the same way but he has a right to be angry. I've been to 3 IMAX theaters here in Southern California and all 3 are exactly the same. I know in the South you guys have lower standards except when it comes to college football so trust me when I say experiencing a movie on a true IMAX screen is a much better experience than watching it on a normal movie screen - IMAX branded or not.
Really?
· 7 months ago
Wow way to go. Completely invalidate your arguments because I am in the South. (I am not from the South, btw.)
Red Herring anyone?
JRH
· 7 months ago
Aziz, you are a loser. Where is it required that an IMAX screen has to be big? I can see you going to a nice restaurant, paying more for a steak, and then when you realize it was on par with the Outback you request the difference between your meal and the Wallaby NY Strip. Get a grip. You weren't promised a 72 foot screen, and your expectations don't define product offerings.
The Truth
· 7 months ago
Jrh, Learn something and shut the fuck up.
A digital version of IMAX started rolling out in 2008. The new system is a projection standard only; there are no digital IMAX cameras.
Digital IMAX systems can show either normal or 3D content in DCI or IMAX digital format (which in itself is a superset of DCI). Being a digital system alleviates the need for the use of bulky film reels and facilitate inexpensive distribution of IMAX features, the more compact nature of digital equipment means the system can fit inside a normal multiplex cinema complex rather than the specialised buildings IMAX normally requires.
Despite those advantages, one big disadvantage is the resolution of the picture is much lower than normal IMAX. The screens used by digital IMAX installations are also much smaller (28x58 feet) than those found in traditional IMAX cinemas. Despite these facts, the digital installations are marketed simply as IMAX, drawing no distinction to the traditional 15/70 IMAX – much to the dismay of 15/70 IMAX cinema owners.[5]
Deals have already been signed with Hollywood studios for IMAX 3D features, such as "Shrek Goes Fourth 3D".[6]
IMAX digital currently uses two 2K-resolution Christie projectors with Texas Instruments Digital Light Processing technology alongside parts of IMAX's proprietary system. The two 2K images are projected over each other, producing an image that is potentially of a slightly higher resolution than common 2K digital cinema. Originally, IMAX had been considering using two Sony 4K projectors.[7]
IMAX recently signed a deal with AMC to start utilizing this new technology beginning July 2008[8] in the US. In December 2008 two digital screens were opened inside Odeon Cinemas in the UK[9] and three inside Hoyts Cinemas in Australia with a fourth to follow later in 2009[10].
Jeff
· 7 months ago
AGAIN with the copy and paste! Still didn't remove the endnotes!! Bahahahahahahaha
In defense of truth
· 7 months ago
It was a quick and informative copy-paste you dunce. Do you really think they're trying to take credit under their own name when they have no identity shown except for "The Truth"? What's the point in rewriting paragraphs of information when the wikipedia page states it perfectly? The endnotes were left in because...drumroll please...the author DIDN'T CARE.
Jeff
· 7 months ago
Holy hell I must be a dunce because I care about the honest and attributed dissemination of information! 'Do you really think they're trying to take credit under their own name when they have no identity shown except for "The Truth"?' -- Saying "learn something and shut the fuck up" does not necessarily imply that whoever copied and pasted that wrote it themselves, but not citing the source while coming off as being on such a high horse does. A simple "taken from Wikipedia" or a link to the IMAX page would have sufficed. "What's the point in rewriting paragraphs of information when the wikipedia page states it perfectly?" -- That's exactly the attitude towards information on the internet that makes plagiarism so rampant across universities in this country; I feel sorry for you if that's truly how you think. "The endnotes were left in because...drumroll please...the author DIDN'T CARE." -- Copying and pasting in no way whatsoever gives authorship to the post.
Here's an example of how a simple citation can give validation to any post:
Douche: a word to describe an individual who has shown themself to be very brainless in one way or another, thus comparing them to the cleansing product for vaginas,
Bag: a container or receptacle of leather, plastic, cloth, paper, etc., capable of being closed at the mouth; pouch. -http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bag
Well well, looks like one definition has a definite source though both are correct; can you guess which one it is?
That's right! It was Douchebag! The source: you!
Coming to the defense of someone who copied and pasted Wikipedia to make themselves out to be better than another is inane. Now please, have a field day with your reply. I couldn't give a fuck what some anonymous asshole behind a computer screen thinks of me.
The Truth
· 7 months ago
Are you really that upset about something as lame as citing source on a internet blog?
Fine, Here is the requested info.
"IMAX Digital
A digital version of IMAX started rolling out in 2008. The new system is a projection standard only; there are no digital IMAX cameras.
Digital IMAX systems can show either normal or 3D content in DCI or IMAX digital format (which in itself is a superset of DCI). Being a digital system alleviates the need for the use of bulky film reels and facilitate inexpensive distribution of IMAX features, the more compact nature of digital equipment means the system can fit inside a normal multiplex cinema complex rather than the specialised buildings IMAX normally requires.
Despite those advantages, one big disadvantage is the resolution of the picture is much lower than normal IMAX. The screens used by digital IMAX installations are also much smaller (28x58 feet) than those found in traditional IMAX cinemas. Despite these facts, the digital installations are marketed simply as IMAX, drawing no distinction to the traditional 15/70 IMAX – much to the dismay of 15/70 IMAX cinema owners.[5]
Deals have already been signed with Hollywood studios for IMAX 3D features, such as "Shrek Goes Fourth 3D".[6]
IMAX digital currently uses two 2K-resolution Christie projectors with Texas Instruments Digital Light Processing technology alongside parts of IMAX's proprietary system. The two 2K images are projected over each other, producing an image that is potentially of a slightly higher resolution than common 2K digital cinema. Originally, IMAX had been considering using two Sony 4K projectors.[7]
IMAX recently signed a deal with AMC to start utilizing this new technology beginning July 2008[8] in the US. In December 2008 two digital screens were opened inside Odeon Cinemas in the UK[9] and three inside Hoyts Cinemas in Australia with a fourth to follow later in 2009[10]."
Does this appease your Internet Blog integrity issues?
Are you masturbating furiously using your own waste because NOW oh my GOD NOW a source has been claimed!
You can sleep peacefully now, knowing that the internet is safe from copy and pasted comments!
The Hurt
· 7 months ago
Jeff is not worth insulting. Let's just insult his mom. Jeff's mom sucks black cocks off, and then Jeff's dad licks the semen off it. Hahahaha! The TRUTH hurts!
Jeff
· 7 months ago
Mom? You finally confessed? Wow! I knew you had it in you!!
Seriously? What kind of inane, juvenile response was that? I hope that really gets you somewhere in life.
Jeff
· 7 months ago
My excessively long response was in regards to whoever wrote "In defense of truth" for coming off as a douchebag. I don't expect you to edit your post to say where you got it from, but at the same time I don't expect to be ridiculed for pointing out that it came from an outside source. That's why I went off on his/her/its reply and didn't give you more shit about it.
Whatever. This argument is pointless. I've been writing final papers for a solid week now and am in full-on citation mode hahaha it's starting to get to me.
Nemo
· 7 months ago
You are also an anonymous asshole behind a computer screen...or maybe in front of it depending on the view. Your head is a giant butt for all I know. I know you don't care what I think, but I wrote a little haiku for you:
all the free time spent leading to false fulfillment could have been happy
Jeff
· 7 months ago
Hmmm, if my head was a butt that would make it pretty hard to see what I was typing...I wouldn't be able to type this haiku in response to yours:
Haikus can be fun But sometimes they make no sense Refrigerator
Jay
· 7 months ago
They've marketed and educated consumers that IMAX means monster screen. That's always been the case. People didn't go for better resolution but for the much larger size. Literally giving you the impression of moving when watching. Those not aware of this fact don't change the fact.
Using the same IMAX name for less and not disclosing the difference is clearly deceptive. That is a legit beef. If they want to sell that product, that's fine but you must discern the difference rather than just sell you a ticket and say bummer, you bought it. I'd be pissed if I was a 15/70 owner since they are clearly damaging the brand reputation by mixing indiscernable products to the consumer who will only have one reaction: the pic is smaller and while better res is cool, who cares?
aziz
· 7 months ago
YES I WAS. THAT"S WHAT IMAX MEANS JRH. THE FUCKING COMPANY IS CALLED IMAX AS IN EYE-MAXIMIZE! EVERY OTHER IMAX IS 72 FT HIGH, WHY WOULD I ASSUME DIFFERENT! IDIOT IMAX APOLOGIST.
lol
· 7 months ago
Caps. That's cool.
You watched the whole movie before complaining, forfeiting your refund. Get over it.
Wikipedia
· 7 months ago
It's not even Caps-Lock, either. He actually held down the shift key while he was typing it the whole time, hence the " instead of a ' in the word "that's."
meme
· 7 months ago
THAT IS FUNNY>
meme2
· 7 months ago
Should be: THAT"S FUNNY
Wikipedia
· 7 months ago
Actually, it stands for Image MAXimum, but we'll ignore that for now.
My actual point is this: Variations of the traditional IMAX format include IMAX Dome (using a tilted dome screen) which is sometimes called OmniMAX, IMAX 3D and IMAX Digital.
And since it was the IMAX Digital Experience, I'll also bring this up: The screens used by digital IMAX installations are also much smaller (28x58 feet) than those found in traditional IMAX cinemas.
trafficante
· 7 months ago
yea, not every other imax screen is 72 ft. very few of them are, and here in tampa, we have an imax dome! shut your fucking mouth! you're making the rest of us star trek fans look like fat pale idiots. cause thats what you sound like! not like you're worried about principals, that you let the market get the best of you before you even realized it. you just wanna be super sized. did you bitch when checkers fries shrunk too?
...yermomsadooshbag...
· 7 months ago
there are no checkers in LA... that comment is lost on those out here not from the east coast... i live in LA, moving from Tampa... i've done the IMAX at MOSI and were i to go to the IMAX in Burbank i would expect the same experience being it carries the IMAX name... dome theater and all... i'd ask for a refund for the difference too... this man has great point... and i'm glad he has the balls to let people know about it instead of not saying anything and letting others get fucked... like soooo many cowards do... just saying
trafficante
· 7 months ago
my bad. rallys fries.
Sophia
· 7 months ago
MINIMAX
Co-CEOs Ruined IMAX
· 7 months ago
IMAX got it's name using a combination of the words "Maximum" and "Image", and it's founders created the format as an alternative to Cinerama, so YES, IMAX built it's brand on the fact that it's screens are big. Since you have no idea what you are talking about, how about you STFU.
JRH is a douche
· 7 months ago
you do realize the name IMAX itself, does promise it to be big. MAX, as in max size of something. what the fuck kind of name is IMAX for a regular sized screen or theater. it doesnt mean it has to be 72 ft but you expect something really big with a name like that. like you are a IMAX sized douche bag! anybody who has been to an IMAX movie in the past ten years, or knows anything about the original IMAX theaters, the screen is promised to be big. thats the whole point. and anyone who hates on Aziz is a douche. the dude is one of the funniest mo fo's around. R-R-R-R-RANDY!!!!!
Mike
· 7 months ago
"Where is it required that an IMAX screen has to be big? " Oh wow. Just wow. Thats kind of like asking "where is it required to have an IQ over 100 to be a member of MENSA? " I guess its also not required to have an IQ over 30 to post on a blog.
Kchaney
· 7 months ago
""Where is it required that an IMAX screen has to be big?"
That is how IMAX themselves define the difference between them and standard theater you idot. Clearly you do not have an IQ over 30.
jessi
· 7 months ago
Seriously, I don't get these comments in defense of this. I mean...the problem isn't that they didn't promise anything. Sure, they didn't. I suppose you're right!
The problem is that they don't tell you what size it ISN'T!!! The problem is that IMAX has been established for about 20 years as what it WAS up until recently when they decided to put it on little screens because no one was going to the movies anymore. It was a 70 foot screen. I have been to IMAX theaters in many cities. Usually they are at tourist attractions or museums. They were all the same size or very close to it. You feel like you are hanging over the edge of the screen and virtually immersed in the film. I went to see Watchmen on the IMAX screen at a regular theater complex and was incredibly disappointed with the so-called "experience". It was nothing like the real thing. That is the point.
biteme
· 7 months ago
hahahahaha you loser. I wish I had that as a problem. Boo hoo the screen isn't big enough. Go paint your nails cupcake.
Sven
· 7 months ago
MORON....
Clay
· 7 months ago
Could not agree more -- this should be called IMAXLITE -- people are used to the real IMAX experience - and when you pay the same rate for an IMAX experience - you should get that.
Read very carefully here - IMAX is on the verge of being hit with a class-action lawsuit here if they do not change the name of this BS. Precedent has already been set for such a class-action lawsuit by companies attempting to change a widely accepted branded product - and then offering an inferior product under the same branding -- this is going to be a home run for some attorney.
Michael3999
· 7 months ago
Most people do not associate Imax with it's screen resolution and enhanced quality, but rather by it's screen size. Simply call this new venture something else, like "Super Resolution Screen by Imax" and it might differentiate the perception.
not a fan
· 7 months ago
You are just a whiner. You saw the movie, then you bitched enough and got 2 free passes (a $20 value vs the lousy $5 you complained about.
I can't stand you stupid show, and will make sure I boycott anything you appear in.
aziz
· 7 months ago
No I'm fighting for the people and you are an asshole FAKE IMAX apologist Mr. "Not a fan"!
I get it. I'm with you. I live in Burbank and I didn't know AMC was screwing with people. FYI: over at Universal Citywalk, they have a real IMAX screen. Check it out.
meg
· 7 months ago
I don't understand...if you're not a fan and can't stand the guy, why read his blog?
Rod
· 7 months ago
It's called trolling. Some people have literally nothing better to do with their lives than try to make other people feel bad, even if they fail. "RAWR I IZ MOST L33TZ ON INTERNETZ!" fucking idiots.
jable
· 7 months ago
i bet you don't mind when you get raped right? what's the big deal its just forced sex
William Anderson
· 7 months ago
Aziz,
You are totally right for asking to recieve your money back. I saw star trek in "fake IMAX" and was extremely disappointed by the small screen size in comparison to the IMAZ theatre experience in Irvine, CA. The screen in Irvine was soo big that I had to turn my head to watch the movie and thats what I enjoy, the feeling of actually being immersed in the movie. These theatres that are showing movies in "Fake IMAX" should be ashamed and should lower ticket prices substantially. I applaud you for voicing your opinion and hopefully others will back you.
Thanks, Will
ricee
· 7 months ago
This happened to me too when i went to see another movie, and I didnt pay only $5 extra, I paid $8 extra for a screen that is a tiny but bigger and kinda curved on the ends....a fucking HUGE rip off! They should call them something different than IMAX...because its not IMAX. If i dont have to look straight above me to see the middle of the picture, its not IMAX.
mgdp
· 7 months ago
I saw Dark Knight in BS IMAX. Although the picture and sound were brilliant, I definitely felt cheated and vowed only to pay for REAL IMAX theaters.
Oz
· 7 months ago
IMAX shoould be IMAX - it pisses me off too! Now I have to go find the REAL IMAX and make sure Im not a victim of the MAN like you.
Doug
· 7 months ago
Thanks for the warning! I'm sure as hell not going to give IMAX a dime from here on out. I guess I'm one of the 10%...
SunshineyDayze
· 7 months ago
Same here....
Rich
· 7 months ago
Likewise.
Whatever
· 7 months ago
What about the IMAX CEO guy who said there is not need to differentiate between the two IMAX screen sizes, just like a BMW is a BMW regardless if it's a 3 or 7 series. WTF? What a douche bag!!! I'd be pissed if I shelled out $100K for a BMW7 and then got a BMW3, just like I'd be pissed if I paid full IMAX price to basically see a glorified regular screen/sound. The IMAX is clearly being ran by an idiot and for me that's good enough reason to not give them money. Fuck IMAX!
Skip
· 7 months ago
Just another example of how the ordinary consumer get's fucked by "the man". You tell them brother! And I join your boycott.
Christian
· 7 months ago
Dude, let your voice be heard!!!!
Companies like this need to know that they need to LISTEN to the CONSUMER, we are what keep them in business. We are the reason that senior-citizen CEO at IMAX can have a 20-something wife with fake tits.
Dude, you crack me up. You're the best part of parks and recreation...I'm following you on twitter now. haha.
Mickle St.
· 7 months ago
Thanks, Aziz. I thought it was just me when I shelled out the extra bucks for "Watchmen" in IMAX and couldn't figure out what was wrong. I thought maybe I'd grown jaded or used to the format. But the IMAX screen at AMC on 42nd Street in NYC is SUBSTANTIALLY smaller than the big, beautiful IMAX up by Lincoln Center. Thank you for pointing this out. I won't waste my money again, that's for sure.
Bill
· 7 months ago
Although, even at the one at Lincoln Center, where I went to see the IMAX experience...that wasn't a true IMAX projection either. Hell, the IMAX promo took up almost the entire wall...the Star Trek movie was just a longer letterbox view. Hell, I could have gotten that with Blu Ray, a projector and the side of a building. WEAK!
Joe R.
· 7 months ago
The CEO's of IMax don't care about customers because they are wealthy and getting paid - and we gladly pay them. Therefore, to keep getting paid, they cover up the truth. That's how corporations work!! Although this IMax thing seems small... it is still a crime because it is false advertisement... and all corporations lie because they are driven by profit and not by truth. That is how the banks got away with our money - because they pretend to care about us while only caring about profit. So this IMax marketing lie is an example of how corporations keep taking money away from us. Boycotting is one of the few powers we have to show our dissatisfaction in a consumer based system (which also needs to change - but that's another long economics based conversation). And although there are more important issues in the world that does not mean IMax is not lying to us. Therefore, if you don't like being lied to then boycott them. If you don't mind being lied to then keep buying their lies and pay the extra $5 for the ticket. Of course, there are more important issues but lying to people is also an issue we must stand against. Boycott IMax until they change their lies.
Steve
· 7 months ago
I agree - Made a big to-do about opening an IMAX in Simi Valley, CA...paid $15 a ticket for myself and my 2 kids...walked in to a very nice movie theater with a small screen...Was the bigger screen behind it?...Was the roof going to expand like a football stadium?...Nope...small screen and inflated price - last time I will go pay for that -
FALSE ADVERTISEMENT for sure!
phil abusster
· 7 months ago
omg, what's to talk about! aziz did the right thing and IMAX should be boycotted. period.
Putter
· 7 months ago
Just another case of everyday people getting fucked over in some way, however seemingly insignificantly, and deciding to voice their feelings on the matter, and then being seen as some kind of grinchy, gripey, grouch, and discarded thusly as an unsubstantial menial ranter. Power to Aziz, and fuck IMAX and fuck those who choose not to recognize his point.
urone2
· 7 months ago
For people not to understand his anger is crazy. It would be like going to buy a Cadillac and get a Pinto with Cadillac emblems. You go down to a store the advertise a dozen donuts for $2 and when you open your bag there's 12 mini donuts. Those theaters are advertising the IMAX experience, which to most people mean a 76' by 97' screen. Is that what he received when he paid the extra $5 for the IMAX experience, no. He felt he was cheated and he was, the advertisement for the IMAX theaters that are the smaller screens should be modified to explain it to be an IMAX like experience.
vjetti
· 7 months ago
Aziz, I agree with you completely!! Not sure if it's been mentioned before, but I have an additional gripe.
When purchasing my Star Trek Imax tickets on Fandango.com for tonight, I noticed they charge a $2 convenience fee per ticket. Fandango usually only charges $1 convenience fee. So Fandango makes out like kings off the Imax screens as well. Fandango is doing no extra work for that extra $1, doubling their profit on Imax purchases. And it's not even a true Imax screen!
Haha hopefully I can still enjoy the movie tonight, without continually thinking about getting screwed with fees and the small screen..
omgyg
· 7 months ago
Holy shit is that right? It never even occurred to me that the "convenience" fee was being jacked up, too -- I paid the extra $2 per ticket, too without even thinking about it.
I'm not sure if that's the same or worse than the IMAX/AMC thing. If it's true I'd like to hear Fandango's reasoning.
Man. That's some serious TicketMastering bullshit.
...Paul
· 7 months ago
Fandango's been charging a $2 fee per ticket for a while now, IMAX or not. I don't think it's IMAX specific, I think they just upped their fees.
vjetti
· 7 months ago
Paul,
When I go to Fandango and pay for any normal showing there is only a $1 convenience fee, as I said. This becomes $2 per ticket with an Imax show. Maybe it's different in your area (I'm in Pittsburgh, you could be in a more expensive city). Or maybe you work for Fandango (or parent company Comcast) and are just trying to cover up their shenanigans? I wouldn't be surprised, considering how much attention Aziz's blog is getting.
Will
· 7 months ago
I had a similar experience a while back...Branson Imax contacted my boss. I probably shouldn't have called them "tards".
(It starts at the bottom and goes up)
From: Randy Brashers [mailto:randy@bransonimax.com] Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 1:58 PM To: Paul (Will's Boss) Subject: FW: The IMAX experience.
Paul,
I would very much appreciate if you could let Will know we would rather he not contact anyone in our company in the future.
Randy Brashers - randy@bransonimax.com Vice President of Administration & Operations http://www.bransonimax.com/ Branson's IMAX Entertainment Complex 3562 Shepherd Of The Hills Expressway Branson, MO 65616 417-335-3533
________________________________________ From: Jill Knox [mailto:jill@bransonimax.com] Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 10:25 AM To: 'Randy Brashers' Subject: FW: The IMAX experience.
Jill M. Gleason-Knox- jill@bransonimax.com Vice President Advertising, Marketing & Sales http://bransonimax.com/ Branson's IMAX Entertainment Complex 3562 Shepherd Of The Hills Expressway Branson, MO 65616 417-335-3533, Ext 115 2007-2008 Chair, Student Youth Foundation ________________________________________ From: Will Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 4:38 PM To: 'jill@bransonimax.com' Cc: Subject: The IMAX experience.
My wife and I purchased tickets online last week for The Dark Knight because we have heard nothing but "If you haven't seen it in IMAX then you haven't seen it"! Now I find out that your theatre isn't even capable of showing the movie the way it was intended? This if very disappointing to say the least. Do you have plans to upgrade your equipment anytime soon? I have been disappointed in the past about your inability to showcase movies properly, but this is ridiculous in the extreme.
I don't really want anything from anyone other than a theatre within driving distance of Springfield that is what it says it is. I will make certain all of my movie nerd buddies know that your IMAX experience is the equivalent of sitting really close to the tv, adding no depth or clarity.
Wow, I really can't believe I'm this worked up about this, but there you have it.
Feel free to pass this on to whichever 'tard is in charge.
Sincerely,
Will
omgyg
· 7 months ago
So funny.
Justo
· 7 months ago
ahaha, but how did he get your bosses email? If you didn't send it from your work email address then branson Imax isn't fucking around, they are out for blood. ahahaha.
bwalker009
· 7 months ago
DUDE! Totally agree with You!! I live in Tampa, FL and we have Channelside TRUE IMAX and we have what I have dub'd as pretendaMAX AMC Veterans!
CEO of IMAX is on Crack its like saying if I Rub One Out its the same as Having Sex with a Real Person. While the Out Cum (pun) is the same the experience is TOTALLY DIFFERENT!
lol
· 7 months ago
OMG YOU HAVE 25,000 TWITTER FOLLOWERS????? SOMEBODY GET THIS GUY A FUCKING MEDAL.
If I were the manager I would have had you removed by security for causing a disruption.
fdfdfdf
· 7 months ago
wow, you're pathetic.
Ramon
· 7 months ago
go suck a cock...fagget
Ramon
· 7 months ago
Aziz makes a point that could help you save 5 bucks...your hopeless fdfdfdf
petZ
· 6 months ago
and he also teaches how to be a spoiled brat for stomping the feat after he watched the movie he wanted to see
yes, the manager sure was delighted that somebody put sooo much brain into argueing in a way like this
Your Slutty Mom
· 7 months ago
You really are an idiot. So you have 25,000 followers on Twitter. That means you have no life. Threatening people like that just solidifies the fact that you really need to get laid.
People like you are the reason that society is going straight to hell. Your opinion means nothing, your threats are empty and your logic (pardon the pun) fails.
Have a nice day, looser.
Aziz Fan
· 7 months ago
You're the loser for calling him a loser -MISSPELLED, nonetheless!
And if someone has 25,000 followers on Twitter, they are adored by many, are a celebrity, or have something great to say and share with the world.
You are the one who is the idiot.
Good day!
TED
· 7 months ago
Looks like we found someone that works at AMC
FIRST Amendment
· 7 months ago
really if he is a loser what do you call Shaq because he has 744024 followers on twitter
and if you call him a loser well then your logic (pardon my english) fails
because in reality Shaq makes more money than you, gets laid more than you, and definitely has more friends than you.
Matt
· 7 months ago
look, if you're pissed, and it's deceptive, register a complaint with the BBB.
duh.
Assley
· 7 months ago
Yeah everyone KNOWS that the BBB has a fast turnaround time regarding complaints. Maybe if 50,000 people also complain then they'll "look into it".
Also Human Giant, full of win.
Reason
· 7 months ago
THEY are wrong because they misrepresent IMAX.
YOU are wrong because you should have walked out before the movie even started if the money was really an issue. The money was not the issue; you were more interested in being a douchbag and attentionwhore.
Had you called them on it and asked for your money back then you would have had a compelling argument. Instead you just come across badly and sabotage your own point.
I'mabigdealaroundhere
· 7 months ago
Exactly!
aziz
· 7 months ago
AGAIN, REASON, WHY SHOULD I CHANGE MY PLANS AND GET FUCKED? I'VE BEEN DYING TO SEE STAR TREK AND FINALLY HAD TIME YESTERDAY. SO I SHOULD HAVE JUST LEFT AND GOTTEN FUCKED? NO. I SAW THE MOVIE AND ASKED FOR THE MONEY BACK ONLY FOR THE RIPOFF IMAX ($5).
Brigid
· 7 months ago
So this AMC was only showing Star Trek in one theatre? They didn't have it showing at another theatre 1/2 an hour after your quasi-IMAX?
If you were that put off, you should have turned around & asked for a ticket to another showing in a "regular" theatre as soon as you saw the IMAX screen. But no, you sat through the whole movie and then asked--no, DEMANDED--a partial refund and acted like a spoiled, whiny, "do you know who I am??" douche.
Not to mention, you got 2 free passes to another movie, worth $20, and you're STILL complaining. Get over it and stop acting like a child.
slapjaw
· 7 months ago
If you're not happy with it you should have boycotted it like you told everyone else. I'm sure the double standard might slip right past you, but I would hope you would see the silliness and holes in your argument.
Yes they shouldn't be labling it as IMAX I've gone to IMAX for years in town and I would assume that it's the big screen with the killer sound. But I also would have either complained after and not asked for my money back, or walked out before it started. You paid for your steak you ate it and then complained it wasn't enough when you had time before the ads were done to walk out say hey this isn't an imax can I have my 5 bucks back or I want a refund and I'll go to a non imax theater to see it.
Cry me a river that this is the time that you had set aside to see it you're still pulling a double standard.
jeremy
· 7 months ago
Totally...Also he is an actor. How about people that are unemployed or don't have alot of money that payed the money and was screwed.
jessi
· 7 months ago
Actually, he is using his position in the public eye to inform people about this so they don't waste their money too. It's not about crying rivers.
Wow...you're uh...really sticking it to the man there sport...that'll teach them...a Twitter threat. Are you serious?
fdfdfdf
· 7 months ago
ya really....OHHHHH i'm a bigwig on TWITTER!!!!
must be sad that this loser has so little in his life that he has to complain about this.
srr
· 7 months ago
you watched the whole movie
Yasmin
· 7 months ago
He didn't have a problem with the movie...he had a problem with the false advertising of the screen. He paid for the movie, but he didn't think it was fair to pay for the screen. I think the phrase is "not throwing out the baby with the bath water."
He's just bringing attention to the fact that the standards for IMAX are not what they used to be. Sure, it could have been done differently, but I think you're missing the point.
Simon Seeber
· 7 months ago
OMG much ado about nothing. you're a spoilt first world twat.
bob
· 7 months ago
sucks your name is simon. and you say OMG. i remember when i was 12
Bryan
· 7 months ago
For what it's worth, you don't really get true IMAX with most Hollywood movies anyway. This is totally nerdy and I'm sorry for getting into this but... real IMAX is shot on huge film that's about four times the size of regular 35mm film. When they take a film like Star Trek and make an IMAX print, they're just blowing it up, so yeah, it's huge, but even calling it IMAX is a bit of a stretch because it's not really shot with the large-format cameras.
aziz
· 7 months ago
But I like the big screen at least, its better than the smaller screen.
lion
· 7 months ago
Dude, real IMAX was great, but got to see it again cause so much action was on screen, impossible to see it all without breaking your neck.
bort
· 7 months ago
I like the twitter threat.
mdubs
· 7 months ago
also darfur.
:)
nice out
sigourney
· 7 months ago
boycott imax! let's go!!
Big Dog
· 7 months ago
Fight the Fakers!
Roxy P.
· 7 months ago
Aziz. You are my hero.
TheBeeOBee
· 7 months ago
Keep fighting the good fight, Aziz. WE SHALL OVERCOMEEEE!
pauloleandro
· 7 months ago
LET'S DO THIS SHIT
Adam Hachmi
· 7 months ago
IMAX posers
Adam Hachmi
· 7 months ago
Let us show that manager that he should be scared of Aziz's 25,000 followers. He will rue the day he messed with us.
Rizzi
· 7 months ago
well aziz, you've done well. let's see if people listen to you. i agree with what you're saying lol but you need to chill, we'll fuck them in their assholes don't you worry.
Hoang
· 7 months ago
Hahah, fuck their nasty ass popcorn and soda!
mSelf
· 7 months ago
I TWEETED ABOUT THIS LAST WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!! I dont have the followers u do, so good job, now it will get around some more. feel free to follow me tho:D http://www.twitter.com/mrmattself HOLLA
Jason
· 7 months ago
fucking loser
Kevin I
· 7 months ago
That's how almost every negative interaction I have had with an AMC ends, free passes, I'd like to see their handbook. "If all else fails, throw passes at them until they leave"
jkp
· 7 months ago
hahahaha! fuck yeah! the theatres are overpriced as is! matinee costs are what the night costs use to be + after matinee costs are . . . you dont even want to know.
Lucy Tornay
· 7 months ago
That manager sounds like a douche! He completely ignored your wants and needs as a customer which shows completely terrible customer service. Pickett signs are in order for this trickery.
IMAX ROCKS!
· 7 months ago
what a bitch you are
Adrian Wills
· 7 months ago
Good shit man, stick it to them! I just faught a big Telco for $600 they tried to stiff me and won! If you can pull this off, it'll be 75feet/times better!
EdwinWorkman
· 7 months ago
What a fucking joke! I've never had this happen to me, with a legitimate IMAX ten minutes away, but that's bullshit.
rachel
· 7 months ago
I saw something similar when I looked up tickets for Star Trek on Fandango for a local theater. It had something called "AMC Digital" and underneath had a little warning that ticket prices would be $5 higher. At least they didn't call it IMAX. That definitely strikes me as deceptive.
LilDreadiMomma
· 7 months ago
Fu*k those corporate theatres. That's how it is with all corporate restaurants and everyhing, sorry here are some passes. :p We always go to the drive-in. It's cheaper and more fun. :D
Mtz00333
· 7 months ago
I just saw the movie at a real IMAX theater And the campany name is Santikos. There are Only 2 IMAX theaters in San Antonio and I think They're both Santikos.
DPlanner
· 7 months ago
I think your anger, while righteous, is pointed in the wrong direction. You should really be pissed at the movie studio, who knowingly filmed the movie not using IMAX cameras or equipment, finished up their film and said "Hey IMAX and AMC, we're releasing this film that's basically a guaranteed moneymaker and we'd love to slap the IMAX logo on it so you can charge more and report higher profits and we all make giant oil tankers full of money. Is that cool with you?" Sure, they said yes, but the studio is the one who all along knew they had something that wasn't IMAX and decided to try and fool people that it was anyway. I think they're the dickheads who deserve the majority of our hate if anyone does.
aziz
· 7 months ago
But the screen size without the filming in IMAX I can deal with. Tiny screen is unacceptable.
vic
· 7 months ago
hey aziz just started following you on twitter and WOW thank you for yhe info on IMAX..An AMC near to me just got an IMAX here about a year ago- my GF saw STAR TREK there and its in a separate auditoriom to my understanding however now that you 've investigated this yourself , I'm more inclined to check out the b.s. on my next viewing...As far as I know IMAX was mostly regulated to those special shows at like the museums and such..Now from Imax's p.o.v. I understand that they've gone digital to support smaller screens and some directors are shooting parts and whole films in IMAX now, I guess due to the way the film is framed for the viewer's eye-such as certain scenes in DARK KNIGHT and TRANSFORMERS...But to put a film that supposed to make you feel as part of the movie, on a much smaller screen is ridiculous...Actually the people you should be going straight to would be IMAX and not those other theatres even tho they are trying to make abuck off of name alone.. IMAX, when they initially pushed their product to those theatres, should of made sure that their product was being taken care of and promoted correctly..Just like brewing beer and shipping it to other restaurants and bars, one should always be on hand to make sure the product is being taking care of and sold correctly, and not doing such really makes the place where the product is being sold look bad, as well as the company that provides the product. Now the other stupid thing, what I don't get is the fact that they couldn't even give you 5 lousy dollars back?? I work at a restaurant and a liquor store, and I give money back ALL THE TIME. Bad wine??Here I'll give something in place of it or even your money back.. No big deal...Also the manager or the 1st person you talked to could've gave you an explanation right of way as well as the 5 dollars..Why waste time and b.s. over something that is more IMAX's fault then the $7.00 an hour worker?? Shit if it was me, I'd give you the fiver and proly the promo dvd as well....TAKE IT TO THE TOP,SON!!!!cya vkatnyte
KarmaTiger
· 7 months ago
Studios have little to no such communication with theatres. Studios sell their films to Distributors, who them put them into theatres. Films planned as IMAX or with scenes in IMAX (as in 70mm, different sound) are as far as studio planning goes.
In fact a studio might shoot a film for theatrical release but the distributor who buys it for a given territory (e.g. USA) might decide to release it straight to DVD instead.
Distributon Monkey
· 7 months ago
Wrong. Most major studios do NOT sell their films to distributors anymore, and they most definitely communicate with the theaters, particularly the major chains. Distributors (unless they are also part of the major studio) typically have no ownership rights to a feature at all.
Most studios contract with distributors such as Technicolor or Deluxe to create and physically distribute the prints (whether 35 or digital) that will go to the theaters. The studios have total control over who gets copies and for how long, based on negotiations with the theater management, and the theaters pay what amounts to a 'rental fee' based on how long the feature has been in release already.
What you seem to be thinking of is the Sundance/Cannes/Tribeca model, where independent filmmakers show their work in the hopes that someone with deeper pockets will like it enough to buy it and finance the distribution of the work to a wider audience. It still follows the same path though, with the financier in place of the studio. Certain groups and individuals have specialized in this process and been misnamed 'distributors', but they're really just financiers who are hoping to make a profit.
DB
· 7 months ago
LOL-Imax never says the screen is x by x. Yes, some IMAX screens are larger and some are smaller, but it is the technology that they licensed. IMAX long made an announcement that they'd be expanding into more regular chains, to bring the technology to more theaters. The technology in picture and sound is superior right now, regardless. I agree with other posters-you should have turned right around and asked for your money back..not AFTER the movie. Sorry, can't agree with this tirade.
Sonny
· 7 months ago
Darfur > Fake Imax but its close
Mtz00333
· 7 months ago
I just saw the movie on a real IMAX theater. The name of the company was Santikos. The are only 2 IMAX theaters in San Antonio. I think there are both Santikos.
David Kozlowski
· 7 months ago
Aziz, saw your Twitter posts man. This is total crap. I agree w/ you 100%. Passing the word to my wife, she'll pass it on to her circle of friends too!
gloshi
· 7 months ago
Damn, sounds like you went through some shit today....The whole bullshit of the situation boils down to the $5. Why the fuck do they think they can get $5 extra from people just by slapping "IMAX quality and sound" on the movie and acting like that is something? It's almost like saying here, take this VHS, but pay DVD price because it has DVD quality and sound. People will do anything to screw people out of money these days. It really is horrible.
sita
· 7 months ago
Wow they really suck. screw them! alot of people will see this and everybody will know how sleezy they are
Vendrell
· 7 months ago
Yes, I had this experience with the "IMAX" at Century City and will not go to them again.
Very lame. Thanks for calling attention to this.
Kobe
· 7 months ago
Why, yes I would like to biggie-size my fries.
Aziz 10 minutes later:
Excuse me, these fries are were not big enough, i would like my 99 cents back.
Well just give us the fries back and we will gladly refund you the $.
Oh you ate all of them. OH!
Do you know what Twitter is?
aziz
· 7 months ago
Kobe that analogy is so flawed I don't even need to address it. Get out of here you IMAX apologist!!!
rohit
· 7 months ago
can we not appreciate that kobe bryant is commenting on your blog posts? this is joyous news!
twistfunk
· 7 months ago
he certainly raped that analogy
Beowulfe
· 7 months ago
The analogy is not flawed, your complaining is. I agree with you that AMC/IMAX are in the wrong. But you stayed and watched the movie. Had you walked out immediately and complained then I could see your point. Instead you stayed which means you knew it was wrong but were willing to accept it. It is just the same if you used any other service and then complain after the fact.
moot
· 7 months ago
Haha, you made me laugh. Aziz clearly has a very easy life, if he sees this as such a big problem.
Aaron J.
· 7 months ago
Aziz - only IMAX screen in the Valley is at CityWalk - accept no imitations!
Kath
· 7 months ago
I got duped this way with The Dark Knight. FUCK imax. Omnimax was better anyway, at least I think it was (I was 8 and watching movies about sharks at the Boston Museum of Science)
omgyg
· 7 months ago
And Omnimax had Leonard Nemoy in the intro. Classic. I will never forget that shit.
Shawn
· 7 months ago
Fight them Aziz nice to see someone trying to fight companies like that !
GB
· 7 months ago
The fact you spent an entire post on a rant about 5$ worth difference in a movie screening and left the Darfur situation as a footnote is slightly disturbing. Priorities, my man. Seriously.
vic
· 7 months ago
umm just to let everyone know..DARFUR IS ONLY A TEARDROP IN A PETRI DISH THAT REPRESENTS THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS THAT AFRICA HAS AS A WHOLE..WORRYING ABOUT DARFUR IS LIKE WORRYING ABOUT THE GUY IN A RAFT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN...ALL OF AFRICA NEEDS HELP!!!!IN EVERY ASPECT,NOT JUST LIL OL'DARFUR!!THERE ARE DISPLACED PEOPLE ALL OVER THE PLANET, IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY, OF EVERY MONTH,OF EVERY YEAR SINCE I HAVE BEEN ALIVE. I CONGRADULATE THOSE WHO HAVE MADE THE EFFORT AND CAN AFFORD TO PUT THEMSELVES IN HARM's WAY TO HELP THOSE IN DARFUR, BUT TO SHIT ON AZIZ....THAT'S WRONG AS WELL...THERE IS A TIME AND PLACE FOR EVERYTHING, AND YOU SIR ARE NOT IN EITHER.
Andrew
· 7 months ago
Yes, because we all go to the Aziz Ansari fan page to learn more about serious issues affecting our world.
then why mention it at all? It still stands that this, his entire post, is a ridiculous thing to get up in arms about.
Winstin
· 7 months ago
I went to a regal theater her in vegas..they had spent a year building this Imax..I was so stoked..so when I went to go see star trek cuz I thought I was gonna feel like I was on the enterprise, opening a can of space whoop ass and feeling up on hot green women from other planets..but no I walk in and the screen is just alittle bit bigger then one in the room next to us..what happens to the giant screens that wrap around the front of the room..15 dollars! Really I should have bought 2 tickets, one to crap on and one to cover it up with. Bull shit..I'm glad he said somthing. - winstin wilkey Las vegas, Nv
Zak
· 7 months ago
I used to work at AMC. Point out "Guest First" if they ever give you shit like that. It's a rule they beat in to employees heads about treating the guest right and shit like that. I went to my old theater with free passes to Watchmen (from one of those give aways with DVD purchases or some shit) and they told me I couldn't use them. I then looked my old manager in the eye and just said, "home office will love to hear this example of guest first" and then bam, got my shit honored.
Garrett Baker
· 7 months ago
The first IMAX I went to was one of the Pirates movies. I had never been to an IMAX before but it was still obvious I was getting ripped off. Not only was it not that big, they had a rectangle of lights behind the screen they lit up to show how big a regular movie was. It was 10 feet tall at the MOST. I thought, "that's total bullshit, there's no movie theater with a screen that tiny." Since then I have been waiting for my revenge. Thank you, Aziz.
phil
· 7 months ago
Roger Ebert posted a similar letter about the AMC Burbank Imax from Mike Williamson on his site a few months ago: http://tinyurl.com/qq6xgm
Eric Wilkinson
· 7 months ago
You just got SWINDLED!
Brynna Campbell
· 7 months ago
Hahaha, this comment made me happy.
iamnicksaicnsn
· 7 months ago
The only real LA Imax theaters are (from my personal experience) the Bridge Theater at the Howard Hughes Center and the Universal City Walk Imax Theater. I think they "opened" an "Imax" theater at the Century City AMC, but I didn't trust it, so I stuck with the Bridge. Star Trek was awesome at the Bridge and the sound was AMAZING. It's the only way to see it. Too bad you missed out man.
tucker
· 7 months ago
I literally laughed my way through this entire thing. I part-time manage a theatre near my school, and work as a projectionist at an art house cinema. What sucks is that people who get duped into going to the "IMAX" get drawn away from theatres that play the game honestly.
I saw Beowulf at the IMAX in Hartford, CT (shit-hole) and I must say that I was far more offended by the film, and its half-hearted bullshit narrative, than the size of the screen. I would say that you can take solace in the fact that the movie was good and you didnt completely waste your time/money.
Ante Kvartuc
· 7 months ago
Aziz,
I also saw Star Trek in MiniMax Mother's Day night at AMC 18 Del Amo in Torrance, CA. I Facebooked my status right away. SERIOUSLY WHAT THE FUCK. Let's get a class action lawsuit together dude. I'm serious. Let these motherfucker lying suits deal with us. Obama's not going to change shit. We're gonna have to do it. Let'r go.
FYI The Bridge Cinema @ Howard Hughes Center in Westchester has a real IMAX. email me:croatiansoccerreport@gmail.com
Eddie
· 7 months ago
Have tickets for Star Trek at the Bridge tomorrow. Was gonna watch it at Century City yesterday, but with the $5 surcharge, not worth it.
They seriously need to let you know it's Fake IMAX in advance.
Mark
· 7 months ago
Jesus, get a grip you fucking idiot. How did this get from IMAX to obama you total loser.
Woj
· 7 months ago
two free passes are worth more than $5. I'd have probably bargined up to an ICEE. They tend to run about $5.
Michael Stat
· 7 months ago
I saw Watchmen in the tiny, shitty FAKE IMAX in Century City in Los Angeles. I was (and still am) pissed as hell about it. I hope IMAx does receive lawsuits because of their swindling of their customers.
Johnny Pomatto
· 7 months ago
So happy to hear you're fighting the good fight. I live in New York and the AMC 42nd Street theatre added an "IMAX" screen. The bestowed that title on their already largest screen, which already featured digital projection. I saw several films there before, at regular price. If I wanted to go in there now, it would be 5 dollars more, for the same thing. I walked into that theatre last fall, just to check it out. It looked identical. Movie prices in New York are already $12.50. Matinee prices don't exist. The price goes up about a quarter a year. Usually in time for a big event film. I actually expected them to go to $13 this summer. Hasn't happened yet, but I'm waiting. In this economy, there should be some solution out there to give us regular movie-goers a break. I can't believe that for a family of 4 to see a movie nowadays it's 50 bucks. That's disgraceful. I love the big IMAX picture, and would be willing to pay more for it, but I want something for my money. Let's get organized, people.
tom
· 7 months ago
Visiting Staples tomorrow; gonna fax IMAX corporate a drawing of a dick with an arrow pointing at it that says "you guys." participation encouraged
Ahhhhhh Snap..!! No you di'int use the Twitter equivalent to "do you know who I am?" I think if you had said I'm Ashton Kutcher and I have a miiiiiiiilion followers the manager may have been all like "Oh no sir please don't tweet, can't we keep this civil? No need to get out of hand! Please just put the iPhone away before somebody gets hurt." And Aziz is all like, "Damn skippy, Mofo, now we'll see some justice" Just as the manager hands you two Oprah/KFC coupons. "Here sir, enjoy some grilled chicken....on us" Don't back down brotha! Tweetica! Tweetica! Tweetica!
anonymous
· 7 months ago
Don't go to ArcLight either. Expect to pay the same price for the services you previously received but don't anymore. They no longer seat or greet the movies, the lines have gotten ridiculously long and the staff just seems a bit more unhelpful these days.
Ana
· 7 months ago
I go 3-10x a month. I get approached to ask if I need help to my seat every time.
Maybe you are mean.
vincenotvance
· 7 months ago
Yeah, I understand where you're coming from, this is totally a bullshit practice.
But as a person that works in customer service, I'm not so sure that I agree with your whole tirade AFTER you watched the entire film. If you had a problem with the charge, i'm sure you would've discovered it partway through the movie. Yes, I wouldn't leave the awesomeness that is "star trek" partway if I didn't have to, but you probably should've said something. It's as if you eat a whole steak and say "hey, I ordered it rare, this steak was well done" and expect to get a refund. It doesn't work that way; the way I see it, people have the opportunity to complain up until a certain point. By watching the entire film, that point was already passed.
I certainly agree with your point, this is completely messed up and I will not be supporting this practice by any means (only Metreon meets my IMAX needs), don't get me wrong. But I'm just saying that complaining after the fact rarely works out in the customer's favor, so you definitely got lucky this time. I remember when I went to a botched screening of "Cars" a few years back...but that's a different story...
RoBeast Rollie
· 7 months ago
He wasn't asking for a full refund, just the extra fee that he paid for what he thought would be extra service. More like "Hey, I ordered a steak and mashed potatoes, but there were no mashed potatoes on the plate. And if there were I would've thrown them at THAT BULLSHIT FAKE IMAX SCREEN!"
Chester
· 7 months ago
RoBeast has it right. You don't send back your perfectly good steak, but you shouldn't have to pay for the potatoes you didn't get.
Another analogy is if you booked a first class seat on a flight for $500 above the normal fare. Upon boarding the plane, you discover that all the seats are coach. Should you refuse to fly? Or should you still fly and insist on getting the fare knocked down to coach?
This is essentially what Aziz did. He still wanted the journey, but since he didn't get first class service, he should only pay for coach.
Doctor
· 7 months ago
I worked at the arclight, they pay like a dollar more then minimum wage and treat their employees like shit. Fuck them too. They're all bastards.
KIM
· 7 months ago
I don't even go to AMC anymore, once they stopped doing student discounts. I think it's ridiculous anyway the prices they charge. I understand movie companies making their money. I just tend to go to anything not AMC. Dickinson (close to my hometown) and Carmike (at my school). It saves me about 4 dollars each movie, but that adds up when you see a lot.
I don't even buy snacks at theatres...I just smuggle my own from home.
Snack
· 7 months ago
as you were escorted out, I hope you screamed I AM TAKING YOU OUT OF MY TOP EIGHT
The Coolness
· 7 months ago
Go see it at The Bridge Cinema de lux in Los Angeles. Howard Hughes Parkway exit off the 405. True IMAX.
m
· 7 months ago
yeah screw AMC and Regal, Cinemark is better anyways...
Chico
· 7 months ago
yea if you like shitty looking pictures and dirty ass theatres
k
· 7 months ago
You know what Twitter is? I have 25,000 followers
lol irl
Ludo
· 7 months ago
This sucks... Popcorn & a soda? unacceptable
homer simpson
· 7 months ago
i'd have been a lot more sympathetic to your cause if you had walked out as soon as you realized it wasn't a true imax screen. i mean, c'mon... it's so bad you have to blather on here forever about it, but you still tolerated the whole "not imax" experience.
sab_milas
· 7 months ago
That is a HUGE difference.. And yeah! I like the Twitter threat.. It can be like the IN thing or something.. Haha.. Boycott IMAX!
Kampy
· 7 months ago
I've got your back on this Aziz... I'm a huge fan of the IMAX format, but this new smaller, digital version is NOT IMAX! Sure, it's a nice digital screen with good sound, but it's NOT IMAX.
Boycotting the new FAKE Imax screens is a good idea. Even better, complain to the managers of the theatres, just like you did. But the best call to action here is to send a message to Imax CEO Richard Gelfond, because he's the main liar responsible for this sham.
This story is STUPID! First off, there is no such theatre as the Empire 25 in Burbank, CA. It's in NY. I've been to the AMC Imax and it is larger than the 28x58 as posted. Don't know where they got these dimensions since the Lincoln Square theatre is 100x80. Read this article and shut up.
And anyone who threatens a theatre manager by saying "Do you know what Twitter is?" is lame anyway.
aziz
· 7 months ago
Greg, first off, the image is referencing NY theatres (Lincoln Square and Empire). Secondly, threatening someone with Twitter is a joke, and you are stupid for not getting that, GET LOST YOU USELESS FAKE IMAX SYMPATHIZER!
Jay
· 7 months ago
After reading you say "Read this article and shut up", I expected to find a point being made. I expected to find out that I may have been only listening to a one-sided argument from Aziz. I was bloody wrong! Your posting of that article with the words "shut up" preceding it makes me think that the "shut up" was more from the left hemisphere of your brain directed to the right due to its being sick of your seemingly infantile attempt at point-making.
You, my friend, are not very different from IMAX and AMC. You promise us one thing and provide what you feel is an equivalent but, in reality, is a half-assed substitute.
rob thorson
· 7 months ago
At my movie theatre in spokane, wa they lowered the seats to make the screen look bigger.
Jay
· 7 months ago
That comment on the LF Examiner article about the BMWs was ridiculous. How can someone with such a retarded sense of logic become the co-CEO of any company?
Poland626
· 7 months ago
TOTALLY Agree with you man. At NYC Empire 25, they just pushed the screen up 25% I heard. I paid $16.50 in NYC to see Eagle Eye and it wasn't even that good!!! >.< Totally regret missing out in the 68th and broadway IMAX.
Doesn't this pose the question though of films being released in IMAX format like The Dark Knight and Transformers. If these films get put onto these small screens, what would be the point at all of even waiting tons of thousands of dollars filming IMAX? The screen's aren't big enough to encorporate the whole IMAX thing in the first place so it doesn't make sense to me why install small screens.
Cynthia
· 7 months ago
i especially loved the ending.
FJReynolds
· 7 months ago
Another thing about fake IMAX screens: very often they are part of the regular multiplex, so you can sneak into them after seeing other movies. Real IMAX screens are usually on a different floor with separate ticket-takers so they can't be snuck into.
Is fake IMAX for free worth it?
BiffWebster
· 5 months ago
In most theatres with the new IMAX screens incorporated into them, they post ticket checkers at the door to stop cheap people like you from sneaking in. It's a shame they have to have people check everyone's tickets just because of a few dishonest people.
Avitable
· 7 months ago
"I have 25,000 followers on Twitter" is the new "Don't you know who I am?" Heh.
jacog
· 7 months ago
Haha. The "I want my $5" bit reminds me of the psycho paperboy in the John Cusack movie Better Off Dead. :)
Lito
· 7 months ago
Sorry guys but like someone else said, when they say imax experience and i go see this so called imax movie, its not even blown up to the whole screen, its takes like half of the imax screen. When you guys see imax hollywood movies besides the dark knight it fills the entire screen? i have seen 300, spiderman, both matrix sequels and a coupel other movies in imax and it stretches for like half an imax screen. Its a huge rip off. Thats why i will only go when theere are TRUE imax scenes where its the whole screen like the dark knight.
Rick
· 7 months ago
aziz- i'm with you man!
this is bullshit. i am properly outraged!
Aziz Ansari
· 7 months ago
You're an asshole.
Ravinder Pulia
· 7 months ago
at least you got two movie passes, i used to work at AMC and nobody cares about principles there
mo
· 7 months ago
sigh...too bad IMAX is diluting their brand. will only hurt them in the end.
Allison
· 7 months ago
Seriously, I experienced this same thing it isn't IMAX at the Regal by my house and it is a total ripoff, thanks for telling them they suck ass.
Bearamerica
· 7 months ago
I don't get it. What's the point of IMAX generating all this bad press for themselves when they could just do what the Malco theaters do here in Tennessee. They don't call it IMAX unless it's on the HUGE screen. Everything on screens like Aziz saw they just call High Def or Digital, and they sure as hell don't charge 5 bucks extra for it. Maybe you folks out there in LA need to be more cynical like we are in flyover country :-D
Rob
· 7 months ago
at the amc's here in canada they are calling it ETX or some bullshit, still charge an extra 5 dollars for absolutely nothing special. What pisses me off is that I'm like fucking a 5 minute walk from a real IMAX and they still have fucking Monsters Vs Aliens on that shit and not star trek. Fuck they aren't even showing Star Trek there yet, it's bullshit.
todd
· 7 months ago
When I think IMAX, I don't think quality and sound, I think Huge-ass mother-fuckin' screen. And I have a real IMAX at my work.
MartinAW
· 7 months ago
Go after IMAX, and stop being such a douche.
moot
· 7 months ago
You sir, are and idiot.
rohit89
· 7 months ago
haha well said
rohit89
· 7 months ago
and idiot, indeed
siriusB
· 7 months ago
As Bryan said, most wide release studio films, aren't true IMAX, they are usually scanned or shot footage at 2K resolution, and the effects/post production and DI are done at 2K [sometimes 4K but thats very rare]. The results are scaled up for projection.
I know this because I'm a VFX artist who has worked on a few big budget summer films, sometimes we can get away with a 1K shot that has enough grain/motion blur in which we can scale up to a higher resolution in post.
That being said, I do agree that IMAX / IMAX 3D / IMAX digital should be more apparent, but that's up the customer to be savy enough to care. Fortunately every "imax" I've been to has been a true imax screen.
However, I disagree with you getting a refund after you have watched the whole movie. If the screening was that objectionable, complain/get a refund and go to a different theatre/screening.
aziz
· 7 months ago
Well SiriusB, as I told the Guest Services, I just wanted my $5 back for the IMAX ripoff. I planned my day and wanted to see Star Trek, I'd been waiting all weekend to see it. I shouldn't get screwed over AGAIN by not even getting to see the movie.
Beowulfe
· 7 months ago
Did they have other screens (non-IMAX) showing it? If the whole point was the extra $5, then you should have immediately walked out and asked for the refund.
Now, going forward the boycott works. Show them you will not pay extra for something that you are not getting.
knockknock
· 7 months ago
Don't care.
ed
· 7 months ago
Great point. Saw this on Aintitcool and always wondered what was going on at the supposed Times SQ. "Imax." I sent along your link and a better description of my disappointment to several different watchdog websites and blogs. I hope everyone who cares about the IMAX experience knows to avoid the fake "IMAX" in Times SQ.
sarahspy
· 7 months ago
<3 you zeezy. fight the good fight.
Dan
· 7 months ago
In Albany NY, apparently IMAX just means they pull the curtain back a little bit further from the edges of the screen and turn the speaker volume up so grandpa can take out his miracle ear..
very lame, very disappointing..
The Killer Bee Relay Team
· 7 months ago
I created a Facebook group to help truly express our outrage! (Because, as we all know, there is no better way to express one's outrage).
Otto Fuel
· 7 months ago
I never view movies to IMAX. I'm perfectly content to watch the movie on a regular screen with or without Dolby. I usually sit in a row midway back from the screen. It is not that I'm cheap but its that I really don't need to be "immersed" in the movie. OH, and theater popcorn and soda suck (both in taste and price) .. I bring my own LOL
Soup
· 7 months ago
How pathetic are you if you threat with the amount of Twitter followers? If I were the manager, I'd be laughing out loud after that.
"So, you got 25000 virtual friends? Wow..."
ejh
· 7 months ago
If 10% don't go to that theatre, it's a big deal.
Soup
· 7 months ago
It's a bigger deal if those people actually made that decision based on some arrogant blogger, who first sits through the whole freaking movie, and only -then- decides he wants to have his $5 back.
Not only that, but if they give him two free tickets afterwards, he -still- goes to blog about his 'bad' experience. He should take his arrogant ass somewhere else.
Come to think of it, he still owes me money after I seen some of his appaling work I paid to see...
SeanB
· 7 months ago
I know some people think Aziz is overreacting but I agree with him 100% that they should not label IMAX when its not.
The only thing I would have done differently is not watch the entire movie. If I walked in and saw a small screen after paying $5 extra for IMAX I would have turned around immediately and walked out.
I have only walked out of a handful of movies in my life, usually due to technical issues with the equipment (really bad sound, out of focus, etc). Every time I have received a full refund and apology from the staff.
You say its not about the $5 but its the principle of the thing. I think the movie manager feels the same way. You saw the entire movie then wanted a partial refund. You HAD to have known before the previews started that it was not really IMAX. So why sit there through the whole thing?
Your overall cause is just but your $5 claim is crap. I bet you would have received a full refund if you would have even walked out halfway.
Like several other people pointed out, you did get two free passes. Next time you go to an IMAX, call ahead and ask them how large their screen is. Just takes a minute!
aziz
· 7 months ago
OH SO NOW SEANB, I NEED TO CALL COCA-COLA AND MAKE SURE EVERY COKE I BUY REALLY IS COKE? NO, IMAX IS MISUSING THEIR BRAND NAME TO TRICK PEOPLE!
Steve
· 7 months ago
There are so many crap analogies defending you it's not even funny. Flying first class versus coach? Steak but no potatoes? These are similar, but not the same. You were promised potatoes and they weren't delivered. This situation is not akin to the potatoes not being deliver, it is more like you ordering steak and potatoes, receiving steak and a baked potato, then complaining that you thought it was going to be mashed with garlic. You still got your potatoes. Next time maybe you'll remember that potatoes come in several different forms.
You know, that restaurant would probably amend your order to mashed potatoes if you complained before you at the baked one. Just like AMC would have refunded you if you didn't decide that it was the utmost importance to enjoy a service THEY provided you that you have no inherent right to see.
Entire corporate structures cannot bend to the will of one individual, lest they set a precedent for partially refunding every jackass with some a complaint that was avoidable. You got reimbursed. You could have gotten fully refunded if you left in the middle. You made the economic choice that their "lie" didn't offend you enough to leave the movie until it was over. Therefore you took the RISK that they wouldn't refund you, even partially.
It's a shitty business practice, but hey, have you ever seen a ShamWOW commercial? Do you boycott every software company that makes you agree to an absurd EULA? This is America, not Utopia. Caveat Emptor still applies to absolutely everything. It's your choice to be a lazy consumer. Your point probably would have been much better taken by the management if you did indeed leave during mid-show because you just couldn't stand the screen size.
The fact remains that you have no recognized human right to see Star Trek, and therefore you must abide by the legal practices (as deceptive as they may be) set by the theater. The awareness you're spreading of the deception is appropriate (and a good idea that in a way champions democratic ideals), your indignation at suffering through something you could have easily remedied with no serious harm to your life is simply a product of this ridiculous notion you've been raised with that you're entitled to life, liberty AND entertainment.
no_dice
· 7 months ago
Coke Diet Coke Coke Zero Coca-Cola C2 Cherry Coke Cherry Coke Zero Coca Cola with Lime Coca Cola with Lemon
When you buy a can of coke, I'm guessing you check to see which one of the above you're buying. There are also different flavours of IMAX theatres....and not all of them mean huge screen. You should have done the same when you went to the IMAX digital theatre -- this is your fault, not theirs.
Kristen
· 7 months ago
I think where you analogy falls apart is that when you are buying Coke, or Diet Coke, or whatever, the difference is clear; you can tell when you are buying a Coke versus a Diet Coke. If they started charging $5.00 more for Coke, and you ordered a Coke, but got a Diet Coke somehow masquerading as a Coke. And for the other apologists saying that he should have researched this before buying the ticket, let's continue with the Coke / Diet Coke analogy, shall we? Should I have researched beforehand, and verified the ingredients that could possibly be in the formula for Coke and the ingredients for Diet Coke, just to make sure I don't get ripped off? Maybe that is just me, being silly and thinking that I can trust a company to give me the value that is advertised, when I am paying for that value.
SBarqawi
· 7 months ago
No IMAX within a 3 hour drive from here, so yes, I'll join this boycott.
Mark
· 7 months ago
Shit! bet they are fucking quaking in their boots now eh?
mgdb
· 7 months ago
Aziz, you are so wrong. Your expectations were wrong and you should not have taken it up with the AMC staff. If you really like IMAX so much, you should follow what they are doing and understand that not all screens are huge.
And I'm just taking a stab, but you must be Indian.
ouijaqueen
· 7 months ago
wow.. did it take a whole 10 seconds to figure that one out? he has a pic you lilly livered guttersnipe.
Anonymous
· 7 months ago
Apparently this guy is pretty famous
BugKiller
· 7 months ago
Umm... the IMAX screen at the Regal Mall of Georgia in Buford, GA is a REAL IMAX screen.
So, sorry you had a bad experience, but our Regal is perfectly fine.
Matthew
· 7 months ago
That new show you are on is not funny.
Billy
· 7 months ago
You are a loser. I'm not much of a flame war-type. But YOU, sir, are a tool among tools.
Josh
· 7 months ago
I would be so pissed. I really hope AMC and Regal suffer for this lie. They are the top two filthiest theatres I have ever been to. I had a rat walk past my isle once at the Boston Common AMC. People should stick to their local independent theatres for quality service.
Rob
· 7 months ago
YOU SUCK! BOO.
How many twits do you know again?
"In addition to this terrible tragedy, there are also terrible things going on in Darfur." - Threw up in my mouth at this comparison.
shananigz
· 7 months ago
Dude, seriously. With all the problems in this fucking country and world, and your bitching about $5. Your "show" must be doing really shitty if your whining about getting your money back. Find a different theater, give them your business, and stop being a whiny little twat,
Dave
· 7 months ago
This isn't about $5!! This whole thing is indicative of one of the biggest problems in this country right now. We've been dragged into a war on consumers by the same corporate entities that shove consumerism down our throats. Americans get slapped around by corporations all day, every day. 'Customer Service' is a joke, and 'Supervisor's don't exist.
"Buy my product, it's amazing! Oh, and fuck you."
Anyone who defends that line of thinking is begging to get ripped off in the future. Enjoy that.
Lee
· 7 months ago
I want my 5 minutes back from reading this blog. I'm also upset because the commercials led me to believe that the new show Parks and Recreation would be entertaining. That turned out to be a lie. Damn fake entertainment. What kind of refund can I get for that?
qxx
· 7 months ago
Shut up
George
· 7 months ago
Okay, wait. You walk up to some guy making 1/10th of your money and bitch about five dollars? Sure, it might be the ethics of the thing, but it's like yelling at a McDonalds employee because you don't like the way the COMPANY does something. Why didn't you suck it up, go home and say, "HEY, WHY DON'T I CALL IMAX DIRECTLY TO COMPLAIN?"
And then there's the twitter comment. Who gives a shit about that, really? That manager doesn't care about what you have to say in the first place because he's tied to what the company tells him. He probably wouldn't have even forwarded the complaint because it would fall on deaf ears.
You went about this ALL WRONG, sir. Your Boycott should include the idea of CALLING ALL COMPANIES INVOLVED instead of it turning into a stupid blog post for attention.
Thinksyouareretarded
· 7 months ago
IMAX is a camera system, not a screen, retard.
Don Burnett
· 7 months ago
National Amusements has a smaller format IMAX screen in my area, and the screen is still MUCH MUCH bigger..
The quality of IMAX isn't based on the size of the viewing screen it's in the format of the cameras and the film and the quality of the image it was recorded to. Originally IMAX was in a HUGE screen in special venues, the new smaller screen isn't as bad as seeing it on a regular screen and the quality of the image is better, you aren't seeing the same film image. It's sad that you weren't happy about this, but how often have you seen an IMAX film in the past few years. Probably not enough if you are having this reaction. I have seen around 8 films at our local smaller IMAX format screen and it's still much much nicer than a regular screening of the movie.. The sound is also better... I think you should check out imax.com and check out the theater showing the flick more carefully. IMAX is a brand not a size of screen..
messi
· 7 months ago
Well when you idiots go see the next Batman film or Transformers 2 which are both part IMAX and you think that you are watching the full experience with a full IMAX frame and then realize you are paying more for less. Then you can suck dicks for being stupid. Aziz is right.
Basta
· 7 months ago
IMAX has to do with the camera system, not with the screensize, you asshat...
Nemo
· 7 months ago
However, most films shown in these mini IMAXes are not filmed with the special camera. Please look it up...you pompous pooper. Messi is right. Go see one of these movies and then go to a real IMAX. Do some research on past IMAX marketing...like when it was new. Everything you saw advertised the IMAX as having a huge screen..for like 20 years!! Also, these theaters don't even use the IMAX film. They use digital projectors.
Scott Mendelson
· 7 months ago
Yeah, AMC Burbank and AMC Promade (Woodland Hills) have the new fake IMAX screens. Consider it a learning experience. If you want true IMAX in LA, stick to Universal City or The Bridge. Otherwise, if the AMC theaters are more convenient, just suck it up and sit really close to the screen.
Greg
· 7 months ago
Dude, just sneak into another movie afterwards. Everything works out that way.
Canadian Bacon
· 7 months ago
Dear Mr. Aziz guy.
Your argument is ridiculous.
However, since I'm here, at your site, looking at pictires from the P&R show, I suppose you win afterall. Congratulations. The Darfur add-on was brilliant. Internet faux-rage as marketing.
Bill
· 7 months ago
These assholes want to negate your discovery. SHOO HATHA! What are they, IMAX apologists? Here's an analogy for you cockheads:
Aziz: Hey, Pol Pot. What's the deal with this genocide in Cambodia? You should stop this at once.
Pol Pot: Sorry man, the genocide's already happening. I can give you beriyani though.
Aziz: I don't want beriyani! I want this genocide to stop and I want you held responsible. It's the principle of it.
Pol Pot: Sorry Aziz, I'm too much of a lazy asswhipe to consider your legitimate complaints. Her's two free passes to the Angor Wat.
That is what is going on people! Aziz is like the John Malkovich character in the Killing Fields or Jennifer Connolly in Blood Diamond who is getting the story out via Twitter! IMAX is scamming us and we don't need to sit around and let it happen. Who are you apologists anyway, Neville fucking Chamberlain? It's a good thing someone like Aziz has the courage to stand up against this misjustice. Go step on something poisonous you Nazi crackheads.
The size of a movie screen and a warlord's genocide/killing have no linked relevance. Point not valid.
You fail.
Seth
· 7 months ago
Wow, seriously? Grow a sense of humor. And "you fail," so original. Let me guess, next you'll ask if you "can haz cheezburger?"
Bill
· 7 months ago
Damn straight bro. You come after Aziz, "sucky customer" and we will find you and humiliate you. If this was the movie Star Wars, Aziz would be Princess Leia, I would be Han Solo, and Seth would be Chewbacca. We have come to rescue him from the clutches of old ass haters like you.
Seth
· 7 months ago
I get to be Chewie?!? Bill, you rock.
jake langley
· 7 months ago
all of you posting stuff are idiots. You can't even see the comedy in this. geeze. This guy is hilarious and he's right.
rock it aziz. rock it.
detex
· 7 months ago
So I guess the threat of "Give me my $5 back OR I will tell everyone you are ripping them off" was not true. They gave you two tickets (more like $20+ in the city) and you still told everyone.
Had I been the manager I would have just given you the $5 out of my pocket probably but it is really a jerk move to demand it, have them more than compensate (two free tickets) and then still tell everyone you were wronged...
Seth
· 7 months ago
I agree, Aziz. And the people who are all up in arms about you watching the movie are classic armchair quarterbacks, second guessing your decision just to be argumentative so they can flex their epeens.
If McDonald's changed the Big Mac to some kind of peanut butter and jelly sandwich and didn't say anything, customers like you and I would be pissed, and these same netjerks would be saying we should've called ahead to check the menu.
As for IMAX, the point is this; most people associate IMAX with large screens. To most people, IMAX = large screen. The digital picture and sound are extras that they don't even notice half the damned time, and that's coming from an audio engineer. So you buy a ticket based on that name recognition, which you associate with a large screen, only to find out that the screen is balls when you walk into the theatre, giving you a few minutes to decide to put up with it or change your schedule. If people can't figure out how this is misleading, or expect people to call into every theatre to check screen size, they're either plain stupid or just being contrary.
Beowulfe
· 7 months ago
Actually, what most people are saying is if you bought the Big mac and discovered they changed it, then you should immediately gone back and complained. But to eat the entire Big mac and then complain it was different is wrong.
Now to call for the boycott of future use is well within reason. Using twitter to inform others so they would not be hoodwinked, again within reason.
But in this case, Aziz evidently thought it was ok enough to watch. It is not like you don't notice something like a smaller screen size when you walk in.
Bill
· 7 months ago
Hey Beowulf, why don't you go star Anthony Hopkins somewhere? Your logic is flawed...like Grendel's command of the English language.
Olde English people like you spend too much time on cliffs writing scrolls in habits and not enough time watching out for the common man. "Ye olde Imax" can suck a wang.
Beowulfe
· 7 months ago
What is flawed about my logic? It is obvious your handle of the English language is limited since you cannot actually debate only cry something is wrong and then make person attacks.
Bill
· 7 months ago
I hope you realize those were only jokes...
Chester
· 7 months ago
No, what people are saying is that when you order a Big Mac and fries, you should return the Big Mac if they left the fries off your order. That's ridiculous.
Aziz still got the Big Mac (movie) he wanted, he just didn't feel he should pay for the fries (IMAX) he didn't get.
Beowulfe
· 7 months ago
Nope, the analogy used was if McDonalds changed the Big Mac not left the fries off. He bought a Big Mac and that's what he got. Now was it different than Big Macs elsewhere, evidently. Did he know the Big Mac was different after say the first bite, yes. Did he continue to eat it, yes.
The point being, had he walked out soon or shortly after walking in and complained "This is not IMAX" then they could have refunded his money or refunded the difference and let him go to the non fake IMAX. Why is that ridiculous?
ouijaqueen
· 7 months ago
"If McDonald's changed the Big Mac to some kind of peanut butter and jelly sandwich and didn't say anything, customers like you and I would be pissed, and these same netjerks would be saying we should've called ahead to check the menu."
A-FUCKING-MEN!
Mark
· 7 months ago
HAHAHA what a cock - you sound like a complete dick.
You're a Sucky Customer
· 7 months ago
Your twitter threat is about as hollow as your head.
Stop being a sucky ass customer, do what normal civilized people do and just don't go back there.
Your constant bitching about $5 because a screen wasn't big enough however completely viewable is preposterous.
They were generous enough to give you 2 free passes because you more or less made a complete assclown out of yourself and they felt sorry for your pathetic existance.
Get a job.. get a life.
Graham
· 7 months ago
Looks like the IMAX corporate employees found your website... Just for those people taking this so seriously: Aziz Ansari = Comedian. There, glad that was cleared up.
Basta
· 7 months ago
Being a comedian would mean you're actually funny... Something Aziz has never been.
sDot
· 7 months ago
Soooo...I guess you are following 30,000 people on twitter?
sure that killed the imax feeling, and you got to complain..thanks for the warning..
your 15 minutes are up, who cares?
Ian
· 7 months ago
This is everything I thought after getting ripped off to see Batman at the AMC FAKEMAX at 42nd Street. Since I had already seen the film once on a normal screen, I only went a second time because they claimed it was IMAX. I too will not be back to AMC's knock off. Maybe AMC doesn't fail Gelfond's "wow" test, because I said, "Wow, they think this is an IMAX theater, wtf?"
Jon Simms
· 7 months ago
You are a tool, twitter is for idiots.
And YES I believe you should have just left immediatley and taken a full refund.
What kind of fucking douchebag sits through the whole movie thinking "Oh man this movie is awesome but the screen really ruined my experience because it's NOT IMAX and it's TOO SMALL"
I understand your 'anger' being told "THIS IS IMAX" when it's a smaller screen but still an IMAX projector and still IMAS quality picture and sound, but you should have just left immeidatley.... They do have policies in place and you know it.
I love the little "Update" too. You know what, you care more about media and funny videos and watching Star Trek on a "real IMAX screen" you shouldn't add an "update" later saying "oh by the way Darfur is in big fucked up trouble, GOOGLE about it"
Why don't you make an entire post about it with links to helpful websites? Maybe show that you care just a bit more?
Graham
· 7 months ago
^doesn't understand comedy
Lisa
· 7 months ago
Ahahahahahahahahaha!!!!
You crack me up.
OK I'll reblog this tonight, in small part because they really shouldn't be ripping people off, but mostly because this story is just too amusing to not tell. You wait until the movie is over to complain, threatened them with your Twitter account, insulted their "refreshments" (rightfully so, I imagine) and managed to get a jab in at Matthew McConaughey's latest stinkbomb in the process. You are comedic gold.
Aziz, for the mutherfucking win!!!
Marshall
· 7 months ago
Darfur?!?! who the fuck cares about Darfur!
anonymous(not the 4chan kind)
· 7 months ago
I left Fark to read this?! To quote the words of the Heavy in TF2, "Go cry some more."
ArcadianDelSol
· 7 months ago
lol his TV show only has 5,000 followers
I hate people like you
· 7 months ago
You are a moron.
ejh
· 7 months ago
Where does it say the IMAX screen has to be so big? It's the very definition of IMAX, along with 15 perf 70mm film and "patented theater geometry." That's the whole POINT of IMAX. I too saw an "IMAX" presentation of Star Trek this week and was shocked that the screen was no larger than one at the ArcLight... really sad, IMAX.
yourAdumbFark
· 7 months ago
u should o left early cant do shit after you have watched the movie you paid for
Lir
· 7 months ago
Lolwut. If you're pissed, you leave the movie and get a refund. Star Trek will still be playing later, so just buy a cheaper ticket for a different show.
whatadbag
· 7 months ago
fail
Foxyg
· 7 months ago
I was going to protest this fake "IMAX" too, but I had to be at the gym in 26 minutes.
katieee
· 7 months ago
Hahahhaha NICE.
stoneburner
· 7 months ago
This isn't a terrible tragedy and the fact that you refer to it as such just makes you look like a retarded fuckwit.
Seth
· 7 months ago
Yet another person reading a comedian's blog who doesn't understand subtle comedy.
Basta
· 7 months ago
It's not so much as not understanding 'subtle comedy', but more that the actual blogger here is unable to pull it off...
It's not 'subtle', it's just trying to cover up a little for his dumbass behaviour.
melissa
· 7 months ago
You HAD to pull out the Twitter. Some people out there somewhere might have taken your cause seriously until you mentioned Twitter. It made you sound like a child trying to act tougher then they really are. I don't blame the manager for not caring, you sound like a fool.
Seth
· 7 months ago
Yet another person reading a comedian's blog who doesn't understand subtle comedy.
Yes, I copied and pasted this. Because none of you deserves an original response.
Basta
· 7 months ago
So Seth, did Aziz suck your cock or something? Or are you part of his fail-gang of 'comedy'? Yes, I copied and pasted this, because you don't deserve an original response.
justin
· 7 months ago
oh man! it's like a double bonus extra burn! watch out!
the point is this is the blog of a comedian. ignore the jokes that are over your head and focus on the issue that he's trying to help people out. Trying to prevent the public from getting screwed by IMAX's shoddy attempts at mislabeling their products and making more money.
aziz
· 7 months ago
MELISSA AND YOU OTHER IDIOTS, I'M A FUCKING COMEDIAN, THE TWITTER THING IS A JOKE, YOU ARE IDIOTS!!! I ALSO REALIZE DARFUR IS A GREATER TRAGEDY THAN A FUCKING IMAX SCREEN. WHAT THE FUCK.
Youwhine
· 7 months ago
What a whiner!
Seth
· 7 months ago
Yet another person reading a comedian's blog who doesn't understand subtle comedy.
Yes, I copied and pasted this. Because none of you deserves an original response.
Basta
· 7 months ago
So Seth, did Aziz suck your cock or something? Or are you part of his fail-gang of 'comedy'? Yes, I copied and pasted this, because you don't deserve an original response.
katieee
· 7 months ago
I really hope this was intended as satire, because I got a great laugh out of it :)
Adam
· 7 months ago
I used to work at a movie theatre (AMC to be exact) and I can tell you, complain enough about anything and they will give you two free passes. They don't want to put up with people bitching about anything so the easiest remedy is giving people free tickets. Hey at least you didn't suffer through watching the film in Austin, where the IMAX screen is inside a dumb ass Texas history "museum" and the seats were designed for midgets. Seriously the worse IMAX screen I have ever watched a movie in, be thankful you didn't see it there, fucking terrible experience.
Scott
· 7 months ago
Aziz,
Saw Star Trek on Friday morning at the Arclight. Went and saw the movie a second time at the Burbank "IMAX"... Not only was the screen nowhere near as big as it should have been, I'm pretty sure the image was cut off on the top and the bottom. A good number of the shots of the ship looked not at all as impressive as they did at the Arclight. Just thought you'd like to know.
incredimarc
· 7 months ago
Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaandy! You're the best. Thanks, Aziz.
maggie
· 7 months ago
you are not a loser, aziz. imax is, and so is the man! stick it to em'!
Marilyn
· 7 months ago
I agree with your disgust! My friends and I paid $18.50 each (!) to see this fake Imax. We were questioning the size of the screen the whole time! Thanks for posting this!
lol
· 7 months ago
Who the fuck pays $18.50 for a movie ticket? You deserve whatever you get for walking into a robbery like that.
Majorgeek
· 7 months ago
LOL, you big blogger and a Twitter user. The guy tried to make it right and you proceed to act like a dick. When you discuss principles, you might try not acting like an ass in the same sentence. I tried Twitter a year ago and stopped using it. Why? Because people talk about their every fart or movie screens they didnt like. 25k followers and none of them will boyott shit. Im pretty much into all techie things and I don't know anyone who likes Twitter, except the recent media flurry about it. I bet half of your "followers" were obtained by spamming and don't even log in anymore. Bottom line in words you will understand; epic fail.
Seth
· 7 months ago
Yet another person reading a comedian's blog who doesn't understand subtle comedy.
Yes, I copied and pasted this. Because none of you deserves an original response.
Basta
· 7 months ago
So Seth, did Aziz suck your cock or something? Or are you part of his fail-gang of 'comedy'? Yes, I copied and pasted this, because you don't deserve an original response.
Jojo
· 7 months ago
You're a loser. LOL
Aziz is a pansy-whiner
· 7 months ago
Just for your internet tough-guy pose, I plan on never watching Parks & Recreations and I'm writing a letter to NBC to tell them that this blog is the reason I won't ever watch their show. Go fuck yourself with your complaints that all stem from the fact that you didn't do your research beforehand!
Seth
· 7 months ago
Yet another person reading a comedian's blog who doesn't understand subtle comedy.
Yes, I copied and pasted this. Because none of you deserves an original response.
Basta
· 7 months ago
So Seth, did Aziz suck your cock or something? Or are you part of his fail-gang of 'comedy'? Yes, I copied and pasted this, because you don't deserve an original response.
Disgusted
· 7 months ago
So are there 25,000 people that think you're a douchebag after threatening the theater with Twitter?
Seth
· 7 months ago
Yet another person reading a comedian's blog who doesn't understand subtle comedy.
Yes, I copied and pasted this. Because none of you deserves an original response.
Basta
· 7 months ago
So Seth, did Aziz suck your cock or something? Or are you part of his fail-gang of 'comedy'? Yes, I copied and pasted this, because you don't deserve an original response.
aziztwitterfollwer
· 7 months ago
lol 25000 followers on twitter. manager said so what. lol. he gave you free passes to shut you up and send you onyour way. " i have 25000 follwers on twitter. woooohooooooo. at what point did you mention i max screens in the advertisment? how can i join your twitter group i want to be the 25001 follwer wooooohoooooo. " Aziz: You know what Twitter is? I have 25,000 followers, I’m tell 25,000 people you run fake IMAX’s and that they should boycott AMC." lol, woooohoooooo. you have 25000 follwers.
X_X
· 7 months ago
LOL, threatening a manager with a Twitter boycott.
Detty
· 7 months ago
Why are people so pissed at Aziz? You're on his site you morons. I'd be pissed if I paid for IMAX and got a regular sized screen. It's bullshit.
Loser
· 7 months ago
You really are a loser.
Dochop
· 7 months ago
It's not about IMAX or even about the theater chain. It's about not laying down and taking it anymore. Ever notice cereal boxes get smaller but cost more? Why do gas prices go up at the first hint of trouble but take weeks to go down when the trouble is averted? Maybe this guy can't do anything about any of that but he sure can stand up and demand a rebate when he didn't receive everything he paid for. One person can't fix the whole world but this one guy can try to fix what affects him. If we all stand up and try to fix whats wrong near and around us who knows what will happen.
Dochop_knows_nothing
· 7 months ago
Ever notice that growing food and refining food products costs more? Transporting it? Oh right, it's still the 80s and we're in wonderland!
melissa
· 7 months ago
I don't really see any comedy in this... satire is supposed to be witty and funny. This is not, its just some guy on a rant. Satire is making fun of something in an intelligent and subtle way, this is just some jerk trying to cause a scene in a theater. You people may think it was hilarious, and that's fine, but DON'T mistake it for satire.
mr. roboto
· 7 months ago
lol all these haters came from rainn wilson's twitter -_-
Madeline
· 7 months ago
I saw Star Trek at the "imax" theater at AMC in Times Square, seriously EVERRYONE in the theater was like, "UMMM, this is not a real IMAX." You can't fool the people, they really should have seen this backlash coming.
Someone with a real life
· 7 months ago
You actually pulled "You know how many followers I have on Twitter?" out in an argument? That's sadder than your sex life.
Seth
· 7 months ago
Yet another person reading a comedian's blog who doesn't understand subtle comedy.
Yes, I copied and pasted this. Because none of you deserves an original response.
Basta
· 7 months ago
So Seth, did Aziz suck your cock or something? Or are you part of his fail-gang of 'comedy'? Yes, I copied and pasted this, because you don't deserve an original response.
Seth
· 7 months ago
Homophobic insinuation: check. Use of tired internet slang like "fail": check. Originality: Whoops, missed the boat again.
Result: Suck!
That's too bad, my checklist here says you suck. Sorry about that. Checklists, y'know? What can ya do?
lokate
· 7 months ago
I haven't seen an imax movie since fantasia 2000. so it's like i've already been boycotting. and i'll probably continue to be too cheap to pay extra for the big screen (which IS what an imax should be). you're welcome.
azizthetardmeister
· 7 months ago
What we have here is a person who doesn't get that IMAX is a brand, not a particular configuration of a movie theater. IMAX also makes cameras, 3D glasses and sound equipment.
IMAX is to movies and film as Kleenex is to facial tissue.
MissUnAmerica
· 7 months ago
Aziz, you made a good point. Unethical business practices is the American way. But I have a better solution. After seeing an Imax movie once I realized, why don't I just go to a regular theater but sit really close to the screen. Voila! Instant Imax & save $5. Problem solved. BTW, I luv your show Aziz. Suggestion: give Amy's character a promotion every season w/ more zaniness. By season 3 she should be a senator and she can channel Hillary as a fckup. That'd be awesome.
313Detroit
· 7 months ago
I have to admit that I would be a little upset if I paid an extra five bucks to see something on an IMAX screen and it wasn't a real IMAX screen like I saw Poseidon on....
cm
· 7 months ago
I can't read that conversation without picturing you crying and stomping your feet at the beginning, and throwing a full tantrum on the floor at the end. Oh and welcome to fark, where millions will laugh at you.
aziz
· 7 months ago
Notice on Fark how it has it under the AMUSING category, the Twitter thing is a joke you idiots! Now get lost IMAX apologists.
chiaberry
· 7 months ago
haha. from now on whenever I complain to *anybody* I'll have to include the line "You know what Twitter is? I have 74 followers, 25 of whom I'm sure are spam bots, but I'll tell them anyway that....."
Youre A. Whiner
· 7 months ago
wow man, you really need to grow up.
MK
· 7 months ago
According to the comments below, apparently people are okay with consistently getting ripped off by companies. To those who disagree with Aziz, why do you discourage people who reach out to right a wrong? Then again, it seems like many people aren't intelligent enough to make respectable internet comments even when they are in disagreement. If you don't agree or are bothered by someone's actions, try constructive criticism rather than writing something that makes you seem weak, ignorant and low-life.
melissa
· 7 months ago
How funny, isn't that exactly what he did in the theater by making a scene to the manager? He looks like a weak ignorant low-life. This is not satire, it's not even funny. It's not righting a wrong if you watch the whole movie and then demand your money be refunded. That is nothing more then trying to pull a stupid con.
MK
· 7 months ago
Yes, Aziz should have been handed much differently. I just believe that it could have easily been stated that way as a response to his actions. My point was that constructive criticism is much greater than name-calling and other ridiculous methods. I feel that a lot of people here probably only comment to bitch back and forth with someone else, rather than actually try to provide some actual valuable insight.
MK
· 7 months ago
Correction, "Aziz should have handled it much differently." - sorry.
melissa
· 7 months ago
What exactly have you contributed to the conversation that the previous 10000 people haven't already stated??
Ryan
· 7 months ago
Great. IMAX digital isn't really IMAX and a 35mm release print only has a relative resolution of around 700 horizontal scan-lines. The real question is why do people watch movies on IPODs?
Screen size is relative. Just sit closer. Movie tickets should only cost $5. If you want to hurt a theater chain don't buy any food or beverages. Ticket sales only covers the cost to operate.
isupportthecause
· 7 months ago
this happened to me when i saw madagascar 2. in Canada its $10 more for IMAX. so i got screwed over royally. thanks for fighting the fight.
Richard
· 7 months ago
Judging by the hundred or so posts I've read up to this point, you guys might find this refreshing. We've had a true IMAX screen on International Drive here in Orlando for several years, but it's on the opposite end of the city from where I live, so I was thrilled to learn that a second IMAX screen was "built" a couple of miles away from UCF, which is a few minutes driving time away from me. I went to buy a ticket for "Watchmen" on that screen, and couldn't help noticing that although the ticket was more expensive than one for a normal format movie, it was cheaper than one I could get at the I-Drive IMAX. Before I even plunked down my money, the girl at the ticket counter came right out and told me this wasn't a 100% IMAX format and explained some of the differences. I thought about it for a moment, then paid for the ticket anyway (go ahead and argue the wisdom of that if you wish). I wound up seeing Watchmen again on the real IMAX screen about a week later, and it was obvious which IMAX experience was the real one.
You never seem to get that kind of honesty from someone who's ready to take your money these days, so I thought I'd mention this example. The theater was the Waterford Lakes 20 + IMAX in eastern Orlando.
Bill
· 7 months ago
It's clear to me that the level of criticism Aziz has received for his activism only reenforces its validity. Clearly, this hit IMAX hard. Real hard. So hard they had to crawl into their caves and beat people about with clubs.
IMAX is not happy. They're going to come after you with everything they have. It won't be easy. But this shit just got real.
Spawn of Khan
· 7 months ago
You are right on the money. Never let the man put you down! I demanded my money back as well, but for different reasons. I can't be expected to pay for a movie that bills itself as Star Trek without ONE SINGLE KLINGON! And don't get me started on Uhura having an ORION SLAVE GIRL as a college roommate? THIS IS INSANE! Well - it is AWESOME to know that someone like you is out there, fighting the good and totally rational fights that no one else is willing to fight just because they have a "life" and don't live with their "parents". We should get together sometime - you know, hang out socially or something.
FapFapFap
· 7 months ago
My oh my, you are quite the attention whore today.
JayDee
· 7 months ago
Aziz: I would have done the same thing.
Fortunately, here in Montreal, the movie IS playing on a true IMAX screen.
Also, the reaction of the manager to your claim is typical of these fucking morons who know nothing about movies and are only in business to make money from overpriced popcorn.
Basta
· 7 months ago
So wait: You would also be as dumb as to sit through the whole movie, knowing from the start it's not the experience you expected, and then AFTER SEEING THE FUCKING MOVIE, go complaint?
Good to know there are more asshats around then.
rohit89
· 7 months ago
That would be valid if he asked for all his money back, but he only asked for the extra money he paid for IMAX back. If it wasn't the IMAX product sold to him, why should he have to pay for that? Again, it's not about the money, it's the principle of the matter.
Bullsballs
· 7 months ago
I'M A TWIT ON TWITTER!!! GIMMIE GIMMIE GIMMIE!!! BLAA BLAA BLAAAAAAA!!!
Get a fucking life twit!
Bill
· 7 months ago
Hey Bullsballs...your balls belong to a bull. A bull that ripped them off and ate them. So now you have no balls.
rumorsontheinternets
· 7 months ago
Whoa. lot of haters. Anyways, I agree that is misleading to call it IMAX when its not truly the IMAX you expect. They should just name it differently, like "Hi-Def Cinema"
blah
· 7 months ago
you people are morons. obviously, he threw the darfur thing in there to show that he realizes this imax thing isn't the worst thing in the world.
and i was also pretty annoyed when i went to amc for ~the day the earth stood still~ for my first "imax experience," paid a lot more, and saw nothing different than the other screens. it sounded a little better, but it was not worth the extra money we paid. in this ecomomy, they should be lowering prices, not ripping us off at every opportunity.
Hughie
· 7 months ago
Yeah dude!!!!! Woooooooo! First Post!!!
go Mets!
LUEshi
· 7 months ago
Damn, your life is rough. It's nice that you rip the ticket person a new asshole for not blowing you. Your balls must be huge.
Some Sane Guy
· 7 months ago
When I read your interaction with the employees, I did so with the voice of a five year old during a temper tantrum.
"I DON’T LIKE POPCORN AND I DON’T LIKE SODA, I WANT MY $5!!!"
Too funny...
I-Min
· 7 months ago
Okay. Admit it. How many of you read through all of these hysterical posts?!?! Surely this is more entertaining than that "Parks and Rec" show!
Keith
· 7 months ago
LMAO, i dont know what is funnier, this post (which is actually dead on), or people who post hate-messages on blogs purporting to not care about anything the blogger just posted. You all just want attention from a celebrity. What a bunch of whores.
Seth
· 7 months ago
I especially like how "logical" many of them are, and how they don't write like a normal person speaks. Dead giveaway that they're tough talking on the internet.
And many of them are accusing Aziz of exactly that, when the guy is just trying to make a point in a funny manner. Many just don't "get it," so they just shower hate on the guy, because anything they don't get must be stupid or serious or wrong, right? I mean, they're Johnny Whogivesacrap, and they've got something to SAY!
Kelly
· 7 months ago
Dude, you are a douche. The manager was just doing his job. Quit being a cry baby and go back to acting as unfunny characters.
Patrick
· 7 months ago
I had this same problem a while back when I paid to see Eagle Eye in IMAX at the AMC Century City 15 in L.A. I had better luck getting "money back." They sent me four passes to use any time. Also, the general manager and I spoke on the phone for a good 15 minutes, during which she seemed to actually listen to what I was saying. Of course, they haven't stopped calling it IMAX.
Murple
· 7 months ago
WOW! Thank god you have come to the rescue, Captain Obvious! Otherwise this sinister crime would not have been uncovered until 10 years ago!
Dumbass.
Oh Noes
· 7 months ago
"WAAAHHHHH! MY PUSSY HURTS!!!"
Shut up you whiney Twittard.
meg
· 7 months ago
I love that people all over this board are calling you a loser that has nothing better to do than complain on the internet....and what are they doing?? Hypocrites.
Oh Noes
· 7 months ago
Nobody here is whining and demanding to be paid, this Azizhole went and saw a whole movie, then (so he claims) annoyed the theatre staff into giving him free stuff. He basically stole a movie by paying to see 1 then getting free entry for 2. If he had any principles like he yells about, he would've walked out before the end of the movie. He's just a whining thief, and a Twittard.
Seth
· 7 months ago
Stay with me now.
He didn't get...what he paid for. He went to the theatre with the rightful expectation of A and was given B. He asked for the DIFFERENCE back, not a full refund. It was the manager's decision to comp 2 tickets. Aziz asked for 5 bucks. I'm sure it was all part of his nefarious plan, though, the rotten thief.
And of course he should've walked out. Why see a movie you've been waiting months to see when you scheduled time to see it? You can go ANYTIME! Unless you're an adult with demands on your time, like, oh I don't know, a busy shooting and promotional schedule for a new series. He should wait another week or so because the theatre misled him. Or are you another one who says we should call every theater we visit to check the screen size ahead of time? Stupidity blends together, so I lose track.
Ayda
· 7 months ago
Who are you? Are you supposed to be someone famous? Parks and what? Oh that, saw a commercial once, nothing caught my eye and haven't heard anyone mention it so I never bothered. I watch Friends reruns in that slot. Anyways, you cry too much. You might want to wait until your show gets a second season (if it even finishes one season) before you start going all Diva on people. You must see the writing on the wall for your TV show if you have to scream like a little girl about $5.
rohit89
· 7 months ago
just throwing this out there...it did get picked up for a second season. also, it's funny, and i think you should watch it.
Ayda
· 7 months ago
If he put that much passion into Darfur or other world issues instead of a one line append that compared his "tragedy" to theirs I might be interested in his work. Now, since he comes off as a arrogant fool I have no interest in his show or life.
mizzack
· 7 months ago
this is great. a role of a comedian is to shed light on current events that have an effect on our lives, and to humor it so that we reflect on it in our own comfort. I will be googling this "Darfur" problem. Thank you very much good sir.
COP
· 7 months ago
WOW... yes i did notice IMAX on AMC on 42nd street and i wonder how the fuck they fit those big screens there.. now I know..
Thanks for putting this up.. ll warn my friends in the city.. Lets use the Twitter power to fucking screw them..
It seems IMAX is creating a scam for the sake of doing so. That's like going to McDonald's and asking for a McChicken deluxe and all you get is a McNugget and lettuce.
Johnny Hugel
· 7 months ago
If only you could recreate the experience of this thread on stage. Would be some next level parody shit.
anesthete
· 7 months ago
Apropos of nothing in particular, but if the Vista Theater in Los Feliz is showing your movie, go see it there. Great seats, bright projection, good sound, free street parking if you can handle walking a couple blocks. Not IMAX, definitely, but you won't be giving your money to a stupid chain like AMC anymore.
Get A Life Aziz
· 7 months ago
Aziz, pretty interesting and disturbing news about IMAX, you had my attention in the first half of the article, but then you went way over the top with your little fight with the theater manager... the bullshit about popcorn and soda, your little rant about how many twitter followers you have, are you serious? Do you even think anyone cares about your blog? I found the link to your blog from another site and it made you sound like a real douche so I had to go find out just how much of a twat you really are. This is one of the main things that bugs me about LA, it's full of spastic self-righteous micro-crusaders like you. Get fucked, Aziz.
Bill
· 7 months ago
Aziz is getting fucked....by hot ladies. LA is full of them, and they love micro-crusaders.
Seth
· 7 months ago
The bit with the manager is over the top on purpose. It's hyperbole. Read it again. Then tell us who the "spastic self-righteous micro-crusader" is. And did you REALLY use the term "micro-crusader?" Please don't wear undies for a week, you need to loosen up.
Can you believe I'm getting paid for this? Thanks, Homeland Security!
John Book
· 7 months ago
Check this article out on the different in IMAX theaters. Seems they are running a scam but no one says anything because "no one cares"
blah
· 7 months ago
so, this is linked from fark - how many people now think you are a jackass vs. the number of people who are impressed by your massive twitter-c*ck?
steven
· 7 months ago
loved you when you were on american idol. I thought you'd get farther man
Uncle Matt
· 7 months ago
Simply a tragedy of epic proportions! The screen was not big enough? Ye gods, someone alert the navy! No, the marines! NO! PRESIDENT OBAMA!!
Why, what would the 25,000 out of roughly 6,790,062,216 people on this Earth do without so vastly important an individual such as yourself? Can not the manager of AMC, clearly someone with significant importance in day to day activities and trying to scam the unwitting masses, not see your staggering impact on world news? I am shocked. No, aghast, that you were not refunded that $5. What has the world come to?
girlwithgun23
· 7 months ago
IMAX, along with the new spate of 3D movies are really just trying to accomplish the same thing. They are trying to get theaters to install digital projectors. Digital projection doesn't look as good as 35mm film but the studios are pushing for it because it costs money to make all those 35mm prints. Too bad digital projection looks like pixelated dogshit.
jack
· 7 months ago
get a life douche bag
dickbutt
· 7 months ago
You're a baby.
Zach
· 7 months ago
I agree completely. I pulled the same gig you did--drove out of my way, paid the extra cash, and felt pre-show jitters thinking I was gonna see Star Trek on a Romulan-sized screen.
BUT NO. I got the "IMAX Experience", which is just moviespeak for "Fuck You".
Sure, the sound was dynamic, but the screen size was smaller than my town's 'Dollar' theater.
I'm boycotting. I should have walked out before I sat through it. But it was the new Star Trek.
Eh
· 7 months ago
You've got to be kidding me.
Honestly? ......Honestly?
Oh no boo hoo I paid for something and was too stupid to realize that a 72ft screen doesn't fit in a normal theatre wahhhh
jeff
· 7 months ago
you're why the term douchebag was made for people. you are a douchebag.
paulthg
· 7 months ago
Is this really what people worry about all day? I love at the end of this rant how he says...and, oh yeah, by the way theres something going on in Darfur. You shouldnt be allowed to communicate with anyone for we are all worse off.
mathewnew
· 7 months ago
Aziz! Someone's altered your Wikipedia page!
Instead of putting "He is also well known for raising awareness on the injustices of fake IMAX screens" they put "He is also well known for being an obnoxious Twittard who steals movies from AMC and harasses theatre staff." I shall fix this post haste.
Gawain
· 7 months ago
Yeah, I was right there with you right up until you watched the whole movie and then tried to get a refund for the difference. That's not how the real world works. You knew the second you walked into the theatre that you weren't getting what you thought you had paid for. That's the point where you should have had the conversation with the manager about either getting a refund for the difference, or the entire amount.
I agree with you about the slimy business practice and thank you for bringing it to our attention, but you gave up your right for indignation and self-righteous claim to "the principle of the thing" when you decided to sit through the movie rather than leave or exchange for a different time in a regular non-"IMAX" theatre.
If it really were the principle, you would have refused the free passes as well, which he gave you just to shut you up. After all, if you're boycotting AMC and telling everyone else to as well, the passes just went into the garbage anyway, right?
Bill
· 7 months ago
"the passes just went into the garbage anyway, right?"
Perhaps you've forgotten that "Dance Flick" is coming out in two weekends.
And Crank: High Voltage is still in cinemas.
WIll
· 7 months ago
I'm on board with this boycott... IMAX means 70 foot screens... and if it doesn't mean that, then FUCK IMAX.
joel
· 7 months ago
I totally saw you there last night. You looked angry so I didn't ask for a picture. :)
IMAX Rocks!
· 7 months ago
All you are doing is trying to scam money out of the theatre. I HATE people who see the whole movie then ask for a refund. Too many people ares camming what companies are trying to do for real customer issues.
Jordan
· 7 months ago
Couldn't you easily have said DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM, SIR?! and all would be fixed!
BIGd
· 7 months ago
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!! STFU asshole! You Kommiefornia pussies are ridonkulous. Yes I said ridonkulous.
Kane
· 7 months ago
I went to see Star Trek at the local IMAX theater and the screen was great. It was the real IMAX with the full 80ft screen and amazing sound. I'm planning to go see it again in the same theater because the experience was better than any other theater I have access to. I also saw the Dark Knight in the same theater and it was well worth the price.
Tickets to regular shows are $10.50 here while the IMAX are only $12... it's obviously worth it and I still plan to see any good movie at that theater. I'm sorry you got burned, but no way am I going to give up going to the IMAX here, or suggest that anyone else skip shows there because some random person had a bad experience. I don't like those bootleg, slightly-wider-screen IMAX theaters either, but it's is amazing when it's the real thing and no amount of petulant nerd rage could convince me to not go there... even more so when the price is only a buck fifty more. Get over yourself.
Mike
· 7 months ago
IMAX refers to the film format (70mm) and not the size of the screen. Had you been able to see IMAX and regular 35mm side by side you probably wold have seen a noticeable difference in film and sound quality. However, I wouldn't put it past AMC to water it down just to make a buck.
SLK
· 7 months ago
Dude, if you live in LA you should probably just kill yourself anyways.
Tanner
· 7 months ago
HEY! Me and my buddy Joel saw you there! Had we known some major shit was going down we would have backed you up... after we saw the movie of course... cause that movie kicks ass.
BIGd
· 7 months ago
Why don't you just come out and ask him if you can blow him? I would have punched him in the face and told him to scrape the sand out of his mangina and quit wasting peoples time. And comedian is probably the wrong term for what you do.
Seth
· 7 months ago
THERE he is! Internet tough guy, everybody! Give it up! C'mon, a round of applause for internet tough guy!
....
No? Aw man, nobody believes you're tough. That's too bad!
Oh well, can't win 'em all...
Chikanstumpie
· 7 months ago
I just want to point out that I think it's funny that Aziz didn't start getting all the negative comments til this blog got farked with a negatively slanted title... Things that make you say hmm.
ed
· 7 months ago
LMAO @ all the jealous nerds who are outraged that he has 25k on his twitter. he has 25k. you have 10. get over it. he was perfectly right to make a stink about this fake IMAX.
all you losers are crying about what he posts on his own blog? get a life jackasses
everet316
· 7 months ago
Hey guys, I work for AMC, in projection, in Phoenix. I do not know the actual dimensions of our imax screen, but I do know it is quite a bit larger than our normal "large screens". It stretches from the floor to the ceiling, and fromone side of the theatre to the other. it is so large that we con only seat about 2/3 the amount of people we can in another same size auditorium. We used to have the film IMAx and charged $3 more for it. We were recently upgraded to the digital and now charge $4 more. The picture and sound quality are superb and far above even our nice dolby digital auditoriums. As has been stated, only Batman had any scenes shot in imax. Any other movie you are basically watching the movie in boxed format with empty space at the top and bottom, so you are not getting the full imax screen anyway. The sceens in BATMAN that were in imax were breathtaking and you could instantly tell the difference when they came on screen. Anyway, you are lucky you got anything, because our policy is if you watch the whole movie no refund. We have it on three ohter screens, so if someone is disappointed, leave that auditorium, get your extra money back and go see it on one of the other large screens. I can't speak for other AMC's, but we never have any complaints about our IMAX, and Star Trek has been sold out since it opened Thursday night.
Andrea
· 7 months ago
The comments here are amazing. STOP COMPLAINING PEOPLE IN DARFUR DIE EVERY DAY AND ALSO OTHER THINGS HAPPEN
ed
· 7 months ago
yeah like the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and persecution of minorities in Palestine. But what does that have to do with this?
Not Impressed
· 7 months ago
Lost any support from me when you tried to pull 'internet famous'. Just another person, nothing special about you.
ed
· 7 months ago
1) why is your support in any way important? he doesn't need your support all he needs is for you to read his blog and (hopefully) even post on it. mission accomplished
2) why in the world does "internet famous" bother you? he has 25k on his twitter how does that impact you? other than you being "internet jealous." a normal person would be like "25k w/e" and move on. only a true nerd would be outraged by that
Adam
· 7 months ago
I understand that your angry and you have a right to be angry, but up to a certain point. If your account of the conversation is correct, you were a being a smart ass to a person just doing their job making minimum wage. You were also very mean to the soda and popcorn. Why call them "nasty ass" when they did nothing wrong to you? I think you are a funny comedian but i disagree with you for the most part. You had a right to be slightly pissed, but I think you took it a little too far.
aziz
· 7 months ago
I'M EXAGGERATING, ITS A JOKE YOU IDIOTS!
Azizisatool
· 7 months ago
This blog should be renamed to Aziz is a fucking Tool
christopherpaul
· 7 months ago
This should be the only comment here: I went to see a movie on an IMAX screen but was surprised to see that only 28' x 58' of the screen was used. The opening thingy where IMAX runs the sound and video check sure was TRUE IMAX but then the previews and the movie came on going back to the plain jane size. RIP-OFF.
warriorpoet
· 7 months ago
Aziz, you could have handled it better but I agree with you... Real IMAX is awesome,Hollywood Films blown up to 15/70 is better than 35mm and worth a few bucks, but the new IMAX digital is crap. It is just as good as standard digital or 35mm, but IMAX and the theaters shouldn't be charging $5 extra for this. Someone should start a class action lawsuit, because there is an element of bait and switch here... make your reputation for 35 years on amazing images and then now they are charging a premium for a standard product.
For every guy like Aziz who made a fuss, there are likely 50 other people in the audience that are disappointed in the show and because they don't want to look like an A-hole in front of their date or they don't want to bother just let the $5 bucks go. This will catch up with IMAX in the end, but it is a shame to the museums that are running real IMAX documentaries (shot in IMAX) that this will likely effect their business also. I think you should make a distinction, boycott the IMAX in multiplexes not the museum IMAX theaters which do a pretty good job.
Bradford
· 7 months ago
Get at 'em Aziz! Fuck the haters!
spiralout
· 7 months ago
There are two kinds of silly:
1) The funny, endearing kind. Even through his hyperbolic rage, Aziz has achieved this kind of hilarious absurdity. His argument is legitimate--IMAX has a well-known connotation (= big-ass screen), and charging the same amount for anything less than what is GENERALLY EXPECTED is JUST NOT COOL.
2) The humorless, judgmental, moronic kind. Many of you commenters (read: nasty-ass trolls) have successfully achieved this kind. Yes, he is angry that he didn't get what he paid for. No, he shouldn't have walked out on the movie he paid to see. He wasn't angry about the movie, he was angry about the lies. THEY SHOULD HAVE NEVER CHARGED EXTRA FOR SOME BULLSHIT BRAND NAME. His argument is valid, his rage is EXAGGERATED FOR COMEDIC EFFECT, his Twitter line is PRICELESS because he knows it's RIDICULOUS. Those of you reading this blog and trolling the comments, only to conclude that this successful comedian needs a life--perhaps some serious self-searching is in order. I may be killing time at work by replying to your fucking simpleminded jackassery, but at least I'm not wasting everyone's time reading a blog by someone I don't even LIKE.
That having been said, I like you, Aziz. The haters aren't worth the creative energy you should be using to make us (read: intelligent people) laugh. <3
Joe Manna
· 7 months ago
As it appears, you received the "IMAX" experience, and saw a new release film on a slightly larger screen. I think it does suck that maybe they're not insanely huge screen, I find that it speaks to your character that you wanted a full refund following the viewing of the movie and that you blog so emotionally instead of using facts to state your grievance.
I disagree that this is a scam. I find $6 for 32oz of Diet Coke a scam, but that's another story.
I think using one's Twitter following to threaten a company is as weak as the argument itself. Sure, you got Re-Tweeted like crazy, but look at the feedback in your comments here. Having 25k Twitter followers doesn't mean they are necessarily loyal or will go up to bat for you.
I believe that the correct way to handle this is to stick to the facts and keep your point to the fact that the screen sizes. Perhaps offer constructive feedback in how they market the IMAX experience instead of jumping to conclusions that it was a strategic maneuver that they intended to mislead viewers.
Thanks for elevating this to the people, but your argument is weak and you killed it with the fact you threatened with your 25,000 Twitter followers. Make your argument to the merit of facts and not emotions and character.
Best wishes, Joe
likeaboss
· 7 months ago
as you can read above, he didn't ask for a full refund. he only wanted the $5 surcharge back for viewing it on an imax screen.
Seth
· 7 months ago
He asked for a refund of the difference between a regular ticket and an IMAX ticket, NOT a full refund.
I think it speaks to YOUR character that you judge HIS character based on "facts" you didn't even get right.
It ALSO speaks to your character that you can't recognize hyperbole and, in failing to do so, attack him for being so emotional. Eventually, when enough people attack you for things you didn't even say, any writer will begin to respond emotionally.
Also, your stiff-necked, intelligentsia presentation doesn't work when you write a sentence like "I believe that the correct way to handle this is to stick to the facts and keep your point to the fact that the screen sizes." So, it's a fact that the screen sizes?
Someone already posted an article written in Oct '08 about exactly this; when IMAX began releasing the smaller screens, there WAS some noise made about branding them the same as the traditional screens. The IMAX execs decided to push on anyway, claiming that the IMAX brand represents "an experience," not "big screens." In reality, they knew that this exact problem would come up. It was one of the arguments FOR rebranding. Of COURSE it was a strategic maneuver to mislead viewers.
And since subtlety apparently passes you by, here's a freebie: the Twitter celebrity comment is a joke. It's more hyperbole. It's outrageous and loud and silly. It's cartoonish.
If he said he used an acme rocket to chase the roadrunner around, you'd probably tell him he should've used a slingshot b/c it's more "green."
One more time: Grow. A. Sense. Of. Humor. It's tiresome when funny people have to explain everything to you.
Joe Manna
· 7 months ago
Well, now that it's a joke, then all is well. I respect his opinion, but the argument is flawed.
Guilty as charged, I didn't realize that he only asked for a partial refund. Regardless, I don't see the theatre being at fault, it's more so the marketing of IMAX.
Regardless, you won't catch me railing against companies simply out of entertainment. Seriously, if the screen size wasn't as large, then get up, grow a backbone and leave. But clearly, the motion picture was enjoyable enough to tolerate 127 minutes of torture on the 58 foot screen.
I don't think all of this was simply humor, that's all I'm saying. I think there is some merit to this, but not to the degree that Aziz is taking it.
--Joe
likeaboss
· 7 months ago
should be called LIE-max, am i right?
warriorpoet
· 7 months ago
LIE-MAX! I like it...
Me
· 7 months ago
Obviously a lot of people here have never been a an IMAX theather. You can't compare both. It's a shame that they are charging the same amount of money. And people give the guy a break he's trying to warn you, so you don't have the same experience.
Golf claps to you for getting two free tickets! ;) See people it helps to complain and whine.
luluwa
· 7 months ago
dude seroiusly, a lot of ppl have a good point.. do u even know the TRUE definition of imax? and ur twitter threat .. if i was the person dealing with u i would of laughed in ur face... u watched the whole movie.. admit it u were lazy to get up .. tough.. to bad.. now u know for next time not to be fooled .. boycott? seriously? ur making such a big deal.. theres people dying in palestine so the worlds got enough problems then u not getting ur extra five dollars worth of "bigger screen" .. plus with the recession going on in the states.. u seriously spending an extra 5 dollars for a bigger screen? geez ur spoiled
A little backwards
· 7 months ago
Why are all these fucktards who say they hate you eating their own time commenting on your blog? I understand the no refund deal since you watched the whole movie, but you're welcome to bitch about it. At least you know you've got about a zillion haters reading your shit.
Ken Pringle
· 7 months ago
Aziz -
I love watching you rabble-rouse. :)
I saw "Watchmen" on the exact same screen and had the same thoughts you did - that ain't no "IMAX". However, that being said... the extra $5 for the digital 3-D presentations they run on that screen sometimes is TOTALLY worth it. I saw "Monsters vs. Aliens" on the same screen, and it was probably the best 3-D experience I've ever had - it was like Disneyland on crack. And popcorn salt.
BTW - e-mail me next time you're gonna do the Twitflix thing; I want to promote it on the site!
Unimpressed
· 7 months ago
You are just an idiot whiner. So you have 25000 twits following you, you also probably have 100,000 friends on facebook, all offering you Penis-Enlargements, and extended warrenties on your car. Get a life and twitter about something significant. Pathetic, and get off the CAPS LOCK for crying outloud, makes you more of a Twidiot.
.
· 7 months ago
S-S-S-SYPHILIS
Fred
· 7 months ago
You threatened him with Twitter?
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha....
Moron.
Rob
· 7 months ago
I'm with you! Walked into the IMAX at AMC, couldn't believe how small the screen was, left and went to a normal theater for 5 dollars less.
Beowulfe
· 7 months ago
Ok slow down here. This concept seems way too complex here so let me see if I understand you. You walked in, saw the screen was not really IMAX size and then walked back out, asked for the refund and saw it on a normal screen? Whoa. I thought you were just supposed to sit there, watch the whole thing and then complain about it. Your way seems way to impractical and complicated.
Kyle
· 7 months ago
Exactly.
That's like going out to dinner, finding out your food was not cooked all the way, eating the entire thing, and then bitching. It's not the way you handle things.
Paul
· 7 months ago
william is angry. its most likely due to a poor experience growing up- possibly being molested by an uncle, maybe his father. either way he is not good at expressing himself without being abusive which could possibly also indicate that he has less than average sized genitalia. sorry william- you dont need to be so angry. we're all here for you. we'll give you the love you so desperately desired from your mother as a child. it's gonna be okay.
C
· 7 months ago
Wow, what a pompous ass. Threaten someone over $5. Why not leave if you didn't like the screen? Duh. I get complaining, but why repost a dialogue that shows you being an @ssh0le to the theater employees.
THE SPECIAL MASTER
· 7 months ago
WOW I THINK WE HAVE PEOPLE TAKING THIS LITTLE SERIOUS LISTEN PEOPLE AZIZ HAS WON ALREADY AND IF YOU INSULT HIM YOU LOSE BECAUSE YOU REALLY DONT CARE AND YOU DO CARE HE WON DOUBLE BECAUSE HE EXPOSE IMAX AND YOU AS JACKASS. WE ALL HERE SO AZIZ CONGRATS I AM DOWN FUCK IMAX YOU FEEL CHEATED ON THE ISSUE. DONT BASH HIM CUS HE FEEL CHEATED YOU PAY 5 EXTRA FOR SOMETHING I CAN WATCH IN MY HOUSE IS YOUR PROBLEM EVERYONE HAVE HD PROJECTORS NOW I NEED MORE TO PAY MORE IF YOU LIKE I LOVE
shiteater
· 7 months ago
I hope all you people yelling about what aziz did (and making fun of him, and his show, telling him to get a life, etc, etc) realize that comedians LOVE when people get all charged up and go crazy. if you really don't like aziz why are you commenting on his blog anyways? you people are crazy. and by "you people" i mean those of you that have nothing better to do than troll youtube, blogs, etc looking for ways to voice your opinion because no one else in your "real life" wants to listen to you. LOL. ROFL. OMG. TTYL.
Therethatgrl
· 7 months ago
Okay seriously?!?! If you don't like what he has to say then A. don't read his blog and B. don't comment on it! Just like you all are telling him stop whining, grow a pair and only comment on shit you want to read about or actually care about!
Dan Danderson
· 7 months ago
So many of these commenters suck for the following reason: they are apologists that don't stand up for their consumer rights. Aziz brought up two good points: 1) he had reason to believe he was paying extra for something exceptional and 2) since the product delivered was standard fare, he should only have to pay the standard price. End of story. Commenters, stop being such pussies and stand up for yourself. You would have all rolled over and taken it in the ass. At least Aziz had some balls. And don't gimme this shit about his Twitter comment, if you have leverage use it to make things right.
dyyhard
· 7 months ago
I lost my hearing in both ears during the bank scene in Dark Knight. Fuck IMAX. f my life now. do you all hear me? bc I can't hear shit anymore.
silly buns
· 7 months ago
I wholeheartedly agree with you Aziz and call shenanigans on the Bullshit IMAX. You were in the right. I complained once to Regal because I was with family members who were in wheelchairs and we had to sit in the back of the theater where the handicapped seating was. The lights are always on in the back which kind of hurt our eyes. We all got free passes right away when we complained. The lesson, bring someone in a wheelchair and you'll get those free passes faster.
omg wtf?
· 7 months ago
I'd imagine someone would know where a true IMAX theater is, and not just magically assume they mall multiplex just randomly added a fucking 72 foot screen. Did it not occur to you when you were purchasing your tickets to ask "Hey where the fuck do they hide that bigass seventy-two-foot fuckin' screen?" To which jackhole selling you the ticket would reply, um.. its the IMAX experience... not a real IMAX, and then you could've made the logical decision then and there.. which likely would've been go sit through the whole movie anyway and then bitch about your five dollars..
omg wtf?
· 7 months ago
s/they/their
Delphs
· 7 months ago
I agree with Aziz, doesn't matter if the movie isn't made for IMAX, 3D and all the bells and whistles.
It's IMAX, so it's all about watching a movie on a motherfracking giant 72feet screen!
When you pay for brand association it's because you know you'll get you money's worth, this is simply stealing.
CptGreedle
· 7 months ago
I can only forgive them for making IMAX screens like this under 3 conditions. 1 - They did not charge ANYTHING extra for it. 2 - They change the name to Lite or something else. 3 - The width of the screen has to match the width of an IMAX screen, the height has to be the proper ratio for the movie to fill in the width of the screen (so it can be shorter than an IMAX screen but not thinner)!
If they did these 3 things, maybe we wouldn't be forced to take up arms and rise against them! We should fight for our $5!! We should rebel and take down the oppressors! Death to the salesman!
Seriously though... they suck.
TwitterIsDumb
· 7 months ago
Douche Nozzle, Twitter Sucks!!!!
Kyle
· 7 months ago
I don't think this was any great mystery to anyone. Of course it's not a "real" Imax. Did the AMC tear down the old theater and make one larger? No.
And personally I side with them on this one that you could have left as soon as you got into the theatre and realized that it wasn't the large IMAX screen you expected.
AMC has two different showings of Star Trek. And IMAX and a regular. You could have opted to pay less once you found out the difference.
And threatening an AMC manager with twitter? Lame.
Fuck... It is lame that it's not a real AMC but this post is even more lame.
omg hai
· 7 months ago
simpsons did it.
Bob
· 7 months ago
Stupid argument. 25,000 Twitter followers... really? No, you seriously said that in an argument... wow. That is the epitome of loser. You're even a loser if you have accomplished something significant (Twitter followers = not an accomplishment) and use the line "Do you know who I am?" It really doesn't add to your argument, and just makes you look like a presumptuous wiener with a deluded, naive sense of self-importance.
John Doe
· 7 months ago
This is frick'n awsome, I liked the info about IMAX but I loved how you stuck it to the man, dude you're my heroe, can I treat you to popcorn and a soda?
Prod Son
· 7 months ago
I don't understand how anybody in the comments section is dissing him. "You stayed for the whole movie." Hey didn't want all of his money back! He wanted $5. The $5 extra he paid to get the IMAX Experience which he didn't get. I'd be pissed, too. Some friends of mine are making a multi-hour long trek to see Transformers 2 on IMAX next month and I certainly would've been duped into taking them one of these fake screens. That won't happen now. Thanks Aziz. You can bet this ish is gonna be blogged about.
A.J.
· 7 months ago
Asking for your money back after the movie is over is like asking Fazoli's to give you a refund after you eat an entire meal there and complain that in fact it isn't "real Italian".
anon
· 7 months ago
rofl 25000 people arent going to listen to u, they are still going to go watch the real imax regardless. aziz = fail. besides there is no way to make a digital imax screen any bigger because of the bulb size the digital imax projector runs
dave
· 7 months ago
I agee this is bullshit. I felt the same way when I left an AMC theater watching batman on supposed IMAX. Yea, I saw the movie, but I was thinking that I was gonna see the 72 foot screen... and was a little ticked that I was duped. Yet, the screen was better then the regular one at my local AMC theater...still, what I really wanted was the complete IMAX immersion expeience, the 72 footer that I was accumstod too. now, I know and will NEVER go to the IMAX at AMC. Rather, I will pay a few extra dollars more on top of what they charge at AMC for what I consider to be the real IMAX expierience!!!!!
chuck knuckles
· 7 months ago
it's only $2 more in Toronto
snow
· 7 months ago
I work for one of these three companies, and while I don't support a boycott because I like my paycheck, Aziz is right. He was screwed. You should've recieved your $5. IMAX is at fault for whoring out their brand. I don' t understand the attacks in these comments... there is nothing wrong with a consumer standing up for his rights.
asdf
· 7 months ago
These theaters are ripping people off. Thanks for letting me know.
Chet Ranger
· 7 months ago
Everyone I've talked to has said the same thing; I've not heard one person leave one of those theaters and say, "Wow, what an IMAX experience THAT was!" Good on you, Aziz.
Sanity
· 7 months ago
You're a douchebag. Shotgun mouthwash would fix that.
death of the web
· 7 months ago
Someone in Southern California is dishonest? I'm shocked!
Chicken_Tetrizzini
· 7 months ago
What a retard....get over it.
Erick
· 7 months ago
This was funny up until the twitter comment. It might have been a joke but it was lame one. Typical hollywood move. You should have said "I'm Aziz. Dont' you know who....oh right you totally don't know who I am." It would have been funnier if you said you have a myspace and then said you had a bazillion jillion friends on there, I would have gotten the joke then. Overall though, this IMAX smaller screens is total bullshit I agree.
Jay Z.
· 7 months ago
Nice. You should have charged him $xxx for the time he wasted of yours as well. I throw that out all the time, 'Hourly rate is $150 an hour with an hour minimum.'
— Jay Z.
John
· 7 months ago
You fucking baboon. Stop trying to get over. You weren't outraged enough to get up and walk out.
Jesus
· 7 months ago
You know what Twitter is? I have 25,000 followers
Congratulations, you have won the internet. please get a life
also PnR is an awful show but im sure you know that
Ralphie
· 7 months ago
i found this quite funny. i mean; sucks that you ended up getting a smaller screen. but i really wouldnt have complained about the 5 bucks. i mean cmon; you're Aziz Ansari - you're richer than most people man. $5 is nothing.
i mean cmon - the movie was THAT good that you wanted to finish it right? i think that you came for the movie not the screen size (well i guess partially for the screen size, seeing as you went to an IMAX theatre).
we should just settle this - i mean it's been done right? Aziz got 2 free passes in exchange for a "bad" cinema experience (i'm putting bad in quotes cos i dont think it's that big of a deal).
and i find it hilarious that there's a Mass influx of haters in this entry. did a pal of theirs tell them of this or were they following Aziz on twitter or tumblr? if that latter - that's kinda sad... actually both are quite sad. that you guys are looking for someone to hate on. some you guys are actually intelligently expressing your opinion and i get it - you're expressing your freedom of speech - but so is Aziz. make your point and move on - stop trolling the thread - makes you look sad. Also, atleast Aziz has got his identity up here - you guys are hiding behind screen names and internet anonymity. you guys even started to attack Seth... really?
anyway - get this over with. IMAX isnt consistent - lesson learnt.
Seth
· 7 months ago
They hurt my spirit, Ralphie! They're MEAN! :D
Kevin in stl
· 7 months ago
c'mon, douche. Get over it. Find something real to bitch about, like how bad your show sucks. Tell Amy to stick with the Amazing Bee.
pissoff
· 7 months ago
Same with THX.... no "real" requirements other than you buy a "license" and pay to get "certified" by a guy who paid for a "license" to "certify" movie theaters. 90% of the THX auditoriums out there are really just surround sound.
Chase Roper
· 7 months ago
There is an actual IMAX in the Seattle Science Center and when a movie like Star Trek is available on IMAX you have to go to the Cinerama and use the fake one. The only things I can watch on the real IMAX are movies about snowboarding or salmon f*?king.
Bobmighty
· 7 months ago
There is a big difference between 72ft and 25ft. If you don't understand, ask a girl the difference between 5" and 9".
Alex
· 7 months ago
The AMC fake IMAX is lame. I too was quite disappointed with the small "IMAX" screen.
JackAce
· 7 months ago
you sir, are a toolbox. cry more.
Anaisa127
· 7 months ago
I COMPLETELY AGREE. I only go to the IMAX at Lincoln Square for this very same reason. I REFUSE to let them cheat me out of my money!
Rich
· 7 months ago
He is completely right, I thought I was seeing the dark night in IMAX, and now I do not know where to go to see a real IMAX like I did when I was a kid. I travel around alot so I dont think I can trust the IMAX experience anymore, digital or not who cares about a deeper black or higher contrast, it doesnt cost the film industry any more to get that quality, and we should pay extra just because a movie theater is branding their upgraded projectors as IMAX to get money. Why not just call it HD Digital Projection, IMAX to me is a giant fucking screen and I think he is right, its a bad marketing move.
rob m.
· 7 months ago
totally agree!! what a ripoff
Justin
· 7 months ago
I AGREE WHOLE HEARTEDLY! I had the exact same reaction at the San Jose AMC "iMAX"
Duke Nukem
· 7 months ago
I love all the people below who are giving this guy shit for complaining about being cheated and deceived. It's that "omg it's only $5 blahblah" mentality that allows shit like this to happen. You people just don't have the balls to stand up for what's right. It reminds me of all those "What Would You Do?" specials on Primetime, where someone is being cheated or needs help, and the vast majority of people just walk by or ignore it because they don't have the balls to make waves. A 25ft screen is not the same as 70ft screen. It's not even close to "IMAX experience."
It takes 2 minutes of your time to make a difference when something is clearly wrong, yet most of you probably just bend over and say, "thank you sir may I have another!" Idiots and weaklings.
Thanks for making this known to me Aziz. I saw this story on Aintitcool and it's a good heads-up for those of us who would think about going out of our way to see a movie in IMAX.
ssk
· 7 months ago
I don't think this guys an asshole but I think he could have handled it with a bit more maturity instead of getting angry and threatening the manager and guest service...People need to understand that they are just doing their jobs. When people make issues such as these a personal thing, they are fighting a losing battle. If he felt strongly enough about it he should have taken it up with their corporate, the manager and guest service has nothing to do with whether or not the company itself choose to lie bout having IMAX. I went to the movies this weekend and also went to go watch Star Trek which was a great movie. Upon entering the "IMAX" auditorium, I knew off the bat it wasn't IMAX cause of the size of the screen and the intensity of the sound. I simply left and got my refund and watched it on a regular screen. People seem to forget that the other person they are yelling at are also human and that their behavior is uncalled for and simply being rude.
Hobson
· 7 months ago
Yea dude, I feel ya. I used to drive down to palisades to see my IMAX movies and when i heard a IMAX was being built right in my hometown at crossgates mall I was super excited. The first movie I saw in it was Watchmen. The second I walked into the theater i walked out and asked the guy if it was the right theater number cause it wasn't IMAX. He told me that it was the right one, but I wasn't so lucky to get anything in return when I brought it up with the manager BEFORE the movie. He refused to refund my ticket and I sat through the disappointment of not getting what I paid for.
The complaints go on though, some reason the picture was all blurry and I complained about that after the movie and they said they don't see anything wrong with it.
If they would at least make a clear distinguish in name between the different theaters I wouldn't mind so much, but in regular google searching there is no way to see what type of screen you are getting before going somewhere.
c. harding
· 7 months ago
Aziz, please take the 'fuck' out of your headline and i'll send this out to many more people. :)
Skemez1
· 7 months ago
The AMC IMAX theater in times square NYC near where i live is fake as well. You would think that they would at least put a full size IMAX in times square.
boo hoo
· 7 months ago
boo hoo.
IANBLACKLEY
· 7 months ago
It's funny how he wanted to give you a soda, and popcorn which is way more than $5. Then he gave you two passes. Sell those tickets you'll make a profit.
not-a-douche
· 7 months ago
You sir are a DOUCHE
Sausagefingers
· 7 months ago
Aziz, you're a douche.
Brian
· 7 months ago
All though it isn't a true "IMAX" experience. It's still a marginally better experience than just a regular theater.
I myself had the same opinions that you have, but for $5 more you getter better picture and WAYYYYY better audio. Personally I feel $5 extra is worth it. Especially considering I only see the blockbusters on the IMAX screen.
It's not that big of a deal, be angry at more important stuff.
Jorge Chao
· 7 months ago
I agree completely. I was so fucking pissed when I went to the "IMAX" near New Orleans. The screen was 5% bigger, and it was 500% louder. Louder does not mean better. They spent 20 extra bucks on a TINY BIT MORE CANVAS, and packed 12,000 watts of sound into a theater and I'm supposed to pay 5 bucks more for that? Fuck you IMAX. Fuck you AMC.
you cant be more right! i noticed it in Watchmen already! shame on them
Pendarvis
· 7 months ago
Aziz is absolutely 100% correct on this. You expect to see an actual IMAX movie on a giant IMAX screen when you go to an IMAX movie. Wow. Think about it:
You expect to see an IMAX movie when you go to an IMAX movie. It's as simple as that.
Aziz isn't doing this for the $5. He's doing this for YOU... and ME.. and everyone who is going to have the same, bad experience. Now we can't trust IMAX. I won't go see an IMAX movie because I don't know what I'm going to get! I agree that this was a bad move on the part of IMAX.
Roger Smith
· 7 months ago
Showcase Cinemas has the same thing at their De Lux theaters in the midwest. Sounds like nobody wants to spend the crazy amounts of money it costs to put in a a real IMAX anymore :(
Trillian
· 7 months ago
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I have a real IMAX by me and now AMC just added an IMAX to their theater. I planned to go to the new one and would have been pretty pissed when I came to find the smaller screen. Funny thing is that I could go see the real IMAX for $7.75 cheaper during the week too.
J <3 Rogen
· 7 months ago
eat a dick imax <3 J murder
Fark has fewer calories
· 7 months ago
Only women and children are allowed to cry, which would you rather be treated as?
myster3nigma
· 7 months ago
Your right for doing what you did. If you believe in something strongly stand up and be proud of it...
Jay
· 7 months ago
Yes, it's a cheesy implementation of IMAX but you could have easily walked out of the theater when you first saw the small screen and gotten a full refund. You did choose to watch the entire movie, so you weren't entitled to any money back.
Former IMAX Fan
· 7 months ago
Don't blame the chains for this deception. IMAX is selling these systems to anyone with the $$. IMAX is self-destructing and won't last long into the digital age.
mandingo
· 7 months ago
Most screens used in theaters like AMC and such have a modular system that opens up to reveal more screen While it's true they're not true IMAX dimensions, they are significantly larger than the standard cinema screen 16:9 screen (I don't have the measurements, but it's probably closer to 20 x 20 meters give or take a meter).
That said, the picture is crisper, cleaner and much better than standard movies... which is why they call it the IMAX experience.
Alex Winter
· 7 months ago
I agree with commenters 34, 67, 214, 296, and 333.
I find the argument lacking in the following posts: 96, 159, 200, 257, 317-334, and 397.
The Real Alex Winter
· 7 months ago
You agree with commenter 333, yet find the argument lacking in posts 317-334? To err is human, sir, but you have shown your true colors, impostor.
JT
· 7 months ago
You don't have to be so angry to get refunds at the Burbank 16. I get them all the time.
skid
· 7 months ago
i don't care about how you acted in the situation what i DO care about is where the legit IMAX theaters are. Is there some sort of list somewhere? I don't want to make a trip to an IMAX theater only to get ripped off, but how would I know before I go inside the theater? What would employees say if you asked them?
Spencer
· 7 months ago
HI Sarah,
Thanks for making my point for me. Your response is so wrong it’s almost amusing. The IMAX Experience® is about Size, Sound and Picture, period. All this other stuff your quoting (probably from some marketing brochure you use to hawk this nonsense to theatre owners) is silly. The image I saw while watching Star Trek wasn’t discernibly brighter or sharper and didn’t have any different sound than any other theatre I’ve visited many times before in the very same multiplex.
It just seems like IMAX and the theatre owners have hatched some sort of half assed plan to stave off wide screen TV proliferation cutting into your box office sales by implementing some cosmetic band aid designed to dupe the public. Seriously, there had to be a better way to improve your business without destroying your brand. Can you say “Cadillac Cimarron”?
You have managed to take the IMAX name and associate it with… nothing. At least have the decency to call these so-called “Imax” theatres something more appropriate like; ImaxLight or Imaxmini or better still Sighmax. I wonder what the next big marketing idea is that you guys have up your sleeves, padded armrests, cupholders? Oh wait they already exist as do these so called IMAX multiplex theatres. They are called “regular movie theatres” and they don’t cost $3.00 extra per ticket.
Thank you for your email. The IMAX Experience® is about more than just screen size or any one individual characteristic or feature. It is made possible through the combination of the world’s sharpest and brightest images, the clearest and most accurate sound available and IMAX’s immersive theatre geometry. And more fans around the world are able to see Hollywood blockbusters in IMAX today thanks to our growing network, our ground-breaking digital projection system and our IMAX DMR® (digital re-mastering) film conversion technology. For more information on The IMAX Experience, please visit www.imax.com.
To: Info at IMAX Subject: Very Disappointed in your company
Hi,
I recently went to a so called IMAX theatre to see Star Trek over the weekend (AMC 16 Woodland Hills). I can’t tell you how disappointed I was in the experience. This was not the “Wow” IMAX experience I expected. The screen was just marginally bigger than a regular screen and the image looked digital not FILM and the sound was just normal with no enhancement that I could distinguish.
This and other so called IMAX theatres that are popping up around CA and probably other states are weakening your brand. Even the casual movie patron can tell the difference between true IMAX and these “gimmick” theatres you are opening. It really seems like you are trying to pull a fast one, and I expect that this will come back to bite you in a negative way. From my perspective a company that I once truly respected for their innovation and value for my money has come down about 10 notches to represent just another corporation trying to finagle the maximum amount of dollars from the public with the minimum amount of innovation.
Thanks for nothing.
Regards,
kilrogg
· 7 months ago
Call it a MiniMax. Anytime someone says they went to an IMAX that I know is one of these fake MinImax pieces of shit, I try correct them and say you just lost a bunch of money to a scam. its a MiniMax, a fake small ass version of an IMAX. I was really pissed off too and wanted my money back but couldn't get it because it was officially called an "IMAX". I really wanted to grab some spray paint and spray Min infront of the sign. First time in my life I actually felt the need to do some graffiti. Oh well, thanks for the article and for looking out for others!
Guy who doesnt give a f*ck
· 7 months ago
Well you fail going to AMC... Cinemark and all those places suck too.
Watching movies in DLP is the only way to go..
OMG, i bough a blu ray version of the Shawshank Redemption and it's almost as good as the tape version, i want my 18 dollars back...
fuck off.
Thomas
· 7 months ago
I totally agree, I paid the extra 5$ to see Monsters vs Aliens in "IMAX" and it was the same theatre as non-"IMAX", nothing special about it at all. Picture wasn't even that great. Very lame AMC, very.
PS1
· 7 months ago
I woulda been pissed too. If I go to an IMAX i expect to see that shit on a 70FT screen. The best comment is the angy a-hole who said "there is a reason it is called the imax experience, you dumb fucker.... It give the experience of imax.... get it dummy." Classic. So it's not the actual "experience" of IMAX if it's the "IMAX Experience", but it's like experiencing IMAX without really being IMAX. William, my friend, it's false advertising. Period. But perhaps you'd like to give me $15 for a "Cinema Experience" and come over and watch a movie on my couch. It's not really the cinema, but it's a similar experience cuz I have a 50" plasma so maybe you'll pay me $15 for it.
SK_K
· 7 months ago
I know there's a bunch of haters on this, but, I agree with you (Aziz). I wouldn't pay a dollar more for anything unless it was worth it. That's how I roll. Why the hell did everyone get all nasty with their responses?
To all the haters who have waaayy too much time on their hands: If you don't give a damn about what he's complaining about, your ass isn't being very productive by posting about how lame you think the complaint is. Also, in case y'all didn't read, this whole post has a heavily sarcastic tone to it, hence the update on the bottom. Simma' don naw.
Anywho, more power to you.
jublin
· 7 months ago
Agh it's so surprising how many people are defending the "IMAX experience". WhatHowWhy are you doing this?! Most of America may not be as enlightened as you and they don't realize there is a difference the IMAX experience, IMAX Digital, IMAX DOME or however many variations there may be. To the average movie goer, IMAX has become synonymous with BIGASS screen. All Aziz is trying to do is help people from being misinformed. And to those of you actually arguing that he should have left the theater right away are out of their mind. If you're super excited to see a blockbuster movie like this, why should you have to walk out during the movie - talk to the manager - get your 5 bucks back - get back in line - and wait for the next showing. customer = always right. right? Unless you're not the customer. Then you're like "Man, I had the craziest customer at work today"
jasonlikesfun
· 7 months ago
Amen to Aziz. Exhibitors are desperate for cash. They'll screw people over at every chance. I'd be pissed if this happened at my local Cinemark IMAX theater.
Sour_diesel
· 7 months ago
That is crap, good lookin out on getting the free passes though. If they werent gonna give you money than that was better than fuckin popcorn! It seems like your Twitter retaliation worked, I stumbled upon this blog from a link on Seth Rogen's tweet. Thanks for spreading the word on this BS move these movie theaters are pulling.
movie guy
· 7 months ago
The one in burbank is actually bigger than Empire one. Before this was even opened to the public Dark Knight Director Christopher Nolan was invited to check out the new digital Imax in burbank. They showed him the bank robbery scene. He was amazed and pretty much approved it. If a big director like Christopher Nolan doesn't have a complain why would someone complaining about paying $5 more even matter. If at first you didn't like it within the first 30 minutes. Just walk out of the theater go to guest services and either ask for you money back or to watch it in the regular 35mm. Don't wait for the end of the movie and then bitch and moan about having to pay an extra $5 dollars. Then say I have 25,000 followers on Twitter. Wow. scary. I agree your allowed your opinion but still.
tarpara
· 7 months ago
I made a 90 minute journey to an "IMAX" theater in London only to be fooled by a piece of crap screen. I saw Dark Knight in Seattle and it was AMAZING on imax. I also saw Harry Potter on IMAX...amazing!
Odeon cinema here in the UK is pulling the same shit here in London. I didn't think to ask for my £2 back...I'm writing a letter. My girlfriend even commented why i was so sad when we got our seats. I was gutted. Thank god, Star Trek was good.
Fake IMAX = DLP screen with awesome sound ...but not IMAX!!!!
Chris Grooms
· 7 months ago
Boy there are some idiots posting comments on this.
I love how society has come so far.
Kevin
· 7 months ago
Hey Aziz,
Roger Ebert ran two articles - one from a projectionist and another from a moviegoer on this very issue earlier this year:
HERE'S THE KEY TO SNIFFING OUT A TRUE IMAX THEATRE;
FILM......IF IT'S A FILM THEATRE YOU WON'T BE DISAPOINTED, AND YOU WILL COME AWAY WITH A GREAT TIME AT THE MOVIES!
hoser
· 7 months ago
Aziz you're right to complain about this. Wasting your time you plan around + trip costs makes it so that you are justified in watching the whole movie. This isn't a side order of fries which are incidental. Keep up the good work and try to keep corporate america honest.
cherryhips
· 7 months ago
i wouldn't think a reg theater would have a huge a** screen as in the real IMAX theaters. this a kinda duh when u think about it... o well u live and learn right.
Z.
· 7 months ago
Dude, you sound like a douche.
Jessica Dwyer
· 7 months ago
This happened to me in St Louis at the Regal there. Add insult to injury it was Eagle Eye. I thought it didn't look right, I was so underwhelmed by the damn thing anyway...but this just pisses me off.
Christopher
· 7 months ago
okay Aziz. you're HILARious dude. prolly one of the better players at UCB theater. i COMPLETELY agree with you on the concept of the thing etc, but for you to throw the whole" i have 25,000 twitter followers" made you sound like one of those douchey, "DONT YOU KNOW WHO I AM>!?" people.
fucking retarded.
you're quicker, funnier and way more intelligent like that duder. and if you're THAT important, than go higher up than a fucking local manger, if you're upset enough, which you CLEARLY are to blog about it in such a manner.
.. a little tact on your part, goes a long way.
bob
· 7 months ago
they should differentiate which is which, as you noted, by calling one IMAX and the other IMAX digital or something. the reality is, you're not paying for the bigger screen but the IMAX technology. you should have immediately turned around and asked for a refund instead of sitting through the entire movie. it was, obviously, important for you to have the larger screen so it makes no sense why you stuck around.
chuck palmer
· 7 months ago
The Imax people should be segmenting and protecting their brand better. You are absolutely right. As a consumer, you have an understanding of what IMAX is, which is Imax's responsibility, not yours.
I do a lot of work with brands and how customer-centric they are and this is a perfect example of a half-assed operationally (benefiting AMC and IMAX) centric alliance. You are absolutely right that they should have created a sub-brand that differentiated this from the giant screen experience.
I missed Batman in IMAX and have been determined to see Star Trek on the giant screen. THANK YOU for the heads up. I'll probably still go, but i would have been just as pissed. I would love to see the Enterprise on a huge-ass screen.
Is the experience all that better/different? Not sure.
You are totally right in your campaign. Follow me on twitter at cxChuck and i'll retweet this all the time.
Consumers must exercise their rights and this is the best way to do it.
Steven Fisher
· 7 months ago
Wow. That manager earns some serious asshole points for that exchange. He had the authority to do something for you, but required you to make a scene to actually do so.
Spuds
· 7 months ago
You're pretty retarded for thinking that all of a sudden the metroplex magically grew several stories to accomodate a 70-something-foot screen.
jason
· 7 months ago
Oh man!...I have to reply to this for 2 reasons.
1: I totally had a similar experience when I went to see The Dark Knight in IMAX in Dallas. It was my second viewing of the movie, so I actually walked out and made plans to see it on a regular digital screen later that day.
So having not seen Star Trek yet, I already was hesitant to see if my local theater in Virginia was the same way.
2: I can't believe how much crap people are giving Aziz. I mean, ok, maybe I wouldn't have complained so much at the theater, but that is just a personal thing. Otherwise get off his back. I would have thought people would give a resounding "yeah, me too!", but apparently not. He does have a point, ya know, and supplies evidence to his criticisms.
Keep fighting the fight Aziz.
jamie
· 7 months ago
GOOD FOR YOU. Just another bait and switch. PS: You are hot.
Sam
· 7 months ago
FFFUUCCCCKKK IMAXXXXX!!!!
Joe Blow
· 7 months ago
get a grip
ZO
· 7 months ago
Give them hell South Carolina boy.
ellen haller
· 7 months ago
Lots of 'tude in the air today. I had the gross misfortune of packing in my own themed booze cocktail for an IMAX screening of Batman this summer and was majorly let down by the small screen. It's a goddamn tragedy.
Flem
· 7 months ago
I guess that scrubs money isn't going as far as he had hoped. Guess the character was based more in truth than I thought.
TOWG
· 7 months ago
Dude,get a life.
Ben
· 7 months ago
Aziz, you are 10000% right. I too was disappointed by a fake IMAX showing of Star Trek this weekend on a small screen in Emeryville, California. THIS IS SOME JUMBO-SIZE BULLSHIT. Thank you for spreading awareness.
Angry Guy #450
· 7 months ago
The only way this page could be better is if this argument were happening in the real world, with these 450 comments/commenters all in one room, so we can drop a bomb on them and wipe the angry, whiny, and obnoxious people who, instead of venting properly, attack a guy just because he pointed out that AMC is lying to people. It's too bad obliterating you all wouldn't even begin to solve the problem of sad people, i.e. trolls, who read this page.
Jack
· 7 months ago
i agree, this is bullshit man, people like these tools that are giving excuses for corporations are so fucking lost i feel sorry for them, fact is we are getting cheated, while some people like to smile when they get fucked in the ass... you arent sitting there taking it. Your just one guy with a pretty large audience now... do some more research and make it count man.
And fuck loews, amc and whoever, ill watch their movies on my 15" monitor for free off of bittorrent.
Baltimoron
· 7 months ago
Well, I agree with you and recently had the same experience when watching Star Trek with a group of friends. I knew that this mall movie theater couldn't possibly have a real IMAX in it and frankly, I was a little peeved. However, when you are with a large group of friends you can't just sit outside and complain. I didn't complain to management either, but I'll never pay to see another movie in that theater again. Let the free market sort them out.
Kevin
· 7 months ago
Aziz is hilarious. But he was also jipped out of a 70 foot screen. The brand "Imax" should not be applied to any piece of shit 25 foot screen. My fucken TV is about 25 feet, give or take a few feet.
I agree with you actually. I'm not a fuck-tard like these other people who spend their off-time reading IMAX specs so when I bought tickets to Watchmen IMAX I expected the huge screen. Fuck IMAX and fuck these commenters. Parks and Rec is awesome BTW.
Sarcastic Jon
· 7 months ago
Aziz -- I think Kanye West accidentally posted on your blog. This post about feeling duped into seeing a movie on a "small screen" and, two hours later (after sitting through the movie), leaving to complain about it -- seems too much like a person with an egotistical sense of social stature that I've only seen from Kanye West.
Oh, look -- there's a picture of you and him on this page too! It must be true. I'm relieved -- it would be disappointing to see a talented comic who's finally gaining mainstream attention to turn into a FUCKING DICKWAD!
Big Studio
· 7 months ago
There goes your film career! :)
H.A
· 7 months ago
Damn it! I went to check out the flick at the same establishment....and I knew there was something different goin on..but we were late and we just grabbed any seats we could find. Damn them and their lies! I want my $5 bucks back too yo!
Ryan
· 7 months ago
Wow. You actually think you're somebody? I can understand wanting your money back. In your place I would feel very much the same. But pulling that twitter crap and posting your experiance in such a manner is not very becoming.
You threw a temper tantrum.
Grow up and quit the over priviledged BS.
kat
· 7 months ago
I have a real IMAX about an hour away from me. (www.cosmo.org)
They don't show Hollywood movies.
They show documentaries.
Perhaps you and your 25000 twitter followers should do a little research, using this gadget called the internet, before you go whipping out about it.
Your rage is misplaced, and it's obvious this is a massive trolling by Aziz to get hits. Pretty lame, and not a good representation of either yourself, your show, or your network that you "work on". You are acting like a spoiled child, especially in comments, and it null and voids any argument you *may* have had.
Also, have you ever, ever, EVER worked in a theater , or any real retail? Threatening people is about the last way to get anything done.
Jonnieonthespot
· 7 months ago
It was the twitter comment that got ya. I can respect IMAX hating but to threaten retaliation on twitter is like saying "I'm gunna write about you on the bathroom wall".
Deck
· 7 months ago
I'm with Toad. All of you who are hatin on Aziz should just shut up and hate somewhere else. So what if the movie wasn't shot for IMAX? What movie has been? Also, how many of you have actually been to a real IMAX screening? I've been to several, and not just movies but documentaries actually SHOT for IMAX. There is a big difference between giant IMAX and a regular or newer digital theater. My friend told me not to see Star Trek in anything less than a Digital/DTS theater. He saw it a second time in a regular old theater, and said it was not the same experience. Half of you are probably pissed because you either haven't seen it, can't see it in Digital, or just don't care about Star Trek. When it comes to companies doing crap like this trying to make a few more bucks it pisses me off too. I live near a real IMAX, and I never knew they were doing this "Digital Experience" stuff in smaller theaters. I don't think Aziz did either. If I'm going to pay $15 or $20 to see a movie, it better be a damn experience. To all of you who don't have 25,000 Twitter followers and didn't get two free movie passes, I still plan on seeing ST in a real IMAX this week not the "Digital Experience". You know what, despite the fact it wasn't filmed specifically for IMAX, I'm still going to love every second of it on that big-ass screen. I don't post comments dissing on people everday, but all of these whiny retarded comments like "Go paint your nails cupcake", or better yet "go suck a cock...fagget" compelled me to post. By the way, you spelled faggot incorrectly. At least the cupcake comment was original. Aziz co-stars on a major network show, I don't think he "fails at life". What are you people doing that is so much better?
Cameron
· 7 months ago
Hahaha, I thought it was a funny story either way, just imagining being there and seeing it go down.
yours
· 7 months ago
Damn boy! You pulled out the twitter card? That's down right gangsta. No wait, the word I'm looking for is "pathetic".
I had the exact same experience this past weekend. Went to an AMC IMAX to see Star Trek, paid $5 extra, THOUGHT I was going to see a big ass screen like all IMAX'es have (even though in the back on my mind I could not figure out how the theater was going to "fit" it), and was disappointed to find out it was just a slightly bigger screen with the fucking volume pumped to 12,000 watts.
I can't believe IMAX whored themselved out like this. What a rip off. I will never go to an AMC IMAX again, and probably never to go AMC in general. I will just wait for video and I can watch it on my super duper plasa home theather and not be bothered by jackholes around me anyway.
Shame on AMC and IMAX for screwing the little guy. I just want to be treated with a little consumer repect here.
Douchebaggery
· 7 months ago
I'll admit I'm totally on your side regarding getting screwed over, and I believe you should've gotten your cash back after talking to the manager. But saying you have 25,000 Twitter friends is like saying you have 3 level 80's in WoW. No one in the real world cares, in the least bit.
i<3raaaaaaaaaandy
· 7 months ago
Uhhh why do so many people who claim to hate Aziz bother to read this?...I can see how people might think that seeing the whole movie and then requesting a refund invalidates his argument but, hey, I certainly wouldn't leave a movie that I actually wanted to see (enough to pay extra money) to complain.
I'd have been pissed too! And, also, props, Aziz, for taking it this far. I would have stopped when they offered me free popcorn! Because it actually is pretty tasty.
lizapiza83
· 7 months ago
well i don't know about the other theatres, but the IMAX at the AMC in Universal Citywalk, LA, is the second largest screen in the country... it's worth the extra $5
lizapiza83
· 7 months ago
...
dude
· 7 months ago
Well, they just lost $20 on me, I was about to drive to Columbus and watch it because I thought it was IMAX. It's not worth the drive if it's only a little better. I'm kind of tired of being fooled by companies.
Law
· 7 months ago
I think most of you are absurd.
1. So none of those calling him a loser have ever complained about something and someone else didn't think you were over reacting. Different cases, nothing is equal. Your comparisons are weak and variant.
2. Its a freaking blog, he can whine complain, boast do whatever the hell he wants and you chose to read it. If it didn't envoke some feeling good or bad it would have been boring and pointless, but you all responded.
3. I was sent this blog, only reason I am commenting is to comment on your comments because they are ridiculous and bother me more then the point of his blog.
Zac
· 7 months ago
To the Author, STOP YOUR BITCHING! I went to the BMW dealership and paid my 85grand for my bran new M5, and they gave me a 528i instead, and you dont see me throwing 25k twitterers in the managements face, asking for my money back. I mean after all the M5 is just a 5series with some extra power and body work right? Never mind the 40 thousand dollars extra I paid, they are basically the same thing, right? Seriously, some of your readers need to take Ethics 101...throw in Common Sense 102 for good measure..
I too was IMAXfucked.
Nope
· 7 months ago
You need to work on your sarcasm skillz.
Zac
· 7 months ago
Its pretty blatant.
Law
· 7 months ago
so your basically saying you got duped 40K and are too dumb to do anything about. cool.
Zac
· 7 months ago
Yea because that actually happened fuckwad.
Sarcastic Jon
· 7 months ago
Did you realize that day, take it anyway, drive the car around for a year and then bring it back asking for the difference?
Nope
· 7 months ago
More reason not go to the theater!
anonymous mcfakename
· 7 months ago
I find it amusing that you bring up the genocide in Darfur while being under the employ of NBC who is owned by GE, who is probably one of the largest arms manufacturers on the planet.
Brian
· 7 months ago
I too think that the AMC IMAX is a rip-off and not a real IMAX. The difference is that instead of taking out my frustrations on the idiot that works at AMC, I see movies at a real IMAX. I got ripped off exactly once from AMC, but that was my bad for not researching it ahead of time.
EYEMAX
· 7 months ago
You went to a non IMAX theater to have an IMAX experience. You fail at basic reasoning and should end your life now to avoid procreation.
aziz
· 7 months ago
IT SAID IMAX AND I THOUGHT IT'D BE IMAX YOU IDIOT. THAT'S THE WHOLE ISSUE, YOU ARE A COMPLETE IDIOT.
Wryyyyyyyy
· 7 months ago
America! Where dissatisfaction is a currency!
1. I don't like my burger. I demand a new one! 2. Here's another burger, sir. 1. I don't like this one either! Gimme another one!
Go play in traffic.
Joosh
· 7 months ago
I saw "Watchmen" on the 'IMAX' here in Albany, NY and wasn't impressed. When I went to see Star Trek, I didn't even bother with it, I just looked for the DLP showings. It's the exact same screen size, picture and sound quality, it just isn't paying $5 for the name 'IMAX.'
JJ Walker
· 7 months ago
You got two free passes... I'd say you won... at being a dick. Next time, write corporate to air out your grievances. SO, how’d you like the movie?.
anonymous
· 7 months ago
Aziz: he gave you two free passes, you took the bribe and now you are *still( whining about it? You can't have it both ways, that was "hush, go away and get out of my face" money and you accepted it. You are now the person who is in the wrong for accepting the two free passes and then continuing on to complain about it.
Stand By Your Principles!
· 7 months ago
Don't listen to these haters, you should have gotten your $5 back. You cannot sell me a hamburger and then act surprised that I am pissed when you didn't actually put a hamburger patty in it and just gave me the bun. If it is IMAX-like, then they should tell you before they take your money.
kishi
· 7 months ago
While I agree with him that there's a difference between a real IMAX screen and what they're pushing as an IMAX in this case, you're still a dick for A) watching the whole movie and *then* complaining, dude, get your damn difference back and watch it on a regular screen if that's the problem, B) the whole "Do you know what Twitter is?" bit, and C) the update tag on the end, referring to this as a tragedy, while also talking about Darfur? Uh-huh.
They may be liars, but you're still acting like an asshole.
Jason
· 7 months ago
IMAX's is possessive and is incorrect.
yes
· 7 months ago
this is funny.
review your senses of humor, people
CLF
· 7 months ago
Having worked in the movie theater industry (but not for Regal or AMC) for four years, the story is familiar. The IMAX thing is new to me (I've been out of it for 10 years), and that does suck and it's good to notify the masses. But, in regards to refunds, it is the movie industry that puts pressure on theater companies to not do refunds. It's stupid, but they do track every free pass, every refund, etc. And when you have competition close-by, they compare you, pit you against each other, and give you crap films if they feel you are giving too much of "their" profit away. Movie theaters, when a film opens, make maybe 5% at most on the ticket price during opening week. For big movies like Star Trek, the theater is practically showing it for free the first few weeks; all the money goes back to the studio. Yet the theater has to pay to have the film shipped there, they have to staff the place, and that's where the high concession prices come in. So the fact that the employee wanted to give away food vs. money back or free tickets...it comes from pressure from the corporate office, which comes from pressure from the film industry. That is the general rule. A customer is unhappy....give them food. If that doesn't work, give them passes, but only if they are not being a complete jerk about the whole thing. And I will say that too many people out there watch a movie on a regular screen, the whole darn thing, and then come out and ask for their money back because they didn't like it. It's people like that who have made the system what it is. You go to a movie, you take a gamble. I disagree with what IMAX is doing, but I thought it was important to share this info.
tyro
· 7 months ago
azizisdumb
redundant222
· 7 months ago
The point is understandable. The fact that he touts twitter "followers" as a reason is asinine. That makes this person a fucking retard.
James
· 7 months ago
Same thing happened to THX. Back in the early 80s, when THX came out, I was working for an audiophile magazine that took great pains to publish the exact specifications for a 'THX Certified' theater, complete with amplification requirements, the size, number and depths of the speaker installations, how the boxes must be constructed, the acceptable minimum and maximum angles at which the audience would be exposed to the sound, the minimum and maximum number of seats to be available, and the exact dimensions of a 'THX Certified' theater.
Without meeting each of those (and many other) criteria, a movie theater could not carry the THX badge.
Now, you can go into just about any retail store that carries a decent collection of home stereo equipment and find THX-branded SPEAKERS! Just the speakers ... nothing else. Similarly, many movie theaters that are clearly not large enough to qualify and clearly do not include the THX speaker layout are sporting the THX badge.
It just goes to show that when enough money is involved, people who once gave a crap about the quality of their work will often be willing to chuck it all down the drain for a piece of the action.
Lawrence
· 7 months ago
I agree strongly. I was also duped in New York City where there is only one true IMAX theater worthy of the name at 68th and Broadway. The other theatres should not be allowed to use the name. Aside from this list to comment, we should have some petition and through the Better Business Bureau or some screening guild put an end to this before it gets out of hand. I for one am happy that IMAX exists but they should stick with their original business model. There are tons of new 3D movies coming out and the digital technology keeps improving. We are being shortchanged and allowing ourselves to be cheated, if we knowingly patronize this bait-and-switch scenario.
Tom
· 7 months ago
To everyone who tore Aziz up like the no-life-having 'net trolls you are:
I am glad a ran across this post. I looked up theaters on the IMAX website for an IMAX screen to see Star Trek, and was getting ready to drive way out of the way to see it. Saw the post, called the theater, no large screen. I would have been pissed. Thanks Aziz.
WahooRob
· 7 months ago
He's not a loser for expressing a point that he feels strongly about, he's a loser for watching the entire movie and then being a jackass about the way he demanded a refund.
If he felt that strongly about it, he should've left the moment he realized he wasn't in a "true" IMAX theater.
There's a distinct lack of civility on his part. He's lucky he got the two free passes.
Hitler
· 7 months ago
this asshole must be a fucking jew.....kike!!
hurley
· 7 months ago
God bless you Aziz. I know a LOT of people that felt scammed as well. Total ripoff.
ouijaqueen
· 7 months ago
i have stopped watching movies in the theater all together. the tickets keep getting more expensive and the movies are not getting any better. i say we quit paying actors/directors/producers and the like millions of dollars untill they can produce a movie worth leaving my house to go watch.
shittyblog
· 7 months ago
you just sound like a whiny little bitch, yes you paid 5$ extra (WOW!), it was also an above average cinema experience, get over it. It couldn't have been that bad, seeing as you watched the entire movie...idiot.
markr
· 7 months ago
heck... ya... tell'em AZIZ...
dude too much 'effings tho'...
watched the movie last night in IMAX Experiance... paid only $9 = $4 above the $5 regular Mon-Thur price...
almost walked out, while watching the AMC/"History channel" thingy that looked grainy and out of focus - probably not prepared for the DLP...
but then they rolled out the movie previews then the movie and WHOOOA... I did liked the experience... but I think it's worth only about $2 extra over the regular price... plus maybe a free popcorn (if u paying $4 extra)...
prolly will join ur boycott after I watch the new Transformers... can't promise 100% tho'... ;)
- peace
Jimmy Jim
· 7 months ago
You probably should have researched this BEFORE going to the theatre.
Star Trek was never shot on IMAX film, so projecting it onto a real IMAX screen would look terrible. The IMAX Experience is just an upconversion of the original 35 mm film onto IMAX film stock, so that they can project it onto a slightly larger screen and avoid focus and jitter problems. The audio system is also slightly improved. It's like watching a regular DVD on an HDTV... the upconversion looks nice, but you can't expect a low res video to magically appear in HD.
Also, I saw Star Trek with the IMAX Experience, and it was definitely NOT digital. They use a digital copy of the film and print it onto IMAX film stock, then project it with an IMAX film projector. Some guy at the theatre behind me was talking about how it's "digital", which was wrong. There is such a thing as IMAX digital projectors though, so your theatre may be different. But, since you didn't bother to read any of the information about what you were buying, I'm willing to bet you got this wrong too.
This information is freely available to anyone who asks. The info is posted on their website, a million other websites, and is available in the theatre if you simply asked while you purchased your ticket. I do agree that the IMAX Experience is a bit deceptive, but you can't expect them to give you your money back AFTER you sit through the entire film.
Jim
· 7 months ago
Dude, just about every movie has not been filmed in IMAX format, to my knowledge, except for some scenes in The Dark Knight.
I've seen quite a few movies on the LEGIT IMAX screen(the giant 72 ft screen), and although they werent shot in IMAX, they still looked good.
So Aziz is completely right in making the complaint he did, because he felt screwed over by the name. It is not clarified at the theater that you are watching on a smaller screen, and no one should have to go on the internet to find the difference between IMAX and digital IMAX.
I've worked in a movie theater before, and I agree that asking for a refund after watching the whole movie is stupid... but Aziz did not ask for a full refund, just the price difference from the digital IMAX to the regular ticket price, a measly 5$, which seems extremely fair.
You should probably do research next time before you post about something like this
Shannon
· 7 months ago
Please don't be so stupid as to suggest everyone research a theatre. That sounds stupid and I didn't even bother typing the argument. You know, I don't think the pertinent issue here is how it was shot, or why "real" IMAX wouldn't work. The issue is deceptive tactics used by companies to con people out of money. Next time try to critically read the arguments at had, it might help you the next time you open your laptop.
stop being an idiot
· 7 months ago
Jim, your half right. but thats like telling a tard they can do have math. just doesnt work. projecting star trek on an imax screen, even though it was not shot in imax, will not make it look terrible. if it would and you are soo sure... why did you go see it in imax? wouldnt you be disappointed?
you contradict yourself and have on the very basic understanding of what imax is. first : calling it an up conversion is just plain stupid. 2: it is digital in the since that it has to be "digitally remastered" (DRM) into imax format. which does NOT reduce the resolution. what it does is place the frame on a 15/70 print in letterbox format. so when some guy says digital, try and not jump to conclusions that he's asa retarded as you are and get what the conversation is about. DRM.
You have questions ask them, i work with this shit.
IMAX
· 7 months ago
Hey – we don’t want to fight! We just want to continue to entertain audiences like we’ve been doing for more than 40 years. Clearly your viewing experience did not live up to your expectation, and we’re sorry you didn’t enjoy it. But most people think Hollywood films in IMAX have been incredible given the immersive experience IMAX provides at all IMAX theatres. Theatre geometry, amazing sound and picture quality – there is nothing like it. We’re all about transparency and listening to our audience - so feel free to contact us www.twitter.com/imaxnews or learn more at www.imax.com/virtual.
Kampy
· 7 months ago
(assuming you really work for IMAX....)
We know you've been entertaining us for more than 40 years, and for all of that time, we, as consumers have come to expect that when we pay a premium ticket price for an IMAX experience, that means we're going to see 70mm film projected onto a giant screen. I mean, that's the very definition of the IMAX format, is it not???
If the IMAX corporation wants to break from their traditional 70mm format and create new projection formats (ie using digital projectors on a much smaller screen) that's fine with me! Go for it! Diversify! Just DON'T CALL IT "IMAX" ...because in our minds, IMAX = 70mm film projected on a giant screen.
If you must associate the name IMAX with this new product you're pushing, at least give it a new name. Call it "IMAX MINI" or "IMAX LITE". But if you continue to use just the name "IMAX" then all you're doing is misleading your customers and destroying the fine reputation you spent 40 years building up.
And if you won't give your new product a new name, then we will continue calling it what it is: "FAKE IMAX" or "LIE-MAX"
Me
· 7 months ago
you need a bigger screen to compensate for a small... ...ehhh? peepee?
You're right about feeling like you've been jipped because movies these days costs way too much. But if I were you, I would have walked out during or even before the film. Walking into a theater that promises IMAX and then realizing right then and there, that the screen is much much smaller, well that would be your chance to make a stand. Instead you watched the entire movie then walked out to bitch and complain, doesn't that seem a little.. I don't know.. hypocritical? "Hi, my name is Asshole, I'm here to watch this IMAX..uh-whaa? it's not IMAX! Well then, I'm going to ask for my money back, RIGHT after I watch this movie." When I watch IMAX, I'm mostly hoping for a great quality picture with booming sound. As for the big screen, anything thats 10X bigger than my TV is big enough for me.
Eh, anyway, my only problem with you is that you complain about the wrong points. Not only that but I can't have respect for someone who's going to be a dick to a manager of a theater who probably hates his job and can't REALLY do anything about..well anything. Plus the whole watching the whole movie before demanding a refund part really made me think you were just an all around idiot.
BTW if you're going to lie about the twitter part, you should have lied about watching the whole movie to the rest of us, say you walked out or something so we can all think you're tough shit, 'cause honestly, you know that's the point you're trying to make here.
Sky
· 7 months ago
Dude, you're an idiot. He's asking for the money back that makes it imax. He watched the movie on a regular screen, he should have to pay regular price, and get 5 bucks back.
Secondly, he didn't lie about the twitter part. You're an idiot.
Steven
· 7 months ago
HAHA .. That is not how that conversation went. It was more like:
Aziz: Can I have my $5 back cause that screen isn't a real IMAX screen? Theater: No, you watched the movie. Aziz: Can I have a free soda and popcorn? Theater: Why? .. That'd be like $12 by our pricing. It'd make more sense to give you the $5 back. Aziz: Yah, that does make sense. Well.. I'm never coming here again and I'm going to blog about it! Theater: See you at home Aziz, don't forget to clean the litter pan. Aziz: I WILL MOM, GAWDDD!
Steve is dumb
· 7 months ago
Except a free soda and popcorn is worth like 50 cents for them.
Kunk
· 7 months ago
Same damn issue with Watchmen at our local Regal. We also have a new Bow Tie theater which I am trying to go to exclusively now.
Super Awesome Guy
· 7 months ago
Thanks homie!
J
· 7 months ago
I agree with you Aziz, I really don't like it that they charge so much in the first place.
embick
· 7 months ago
wow. really!? i cannot believe how much of a douchebag some of these people are. you are yelling at this guy calling him an "idiot" yet you are the people on his website (obviously fans)...if you have a problem with him than don't get on here and don't give a fuck. i am sure you have better things to do with your time than stalk a semi-celebrity and try to get his attention. peace.
Westminster Colorado AMC lies
· 7 months ago
My group of friends was equally disappointed at the LIE that AMC slipped us. I wondered into the next theater which was also showing Star Trek and realized just how much they were screwing the IMAX ticket purchasers. Our horrible experience was at the AMC in Westminster, Colorado. Never go there.
jay
· 7 months ago
haha Aziz your blog post made it to the front page of digg. I don't think the majority of these people posting comments know who you are. don't apologize to dumb assholes. btw the show at union hall last week was great!
Eric Sandt
· 7 months ago
It doesn't matter that he stayed for the whole movie. He wanted to see the movie, so he saw it. All that matters is that he was lied to and did not get what he paid for. I've had enough of companies ripping people off because all they care about is making money without giving a fuck if they hurt or cheat people. That is no way to live your life and it is certainly no way to run a company. IMAX knew EXACTLY what they were and EXACTLY why they were doing it. There is simply not excuse for it.
Makubi
· 7 months ago
For years I've been telling anyone who wants to see an "IMAX" movie at the AMC I work at that it's not really IMAX... so much easier than screwing people over. Most never even realize it. IMAX is a shitty company.
lukeramos
· 7 months ago
Aziz is totally right. IMAX needs to be larger than life. This "IMAX quality picture and sound" stuff is bullshit. The screen needs to be huge.
Roger
· 7 months ago
I agree 100% and I'm glad someone is pointing out what bullshit this is. You can't dilute the IMAX experience otherwise what's the friggin point? Digital projection and high quality sound have been going on for years now. IMAX is supposed to mean "huge ass screen"! Thanks for informing us and I'm definitely boycotting all these theaters that are trying to pull this off.
Phil
· 7 months ago
I agree with Aziz! In addition to the screen size, which is the most obvious problem- IMAX used to mean that a 70mm projector was projecting 70mm film. Now the "digital IMAX" just doubles up 2k projectors. There's several theaters that have 4k projectors in NORMAL movies.
So why lie to the consumer?
Andrew Tan
· 7 months ago
Just a note to everyone calling Aziz Ansari a "loser," etc. If you have the guts to call someone a loser at least put up your real name.
It's false advertising and frequent movie goers are starting to feel ripped off. If you don't like this as a complaint, there are tons of other places on the internet you can go to.
Paul'sTimeMachine
· 7 months ago
You are 100% right, we have that problem with a regal out in Vegas, where they just put a wall to wall screen in a regular movie theatre... so not the IMAX experience that I had in NYC... glad this is being brought to light!
PinkStarr
· 7 months ago
Aziz,
Thank you for shedding light on this. Thankfully, I've only gone to the Burbank AMC once and it was awful. That why I'm seeing Star Trek at the IMAX at The Bridge. It's worth the drive and you can eat at Dinah's fried chicken afterwards, b'okay!!
Steve Agee
· 7 months ago
Too bad the CEO of IMAX isn't as good at math as he is at screwing the movie-going public. Someone needs to explain to him what 90% is.
Emz
· 7 months ago
I'd be a ball of rage. Keep fighting the good fight!
Dane Forst
· 7 months ago
Aziz, Thanks so much for helping to bring this issue to light. I have noticed this since I was a kid and we took a field trip to see Imax at the Museum. I was living near Milwaukee at the time and was blown away by the sheer magnitude of the Imax screen. At that time, all they were showing was some shitty movie about dinosaurs. It didn't matter since they were HUGE dinosaurs! It was a memorable experience that I never got to relive. I moved to CA 6 years ago and was excited when I was going to see Spider-Man 2 in Imax in Valencia only to be completely let down. I thought maybe I had imagined how massive the screen was I saw previously. I since have seen Dark Knight in "Imax" and again was disappointed in the size of the screen. I truly thought I was the only one that noticed, glad to finally see that isn't true and someone is stepping up and voicing their opinion.
Thanks.
ExpensiveHat
· 7 months ago
What and awesome post. I've been trying to explain to friends about fake IMAX for a while now. I'll just link them to this... thanks!
PooDicey
· 7 months ago
Doesnt sound like you got the IMAX experience the official IMAX website talks about... which is a combination of the IMAX screen, Theater Geometry, and Audio System.... and Aziz is right its about the principle...
Matt Buck
· 7 months ago
I agree wholeheartedly with Aziz. That is all.
Elie
· 7 months ago
You're awesome. Escalating Interview is the shit.
I was planning on going to see Star Trek in IMAX at an AMC in Santa Clara (nor cal) but now I'm thinking twice.
A commenter on digg put it very well: "IMAX presented by Monster Cable".
Fuck IMAX if they're selling out like that.
TJ
· 7 months ago
Aziz rocks. IMAX can suck it. All ya' all who disagree need to grow a pair and stop bein' bitches. I say we fight the man and rape IMAX as hard as we can!
Taylor
· 7 months ago
I went and saw the Batman movie at an AMC theatre that I drove 100 miles to go see. I was fucking duped by these bastards. The screen was piss poor. Put them the fuck down, Aziz!
Aaron
· 7 months ago
These people who are freaking out and don't have an opinion about the actual subject of IMAX are stupid.
The bottom line is that "IMAX" is a term that has been associated with extra-large high-quality screens for at least the last 5 years within the collective consciousness. To now, after all this time, say that "IMAX" can be either the product we all expect OR a sub-standard product that is VERY different from the original concept is absurd, and quite frankly, bad business.
Had they made the decision to call it "IMAX Digital Film Projection" or something else for the extra 5 dollars, that would be one thing. But to use the same trade name which is so synonymous with a larger-than-life experience when compared to your average movie screen is deliberately misleading. I will do my best to avoid ever seeing any movie in IMAX again, instead going to my local 'Ultrascreen' which, while not using the same patented IMAX technology while actually SHOOTING the film, does make normal films seem larger-than-life and is also offered at the same price as a regular ticket.
To the IMAX CEO I say: Keep telling yourself that what you are doing is right and that '90 percent of the commenters' on this site 'disagree' with Aziz. I think that is nothing more than a cheap line to save face and convince yourself you are not in the wrong. Bad form, sir. Bad form.
JP
· 7 months ago
I think this is pure bullshit. Give this man his refund.
amp
· 7 months ago
I totally agree with aziz - when I went to see Watchmen the screen was OBVIOUSLY smaller than when I saw Dark Knight! - it was only a bit bigger than a regular screen! What a rip off
Ryan Mann
· 7 months ago
If your paying for IMAX you deserve REAL IMAX! Keep crusading Aziz we're behind you!
Naked Comedy
· 7 months ago
I didn't even think about this until this blog, when I remembered my experience seeing "300." I saw it in a real IMAX, front row, and I remember feeling so overwhelmed by the brightness and loudness. Then this weekend I went to see Star Trek in "IMAX" and was confused as to how the screen/sound quality was so much better?
THANK YOU AZIZ! Now I know I'm not crazy! Fight on mighty warrior!
Ronnie
· 7 months ago
i fully understand what Aziz is saying here when anyone thinks imax they think big-a$$ screen with loud-a$$ sound and if its the screen is the same size as the other screens in the theatre then its like what the hell im paying 5 extra bucks for this thats F'd up i fully back Aziz and his boycott movement
Dan
· 7 months ago
Keep fighting the good fight, Aziz.
Neil
· 7 months ago
This kind of publicity is not very flattering. You are looking more and more like a arrogant, rich jerk rather than an educated, informed actor leveraging social media intelligently to connect with your fans. I think you need to let this one go. Unfollowed.
Sky
· 7 months ago
Dude, They fucked me last summer with Dark Knight. First time seeing that movie, I had to go see it AGAIN on a real iMax. And let me tell you, the experiences are different as fuck. Those tiny little bitched out imax's mean nothing if you're in the back row. AND IT WAS IN WIDESCREEN! All the scenes that were shot with imax cameras got converted BACK to widescreen. IN AN IMAX THEATRE! I paid 5 extra bucks to watch those awesome scenes in widescreen, and not with the imax camera.... then why did Christopher Nolan even bother?
And DEAR IMAX, If 90% disagree, count me in that 10% of people who aren't pussies constantly getting fucked by the big bad ramming dicks that are you, imax. My dick might be smaller, but what's more imposing? Getting raped by one large dick or being gang banged by millions of tiny angry dicks?
Adam
· 7 months ago
I'm with Aziz. That's some BS. I also think bragging about your number of Twitter followers is hilarious. And customer service people usually suck, because they don't actually care about the company either, they're just doing a shit job that they hate, except for Zappos, those people rock.
Down with the man! (or woman!)
Bill
· 7 months ago
VIVA LA AZIZ!!!!
Ludo
· 7 months ago
Of COURSE IMAX is about the enormous screen..isn't that totally obvious? Aziz Ansari has a completely valid point.
Ben K
· 7 months ago
I'm with you Aziz! No more fake IMAX screens!
Greg (IMAX)
· 7 months ago
What the hell? I swear to god IMAX must have their employees come in and post on here defending them, cuz i've never seen so many people complaining like this on his website...
Seriously, i understand where Aziz is coming from. But as soon as IMAX's CEO announces 90 percent of the people disagree with aziz all of these complaints pop up.
Its half for entertainment and half to criticize IMAX. Why would you call him a loser? Its pathetic, unless your getting paid to do it.
Unsilent
· 7 months ago
I'm with Aziz. This is some straight up bullshit.
Peca
· 7 months ago
Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaandy!
sarah b.
· 7 months ago
I was also fooled by the fake IMAX once myself & it was soooooooo annoying. It's total crap to pay $5 extra for hardly any difference & certainly does not compare to the real IMAX I went in expecting. They should definitely differentiate between the two, AT THE VERY LEAST.
imax projectionist
· 7 months ago
i am a projectionist for a "real" IMAX theater. basically, the movie wasn't shot specifically for IMAX using an IMAX camera (i.e. certain scenes from the dark knight and every movie they show about space, the ocean, the desert, etc.). therefore, the movie is in 16:9 (widescreen) for the entire movie. thus, there is a great deal of the screen that goes unused. While the picture is still slightly bigger in a "real" IMAX theater, the AMC theaters simply cut off the unused portion of the screen. So you are still getting almost the same thing.
Scamboogah
· 7 months ago
What a stupid defense. If you bought a Porsche and the guy rolled out with a Kia sportage and said, "It's got 4 wheels. It's almost the same thing", would you put up with that?
Garrett
· 7 months ago
IMAX and all involved are a bunch of crooks. Just relabel the small screens IMAX minis, still charge more, and see if anyone goes. Boycott all IMAX until they make the change!
mrtony
· 7 months ago
Agreed. Even though the image is stretched, I liked the IMAX experience. Not a slightly better movie experience that shouldn't cost an extra $5. I like the big screen.
Mack
· 7 months ago
Wow, what's wrong with you people, I have read a lot of you comments and the amount of hate towards Aziz is ridiculous. If you guys hate him so much, why are you reading his blog???? The man has a point, why should WE be charged the same price as IMAX films, if it's not the same. Just because the screen is a little bigger doesn't mean they should charge us more, thats just something they should do to make their moviegoers enjoy the movie even more. People who are with the theaters on this are just haters and all they do is go around the internet and comment negatively on everything....why don't ya'll get lives....Think about it....
Ivan
· 7 months ago
NO REFUND NO PEACE NO REFUND NO PEACE
PacoLovesTacos
· 7 months ago
You should have known that a full sized IMAX theater screen would not fit inside a normal theater. Seems pretty obvious to me.
Shawn
· 7 months ago
I agree 100% with Aziz. We brown people spend our money wisely. If we're going to spend $5 more, we want that bigass screen that IMAX is known for. "The IMAX Experience"? Never heard of it. What I have heard of are bigass screens. All we want are bigass screens.
Nick
· 7 months ago
why the hell would I pay $5 extra for just a slightly bigger screen and better picture quality, that is not an Imax screen, it's a bullshit screen. Totally with Aziz on this
Brandon Tyler
· 7 months ago
Apparently from the comments I'm reading, people just love paying an extra $5 to have a HUGE IMAX COCK shoved up their assholes... this is why we're in a recession. People spend money on SHIT and don't think twice about it.
Good for you for actually standing up to a business and asking for your money back when you're not satisfied. You saw the movie... and you weren't asking for all of your money back. People don't understand that. The IMAX quality wasn't up to your spec... so a refund of the five extra dollars for the IMAX quality is completely justified.
By the way, the manager who argued with you about $5 is the retard. Who wants to waste their time horribly representing a company over $5? It's managers who make a shitty living from a shitty company and are fed up with lives... they have to take it out on customers.
So to all of you who would stand in line to be fucked by an angry IMAX cock, have fun. I won't be following you unless it's a massive 72 ft... that's the only way I like my IMAX cock. Big.
By the way... the definition of IMAX = Image MAXimum. Not sound maximum, not seat maximum, IMAGE MAXIMUM.
What's wrong with you people?
Consigliari
· 7 months ago
Anyone who says they go to see a movie in IMAX and they *don't* expect it to be on a three story screen is lying directly from their ass.
This is like paying 20 bucks to see the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine, then paying 30 bucks to see them play at a little league field because it was the "Dodger experience". Fuck that - half the value in an event is the venue. And when a name becomes synonymous with a type of venue, you have a duty to distance yourself from that connection when know that you aren't delivering the product most consumers are expecting......
Branden
· 7 months ago
Beautiful example if i do say so myself.
sugarvenom
· 7 months ago
i am with aziz. BOO IMAX! i live in the middle of nowhere mississippi and i was actually considering driving birmingham of all places to see star trek on IMAX. think about how much money i would have spent on gas and food and DRINKS, my god, the drinks. talk about stimulating the economy. now the dollars are staying in my pocket. way to go AMC. way to RUIN AMERICA.
Mack
· 7 months ago
I'm with Aziz
pachecofores
· 7 months ago
I agree with you, Aziz. IMAX are assholes.
Dan T.
· 7 months ago
This is an obvious cash-in and a complete rip=off. Eat it, IMAX. Try and make some money through honest means, your "real" product was good enough.
Alec
· 7 months ago
Gotta agree with Aziz on this....IMAX has set a standard of big-ass screens. When I buy a ticket for IMAX I'm expecting something filmed with an IMAX camera and on a big-ass screen. Anything else would be misleading and clearly just a ploy to take advantage of movie-goers who don't know the difference.
TJ
· 7 months ago
I agree! I went and saw the Dark Knight in a so-called "IMAX" theatre. I was very upset as to having been deceived. IMAX digital is bull.
monkeybeat
· 7 months ago
I had the same experience when I went to see The Dark Night. Since there is only one (so called) iMAX theater in my area (25 miles from my house) I had to wait two weeks to get tickets to a 9am Sunday morning showing. I was pissed the whole time I was watching the movie, since every time one of the special iMAX filmed scenes came up, the image was shifted below the front row of seats. Good thing that their was only a few people in the front 3 rows or else it would have looked like Batman was driving his bike across their shoulders. Needless to say, I will never make the mistake of going to this or any other fake iMAX theater again. I hope some starts a site with a list of these fake iMAX screens to help make sure others are not suckered too.
RB
· 7 months ago
If it's not gigantic, the name Imax shouldn't be used. It's false advertising, plain and simple.
Dan
· 7 months ago
The same thing happened to me at the Imax at Clearview in New Orleans on Sunday. 13.50? What a scam. I got hit by a car while riding a bike and bitten by my neighbor's dog last week. And then this? Unthinkable and unethical.
Shame on you Imax.
Shep
· 7 months ago
You haters do realize that Aziz is a comedian .....right?!
It's easy IMAX means big, he got ripped off simple as.
Shannon
· 7 months ago
Well, I reblogged this because I basically find the act of conning people out of their money sort of evil. If you go to a jewelry story, and someone's like "oh look at our tiffany's collection" and it's actually tiffany INSPIRED, would you pay the same price? Fuck no. This is a shit economy and when people want to treat themselves they shouldn't find themselves screwed over. Now I haven't been to the Imax-like theaters, but I like the experience of real Imax movies, and I'm not going to pay a 50% increase in prices for something that isn't properly advertised. And to all these little bitches on here complaining and whatnot "Oh, Aziz, I hate you!" or "You spend way too much time whinning" I think MAYBE you should stop reading his blog, and his tweets, or anything to do with him. I don't make it a point to harass celebrities I dislike. If anyone needs to "get a life" it's you. Honestly, I hope you bastards lose your jobs for not focusing on your work... my fingers are crossed.
Branden
· 7 months ago
I'm with Aziz. IMAX should go fuck itself...film it with an IMAX camera...and then play it on a fake IMAX screen and see if it doesn't feel like it wants its 5 dollars back.
On another note why is Darfur getting so little love here?
Kimberly Ragsdale
· 7 months ago
Gotta agree with Aziz on this. $5 WASTED! $5 will buy quite a few cheese roll ups at Taco Bell... I take that shit seriously, guys. That's nothing to play with.
keith
· 7 months ago
IMAX is a fraud! I learned my lesson-lost my money and I am NEVER going to a IMAX branded product. The Arclight gets my money. IMAX is a brand to avoid.
nate
· 7 months ago
are you surprised by all of this? it's a CEO's job to discount claims / issues / etc. he's just being another CEO who doesn't give a fuck about us as long as we go to his theaters.. it's a shame, because he's wrong - and aziz isn't the only one who thinks that this false representation is total bullshit, lowbrow tactics to make more money. go fuck yourself AMC/IMAX
diegoalbright
· 7 months ago
AMC/IMAX are douches, they're already raping us with their prices, and then they "better" your experience for $5 more, and it's nothing better... I definitely will never got to any theater that participates in this shit!
Cindy
· 7 months ago
totally agree with you Aziz, everyone picks their causes... i support you in yours!
I AGREE! It is deceptive and you were absolutely right to demand your money back. If they are going to license out their name like that, they should clarify that it is "Imax Sound Quality" not "the Imax Experience." I will NOT be going to any "Imax" showings until they clarify it themselves. I don't think you are "whining" at all. This is how change happens. Good work!
Madeline
· 7 months ago
I love your post. This is why I will continue to go to Lincoln Square and not Times Square to see an IMAX movie. I went to my hometown in Illinois this weekend and was surprised by how many IMAX screens had suddenly popped up. As we drove past one theater, my husband said, "They can't have an IMAX. It's not 80 feet tall."
ADeer
· 7 months ago
72ft > 53ft $15>$10. When you buy a product branded on GIGANTIC SCREENS you should get a massive screen when you pay extra. If they want to sell the IMAX "experience" they should put a disclaimer on before you buy the ticket noting the screen size in not the standard 72ft. Who would pay 5 extra dollars for more SOUND? This is like selling a .50 cents of Diet Dr. Pepper in a 1.25 dollar Dr. Pepper bottle. Maybe I want those calories. By the time I take a sip, it's too late. No body told me this shit was diet and half full. IMAX is being deceptive.
Nick
· 7 months ago
This kind of IMAX is a complete ripoff! The corporate greed has gone too far! Keep fighting the good fight Aziz!!!!
Ravinder Pulia
· 7 months ago
F all the haters on this thread, JAI HIND and PK Zindabad!
ryan
· 7 months ago
I saw Star Trek this weekend, and was more than excited to see it on what I assumed to be the IMAX screen of my youth, the one that made you feel like you were flying through the Golden Gate Bridge, the one that surrounded you on all sides. I drove 45 minutes to a theater that I had never been to before, and I paid $15 for each ticket. Assuming I was about to have my mind blown away by the sheer size of the screen, I felt $15 was a good deal, even though I could see it for $5 at a much closer theater if I waited a few days. When I entered the theater I realized what IMAX stood for: normal screen. REALLY loud. I could rent the movie and turn it up on my own TV if I wanted to permanently damage my eardrums. Now granted, the quality of the film was great, but I didn't pay for good quality, I paid for a giant screen, which is what I have always known IMAX to be.
I will never pay for another IMAX movie again.
Gregory
· 7 months ago
I FEEEEEEL YOU AZIZ! IMAX, AMC and Regal are a bunch of faggot assholes. I've been to one of these "IMAX" theaters...and they're total BULLSHIT. I want my money back too! FOR SERIOUS! EF THEM!
Ethan
· 7 months ago
Its not like you were asking for a whole refund, you just wanted the money back that you deserved back b/c you paid for the IMAX EXPERIENCE and got a half assed IMAX that was basically a regular movie with "better sound and video". I would have done the same thing. Movies are so unnecessarily expensive these days
Lauren
· 7 months ago
I had a similar problem when 'The Dark Knight' came out. I was frustrated and I admire that you've chosen to speak out. This is how things get done.
Mikey
· 7 months ago
I agree with Aziz 100%.
Sara
· 7 months ago
I totally agree with you, Aziz! They should at least TELL US which kind of IMAX we are paying for! In my opinion, those smaller theaters are NOT worth an extra five dollars.
kriz bell
· 7 months ago
i have been following you on this issue and i love the whole thing (not the rip off but what it grew...) i love your use of twitter and would love to know how the stats panned out. it is shameful that IMAX has not consumer ethics about employing a HOT APPLE PIE gimmick- it doesn't have to be hot or apple pie- it's all the name / brand. right on for not giving up and bigger right on for PARKS AND REC! laughter makes the world better.
fran
· 7 months ago
dear imax, your numbers are wrong. i am now boycotting your money stealin business.
IllustratedExample
· 7 months ago
Agree!! suck it imax you pricks
john
· 7 months ago
I'm with you Aziz. When are theater companies going to realize that the cost-to-experience ratio sucks
TheKitchenSink
· 7 months ago
This most definitely is an issue. Thats very misleading. It should be mandatory that they state which "IMAX Experience" they have.
Anonymous
· 7 months ago
Also, cocks.
Trevor
· 7 months ago
To all the people that are being negative, you guys are moronic pieces of shit. It's obvious Aziz is intentionally trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't give a shit either way. So basically just chill the fuck out.
travis
· 7 months ago
I'm with AZIZ on this one. Boycotting IMAX and its fake ass experiences. False advertising.
Ed Gordon
· 7 months ago
I agree. The 'experience' you paid a premium for was improperly labeled as imax. Could you imaging dropping a few hundred thou on a Ferrari that ended up having a Honda engine, then being told that it was still a part of the 'Ferrari experience'? I don't even think there is anything wrong w/ those installations, I just think they should be properly branded/labelled for moviegoers who care.
pattysaurus
· 7 months ago
wow. richard gelfond isn't doing much to hide his inner assface, is he?
fight the power, aziz!
Cody Clarke
· 7 months ago
Aziz is absolutely right here. There's no way anyone can say the dinky IMAX screen is worth the same amount of money as the REAL IMAX screen. Fuck that shit.
Adeel
· 7 months ago
Thank you Aziz! I saw the movie on an "IMAX" screen. Thought I was ripped off too! When I asked for the refund, the dude said the same shit about giving refunds back. After finally speaking to the manager, who btw was a total dick, I got a FULL refund!
It's sad that people didn't understand you twitter joke--fuckin morons. IMAX is ripping ppl off and need to stop w/ that shit!
Adeel
· 7 months ago
Oh, and I'm all for the challenge w/ the CEO. They're trying to make you look like a douche! LET'S DO THIS!
Big M
· 7 months ago
I completely agree with you, Aziz! IMAX is an epicly awesome thing, and for it to be tossed aside on these smaller screens is an abomination.
TWO THUMBS DOWN TO IMAX.
Bob Saget
· 7 months ago
Yeah, sure, a joke...so what else should I not believe about this faggy story, everything?
Big M
· 7 months ago
You just don't appreciate humor. And there is no need to call it a "faggy" story. What about this story seems homosexual to you?
Adam
· 7 months ago
I had the same disappointing experience seeing Watchmen at AMC in Times Square. Clearly, the screen is NOTHING like the real deal at Lincoln Square. Upon first seeing it I thought, "Okay, maybe the definition of 'IMAX' isn't what I thought..."
Lauren
· 7 months ago
Also, when I did finally see 'The Dark Knight' on the BIG IMAX screen, it was the size of the screen that made the movie better...not the fucking sound...the IMAX experience is a lost cause with out the big screen...I love that you brought this to peoples attention...and in a funny way...nice job. I will boycott IMAX and all fake IMAX's until the issue is resolved...to me that means upgrading all imposter screens to full size imax's or reducing the price of admission for all the fake imax screens to the regular screen ticket price. Thanks
justinhook
· 7 months ago
I agree entirely. I was not pleased, and I will never, ever pay a $5 premium for a faux-IMAX experience. What's the point?
tom
· 7 months ago
Bottom line: use of the IMAX name is misleading to consumers. It's the responsibility of both IMAX and the cinema to educate the average joe what he or she is paying a premium for. Throwing around the term "experience" is confusing and unfair. Not educationing movie goers and misrepresenting = disappointment
Wayne
· 7 months ago
If I buy something, I educate myself on what the product or service is. Why? Because if I ask the person selling the product I'm going to get bullshitted.
Making the theaters educate average joe? The theaters are just going to come up with better bullshit. "Our cinema now has the Digital Extreme Premier Package with 60 additional speakers!" Now they don't say IMAX, still charge you $5 more, and all you get is 60 Piezo speakers that beep once in a while.
Steve
· 7 months ago
You must be poor as hell to bitch about $5. It would cost me more money to do the bitching (blog post, talking to a manager) than it would to just walk away.
Eat the $5 and say screw it. OR Get your $5 but take an hour of time doing it? Even someone making minimum wage would screw themselves.
JS
· 7 months ago
You clearly live with your mother.
Steve
· 7 months ago
... That's the best you could come up with?
justin
· 7 months ago
heh i dont think the sole intention of doing all of this is to get his 5 dollars back. You might be missing the point here.
JaBoy3000
· 7 months ago
You're absolutely right, Aziz. I WISH I WOULD spend the same on a sup-par screen as I would on a dedicated IMAX screen. That's ridiculous. As for the people making comments about how you should have left BEFORE the end of the movie - fuck that. You're a busy man who doesn't have time to waste. The only reason I would have left before it was over is because I don't have shit to do (like most of the commentors on this page) and can go back to the theater anytime...
Tony
· 7 months ago
I went and saw The Day The Earth Stood still at Crossgate Mall in Albany. I thought, this movie isn't going to be good. Why not at least watch it on a good format for shits and giggles? So I get to the theater with my roommate, we shell out the money for an IMAX ticket, get to the theater for the movie and were floored that the screen wasn't a real IMAX screen. I thought that just our theater got ripped off when they said they were getting IMAX. After hearing that this is happening across the nation all I have to say is "bullshit". This is bullshit and I want my fucking huge ass screen.
Ian Priani
· 7 months ago
You are fucking right Aziz, they are scamming consumers, and quite frankly I don't see why some fuckers here are criticizing this movement.
The IMAX I went to see Watchmen wasn't the same IMAX I knew, It was just a slightly bigger screen, before it was an experience, that was worth 5 dollars more, but not anymore!
And people should chill out about the tweeter and Darfur thing, seriously they are on a comedians blog, of course there are going to be some jokes. DUH
So if people still want to be charged 5 dollars more for a "bigger" screen , be my guest, but me and my family are done going to "IMAX" theaters
reiestrada7
· 7 months ago
As a fan, I might be inherently biased, but really...
Look, you can't put Safeway Select Plastic Bottle Vodka in a Grey Goose Bottle, then charge more. It's that simple.
r34lRockNRolla
· 7 months ago
Imagine Popov vodka calling itself Grey Goose because it's just like the "Grey Goose Experience" or they call Popov Belvedere because it has just as much alcohol content as Belvedere. You get drunk just like Grey Goose and Belvedere... But no that's not the way it works
Steve Schroeder
· 7 months ago
I'm with Aziz 100% on this. I had the same exact experience a couple months ago and felt totally GYPSYED out of money. I won't see another IMAX without making sure its real true BIG ASS IMAX.
Thanks for taking this stand, Aziz.
philrox
· 7 months ago
Im on your side dude, too much of this kinda thing is going on and people just look the other way cause its easy. What can we do to help?
Roy Burns
· 7 months ago
I couldn't agree more Aziz. I don't mind paying a premium for a great theater experience, but this is just false advertising. I am BEYOND loyal to Arclight who are superior in almost every way to every other theater I have been to.
Call it IMAX Lite or IMIN or something different.
reiestrada7
· 7 months ago
Crystal IMAX
Random83777332
· 7 months ago
I understand what's not fair here.
IMAX are whoring their name out; Shame...
Top-Tip: Don't mention Twitter, I have followers etc.. As Twitter is "Jumping the Shark" - or Whale.
Mikayel
· 7 months ago
15 dollars to watch a shitty movie on a shitty screen... Bullshit! Aziz, you rock for getting in these mothers' faces.
VonHelff
· 7 months ago
It's sad that so many people are calling Aziz a loser and the like. But of course, there are so many people used to "The American Way" of lying down and enjoying the anal reaming perpetrated upon the American consumer. IMAX is just another company who will try to get away with as much as possible, hoping people didn't catch on to their deception while screwing the little guy (and girl) out of more of their hard-earned money. I can only imagine the naysayers posting against Aziz's legitimate points back in Colonial America, musing about how the tyrannical British rule wasn't that bad, or goose-stepping to the masses in pre-World War II Germany. If you don't stand for anything, you'll fall for something.
JS
· 7 months ago
I will be boycotting all of these companies. Thank you for bringing this to our attention--it is truly a public service.
Luv
· 7 months ago
This is funny, because I actually experienced the shitty imax BEFORE the real one. I dont remember what theater it was, I think the AMC uptown, around 42nd?
But I went to the Lincoln center Imax, and that is an experience, I saw Star Trek. Yeah it was 18 dollars, but worth the money.
I'm with you on this one.
Ian Priani
· 7 months ago
Wow, it's kind of scary the people who express their frustrations through anonymous messages in blogs.
Aziz was only trying to help you not get scammed, Jesus.
Sam B.
· 7 months ago
I agree with you, Aziz. I have felt the same frustration you have in the past - I just never really had the balls to do anything about it. It's ridiculous that you are getting charged extra when you could have just gone and seen in at a more convenient location for less money and gotten the same "experience."
I think IMAX owes us a legit explanation. If anything, they should call these screens something else. I'll think twice now before going to an IMAX.
Good for you for standing up for yourself too. People let things slide out of sheer laziness and I commend you for staying true to your word and doing what you believe in.
ElBoxo
· 7 months ago
Thank You Aziz for voicing this! When I walked into the theater for both Watchmen and Star Trek, I had to double check to see if I was in the right theater. This is outrageous. I still love the format, but they should have more respect for themselves.
Raw
· 7 months ago
To the retards telling him to "Get a life": Aziz is doing this to warn other people of what may happen if they pay $15 and expect a gigantic 76x97 IMAX screen and instead get a much smaller 28x58. This isn't a self-righteous Hollywood actor bitching about losing $5 at a movie theater. It's about the corporate ethics of a multi-million dollar corporation weasling an extra $5 per ticket by subtly mislabeling a product. You should be happy that you learned this and now maybe the same thing won't happen to you. If you like paying $15 for a movie ticket and seeing it on a slightly larger screen instead of a full-size IMAX, then more power to you. If you're like me, then you would be pissed in Aziz's situation too. I'm glad that this is getting so much publicity.
CozmoD
· 7 months ago
Probably the biggest disservice to a movie fan is to see films on the fake IMAX. The Regal cinema in Fresno,CA sometimes shows non-imax movies on the screen. A prime example: I saw American Gangster on the fake IMAX. There were boom mics in every shot. It was the most distracting and hilarious thing I've ever seen. This is proof IMAX does not have a problem ripping of its audience. If they did, they wouldn't allow nonIMAX format movies to play on their screen.
TC
· 7 months ago
I agree with you Aziz, I got suckered by one of these so called IMAX thearters last year. Power to the people.
sir jorge
· 7 months ago
It's true, it's a big rip off.
bernie
· 7 months ago
Totally agree with you. If I hadn't already pre-purchased tickets for what I hope will be a legit IMAX experience, I'd be right there with you on this boycott.
Manny
· 7 months ago
I paid $17.50 to watch the Dark Knight in "IMAX" at an AMC in Times Square. The screen was tiny compared to a real IMAX screen like the one at the Metreon in San Francisco. If I'm going o pay an extra $5 to watch a movie in IMAX, the sound is secondary to the huge fucking screen. Going to an IMAX movie is supposed to cause discomfort from trying to see the entire screen, it should be that big. Instead, at AMC Empire 25 234 West 42nd St., they sold me a ticket to a screening of TDK on a slightly bigger screen. FUCK AMC and FUCK THE BULLSHIT IMAX EXPERIENCE (unless its on giant 72 ft screen, then I love IMAX).
iamsosorry
· 7 months ago
As a rule, internet commenters are highly astute and erudite folk who carfuly spelchek and fact check their comments to ensure their clarity and accuracy.
As one such commenter, I hereby decry IMAX for their screen scam.
Also, catch Parks & Recreation, Thursday nights on NBC.
Kevin
· 7 months ago
Aziz, I'm in total agreement with you. I don't see how their digital experience is any better then other digital projectors that don't charge the extra fee. I went in to see Star Trek on IMAX expecting more. Sure the picture and sound were exceptional (shouldn't that be standard by now though), but I expected to be 'wowed' by the screen. However it was no larger then a standard screen, and cropped anyway for aspect reasons. I will not be going to any IMAX digital showings in the future. If I'm paying extra for a movie going experience, I would rather go to the Arclight.
Ferngully
· 7 months ago
666 comments? nice
harrislevy
· 7 months ago
keep up the fight aziz!!!! POWER TO THE PEOPLE.
haxico
· 7 months ago
Went to same IMAX @ Citywalk in Burbank.... GET THEM! F*ING FAKE IMAX! ''real IMAX experience'' MY ASS.
Sean
· 7 months ago
Kick some ass
D.C. Sampson
· 7 months ago
Bullshit IMAX is WEAK!
Zig
· 7 months ago
I'm glad I came across this as I was thinking about going to a Regal "IMAX" theater this past week. Very glad that I didn't get duped into paying the extra cash for an experience that isn't what I expected it to be.
Fuck IMAX for branding all of these slightly bigger theaters with their name.
Mark Heimback-Nielsen
· 7 months ago
AMC charges $16.50 in Burbank, CA for their Digital IMAX presentations but have free parking. AMC's Universal's City Walk has real IMAX but have to pay on top of the ticket price for parking and can't purchase tickets online..
jon Foley
· 7 months ago
imax is ripping us off
Jeff
· 7 months ago
IMAX can suck a dick. This is complete bullshit. The IMAX Experience is the HUGE SCREEN, on top of the digital picture and sound.
Ragnaer
· 7 months ago
What a loser...total waste of time and I can't believe I sat and read the entire thing. Simply put, if you didn't like the service provided and sat through and watched the entire movie anyway, you have no right to ask for your money back. Thats like ordering a medium well steak, having it served to you rare, eating the entire thing and stating that you should have to pay for it because it wasn't to your expectations.
W. Mitty
· 7 months ago
I like peanuts!
Theadore IMAXington
· 7 months ago
Hello, my name is Theadore Imaxington and I find this all very offensive.
The brand "IMAX", started by my great grandfather, Mandrake Imaxington, is in relation not to the size of the screen, but the quality of the picture and sound. At first we did make excusively very large screens, and my grandfather and father were fine with this, but when I took the helm three years ago, I told them, "Listen, I don't want to be known as 'the dudes with the huge screens', I want to be known more for our outstanding video quality and outrageously beautiful sound. Right now I'm mostly known for being charged with murdering my wife, and that's totally bullshit because they didn't prove shit.
Fuck you, terrorist, IMAX will crush you. Your show doesn't have shit on "The Offcie".
Anonymoose
· 7 months ago
I too believe the GOP are closet nazi sympathizers. America is becoming a police state one IMAX theater at a time. You're all and sheep.
Kami
· 7 months ago
I whole heartedly agree with you Aziz! I was sqandered my money with the promise of mind-blowing IMAX for Watchmen and was left with the bitter taste of disappointment. Thank you for bringing this issue to the forefront.
IMAX
· 7 months ago
I WILL DESTROY YOU ALL. DO NOT QUESTION IMAX.
Gabe
· 7 months ago
I love Human Giant, I've been a big fan since the Channel 102 days, but this blog post and your replies in the comments come off like you're a gigantic douchebag. The Twitter thing was a joke? Really? Because that's not how it sounds. I'll admit that the IMAX thing is pretty shady, but maybe you should've looked up what "IMAX Digital" was before you went.
Daren7160
· 7 months ago
Uh, guy... you didn't notice that there wasn't a, you know, like a 7 story high roof somewhere in which this screen would be under?
delere
· 7 months ago
Yup. Know what you mean. I drove an hour to Olathe, Kansas a couple of years ago when "V for Vendetta" came out. A friend of mine wanted to see in on IMAX. What a disappointment.
Sure the screen is a little bigger than most, but it's not even close to what I expected from something called IMAX. I wont go to any type of IMAX theater again whether it be the traditional IMAX or what they are now trying to pass off as such.
"Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me."
Good post.
mikekarnell
· 7 months ago
This same scam happened to me when "The Dark Knight" came out. I knew the screen wasn't an actual IMAX screen but I had already driven 30 minutes to the theatre for a movie that I had been waiting FOREVER to see. All you did was ask for a refund on the $5 you were wrongly charged to begin with.
Rick Gershman
· 7 months ago
You are the MAN, Aziz. This is a problem, and it's a real consumer affairs issue, and you're damn right IMAX et al. shouldn't get away with it. Keep kicking ass, man!
Valerie
· 7 months ago
I completely agree that the "IMAX" labeling is bullshit. Same thing happened with me when I went to see "Watchmen." I paid $5 more thinking I was seeing it on a much larger screen and getting a better experience when really it was the same size as all the other screens in the building.
In hindsight, I think seeing a giant blue schlong on an IMAX screen for 75% of the film might have been a bit much though - but that was not their decision to make for me.
This person is an asshole. It is an "IMAX Branded Screen". IMAX is a brand. If you buy a TOYOTA that has power windows, poers treering, A/C. CD Player MP3 player, Bluetooth, and a GPS system ---- it's a toyota. If you buy a basic model that has none of these features, would you bitch that it's not a real TOYOTA?
If all else fails use common sense (something that some movies goers have little of, as I was a manager with AMC and other circurt for years)
1) Call First - as a general rule most mega-plexes do not have a "Original generation 72 foot IMAX screen"
2) Wonce you walked into the theatre it should have been VERY APPERANT that the screen was not what you were expecting - Leave then and get a refund, not after the entire movie
3) The general population has a "Bitch and you'll get something for free" mentality. Those of us who are in management are over you pissant who have this attitude. Bring a real concern or comment to us and we are greatefull, bitch and we smile at you and you DON'T want to know what we are thinking behind our fake smile.
4) Finally, did you offer to have the manager subtract the points you earned on your MovieWatcher card for the ticket that was refunded -- Hell no just take it all and run....
mikekarnell
· 7 months ago
Your Toyota argument is flawed. The dealer advertises every single individual feature for a car and the price varies on what you purchase. IMAX charges a uniform price for a service that varies based on what theater you go to without letting the viewer know. Also your third and fourth comment make you sound like a hypocritical bitch. First you say us "pissant" customers shouldn't bother with management because we "DON'T want to know what we are thinking behind our fake smile" but then you criticize him for not asking for a refund?
ripped off
· 7 months ago
you sound like you work for AMC
caesar
· 7 months ago
People who don't demand refunds when they obviously got jipped are bitches. I would have watched the entire movie, so as not to inconvenience myself and then asked for my five bucks, seeing as it was paid toward seeing the flick on a giant screen. Aziz should continue being a cinema messiah, this IMAX shit isn't kosher.
mikekarnell
· 7 months ago
For me the bottom line is that IMAX is screwing people over by charging a uniform price for the "experience" while claiming that their screen sizes can vary and failing to distinguish smaller IMAX screens from actual ones.
Johnson
· 7 months ago
isn't that obvious though. I've only been duped once. I went to some movie that was advertised as IMAX, however none of the movie was shot in imax, so it only took up 1/3 of the screen.
Always do research about the movie. If you know it was shot in imax, then go for it. otherwise just go to the regular show.
Also, here in san francisco, we have a couple theaters that have "DLP" shows, which are basically just HD versions of the movie. Usually those are better experiences than imax - because most movies aren't imax format.
Also, even though you claim your "twitter" comment was a joke, how come it's still in you conversation above? And it's basically quoted.
Oh, and if anyone else falls for this. Ask the manager for a movie pass. You'll see a free movie on their mistake - duh.
Awesome
Ercai
· 7 months ago
IMAX means big, not regular. If I saw an "IMAX" screen that was normal size I'd be peeved too. What possible branding cred is IMAX hoping to gain by attaching their name to non-impressive experiences?
Guy 1: Hey, man, let's go see this awesome new movie on the IMAX screen! Guy 2: No, what the hell, it's not any bigger, that's a waste of $5! Guy 1: You're right, we could buy a small popcorn for that much. Let's go to the normal theater.
UM DUH.
never settle
· 7 months ago
your voice was heard and i agree with you.
thedoosra
· 7 months ago
I agree with Aziz: if you have to pay an extra $5 for "IMAX" that isn't the giant screen, I would feel ripped off too. I saw the movie in the Lincoln Sq IMAX, which has a huge screen. After the movie, I didn't feel bad for shelling out $20 and thought that it was worth it. IF I were to have seen the movie at a smaller "IMAX" screen, I might not have asked for my money back, BUT I DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE FELT UNSATISFIED.
I hadn't known that there were different-sized IMAX screens, but now that I do, I'll make sure that I never go to a smaller IMAX screen.
Projector Joe
· 7 months ago
IMAX refers to the print and projector quality, not the screen size. These theaters have larger screens and IMAX projectors that project a higher quality image than a normal projector. If you really think they can fit the 72 ft. screen inside a normal theater, then you were probably just going to waste that five bucks you gave them on something inane like energy drinks or scratch off lottery tickets anyways and it's probably better off in the pockets of the theater who are use the extra fees to pay for the incredibly high priced IMAX, 3D, and the new 8k projectors that we'll be watching everything on in a few years. If you want, I can send you some technical specs on the quality differences, assuming you are literate.
r34lRockNRolla
· 7 months ago
But it's our decision to decide where we spend our $5 bucks. If I went to a IMAX theater expecting an experience, I want THAT (that being a 72 ft screen with rockin sound and the full IMAX) experience. From what I can see as well, I have 0 way of even searching where the fu** a 72ft. IMAX screen is. I live in Southern California and I have to fu**ing call up some 10+ theaters and pay all the same cost for them whether it's a 72ft screen or a 25 or anything in between? Their should be diff. costs for different sizes that is plain and simple. If anyone wants to argue that a 72ft screen is the same exp. as a 25ft screen then let's hear it, you got a little less than 50ft of arguing to go.
Projector Joe
· 7 months ago
It's still IMAX... IMAX means it's a larger resolution print ran through a higher resolution projector, generally on a larger screen. You shouldn't assume that the screen size has anything to do with it, because IMAX doesn't even make the screens. Not every theater can have a 72 ft screen simply because their building isn't even that tall to begin with. Use common sense people. For further technical differences in the film size and projectors, it's all explained rather well here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMAX#Technical_asp...
Payman
· 7 months ago
FUCK IMAX!! That's one of the shadiest things I've heard a company doing. Aziz was totally right to be upset. And let's be glad that someone with a voice and a forum stands up and says something when shit like this happens. How many times do we get screwed by companies, and wish there was a way to tell everyone? Well, Aziz has a chance to. This boycott is a good thing. To this day, I had never seen an IMAX movie. And because of this, I never will. FUCK IMAX, you dirty bastards
Michael
· 7 months ago
Fight the fight!!! The theaters are ripping you off. You should file a class action law suit to really bring it to people's attention. Another movie theater scam is digital cinema. It's a lower quality product then film but they keep selling it as if it was an improvement in quality. The only thing Digital improves is their bottom line.
Michael
· 7 months ago
YOU ARE AWESOME AZIZ
Andrew Thomson
· 7 months ago
Imax is the real loser here they are diluting their brand name and they will pay a lot of money in the end to repair the damage they are doing to themselves./
Thanks for pointing out the ripoff Aziz! you rock
IHunt
· 7 months ago
I saw a movie at AMC Time Square (where I spend a lot of money) in "IMAX." My GF had never seen a movie in IMAX so she was excited, then I got the "this is it?" when we saw the shitty/tiny screen. Why didn't we leave? because we wanted to see the fucking movie. Why didn't we check and see if it was legit before we got there? Do you check to make sure your burger isn’t made of turds before you order it? No! you just assume its going to be made of meat BECAUSE THATS WHAT BURGERS ARE MADE OF! IMAX = big assed screen that’s what you assume you're getting! Keep fighting the good fight. These counter arguments are retarded.
Being in Chicago, The majority of IMAX-related films I've seen at Navy Pier. Though to me, the film better be presented in the proper format.
What Mr Aziz saw sounded more akin to the Ultra-screens of Marcus Theaters. I went to visit family in Iowa over the weekend, and finally got to experience Star Trek on a Marcus Theater Ultra-Screen. And the best part? I didn't have to pay a $5 fee. And, the Ultra-Screen is slightly bigger than the Fake IMAX in Burbank.
Mad Imax in Thunderdome
· 7 months ago
Everyone call their local Imax and ask how big the screen is. Be nice, but tell them you want to know if it's one of the new fake Imax brands and that you can't trust what Imax means any more. If everyone calls they will get the point.
Deepak
· 7 months ago
I get what Aziz is saying. The size of the screen definitely matters. I know that movies not shot in IMAX (like Star Trek) use the DRM technology, so it still doesn't take up the ENTIRE screen, but for movies like The Dark Knight, the size really is the only reason to pay the extra money. Boycotting is the right thing to do, and props for finding a good way to use Twitter.
G. Swan
· 7 months ago
Stop letting "them" screw you. Any of the "thems" out there today who give you shit instead of quality and expect you to take it because "that's just the way it is." If you keep taking it...they will keep giving it to you.
Tsikitas
· 7 months ago
Clearly Aziz has a strong argument to make here. What IMAX is doing seems almost like false advertising. It is morally unethical to not inform viewers that they are not getting the experience they expect. Aziz man, you're probably going at it a little immaturely, although I love the debate call out and the heat behind it. It shows your passion, and it's a reason why I'm a big fan of your comedy.
Any claim in defense of IMAX on this issue, is negative to everyone who wants to have the greater experience (terrific sound and video on a 72' screen) that we have all known for our entire lives until recently. If this issue isn't resolved now it will mean less true IMAX theaters down the road as they are most likely cheaper (although I can't provide any proof). Is everyone really ready to see IMAX disappear? I'm not. That sucks. IMAX is an experience like none other, and it would be terrible if it was replaced by better than average standard movie theaters.
Aziz, I fully support your cause. I'll keep up on twitter for updates.
@LT_Smash
speebs
· 7 months ago
I agree with aziz
AzizIzGay
· 7 months ago
This whiny faggot ass douche bag comedian is right. I went to go see star trek last night at AMC Eastridge in San Jose, and although the movie was stellar, the whole "IMAX" experience was a sham. I've been to the true IMAX theater in Dublin, and it's a MAJOR difference. For one, the screen is HUGE, and two the sound is fuckin rockin. I'm never going to any of these AMC wannabe IMAX's again.
humbleword
· 7 months ago
I agree with Aziz. He's just trying to look out for people who might go in expecting a REAL IMAX screen and end up wasting money on something they didn't expect to get. People calling him a whiner fail to see that his "ranting" style of writing is meant to humorous (he's a comedian, you dickheads) but his message is valid, and he's not doing you any wrong by talking about - just helping out other people. No one's stopping you from choosing to spend an extra $5 to see a slightly larger screen with better "digital remastered" film. But, don't bitch when he's helping spread the word to other people. peace.
gianna marie monardo
· 7 months ago
i call bullshit. aziz got it right. IMAX movies are sweet when on the REAL screens but no way are the empire screens IMAX screens. fight the power, aziz!!!!!
Jose el rey
· 7 months ago
imax is all lies! i don't like the way they lie!
V. Smith
· 7 months ago
Hello Aziz,
I take my movie going seriously. If IMAX wants to charge $15.00+ bucks for a ticket, then it had better be a true IMAX experience. Because of your post, I sent the following email to IMAX corporate:
Hello IMAX,
I live in Sacramento, CA, and was interested in seeing an IMAX presentation of Star Trek at the El Dorado Hills Stadium 14 & IMAX (in El Dorado Hills, CA), as the movie is not currently playing at the Sacramento IMAX theater.
But, I found out the IMAX screen in El Dorado is much smaller than the Sacramento IMAX, yet tickets are still going for an unbelievable $15.00, and there's no mention in theater advertising that it's a reduced-format screen.
I see at least five movies per month; because of your company's approach, I will not be viewing them at an IMAX theater.
***
IMAX is not getting a dime out of me until they clear up what the viewing customer is getting for their hard-earned buck.
Thanks for the great post, Aziz.
Regards,
V. Smith
ariel wollinger
· 7 months ago
Aziz, I totally back you up! Imax footage shot on original IMAX gauge yields an image with about 12.75K of resolution. FAR higher than the lousy 2K projectors used in IMAX theaters. Also, the color gamut of film is WAY higher than digital.
Hank Moody
· 7 months ago
I respect your outrage, aziz. It's a sad indictment of our culture that many people are so inured to being screwed and mislead that they think you are somehow in the wrong for this blatant bait and switch by AMC. They say you sabotaged your own complaint by watching the film. Even if this were true, it wouldn't make you wrong about the complaint. It would only make you a hypocrite. Being wrong and being a hypocrite are two entirely different things.
That said, you're not a hypocrite either in this case because you *only* asked for the difference between a IMAX ticket and a regular ticket-- because you effectively got a regular movie theatre experience when you were duped into thinking it would be an IMAX experience. I mean, did these people getting on your case even read what you said? Either way supposing you did immediately stop watching and request a refund, these same people aren't factoring in the opportunity costs you incur for having to even file a complaint, change theatres, perhaps coming back at another time, and overall bullshit inconvenience caused by being mislead like this. That justifies more than just a refund. These same opportunity costs lead you to watch instead of walk out. Well played, sir.
There's no way to tolerate this bait-and-switch marketing without permitting it. So let the population who is inured and doesn't care about being screwed, get screwed. And give the rest of us a refund. That way we can live in harmony. Hearts and minds are probably not going to change on either side.
Jeff B
· 7 months ago
Right on Aziz... I'm behind you on this one. Boycott in effect.
I once went to a Cinemark to see a movie on a legit IMAX screen that they were all hyping up and it was just the regular movie image on this Huge Screen (which looked ridiculous) and the Volume jacked up to Rock Concert levels. Haven't been back.
adam
· 7 months ago
Wow lets complain about our IMAX screens being smaller for older theatres than the complexes that were built for original IMAX screens. The fact is there are more theatres that have a standard 28ft x 58ft screen for their auditoriums than there are IMAX exclusive theatres. IMAX knows that their technology is great but they lack the mainsteam exposure that the theatre chains have. That is why they are working with the big theatre chains in order to get more exposure for their product. You have to be realistic the theatre chains are not going to completely renovate there auditoriums to fit all IMAX fanatics especially when the theatres were built 10 or 20 years ago. They are going to do what they can to retro-fit their auditoriums to give the best experience possible. If that is not good enough for you and the rest then maybe you should bring a tape measure big enough to measure the dimentions of the screen. That way you can go to the guest service desk and get your money back before the movie starts. I have no respect for the people that sit through the entire movie then want their money back. Did you expect the screen to expand when the movie started? If the experience wasn't what you expected you should have left the auditorium immediately rather than sit and wait; that's just lazy and irresponsible. The management handled your problem correctly even if you weren't willing to reach a compromise. So in closing, your a fag, and I'm out.
Zach
· 7 months ago
To the people disrespecting him, you obviously don't know who Aziz Ansari is, show some fucking respect.
xen
· 7 months ago
I did see the joke, actually.
What they are doing is objectionable, like ordering a large Coke and being given a Dixie cup full of warm water (which might also happen at movie theaters) under the name Digital Coke. No, this dilutes what the brand is supposed to be and IMAX should worry what they are doing to their brand name. You do not throw your name on anything that you do not want people to associate your product with, in this case an inferior and misleading experience. It's terrible business and the only "wow" factor I have is that IMAX thought this was a good avenue to pursue.
r34lRockNRolla
· 7 months ago
As I posted earlier in a comment the argument comes down to this.... 47ft of difference at the same cost without proper notice or warning that you are getting 47ft less than what you want. I honestly wonder too if the 72ft. theaters have the same sound systems of the "newly downgraded" IMAX's...
Also does IMAX or AMC or anyone even have a way for me to easily search to find a 72ft. near me? I live in Los Angeles and around us there are quite a few "IMAX" theaters. So according to you crack rock smoking bloggers that disagree with Aziz I am supposed to call up every theater till I find a 72ft. one and just accept the fact I am being lied too? Should I also accept the fact I am being lied to about not getting a 72ft. IMAX and just settle for a pathetic 25ft "IMAX" for the same cost?
To all those against what Aziz is saying, stop smoking rocks and use some common sense. What AMC is doing is wrong, hell the difference between the real IMAX experience is larger than the new downgraded "imax" itself.
BeastMode
· 7 months ago
I also feel totally fooled by IMAX' ploy. It feels like someone I trusted (note past tense) played a cruel joke on me. I've warned all my family and friends and asked them to do the same. Go Aziz.
kevin
· 7 months ago
Yet another voice in support of IMAX being bullshit.
MD
· 7 months ago
I see his point...I wouldn't want to pay for IMAX and then walk into a normal or close to normal sized theater. IMAX means huge screen awesome sound and stadium seating as if you were in a ballpark.
I will never pay 5 bucks extra for "IMAX digital" I will pay 5 bucks extra for a HUGE SCREEN or for a huge screen and 3d. I go to the theater for one reason only...big screens.
Side note... argue long enough with a theater manager and you will get free passes...I do it every time I go. I tell them the kids were loud an constantly talking. It always helps to walk out and plant the seed during a slow scene also ;)
Frank Rocco
· 7 months ago
AMC is stupid. Aziz youre right !
asha hensry
· 7 months ago
well...i'm not going to take time and scroll down and read all of the comments.
i will say that i once used to be one of many kids sweeping up popcorn and random shit like romance novels and single shoes.
i understand that the imax company is robbing people of their money, but coming from that guest sevices scenario you posted, i can tell you that yeah the managers of a movie theater can't really do too much except adjust the audio, a/c, and screen from scope to something else.
they make the money solely off concession sales really, given an arcade or not. otherwise, yeah the money pretty much goes to the movie makers or in this case imax.
shit happens and lifes a bitch. that's all i can say.
next time i would go to an imax theater i already knew ahead of time that the screen was the megasize it was supposed to be.
mm yeah.
oh and i remember proudly walking out of that movie theater one day and telling them that they could shove their tacky bowties and brooms right up their arses.
p.s. twitter is sooo lame.
hah.
Shmormy
· 7 months ago
It's insane how many people are ripping on Aziz and calling him a loser. It seems to me that movie theater and Imax employees have been asked to bombard this board. I simply makes no sense that so many people would passionately side with a company that advertises giant screens but provides only regular ones. Also, to all the big spenders whlo mock him for asking for a five-dollar refund, I believe it was the principle, he was concerned with, not the money. And calling someone a whiner for complaining about gettig ripped off? When yo get ripped off, you should stick up for yourself. Also, what is this bullshit argument that he stayed for the whole movie so he has no right to complain? Of course he sayed through the movie. He drove out there, he waited in line, he's in his seat - he's supposed to go home now? That's how they get you. He stayed, he enjoyed the movie on a regular-sized screen, and he wanted the "Imax" portion of his ticket price refunded. Simple. Fucking corporations think the public works for them - customer satisfaction should matter both on a large-scale and an individual level.
Jonathan
· 7 months ago
I fully agree with Aziz. I have been to the IMAX in my city for a showing of one of the Spider Man movies in the past. It was a VERY small screen, but the seats were pushed up within a few feet from the screen. It wasn't an IMAX experience. It was an unpleasant experience. I wanted to see Star Trek on the full sized IMAX screen so I drove over an hour to a city nearby that said they were showing it on the full sized IMAX screen. I even called ahead before going and asked what the size of the screen was and the person who answered the phone said he didn't know, but it was the "larger" IMAX screen and not one of the smaller ones. After driving over and hour and paying $5 more to see the movie I've been waiting months to see I wasn't going to leave the theater either. It wasn't what I was expecting. I'll never go to either of those two theaters again and I'm going to tell all of my friends who live in those cities to go somewhere else. I didn't ask for my money back because I didn't want to get into an argument with the movie management over something they didn't care enough to correct. I support Aziz fully and I'm glad someone is getting the word out that these "IMAX EXPERIENCES" are a rip off. The theater we went to is a Regal theater. It's the first and only time that will happen. I guess I'll have to settle for the normal movie experience from now on. IMAX is great when it's the dome shaped screens, but using the IMAX name with these screens that are NO WHERE NEAR the same size is just misleading. Go ahead Aziz...we got your back.
Jessica Barker
· 7 months ago
I'm so sad to hear that IMAX is diluting it's brand image. I saw Star Trek in "real" IMAX last night, and it was amazing...well worth the extra cost. As a unique digital experience, IMAX has the opportunity to create loyal customers and they been in the process of positioning themselves as the ultimate movie experience. This failure to stick to core competencies and deliberately mislead consumers is troubling.
Aziz - I think you have every right to be angry, and you absolutely deserve your IMAX surcharge back.
IMAX - You need to really examine what kind of company you intend to be and clarify your branding to really reflect that. You also need to hire a digital media manager to help you learn how to deal with customers in a digital world. What you're casually dismissing as an angry blog is quickly escalating into a public backlash at a time where your great strides will be completely overlooked by your lack of PR. The truth is, this never should have happened, but when it did, you should have fixed it quickly. You know better.
Mack Dizzle
· 7 months ago
Ayo, Aziz, man, fuck what these "get a life" pig fuckers are talking about, that Fake IMAX shit is a scam, thanks for pointing it out... I knew something was wrong when I saw Watchmen at the same location and didn't notice a real difference between IMAX and regular screens... anyway, as a fellow Angeleno, if you want the real IMAX experience, then in the future I recommend you roll over to the AMC Universal at Citywalk, or out to The Bridge Cinema De Lux in Westchester... those are the for real deal... good luck, and good lookin' out...
ripped off
· 7 months ago
I saw Star Trek at the same AMC in Burbank....
me:"Hey this isn't real IMAX"
AMC worker "People keep saying that but it's actually wider than the old IMAX"
me: "oh....ok, I get it. You don't know what you're talking about. Thanks"
clark
· 7 months ago
hahaha nice
anon
· 7 months ago
REBLOG THE FUCK OUT OF THIS. WARNING: It's IMAXs not IMAX's. Where did you learn grammar?
James
· 7 months ago
Why is everyone so angry with Aziz? Until recently an IMAX theater meant you were watching in the round something that was probably shot on 70mm. NOW "IMAX" is used interchangeably between what it used to be and a 2k resolution digital projector. Here's the important part: OTHER THEATERS USE 2K DIGITAL PROJECTORS (not IMAX Digital) AND DON'T CHARGE AN EXTRA 5 DOLLARS.
THIS IS A MARKETING STRATEGY to charge you more money because lots of people think movies projected on IMAX screens are massive experiences. IT'S A SCAM! IMAX DIGITAL is one of many 2k digital projection systems, lots of theater chains are switching to 2k digital projectors that aren't IMAX Digital, THERE IS NO REASON TO BE CHARGED 5 EXTRA DOLLARS. You're being duped when you go to one of these showings.
You guys can flame Aziz all you want but he's just cleverly pointing out AMC/Regal's ambiguous use of the IMAX name to trick people into paying more.
Chelsea
· 7 months ago
IMAX is stupid. NO better than other movie theaters. Its a ploy for more money, specifically five dollars. GO AZIZ!
katie
· 7 months ago
aziz is totally right. imax ceo you can suck it. im boycotting imax so eff off! quit lying to try and get a few more bucks.
Jon Hastings
· 7 months ago
Aziz - Right on! This is completely bogus: no IMAX screen should equal no IMAX prices.
PB
· 7 months ago
wow. you're a whiney pratt with too much time on your hands
PD
· 7 months ago
You're an idiot!
If you were unhappy with it, you should have left straight away and asked for a refund.
And they aren't lying to people, you just didn't bother to check if IMAX means a large screen, or just better quality.
Finally, I've never been to those cinemas, but surely someone of average IQ would be able to tell that it isn't a 72ft screen if the building isn't that big?
Fani
· 7 months ago
I agree with you. I hate it too when they say IMAX and lie that way about it. I'm beginning to hate all of our stupid capitalistic, bureaucratic bullshit and greedy corporate CEOs and board of directors who will gladly screw us, take bailout funds and give themselves more bonuses while furloughing employees who make 100 times less than themselves.
And I hate liars and their lies like this IMAX.
I agree with you. SCREW AMC, Regal and IMAX. I will try and find ( if possible ) a theather thats not these in my area in NJ and watch movies there. Wish me luck.
Sarcastic Jon
· 7 months ago
"THE TWITTER THING WAS A JOKE YOU ANGRY PEOPLE IN THE COMMENTS ..."
Back-petal.
clark
· 7 months ago
backpedal*
...idiot
Andrew
· 7 months ago
I don't care if he was only "joking" about the twitter thing, this guy is still a douche. Nice try on the after-the-fact Darfur perspective.
screw_imax
· 7 months ago
i wasn't going to comment until I saw that the imax ceo says 90% of the commenters disagree with this piece. I am here to therefore voice this: FUCK YOU IMAX AND AMC
damik
· 7 months ago
yeah this happened to me at an amc in culver city with 'watchmen.' i didn't even want to watch an imax...it was the only option...so we were 'forced' to buy the 15 dollar ticket or whatever. after we bought it, i saw it said imax. i immediately noticed that the screen was not the ginormous imax screen that they have at the grand canyon and great america. i thought it was pretty freaking weak sauce. 5 extra dollars for a slightly wider screen? no thank you! plus imax fuck the shit out of my eyes and give me headaches.
Zack Swells13
· 7 months ago
It's false advertising. Of course it is. The imax ceo defending it by saying it's the same because it's an "experience" is just laughable and condescending to anyone with half a brain.
The two screens are different therefore they should be called different things. It's like calling a slider a jumbo jack because it is both made by jack in the box. It's a marketing lie and people should know.
Maybe Aziz should spend his time doing something more productive but anyone wasting there time on here telling him that is being a hypocrite. If you really sincrely care about darfur then wtf are you wasting your time on here?
tyler
· 7 months ago
Aziz Ansari is clearly in the right on this one.
Unfortunately he is also fighting a battle that he can't possibly win.
Drew Vinson
· 7 months ago
You the man Aziz. Us hardworking Americans who know the value of a dollar understand that this boondoggle is wrong. It's a travesty enough that normal movies cost more than $10. Think of all the things you could spend that extra $5 on:
5 items from the McDonalds dollar menu half of another movie anything else worth $5
Who are these spoiled brats trolling and acting like $5 isn't a big deal. It's an old fashion bait and switch and it ain't right.
I demand an apology from IMAX and until something changes I am boycotting them and any affiliated companies.
Scott
· 7 months ago
Fuck IMAX!! It doesn't stand for IMAGE MAXIMUM because they make regular screens! Maximum means that there is no bigger fucking screen out there. They can't dupe customers by saying it's the same experience! It's not IMEXPERIENCE! Aziz is awesome. IMAX can lick my butthole. I hope there is a television debate about this shit.
Unbiased
· 7 months ago
Team Aziz!! F* IMAX. Greedy Corporate Pigs.
Nicole
· 7 months ago
I'm seriously glad I saw this. I was making plans to see Star Trek in NYC and considered the Empire 25 IMAX option. I would have been pissed to go there, pay the extra money and then realize it was basically just a regular movie screen. It is definitely a rip off. Thanks, Aziz!
SecretSauceTV
· 7 months ago
FUCK YOU IMAX CEO....
I can't even believe this is even an argument... IMAX CLEARLY started as and is known for 70 FOOT SCREENS... well worth the $5 surcharge... but to start putting the IMAX stamp on smaller screens then charging the same price as a 70 foot screetn is absolutely a rip-off... and tarnishing the IMAX brand... if the screens aren't big enough - BUILD EM... don't just shove a square into a round hole out of greed.
If I walk into an IMAX, I expect it to be a damn big screen... if its not, thats false advertising and deserves a refund for the IMAX $5 price...
Bell Jonez
· 7 months ago
I agree with you, Asis. I'd be pissed too if I thought I was going to see an IMAX movie (read: IMAX = HUGE screen) but instead I see a regular sized screen. To me, IMAX does not mean digital sound or picture quality. IMAX means HUGE screen. This is false advertisement and IMAX had better make some changes, or I see a lawsuit in their future and all of us are going to get free tickets to movies.
Adam
· 7 months ago
You all are dumb fucks.
I live in Houston, and a frequent AMC i visit suddenly popped up with an IMAX logo on one of it's main theatres. Having seen films for the past 5 years in that theatre, I was like how is that possible?
So, I went one day to see what was up. I saw Monsters Vs. Aliens IMAX 3D. and to my dismay, was severely dissapointed. It wasn't IMAX @ all.
I've been to "real" IMAX. And according to my standards, the theatre needs to be so fucking big i feel like im looking at a landscape.
So I agree with you Aziz, it's riduculous and a crock of shit,
and to all you other douche's who disagree, go and pay $5 extra dollars for a few more feet of silver screen.
p.s - parks and recreations, funniest shit, even though your character is a pretty big douche, I haven't figured him out yet, but i guess as the season progress's I will
Jay Kim
· 7 months ago
Seriously pple, IMAX film gives room for details and nuance and light that go light years beyond digital and 35MM. IMAX seriously is short changing people with this cheap, terrible facsimile with barely any difference between the regular 35MM theatergoing experience. They're not only charging 5 dollars more, they are branding this IMAX, when it indeed is not IMAX. BE ANGRY, or at least be aware for pete's sake. This nonsense is robbing you! The privilege of watching an IMAX print on an 80' screen is a thing of beauty, they have sullied it! They must pay!!! We need to organize! Make signs! Stand outside these so called IMAX theaters and pelt their employees with our rage.
AuthorGotButthurtMuch
· 7 months ago
"You know what Twitter is? I have 25,000 followers, I’m tell 25,000 people you run fake IMAX’s and that they should boycott AMC. " lol Thats nearly as bad as the WoW player saying "I have a Level 70 Hero on WoW, you better give me my money back".
Tommy
· 7 months ago
I agree with u Aziz. I just want my 5 bucks back...thats it
T
· 7 months ago
Yeah I wondered about that when I paid $9 to see Star Trek in IMAX, thinking it would be like the REAL IMAX. Pshaw! NOT! It was a standard format frame, and didn't even fill up the so-called IMAX screen! AMC SUCKS!!
sdgf
· 7 months ago
hahaha "I have 25,000 followers" you have such "cred"
hobocamp77
· 7 months ago
Lame. I won't be going to an AMC theatre anytime soon.
Jeff
· 7 months ago
I agree with ya man I would be upset too if I went to see an "IMAX" movie and didn't get a real IMAX movie. I have been to a couple AMC theaters and not very pleased with their service. Im with ya!
Rasuel
· 7 months ago
Frankly dude, I think the thing that pisses me off most here is that you seem to pass yourself off to this manager like some holier than thou big shot or something. Are you a trust fund rich kid? Are you a celebrity? Frankly dude if you really wanted a refund, maybe you shouldn't have consumed the product first. If you had walked in, looked at the screen, walked out and said "I want a partial refund because this is not what I expected, or a full refund and I'll take my business elsewhere." I'm sure they'd have been more than happy to accommodate you. The fact of the matter is you can't have your cake, eat it, and get a refund too. I am frankly astonished that people are supporting you on this. Do I think that these mini IMAXs are a scam, yes. Do I think you're a douche for handling the situation the way you did, also yes.
Rafael
· 7 months ago
Hilarious.
Fake IMAX concerns me more than Darfur. Does that make me a horrible person or does it just make me... American.
I think both. Thanks Aziz, for the heads up. You can thank that tubby bastard, Harry Knowles, for pointing me in the direction of this blog.
Carry on, good sir.
Ells
· 7 months ago
I completely agree. I was shocked when I saw a movie last month at the new Imax screen near me. It was puny compared to the Imax that is an hour away.
Blindon
· 7 months ago
You think you got a bad deal? I paid $15 to see IMAX star-trek and they projected it on to a 6ft man
RCars2
· 7 months ago
That really sux that they dont have the full size screen at that theater. Like others have said it can vary in size but holey cow thats a bit of a difference. Admittedly its the IMAX projector that makes up the IMAX experience (and thusly the neato 3D effect) so regardless of size it could still very well be IMAX. Equally as likely they converted an existing screen to use the IMAX projector but due to limits on space they used the largest screen they had in their complex. I guess where I'm at in Phoenix we are lucky as the IMAX they have at the AMC Deer Valley 30 complex is darn near the full 72ft size and it was converted out of their largest "Colossus" theater screen (of the 30 screens they have 4 of them are significantly larger and they call them colossus screens).
i8sorrow
· 7 months ago
i used to watch movies on a legit imax screen and in no way can you compare the REAL size to the fakies out there. if it says imax, it should live up to the name. especially if there is rate-hike. that's just called being good to the consumer. its shadey when they have to cut corners, tag it legit, and pass it off like they did nothing wrong. when i see imax, i want to see it BIG and LOUD...should we settle for piss water and pay more for it? i think not. we all get sold out for money in the end. how and why would a big bad CEO fat-cat wanna stoop to a level of legitimacy? clearly at this juncture in the road, we learn a valuable lesson. imax doesn't represent the official glory of imax greatness any longer. simple.
phil
· 7 months ago
I agree, they are ripping us off. That was money wasted.
Anonymous
· 7 months ago
You know, this message might have had merit if you weren't a fucking drama queen.
CJ
· 7 months ago
Alright...I don't think you are a loser...I just think you are wasting your breath over a moot issue. It happens to be a difference in wording. You think that what defines an IMAX theatre is the size of the screen. That, however, is not what they define it as. So complaining over and over again about something that you have been told is incorrect, just really doesn't make any sense to me...if it does to you, more power to you. If you didn't like the size of the screen when you walked in, you should have walked right out, gotten a refund for the tickets and gone somewhere else. What you did is something akin to ordering a pizza...eating all of it...then complaining that it tasted bad afterwards. Try a little common sense friend. :-)
trexmas
· 7 months ago
Aziz, this is so weird you bring this up. Just last night me and some friends went to see Star Trek in "IMAX". We could of seen the movie at an earlier viewing, 10:30pm but stayed up and waited in LINE to see the IMAX version at 12:40am. Not to mention paid 16 dollars instead of 10. So we get inside and we are immediately like, this is bullshit, the screen is literally only a smidge bigger than a regular theatre screen. But I say fuck it, the seats are more comfy, I'll deal.
Here comes the best part.
Star Trek starts, and the movie doesnt even fill up the fucking screen. Its cropped in its original theatre screen size format. You can see tons of empty space on the top and bottom. It was a fucking joke. Get them Aziz. GET THEM.
Loved the movie though.
Capitolism needs complaint
· 7 months ago
I for one appreciate your saving me five dollars in the future when I would have naively assumed Imax was the giant screen I saw at the Minnesota Zoo when I was 15... And good for you standing up to them. People are getting too complacent these days. It's a "service industry" not a "we can put out crap and charge an arm and a leg, without ramifications industry".
indieandyy
· 7 months ago
I have yet to ever give a fuck about IMAX. But if I did, I would certainly not want to get ripped off and not actually see IMAX. Also, it's not even all about the screen size, right? Isn't it about the FILM size? You can make 35mm as big as you want, but unless the FILM FRAME is IMAX size, it's just not IMAX.
70mm is not just 35mm blown up either. It's about the amount of information being projected.
cyber5
· 7 months ago
I agree with Aziz wholeheartedly, and plenty of others do too. The LieMax has to stop. Plenty of us bloggers and viewers are discussing this and we want IMAX to differentiate between the formats - before we pay extra for an experience that is not the IMAX EXPERIENCE as we have come to know and love it.
Here's a few places that are talking about it even more in depth, and also my blog on the subject.
While I doubt the IMAX CEO will look past the first 10 or so comments, I agree that you were ripped off. For a long time we only had a single IMAX theatre in town and it would take months before they would get certain movies in. I recently came across an ad for a "so-and-so theatre and IMAX" showing "STAR TREK: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE" and almost considered making the drive out to see it in it's Gigantic Screened, Amazing Audioed glory. Thank God I did not. I have no doubt that this supposed IMAX is yet another FAUXMAX charging people for the full IMAX experience. Keep fighting the good fight Aziz.
Alex G.
· 7 months ago
Hey Aziz. I'm afraid that if the boycott works, then IMAX movies will be more expensive. It's already fact that theater owners are reluctant to upgrade their equipment because it's so expensive (hundreds of thousands of dollars per theater). If IMAX becomes standardized so that we only see IMAX movies on 72 ft theaters, then there will be less movies branded by IMAX. They would probably just raise ticket prices to recoup distribution costs given the lacking yield of wide releases.
I agree with the principle though.
jordan
· 7 months ago
i agree with aziz. that is all.
me
· 7 months ago
IMAX has nothing to do with the size of screen, its the size of film.
EJP
· 7 months ago
I agree with Aziz 100%, and for the idiots that are claiming he's trying to pull weight with the twitter threat, don't you realize he's a comedian???
warriorpoet
· 7 months ago
Unfortunately, these digital IMAX theaters no longer show 70mm film. They're simply using two 2K digital projectors (for 3D and added brightness in 2D). No film, no big screen, just the IMAX name... that will be $15 please. It really is a scam...IMAX is using the name built on the backs of amazing theaters in science museums to push standard 2K digital projection for a premium. Meanwhile this dilutes their brand an really hurts the theaters that built the brand in the first place. IMAX will be bankrupt this time next year anyway without a major influx of cash... they're seeing if they can cash in on their reputation first.
Madawg
· 7 months ago
I found out that the theater that I work at *cough* AMC Puente Hills 20 *cough* was getting an "IMAX" screen by the time Transformers is supposed to come out. I kept asking how they'd fit the screen in the theater and no one could tell me. Now I know. It's all a fuckin' pack of lies.
mike
· 7 months ago
some of you are idiots for calling him a whiner... don't you see the point?!?!?! it's not REAL IMAX... i knew the second i walked in tonite.. i said out loud "umm this is not IMAX it's just a bigger screen"... he is right -- eff IMAX, AMC, etc - that's bullshit.
bryanzilla
· 7 months ago
What a whining fuck you are! You watch the ENTIRE movie and THEN want your money back? If I was working at the theater I would have told you to go fuck yourself. (Yeah...I probably would have lost my job...but I hate stupid fucking assholes like you!) You should have left immediately if it was such a travesty that you'd shit your pants like a little baby. WAAAAAA WAAAA .
Does baby need a bottle!
Why don't you get a life loser!
i8sorrow
· 7 months ago
actualy, it was only you crying at the end of your post. if you wanna throw your money away, do it. we just want a little more quality assurance in the imax brand, then a cheap ploy for a few extra bucks. its not the $5, its the concept of being gyped out for nothing extra ordinary...not a true imax experience. you can come back and say you wouldn't even pay cause it doesn't matter, but you are clearly invalid then since other people do. all you can do is slam at ppl who want quality? your exsistence is poor then. you proved nothing.
bryanzilla
· 7 months ago
I'm not slamming people who want quality. I'm slamming people that are (apparently like you) complete fucking morons. Instead of walking out of an event he was dissatisfied with, this guy WATCHES THE ENTIRE MOVIE....THEN....THREATENED the poor schmuck working at the theater (who probably only makes minimum wage) and wanted ALL of his money back. What a complete fucking asshole. Like the poor theater employee is the one responsible? There are smart ways to handle a situation like this and there are dumbshit ways to handle situations like this.....
This guy Aziz is a complete fucking dumbshit..in fact he should be made Captain of the U.S.S. Dumbshit....he should be made President of Dumbshitistan....he should be crowned Grand Exalted Poobah of the United Brotherhood of Dumbshits...
New dictionary definition of "dumbshit": Aziz
tmp
· 7 months ago
Good for you! That's just wrong. Thanks for saving me an extra $5.
Amelia
· 7 months ago
The people that matter in this situation are the people attending the movies!! Frankly I had the same feeling myself.. I don't think its right. Good for you aziz! We get shorted and robbed in every aspect of our lives. On a dam relaxing entertainment outing I don't want to get fucked in the pocket by one more person. WE should BOYCOTT!! what the hell is the point of paying extra for nothing!
gotta say, that effin sucks. I live near that Burbank AMC and thought about checking out the dark knight and more recently star trek at it. Really glad I didn't and now I wont be going there to waste my money. Thanks for taking the hit and letting us know!
Also, WTF is going on with these dumbasses in the comments section? Too many people got sticks up their asses. Really, yall are bringing up Darfur in a light hearted dialog? LOSERS!
Amelia
· 7 months ago
Imax "THINK BIG"... I think not!!!
John Baglio
· 7 months ago
Screw AMC, Showcase Cinemas are where it's been at anyways. Did you know they only charge you six bucks on Tuesdays? Its pretty sweet
webbernaut
· 7 months ago
Dude, thats for senior citizens. How old are you?
Veronica
· 7 months ago
Seriously sir I worked at the theatre you went to today I may very well have sold you the ticket if you purchased it at the box office..one thing I dont understand is the fact that your only problem is the size of the screen then why didnt you as soon as you walked into the theatre and saw the screen size why didnt you go out to guest services then we had a showinf practically every hour..it was a simple thing and your blowing this way out of proportion just because you waited to till the end if the movie to ask for your $5.00 back wasnt our fault we have plenty other showings. The screen we have in our theatre 1 is the biggest screen we could possibly fit in there. We cant take off the roof so we can make a bigger screen.
Jaws8u
· 7 months ago
Dear Veronica, shut up. Seriously though, what the hell does "why didnt you go out to guest services then we had a showinf practically every hour.." mean... You go onto say that you "can't take the roof off so we can make a bigger screen." Then how is it going to help for him to go to guest services... You can't make the screen bigger...
THE PROBLEM at hand is that many of us would have been willing to drive several hours out of the way to see something in IMAX!!! If I did that, and a REGULAR SCREEN, I would want to murder someone, and you damn well bet, I would go ahead and watch the movie so as to make sure the trip wasn't A GIANT WASTE OF TIME! Thank you, Aziz for saving me on gas and the cost of a defense attorney.
Veronica
· 7 months ago
Dont tell me to shut up retard its his mistake. If he wanted to the money back he shouldnt have sat through the imax well knowing he didnt like it. Its as simple as that Its not a regular screen trust me I fu*king know ive worked at the theatre for several years before we even had the IMAX the screen is double the size of what it used to be. People can rant and rave all they want but its not like your going to put AMC out of buisness I mean look at all these buisnesses going out of business AMC is still going strong. People complain about our prices but look they still watch the movie I have not once had a guest say no its to expensive ill watch it somewhere else..not once. So go ahead cry like a baby pretend your making a big impact when your not.
IMAX ROCKS!
· 7 months ago
Veronica,
I support your comments 100%. I can't stand people who watch the whole movie and then want a refund. I also hate people who always say 'The customer is always right!" That is a phrase that companies should use to treat their customers and not customers using the phrase to get freebies.
Jaws8u
· 7 months ago
"ive worked at the theatre for several years before we even had the IMAX the screen"
First of all, of course you have. Second, does he get the time back it took him to go out of his way to see the movie in IMAX if he complains first? How can you be so dense as to completely miss the point of his post? It has NOTHING to do with the 5 dollars.
Aziz doesn't care about or need 5 bucks. This is about absolutely blatant false advertising. Have you ever even seen a real IMAX screen? It's very clear that you have not since you cannot seem to grasp what is happening here. I am glad he is spreading the word about it, so it doesn't happen to me.
Hey
· 7 months ago
You're a whiny douche. Oh, and Parks and Recreation sucks. A lot.
Serge
· 7 months ago
Aziz, you should email the Consumerist. They would write a huge expose and fuck them all over and they'd be like ".. and no doubt in thanks to Aziz Ansari and you'd get major press.
Itsallgood
· 7 months ago
I have been to a “real” IMAX theater so I know the difference but I go to AMC IMAX due to the quality of the picture. It’s like regular TV vs. HD.
Jules
· 7 months ago
Go Aziz!! I completely support your decision to partake in an epic debate. Fuck the haters, and fuck IMAX's bootsy ass fake theater.
Jaws8u
· 7 months ago
Aziz, how dare you say that Darfur is a more serious problem than the IMAX travesty! I demand another update with an apology! Further, I must ask why you didn't simply stab the manager at AMC?
unmiked
· 7 months ago
I agree with you on this one, Tom (or whatever, your real name is). And come on people, he's not being whiney, he's being a comedian and trying to get some laughs. duh.
i8sorrow
· 7 months ago
if i was aziz, i would feel pretty rad for getting over 800 comments on the issue. that, and marvel at the emotions it stirs in everyone! hah...
rp
· 7 months ago
that's tight–I'm with you Aziz. Fuck those buster-ass busters.
I have to agree with the point. I just saw Star Trek at what I later found out to be a LIEMAX theater. It was a new "IMAX" that just opened a month ago to compete with another chain's IMAX. Upon entering the theater, I thought it didn't really seem like IMAX. It had a rectangular screen, only slightly larger than a standard large theater. There were also approximately 50% more seats in the theater than the other IMAX in town, despite having a screen less than half the size. We had seats in the back since the screen in IMAX theaters is so huge that you can't even see it all from the very back, but in this case, it seems we were too far back, and the screen didn't look all that big.
These theaters seem to go against the claim in the IMAX Corporation's trailers that they have the "biggest screens." I've been to plenty of non-IMAX theaters with bigger screens than these new Digital IMAX theaters. The only difference is that those were projecting 35mm film. I will no longer patronize that theater, since for the same price I can have a much better experience across town, at a proper (in my own personal opinion) IMAX. I will also recommend my friends don't pay extra for the new IMAX, since it simply isn't worth the difference in price.
IMAX should no longer be allowed to advertise "the biggest screens" if they continue deploying these theaters that are closer to average size and smaller than some standard theaters.
I only feel sorry for markets where the "new" IMAX is the only choice. Many fans will want to see their favorites on the biggest screen and best quality, but they may still be missing out compared to proper IMAX in cases like The Dark Knight, which actually makes use of the typical IMAX aspect ratio for some scenes.
Phil
· 7 months ago
Aziz, I totally agree with you man! If IMAX wants to sell these LIEMAX screens, just call them something different, like IMAX-LITE or just LIEMAX! If I pay for an "IMAX" ticket, I expect the full screen, sound, video, and maybe some scenes filmed with actual IMAX cameras, like in the Dark Knight.
Hear that IMAX CEO. Don't try to cop out and tell us only 10% agreed with Aziz. There will be more complaints once Aziz's story has been heard.
Keegan
· 7 months ago
I totally agree. Not only are the screens smaller, but your actually receiving less definition, whichmeans a lower quality picture. Two shitty DLP projectors would be killed by a good IMAX 65mm projector anyday. It doesn't get any better then REAL IMAX. Not this fake shit. But, I won't ban Regal because they have the nicest theater in my town and the staff has always been very kind to me.
pjnoir
· 7 months ago
Yes it is a rip off. I remember going to an AMC 'IMax" movie with my son and daughter. I left the theatre to get some popcorn. I mistakenly entered the same film in a regular showing of the feature, one room down and could NOT found my kids. You would think the screen size and projection quality would have been a give away that I was in the wrong theater- but it wasn't. This new IMax is a total rip off
TMoneyBitch
· 7 months ago
I'm with you Aziz, these earlier faggots enjoy getting their ass raped by corporations because they are too stupid to realize they are part of the "sheep" among people. People need to know that they are not getting the real IMAX experience but rather some dumbed down version of it.
My local AMC has that IMAX bullshit and I went and saw the screen, yeah it's big but it's no where near the size of a real IMAX screen. It's pure marketing bullshit and 95% of people won't figure out mainly because only a few movies are ever released with IMAX camera. And the reason so few IMAX movies are released is because it takes balls and skills to use that big ass camera.
The last major movie to use IMAX cams was Dark Knight and it had a whole earth shattering 4 scenes in it.
bobsyeruncle
· 7 months ago
I've got no beef with feeling screwed over or asking for a refund. I'd say you crossed into tantrum territory with the bit about the boycott but hey, if you don't mind looking like a douche in public more power to you.
However, defending yourself by claiming to fight for the people and lashing out at the FAKE IMAX APOLOGISTS who have replied just makes it look like you've gone bat shit crazy or you were serious about everything, including the twitter boycott.
Manuel
· 7 months ago
Dude, you have some serious problems. Stop being such a diva.
Mike
· 7 months ago
This is Bullshit I'm with Aziz 100 Percent. Also, for all the people who are complaining about Aziz stop reading his blog then. IMAX is supposed to be an experience and it isn't any different with the same size screen.
-MIKE
Farker
· 7 months ago
Moron. Why don't you try and solve a real problem, like Darfur? Go back to high school.
Unpleased in SF
· 7 months ago
I just had this same experience! We went to the Emeryville IMAX and I was pissed. I call bullshit on the Emeryville IMAX because that is some BULLSHIT! I am behind you 100% Aziz. These imposter IMAXs are a fucking travesty!
AG
· 7 months ago
GO AZIZ!
I agree with you 100%! Viva La Revolution!
steve cohen
· 7 months ago
IMAX is such a rip off!!!
IMAX quality and sound?????? What the hell does that mean?? IMAX represents HUGE screens. Ill never go to another IMAX again.
Cliff
· 7 months ago
I experienced the exact same thing when I went to see The Dark Knight in IMAX at Santa Anita. There had been huge signs posted around the theater for months leading up the opening of their IMAX, and I was pretty excited to see The Dark Knight there. My reaction walking into a regular sized theater was about the same as yours, except that I wasn't sure how big IMAX was supposed to be. I've been to the IMAX at the Irvine Spectrum many times, and that one is enormous, the one at Santa Anita was dwarfed in comparison. We were told by the manager that it's not the screen size that made it IMAX, but the sound quality and IMAX projectors.
Granted it looked and sounded great, but when I paid the $5 premium to see IMAX, I expected a gigantic screen, not just a retrofitted auditorium. Screw IMAX, I'm going to the ArcLight!
Yeahwoo
· 7 months ago
Yeah! Yeah Aziz! Woo! Woo Aziz woo! Yeah woo!! Yeahwoo Aziz yeahwoo!!
not going to an imax theater
· 7 months ago
IMAX Experience = the privilege of paying $5 extra for watching a movie on a regular screen, but it says IMAX on the ticket. I guess now this makes it only 89% for IMAX... way to defend your product Richard Gelfond. This is the same douche that claims that piracy is crippling the movie industry (which btw has been having record years).
neil
· 7 months ago
Cry more, dude. If the whole "fake imax" thing pissed you off that much you should have walked out at the start of the movie and asked for a refund, then bought tickets to the regular sized movie, or gone and seen it on an actual imax sized screen.
If you leave a movie less than half way through at amc they give you a refund, no questions asked, my friend and I have gone up and just told them the movie was terrible and they gave us our money back with a smile.
Furthermore, how is this even wrong? It's a movie filmed with IMAX equipment and marketed by IMAX. just because the screen isn't huge doesn't mean it's not an imax movie.
Even furthermore, if you couldn't tell that the theater wasn't big enough to incorporate the giant imax screen from the outside, you don't deserve your money back.
CMA XAMI
· 7 months ago
bitch bitch bitch. but yea i would be kinda pissed about paying $5 for nothing.
I knew something was a bit suspicious about the screen just rolling up a bit after the normal movies finish. :-) Fortunately-an awesome Imax dome theatere is not much further from it
Jackie
· 7 months ago
I'm not calling this guy a loser for his views, I'm calling him a loser for thinking someone would care how many friends he has on Twitter.
You know what the manager was thinking, "Oh, so he's a no life loser who spends all day on his PC, I have nothing to worry about here."
I'm not saying people who spend a lot of time on the PC are bad, I'm one of them. However, acting as if anyone will be impressed by your nerd status online, is pathetic.
Aaron
· 7 months ago
I agree with you Aziz. When will movie theaters stop finding a way to rip us off. It's truly out of hand. I applaud you for standing up to this cause, no matter how silly it might be. Stand your ground firm, and don't let up on this guy.
Mushroomer
· 7 months ago
I've had to deal with the same lies here. My local "IMAX"? Lies. All LIES. Still more awesome than a regular screen (which now feels like a closet with a projector on the wall), but it's not IMAX. It's MINIMAX.
classy
· 7 months ago
Aziz, love you on parks and recreation man! anywyas Thanks for fighting the good fight, and the problems reg. people face, I don tknow how they jusitfy the price of 15 bucks on imax-fake and the same price in imax-real.
Everyone knows imax is known for one thing. the gigantic screens.. and now they are trying to whore theyre brand out.. they shouldn't call it imax if it isn't what we expect.
Anywyas i emailed them and complained for you.
ChuckBaggett
· 7 months ago
The Twitter threat might have been a joke, but I'm seeing this bad report about IMAX trickery as a result of your post and OneRiot's instant link searching.
matt
· 7 months ago
i for one think its is an incredibly valid argument. the graphic says it all.
Honestly...
· 7 months ago
Aziz: "You know what Twitter is? I have 25,000 followers, I’m tell 25,000 people you run fake IMAX’s and that they should boycott AMC."
I remember my younger customer service days I would have thought you were a huge asshole.
Allah
· 7 months ago
Ah twitter...
Ric Matheny
· 7 months ago
okay I find this whole situation absolutely hilarious. I mean, you're on TV, you went to a movie in LA. Someone in that theater recognized you, and didn't give you back 5 dollars. How much money does it take to get a CEO's attention? 5 bucks, and the hilarious thing is, I've managed retail chains before. He could have given you your five dollars back and averted the crisis. And the guys who took you serious on these comments are even funnier. Do they not get the fact that you're a COMEDIAN, and that drawing attention to yourself is kinda your JOB? Oh my, I love it when people don't have a sense of humor. Maybe you should peel the CEO's beard off.
George J.
· 7 months ago
Agreed. The whole situation is ridiculous. Imax is nothing without ginormous screens.
Fuckin' A, Aziz. Stand up to these slimy dishonest bastards and call them on their BS. I'm tired of lies and misdirection being the "norm" for how companies deal with the American public.
Scott
· 7 months ago
Yeah, I'll never see another IMAX movie again on any sized screen unless they fix this.
Shmormy
· 7 months ago
It's funny how 95% of Aziz's followers are engaged in a heated debate with about 50 Imax employees (and only barely winning). What did Imax do, mobilize their PR department to come up with two dozen republican-style deceptive arguments grounded in faulty assumptions to combat a comedian's personal blog? The sheer variety of attacks on Aziz's logic, common sense, personality, TV shows, etc. are remarkable. And these critics seem weirdly in tune with the Imax defense of the "Imax brand" considering they are supposed to be just regular folks. Someone should check the IP addresses of the negative posters - if it can be proven that they came from a small band of Imax insiders, the negative publicity would far outweigh Aziz's orignal post.
vintagefreak
· 7 months ago
Aziz, I commend you for, what it looks like, reading the whole comment section on this page. I know that most of this blog [post was a joke, but i do work for AMC up near Seattle, at a theatre that has an IMAX screen and would like to explain a few things: I understand your frustration with with the smaller screen size. But in order for a theatre to be upgraded to IMAX regulation you must remove the old smaller screen and IMAX installs a screen that covers the theatre wall to wall and ceiling to floor. My IMAX screen is about 50 feet high and around 60 square feet larger than the original screen. A digital IMAX screen also doesn't automatically mean that the screen is going to be over 70 feet tall. There are plenty film IMAX screens that are smaller than that size. There is a lot more I could say here, but I don't want to waste your time. If you have any questions, I would love to answer them.
SeanO
· 7 months ago
Can't believe all these tools sticking up for AMC & Imax.
The shit is sleeze, no question about it. They take their name famous for having 60+ foot movie screens and a 70mm film format that amazed us as kids on field trips. They use it to charge an extra $5 for what is simply a 2k digital projector (which is arguably worse than a well calibrated 35mm projector).
I went out of my way and drove from Santa Monica to The Bridge just to see The Dark Knight in IMAX. I felt the exact same way. I was like, why the fuck is the screen so small? What a jip.
IMAX ROCKS!
· 7 months ago
Fuck you asshole
Stizz ya bitch
· 7 months ago
I agree that Imax should re brand the name a little but 5 $ dollaz more to see on a bigger screen than so be it . it's hot or cold you know take or leave. A lot of you should really stop bitching whether it be about imax or what you think about the person who wrote this both of you actin like some bitches right now. What do you learn when you surround yourself with snakes and worms?
Scott
· 7 months ago
Aziz, you're right. But not only about the screen size. As other commentors have mentioned, it's the actual film stock used that's the IMAX experience. You can't just take a Super8 home movie, blow it up to 72 ft (or 25ft) and call it IMAX. That's why I don't go to IMAX screenings unless I know that the movie (or at least part of it like Dark Knight) was shot using IMAX cameras and IMAX film stock.
I can't believe they responded to you at all. They must be worried that the jig is up.
miranda
· 7 months ago
fight the man!
Kapit
· 7 months ago
My problem with your argument is that you clearly didn't even try to do any research on the situation BEFORE you left. How hard would it have been to have called the theatre and ask what type of IMAX they had?
This rant reminds me of parents who take their small children to an R-rated movie and then complain when the movie is too risque for the kids. No one even tries to find out why a movie is rated R, just like you didn't bother trying to find out what kind of IMAX theater you were going to.
Were I the manager, I wouldn't have given you anything. You sat down and watched an entire movie and then expect a partial refund because the screen wasn't big enough for you? If you're as busy as you claim you should just be glad you got to see the movie at all.
Sure, you're a comedian, and supposedly this post is full of "subtle humor," but typing in all caps and telling people to fuck off is hardly the way to be taken seriously.
That is, if you're even serious about boycotting.
aziz
· 7 months ago
Why should I assume one IMAX is different from the other? If I buy a Coke, I assume its a Coke. That's the whole point, they don't differentiate between these two distinctly different types of IMAX screens. Also, try to call the AMC Burbank. Its not really possible, they are all automated and no one picks up the "customer service line."
The R-Rated analogy is flawed. I went to an IMAX screen, expecting an IMAX like EVERY OTHER IMAX - Lincoln Square, Bridge, Universal. I didn't get it and there was nothing to forwarn me and nothing in the advertising to differentiate this IMAX from those others.
FUCK OFF!*
*Writing a thoughtful serious take on this whole issue as we speak
nerrrojj
· 7 months ago
Try a coke from a different country lets say Mexico and then try and make that same argument, Coke taste different in Mexico. So let say I order a Coke in Mexico and it cost me 10 pascos (about a dollar). I make a claim after drinking the entire Coke that it taste different than what I have known Coke to be. From there I demand my money back because of that very reason. Dose this sound anything like what happen to you and your IMAX experience.
Stizz ya bitch
· 7 months ago
ON an unrelated note Coke in mexico Taste way better than United states And it still comes bottled up in a bottle not plastic... Sorry just had too add that in, too get yours go to your friendly Mexican store
Kapit
· 7 months ago
The Coke analogy is flawed. As others have pointed out as well, Coke tastes different in other countries. This is based on the ingredients they use and the way it's made. None of these bottles ever say "DIFFERENT FORMULA". They're labelled Coca-Cola. Will you demand a third your money back after you drink the Coke and it's sweeter than you expected?
And before I forget, your attempt at humor at the end of the post is beyond childish.
aziz
· 7 months ago
If you bought a Coke and it was 3/4s full that's the analogous situation to going to see an IMAX movie and it being significantly smaller screen than what the IMAX branded screen generally means.
Kapit
· 7 months ago
You know what I don't understand at all?
When you walked into the theater, it should have been pretty obvious that the screen was smaller. If it wasn't, then as soon as the trailers started it should have been ridiculously obvious the screen was smaller.
So why did you keep watching? Just so you could pitch a fit?
And really, in the end, this whole damn argument is moot because you watched a movie that was filmed on 35mm film with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The image projected on screen would NOT fill the whole frame. If you're lucky the width will be the same, but the top and bottom third of the film would have black bars. Using the image in your blog as an example, that would mean that you're watching the movie on a screen that's only 30 feet tall (at the absolute maximum). So that spectacle you were talking about? Not gonna happen with a Hollywood film. Sure, with movies like Dark Knight and Transformers 2 we get specific scenes from the movie filmed in IMAX, but all in all it's just way too expensive to shoot an entire movie in IMAX. This is why the movies filmed exclusively for IMAX are 40 minutes long.
aziz
· 7 months ago
Kapit, I explained all this, hundreds of others have felt duped, what they are doing is clearly misleading. I am clearly in the right.
Kapit
· 7 months ago
Did the film have scratches? Was the film blurry? Was the sound popping? Was the sound stereo or mono instead of full surround? Did the film go out of focus because of a reel change? Did the color ever change for no apparent reason? Did the film get jammed for long enough that the lamp burned through the frame?
No?
Then please stop complaining. You watched what was, basically, an HD movie. Yes, IMAX made their name with large screens, but it's not just about that. It's also about delivering sound and projection that is of a superior quality to a standard theatre. We pay more money for HDTV and Blu-Ray discs, why is the theatre any different?
aziz
· 7 months ago
Because IMAX made their name on marketing the fact that they have HUMONGOUS one of kind screens. Their marketing slogan was THINK BIG. You lose the argument Kapit!
Kapit
· 7 months ago
Man, you certainly have a one-track mind. God forbid you even think about anything I've posted. You have not ONCE elaborated on your position on the matter. You stick to your ONE argument and repeat it ad nauseum as if that makes it gospel.
And what argument is there to lose? You've brought nothing to this discussion outside of a half-assed Coke analogy. Every question I've presented to you has been brushed off with claims of you being in the right.
How can you even hope to debate the CEO of IMAX if you can't even answer some simple questions?
aziz
· 7 months ago
I responded to everything, go back and read the comments. Also, chill out, there are over 2000 comments on here. I'm doing my best. I searched and found your other posts, ALL of which I address btw. But I will re-address because I'm an idiot that is still wasting time with this.
Why did I walk out? ITS IN THE OTHER POST - "For those saying, “Dude you saw the movie! And then you want a refund!!! Why didn’t you leave??” First off, I just asked for the $5 IMAX surcharge on the principle that it wasn’t IMAX. I was fine paying the other $10 for seeing the movie. Second of all, I’ve been dying to see the movie and I finally had a window of time to see it. I was going to watch the movie. I didn’t want to deal with that hassle and not get to see it. Someone brought up a good analogy in the comments. If I bought a first class plane ticket and then got on the plane and saw all the seats were coach, I’d still get on the flight. I wouldn’t get off, miss my flight, and totally inconvenience myself. I would get on and then deal with the issue afterwards."
Your argument about IMAX being "about delivering sound and projection that is of a superior quality to a standard theatre. We pay more money for HDTV and Blu-Ray discs, why is the theatre any different?" Because you don't buy a Blu-Ray disc and get a disc that's DVD quality and have them say "Look this is the Blu-Ray experience, deal with it bro."
Regardless of your thoughts on my personal situation, the point I'm trying to make is ultimately indisputable. Argue against this - 1) They make two types of IMAX screens. That is a FACT. 2) The new screens are on average almost 1/5 the size of the original screens on which the name IMAX has been marketed for years. That is a FACT. 3) They do NOTHING to differentiate between these two types of screens at movie theatres, on website listings, or anything. It just says IMAX. That is a FACT. 4) To put out two products of wildly different quality under the same name, for the same price, WITH NO ADVANCE WARNING TO THE CONSUMER IS WRONG!!!
SUCK IT KAPIT!! YOU HAVE NOTHING!!!!!!! NO ARGUMENT TO REFUTE THESE POINTS! IF YOU DO, LET'S HEAR IT.
Kapit
· 7 months ago
Gladly :)
First off, a movie is not a plane. Hopefully that is obvious. I still don't understand how leaving a theater is a huge inconvenience. You could have got your 5 bucks back and waited a whole 30 minutes for the next show to start in a standard theater. Would 30 minutes really have mattered that much? With all the time you've spent on here replying to various comments you could have seen the movie again :)
You saw a movie free of visual or audio problems. The resolution was higher than that of a 35mm film print. How is that not of a better quality?
1) Technically, it's the same type of screen ;) That being said, the size of the screen for Digital IMAX is dependent on the size of the theatre they're converting. The screen fits to the walls and ceiling of the theatre. 2) Where did you get the 1/5th number from? Just curious, cause it seems different websites have different numbers. The Digital IMAX I visit, while it doesn't wrap around as the usual IMAX theatres are, is still impressive as hell. I'd say it's a good 50 feet high and 60-70 feet wide. 3) Hindsight is 20/20. No one has noticed or cared about this for a couple years now, and the only reason anyone cares now is because people are easily susceptible to forming opinions based on what someone else says. 4) The QUALITY of the movie is NOT different. Only the screen size and projection setup are different. Yes, IMAX film is of a higher resolution, but Hollywood movies are not filmed on IMAX. Did you happen to catch Dark Knight in IMAX? There is a HUGE different in quality between the scenes shot on 35mm and those shot on 70mm.
Oh, and as it happens, I do have something :)
aziz
· 7 months ago
Ok - a movie is not a plane. But I'm making an analogy.
Leaving a theatre is an inconvenience. I drove out an extra half hour to see the film in IMAX. I had a 2 hour window to see a movie. I couldn't wait 30 minutes to start another showing (nor is it on me to find out if that's an option). This is all the theatre's screwup, not mine. I do agree I could have seen the movie again given all the time I've spent replying to comments, but as you can probably tell I enjoy arguing.
The issue not of better quality. I paid for an IMAX screen. Have you read the hundreds of other comments written up here? People expect IMAX to be a large multi-story screen.
First off, just read this whole article and it explains the issue much better than I can:
1) Its NOT the same screen. These are two different things. Even IMAX acknowledges that. The retro-fitted Digital screens are NOT the same, they just started making those in recent years. Even Regal and AMC wanted to call them Digital IMAX as to not confused customers expecting the usual IMAX.
2) The screen size numbers are from the LF Examiner piece - http://www.lfexaminer.com/20081016.htm - the average size of the new digital screen is 1,250 sq ft and the average of the traditional ones is 4,800 sq ft. It averages about 1/4 the size. The 1/5 number is from that diagram above which is an example from NY, where many people have gotten upset by the bait and switch. (No point to be awarded, just clearing up where I got the number from).
3) I don't understand what you mean. Hundreds of people on this thread alone agree they also felt jipped by these fake IMAX's. There have been several articles complaining about it before mine, mine just happened to get spread around. Here READ these:
4) Yes I understand the difference between the two types regarding material shot on IMAX cameras. But you keep ignoring the central tenet of my argument. The primary benefit of IMAX screens are the HUGE screen. They are making two different types of screens now and they are not distinguishing between the two. The new ones are on average 1/4 the size. They charge the same $5 and there do nothing to inform the consumer. How can you agree that's fair?
Tesseract
· 7 months ago
I have never watched your show and think most celebs (are you that yet?) are a bunch a whining narcissist babies crying about the wrong shade of pearl there dressing rooms are painted but GOOD FOR YOU for taking a stand against this bullshit. On GP a alone its good someone who people may take notice of is taking a shot at these crooks who are trying to screw us at every turn. Hmmm, I wonder why I would rather watch a friends d/l'ed copy than step into a movie theatre. Great job Aziz!!!
Mark
· 7 months ago
Fuck Imax. You are making money off your name, and not delivering what you promise. You could have turned this into a PR win, but you have not. Amused Reader needs to grow some nuts and stand his/her ground for once and see that you can get what you paid for, and were promised.
Alexandra
· 7 months ago
i work at a Regal movie theatre. honestly i don't know too much about AMC other than it is a part of the Regal Entertainment Group. i could just assume that AMC IMAXs are totally different than Regal IMAXs and maybe that's what happened to you. i'm just curious as to why you didn't go to an IMAX theatre that you KNEW was an actual IMAX. and as for getting your $5 back... that is REG policy. if you were upset at the beginning you could have walked out and demanded all your money back. but the fact that you watched the whole thing and then complained, that just seems like you want to rip the theatre off rather than us. also, be aware that 99% of the money you pay at the box office does not go to REG at all, it goes to Hollywood. so in all honesty, REG didn't hurt you at all.
nerrrojj
· 7 months ago
this is true for any movie theater
Shaz
· 7 months ago
I love you aziz, and I mean that in the most non homo brown guy to brown guy love. Screw IMAX, I saw 300 in IMAX and the only thing different about it was the damn sound was louder than it should have been.
Niels
· 7 months ago
I agree with aziz. It's the principle. It's wrong, and they should change it ..
Let's BOYCOTT !
Chris
· 7 months ago
wow there are some crazy people on here acting like they are all righteous or w/e ...I think your more then justified i woulda done the same thing. Thanks for the heads up by the way.. never woulda known this and been stuck in the same argument. There should be a sign saying how big the screen is like in front of the place... that way you know what your getting into.
nerrrojj
· 7 months ago
It's called research, the internet is a great tool..."IMAX recently signed a deal with AMC to start utilizing this new technology beginning July 2008 in the US. " this comes straight from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMAX#IMAX_Digital)
earesrv
· 7 months ago
Oh, cry some more, you fucking wimp.
Blowme
· 7 months ago
I don't understand your point of view. I guess you just came here from the douchefest of smug middle-aged cubicle workers that is FARK and decided it would be good to fuck with people on this blog because you feel an unjustified disdain (and secret jealousy) for minor celebrities and young people. Feel better?
fuck you douche
· 7 months ago
fuck you, you whiney bitch, guess you shouldnt have sat and watched the whole movie then huh?
Chris
· 7 months ago
Aziz I completely agree with you. The main point isn't that these new digital IMAXs shouldn't exist, it is just that as consumers we should be able to tell what kind of IMAX we are buying tickets too before we walk into the cinema and it is too late. If they don't want to call them IMAX digital then fine, just call the old one IMAX XXL or something. Anything just let us consumers choose what we want to spend money on, at the moment it feels like we are being tricked.
Blah
· 7 months ago
These pricks calling Aziz a whiny bitch are definitely coming from FARK. They've irrationally branded him an "attention whore" and a "cry baby" and now they're just doing what they do, which is gang fuck an undeserving target with their old bitter white guy douchebaggery.
What's funny is how they've analyzed every word of the story, blaming Aziz for everything from watching the movie all the way through to not taking the more lucrative free popcorn offer to his failure to research the size of the screen in advance to being short. It's a terrible and interesting thing to observe. When these FARKers put their minds to it, they can come up with 999 different kinds of bullshit to support any position they feel like (which is why they make such great Bush-loving ditto head teabaggers).
Dom
· 7 months ago
It really is bullshit. They just moved the screen 30 ft closer to the audience and added special projectors, that's all fine and dandy, but it should be called hi-def screening or something. Those of us that have seen and love the real IMAX, feel like we got ripped off. I guess what it comes down to is, IMAX is just a brand, and the "experience" can vary from theater to theater.
You're not funny. You're an attention whore and an asshole to boot.
kelly
· 7 months ago
I think my toenail just grew 1mm, yawn.
nerrrojj
· 7 months ago
With being a shift manager at another theater chain (Kerasotes Theatres) I clearly side with the staff of AMC. You should have brought up the issues before the movie started and you could have traded for non-"IMAX" Star Trek screening and they would have payed you the difference of five dollars. That's what we would have done. If it was so unsatisfactory and the customer voice their opinion like you did then yes I would give them a Re-Admit ticket (free tickets to any movie any time). As for the IMAX not being IMAX, this could have happened because they are calling IMAX Digital just IMAX, therefore confusing people on the actual size of the screen IMAX (72 ft wide 53 ft high) vs IMAX Digital ((28x58 feet). (read more about IMAX Digital at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMAX#IMAX_Digital) Since it is new technology they have the right to charge for the "use" of it, hence the charge of 5 dollars.
Burg
· 7 months ago
Way to go Aziz
Christian
· 7 months ago
IMAX can kiss my left nut. Yeah, cause 17 dollar tickets make sense in the economy. Thanks for making an easy decision for me!
Dude McGuy
· 7 months ago
Here in Toronto AMC calls it EDX - Enhanced Digital Experience The box office operator calls it "our version of imax" I saw star trek. Great movie but EDX (or IMAX digital) is not worth the extra $5. Since none of the scene are filmed in IMAX it not worth watching in a real IMAX theater either.
andy
· 7 months ago
hi im from the uk and last night went to see star trek with a couple of friends at one of the few imax screens in our country. After seeing the dark knight i was amazed at the imax scenes and couldnt wait to show my friends, after ten minutes into the feature i was still waiting for an imax scene after the whole film i felt truly dissapointed it was nothing like imax film it was just the film stretched out to fit the screen in a poor resolution that made the fast-moving action scenes unwatchable ! the imax presentation before the feature was the only true imax part of the evening the rest of it looked like a decent pirated cam-job at best ! there needs to be some clarity over the format rather than consumers getting ripped off again
"one bite mike"
· 7 months ago
The Imax CEO has been telling his wife that 3 inches is 12 for years.
balls
· 7 months ago
i get ur point, but ur a dick for talking down to people. get a fucking life ya dumb shit, and shove that 25k followers on twitter up ur dumb ass. "i want my 5$ back" what a whiny bitch
Dude McGuy
· 7 months ago
Amc popcorn really is horrible. Brittle and stale. The worst is that they don't layer your popcorn (butter in the middle and on top) and their no flavoring like white cheddar etc. Not to mention they don't have a KFC, pizza hut, or taco bell like all the other movie theater in my area. Somehow they got Star Trek, but honestly amc is a horrible place to see a summer blockbuster.
Why do they charge $1 more when they give less value for your money?
Arpo
· 7 months ago
It's very disappointing to read some of the back-biting, infantile and almost hate-filled comments on this subject. I have been a great fan of the IMAX GT system for many years, and have sat in many IMAX theatres when there have only been a handful of people watching the film, or alone watching masterpieces like, ‘Space Station 3D’. It makes me very sad to now see these other, ‘IMAX’s’ springing up. IMAX could have really done something special with digital, but they chose the cheapest most short-sighted approach they could in order to generate quick revenue and save distribution costs. Of course it is clear that commercially any business would have the same goals. However IMAX seem to have lost the vision that originally made them great pioneers of this format which, to give them credit, they have kept going in the face of great difficulty. In many ways the, 'True IMAX' GT format (both filming and projection) was and still is way ahead of it's time. The same can certainly not be said about IMAX digital. Heart-breaking in a way is how IMAX have wasted an opportunity by building these new theatres with screen aspect ratio’s more or less the same as that of existing multiplex screens. With the correct theatre geometry it would be possible to create the, ‘true’ IMAX experience in much smaller venues. In fact by being clever about theatre construction it would be possible to create something that, in some way, would exceed the experience of their, ‘giant screens’. IMAX could have developed a digital system that kept the original GT aspect ratio 1:1.44, with highly raked seating and closer proximity to the screen. That way it would still have been possible to create that same immersive quality as the larger screens where the screen extends past the field of vision both horizontally and vertically. Unfortunately multiplex owners are not prepared to finance reconstruction of theatres to the required specification. In a lot of cases it is simply not possible to carry out the work required (theatres in basements for example) or to get local government planning permission to raise the roof height of a theatre. If IMAX had really pushed the projection technology to the limit instead of going for the easy option they could have created something really special, and used them as a stepping-stone to IMAX GT digital conversion. A smaller more intimate theatre might have also opened up other possibilities for IMAX sound. Many very experienced IMAX film directors, who have developed this film medium for many years have said that digital IMAX will mean the death of true IMAX. Many people could not understand this at the time, but IMAX’s implementation of digital could prove them right. True IMAX documentaries now being shown at London’s Greenwich and Wimbledon will either have to have the top and bottom of the frame cropped, therefore losing information and effect, or the width of the frame will have to be reduced to maintain the original aspect ratio. Which filmmaker would want their hard-won work shown in such a way? Hollywood filmmakers may no longer see the point of shooting films, even partially, using IMAX cameras only to be shown compromised in the new digital theatres. The same goes for the new Transformers film, also partially shot in using IMAX cameras. IMAX digital may also be detrimental to the development of IMAX digital cameras. What is the point of developing a, ‘True IMAX’ (1:1.44) digital camera only for the result to be projected in a handful of GT theatres worldwide. IMAX GT screens may be being built on other continents, but in America and Europe IMAX’s push now seems to be exclusively small screen digital. One giant-screen lost opportunity, especially for the filmmakers who have pushed the limits of this exceptional medium through the roof, only to be betrayed by the hand that feeds them.
"one bite mike"
· 7 months ago
A brand is a promise. IMAX has officially fu#ked the brand. Aziz is just the vanguard of consumer action. They will sell less tickets when others are screwed in this fashion. I for one, will always be skeptical of the IMAX brand going forward.
Barry
· 7 months ago
I adore you!
Jason Smith
· 7 months ago
Sounds like a hell of a lot of fun :-) Could've been dealt with a little privately, but the points he makes are valid.
Rooker
· 7 months ago
Yeah, If I paid extra $$ for a special feature and then didn't get that special feature, I'd raise a little hell too. I don't like being ripped off either.
dikfur
· 7 months ago
Hahahah.. wut a looser! get a lif you moran!
V
· 7 months ago
To be honest, I have to agree with you. I would want my $5 back if I got screwed over like that. In fact, I did get screwed over because I went to see transformers awhile back in the amc IMAX. If you've been in a real IMAX you'd understand that the experience is completely different, and a 28ft screen in an AMC as oppose to a 78ft screen in a real IMAX, is in my opinion a significant difference. Hell, I want my $5 dollars back from over a year ago. I think it's good that you are expressing yourself and letting people know. Not everone knows about that difference. Ultimately, it's what people want to do with their money.
Patroc
· 7 months ago
Man, I went to Darfur and the situation wasn't nearly as bad as they'd made it out to be. Sure it was pretty grim and there was lots of flies and crying and death and shit but it wasn't the human tragedy on a biblical scale that I was led to believe.
I don't mind telling you that I reclaimed my bag of grain and got out of there.
Tally ho!
Biz
· 7 months ago
Totally agree, you are entitled to your $5 back. Not anything more than what they charged/duped you for a ripoff IMAX "experience". Damn the man!
Melvin
· 7 months ago
Did you know there are women in the world with lop-sided tits? Their problem is a lot more serious than the fact that you didn't get to see a "real" IMAX movie. What an ass.
Paul
· 7 months ago
I thought the update was funny. Fuck, anybody complaining about it should look at it this way: at least you mentioned Darfur.
Also, I predict this strategy will backfire on them. Once everybody catches on, NOBODY will go to these little-dick IMAX's. Same bad business strategy as always: deceive people to get their money. Anybody who cares about IMAX will not go there, and anybody who doesn't won't pay $5 more for it. Kudos to you for posting this, as you're accelerating the learning curve.
Melvin
· 7 months ago
Save the world. Boycott beef.
bryan
· 7 months ago
I love you, Ansari!
Tesddfgc
· 7 months ago
I realize it was very unfortunate that you didn't get to see the green chick's boobs in real IMax, but if you would only use that charisma for some REAL problems..., so no, this isn't worth "REBLOG[ing] THE SHIT OUT OF".
Audrey
· 7 months ago
If I pay for Imax I expect Imax. "slightly bigger screen" is NOT Imax.
Advertise it as an "Imax like experience" and tell me in advance it's not the true Imax and let me decide from there.
A rip off is a rip off and should be fought against. I wish I lived in the area, I'd love to boycott this theatre and write a letter informing them why.
Rich
· 7 months ago
Nice work. I'm with you. Strangely though when this happened to me. I got my $5 back and 4 movie passes that worked for opening nights as well. Don't worry about the haters. When you stand on principal sometimes you stand alone.
duderonomous
· 7 months ago
Who are all these IMAX apologists? It's a for profit company trying to essentially misrepresent what it's providing for the customer. I can't really understand why anyone other than a company shill is coming down so hard on Aziz. Aziz's word means plenty to me and now IMAX is suspect in my eyes. I'll add them to the list with Clear Channel and TicketMaster. Fuck 'em.
herp
· 7 months ago
This article seems to be written by an overactive 15 year old. If the place doesn't have a section of the building that doesn't look 72 feet tall then obviously it's not going to be the real IMAX screen. Also internet tough guy with the manager dialog.
FuckFoxNews
· 7 months ago
YOU STILL GO TO MOVIE THEATERS?
This is just a ploy to get back some of the money they are losing from piracy. Instead of lowering the price of tickets, and popcorn so that movies are more affordable, they keep turning out shitty Super Hero and Comic Book movies, by the dozen, and tell you it's IMAX.
Just download the torrent of the movie on thepiratebay.org, and don't support your IMAX theater.
Jim L
· 7 months ago
I had the same experience with Monsters vs. Aliens. I took my sons to go see the movie in 3D and paid the extra to go to IMAX. Well, when we got in I was looking around because it was a regular screen (maybe a little bigger), but not the IMAX i knew. I figured somehow the theater had screwed-up and put us in the wrong room, but later found out that this is a big scam. I will never buy IMAX again!
FB
· 7 months ago
Fark sucks. Drew Curtis is a fag.
NewImaxSux
· 7 months ago
I agree with you. I would not pay almost double the ticket price for a "just slightly" larger screen.
ironman
· 7 months ago
IMAX CAN SUCK MY DICK
Jeremy Morel
· 7 months ago
Aziz: I 100% agree, with you. I'll stand with you in any way that I can. What IMAX is doing is complete bullshit. They should at least come clean about it and admit that that they're ripping us off by nearly 40' x 40' of screen size. If that's "IMAX quality" then who needs it? As an American consumer, I'm used to getting fucked over, but trust me, I'm aware of it. For IMAX to think think they can just pass this under our noses is just plain fucking insulting. It really adds a kick in the balls when they tack on $5.
Pixelsnot
· 7 months ago
IMAX bases their success on ticket sales, CURRENT ticket sales from people like myself, and Aziz who expect a brand like IMAX to deliver a consistent quality that was expected with out question. Once duped into a seat, I wanted to see Star Trek, not the pimple-faced fucktard at guest services for my refund. So I stayed. Imax can bet that this bullshit is going to hurt them in the long run.
The fact of the matter is that the quality is less. Small = less. Less = bad, especially when your not expecting it.
What is IMAX thinking? Oh, and the science center that actually has IMAX will not be showing it until the cash cow's at the multiplexes have binged themselves thoroughly. Enjoy it while it lasts.
This is my favorite: IMAX Chief Executive Richard Gelfond - "Does American Airlines brand a (Boeing) 767 (flight) differently than a 727? We wouldn't put our name on it unless it lived up to the 'Wow!' factor and to the Imax brand,"
My wow would be considerably less "Wow!" and more like "Oh?"
What if Coke decided to change the formula and not say anything. Sure, they have done that over the years, however it is clearly labeled as such and they all failed.
Boycott IMAX! The only tool you have as a consumer is your wallet. Keep it in your pants!
Does this shit fly in Canada, or are we as Americans just that easy to dupe?
Dan
· 7 months ago
I'm with you. If I went into a theater this size and it was branded as "IMAX" I would be royally pissed!
Mad Imax in Thunderdome
· 7 months ago
I received this generic reply after contacting Imax directly. They are continuing the lie, saying Imax is not about a big screen size.
Thanks you for your email. The IMAX Experience® is about more than just screen size or any one individual characteristic or feature. It is made possible through the combination of the world’s sharpest and brightest images, the clearest and most accurate sound available and IMAX’s immersive theatre geometry. And more fans around the world are able to see Hollywood blockbusters in IMAX today thanks to our growing network, our ground-breaking digital projection system and our IMAX DMR® (digital re-mastering) film conversion technology. For more information on The IMAX Experience, please visit www.imax.com.
Yehova
· 7 months ago
Threatening a dude with TWITTER is the same as saying I am going to tell my friends what happened... nobody should ridicule you for that... its a legitimate method of organizing if used that way. Also, AMC sucks balls!
Oliver
· 7 months ago
My sentiments exactly! I was suspicious when an IMAX mysteriously appeared on 42nd street in New York and sure enough it's just as you described, a slightly bigger than normal screen, nowhere near the Lincoln Center's awesomeness! I'm calling these FAUX-MAX from now on...
khounba
· 7 months ago
Aziz, You saved me $5. And probably more. We just got one of these "imax" theaters at an AMC near me. I was pretty pumped until you found out it was not an actual IMAX like the ones I've been to before. The best part of IMAX it the uninterrupted peripheral viewing pleasure. I don't think you can achieve that with a slightly bigger than normal cinema screen.
So you may have lost your $5, but bet your ass they won't be getting mine.
ghostsofghghg
· 7 months ago
Batman Begins....I was duped, and dissapointed. I was too lazy to complain though because the movie itself was awesome. But, it was not a 72 ft. IMAX screen, very dissapointing.
FAUXMAX Hater
· 7 months ago
Amen Brother! I was FAUXMAXED in NY this past weekend. It's absolute BULLSHIT! I intend to post this link everywhere to help spread the word.
jason
· 7 months ago
I agree...It's a ripoff! It should be billed as IMAX MINI.
dondada
· 7 months ago
Dude I so agree with you on this issue. If I felt cheated by calling something "IMAX experience" when it's just a "digital enhanced experience" then I would want my $5 back as well or only pay $2.50. Why should I pay the same price for something that's real IMAX and something that's enhanced. I would feel like I'm being made fool off.
I have boycotted the "IMAX experience" from the day it was released b/c I perceived the same thing as you experienced and didn't want to just give my money away for free in these hard times.
If the "real IMAX" is still around and they show movies, I'll go there otherwise screw AMC, Regal, and IMAX for trying to scam my hard earn money out of my pocket.
Mario's Pants
· 7 months ago
I'm in 100% agreeance. Being forced to watch endless commercials at the time the movie was officially scheduled to start is bad enough: paying $5 for the "privilege" of watching HD playback on what used to be a regular movie screen is shit, pure and simple. This is NOT IMAX and is diluting the brand - which will, in short time, render their product worthless (i.e. the 72' screen will be labelled "IMAX Plus" or something equally brainless and "IMAX" will be the label for paying $5 extra to watch a movie on a screen roughly the size we used to watch it 15 years ago before multiplexes were invented.)
Completel bullshit.
Mario's Pants
· 7 months ago
Let's not forget that IMAX is really a super-huge FILM format. In order for the film to truly be considered "IMAX" it would have to have been FILMED in IMAX, which I'm pretty certain Star Trek wasn't.
The only ones who are really fucking themselves over is IMAX. Their brand will be worthless if they keep this up. How difficult would it be to launch a competitor to this "IMAX lite" or cut them out of the equation altogether with a cheaper or better competitor? Not very. I'm not certain how much Dolby Labs and Lucasfilm get for licensing their Dolby and THX technologies, but that's pretty much where IMAX appears to be heading.
Jason
· 7 months ago
loser
Sean Sinclair
· 7 months ago
Holy crap... I just checked, and the AMC Hoffman Center theater, near Washington DC, is the same way. I was about to drag some friends all the way out there for my 2nd viewing of Star Trek. Thank you Aziz for warning me -- that would have seriously pissed me off!!
JonT
· 7 months ago
Hes right, fuck them if they want to take advantage of us and our money. They already do it enough when they put out shitty movies with shitty actors and shitty plots that tie up into a really shitty conclusion at the end.
George Berberian
· 7 months ago
Honestly people, I also feel the same way. I didn't actually ask for my $5 back, but I do feel duped for being sold the IMAX name and not getting the full IMAX screen, which is part of the experience. If I had know that, I would have gone to the proper theater.
In the end, it's a marketing ploy to make people think it's one thing, but instead they get another. That's a poor practice and it backfires. Eventually, they will have to re-brand with a new name to sell it as a fully digital experience. In the future, I do not plan to support any IMAX or AMC for false advertising.
That's all this discussion should be about, not about restaurants, the Sudan, or how Aziz told off the manager (I mean, comedian, HELLOOOOOO!) Sure it may not be the most important thing out there right now, but it's good people out there feel the same as me. Thanks, Aziz!
Adrian Hickman
· 7 months ago
Dude, you are having a big effect in this issue. This is from a tech newsletter that I get.
IMAX side! Yes i'm an employee because its a job and its not mcdonalds and make fun of me all you want but i get to watch it free and whenever i want you pay 5 bucks extra!
All imaxes are not the same. The newer imax digital screens are a bit of a rip because they are imax screens being converted from the older screens in theatres that have already been built. Therefore cannot be turned into 70 ft tall screens if the building was not meant to be that big.
If you just ask a theatre 1 how big their screen is and 2 if its imax digital then this would have never been an issue. If you like traditional imax go to a traditional imax theatre. if you saw it on a ginormous screen why stop going to that theatre for some new one? stick with what you know is awesome.
just because its smaller doesnt mean its not imax. imax is the film. sure if its not filmed with an imax camera (which parts of dark knight were the only one filmed with an imax camera) then it is converted into imax film. it does not make it suck. imax makes its be clear and big and really great sound. the only movies that are stretched onto the screen are giant screen movies. dont watch them they are just reg movies really blown up and stretchy looking.
imax is an experience aziz whether you know it or not you still saw a badass version of star trek on an awesome screen. just because it wasnt 70 ft tall doesnt make it any less of an awesome picture. you need to watch a regular version to compare the two. or just deal with the fact that you have a size issue :) <3
amc sucks
· 7 months ago
i work for amc they not only fuck the customers they fuck the employees as well. can everyone please boycott these pieces of shit so that i have no choice but to live the shit hole that is amc.
Teenyvators
· 7 months ago
I always wondered how they could put an IMAX screen into an already existing building. The whole "experience" of an IMAX theater is the big screen. That's why I pay the $5 more. I'd be pissed if I was in your situation. Good Luck! I'm behind you!
willwhutson
· 7 months ago
In that article Gelfond uses the logic that IMAX screens did a monster amount (15%) of the Star Trek opening gross while only having (2%) of the screens nationwide.
That's some pretty shady math, I'd like to see the overlap between the total # of screens start trek opened on - probably north of 3k - and the total # of screens IMAX is on - and then use THAT overlap to see what type of "choice" consumers were actually given. He thinks that his IMAX brand actually compelled more people to see THE movie event of May.
Really? Brand Dilution INDEED.
BOYCOTT IMAX.
moog
· 7 months ago
you think IMAX = big screen. That's just wrong. Imax is a superior quality format and process for shooting and screening film. in an IMAX braned cinema you are getting that upscaled video an audio quality even if the film is shot on conventional film, and the price of the equipment totally justifies the extra price. In a way the picture quality is even better than the big imax screens, since it's the same imax format being concentrated into a smaller size, and your viewing distance from the screen means that once you're in your seat the experience is pretty much the same. This is all a load of bullshit and you are a twat. you don't deserve free popcorn.
ben
· 7 months ago
I agreee 110% was Aziz!
LIEMAX screens stink!
They dilute the IMAX brand and they are not worth the extra $5!
If theaters want to retain customers they should stop the nonsense. I'd pay an extra five bucks to have a normal size screen with an usher for the loud mouths and less commercials.
Ron
· 7 months ago
I totally back Aziz. IMAX needs to be a GIANT screen
Mad Imax in Thunderdome
· 7 months ago
For over 40 years the Imax brand meant one thing and one thing only: Films made with special Imax cameras and shown on massive 72 foot screens.
Those days are over, the Imax brand has been sold and resold again to Hollywood for use in regular small screen theaters. The current owners of Imax have been trying to resell Imax for years and are not focused on making quality products. The result is that movies not filmed using Imax Cameras are being shown on small screens at higher Imax prices. The fake Imax claims digital quality, but there are other digital projections technologies in theaters like DLP Digital that do not charge extra. Some like the Sony 4k digital has higher quality than the fake Imax and also does not charge extra.
Star Trek was not filmed using special Imax cameras in the way scenes of The Dark Night were. There is no true Imax version of Star Trek anywhere. If you see Star Trek in an Imax theater, you are not getting the real Imax experience of the past. If the ticket price is the same, the PretendaMax version would be reasonable. To pay $5 to $10 extra for a fake Imax experience is a ripoff. The new Imax owners are hoping the public doesn't understand current digital film technology and falls for the scam.
In the late nineties, the Canadian founders of Imax sold their company to Rich Gelfond and Brad Wechsler. Over the next decade these two gentlemen would ruin both the stock price and the beloved Imax brand. The stock price, which traded at $49 in 1999, would drop 99% to 59 cents in 2001. The Imax stock spent the rest of the 2000 decade between $3 and $11, where it currently sits at $7. The original Imax founders spent decades building a beloved brand of quality films made using quality cameras shown on larger than life screens. The new owners, Gelfond and Wechsler, have replaced the founder's forumula for quality with a misguided attempt for more profits. Faced with shareholders that lost up to 99% of their investment in Imax, Gelfond and Wechsler made a desperate attempt to attract more interest in the Imax stock price. Gelfond and Wechsler made a deal with Hollywood to use the Imax name on small screens in regular movie theaters.
The Imax founders goal was to use cutting edge technology and provide a quality experience. The Gelfond and Wechsler Imax team's goal is to get the stock price back up. The Imax founders made decisions based on what makes a good movie experience. Gelfond and Wechsler make decisions based on how to make the quickest buck and sell the company yet again.
Gelfond and Wechsler's original 5 year plan was to buy Imax from the founders, expand at the expense of brand quality, and re-sell the expanded Imax company at a profit. There have been two fizzled auction attempts. In 2006, Gelford and Wechsler put Imax up for sale a third time. This third round of potential buyers included Sony, but they all backed off when they looked at the books.
In 2007, a decade of accounting concerns caught up with Imax. Gelford and Wechsler's team had questionable past revenue accounting processes that resulted in a SEC investigation and six class action lawsuits.
So let's recap: Gelfond and Wechsler would do anything to make Imax attractive to buyers. Even if it's questionable. This is proven by the SEC Investigation, six class action lawsuits, and the attempt to use the Imax name on non-Imax quality screens. The new owners have departed from the vision of the Imax founders. They are simply hoping to sell tickets to small screens at higher Imax prices for personal gain.
I'm not gonna read through a thousand comments, but lemme cut to the chase:
Do you remember seeing the frame aspect ratio jump from normal letterbox to almost square on city fly overs in Batman? Have you ever been to a documentary film that was shot in Imax?
Imax cameras shoot 70mm, sideways (15 perf). No popcorn movies are shot in Imax. Every commercial popcorn movie you have ever seen in an Imax theater was just the *same* movie projected larger.
Transformers 2 will be the first movie in the history of visual effects to have characters integrated into Imax plates and projected 5 stories tall, and it will only be for 3 main sequences. (see information available online)
M
· 7 months ago
Nope - down with you, dude. I saw "Harry Potter 4" on the IMAX with some friends at the Smithsonian back when it first came out, and we were SERIOUSLY disappointed in the picture quality and supposed "more awesome in IMAX" effects. Smaller size, not particularly impressive at all.
I was debating seeing "Night at the Museum" down there, but now that you remind me how not-good the last experience was (and for EXTRA MONEY!) - I'm going to the neighborhood cinema instead.
sprizee
· 7 months ago
Your picture says it all. The normal movie screen experience can not compare with an actual IMAX picture size. The new wow factor is the crap the IMAX CEO is spouting. What a headcase. Go Aziz go!
People are idiots
· 7 months ago
Wow. Many of the people replying on here are idiots. I wonder how many times someone can say "you dared to ask for a refund" when that isn't what you did at all? Seriously, MORE THAN ONE PERSON is accusing you of asking for a total refund. I now completely believe in the dumbing down of modern society. See, this is why I don't like people.
Krista
· 7 months ago
I too was very disappointed when I saw how small the "IMAX" screen was at the AMC Promenade in Woodland Hills, CA. Such a drag - should have bought regular tickets for Star Trek and saved the dough. Definitely NOT going to make that mistake again... Krista
Ash
· 7 months ago
Hey there!
Just figured I'd add incase no one else has, that Cineplex (a canadian theatre company) also carries Imax brand screens at selected locations.
They claim crisper sound and image quality, but again are nothing in size compared to the real Imax screens. The auditoriums themselves are usually only bigger in the sense that they can hold more people. A few I've been to also have different seats, but that's about the only differences from the regular shows they play.
Ash
· 7 months ago
Also, while you might not have liked the fact, could you imagine how many issues they'd have, if people could refund tickets after seeing full shows?
I had one guy, get pissed off at me because I turned cleaning lights on in the theatre, before he was done watching the credits and say he was going to find a manager to get a refund. I apologized to him, and told him that's how it works. This particular theatre required manual light switches which turned on our HUGE cleaning lights vs just house lighting, but that's all we had.
But incomparison, if some old lady, or small child went flying down the stairs because there wasn't enough lighting for them to leave before this guy finished his credits, the damage to the theatre would have been far worse.
But back on point: The deal with refunds is usually if before 30minutes into the movie you decide not to stay, or that you don't want to see that particular movie, a refund can be done. That way people don't try to get free movies out by complaining about stuff AFTER the movie is done.
There's no way in fuck I'm going to read through 977 comments to make sure I don't repeat something somebody already said, but I'm going to say this:
I used to work in a movie theater and they could have very easily given Aziz his money back. It's not a difficult procedure by any means. And even if it were, I just would have given him the five bucks out of my pocket and embezzled more cash from the concession stand. You just give the complainers their money back. I had to give a guy and his wife money out of my own pocket once when they complained that "Rising Sun" (Sean Connery/Wesley Snipes Japanese gangster flick, 1993) was a "dirty movie" because it opened with a sex scene. I just wanted them to fucking leave. They did.
Last summer I almost drove three hours to see "The Dark Knight" in IMAX. If I'd gotten there and found a fake-ass IMAX screen I would have burned the fucking place down.
hateconmen
· 7 months ago
Cooley, nice to see that at least one person understands the cost (and the benifits) of refunding money to a disatisfied customer. Tell Krystin AMC manager!
jdh
· 7 months ago
I drove 5 hours to go to the "IMAX Experience" in St Louis to see Star Trek. A freaking 5 hr drive and an overnight stay because I wanted to be stunned by a giant space movie on a giant screen. What I got was what appeared to be the same screen that the Hannah Montana movie was showing on and a sound system that the highs were so loud that it hurt me and my son...literal pain. I had to put headphones on him and stuff pieces of napkin in my ears to cut it down. It was one of the worst movies experiences of any kind, never mind being totally underwhelmed by the "IMAX Experience". From hearing other people talk I expected greatness...I got a worse experience than I could have gotten at my $4 theater at home.
raishawn
· 7 months ago
I had the same stupid issue when I went to see Watchmen which was annoying because we drove to a theater about 20 minutes away just to see it in IMAX and then didn't even get to.
Randall Flagg
· 7 months ago
I had this same thing happen to me when I went to see WATCHMEN here in Augusta Georgia. I was FURIOUS! I wrote letters, made calls, emailed, etc and all I got was two free passes to another IMAX bullshit showing and a letter explaining the differences. Im with Aziz. BOYCOTT!!!!
Web
· 7 months ago
I suffered through the bullshit IMAX experience as well. Well done, sir. I would love to see you debate this matter live.
Anthony
· 7 months ago
Yeah I remember going to an IMAX at the Irvine Spectrum and it was huge! I was like "Yess, finally! My moviegoing experience is complete!" So imagine when I try to go see my favorite movie, The Dark Knight, on IMAX (because everybody's raving how rad it is in IMAX) at the Anaheim GardenWalk only to find a teensy bit bigger than normal movie screen. I went back out and was like "Where's the IMAX?" the lady directed me back to the same theater...I didn't know what the hell was going on. I was rather disappointed I paid so much for mediocre movie experience. Eff that. Eff that for life!
DK
· 7 months ago
I went to the "IMAX" screening of Star Trek at the Arcadia AMC, and will never go there again. Like Aziz, I was expecting an IMAX experience and I did feel ripped off. So did 4 of my friends. As I walked into the theater, I actually had to ask a few people about whether this was the IMAX theater, as the screen only looked about 5 feet wider. Not only were the tickets $14, but we had to sit in the 2nd row, which meant that I had to tilt my head completely up and had to watch a distorted image the entire movie. Yes it's my fault for getting in so late, but the screen wouldn't have been so distorted had it been a normal sized screen. I actually wished we had been in a normal sized screen theater because of this distortion level. In most traditional IMAX theaters, it almost doesn't matter where you sit, because the first row is usually a good 30 feet away from the screen. I will continue to see IMAX movies, but only at the Bridge or Century City AMC. This is something people should be warned about, because it is not an IMAX experience.
Jim Roberts
· 7 months ago
I went to see Superman 3D when it was released at the IMAX in Tulsa OK and it was one of the Bullshit little screens. I haven't been back since. There is no way in hell I'm paying what they want for their new crappy little screens.
JR.
ADP
· 7 months ago
Saw it with my dad and fiancee over the weekend @ AMC 30 in Mesquite, TX. . . I was wondering why I could get tickets for the 10am show there the night before, but the "main" Imax place was totally sold out. And when we left, we were trying to figure out why the screen was so much smaller than we expected. BOOOOOO!
BrokeBroke
· 7 months ago
Same experience at an AMC in Northern California. I used a gold gift certificate for Star Trek IMAX and was charged an extra $4. There was no 'wow factor' when I walked into that theater, just a 'shit, I just wasted $4!' factor. If I'd waited 45 minutes for the next showing on non-IMAX, my movie would have been free.
In retaliation, I movie-hopped two more films.
DHSGhyu
· 7 months ago
Well, I am one of the movie buff. Who want to get a full experience of a movie. However, AMC imax experience is deceiving for true movie lover.
However, after wathcing full movie and asking for full refund or partial refund doesnt count.
Like restaurant rule. Doesnt sound ethical either.
These micro IMAX amc/regal been around long time may be a year or so.
Its a matter of knowledge. All movie chain IMAX are micro.
Musuem and Science center imax are cool ones.
Dude i know how yu feel when yu get screwed. Get over it...
Threatening them.. hahah. Probably yu shd have wrote it and not to say abt it.
Not cool man,,,,
Goood yu made a issue.. yu got publicity for yurself and for the whole issue.
Now every one knws atleast.,,,,
Do u think everyone cares how big is the screen....
So as long as yu have 60-70% crowd like that this theaters will be around for some time....
Go to a good movie in AMC or anywhere some shows for a good movie hardly yu see any ppl. 5-10 may be... Still they continue to operate...
You know how. BECAUSE THEY GOT THE MOST EXPENSIVE POPCORN AND SODA .. in the world. A cup of corn and couple of teaspoon of syrup would cost may be few cents. But they got to pay all the ppl. they have to run the place.. I knw yu are upset.. go watch it in good place,...I am sure yu will enjoy it...
Spencer
· 7 months ago
LET THESE IMAX, AMC, REGAL PEOPLE KNOW HOW YOU FEEL adiorio@amctheatres.com; administrator@amctheatres.com; cramsey@amctheatres.com; dickw@regalcinemas.com; gslayton@amctheatres.com; gthyer@amctheatres.com; juscott@amctheatres.com; mbell@amctheatres.com; mzwonitzer@amctheatres.com; pblase@amctheatres.com; sgormley@imax.com; slarson@amctheatres.com; zbaze@amctheatres.com; jthomison@hilliard.com; scott.barry@credit-suisse.com; dmiller@cariscompany.com; george.hawkey@barclayscapital.com; jeffrey.logsdon@bmo.com; mharrigan@wundernet.com; chris.white@wedbush.com; bmogil@westwindpartners.com; mbacker@researchassoc.com; david.gober@morganstanley.com; jhindelong@mchny.com; ewold@mcfco.com; dick.westerling@regmovies.com; dick.westerling@regmovies.c; mark.leonard@regalcinemas.com; gm925@regmovies.com; don.delaria@regmovies.com; larry.lutz@regmovies.com; npimaxsales@imax.com; humanresources@imax.com; info@imax.com; rgelfond@imax.com;
Turd McBird
· 7 months ago
I went to the "IMAX" in Louisville, KY to see the Watchmen, expecting to see it Like I once saw monsters of the ocean (badass). I even bought a ticket early so I could sit in the middle. When I got there I was pressed to believe it was an IMAX plus people were in the seat I wanted. Totally pissed, I left and asked to trade my ticket for a regular theater and refund on the difference of the ticket. Went to the regular stadium seats and got to sit where I wanted and the screen was virtually the same size. What a sham.
Ann
· 7 months ago
i would have been disappointed as well.
Sherry
· 7 months ago
Had the same thing happen to me. Paid the 5 extra bucks at burbank amc to see the day the earth stood still in imax and was ripped off. Learned our lesson and havent returned since. we used to go to burbank amc like once a week. now we take our business elsewhere. saw star trek imax at the bridge cinema in la. much better!
CG
· 7 months ago
I think that you were rude to the theater management, but I agree with your sentiemnt 1000%. When I buy a BMW expecting a 7 series and get a 3 series, I'd be pissed as well. Without different branding, the "IMAX experience" isn't worth a damn. I am never going to see an AMC or Regal IMAX screening ever.
Chris
· 7 months ago
Aziz,
When we went to see the movie in a theater in Houston (AMC by the way) my wife mentioned that the screen looked smaller than the previous IMAX that we had been in (which is in a museum). I did make too much of that at that time untill I read about your blog and it turns out that she was right and that we were viewing on a smaller screen. At that time we thought that we were merely farther away. Looks like we got screwed. The next few words will be in caps because I want to make sure people get this...
I WILL NOT WATCH AN IMAX MOVIE IN AMC OR ANY THEATER THAT HAS THE SMALLER SCREEN ANYMORE. FROM NOW ON ITS EITHER THE MUSEUM OR A STANDARD SCREEN..
Again thanks for bringing this to my attention
Jason
· 7 months ago
I went to a new theatre that opened up by me on Long Island advertising that it had IMAX. Being to a REAL Imax theatre before, I was excited that I could now go to one that was close to my house. Little did I know that I would get screwed as this guy did, and I thought I was the only one that noticed. The sound was slightly better but the screen size was almost negligible, very similar to almost every other screen in the building.
The ironic thing is that outside of the theatre, TV screens advertise IMAX, but show pictures and video from their bigger theatres!! It's only until you pay and get inside this one that you realize it about the same size as any other one.
Also, in terms of people not complaining, you have to account that alot of people have only been to IMAX once or twice, most not at all, and their locations are so limited that if a large one isn't nearby, there's nothing to compare the crappy one too. Most people that go in probably still think it's a ripoff but don't go to the extent of complaining because that's what they think an IMAX theatre is supposed to look like. I know 4 people who went to this smaller IMAX theatre I speak of, and didn't notice anything being wrong at all because they'd never been to an actual IMAX theatre.
However, all 5 of us did agree on one thing - Absolute waste of money. I'll definitely never pay the extra money for slightly better sound.
Eridani5
· 7 months ago
AMC IS BULLSHITTING US! I was so excited to learn AMC was opening an IMAX screen close to me. Now I have to go back to driving 50 miles to see real IMAX
Sean
· 7 months ago
I wasn't going to post a comment until that fat-cat at IMAX opened his big, pompous mouth. If he READ the comments, the vast majority of the negative ones were criticizing Aziz for staying and watching the movie (fair) - they were NOT defending the recklessly misleading advertising practices of IMAX. The same thing happened to me when I went to see "I Am Legend" in "IMAX" for the lone purpose of seeing the 7 minute "Dark Knight" preview: same tiny-ass joke of a screen. I am in complete agreement with Aziz. Perhaps IMAX should spend less time and money on spin and false advertising and more on building some more amazing enormous theatres. The only "real" IMAX theatres are in the major cities, relegating most of us in the midwest to the Bullshit Experience.
Rick Sutten
· 7 months ago
I went to see Star Trek on Friday, first time ever using the new IMAX at my local AMC, and was a little weirded out by how small the screen was. I was far too lazy to look into why they had such a tiny screen, so thanks for bringing this to everybody's attention. It was a total rip-off, and the fact that IMAX is completely cool with them watering down the brand is pretty pathetic. I know they're never getting me in that overpriced little darkroom again.
Bill Dunn
· 7 months ago
When I went to see Star Trek IMAX I kept wondering why the screen seemed to small. This was only my second time seeing an movie on an IMAX screen (the first was gladiator). When I can across this post, I was shocked. I really thought what I was seeing was an IMAX screen and not a knock off. It was not worth the extra $5 and I plan on telling as many people as I can about the ripoff AMC is promoting.
I plan on seeing the movie at Airbus IMAX in Virginia. I guess now I will get the real experience. I am very disappointed with AMC. It is false advertising plain and simple. Give these larger screen theaters another name but to use the term IMAX is to lie.
tapion786
· 7 months ago
i was screwed over at the cherry hill IMAX in jersey. the best IMAX i've been to is the one at lincoln center in NYC. thank god i saw dark knight there instead of some shit theater.
kristyn
· 7 months ago
dude, you are a jackass. we amc managers hate assholes like you that come out after the movie is over with a complaint or a problem and want money back. deal with it, or come out at the time. there is no way to give a partial refund. we have all of the imax branded equipment, the projector, the special film stock and the speakers. im sure you have seen other movies in that theatre before it was converted into an imax. you should have known that they wouldnt have been able to fit a 70 foot screen in there. we didn't lie about it being imax. get over it you big baby.
hateconmen
· 7 months ago
What theatre do you manage Kristyn? I am sure you've been dying to let loose on us JACKASSESm the one's that help pay your F***ing salary! So just how many of them come out of your theatre complaining? I guess there are alot for you to have developed that attitude. My service experience taught me that for every person that complains there are 10 who don't and they will never return and they will tell anyone that cares enough to listen exactly what type of f'd up treatment they got from the manager like Aziz did. I guess we should've known that y'all could give a flying F about our viewing pleasure. But really, where do you work? and finally you said "there is no way to give a partial refund".. that's your reasoning? You don't know how to ring up a refund? Don't those cash drawers open with a manager's key? See you take the money out and then hand it back to the customer in the hopes that now he knows what to expect (see your partially to blame because you didn't bother to tell him before he purchased his ticket that he'd probably be dissappoitned based on your experience with all the other Jack Ass customers) and then maybe he'd come back. Is this the official AMC response or just yours? Seems like maybe you all got the same memo.. money first..service? NO not for those Jack Asses!!
Cooley
· 7 months ago
Kristyn, you are a bad movie theater manager. You have to at least admit that your customers are being misled by this whole "IMAX Experience" thing. You certainly aren't responsible for creating this bullshit lie, but please do not defend it. I know working in a movie theater sucks (sorta), but come on. I'm sure you're angry because of all the complaints you've been getting regarding this shit. Don't get mad at Aziz/The Customers. Get mad at the assholes who made you the person who has to deal with all of this lameness because of their greedy, misleading and frankly incredibly stupid mistakes.
Do you really like saying "For 50 cents more you can get a large"? I doubt it. Some fat prick in an office somewhere thinks you do.
NJK90048
· 7 months ago
First off, I can't believe that IMAX would do something so idiotic to devalue their brand. And frankly I'm surprised the theater chains went along with it - someone in their marketing departments should have stood up to IMAX and insisted on a different name.
The theaters also should have trained their customer support people on how to deal with exactly this situation, because I highly doubt Aziz is the first customer, and he most certainly won't be the last, to demand their $5 back.
And this is exactly why brands (all brands) need to start learning about Twitter, like yesterday. Because it's not going away. Consumers aren't idiots, especially IMAX fans who are even more likely to be techno-geeks than the average movie-goer. And with a slew of IMAX-branded films stacked up to hit the box office this summer, they better get their shit together. Little film called Transformers, anyone?
Erik
· 7 months ago
You are so right. Imax is Fraking us. The Universal Imax is the true screen size. Arclight - Dome is the best place to see Star Trek.
Sameer
· 7 months ago
I think even reading this was stupid.. If you dont like a Product you return it when you open it.. not after you use it...Same goes for a movie!
Seth
· 7 months ago
Read before you post...this argument has been defeated over and over again in the last 48 hours...
omgyg
· 7 months ago
Doesn't Six Flags have a roller coaster called "Superman: The Ride" or someshit? As absurd as this may sound, there's probably a whole bunch of legal bullshit surrounding the naming, since you can't say "Come to Six Flags and ride Superman" because some dumbfuck will take exception, insisting they expected a ride from THE actual Superman.
I'm not calling you a dumbfuck, Aziz.
It just seems to me that maybe the whole "IMAX Experience" naming came about for legal reasons, that they had to be draw a distinction between an "IMAX Film" and "Whichever Film: tweaked for an IMAX-like theatre".
But their "distinction" is totally dubious and frustrating. I grew up with the IMAX in Boston, moved to NYC with its Lincoln Square IMAX and have the same high expectations of anything called an "IMAX Experience".
I had the exact same experience but in Fort Myers at the Regal AMC or whateverthefuck it's called. I didn't complain because I was with my dad and we were having our first movie outing in many, many years, but I was just as annoyed.
"IMAX Experience" is totally misleading and bogus. From what I remember, "THX" is/was all about audio, and in order to be "THX certified" you had to meet a certain standard. Paul Newman's foods, were all about organics, right? And despite the fact that it all started with shooting on huge-ass film (and whether IMAX Inc. or whateverthefuck they're called wants to admit it or not), IMAX made its name with ridiculously huge screens. Sure, the film was big and the resolution blah blah blah... but their claim to fame is big. fucking. screens. So using that name to peddle a less-than experience comes across as... I don't know... sleazy.
And let's not forget: measuring these IMAX-lite screens by their height is pointless, since so many films they're showing are in cinematic ratios, not IMAX, so it's really about how wide the screen is since the film never fills the horizontal space. And 58 feet is not all that wide compared to other decent theaters. Not to mention more and more cinemas are going to digital projection with 2k and 4k projectors, thereby giving people a nearly identical (visually, at least) experience to the "IMAX" one next door.
Anyway. "IMAX Experience" just feels like a shitty way to do something only somewhat cool. The real drag is that IMAX has always been about an awesome, immersive movie experience and fans of the original IMAX have always appreciated it. This "IMAX Experience" just seems weak.
KJ
· 7 months ago
I agree with Aziz. I watched this movie at AMC Mercado in Santa Clara. I was expecting a huge screen like the one in Airforce museum in Dayton, OH and was totally disappointed. Some of my friends who were watching a movie in IMAX for the first felt it was just like any other screen. They could hardly tell the difference. PLEASE RENAME TO IMAX NANO or IMAX MINI!!!
(^_^)
· 7 months ago
[quote]Aziz: You know what Twitter is? I have 25,000 followers, I’m tell 25,000 people you run fake IMAX’s and that they should boycott AMC.
Manager: I don’t really care sir.[/quote]
+1 for the Manager. I don't know who this guy is writing this blog but even if it was meant as a joke that was a fine response. Go whine to the CEO & board of directors.
hateconmen
· 7 months ago
Hey (^_^)! I bet that manager cares now! Imagine if he had shown one iota of concern for his disatisfied customer and handed Aziz $5 dollars. I'm willing to bet the CEO of IMAX would like to jump on the Enterprise and go back in time and personally refund Aziz' money instead of having to explain to investors why he thought it would be a good idea to not differentiate his Imax Digital product from what we ALL agree is the common perception that IMAX means BIG SCREEN! Look refunding a disatisfied customers money is the cost of doing business. Azizi didn't even ask for a total refund. And for those morons who say you can't eat the entire meal and then get a refund... I worked in the restaurant biz for 15 years and it happens all the time. The goal is to get the customer to come back, duh? For the record "imax" (note lowere case) will not be seeing a return visit from me.
Shitty Britty
· 7 months ago
I'm so happy I came across this post and found someone finally doing something about this.
100% Agree. The IMAX Experience tag line is "Think Big". How they could think that the "big" part isn't part of what consumers are expecting when they purchase IMAX tickets.
I guess it's like how Diesel puts their name on a 7 dollar windbreaker and it becomes 120 bucks. Until consumers decide that they wont put up with this shit, it will continue as it has. At least getting the issue on the table will allow consumers to make an educated decision instead of just being "tricked" as so many of us have into thinking we were about to see an actual large IMAX screen.
In conclusion, IMAX (which I used to love) has become a crock of shit.
Switch
· 7 months ago
I don't know if this has been said, but IMAX refers to the size of the frame the film was shot at. Film camera standard is 35mm, IMAX is 70 or 75... somewhere in there. The point is, it is twice as big. Sometimes films will be upconverted to an imax frame, meaning they will be shot on 35mm, then that film will be projected on a 70mm nagative, producing a larger frame which can be expanded to larger screens without as much quality loss.
In short, IMAX is the size of the frame being projected, not the size of the screen like we have come to know it as.
Also, you are right, that is lame and cheap of them to swindle everyone like that, you have all the right to be upset
me
· 7 months ago
good stuff, i liked it!
J. Shephard
· 7 months ago
Shoot, I could have told you that, I went to WATCHMEN on the exact same screen in Burbank and spent half the movie trying to figure out how exactly it was Imax? Needless to say, I no longer do Imax....
Vish
· 7 months ago
I agree with you. AMC IMAX screens are BS.
Fabian
· 7 months ago
God you are sexy.
hateconmen
· 7 months ago
Right On Aziz!!! I went to see "The Day the Earth Stood Still" at the brand new "imax" south of Seattle. They were charging $3 more than the regular theatres but I was applying my theory that an action adventure movie isn't ever better on TV or in a small format. In fact I hold that sometimes that's the only reason to go out and pay to see a crappy effects filled picture beause at least the effects might be exciting if they are on a larger screen. What a freakin' dissappointment. I can't even say how f'd up this is. I was totally duped. I expected the gian screen like at the Science Center. They should have disclaimers or at least an asterisk next the the 10 foot high "IMAX" sign out fron. I expect digital sound and quality picture at ANY movie house I attend so are they saying that for $10.50 you can't provide that but for $13.50 you can. It was a "WOW" experience alright! "WOW! I fuckin' had to pay three dollars more for this piece of crap and it wasn't even a bigger picture?"
Matt Braynard
· 7 months ago
I'd like to share your post but all the f-bombs make it unsuitable for posting to certain groups.
If your purpose is to *fix* this problem somehow, please clean up the language and I can spread it more easily.
DS
· 7 months ago
You sound like a whiney brat. You DID sit through the whole movie. If you had a problem when you sat down, WHY THE HELL did you stay seated. Yes, it is dumb how non-Imax theaters are being called Imax, but if you bothered to read the freakin article that you took the picture from, AMC AND REGAL WANTED THE THEATERS TO HAVE A DIFFERENT NAME. Imax didn't. So blame Imax, not AMC and Regal.
Brian
· 7 months ago
I had this same shit happen to me at the AMC Century City in LA. I was so angry I even did my own little blog about it. This is the equivalent to charging someone for a large soda and then handing them a half-full cup. There should be a class action lawsuit.
I forgot to mention that when you google Imax you will see this description.."The official web site of the large-format film company. Contains list of global theatres, films and distributors."
Key here is "LARGE-FORMAT"!!!!!!!!!!!! Even google expects to see a LARGE screen.
Mark
· 7 months ago
That was so weird. I was watching Family Guy and they said the word whore right when I read it in the article. bryanzilla If Aziz is such an untalented comedian then why are you posting on his website and reading an entire article he wrote? I feel bad for lonely people like you who have to anonymously have to shit on total strangers for some sense of human contact. Best of luck
keyglow
· 7 months ago
I got a client owes me twenty eight bucks for a piece of sheet music I notated for her. She for no reason I am aware of will not pay it. Has expressed satisfaction with it, and has referred her friends to me and despite knowing my open door policy has simply not paid. I don't need twenty eight bucks any more than I need this hassle. But sure as mother fucking shit I want to subscribe her email to gay porn, the KKK newsletter or the Catholic church's prayer tree.
I won't since I'm a decent guy, but the point is- it's SO the fucking principle of the matter.
keyglow
· 7 months ago
I got a client owes me twenty eight bucks for a piece of sheet music I notated for her. She for no reason I am aware of will not pay it. Has expressed satisfaction with it, and has referred her friends to me and despite knowing my open door policy has simply not paid. I don't need twenty eight bucks any more than I need this hassle. But sure as mother fucking shit I want to subscribe her email to gay porn, the KKK newsletter or the Catholic church's prayer tree.
I won't since I'm a decent guy, but the point is- it's SO the fucking principle of the matter.
omgyg
· 7 months ago
Throughout this all I fail to see what on earth David Bowie's wife has to do with any of this.
Dave
· 7 months ago
FUCK.IMAX.
See, this is what's wrong with Hollywood and the film industry in general these days. It's why they're steadily losing their ass. They don't even go through the motions anymore to pretend the crap they're pumping out is worthwhile on a human level anymore...It's just cheap fucking thrills. There's simply no SOUL left in Hollywood. Nobody cares about anything but the almighty dollar. Bunch of WHORES.
YOU'RE KILLING THE FILM INDUSTRY, YOU FUCKTARDS!!!!!
stephen
· 7 months ago
It's the same in Columbus, OH. Went to see Watchmen at the Weemax in Easton AMC for the first time and thought I had walked into the wrong theatre. I did not notice any quality difference from the regular movies in the same complex; There may have been a slight difference, but it was greatly overwhelmed by the greatly underwhelming size difference.
Having only paid $6 at the local science theatre to experience a TRUE IMAX with beautiful cuts of mountainous expanses, I expected a $15 ticket to give me about that much more.... lame.
Geek
· 7 months ago
Sounds like the THX scam to me..
Regal Employee
· 7 months ago
i work at a Regal movie theatre. honestly i don't know too much about AMC other than it is a part of the Regal Entertainment Group. i could just assume that AMC IMAXs are totally different than Regal IMAXs and maybe that's what happened to you. i'm just curious as to why you didn't go to an IMAX theatre that you KNEW was an actual IMAX. and as for getting your $5 back... that is REG policy. if you were upset at the beginning you could have walked out and demanded all your money back. but the fact that you watched the whole thing and then complained, that just seems like you want to rip the theatre off rather than us. also, be aware that 99% of the money you pay at the box office does not go to REG at all, it goes to Hollywood. so in all honesty, REG didn't hurt you at all.
Dave
· 7 months ago
That's the point, doofus...He thought he WAS going to a 'real' IMAX theater...Unbeknownst to him, IMAX and Theater chains (yes, that includes Regal) are MISREPRESENTING these theaters.
Didn't you read what was going on? The whole point of the argument is that these theaters are being touted as 'IMAX' theaters, but they're something else that nobody who's gone to a 'real' IMAX theater would EVER mistake for the 'real' thing....
And don't gimmie that crap about how the theater chain doesn't make more than 1% on the movie...While it's not a huge percentage, it's a darn sight more than a measly 1%. Theaters couldn't survive on snack bar proceeds alone...They'd die...
And it's not even about the money---It's the principle. The theater chains are touting these 'Fake' IMAX screens to increase THEIR profits...So they should be counted with the rest of the schemers. They're perpetuating the lie, so they're just as bad as IMAX....Grow a brain, willya?
bert
· 7 months ago
Wanted to see Star Trek on the IMAX, but it was on screens 40 miles away, not the Esquire IMAX in downtown Sacramento screen that is only 15 miles away. I didn't take the trip. Come to find out from a co-worker, the "IMAX" showing he saw in Folsom was similar to the one described here. I am glad I didn't make the trip and pay the extra cash. It is truly misrepresentation. I want IMAX for the experience it offers due the HUGE screen and the steep seating. I am still in awe of the first feature film I saw on IMAX, Apollo 13. It was AMAZING!
IMAX is making a huge mistake by selling out this way. If they were to present it as what it is, Digital projection with Enhanced sound, that would be fine. But don't call it IMAX unless it really is IMAX! How long until people realize that they really aren't getting that much different of an experience for the extra $5? Soon, IMAX won't mean anything, and then it will disappear. And that would be unfortunate, because the true IMAX experience is really something special, especially when combined with content that really can take advantage of it. Like Star Trek, Transformers, Dark Knight, etc.
nihaoevey
· 7 months ago
Aziz I am behind you! I didn't comment the first time, so this is for you.
I almost fell for the fake IMAX screen dupe when I went to see Watchmen. The only thing that saved me from spending the extra money at the wrong place was that I KNEW there wasn't--there couldn't--be a gigantic screen at the theater close to my house. Before this there was a lot of confusion about whether or not the local theater really had IMAX. My brother and I went to the IMAX site, looked at the different IMAX brands, and of course reached no definite conclusion. This is a problem. I feel sorry that you and many others couldn't get the right information. IMAX is definitely failing in their response to this. Fandango, IMAX... better start talking.
snaredrum
· 7 months ago
i've never seen an imax film. that screen is HUUUUUGE.
i want to go to one now please.
J to the D
· 7 months ago
Hey Aziz - J to the D here in brooklyn.
First off, keep fighting the good fight.
Second, add the normal theatre scree size to your diagram there - that way you're covered.
Thirdly, I only watch Parks show for you. Drop that shit and get your hairy ass into a movie, quit dickin' around.
Peace in the middle east.
Rafael
· 7 months ago
You ate the food and then don't pay that's a very stupid analogy because he wasn't asking for all the money back ..... The point here was that he didn't feel that he watched the movie in Imax so he wanted the difference back $5 (the price of a regular presentation). he didn't want the whole money back, just the difference. I think that is fair. I felt the same way when I went to the AMC Orchard 12 in Colorado and a little bit when I went to the Westminster Promenade 24 because in this one the screen was a little big bigger and the sharpness of the movie was outstanding and the sound incredible(still not the Giant Imax Screen).
Derek
· 7 months ago
25,000 followers... riiiight. I'm going to see an IMAX movie now.
Cooley
· 7 months ago
My God.
Lance
· 7 months ago
I did the same thing...this one was at the AMC Hamilton 24 in Hamilton, NJ. I had just seen ST on a regular screen a couple of days before, and while on a business trip to NJ, I figured I would catch it again in IMAX. Boy did I feel duped! It was marginally larger no doubt. And it was also curved a bit like IMAX. And the sound was awesome, but no shit I was sitting there waiting for the movie to start, and I seriously thought I picked the wrong theatre in the multiplex. I almost got up and checked just to make sure!
Ben
· 7 months ago
I am a movie theatre manager and I have people request refunds all the time for various reasons. If someone watches an entire film and then requests a refund because the movie sucked, I won't give it back. I won't even give them passes, but if my print is not of the best quality, the projector breaks down repeatedly, etc., I grant refunds and passes. I CAN NOT sell full price tickets to a print that is not as advertised. For example, if there is a massive scratch running down the middle of my print, I won't charge full price. If someone goes to a movie, comes out at the end and says "The movie was good, but we paid full price for a poor quality print", out of principle, I would have to reimburse them at least the difference between a discount ticket and a full price ticket.
Would you pay for a Corvette, only to get a Geo Metro with a Corvette logo on it? Same paint scheme, same logo, just smaller. It's a fucking sham.
Besides, as someone who has seen the dealings of IMAX first hand, fuck em, they're right off cunts who need to stop fucking the general public AND THEATRES in the ass business wise.
lakeman
· 7 months ago
Aziz,
You have my deepest sympathy. I would do the same thing if I were you.
BTW, I just learned that IMAX theatre will open 'within' the multiplex theatre close to my home. (Osaka, Japan) I was wondering how they can install such a large screen in the existing structure. IMAX may be doing the same thing here...
jjacobs
· 7 months ago
Thank you. This is another example of theater owners ripping us off. Two day old popcorn, tiny theaters, terrible pop that costs five bucks. Thanks for taking a stand. Yes, it isn't Darfur, but it is a lie, and it should not stand.
Good for you.
I love your new show, and now I will be sure to faithfully watch it.
Cooley
· 7 months ago
Just wanted to say, the popcorn is most likely two WEEKS old. Always ask for the stuff that's currently popping.
jsho
· 7 months ago
Yikes - what a terrible experience.
Tom Blakmy
· 7 months ago
Yeah, its bullshit, same thing happened to me, and I can say that I will never go to an IMAX theater again
NoMax
· 7 months ago
I asked for my money back when I saw Batman Begins. 50% of the screen was black bars. If I knew it was a wide screen and not Imax, I would of just sceen it on the regular screen and it would of been masked. I have yet to be back to Imax.
Xandre Lima
· 7 months ago
Here in São Paulo-Brazil, the IMAX screen is kind of stupid compared to others around the world... It's doesn't worth to pay extra money to watch films in a screen that is only a little bigger than the regular movie screens.
Roofie
· 7 months ago
I'm with Aziz on this one. I went to my first Imax movie a couple weeks ago for the Star Trek premiere and it was amazing! Even though I liked it a lot, I still was hesitant about the price which I still found to be a bit high. If I walked into an Imax theater and saw that tiny screen, I would certainly be pissed off.
I'm done with Imax until they resolve this. It's not to prove a point, but just because I don't want to take the risk of paying a bunch extra for what ammounts to not much of a change.
Randal L. Schwartz
· 7 months ago
Wouldn't that be "six foot person"? I don't see how the fact that it's a "man" makes any difference.
:-)
YHoffman
· 7 months ago
I was going to go see Star Trek at the AMC in Century City, but thanks to your rant I have decided to save myself the frustration of being ripped off and instead will see it at Pacific on a screen just as big.
Thanks for being a public servant, or for that matter the next Ralph Nader
Drew
· 7 months ago
Totally agree. First time I went to see a film in "IMAX" at a local theater, I felt ripped off. I knew it was nowhere near the size of the screens I had seen previously. Keep the goodness coming, Aziz!
MovieGoer
· 7 months ago
The point of the story isn't whether he got $5 returned or didn't. It isn't whether he threatened with his Twitter followers or not (he didn't; read the update!). The point of the story is that IMAX is duping the public by advertising one thing and providing something entirely without prior notification. How many of you would have thought to call the theatre ahead of time to check about screen size? How many people would have actually walked out of the theatre if the screen wasn't big enough? Everyone is talking a good game behind the cloak of anonymity and insulting language, but how many people who posted would actually follow their own advice when faced with the same situation? It's easy to talk big, but most people would walk away quietly fuming. It's that kind of reaction IMAX et al were counting on.
In the end, Aziz' point is simple: he paid for something expecting to get it and didn't, so he took it to the streets (or Twitter...) to inform others about his misfortune to save them from the same fate. What he's fighting for (a movie) isn't the most noble of causes, sure, but the principle is a valid one. He realizes the inanity of it, obviously, with the "update" about Darfur.
And for the record, Mr. IMAX President, I agree with Aziz on principle. I'll be waiting on Monday to see if the ticket returns for ST drop dramatically as a result of this campaign. Regardless of the sales this past weekend, now that this issue has been brought to light, this weekend will be the true test of the "boycot".
J
· 7 months ago
My first IMAX experience was at the Mira Mesa Edwards in SD last year. I saw The Dark Knight. It was in one of these "new" IMAX theaters. I didn't know any better having never been to an IMAX theater before. The theater looked huge so I figured it was the "real deal". I went to the same type of theater this past sunday in Camarillo to see Star Trek. I figured it was worth seeing it in IMAX even though there were no scenes shot in IMAX like TDK. After seeing this post, I'm so pissed at seeing what a "true" IMAX screen is supposed to look like. I can only imagine watching TDK in one of these. I would have jizzed in my pants.
I hate how its advertised as IMAX and not as IMAX digital as it is supposed to be. I still wouldn't have known the difference between the two until seeing this post and doing some extra research. I will know be making the drive the the Universal Citywalk for Transformers 2 as it does have the 8 story tall screen.
ricky
· 7 months ago
My friends and I had the same experience when we went to the AMC in Arcadia. I thought it would be cool take my friends to see Star Trek in Imax since they never been to one before. When the lights went down, all i got was the same screen, with just better picture and sound. So after the movie i had to apologize to them and buy them ice cream because i made them pay extra to see the movie. Stupid me, i should have done my research.
PabloIX
· 7 months ago
IMAX DMR® The IMAX Experience® is known as the world's most immersive movie experience. Now through the magic of IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-Mastering), movie-goers can experience a whole new way of seeing Hollywood blockbuster movies.
IMAX® Corporation has developed a total system to re-master 35mm live-action films into 15/70 film format for exhibition in IMAX theatres. Referred to as IMAX DMR®, this technology digitally enhances the image quality of 35mm motion pictures for projection onto screens up to eight stories high. The images are just as big, clear and beautiful as those films originally produced in the 15/70mm format.
Mike
· 7 months ago
On the diagram, why does IMAX have a TV-like 4:3 aspecct ratio?? WTF??
Mike Vick
· 7 months ago
Well done sir, when they try to apologize and offer you sweet deals, don't come back and have an apology post or something like that. I'm tired of getting fucked by every business with every purchase. Thanks for getting worked up, it isn't extreme, people tend to listen when you yell. You're also one funny dude.
AzizIsNotFunny
· 7 months ago
You, sir, are an asshat and a pathetic excuse for a comedian.
Harry Caray
· 7 months ago
By the way, Steve, "asshat" would be "tahssa" backwards. But, uh, forwards OR backwards, this is a pathetic excuse for a criticism.
Bob
· 7 months ago
I couldn't agree with Aziz more. Local Regal cinema in Charlotte NC opened 'new" IMAX screen with Monsters vs. Aliens. Paid $60 for whole family to experience the thrill of the movie in IMAX. Walked out of the theater mumbling to myslef..what the f*ck? Whole family agreed the experience left a lot to be desired. Would not waste my time or money on an IMAX experience their again.
hate trek
· 7 months ago
Any idiot who goes to see star Trek deserves to get ripped off.
mj
· 7 months ago
The main factors or real the differences of Imax between AMC or Imax Theatre are very simple.
At the Montreal Imax Theatre for example, the physical film itself is shot with a camera 70mm and projected with a projector of 70mm...the screen size is not that important but the distance between the screen and the viewer is important. It's like having a very small tv in a very large room or vice-versa. The effect feels very different. The immersion feeling is only because the total angle of your both eyes covered is smaller than the width and height of the screen from were you stand...
For the AMC Imax theatre, a movie like Star Trek is shot with a 35mm camera and than blowed up digitally the cover to fit the screen and it is not using a 4k projector like a real Imax Theatre. Yes it's cheat...if you have a good sound system and a screen to feel the immersion, well it would feel a bit like an Imax. For purist thought, they can easily see the burry images of the blowup...but when the camera is constently moving creating motion blur and filled with flare lens like Star Treck...regular movie goers don't care that much because maybe they cannot see the differences.
By the way, most Imax movies shot with Imax technology are usually documentaries and 45 minutes long. Why? because it is extremelly costly. A movie like Star Treck would cost miminum 2-3 times the budget of a regular 35mm shot movie.
I think it's a ripe off that AMC charge extra. They should just say it's big screen experience, better seat, better sound...
Compare:
Real Imax Theatre is around 10-12 $ (canadian dollar) AMC Imax for Star Treck is 15$ (canadian dollar)
Other comments :
Imax Corp is a public company and need the please shareholder
Marketing is a synonymous of bullshitting but the world itself sound better...
Kaiden Davisimone
· 7 months ago
Hey, Aziz: Since we're talking about being 100% satisfied, can you arange to get me a proportionate refund for the movies in which you recently appeared? I paid ten bucks each to see 'Observe and Report' and 'I Love You Man' and would give each 2 stars out of a possible 5. As a paying customer, somebody owes me $12.00. Now, is it the theatre's fault that I have a problem with the content? Don't you have an obligation to make movies that I will find 100% funny? Of course not! That's because the collaborative efforts of bringing those movies to the screen were completely fulfilled in uninterrupted presentations with reasonable comfort. The AMC IMAX in my community is a retrofit, but they usually have the IMAX title in traditional 35mm format for regular admission to allow patrons to make their own judgement and choice. Yeah, I took the time to post basically to say that most of my movie buff friends are laughing their asses off at your "crusade." There are many more worthwhile issues to expend this much time and effort.
aziz
· 7 months ago
Kaiden, we are not talking about 100% satisfied. We're talking about IMAX misrepresenting themselves. Regardless of your "theatre buff friends," read all these comments and see how much this is getting all over the press/internet, clearly many people have went into these "new IMAX" screens expecting the regular humongous IMAX screen and felt duped. IMAX does nothing to differentiate the two and they charge the same price. Look at that diagram, you really think watching a movie on both those screens is the exact same experience? They don't need to differentiate the two?
You're argument about the films I'm in is hugely flawed. If you went and saw those movies of mine you mentioned and the movie cut off 3/4s of the way through or Paul Rudd wasn't in your version of I Love You, Man - then your analogy would make sense, but it doesn't.
And yes, I understand there are more worthwhile issues. That's why I made the comment about Darfur. This is ultimately a stupid issue, I didn't think it would get spread to this level, but clearly its a problem that resonates despite what you may think.
Lenny
· 7 months ago
I just commented on another site, that believe that it all comes down to IMAX's strategy towards marketing and branding. With their transition to digital from film-based projection, their expansion strategy is being tied to joint ventures with the theater chains. Instead of building a new theater, older ones are retrofitted to - as close as possible - give an IMAX experience. The company may have been better off to re-brand these theaters as IMAX-Digital or something like that, to distinguish them from the older film-based dedicated theater screens. However, the experience seems to be substantially better in any IMAX theater vs. the other screens at the multiplex, but those who are expecting the giant screens found in all the film-based theaters would definitely be disappointed. Because IMAX as a company has not been clear to make any distinctions, I think most people do have the expectation of a "monster" theater as opposed to an upgraded "IMAX-Digital" theater. In order to get the brand-name and associated technological benefits to more people at a quicker pace, they have been limited to the size of the existing structure for retrofitting. Therefore, the sizes of screens would vary depending on the theater, however, at least you are guaranteed to be seeing the largest screen at that particular location, and the "IMAX-Digital" screen is still heavily customized to give you the best perception possible of a "monster" viewing experience, within the constraints of the building structure.
I agree with you Aziz. My boyfirend and I went to see the 300 when it came out. We saw it in a regular theatre and we decided the film was larger than life so we had to see it on a larger than life screen: IMAX. We went to an "IMAX" theater at Showcase Cinemas (National Amusements) in CT and man did we feel ripped off. We got a normalish sized screen and slightly better sound. Until there is a reliable way to learn which "IMAX" theatres near me have the giant screen, we won't be shelling out the extra money again any time soon. They should have given you your money back, it's false advertising to call it IMAX when it is not noticably or significantly different from a regular theater presenntation.
Kate
· 7 months ago
Some people have started an IMAX vs. LIEMAX google map to show which ones are real, and which ones aren't.
The critical miss made by AMC is that they ignored the power of the well networked customer in the internet age. Upsetting one customer thirty years ago may have been worth the extra $5 because you may only loose one or two more customers. Today, that could mean hundreds or thousands of lost customers.
The twitter threat is totally valid. If I were a manager, I'd love a threat with an opportunity to prevent it as opposed to someone just walking out the door and destroying my brand on the net. Forward thinking marketing campaigns rely on word of mouth / peer based reviewing through sites like facebook and twitter - companies should be afraid of the negative buzz they are used to create as well.
Customer service is even more important to building a good brand with a strong name these days, but I find it surprising that, regardless of the outcome, a company would be so against a customer.
If a customer feels like he was cheated out of something, just pay the $5 to make him feel like you're really out there to get it right. I was in a show where the theatre shut the projector off while the credits were rolling. I went out and said "Hey can we watch the rest of the credits?" They gave me free refreshments AND free tickets, because the couldn't rewind the projector. I wasn't even asking for this, they offered. Last month, a projector malfunction caused a pause in the playback of a film I was watching. Annoying, yes, but they fixed the problem and continued playback. After the screening, the manager handed each person a free movie pass on the way out.
They want you to keep coming back, and it's worth the $5 - $10, because in realyity, they aren't paying that much. If you are or aren't in the seat, it costs them the same ammount of money to play that movie for the rest of the audience, and it only makes a difference if its a jam packed theatre. If they're going to be difficult about it, I'd rather just go to a different theatre where they won't be. It's this kind of crap that is killing the theatre industry anyway - bad theatres, bad experience, bad refreshments, bad customer service. The only advantage these theatres have right now is being able to watch the movie before it comes out on blu-ray and you can watch it in your pajamas, with whatever you want to eat/drink, and the sound and image probably look better if you have a decent setup.
Common Name
· 7 months ago
Darfur IS a bigger problem, but if IMAX keeps stealing money from us....how are we supposed to help Darfur?? Bad joke.....but maybe you should report it to consumer reports or something...Or sue IMAX for false advertisement. You guys are nice and funny.
Thanks.
BillMurray
· 7 months ago
get over the screen size for 2 seconds, there’s more to it than that. the digital image is waaay better than regular 35mm. it’s perfectly focused, it doesn’t shake around and you will never see any dirt or scratches. even better is the sound. did anyone look around to see the huge speakers they put in? obviously that’s why you will only find action movies in there. it’s loud, it’s obnoxious and it makes your heart race and your ears bleed. personally, i would much rather have a better quality image and be able to feel the explosions all around me than to have Spock’s nostrils be 10 feet tall.
Elvino
· 7 months ago
Yes! Handle your scandle, Aziz. Every six seconds an American is being ripped off. Every seven seconds an American is trying to rip off another American. Let's boycott for America.
Kate
· 7 months ago
I think several people commenting are focusing on the wrong things. Calm down about the blog. This guy's a comedian. Don't tell me you never exaggerate in your own blogs. The main point is IMAX is bordering on false advertisement. I was gearing up to go to my local "IMAX Experience" theater until I read this blog (did more research, and learned that my local IMAX is on a standard-size screen). IMAX is ripping people off. There's no reason I should have to pay 18 dollars to watch a movie that's not on a standard 15/70 IMAX screen. I can see the film in a digital presentation for 8 dollars less at the same theater complex. The company IS abusing the fact that moviegoers automatically associate the word IMAX with large format screens.
Oregonian
· 7 months ago
One point that does not seem to have been made yet is that IMAX does differentiate between theater types on their website theater locator, just not in all the necessary ways. The results show which theaters are capable of showing 3D and which are not. The locator also applies a symbol to signify dome theaters.
For example, input zip code 97224 into the theater locator and you'll get 3 results. One is a dome theater and the others are shown as 3D IMAX. From personal experience I now know that the Bridgeport IMAX theater is one of the farce small screen theaters, and the McMinnville IMAX is true IMAX.
This leads us to a basic conclusion:
When choosing how to informe consumers of the type of experience to expect IMAX deliberately failed to distinguish between traditional, huge screen, IMAX theaters and the smaller screens.
IMAX, do you really think it is more important to tell consumers that a theater is a dome IMAX than it is to tell them that the screen isn't huge?
Come on people, IMAX meant HUGE. To fail to differentiate between the huge screens and the smaller screens while taking care to let us know which are 3D and domes speaks to a deliberate misleading of the consumer.
OGL
· 7 months ago
I may be the 1103 person to comment, but I think you are awesome. They are completely in the wrong. I applaud you for standing up to the establishment. And yes, Darfur is more important, but that doesn't mean you should be lied to or cheated. Go You! :)
scoville
· 7 months ago
I guess it's time to start complaining that my Samsung phone doesn't have the same picture as my Samsung HDTV. They are the same brand after all.
aziz
· 7 months ago
One is called a cellphone, one is called HDTV! They differentiate!
Steven Morris
· 7 months ago
Young man, you have every right to debate the Co-CEO of Imax about this Star Trek imbroglio. Not to mention ask for the 5$ refund.
This is not the first time Imax has over sold and under delivered. They did the same thing more than a decade ago to commercial Theatres when they sold them stereoscopic 3D technology (hardware) and then failed to deliver enough films (software). Eventually other producers filled this gap.
This digital Imax system is not even an Imax developed projector. They purchased it from an outside firm. It is a mispresentation to charge a surplus for a system that delivers very little more than a 35mm conventional projection.
The 15/70 Imax film projector system, for which Mr. Ansari presumably thought he was buying a ticket, does deliver the goods.
Stick to your guns until you achieve your goal, the debate.
Morris in Montréal
D
· 7 months ago
Snail mail the corporate office and you should get more than a couple of free passes. This does nothing, really, for the fake IMAX problem, but I thank you for alerting those of us who have not encountered it yet.
Zeiram
· 7 months ago
To me the size and resolution of the screen doesn't really matter as long as the movie is good. If the movie isn't good, then you're out of luck. It seems to me that I-MAX, 3-D, Digital Screens HDTV are all gimmicks to hide the fact that most of these assembly-line style blockbusters of the modern movie era suck ass. Seeing "Patton" on a traditional 70mm classic movie house was an experience that beat out any modern I-MAX experience any day of the week. Remember when going to the movies used to be romantic and fun? Now it’s been reduced to a corporate gimmick meant to elicit cheap temporary thrills and un-romanticized customer service by a bunch of stupid High Schoolers (and yes, also to suck your already empty wallet bone dry).
I admire the traditional texture of a projector screen, there is just something great about it. I don't care for super clear picture. Films always start out as an idea, thus they are art, and fundamentally art should be seen in an artistic light. If I wanted to go outside and look at real people, I would go outside. That's what clarity is for. As for thrills, I'll play a video game with friends. As for I-MAX, I feel a lot of them are perhaps even a little too big. What you're paying for is the clarity of that huge projector. I saw The Dark Knight in I-MAX and it was great, but only portions of it were shot with the cameras. I await the day when entire films are shot on I-MAX, but that would cost too much money. I saw Star Trek on the so-called small I-MAX and enjoyed it. It was clear and still a lot bigger than the regular sized screen. On a six-story I-MAX the aspect ratio would appear very skinny and wouldn't even fill the entire screen. That film was never really designed to be seen that way anyhow (not to mention you should be a Trek fan first, thrill seeker second).
I'm not saying that it’s wrong to demand your money's worth but it’s unrealistic to expect anything greater than what we have today: Overcharged prices, poor customer service, corporate manipulation and magic-deficient storytelling are just some of the realities plaguing the movie experiences today. I feel that true peace comes from within and it can't be given to you by others. Even if I saw it on a 70 foot screen, if the movie sucked ass and I didn't have a bunch of family and friends to enjoy the experience with, I probably wouldn't care. I'll tell you what is morally unjust is the prices of candy, soda and popcorn. If you ask me it should be against federal law to charge that much. The citizens are being robbed of their hard-earned money and are simply throwing it away. I sneak in candy all the time and don't give it a second thought. Genocide, slavery, political assassinations, corruption and over-priced candy and soda.
Guy
· 7 months ago
Living in Burbank I was angered when I saw Monsters vs. Aliens in their fake IMAX and for the 3D they charged me another $3.00 and at the end asked nicely for me to return them to a box for recycling. Yes well I wont be going to AMC Burbank IMAX again. Here in LA it is THE BRIDGE for IMAX of the one at UNIVERSAL as it is the correct size screen if you can deal with the high priced parking and crowd of yahoos.
Oregonian
· 7 months ago
OK. One more comment. Everyone who keeps saying screen size is not a factor can watch all of their movies at home on their 32" LCD's. Enjoy.
IMAX = Eye (optical sensory organ of the human body) + MAX (to the maximum, i.e. HUGE screen)
Without a huge screen it is not IMAX (EYE + MAX).
Stephan
· 7 months ago
I think the people that are giving the author of this article shit fall into one of two groups: 1.) Employees of AMC/Regal/IMAX 2.) People that also got ripped off but didn't have the stones to say anything about it, so it makes them feel better to rank on someone anonymously in a blog. Or, more simply put, pussies.
The thing that blows me away is that the dumbass manager somehow thought it made more business sense to cough up two free passes (but only after seriously alienating the customer) than to just say "Sorry," and give back the $5.
(Aziz, I'm gonna check your show out just because you amused the hell out of me with this article.)
Fan-O-Mail
· 7 months ago
This happened to me the last time I went to an "IMAX" theatre, the screen was hardly bigger than a normal movie theatre. IMAX is supposed to be an experience, an experience that you are paying for. And "wow" factor... really? That is so ridiculous. I will join the IMAX boycott... Star Trek will understand.
,,,
· 7 months ago
Also got riped-off by an "Imax movie" they try to show off the image and the sound quality with the intro but after that you won't ever notice a difference with a regular screen... to hell the 5$!!!
Passdown
· 7 months ago
This guy obviously just wants publicity because he is a D list actor! Just listen to his tone in this rant...he acts like he is the shit. Get over yourself. It you had that big of a problem with the screen then you should have gone to CityWalk to something. Don't come out and demand your money back after watching the entire movie. You're the reason LA gets such a bad rap with people being stuck up, feeling entitled to everything and so on....work on your craft...not blogging!
John Bonham
· 7 months ago
You're a cunt
itsnick
· 7 months ago
I viewed Watchmen in IMAX on the Real screen and wasn't impressed. Definitely not worth the extra money.
Steve H.
· 7 months ago
IMAX is trying to make money off their brand, and screwing themselves in the process by dramatically lowering people's expectations when they see the "IMAX" name next to a movie. This really sucks.
Riolaw
· 7 months ago
Amen brother! I don't do the IMAX fakeout anymore and all my friends think I'm crazy for refusing to go. I'm not paying my hard earned money for that crap. Next thing you know you'll buy a big bag of chips and there will be one inside and you'll be like, what? And the chip company will be all like, FAKEOUT!! Sucker!!
pabral
· 7 months ago
I saw a fake imax at bay street in emeryville, ca - one time only, I'll never get ripped off again.
KWC
· 7 months ago
Mr. Ansari you are very right. I went to the Star Trek IMAX opening on May 7. I paid the premium ticket price and waited in line for almost two hours. When I finally sat down and realized that the screen was small I was dissapointed. I felt cheated like you. I expected a seven story tall domed screen. How cool would the flight scenes of the Enterprise be when you feel every turn and dip.
david
· 7 months ago
I was wondering the same thing. It is a joke. I walk into the regular theater and it's the same stupid screen. In a real IMAX. I can't see the edges in my peripheral vision. Hardly the case with this mess.
Nick
· 7 months ago
I completely agree with you. They SHOULD have given your $5 back. The CEO of IMAX Saying, "If a BMW is smaller, isn't it still a BMW?" Yeah, it is, but they don't have MAX in their name, you do. The IMAX experience isn't just about great quality picture and sound, it's about SCOPE. In this case, SIZE MATTERS. It matters a lot. Good for you.
yesika
· 7 months ago
I have to say I agree 100% with Aziz Ansari. I was extremely disappointed when I paid extra to see Watchmen in IMAX. When Ron and I walked in to the theater I couldn't believe it, the screen was only a little bigger, yes the quality was better but when I hear IMAX I expect to see a HUGE screen. $3.50 more was such a waste of money. Most movies suck now anyways and I don't see the point in paying $10.50, then to pay $14 for a screen that was maybe a foot or two bigger!!! No way will I do that again. If you haven't watch a movie on IMAX DON'T, save your money!!!
Jordan Vine
· 7 months ago
It's refreshing to see someone who can reach a lot of people calling these big theater companies out on their bullshit. I took a look at the size of the "imax experience" screen at my local regal theater after viewing the movie on the normal digital projector and was happy that I didn't pay the extra money. The next day all the guys at the office talked shit about this rip-off.
hank
· 7 months ago
hey aziz,
thanks for speaking up for all the little people!!! i went to see monsters vs aliens at a fake amc with my family 2 weeks ago. (try $5 x 5...boy, did i get ripped off.) i wanted to say something to the manager but my wife said i shouldn't since we were with our 9, 6 and 4 year olds.
keep up the good fight! hank
Alien_Hybrid
· 7 months ago
I cannot believe this! How UNCOOL! What a rip off IMAX is pulling. You have every right to get your $5 back. Ignore the haters! They just don't get it.
Michael
· 7 months ago
I Agree, this is total corporate America bullshit! If you pay extra you should get extra. Period. Screw IMAX!
Randy
· 7 months ago
The people who disagree with this are utterly brain dead. The man asked for $5 back, not the entire price of the ticket. He was sold an IMAX experience, but didn't get it. It's like someone downgrading you for a hotel room and charging you the same amount of money. You'd be pissed off too, if it happened to you.
And perhaps he shouldn't have gone off on a movie attendant, but the fact remains that IMAX ripped him off and is ripping YOU off. That douchebag Richard Gelfond is effectively stealing YOUR money and laughing about it. His utter dishonesty and dismissal of the real problem here should raise alarm bells - the guy doesn't care that he markets one thing and sells another!
kim
· 7 months ago
Aziz - Your rant is funny and I do understand the principle. Folks, we all work ourselves up over what in the bigger scheme of things is insignificant. Instead of getting angry at him for expressing his views, take it as the hilarious rant with a point that it is. Shoot. I might ask for my money back just to be a pain in the neck if I were in the right frame of mine. I'll tell you what. I was going to see Star Trek on IMAX and now I am going to make dog on sure what the size of the screen is before I go. Real IMAXers do get worked up about this - just like the difference between the flat IMAX screen and the dome. Your rant made me laugh out loud. Thanks.
Georgia
· 7 months ago
Agree completely. I am in Georgia and was excited to find out our theater got a new "IMAX" screen. Only to discover it was about the same size screen that they could now charge $5 more for. Now I will still go to the real IMAX screen, but am banning the theater that is ripping people off.
Serin
· 7 months ago
I so agree. My husband and I went to see Star Trek this past weekend (also Regal). We were thinking about seeing it in Imax, but they just charge too much. So we went to the regular showing. Afterwards, my husband and I peeked into the Imax theater. I was mad. It's not a true Imax. I would've been very upset and asked for my money back if I had paid for that. Also, if you see a 3-D movie there, they charge $3 extra. So, what do they do the next time you go see a 3-D movie and have your glasses? They probably still charge you. This is why a lot of people "Rent, Rip, and Return".
Mark Johnson
· 7 months ago
I'm totally in agreement. FUCK these assholes. I'm so sick of this kind of crap. IMAX used to mean something. Now they're just whoring their name out for a buck. Fuck them!
JohnnieM
· 7 months ago
You Tell Em, Aziz.
Gelfond is a lying, greedy d-bag. Charging the same for an inferior experience is outright theft.
I'm filing formal complaints tomorrow with the consumer protection agency in NYC, and with the FTC for misleading advertising. Let's see if Richard aka "Dick the Douche" Gelfond thinks its a joke when some government types crawl up his ass and fine his company for ripping people off.
Bones
· 7 months ago
I'm glad I found out about this before I spent the money on the new "IMAX" experience. I couldn't understand how these complexes could put in an IMAX screen without major construction. Now I get it. Big rip-off!!! Next time, go the The Bridge Cinema in Los Angeles where they have the real deal. Star Trek is showing there on the IMAX and it is a full size, full sound, real IMAX experience. Live long, prosper, and don't spend hard earned space credits on rip-offs!
Brian
· 7 months ago
DUDE, thank god. My friends kept calling me an idiot for pointing this out to them. They thought I was wasting time going to a "real" IMAX and avoiding the ones in the f'ng mall theaters. We've been joking about these digital IMAX theaters as IMIN screens on film enthusiast sites. Thank you for bringing more light to this hoodwink conspiracy of the IMAX corporation.
Guest
· 7 months ago
I agree - some IMAX theaters are total shams... I feel like both of the options in Houston TX are fake IMAX theaters - I don't plan on ever paying the extra money for one again.
Jesse
· 7 months ago
Aziz, You are right. I live down here in San Diego, and we have a real IMAX theatre next door to the Zoo. ( And if you go down to Tijuana, Mex. they also have a real IMAX theatre in their cultural center! ) It is way different than a regular theatre. Curved screen is not the same as a flat screen. Kinda of a no brainer : )
Having a slightly nicer digital screen is not the same as a real IMAX. They should just distinguish the two and that way people know what they are getting.
Keep up the protest. Your argument makes sense.
Kchaney
· 7 months ago
It is lying plain an simple. IMAX is the larger format and this new "Digital IMAX" is a gimick. No big screen and film format then NO extra money! Shame on IMAX for the bait and switch and double shame for lying and denying when they got caught.
Jonathan
· 7 months ago
Hello,
I am a member of the Giant Screen Cinema Association which constitutes the vast majority of all the 15perf 70mm film format Giant screens that formerly were known for IMAX format films. These theaters are not part of the IMAX corporation but are independently owned and operated and are being used to prop up the "IMAX DIGITAL" format, which as you correctly point out, is pretending to be something it’s not. These theaters, the majority of which are owned by institutions (aquariums, museums, etc) actually charge LESS for admission to a true Giant screen then Imax Digital even though their costs are far higher. I would like to invite you to speak at the upcoming Giant Screen Cinema meeting in September as my guest, as your frank manner would be welcome wake up call to the cinema owners who live in fear that Imax will take away their projectors if they speak out against the company which still leases much of the large format film equipment used globally. There you will be able to address almost every single theater owner in the world that runs the IMAX format (IMAX the company will also be present) at one time and explain to them how they are getting screwed.
If you have a message to deliver, deliver it where it is needed, and to the people who need to be yelled at, directly.
WAYNE ROBERTS
· 7 months ago
I AGREE WITH YOU. THE LAST IMAX MOVIE I SAW WAS MONSTER VS. ALIENS. IT WAS NOT THE BIG IMAX SCREEN I WAS USED TO GOING TO. I FELT LIKE I WAS RIPPED OFF ALSO. I THINK ANY MOVIE IS BETTER ON THE BIG IMAX SCREEN, I WOULD PAY JUST ABOUT ANY AMOUNT TO GET THE EXPERENCE.
Danno
· 7 months ago
I went thru the same thing and felt screwed! I seen the IMAX in florida at The Kennedy Space Center, then expecting the same "experience" went to see star trek at AMC south center mall in tukwilla wa. The Screen was not even 1/4 the size of the one in florida.. I was scamed! however, i really wanted to see the movie. and after traveling 1hr out of my way to see it in IMAX at a 10pm showing there was no other choice but to watch the movie or go home really pissed off. I think the "fake" IMAX is a theme and a scam on those who never seen a real IMAX movie before, so they are ignorant to the fact they too are being ripped off. Be sure to look into what IMAX theater you are attending. If it's brand new it's probably going to be the "fake" If you are from the puget sound area I belive the only "real" IMAX is in the Seattle Center.
franku
· 7 months ago
Folks-- I can slap a Lexus ornament on a Pacer and tell you to pay me extra for it, but you're still ripped off if I deliver it after you've paid me and I won't give you a refund.
Just don't call it IMAX if it isn't. And, sure as hell don't charge like it is. This is why state AGs end up wasting your money suing jerkface operations like these theatres for making false claims. Then they tell you to apply for a coupon for a movie at a theatre 5 towns away, which you'll get in the mail (with your SASE) 3 years later.
BTW- if you have 25,000 followers, threatening with twitter isn't a bad idea, as long as you're factual >-)
Chickadee
· 7 months ago
It sounds like the old "Bait and Switch" to me. That's definitely not kosher.
Matt
· 7 months ago
I agree with you, this is bull shit. IMAX picture quality and sound, what the fuck is that? Like the picture and sound in a normal theater isn't good enough?
IMAX wont be getting my $5, $10, fucking 25 cents after reading this. Boycott on.
Mark
· 7 months ago
IMAX or not, that movie sucks ass.
Greg V
· 7 months ago
Hi Aziz,
Maybe they should call it "IMIN" as in I-Minimum?? LOL! Keep fighting the good fight...
Cool, Greg V.
SunshineyDayze
· 7 months ago
Oh I LOVE that!!!! "IMIN"
sickofpeoplecomplaining
· 7 months ago
I have to say the whole "customer is always right thing is BS". I work in a hotel and have idiots all the time complain when they check out. 99% of the time things could have been fixed in 2 seconds if given the oppertunity. Don't stay, watch, eat something completely then expect something back at the end.
Mike
· 7 months ago
I completely and 100% agree. This coming week I'm going to a theater by my college that claims to have an IMAX theater to see Star Trek. I will ask them "What size IMAX theater do you guys have?" If they tell me this bullshit mini-IMAX or refuse to tell me, I will go to the other side of town and take my business elsewhere for endorsing such fallacies.
Fredy mc fred fred
· 7 months ago
Darn it people do what I do. A far and easy way around it. Buy a ticket for a regular movie and then just go the the IMAx one. That will give them revenge. They claim its IMAx great now your in there fake IMAx but you didnt pay for it. You should feel good about it coming out of the theater since you know you didnt pay for the IMAx part and youll know you didnt steal anything because there was no IMAx experience. Problem solved
Ethan Lavelle
· 7 months ago
I completely agree. I noticed this when I saw Watchmen in "IMAX" a few months ago. It's bullshit. You were fuckin hilarious in Observe and Report. Peace!
Kcrim
· 7 months ago
You have a point if i go to an "Imax" experience theater I expect a big ass screen and a HD screen with all the bells and whistles. Like people said before my post, you didn't get everything you paid for so you are intital to your $5 you paid extra to get the "Imax Experience"
Thats why I dont go To AMC any more. they suck
jason
· 7 months ago
Fuck IMAX's shit. They're scammers.
Zachary Winters
· 7 months ago
I AGREE COMPLETELY...DIGITAL IMAX IS BULLSHIT! AND A RIP-OFF! I WILL CONTINUE TO SEE REAL IMAX MOVIES IN IRVINE AT A REAL FUCKING IMAX SCREEN....I WILL NEVER PAY FOR A SHITTY ASS SMALL SCREEN IMAX MOVIE AGAIN!
Rob
· 7 months ago
im on board with ya.i'd be pissed.Did u see Gelfonds response? that its like buying a 3 series BMW.what a douche.im boycotting all those theatres,and i hope everyone else does too,just another way for big business to rip-off the consumer
V4customs
· 7 months ago
So a man walks into an IMAX theater. He takes a seat among other movie goers. As the Previews start to play he turns to his friend and starts talking sports. He buddy says "bro shut up I'm watching previews in IMAX. First guy says where in an IMAX theater, this looks like a normal size screen.... maybe we should complain now instead of 1 hour from now.
Comparing the size of one screen to another is like comparing Aziz Ansari to a real comedian. I have seen a few of his performances. Anyone wanna tell him he is the joke. Maybe he should try another form of work, he may become famous for something other then crying...
aziz
· 7 months ago
I'm doing fine in my career jackass! I said this before, why should I inconvenience myself because of their false advertising? I asked for my $5 back. I'm in the right.
sooz
· 7 months ago
Thank you for bringing this to light. I,too, saw the movie in one of those recently converted IMAX theaters. It didn't look like what I've seen in the past, but I couldn't put my finger on it.
D. Dodgerz
· 7 months ago
i agree it's a rip off and you should get your 5 bucks back, now who should i talk to about getting my 30 min back from parks and rec. your funny but the rest is about as entertaining as getting punched in the nuts
Lila
· 7 months ago
Kudos to you! I would be livid as well! Where do they get off charging that fee for that BS?
Jason
· 7 months ago
Aziz, you're right!
I went to an "IMAX" screening at AMC theater in Century City and it was a complete joke. It was so tiny compared to the real IMAX screen. It was just a normal screen. Why pay more? Next time I'll make sure to ask how big the screen is. IMAX and AMC are thieves and ripping ignorant people off. But IMAX is ultimately just damaging itself. Imagine someone who's never experienced a real IMAX screen and first sees this tiny one? They'll think what's the difference? None. And they'll never pay extra or go to an IMAX again. IMAX is stupid and will eventually get what they deserve.
Jobilizer
· 7 months ago
Awesome, Aziz. Awesome. I'll wipe my ass with $5... I just don't want them to defraud me of it.
Joe R.
· 7 months ago
The CEO's of IMax don't care about customers because they are wealthy and getting paid - and we gladly pay them. Therefore, to keep getting paid, they cover up the truth. That's how corporations work!! Althought this IMax thing seems small... it is still a crime because it is false advertisement... and all corporations lie because they are driven by profit and not by truth. That is how the banks got away with our money - because they pretend to care about us while only caring about profit. So this IMax marketing lie is an example of how corporations keep taking money away from us. Boycotting is one of the few powers we have to show our dissatisfaction in a consumer based system (which also needs to change - but that's another long economics based conversation). And although there are more important issues in the world that does not mean IMax is not lying to us. Therefore, if you don't like being lied to then boycott them. If you don't mind being lied to then keep buying their lies and pay the extra $5 for the ticket. Of course, there are more important issues but lying to people is also an issue we must stand against. Boycott IMax until they change their lies.
John C
· 7 months ago
I am in agreement that the Regal Fake Imax was a joke. Seats too close together. NO BASS!! And a 'not big enough' screen.
katie
· 7 months ago
HELL YES! That IMAX stuff is crap.
Michelle
· 7 months ago
I was going to read a lot of the comments to see how many were supportive of this man's view that an IMAX "experience" includes a big screen........ but after reading some posts with all of the name calling and nastiness, I quit.
Prior to the publicity that this blog generated, I had NO idea that IMAX screens differed in size. The ones I have been to have all been the HUGE screens. Therefore, I totally understand his ire and agree that he should get his money back.
The good that is coming out of this situation is that, thanks to "Aziz," people will now know that there IS a difference and can make the choice to see a real IMAX experience or a fake IMAX on a little screen. Now they know to check in advance.....
HH
· 7 months ago
I think Aziz Ansari should take the big IMAX screen and shove it up his ass. Good luck.
Loretta
· 7 months ago
Totally know how you feel We paid like 10 dollars to see imax in mi the cinamax theaters have it was barely bigger then average!!! I agree with you!
drgeeforce
· 7 months ago
Aziz, I agree with you about the branding. It is implied that IMAX should be completely IMAX, not just one component. If I bought a BMW/MB and drove it around and later to found a Japanese engine, they better not say,"you drove it around, you can't ask for a refund". Gelfond just lost another of his former patrons.
Chad
· 7 months ago
Dude- you fucking rock! well done- a great voice of truth.
giovanni
· 7 months ago
As a filmmaker I agree with Aziz. This is BS. When it says IMAX I am expecting a big screen. I've even seen DVD's say IMAX what is that about? what's next IMAX video podcasts for the iPhone? IMAX Chicken Fries from KFC? IMAX slot machines in Vegas? I hope this CEO stops pissing all over a cool thing just to make an extra buck.
Zach P.
· 7 months ago
I went and saw Star Trek on the new "IMAX" screen at my local theater. I thought the screen was supposed to be alot bigger, though I did enjoy the quality. I didn't realised I had been duped until I saw this blog and article. This is just another fleecing of the general population by greedy excutives in the movie business. I plan on going back and demanding a ticket to a genuine IMAX screening. IF they don't I will do as I suggest everyo9ne else do, and file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Aziz you have gained my respect for standing up for your principals, add one more fan to your list!
akshay
· 7 months ago
First of all...i just saw this argument headlined on yahoo..so, i assumed ..this is some stint aziz trying to pull to get some attention. However, i read further the whole article. All I have to say is, azis is first to say something from "hollywood" personalities against IMAX. Because, he knows..he is at bottom and only can move up his in career good or bad decision..i will let him decide..
As far as fucking smaller size of mother fucking screen by IMAX...That's different story..we are being decived by another asshole ceo on size comparison of fucking 3 series...so..if thats the mother fucking case then .we should be fucking paying premium only $1 more compare to regular movie and full size screen IMAX. At some point..captialism forgets about its consumers and wants to fuck and drain every penny out of middle class america.
SID
· 7 months ago
Right on!!! I thought the same thing when I took my kid to see a movie in IMAX at Regal. I walked in and though I was in the wrong theater. "Usher, I am looking for the IMAX version of this movie." "This is it sir..." "Ohh, now I see it. The very normal sized screen has a 2 inch concave to it. That's amazing! I would pay $100 dollars a ticket for this superior experience." Never again bitchez...
be tolman
· 7 months ago
aziz, hollywood is a cesspool full of liars , cheats and frauds. why do you think you would be treated better than the paying public? i spent 3 years out there and couldn't stand the bullshit!!! you either have to live by it, or die by it. "the industry" is crap and talent means nothing. be careful of what you say, when your show tanks, you wont get another job. you have succeeded in biting the hand that feeds you. at least doing standup, you can say what you want
mudask
· 7 months ago
I don't understand why people are getting so mad at him for feeling like he was duped. IMAX misrepresented their product. What was he supposed to do? Grab his friend and leave after he went all the way to the movies? If it isn't real IMAX they should rename it but like all corporations that don't give a fuck about the little guy; they want to make money off of their name. It's like when you were a kid and saw a commercial for an amazing toy included in a cereal box. Then you opened the cereal and there was this tiny ass piece of crap inside. Weren't you upset? You couldn't go return the cereal and be like the toy didn't fit its description. They shouldn't call it IMAX because the experience in a real IMAX and the digital ones is completely different. Some people need to just take a deep breath and relax. =).
Lionel
· 7 months ago
I don't even get the IMAX at Universal city walk. Unless the film is shot just for that it doesn't make sense. It goes from widescreen to fullscreen and made me think there was something wrong with the reel. Not worth the extra money.
Thienan
· 7 months ago
Aziz,
Thank you for pointing this out and what a rip off. Did not know about it and now I will look for the small IMAX screens so I do not pay extra for my smaller screen experience.
Just in case, this post supports Aziz and not the IMAX people who think we are idiots!
Don C.
· 7 months ago
Awesome epic post Aziz! I hate fake IMAX. I've gotten ripped off at an AMC theater before. Never again.
David
· 7 months ago
I want to say that Aziz, your almost 100% right on the matter. I actually work for a small IMAX Theater as a projectionist. I have no reason to say that what IMAX is doing is right, in fact its bold faced lying. IMAX stands for Image Maximum. What this means in terms of film is that the hard copy of what is shown is in 15/70 format. This means a single frame of film is 15 perforations wide and 70 mm high. This is roughly 3X larger than normal 35mm film. That is what the standard for what a "real" IMAX is, it really comes down to a much higher resolution. Say regular DVD vs. Blu-Ray. Now before everyone gets their panties in a knot about the screen size, think of this. The larger screen that you are used o when seeing a "real" IMAX is the result of this larger film format. A 70mm film shown on a standard screen would dwarf the screen. In order to show this type of film you need that kind of screen.
When you talk about the "fake" IMAX's, these are IMAX Digital, a much lower resolution format that does not run on a hard copy film. Its kinda like playing a DVD in a theater. And if anyone has ever tries to use a projection screen and DVD - you would know that the larger the area you try and show it on, the worse the picture quality gets.
So I agree, screw the fake ass IMAX's that rip you off. If its not a 15/70 mm format DO NOT SEE IT! Ask, if they dont know then they dont have it. And if they say yes and its not, then you have been lied to and THEN you can really go after them.
Jack Mehoff
· 7 months ago
Rock on my brown brother!! Fuck the profiteers who came up with this SCAM. Shit makes me sick. Those fuckers need to catch AIDS and die a slow painful death. Am I over-reacting??? Fuck no. Those people are deliberatly fucking over their customers (me, you, us) in a weak-ass attempt to drive up profits. FUCK YOU IMAX, AMC AND REGAL.
P.S. Human Giant was fucking awesome too.
Rob
· 7 months ago
Thank you Aziz - I had plans to drive 20 miles extra + pay the extra 5$ to go see it in a big ass IMAX screen. I check it out and its also a 'Fake' Screen - Screw that!!!
jwoodnik
· 7 months ago
go Aziz! You're 100% correct. They should call it mini-max!!!
Ben
· 7 months ago
I totally agree with Aziz. If you pay an extra $5 to see an IMAX movie then you should get it on the big screen.
They should definately differentiate their screen sizes. I wouldn't pay $5 more to see it on a "tiny-MAX" screen, but I might pay an extra $2. I would also definately want to know which screen size I was going to expect.
This is a total rip-off.
GalaxyGirl2012
· 7 months ago
I was also duped by the fauxMAX screen at Empire 25 in NYC. I thought about asking for my money back but decided instead to sneak into another film without paying.. Nope I don't feel bad about it. Not. One. Bit.
Unbelievable
· 7 months ago
Wow. IMAX is exposed as a fraud and they try to play word games to justify it like any shitbag con artist. That's just evil. I applaud your effort to expose this sort of crap. I'm through with IMAX as a matter of principle.
Tamara
· 7 months ago
I completely and entirely agree with everything you said. It's total bullshit. I went to see an Imax movie paid $15 for the ticket and walked in to find that I was watching the movie on a regular sized screen with the volume cranked way up. It was LAMEEEEEEE!
Tom
· 7 months ago
My cousins and I went to see the fourth Harry Potter when it came out, and drove way out of our way to see it in IMAX (which would have qualified as my first time seeing a movie on the huge screen). We paid the extra too, only to find out that "IMAX" meant a screen that was kind of curved on the ends and average quality. I thought it was just me because I had never been to a real IMAX movie, but I have since learned the truth. IMAX stole my money.
THANK YOU for shedding light on this bullshit they're trying to pass off as quality for just as much money as the real thing.
Phil
· 7 months ago
You are my new Hero. I'm not into "Parks and Recreation" but will now try to see everything your in. THanks for warning me about IMAX. I didn't know. I rarely go to movies anyway because its such a fucking hassle and now this IMAX BS on top of that. Screw them. I'd rather stay home and watch DVDs on my Home Theater System. I am blogging about you in my blog Gifts and Free Advice right now as you are my "Hero of the Year" and deserve the Noble Prize. My Blog URL is www.GiftsandFreeAdvice.com/free_advice You are the Man!
tjudd
· 7 months ago
I agree with you. I have been to both type of screens. I saw the Star Trek movie in the true IMAX and it was AWESOME!! WWWAAAAYYYY better than in a regular screen. It can be clear and sound good and enjoyable but if you short someone on the actual veiwing what is the point? It's like trying to watch a cool movie on an Iphone or Itouch with clarity and great sound and then idy bity screen. I pay more for the upgrade of everything not be shorted. You know what was cool! They did not charge me extra for the IMAX experience! WHOOHOO!!
ALG2781
· 7 months ago
IMAX is supposed to be larger than a normal screen. Anything less than 6 stories is not IMAX.
james
· 7 months ago
Wow, people on this internet thing sure are passionate about what you got all passionate about, or something.
Thanks for the warning though, I'd fry someone's balls in peanut oil if that was my IMAX experience.
AEJ
· 7 months ago
I'll join the boycott. Fuck IMAX!!!
Tommy Jay
· 7 months ago
Dude, totally right! You pay extra for IMAX, you expect IMAX. I'm with you 100% Unless they had the same movie playing on a regular screen at the exact same time, I would played my cards the same way you did. Way to stand up for yourself.
Ron
· 7 months ago
i had the same experience at my local IMAX, I hadnt been to an IMAX theater in a long time, but I couldnt pass up watching Star Trek there. And when I got there, the screen was this limp assed imitation of what was there before. I serously though I had walked into the wrong theater. I never heard of you before this controversy Aziz, but I gotta say you're an entertaining person, saw some of your interviews and was cracking up....anyways, thank you, for exposing these ripoff artists, you rock!
Stan
· 7 months ago
I knew it would just be a matter of time until the public figures out that this new digital IMAX is somewhat of a fake. The projected image size is only about 25% of the original IMAX image projected from 70mm print film. If it is a true IMAX production, then it was shot on 65mm camera film to be transferred to 70mm prints which results in those huge projected images. And no way can digital projection come even close to the image resolution of the original IMAX film image. This really is turning out to be a fake IMAX experience and the public should at least be warned before they pay for that premium movie ticket.
Maryland Mike
· 7 months ago
I agree-guess I am in the 10% according to IMAX. The sound quality was amazing, and the picture was pretty good, but I was also expecting the monster screen experience. I drove an hour plus to see Dark Knight in real IMAX when it came out, and was thrilled when I found out a local theater had installed IMAX. Because Star Trek showings in IMAX were sold out, I had to go to an 8pm Sunday evening showing, and killed most of a day farting around town until time to go. What a letdown and what a rip off. Look, the quality was still good, just don't give me the BS line that it's the same. Sell it as a super sound and picture quality upgrade, not as equivalent to a King Kong sized screen. This is going to blow up into a much bigger PR issue for IMAX if they don't just suck it up and rebrand the little screens.
me
· 7 months ago
You are the man - go Aziz - I love Parks and Rec!
Sean Z.
· 7 months ago
Aziz, the jerk from IMAX was saying that you were getting negative comments on your blog about this post. So I want to make this very clear.
"FUCK IMAX!!"
Keep it up man!
Stephanie
· 7 months ago
I agree with you. I bought Star Trek tickets from the IMAX website only to find I was going to be viewing the movie in a normal theater. It was very disappointing!
sivadselim
· 7 months ago
Well, I have only seen one film (TDK) at one of these purported "fake IMAX" theaters (AMC Orchard 12, Westminster, CO) and I thought the screen was pretty f'n large. Maybe it is because I haven't been to a "real IMAX" theater in many years.
Are there some of these digital IMAX theaters that DO have reasonably large screens, perhaps? I'm pretty sure that what I saw had a projection size that was considerably taller than 23'. I guess I will have to go back to see Star Trek there to try and access the screen's size.
I think that these Hollywood feature films are not really shot in IMAX, anyway, is an important point. TDK only had a few minutes (at best) of true IMAX footage, recognizable as those brief scenes filling the entire screen, top to bottom.
Additionally, the sound in the theater I attended was head and shoulders above that of any regular theater. By far. I realize that the sound may not be as important to others as it is to me but, honestly, for me, the sound alone was worth the extra $5. I have a very nice surround sound system with a real monster of a subwoofer and I thought the sound in the theater was very impressive. The loudest and lowest I have heard in a commercial theater.
fooloof
· 7 months ago
The problem is that he is of Indian descent, and, stereotypically speaking, Indians are the biggest bargain hunters I've ever seen. I am in the service industry and I deal with them a lot. They are notoriously horrible tippers; worse, they wring the most out of everything, insisting repeatedly for a lower price and working you the hardest. Watching the entire movie and then asking for a refund is typical of their behavior. This guy is a successful comic and better off financially than most of us. Yet he's apoplectic about a lousy five bucks. He obviously didn't need it and now he's got time to blog about it. if it was the "principle of the matter" as he claims, then why wasn't he asking for a refund for EVERYBODY?
And he claims the Twitter thing was a joke? How are we supposed to know that?
FUimax
· 7 months ago
Yes the guys who cheated you and ripped off the whole country of billions were definitely Indians! I guess you were not of the same race as them.
Open your eyes my friend. Or don't...I don't care. The problem is not that he's Indian. & They obviously tip you horribly because you serve them bad..being the biased and opinionated person you are. You can complain about your tip not being proportionate to service, but this guy can't complain about not getting worth of extra service charge he paid for IMAX big screen?
aziz
· 7 months ago
ITS NOT ABOUT $5 YOU IGNORANT IDIOT. I SAID ITS THE PRINCIPLE OF IT, THEY ARE USING FALSE ADVERTISING. THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE NOW SAYING THEY FELT DUPED AS WELL, SO I'M CLEARLY RIGHT ABOUT SOMETHING. I'M USING ALL CAPS CAUSE YOUR STUPID THING ABOUT INDIAN BARGAIN HUNTING PISSED ME OFF. YOU'RE AN IDIOT.
Whatamn
· 7 months ago
It's really sad. We live in a day and time where companies want you to pay more for getting less. Thanks for speaking out about this...
Satan
· 7 months ago
Laid down the law!!! Give it to them bastards!!!
Patrick
· 7 months ago
THEY SHOULD CALL IT IMAX LITE
The Bulk
· 7 months ago
Aziz, thank you for standing up for what is right. I went to go see "Watchmen" at an IMAX theatre and was dupped too!!! It felt like I was watching a regular movie. Wack.
Mr. Jackson
· 7 months ago
We went through the same crap with Beowulf in a BS IMAX. Luckily due to "technical difficulties", we were spared sitting through a lesser IMAX experience. Ended up getting the free passes but wasted 2 hours standing in line. Boycott was on and has been on since then.
I want you to give the CEO a verbal beat down on that debate should he accept it. Let the venue be on Bill O'Reilly's show with half the debate on a BS IMAX screen and the other on a real IMAX screen. Let the public see and hear the difference.
Aimee
· 7 months ago
Dude I totally agree! I went to see Dark Knight in "IMAX" and the screen wasn't at all what i remembered IMAX being. It was way smaller..way to call them out man! Give them a brown delicious to the face :)
Lola
· 7 months ago
I have been bloody pissed off over the same thing for awhile now. I am willing to drive, wait and stand in a line for a "real" mans IMAX...not some stupid poor mans regular sized screen Imax. I wouldve demanded my $5 dollars back too.
FUimax
· 7 months ago
I'd be pissed off too if I went to an IMAX and didn't see the huge screen! Thanks that because of your blog/reporting/rant we know now! lol...I guess the one in San Francisco in metereon is huge one. Dark Knight was superb there and I drove 45 miles to see it in an IMAX (not the fakeMax)
Duke Nukem
· 7 months ago
Aziz you stupid bitcha** towelhead. Go back to Afghanistan. You dont know what you are talking about and need to be deported.
GTFO.
aziz
· 7 months ago
Cool, you're clearly an intelligent thoughtful human being. That's a great argument. Way to address the issue.
sam
· 7 months ago
The IMAX CEO was quoted as saying 90% of the comments to your blog were in favor of the "IMAX experience." Just looking at the comments below, I think that was a complete fabrication! Typical CEO.
Todd
· 7 months ago
I have to agree with you. It is a ripoff to charge $5 extra for a small screen. That's not the IMAX experience to me. Unfortunately, going to the movies in general is a ripoff. You pay $11 a person to see it in the first place and the anotehr $5 for a small popcorn and another $5 for a small drink WTF???
Satan
· 7 months ago
Laid down the law!!! Give it to them bastards!!!
anon
· 7 months ago
i totally agree. IMAX is synonymous with the huge screen, blow your mind movie experience. this is a real rip-off...i was planning on going to IMAX for this movie and ben stiller's, but will take my business elsewhere.
vjetti
· 7 months ago
Paul,
When I go to Fandango and pay for any normal showing there is only a $1 convenience fee, as I said. This becomes $2 per ticket with an Imax show. Maybe it's different in your area (I'm in Pittsburgh, you could be in a more expensive city). Or maybe you work for Fandango (or parent company Comcast) and are just trying to cover up their shenanigans? I wouldn't be surprised, considering how much attention Aziz's blog is getting over this..
C L C
· 7 months ago
IMAX are whoring their name out to cheat people out of their money.
If they're so intent on labeling standard sized digital films as "IMAX", then they need to distinguish between the different formats.
Ploute
· 7 months ago
I fully agree with you here! This has got to be some kind of illegal! They are branding it as IMAX but it's not the "big screen" which is the WHOLE point of going and paying for the extra IMAX experience! Plus they aren't even saying on the theatre websites that it's only IMAX digital. If they were then I'd be okay but no it's just IMAX come see it in IMAX...I'm calling my news Station on this one.
Buck
· 7 months ago
I had the same thing happen at ALIENS AND MONSTERS. I would have asked for the money back if I hadn't had comp'd tickets. In the future I will not be patronizing these fake IMAX's.
Duke Nukem
· 7 months ago
I totally disagree. Aziz may be an illegal alien and needs to be deported. I hope ICE comes knocking on his door and sends him back to towelhead land ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cd
· 7 months ago
what the CEO of imax promised you he'll let you suck his dick for 5 extra?
Duke Nukem
· 7 months ago
You probably snuck him into this country. Importing illegals from India or any other towel head state is illegal chump. Now STFU and GTFO.
You can never be an American because you're not white.
bluu
· 7 months ago
yeah... sounds like he like a cocksucker to me... an ignorant cocksucker at that.
devl
· 7 months ago
"You can never be an American because you're not white."
ROFL!! :)) you low life dickhead ..you're a shame for any race! & You're obviously scared of towelheads!! Run before they find you...they'll make your ass into spicy curry....ha ha ha ha Duke Nukem...what a retard!
David Ngo
· 7 months ago
Hilarious Aziz. Good work. Now that I've seen your show, I can actually hear your voice saying all these things.
dad
· 7 months ago
Thank you for warning us. I'll know to ask or consult the internet (LF) before I go! The Nayck NJ screen was sold out when I tried last weekend and I was getting ready to go back this weekend. Take that, IMAX!
Shelley W.
· 7 months ago
It is a major rip-off! I haven't been duped and, thanks to your raising of this issue, I won't be.
In response to the IMAX dude's argument that the fake IMAX is still an 'experience' so it doesn't need to be distinguished from the real IMAX: If the fake IMAX is so great and people won't care about the difference, why don't you go ahead and specify the which is which? According to you, it won't make a difference. So, prove it! Let the consumer decide which they prefer.
Ali
· 7 months ago
i agree man those new imax screens are bullshit! i have yet to see it on the "real" imax screen but the fake imax i saw didnt really seem much better than a regular movie
bluu
· 7 months ago
Way to call out the LIEmax!!!
I went to see Dark Knight months ago and realized that the screen was much too small for IMAX. I ran back and forth between a regular screen and the IMAX and couldnt tell the difference. I complained to guest services and was told that the screen couldnt be any bigger because the ceiling isnt high enough.... so i yelled at the 15 year old girl and said, "THEN DONT CALL IT IMAX!" eh. got my money back but lost an hour out of my life.
Good work Aziz.
Screw IMAX
· 7 months ago
Thanks for the info Aziz, I won't be giving IMAX any more of my money... and that IMAX guy's BMW comparison doesn't even make any sense...
Duke Nukem
· 7 months ago
Aziz is a lieing towelhead. He needs to be be deported for telling lies. IMAX made this country great. He needs to eat his damn curry and GTFO of America!!!!!!!!
Shitonimax
· 7 months ago
Shut the fuck up and get back to sucking my dick. Just a little longer. I'm almost there.
Jim Rogers
· 7 months ago
I am soooo glad that you are talking about this. What a buch of shit this whole IMAX scam has been! I paid to see Star Trek at the IMAX in Irvine, and got the bullshit fake IMAX too. I feel duped. And the moron's analogy by comparing this to someone who buys a 3 series BMW not complaining bec ause it's still a BMW is so lame I can't believe it! No, the analogy should be this: You go lay down $120K for a BMW thinking you are getting a 7 series, but then you end up getting a 3 series instead. That would be total bullshit and a rip off because it's misleading. Just like this IMAX scam is misleading!!!!
nonya
· 7 months ago
You're a douch and pathetic, you ruined someone's night for $ 5? Are you starving? did you lose your job? your house? It's not about the money, It's about principle? that every loser's excuse to take out their anger on someone they know can't fight back. Well, I hope you do get your money back and save It, because you'll never see any of mine. I refuse to watch any of your movies or TV show.
aziz
· 7 months ago
I didn't ruin anyone's night. The manager laughed and joked around with us you idiot. I wasn't mean and I know he isn't the person responsible its the corporate responsibility up top. Read all these comments, IMAX clearly misrepresents itself and people feel ripped off. I wrote about it and it spread around, because the argument resonated. Don't call me pathetic and a douch.
Stephen Chaney
· 7 months ago
Nonya, you are an idiot. A drooling idiot.
These so-called "IMAX" theaters pulled a bait and switch by charging IMAX prices for a smaller screen. That is never justified. That's like paying for a dozen donuts and getting donut holes instead.
It is about the principle.
And you're boycotting Aziz over this? Who are you, anyway? A schill for the IMAX-wannabe scheisters? How much did you get paid for posting this idiot drivel? Or are you using this post as part of your IMAX employment resume under the "kissing corporate ass" section?
Please, I doubt you even have a TV.
Raider32Assassin
· 7 months ago
Aziz, lI feel ya. i took my daughter to the IMAX in Emeryville, Ca to see Monsters and Aliens in 3D. when i got in there and saw the screen, i thought I was in the wrong cinema, so i got out and asked an attendant what was up. needless to say,i was in the right spot. So basically, I paid 32 bucks to for me and my daughter to watch the movie on the same sized screen. 7 dollars more than the other tickets. It was matinee, but IMAX where we went did not have matinee prices. I felt ripped, but my daughter enjoyed it, so that is all that counts. next time, i make sure I am educated as to what size a screen it is before I purchase high priced tickets. thank you Aziz for educating me, and screw IMAX for giving us an inferior product compared to IMAX 1570. I will never go to an IMAX D theater again. Once again, thank you Aziz.
Rick
· 7 months ago
Man, you are totally right! I went to see The Day the Earth Stood Still in a Bullshit Imax at a Regal Theater and walked out thinking why the fuck did I just pay extra money. Its like they don't rape you enough already with the normal ticket and snack prices. There was no notable difference in the sound or image from a normal screen. I have not been back to that fake Imax since then. Glad someone finally brought this shit up!!
Cliff
· 7 months ago
Right on, that's exactly what I thought when I stepped into one of those Fake IMAX theater. I was like, wait a minute.... besides the better sound.. what's MAX about this?? Why did I pay more for this again????
Raider32Assassin
· 7 months ago
Aziz, lI feel ya. i took my daughter to the IMAX in Emeryville, Ca to see Monsters and Aliens in 3D. when i got in there and saw the screen, i thought I was in the wrong cinema, so i got out and asked an attendant what was up. needless to say,i was in the right spot. So basically, I paid 32 bucks to for me and my daughter to watch the movie on the same sized screen. 7 dollars more than the other tickets. It was matinee, but IMAX where we went did not have matinee prices. I felt ripped, but my daughter enjoyed it, so that is all that counts. next time, i make sure I am educated as to what size a screen it is before I purchase high priced tickets. thank you Aziz for educating me, and screw IMAX for giving us an inferior product compared to IMAX 1570. I will never go to an IMAX D theater again. Once again, thank you Aziz.
Amanda F
· 7 months ago
Yeah, Aziz, that is bullsh*t! But you can't expect Richard Gelfond to give a f*ck because he's making money off of it. That's what the service industry has come to. The bigwigs don't care, they do what they want to make more money, and as long as us consumers accept it like the PC sheep they want us to be, this sh*t will continue to go on. Good on you for calling ol' Moneypants out!!
P.S. Love you in Parks and Recreation, and looking forward to seeing you in Funny People. :)
Jennifer
· 7 months ago
totally agree....i mean, that's great that the picture and audio are high quality, but when anyone thinks imax they thing BIG. stupid amc....
thank you
· 7 months ago
I found this out when I went to see Dark Knight, it is a sham, I was like I thought IMAX was supposed to be a big screen, this is just a teeny bit larger than a regular movie, maybe 5 feet. It takes a celebrity to blog about it to get some press. Thank you
rob
· 7 months ago
You are absolutely right!! Please do not let them get away with this crap.
Stephen Chaney
· 7 months ago
Way to go Aziz.
I went to see Star Trek: the Imax Experience at the Regal #14 theater in El Dorado Hills with my wife this last Tuesday and before we went in, I was telling my wife I was suspicious about the size of the theater, it doesn't look like it's going to be the size of the Imax that I recall.
So when we went in and it looked nothing like the gigantor Imax theater I recall. My wife didn't know what Imax theaters really looked like and I had a heck of a time explaining to her that the Imax theater I knew and loved was far bigger than this screen.
Well, now I feel vindicated. I was getting heated up about this issue over the last 2 days and lo and behold we find your blog. LOL great minds think alike! I can't believe this issue blew up like this right at a time I was talking myself blue in the face with my wife about how the real Imax I recall was so much bigger! Unbelievable!
Go Aziz!
Steve
· 7 months ago
You're totally right, dude. I took my 2 little girls to see Monsters vs. Aliens in 3-D on what they said outside the theater was an IMAX screen. I walked in and thought I was in the wrong theater. The screen was a typical movie theater screen with puffy curtains to make it look fancy! For my extra 15 dollars I "experienced" puffy curtains! Scam!
DTR
· 7 months ago
Email I wrote to IMAX investor relations:
I went to see the new Star Trek movie in IMAX at a times square theater this past weekend. Thank goodness it was sold out for the next three shows. I paid less money and saw it on a non-IMAX screen. Because I had seen a Rolling Stones' concert years ago at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia (as well as other films) and loved it, I was going to organize a large group of people to go see it on IMAX today. One of my friends turned me on to a slew of blogs indicating that the times square IMAX is barely different than the regular showing and not worth the extra $5.00. I would try another theater, but since the IMAX name has no value, I do not know which are good theaters and which are not. So, I guess I will pass (as well as my friends).
IMAX's CEO, Richard Gelfond, response, "The overwhelming majority of comments on that guy’s [Aziz Ansari] blog this morning, more than 90% of them, are vehemently disagreeing with him. And consumers are confirming this with their continued purchases of tickets.", is exceptionally insulting--and stupid. Most of the comments (I could not read all 1300 of them) I read were anti-IMAX and the few disagreeing with him were upset about his Darfur joke, not his point about the implosion of a brand. Secondly, the fact that Star Trek is the best selling IMAX movie does not confirm that the blogger was wrong. You HAD, over 20 years, built a strong brand that was just coming to fruition. By ripping off consumers, in this day of blogs, etc., you have ruined 20 year's work over night. Count those phenomenal ticket sales for Star Trek. That is the number of people, in the past week, with whom you have destroyed your brand...no, wait, change that to the number of people on the internet who no longer trust your brand.
Brittany
· 7 months ago
I don't mind paying an extra $5 for the digital picture and sound quality. The larger IMAX screens are only good for the environmental/animal documentaries anyway.
kokotiong
· 7 months ago
It is not about the extra $5. It is about MISLEADING people that expect the classic giant screen IMAX experience versus the normal screen digital IMAX. Both may cost the same, but IMAX/theaters should differentiate prior to the sale of the tickets so the consumer knows what he is buying. The actual product must meet his expectations. Basically, Gelfond implies an actual giant screen IMAX experience but delivers a regular screen digital picture and sound.
kokotiong
· 7 months ago
I thought it was pretty quik of the local theaters to build a bunch of IMAX screens up in one day. Now I know why, thanks Aziz. Don't be conned by Gelfond. BOYCOTT, BOYCOTT, BOYCOTT IMAX
IN REGARDS TO THE COMMENTS...THEY ALSO NEED TO LEARN TO COUNT AND CALCULATE PERCENTAGES!!
Diane Hain
· 7 months ago
Bengies Drive-in Theatre in Middle River, MD: 52' x 120'
Yes, you read that right. It's the largest screen in the USA. And it's showing Star Trek.
I agree with Aziz...yet assume Gelfond will somehow argue I'm one of the "90%" disagreeing and really not pissed off that IMAX somehow stands for a small ass screen...I just think those IMAX people are REALLY bad at math, perhaps Poor Gelfond was so wrapped up in trying to convince women his dick is 9 inches, not 2, he just couldn't stop.
Kristy
· 7 months ago
I completely agree. You should be pissed
hi
· 7 months ago
If IMAX has 2 significantly different formats they should call them by significantly different names. This is what is called "bait and switch" Too bad the company reply was flippant. I would have expected an apology for the confusion that their branding has caused, and an effort to more clearly identify large screen and non large screen venues. I join the boycott and will pass the word.
Jack Shiite
· 7 months ago
You know what, I went this past weekend and the first thing I thought was "this screen seems a LOT smaller than I remember at a different IMAX theater."
Well, it was the IMAX at the Irvine Spectrum in Irvine, CA...run by EDWARDS. It sucked! I didn't feel any "IMAX" experience at all. And when I saw this blog, I thought I would voice my opinion as well.
And although I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, I have to say that Richard Gelfond's, COO of IMAX, was that of a donkey!! His analogy was that some people might claim a "3-series (BMW) isn't a real BMW".....well you DUMB-ASS Gelfond...at least people know they are paying for a 3-series! For your damn IMAX...people don't even know what they're paying for!! ... the REAL IMAX or some shitty small screen bogus IMAX !! You're really ripping people off and you can't even admit there's a problem.
I for one will be boycotting IMAX. I'll pay the regular $10.50 instead of allowing that idiot Gelfond to make a penny off of me! FUCK OFF Gelfond and get your head out of your ass!!
DTR
· 7 months ago
And BMW charges less for the 3 series
Concerned Parent
· 7 months ago
I have a comment to added to your argument. My 15 year old daughter gets seizures everytime she goes to those places or watch 3-D movies. It took a couple of times to figure out that Imax and 3-D movies were the cause of these seizures. I agree with you on closing these places down becasue of health risk of children and adults.
A. Schecter
· 7 months ago
Boycott Everything IMAX!
Maxwell Graham
· 7 months ago
Right On Aziz. I hope BIG THEATER's Business Plan is to make all this profitable on one-time-ever sales! They'll never get another five bucks out of me! So much for consumer protection??!!! I guess they are big enough to ignore Truth-in-Advertising laws. Go get 'em Aziz!
Concerned Parent
· 7 months ago
I agree with you on closing these places down. My 15 year old daughter gets seizures every time she goes into those Imax or 3-D movies places. For the safety and health of our child and adult they should totally close them down.
DTR
· 7 months ago
One other note: To steal a joke from some older comedian, you shouldn't expect much more from a movie theater manager. They pay one person to sell you a ticket and another to stand six feet behind them to rip it in half. Any other manager would ask at interviews if the applicant could sell tickets and rip them in half. :)
Topper
· 7 months ago
Honestly, the entire argument revolves around expectations. If you expect to get a 72 foot screen and you are faced with a normal (or near normal) size screen then you have a right to be angry. It is clearly misleading marketing and should be addressed appropriately.
That being said, Aziz does not deserve a refund. His being inconvenienced and not wanting to leave to see the movie another time does not constitute as a reason for a refund. It sucks, but you live, you learn and you file a class action lawsuit. If and when you do, give me a call, I am always looking for easy money.
Topper
· 7 months ago
P.S. I think it would have been hilarious if he really did threaten the theater manager with a twitter-based protest. Imagine being the bystander watching them argue and Aziz ending with "MOTHERFUCKER I AM A TWITTER USER! I CAN TWEET LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND END YOU!"
Mr Know Nothing
· 7 months ago
You're not up on the concept of word of mouth, are you? Aziz can reach thousands of people on Twitter - or even millions.
News about this story is spreading everywhere because of what Aziz is doing.
Companies market on the intarwebs, dude. They also lose their reputations and they lose boucous sales there.
Twitter is far, far bigger than you realize.
Topper
· 7 months ago
Do you like to sound forcibly erudite or is that just a stick up your ass?
Yes, I am familiar with Twitter. Yes, I am aware that there are millions of people using this application. I pulled the number "thousands" from Aziz's post itself. Just enjoy the mental picture of someone using that phrase as a threat, or don't for all I care. Stop patrolling message boards for places to insert your faux wisdom.
Now, go Tweet about how you're currently reading Camus and taking a shit on your golden throne.
Mr Know Nothing
· 7 months ago
I hate to say this but tonight you are the golden throne, sparky.
While you are sitting there behind your keyboard making fun of the idea of "threatening" someone with using Twitter to ruin their business, I'm envisioning the mental picture of it working quite well. And it is WORKING quite well.
That's the difference between a savvy businessman and a blowhard like you. Those who understand the damage Twitter can do to a business's reputation are taking Aziz a lot more seriously than you.
Your head's so far up your ass about this issue that if you go any further they'll be calling you Cheshire Cat.
jessi
· 7 months ago
I agree. I will never, ever pay for IMAX at a theater again. I went to see Watchmen at the IMAX, and the screen was probably about the same size yours was. I was really disappointed that I had spent the extra money.
Not only that, but I don't think just every action movie should be on IMAX. I haven't seen Star Trek yet, so I don't know about it, but I think IMAX should be reserved for films with scenes that give you that whee! factor. You know, like when you feel like you're flying through the Grand Canyon?
Dale
· 7 months ago
I agree. While I have yet to see the film, I whole heartedly agree.... If it is not filmed in IMAX which is a 70mm print, then it IS NOT an IMAX film..... You are being suckered into paying extra money to watch the film on an IMAX screen only. After all they don't want an empty theatre sitti g there when there are no actual IMAX films out at the time. I think a huge class action lawsuit would look good on their books!!
lronm4n
· 7 months ago
you are so right , i went to see watchmen at cinemark 17 in dallas the outside of the theatre looked round so i said that must be it when i got inside i was like What The FUCK there were only a few seats and a tiny screen total rip off never going to another bullshit imax theatre
Carl
· 7 months ago
the smaller IMAX is BULLSHITTTT!!!!! If they're going to use the IMAX name the screen should be the 72footer.
actorma
· 7 months ago
Dude, I love you. I'm a guy, and yet I have a total man-crush on you right now for writing this! Awesome post!! I just linked my blog to yours (not that you'll get many hits from me, but who knows). :D
From one actor to another, break a leg on Parks and Recreation -- great show and you're hilarious on there! P.S. Great season finale ("She's my age" HAHA).
Mr Know Nothing
· 7 months ago
Hey Aziz, the battle is joined!
I've created an eHow article on how to avoid being scammed by the iFake experience!
Time to educate the public on how to hit these guys in their wallets!
Chai
· 7 months ago
Aziz, I had the same experience. I went to see Star Trek (with two friends), supposedly in IMAX. I was so disappointed.
Not only that, but, because we wanted to see the film in IMAX, we drove to another city. It took us an extra hour to get there, plus we had the added expense of the gas.
Had we known we weren't going to see an actual IMAX film, we could have saved time and money and seen Star Trek in our local movie theater.
I feel so ripped off. Thanks for taking up this issue!
C.G.
· 7 months ago
Go Aziz! I was ripped off by my IMAX too!
George Maxwell
· 7 months ago
I got ripped off paying extra for what I thought was a real IMAX Star Trek. What a surprise....I should have been told that it wasn't IMAX but another form of IMAX. It's like a "bait and switch" tactic. They are using the IMAX name for a non-IMAX experience.
Brett Miller
· 7 months ago
I agree I am not a huge start trek fan but it sounded like a cool movie to watch in a IMAX so i payed 15 bucks to see it. As soon as i got in i was disappointed. The picture quality may have been a lil better but not enough to charge and extra 50% for a ticket. I was expecting a hung screen that wrapped around not a screen that maybe was 30% bigger. Everyone in the theatre was bitchin.
Young
· 7 months ago
Hey man, serves IMAX right for downplaying their bait and switch tactics. What a bunch of assholes. I feel bad for the theater manager though. He's just trying to make his $11 an hour to go home and spend it on cat food while living in his mom's basement. How the hell is he going to know how to handle a crisis situation like this when his company is trying to get paid for just selling an idea.
IMAX blows. Richard Gelfond blows. Kevin Connor blows. (AMC SVP & GC) Craig Ramsey blows. (AMC CFO)
Ted
· 7 months ago
It is a joke. Especially that they don't feel they should disclose the difference. If they want to push an IMAXlite they should admit it. I think they are actually hurting their brand - someone who has never gone to a true IMAX and goes to an IMAXlite will assume it is a joke. They will never come back.
Sophia
· 7 months ago
Aziz,
You are so right and I agree that this is an injustice and just another way for these people to make more money based on a name. I pay money for the brand of jeans I wear, but I get the quality I expect for that price. I would be really pissed to walk into that IMAX theater and be cheated. You had every right to stay and watch Star Trek. You had every right to ask for the $5 dollars back. I would have done the same thing.
Also, did you find out anything about the $2 dollar convenience fee for Fandango tickets vs. the regular $1 dollar fee? That seems like bullshit. Why would Fandango think its cool to charge an extra dollar for reserving an IMAX ticket...whether it be real or fraud.
Thank you for bringing attention to this matter. Good luck! We have your back. You should update your page with the next step to take to set this right.
LIVE LONG AND PROSPER!
Justin
· 7 months ago
I agree. I went to the "IMAX" at in AMC outside Washington DC thinking it was going to be amazingly big, and when I walked in I thought I had gone into the wrong theater. I even walked back out to double-check that it was the IMAX screen! The only redeeming quality was that Star Trek was amazing. I can't wait for a bad or even mediocre movie to come out and for people to be really pissed off they paid the $5 extra dollars.
Jackie
· 7 months ago
cant exactly feel sorry for him if he decided to go after he watched the movie...i would walk out of the movie and get my money back and go home and see the movie another time..all these celebs and such thinking they can do what they want and treat people the way they want.
James
· 7 months ago
Fuck IMAX. What, your format doesn't make enough money? Why would you make smaller screens and charge as much as a big screen? Fuck you. If you want to make smaller screens, charge a smaller amount. Why don't you just charge us per foot? Fucking gouging fucking bastards.
Jennie
· 7 months ago
Keep it going! I so totally agree with you you didn't ask for the moon only what was fair.
Davin
· 7 months ago
i think all these theaters are ripp offs.. bunch of bogus outstreched trigger happy hands ready to take your money, but not willing to make good on an "IMAX EXPERIENCE" which consists of a 72ft screen. LIARS! you should be ashamed of taking peoples money in this time of economic woes and not willing to make them ATLEAST happy and give them what they paid for. AMC, REGAL, and all other theaters, YOU HAVE LOST MY CLIENTAL. im no longer going to a theather.. i have better chances of getting an imax experience on HD 80 inch projector screen & netflix than i do with you!!! CEO's and corporate, SUCK IT!!
newtman
· 7 months ago
IMAX is just league with theatres to scam people out of even more money! Bastards!
Pete
· 7 months ago
Profanity is a public proclamation of stupidty.
golakersfuckimax
· 7 months ago
I saw it on a regular screen but wish I got fucked the way you did so I could complain!
Bobs
· 7 months ago
I, for one, will NOT go to an IMAX anything after this. You don't know what you're getting, period. That's a BIG problem. Worse still, they do NOT care one bit. Well, IMAX, keep your fake product. I don't want any of it!!!!
Jen
· 7 months ago
I am in agreement. Consumers are the driving force behind businesses like IMAX, even moreso in tough economic times. Join the boycott!
Spammy
· 7 months ago
IMAX CEO Says 90% of the comments below this blog disagree with Aziz. Obviously, this explains how he can think I-mini and I-max are the same thing.
Daniel
· 7 months ago
IM PISSED AS HELL, I WANT IMAX BLOOD. Fuck prison, I'm dying in this battle.
Joe
· 7 months ago
You cheap fucking bastard. How much you make per episode? I don't think it was the principle. I think you're cheap. I can understand your angst for the theatre charging an extra $5 dollars for an experience you didn't receive, but to go toe to toe with the manager over $5 dollars is lame. Get a life bitch!
Duke Nukem
· 7 months ago
Typical Paki. Worse than Jews about being stingy little bastards.
aziz
· 7 months ago
In the words of Dave Chappelle, get lost you "pasty white motherfucker." (Assuming you're white, if you're Asian let me know, but that'd be kind of weird.)
Greg
· 7 months ago
Aziz - I totally agree with you. The IMAX experience we have come to know is not the small screen version. Guess it needs to be pointed out once again, that size does matter!
IMAXFU
· 7 months ago
F IMAX and it's CEO. Ahole money grabbing scumbag. I can only hope your company is brought up on fraud charges. Fag.
Call or email Mr Fag to let him know how you feel about being taken. 212-821-0188 or rgelfond@imax.com
Sophia
· 7 months ago
I sent the idiot and email. Thanks! I also pasted info on my Facebook account.
Duke Nukem
· 7 months ago
Aziz you stupid towel head Paki. Have you been smoking curry again? You are lucky to even be in this country. IMAX owns you. You are just a jealous and wish you had IMAX money. Now GTFO of America.
Peter C
· 7 months ago
Way to go Aziz! Thanks for the heads up. I'm in LA and plan to boycott AMC, Regal and IMAX until they stop lying about this.
Sophia
· 7 months ago
Call or email Mr Fag to let him know how you feel about being taken. 212-821-0188 or rgelfond@imax.com
Sophia
· 7 months ago
Aziz,
I for one will never go to an "IMAX" screen until they correct this money making scheme. As for that dumb ass CEO and his bullshit comment about 90 percent of the comments disagreeing with you...bull fucking shit! The only people disagreeing are the racist pigs calling you a paki and towel head. Fuck them!
You have many people supporting you and that G fuck is just a pussy. I hope he agrees to a debate with you, but something tells me he's gonna be a chicken fuck. Fuck IMAX! And fuck the morons who dare use your page for racist comments.
Live long and prosper!
Chris
· 7 months ago
Wow! Amazing how many people seem to think it's okay to get ripped off. Maybe someone should point those sheeps towards the slaughterhouse.
I'm also amazed by people who want to explain the technical side of things which they don't even understand themselves. EZB, because of the high cost of film IMAX came up with this new way of showing their movies and, there is no film in the new smaller IMAX theaters. It is a digital file.
As for the lack of a standard screen size, you may be right but it makes no difference when we're talking about a screen about 1/4 the size of what people are used to. If you ordered a quarter pounder at your favorite hamburger place and got a 1/16 pounder, I don't think you'd be a very happy person.
Sophia
· 7 months ago
Aziz,
I sent an email to rgelfond@imax.com saying the following. We should all email this prick! Phone is 212-821- 0188
Dear Sir,
Please know that I for one will never go to an "IMAX" fake screen or the real deal ever until you correct this money making scheme based on the IMAX name. As for your comment that 90 percent of the people on Aziz's blog are disagreeing with him....you are so incorrect. For starters the majority of the disagreeing people are racist pigs who are calling him a towel head and paki. If you want to use fake numbers to make a point...you should accept the racist ones as well. I hope you are seriously not supporting comments like paki's are jews, towel heads, cheap, etc. Please rethink your comments to the press and consider either correcting this farse or accept Mr. Aziz's challenge to the debate.
You have lost one customer.
Not a customer!
Erin
· 7 months ago
I saw your tweet when you posted it the the first time and cheered! I complained about this shit when I went to go see Spiderman 3 opening night. I walked into the theater and yelled "This is isn't even an IMAX! It's FoMAX!" Not to mention Spiderman 3 wasn't even that great, but the fact that all they did was remove the curtains, installed two new giant speakers, and are charging an extra 5 or 6 bucks is bullshit.
I'm glad someone else has brought this up, because since my experience I have refused to watch any movie on an IMAX screen unless I know it's the real effing deal!
Whisky Wallace
· 7 months ago
Ha! FoMAX. Got one even better:
LieMAX!
Steph
· 7 months ago
Aziz, totally agree with you. When I went to watch "The Watchmen" in IMAX at AMC, I was also damn surprised at the screen size. Me and my friends discussed/complained about it for a good while before the movie and after the movie. Totally felt ripped off and we decided to never go for the "IMAX" experience there again. Load of bull.
We definitely expected a much larger screen size and hoped that somehow the walls would magically move and a magnificent screen would be unveiled. Well, our hopes were crushed that night. Rip offfff.
Paul
· 7 months ago
HOW SAD THIS IS that IMAX would mess with its own brand like this.
The IMAX company used to be so proud of its brand, as it well should have been. I have been to an IMAX theatre in Montreal, Quebec, and before the film starts, there is a laser show from IMAX, boasting about the screen size, and boasting that the brand is Canadian.
Looks like IMAX can't be so proud anymore.
ryan
· 7 months ago
THANK YOU AZIZ!!!!! I have been to a real IMAX several times here in Pittsburgh PA at the Cinemark theater. It was awesome!! A couple months ago, the local AMC announced they had an IMAX. I'm like oh ya?? cool!! AMC is alot closer than Cinemark. Then, when the new movies came out, AMC got them and Cinemark didnt. Last wkend, when star trek came out, me and my friends went to see it at the AMC IMAX. As soon as i walked in I could tell it was smaller, but NEVER thought it was as small as you found out! WOW! Thank you man! IMAX and AMC are LIARS!! My friends were like "that wasn't as great of an 'experience' as i expected" and all i could tell them was, "Dude, i'm telling you, go to Cinemark, its much BIGGER!" And it turns out, I was right! F*(&^) YOU AMC! AND IMAX for deliberately misleading people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kate
· 7 months ago
O Dio! And they wonder why people don't go to the theater anymore! I was at the fake IMAX in my local theater AND they stopped the movie during the end credits because according to them "the movie is over". What the hell?! Corporate still hasn't gotten back to me.
Proper IMAX is spectacular. I've been to them on school trips, to see Dark Knight, Kung Fu Panda, The Lion King, and it's always worth it. Fake IMAX is the same size as a regular screen. The least they can do is advertise it as a digital screening instead of IMAX.
Good for you for sharing this! I'm tired of this horseshit!
Jason Lee
· 7 months ago
You are so correct to call for a boycott. I have seen IMAX films all the back to the 1987 The Dream is Alive. I even got interviewed by IMAX leaving one of these fake IMAX screens (and the interviewer didn't know what the Dream is Alive was!) It's such a rip! I had to see it again on a 'real' IMAX screen.
Andrew
· 7 months ago
I love IMAX. the huge screens, especially with footage shot on 70mm, is a glory to behold. I think it is the future blockbuster cinema, much more so than the money grinding 3D recession shtick. That's why this digital imax thing bugs me so much. I love supporting IMAX and what it offers, but this is not what IMAX offers, this is false advertisement in every sense of the word.
I still root for IMAX, that's why i hope they change the price and/or labeling of these fake theaters before they loose more customers and more importantly, give the wrong impression to those who don't know what IMAX really stands for.
Keep on fighting Aziz. Word needs to get out.
jeanne bo beanie
· 7 months ago
Thank you for pointing this out. I will be asking for specifics before I purchase any IMAX tickets. Maybe there can be a website/message board where people can post the size of the IMAX viewing area. When you are paying the extra $$$- size does matter ;)
Speak your mind
· 7 months ago
I absolutely agree with you. There is no reason at all for them not to alter the name, even if it's just a bit, or put up a notice letting people know the ACTUAL size of the screen. The general public is not aware that sizes can vary, and they shouldn't be expected to. That should be the companies responsibility. I've watched commercials talking about the amazing experience of the IMAX, in which they talk about the screen size, only to discover that it was false. ( Yes, they were advertising the IMAX around my area, but they outright lied. ) That is false advertising, no matter which way you cut it.
The only way that altering or putting up a sign, letting others know, would hurt them is if they ARE trying to scam people.
Also, using BMW as a comparison is ridiculous, and I'm not sure that the CEO even knows the difference between the models. Who on earth wouldn't be upset about overpaying 50-70,000?
I, for one, will not be visiting another IMAX until that policy is changed. If the CEO doesn't feel like changing it, fine. I can and will manage just fine visiting a regular theater, and it won't be one of the ones who offer IMAX.
garretdillahunt on twitter
· 7 months ago
We had the EXACT same experience at the Imax on 42nd st. We kept saying, "Is this IMAX? I think the screens are usually bigger.." To top it off, it was out of focus at the end.
And keep up the good work on Parks and Rec.
Idunno
· 7 months ago
It is pretty much a rip off. I'm glad I haven't been to an IMAX movie theatre yet, I would have gone postal and taken out the manager and the cashier...and the IMAX CEO. (Parody, not to be taken seriously; don't sue me).
The biggest insult though, is the idiot CEO of IMAX using the BMW analogy. Only a guy with more cash than brains would use such a ridiculous argument.
The moron could have easily said, "we are looking at our branding strategy and should be making some changes soon."
Or, "The Imax experience at movie theatres fitted with smaller screens still employ advanced digital projection and digital audio technologies. Unfortunately, we are unable to control the size of the screens at current movie theater locations since that would involve the drastic expansion of the theater facilities. We aplogize for any confusion our IMAX branding may have caused, but we do still feel that the Imax experience is far superior to any normal moviegoing experience. We hope that all moviegoers will come and experience IMAX digital technology for themselves."
That would have given IMAX some time to let this shit blow over.
See how easy it is to do damage control, shit for brains CEO guy?
Now fire his ass and hire me, I want an 18 year old wife with big fake titties.
Sophia
· 7 months ago
I vote for you to be the new CEO! Fire the dumb ass! LOL!
Whisky Wallace
· 7 months ago
LOL! I second that motion Sophia. Great PR skills ya got there Idunno. Perhaps you should consider changing your screen name to "Iknow" or "Igetit"? And the "18yr-old wife" line? Genius. Whadaya wanna bet that's who told him to give the BMW argument? Ha HAHA!
Hey Aziz...if ur reading this, what say you devote your next blog to campaigning for this guy to take Gelfond's place?
I'm officially boycotting IMAX until you get your $5. This is absolutely RIDIC. What the hell IS IMAX if not a huge-ass screen?
Benjy
· 7 months ago
I agree with you 100% sir. Customers should not have to do deep detective work to find out if they are gonna get a big screen for their movie. Finally somebody said it. Thank you Aziz for using your powers for good! Also, I enjoy every piece of media I see that you are you of a part of.
Mollie
· 7 months ago
Ill be honest. I saw it in Imax and it was huge but so were the TWO roaches that crawled across the projector screen and across Spocks face. It ruined the movie and creeped the f-out of me. As for your complaint I think its bullshit to charge more for IMAX and not get your moneys worth. They need to fix that and fumigate the f-ing theaters.
Evan
· 7 months ago
You are absolutely right Aziz. I could not agree more. F them all.
juergen
· 7 months ago
aziz you are a moron! you of all people should know how big a imax building has to be ! you walked into a regular movie house and you think you get a 7400 square foot screen ? the funny thing is that you blame your own stupidity ,like everybody else, on somebody else ! yeah blame everybody else or maybe get an education or just information ? since you like to use foul language to express your feelings i would say education is out the question so lets at least get info !
aziz
· 7 months ago
You are the idiot. It said IMAX on the website listing before I drove out to Burbank, how would I know its not the usual IMAX that's been marketed to people for years and years? Also, have you been to Bridge Cinema or Universal or Lincoln Square? They house IMAX screens and are regular theatres. The overwhelming majority of comments here back my case, so YOU ARE THE MORON.
grr>:P
· 7 months ago
Here's a simpler one- say you go to the REGULAR movie theatre and instead of showing a movie on the average size 30 by 70ft screens (estimate) they show you a movie on a screen that's 7.5ft by 17.5ft that has better picture and sound quality. Is this a better deal? I should say not. Best buy can do that by stacking large HD TVs together. I go to the movies because I want a big-ass screen and as the connotation IMAX usually means the BIGGEST screens of them all, the dinky size offered is a rip off.
And why would the company advertise the huge size difference? It'd mean less business because other movie companies can do the same damn thing. IMAX is known for it's size. Imax should keep it's size.
Brian of Nazareth
· 7 months ago
I totally agree with Aziz. He was charged full price for a counterfeit product. These fake theaters and the IMAX execs are doing a disservice to everyone by allowing this re-branding of the IMAX experience to continue. There will always be suckers who don't mind paying extra for an inferior product(as evidenced by the few dissenters in this thread), but the theater/IMAX execs won't be able to just sweep this under the rug by laughing it off. There will be negative repercussions to their bottom line and reputation until they come clean about the difference in screen sizes and picture/audio quality. I will not see any more IMAX movies until this issue is resolved and I see a clear delineation between theaters that have true IMAX screens and the fakers. Call it IMAX Lite, or something that clearly distinguishes it from a real IMAX screen.
Ian
· 7 months ago
Aziz you're preaching to the choir. I remember when Imax first came out and I went to one in Montreal and it was awesome. I've been to at least two since then and they are the smaller ones. This was in the late 90's. But this thing with the MUCH smaller size is crazy. Thank you for calling attention to this. I hate being ripped off!
J
· 7 months ago
It's about time somebody started bitchin' about this "bait&switch" Tiny-Max bullcrap!! I spend a lot of time back n forth east/west coast and am used to the "real" imax back home on east coast & when i go to imax i expect the full real deal for the xtra $$. When 300 came out last year i went to the "imax" @universal city L.A. -expecting the same type of large screen/sound etc, but @first I turned around & walked out of the theatre because i thought it was the wrong one!! I felt absolutely, completely ripped off... right in the heart of hollywood movie land!!! Nothing new there i guess!!lol The theatres need to distinguish the difference in "imax" screens or its going to backfire on them sooner rather than later.
ukemi
· 7 months ago
Thanks for the heads up. I was planning on seeing Star Trek on IMAX this weekend and I think I'll pass on it for a regular theater. Like you said, it's the principle.
Anthony Zagata
· 7 months ago
I agree with Aziz. This is a total rip-off! Turn up the heat! When you go on talk shows get on that bully pulpit and spread the word. I love movies and despise con jobs like this fiasco!.
sound_labs
· 7 months ago
I've been going to the Edwards theater (Fairfield CA) for a long time. I finally broke down and paid the extra 5-ish bucks to see star trek on the IMAX screen. Yes the projecter is digital, yes the sound system is a notch above the regular sound. However, the theater was tiny, total let down. They covered the entire wall with screen to make it look bigger.
only problem is, the wall is squarish (4:3 ratio) like a regular TV, so the projector had to letter box, making the amount of image actually being projected on the screen smaller still.
Yes the picture was nice, but the size was just a bit bigger than screens in the theaters right next to the IMAX because the room is basically the same size. They got my money once, never again. I waited in line for 45 minutes. The people we met in line thought it was a rip off since they visit the Metreon in SF CA on a semi-regular basis. Never again, Fairfield/Edwards in CA is the FAKE IMAX.
ScrewBigBiz
· 7 months ago
You should have taken the drink and pop-corn, definitely cost more than 5 bucks. But, agree with you 100% about Imax. Its all gimmick. I saw a movie once at the Metreon in SF. Bigger screen, yes, but experience the same. Not worth paying a premium.
FoxBlade
· 7 months ago
Wouldn't this be considered a case of false advertising?
I'm pretty sure its illegal to advertise something as being one thing when its actually another... X_X;
Sven
· 7 months ago
You are right Aziz....I have been going to IMAX theaters for the last 20 years to see special events. I have never seen a mini-IMAX screen, thank God. IMAX co-CEO Richard Gelfond can suck dick with his attitude that it doesn't matter. IMAX is relatively wide-known as the place with the giant ass screen. Theater companies are just trying to figure out a way to squeeze an IMAX theater into a smaller building to keep costs down and still charge the premium price. That sucks....your right. I won't be spending any money at my local AMC or Santikos IMAX theaters this summer until the fix it or apologize for trying to scam everyone.
FoxBlade
· 7 months ago
and I thought it was illegal for a company to advertise something and then provide consumers with something that's not advertised....
Oh wait there is a law against false advertising X_x;
Jasonicus
· 7 months ago
This is one of the funniest columns I have read. Good to know, too. I can't believe those douchebags are charging people extra for half of the experience. Unreal. Thanks for letting us know and getting the word out.
josh brooks
· 7 months ago
boycotting isn't far enough rise up and burn that shit to the ground. just hope that the tiny screen makes a big enough flame for people to noticw
Whisky Wallace
· 7 months ago
Wow. Who'd a thought it would take this to bring awareness to what would otherwise be an isolated, under-the-radar, jack move. I feel you man and I'm glad you spoke up about it...and got RESULTS. I'm sure a lot of people have been duped by the whole "SEE-IT-IN-IMAX" for $5 more schpiel (present company included), voicing their frustration to friends and family afterwards, But you're the only one I know of who's actually grabbed them by the ears.
I really had HIGH hopes for "The Watchmen", insisting my friends and I see it in "IMAX". They had free passes. I didn't. $15 & 3hrs later (not to mention 3 instances of dropped audio), I realized I was better off just paying for the regular screen price. WTF?!!? THAT was IMAX? The last one I went to was a showing of "The Living Sea" and I remember it making me feel freakin' claustrophobic; like I was gonna DROWN because it was so HUGE!!! But it was AWESOME! For THAT I'd gladly pay the extra $5! But that bullshit "Watchmen" screen? Not so much.
Anyhow, more power to you man. I hope those fools take notice and realize we ain't havin' it. As a matter of fact, "Network" said it best; "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore!!!"
3d-post-guy
· 7 months ago
And the 3D digital Imax have problems you don't see with Real-D (Disney) systems too. The Imax glasses give ghost images when you move your head, Real-D don't have this problem. So don't bother with Imax digital 3D, see it in a RealD or Dolby equipped theater. I was very disappointed with Monsters vs Aliens in Imax digital 3D for this and the screen size issue. A professional tecchie in the 3D/film business.
Imax Hater
· 7 months ago
I went to see Watchmen at one of those bullshit theaters- walked in, took one look at the slightly-larger-than-normal screen (and the full auditorium where I'd have to sit in the back), and walked my tubby ass right out to the customer service booth and got my goddamn money back. Still lost the $2 "service fee" from fandango, since there's no other way to get tickets on opening weekends now. I can't avoid going to AMC theaters if I want to see movies in the theater (which I do) but they aren't suckering me into that fake digital IMAX bullshit again. It might be worth $1 more for the slightly-bigger screen, but not $5. I suspect they're not getting anybody coming back for a second helping of that, which means they're going to be losing money hand over fist. And that makes me smile.
Me and only me
· 7 months ago
Crazy ass Hindi.
The real tragedy is the lack of hospitality and fair prices at convenience stores and gas stations that you're people are monopolizing. But I don't bitch to them about it. Fuck you. You're on a popular TV show and you're bitching over 5 bucks. Crazy ass Hindi. Take a shower.
Sven
· 7 months ago
MORON
alliwantisapepsi
· 7 months ago
Crazy ass Hindi.
The real tragedy is the lack of hospitality and fair prices at convenience stores and gas stations that you're people are monopolizing. But I don't bitch to them about it. Fuck you. You're on a popular TV show and you're bitching over 5 bucks. Crazy ass Hindi. Take a shower.
Dr. Sid V
· 7 months ago
Another uneducated redneck showing his lack of education. FYI, Moron, here is a minor bit of education:
1) 'Hindi' is a language. It's like someone calling you 'English'. At least you capitalized it.....lol 2) If you meant to say 'Hindu' as some sort of racial slur then you are still displaying your wanton ignorance since the name 'Aziz' is a Muslim name, an entirely different religion from the Hindus. 3) If you read his blog (p.s. I have never watched his show or any of his movies and couldn't care less about his acting talent), he is making an important point about principles which you apparently missed completely. He wasn't focusing on the value of the $5, he was focusing on what it represented.
Dr. Sid V
· 7 months ago
Oh yes, the 'real' tragedy is people like you who expect to prosper despite your ignorance.
Here is another reminder of that fact - You wrote " ... you're people are monopolizing".
The contraction 'you're' means 'you are'. If you had paid attention in school and earned a GED, you would have learnt that you should have written 'your'.
lolol
latoia
· 7 months ago
They do that crap here too. We have 2 IMAX theaters in town (with the large screens) and if it's not at one of them then i dont go. I used to live in a town with the smallest imax screen(the size on a small planetariam screen) but it's bullshit and they should be called out on it. People here IMAX they think big screen so the CEO guy is full of shit.
Sixxx
· 7 months ago
One more for you Aziz. I agree with you 100% that this is a ripoff. I knew about this and said fuck IMAX a long time ago. False advertising at its best!!!!!
Cheryl
· 7 months ago
First of all, you're fucking funny. I saw "Observe and Report" and laughed my ass off when you and Seth were at it. Seriously, I was fucking crying. I didn't know who you were or that you've done some cool shit. Gonna see "I Love You, Man," now that I see you're in it. As for IMAX, you're freakin' right, dude. I commend you for speaking up and using your fame for something good. It may not be Darfur, but I need my monies, honey!!! Continue to kick ass and be the talented, funny, bright man you are. My family will continue to support you and enjoy laughing our asses off! -Cheryl, hubby and new baby boy
Cheryl
· 7 months ago
BTW, we will boycott those theatres until they change their policy. It should be listed as IMAX Digital. We live in LA and will go to The Bridge for real IMAX or The Landmark for regular flicks.
sarfaraz maknojia
· 7 months ago
dude ur rite ..........fuck the bastards and cheaters...... rather watch it in a small regular sized screen and not feed the corporate pigs.
Colby
· 7 months ago
This is so true. Randomly, my brother and I went to an IMAX theater for Star Trek. I don't think I had been to one in years. We spent the extra five and got in and couldn't believe it. I thought we were in the wrong theater. I was pissed but thought no one else shared the same disgust so we didn't do anything about it. Glad to see someone is doing something. Good job bro! Peace
ADN2
· 7 months ago
Do you know what I Find funny? People commenting on both sides of this thread keep making analogies. Then other people will argue with them purely about the analogy that they chose. Seriously, we're not talking about cars of restaurants, we're talking about a film. Let's keep on topic people.
Brent
· 7 months ago
They should call these ordinary-sized screenings IMIN or MINIMAX. (I also like the "LIEMAX" moniker I saw in one of the comments here.) This happened to me once, and I definitely felt ripped off, though I had no idea of the true scale of the problem (pun intended).
Thank you, Aziz, for raising my awareness of what is going on with IMAX today. Now I know my experience wasn't an anomaly. (I think I originally wrote it off to being in a National Park area. I'm used to being -- or at least FEELING -- ripped off on almost anything you have to pay for in the vicinity near a National Park.) Next time, I'll know to do some research. Or maybe I'll just boycott.
It sounds like many here share my impressions of IMAX being essentially synonymous with oversized screens. Speaking for myself, what makes the traditional "IMAX experience" distinctive is the sense of being swallowed up in colossal size and sound. It's majestic!
On the other hand, I've really never even thought about better resolution being part of the IMAX experience, though, of course, this is also a big part of what makes an IMAX viewing so potentially impressive. A super-sized screen with a crappy picture would be glaringly awful. But whenever I've considered going to an IMAX show, my decision has always centered on the question of whether it's worth the extra money to be blown away by the sheer scale.
It's kind of like when I decide whether it's worth the extra bucks to go to a theater -- say, for "Lord of the Rings" -- rather than simply renting a movie and watching it on my poor little ol' television at home. Size matters, when that's what you're paying for. Imagine going to the theater and being "treated" to a really high-quality showing on a home entertainment center!
I think it would be interesting if the IMAX folks (or some independent party) did a survey to find out what percentage of IMAX patrons would actually volunteer (with no prompting) the notion of "superior resolution" as one of the premium features of the IMAX experience. Just a simple "What are the key features of an IMAX experience?" survey. Maybe I'm out of touch, but it would be interesting to know what people would say.
William
· 7 months ago
Proud member of the 10%
Shawn
· 7 months ago
FINALLY! Someone has finally told the truth about IMAX whoring out their brand. When I saw my first "IMAX" film, I was expecting the big screen and amazing quality. What I found: small screen in a normal shitty theatre. I left feeling like a fucking moron that just paid $5 extra for nothing
For everyone out there that is saying that Aziz is wrong...you're just a fucking moron -- the very people that IMAX loves. Only in a America are people so lazy, and so stupid, that they don't care about paying an extra $5 for something that they're not getting. You'll bitch about bread going up 25cents a year, but you dont care that a major corporation is raping you. Good job, America.
Adam Bradford
· 7 months ago
I'm with you Aziz! It's all about the principle!
Chris
· 7 months ago
after reading this article i definitely will never watch another film in "IMAX" ever again
Mike
· 7 months ago
they just want to fucken lie to us...giving us that cheapass IMAX....no wonder the company's stock is not even worth invested in.
Aziz, keep up the fight for us....
Mike
Jim
· 7 months ago
Thank you for calling these sons-of-guns out. Went and saw the movie yesterday with my wife. Paid the extra $$ to see it on the IMAX and immediately noticed that the screen wasn't the size I thought it would be. BUNK BUNK JUNK! When I mentioned it to her, my wife didn't seem to care too much. I just told her about your blog and she said "Well, let's define what IMAX is because in my opinion it doesn't mean a big screen as much as a technology". Good thing she's good at mixing coke and baking soda, or else I would divorce her.
Lawyer
· 7 months ago
Yeah I hear ya buddy. Well here's some friendly advice from a lawyer if its worth anything to you. Business and Professions Code 17200 and its progeny should do ya just right. Bring a class action. Everyone does. Prop 64 says you have to incur damages. You did that. So now you can sue.
I'd throw in a Consumer Legal Remedies Act claim too. That one's under 1770 and 1780 of the civil code since you did, in fact, buy a ticket and they did, in fact, fail to disclose that the screen you were getting was fekkin puny.
Personally I stopped going to the movie theaters around 15 years ago and watch it all on DVD's. I get 15 a month for $4.50 so to me, watching it on a puny screen at home is far cheaper than paying a ton of money to drive to, pay for parking at, and cram myself in a theater full of hacking, weazing jacking people and their crying babies and seeing eye goats, horses or chickens or whatever else they smuggle in.
Like I said, hire yourself a good class action lawyer and rip them a new one. Don't get mad. Sue em.
After all California is theeeeeee home of the lawsuit.
Mr Know Nothing
· 7 months ago
Is there a way to verify all of this? I'd sure like to nail them to the wall. I want my money back.
Zazzy
· 7 months ago
I have been an IMAX connoisseur since I saw Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban at the Universal IMAX in CA. I was hooked, and saw the next HP movie at the Ontario IMAX. Both are the "real" screens. I was totally excited when they opened a new IMAX closer to San Diego before the release of Spiderman 3, but as soon as I got into the theater, I was disappointed. It was a regular sized theater, and all they did was extend the size of the screen a bit! Even worse, the other theaters I had been in were MADE for IMAX, so the first row of seats were still far enough back to get a good view. This one (Mira Mesa IMAX) was just a regular theater that had been converted, and we were not early enough to get good seats, so we ended up in the FRONT ROW of this fake-IMAX "experience." All I experienced were disappointment and a neck ache. Having been to REAL IMAXes before, I felt TOTALLY ripped off, as you did, to have paid extra for such a crappy experience. I refuse to go back to that theater, and may travel to Ontario again for the next movie.
Taidas
· 7 months ago
i feel your pain i drove 20 miles out of my way to go to a "Imax theater" and paid the extra $5 and got the small screen i was like WTF!
Now if i go Imax i only go to the one i know for sure is the full Imax theater the only problem with that theater is it usually gets the movies like a week or two late.
Leo
· 7 months ago
I gotta tell ya, as an avid film fan....
I an utterly disgusted that IMAX, REGAL, and AMC would do this.
So it's an IMAX projection, that's not what we expect ...as an audience member when I pay for the"IMAX experience" I want the large format "print" on the large screen...that is the difference between 35mm and the larger format IMAX...you can project a larger image with more detail...
Furthermore:
As a member of IATSE (stagehands) in Hollywood I find it a professional slap in the face.
Thank you Aziz.
Erelas
· 7 months ago
Without going through 1407 comments (I should stay awake so long), Aziz strikes a cord of "wrongness", and unethical practices that have been foisted off on consumers for too long.
Nail'em Aziz.
Cliff
· 7 months ago
Yes you're right! There are a bunch of them liars.
kevin
· 7 months ago
Thanks for the warning. I didn't know IMAX was whoring out their name with little screens but the same price as their original true big screens. I will definitely avoid those "fake" IMAX theatres.
What a lame response from IMAX's CEO too.
moviegoer
· 7 months ago
I've never heard of Aziz or his sitcom (sorry) but he is dead on right. IMAX theaters were initially advertised and became known for their huge screens. They change the product in a way that people don't know until the ticket is ripped. Not too many people are going to walk out & redo their whole evening at a seperate theater.
The IMAX CEO is a liar. 90% of the comments here are NOT supportive of IMAX. It seems that 80% agree that IMAX is screwing the customer. Well, screw YOU IMAX! I was actually going to take my daughter to see this in IMAX. Now, I will not. $30 they'll never see.
Ahmed
· 7 months ago
Boycott IMAX!!!! I'm totally with you on this dude!!
Dr. Sid V
· 7 months ago
100% Agree with you on this Aziz!
IMAX is engaging in deceptive marketing practices. Calling it IMAX Digital or something that gives the buyer a clue would be a somewhat fair solution (though people are likely to be tricked the first time they pay an extra $5 to figure out that 'Digital' = 'pshyc!!!')
Thanks for making people aware of this ripoff.
Dr. Sid
Prpich25
· 7 months ago
Thats fucked up they wouldent give you your 5 buck extra charge back. More power to ya though. I doubt anything will change. There just gonna sit on there 100 dollar bill wiped asses and collect there profits. Gonna take people not spending that extra cash for the bullshit for anything to really start to brew. All in all, more power to ya. Oh yeah, Emagine is a good one to go and watch flicks with great sound and quailty. And they dont charge that much 9.50 for late shows. That if you can find one. Oh yeah you can drink a beer if the nasty ass soda isnt doing the trick they sell it on the spot. Laters.
Jado
· 7 months ago
IMAX built its name and reputation on super quality, giant screen productions. It has now successfully destroyed its name, image and reputation with this "bait & switch" tactic.
Thanks for shining a spotlight on and exposing this so-called IMAX production.
From the CEO down to the theatre managers, they showed their true character with continued spin and distortion while remaining in deep denial.
I'll never step into an IMAX theatre again.
Diane Stojentin
· 7 months ago
Absolutely truth. Good for you, making a big deal out of this. I hope that guy does agree to debate with you because it will be HILARIOUS.
Amber
· 7 months ago
you go - you are totally right - about Imax and Darfur
Eric Ryan
· 7 months ago
Last year the Anaheim Garden Walk opened it's theatre Cinema Fusion which has an IMAX screen. For the first couple weeks they were open they offered free showing of movies on their IMAX screen. I went and saw "Deep Sea 3D". When I walked into the theatre I was very confused and went back out again to make sure I had gone into the right theatre. Since the shows were still free, I came back the next week to see Speed Racer and confirm to myself that this "IMAX" screen was really as small as it seems. I am glad I found this out before paying to see an IMAX movie at that theatre.
Josh Pratt
· 7 months ago
Thank god this made yahoo news. I really wasn't familiar with IMAX all too much. I mean I heard that the screen was bigger and that the sound was better, but I never really wanted to spend $5 extra on some of the movies thats been coming out anyways. I was thinking about seeing Star Trek in IMAX just because it's supposed to be a huge blockbuster visual fuck fest and $5 more would seem worth it. I soon saw this post and realized I was going to go to a Regal IMAX theater and throw my money into the shitter. I mean come on if movie tickets weren't expensive already they charge an extra $5 for a fucking subwoofer, that's ridiculous. I'm with you 100% on the boycott. Seems like another stupid scam like getting people to spend more money on a fucking SHAM WOW to clean the piss around their toilet when everything else works just as well. The worst part is most people don't realize they're getting ass fucked and Richard Gelfond is standing on his bed cleaning the poop off his dick. I mean at the end of trailers for huge movies coming out they usually say now playing in theaters and in IMAX making it seem like its another world. How many legit IMAX screens are there and how many fake Regal/AMC IMAX screens are there? I'll tell you what though, I'm over IMAX and pretty disgusted with what some of these people like Richard Gelfond are up to just to make some money. You know damn right that when Transformers 2 is released Richard Gelfond is going to be laughing his ass off. I'd rather just wait for movies to come out on Blueray now.
Justin California
· 7 months ago
You are so right on about this bullshit!!! A screen that is a fraction the size of the real IMAX is not worth the same price. Fuck those corporate pricks for screwing over their customers! PS you've been awesome on Parks and Recreation. Love it!
Andrea - Berkeley, CA
· 7 months ago
I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU. Extra caps so everyone can notice. I went to Star Trek with friends expecting something HUGE. But lo, I got a regular sized screen. Seriously, it's practically the same size. I SIGHED so much at the beginning while watching the previews. There goes my $5... It honestly does NOT make sense. Imax is selling two, COMPLETELY different movie going experiences as the same, and the consumer has no way of knowing this? Thank you Imax, for being such a, ahem... selling yourself out.
Paviv
· 7 months ago
This Richard Gelfond creep needs to have his ass fired. He knew perfectly well that he is running a con with this "reduced screen, but hey its still IMAX quality" bullshit. Typical corporate douchebag trying to tell us the sky is pink when we can clearly see its gray. Tip of the hat to Aziz for making this a talking point.
ZenWarrior
· 7 months ago
WTF is IMAX thinking??? What a bunch of dumb shits. Now I understand why I feel IMAX is nothing. I saw some movie months ago in IMAX expecting to be awed by a huge screen, but instead it wasn't any better than the other screens. Since then I never see IMAX because it didn't impress me. GG IMAX, get a new CEO already who comprehends how to build up serious long term business rather than trying to rely on an amazing past to fool people to buy more tickets in the short term. This pathetic experience is now becoming your new identity. Your reputation is at stake IMAX... get a freakin clue! Those fools need to retake some business 101 courses, including one on business ETHICS. Freakin idiots.
Andy
· 7 months ago
Oh ok by his standard if you watch the whole movie without saying anything he should get his money back. Well that would mean if I went and bought a car and end up not liking it. Then asking for my money back AND keeping the car. Or asking for a refund for a ticket for a football game because you didnt like the ending. You sat through it so fucking deal with it
aziz
· 7 months ago
No you get a car and they say it has leather seats, you get the car and realize - hey it doesn't have leather seats. You can get the money back for them jipping you on the leather seats. It was false advertising.
Frederick Wemyss
· 7 months ago
In the Pleistocene Age, I went to a theatre which was showing INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM in 70mm. This was supposed to be a luxury, so my ticket was more expensive. We waited two hours in line and they found there were too many tickets sold, so they stuck us in the room where the 35mm version was being projected. We were offered refunds, but nobody took one because we were all tired and just wanted to sit down and see this highly anticipated movie. I imagine the theatre chain knew the number of seats and counted on our yielding to the bait-and-switch.
erik
· 7 months ago
LOL, fuck IMAX.
Vanessa
· 7 months ago
I agree this is bullshit. I made a big ol' stink to my husband about seeing The Watchmen on IMAX and then I looked stupid when we went to the stupid theatre and it turned out to be a fake IMAX. Way to start a movement brother!
Irfy
· 7 months ago
IMAX doesn't mean that the screen will be your 76x97 feet screen, there are different types of IMAX's the one you probably went to was an IMAX digital. But if you think about it, you can tell whether or not you'll get your 76x97 size screen by looking at the general cinema your going into.....
Loved you on scrubs though Aziz!!
Jon
· 7 months ago
I agree -- IMAX = fraud.
/This gets picked up by MSM and their cards come tumbling down.
Al
· 7 months ago
Yeah total rip off and its obvious....... Cant believe this guy is actually saying its the same thing....
Aza Jabbar
· 7 months ago
Jst one simple question Mr.Aziz, WHY U HARE I-MAX? i dont care abt IMAX frankly i never being in IMAX myself,but y THE FUCK ur Againts IMAX n wat r u hoping to acomplish? u want iMAX to be closed ok wat then? ur going to kill ur self? this is not THE GOOD FIGHT u can find better things to fight againts,for example y dont u fight againts Chris Crocker?
QuiescentMind3
· 7 months ago
Please, do us all a favor an do not speak of what you do not know. You admitted yourself that "frankly i never being in IMAX myself". You've never experienced a REAL imax, or even the fake imax, so your opinion is pretty much irrelevant here.
Jamaal
· 7 months ago
I agree with you, I went to see Star Trek at the NY Sheepshead Bay theater recently and it was the first time I went to an IMAX theater and I wondered why the screen seemed the same size, but I thought nothing of it. The surround sound and heavy bass made up for those thoughts. All in all I do feel like I was robbed and I do what a real IMAX experience.
Claude Barsalo
· 7 months ago
It simply has to do with picture ratio. An Imax screen is mostly square similar to a tv screen 1.33:1. Most movies today are shot in widescreen Panavision with a ratio of 2.35:1 or 2.40:1. So Imax has to fit a rectangle into a square so for sure you will have blank space above and/or below the picture. They have no choice. However, I live in Montreal and I haven't had the chance to experiment a regular movie in an Imax theatre so I can't comment on my own experience but if the screen at your movie theater is the same as the picture shown above on this page, then for sure you're being ripped off. They should at least enlarge it so that both sides of the movie fill the horizontal plane of the screen.
septina
· 7 months ago
So true! I went to see Star Treak at AMC's Times Sq 42nd St. theatre and it was NOT big. Great movie, but the IMAX thing was a rip-off. I saw Lord of the Rings there years ago on a similar-sized screen not advertised as IMAX (nor at IMAX prices).
Jim
· 7 months ago
The IMAX in Albany NY sucks. I thought that I had walked into the wrong theater. What a crock. My buddy and I couldn't see what the big deal was with IMAX. Now I know that they rolled out a bunch of IMAX impostor theaters. We were cheated.
QuiescentMind3
· 7 months ago
I went to see 300 at one of these supposed IMAX theaters (AnnArbor, MI). Which btw is a National Ameusments Theater, not AMC or Regal. I walked in and was like WTF is this?! The friends I was with said something all exicitedly like "this is gonna be f-ing awesome!" and I then proceded to tell them for the next 15 damn mintues how this was NOT IMAX and it was a rip off. The screen was just, and I mean JUST, barely bigger than a normal screen. And barely a speck sompared to the IMAX dome that used to be at Cedar Point where I would spend many an hour cooling off from the heat during my childhood trips there. I remember sitting in that dome, anywhere in the dome, and the screen filled your entire vision. From all the way to the left to all the way to the right. And it was at least six stories tall. It was as if the screen wrapped entirely around you. This CR@P they call IMAX now, is nothing more than using a (once) respectable namesake to jip people out of money. It's about damn time someone brought this into the light.
Brendan
· 7 months ago
Aziz, I haven't experienced it myself, but your 100% right. If I went to an "IMAX" movie and didn't get a huge-ass screen I'd be PISSED OFF. "IMAX experince" is bullshit and the fact that they are trying to defend it make me laugh so hard....
I'm joining the boycott!
ROB0362
· 7 months ago
HELL yeah HE IS RIGHT THIS IS BULLSHIT I WOULD BE PISSED AS HELL
Steven
· 7 months ago
SCREW IMAX!!!!!
Steven
· 7 months ago
The same thing has happened to me before! They know what they're doing the A**holes!
Duke Nukem
· 7 months ago
Aziz is a little peon. If anything he should go back to his own country. IMAX made this country great. Aziz is a weasly little curry eater who needs to STFU and GTFO.
!!!!!Boycott Aziz for his disinformation campaign against IMAX!!!!!!
sam
· 7 months ago
hey dickhead..does it look like anyone disagrees with Aziz here? you ignorant cocksucker! IMAX made this country great?? wtf!!
patric
· 7 months ago
my only coment is, "great customer service jackass." Go Aziz!!! We're with you man.
j stein
· 7 months ago
agree 100% i went to a king of prussia 'imax' and had never been there i said to my wife this screen is bigger then normal but way smaller then the imax screen at the franklin institute she told me that is was the same as the small imax in atlantic city wow they might charge a little more for this but not as much as a real imax screen this company is doing what all companies do making the can of product smaller and smaller and keeping the price the same can you say boycott????????
keeks
· 7 months ago
Tweet this insanity! Bryanzilla threatning with twitter is not really threatning maybe you should chill the fuck out you douche bag and go see a movie on shitty IMAX
James
· 7 months ago
i agree, total ripoff. luckily, i was in the theater watching a "regular" movie and took a peak inside one of these "IMAX digital" screens, only to find that the screen is not the huge 72' screen one would associate with IMAX. People are definitely being misled. I would've been duped/disappointed too if it weren't for this blog and a chance peak at the screen.
Esse
· 7 months ago
Aziz, I definitely agree. It is big corporations like this that produce large scale scams and then attempt to bury them with fancy pr work. The beamer analogy made by Richard Gelfond is completely ridiculous and if anyone actually believes that crock of shit they should by forced to pay an extra 5 dollars for admission for being stupid. Bradley Wechsler, the ceo of the company should definitely at least demote Gelfond since he's obviously a moron and not worth the money. These upper echelon assholes are praying that the American public is stupid enough to buy into their fucking bullshit. Too bad we're not. Get mad people! People prey on the fact that they think we are stupid and incapable of making true statements with the conviction to stand up for ourselves.
Joe
· 7 months ago
Hahahaha people are so touchy on this. Lighten up folks.
I personally appreciate the heads up about the IMAX thing. Like most people, I think of it as a big screen and was not aware that they would use anything BUT the big screen. The fact that they are trying to trick consumers (by deliberately not telling them) is pretty fucked up.
Thanks for the heads up.
Dr T
· 7 months ago
HA! I made the same mistake back when I paid extra to see 300 in "IMAX." When I sat down, i thought 'wtf"? I hadn't seen a huge IMAX since my fifth grade trip to a museum and thought I had just grown...but yeah the screen is like a fraction bigger than normal and the action was worse on "IMAX." So, yeah i'm with you, I won't pay for IMAX and I'll avoid AMC and REGAL to boot.
You rock on Parks and Rec!
Steve el Gringo
· 7 months ago
Some of you people are total morons. It's a comedic style called "rant." It's supposed to be over-the-top.
And if you want to take it all seriously, then you also have to admit the guy has a point -- there is in fact misleading advertizing going on here. It may not be the world's biggest tragedy, but as a hook for a comic rant it is WAY above average. Well done.
to broke
· 7 months ago
I went to see another show and paid the Imax price at a local theater. I will never do that again. We have 2 local museums with real Imax theaters. I worry though that I will get the same digital film instead of Imax film with these movies there as well. I wish they would just give us the truth so we can decide before we pay. I paid an extra 10.00. I don't have enough money to see many movies so to be ripped of on my very occasional treats stinks.
Rick
· 7 months ago
I've been considering driving the hour plus to go see some IMAX movies, 3 D and otherwise, but now I won't.
BlowMeIMAX
· 7 months ago
I agree. Richard Gelfond is a money grubbing POS - duping everyday people for his own financial gain. It's greedy fuck-tools like him that got our economy into this mess. Fuck IMAX and screw the Gelfond.
Craig
· 7 months ago
Isn't the whole point of IMAX a big screen? So to sell something using the name IMAX, which is synonymous with big screen, and show it on an average screen is a total misrepresentation. To comment on IMAX's CEO's analogy to BMW, BMW is a brand that sells various models of vehicles. A consumer then chooses which model is best for him/her. In the case of IMAX, they sold one product...big screen movies. If they are expanding their product line, then they need to make consumers aware of their new products and modify their pricing to coincide with the top of the line product and bottom of the line product. In the meantime I think IMAX is engaged in deceptive practices and should be investigated by the proper authorities.
Ixnall
· 7 months ago
Kinda like the first you get laid, it's absolutely the most incredible experience ever. But afterwards you realize that it could have been better, so it does detract from it. Saw ST in Fake IMA(MC)X in Houston last night. It was awesome and the sound was incredible, but I can only imagine what it could have been like.
Lee Brown
· 7 months ago
I stopped paying for movies, I can usually see the latest releases on the internet FREE OF CHARGE, I saw XMEN Wolverine before it even hit the theateres. Now I don't want to hear all the BS of how that puts actors out of work, most people don't do this so it's not costing the movie makers much money. I agree however that IMAX should be a spectacular performance. I was fortunate enough to see the very first IMAX theater (REAL ONE) at the Ruben Fleet Space Museum in San Diego, still the first and always the best!
artc
· 7 months ago
+1Aziz! It's bad enough that theater chains are glossing over the IMAX screen size difference - but when IMAX themselves behave so irresponsibly and respond so callously, all they are doing is destroying their credibility and brand name. What idiots!! I'm now going to drive off in my baby Ferrari (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_X1/9) :D
Coos
· 7 months ago
You are an uninformed jackass. You should have looked into it before you shelled out your money, idiot. I never go to those fake IMAX because I know they're fake because I looked into it first. But now I might just go to one so people don't think I'm boycotting it like you.
aziz
· 7 months ago
I'm not an uninformed jackass you idiot. I looked up showtimes on Google, Fandango, and MovieTickets. It said Star Trek: The IMAX Experience and it listed Bridge Cinema, Universal, and Burbank. I've been to the other two, they are HUGE IMAX screens, how the FUCK am I supposed to tell the third one listed is fake?? Seriously, how would I know? Nothing indicates the third is different. Get lost.
Christine
· 7 months ago
I ABSOLUTELY agree with you! My husband and I had to find a babysitter for 5 children, paid $38 for two "IMAX" tickets ($14 + $3.50 service fee per ticket), drove an hour and a half to the Tropicana in Atlantic City to watch Star Trek on Thursday, May 7th. I was excited, dancing, chatting with other Trekkies about the awesome experience we were about to have. We were let into the theatre and my heart dropped. What the hell was this? I know what an IMAX screen looks like and this wasn't one of them. IMAX is 70mm film format with a HUGE screen. I saw Star Wars on IMAX. This was crap. I have to say, that the size of that screen RUINED the movie for me. AND I am $40 poorer plus the cost of food, gas, and babysitting. To top it off, the theatre started a voice over as soon as the end credits started to roll. If you file a class action against the IMAX and its theatres, let me know. I'll be there with all five kids in tow.
Anthony Sims
· 7 months ago
I had the same experience over in Arcadia. was excited for Star Trex at Imax. I hadn't been to an Imax theatre since I was like 10, for some documentary about sharks, and I remember being freaked the f*** out by in in your face gigantic sharks. I will repost this on my blog, fake Imax is bullshit.
desmond richterto
· 7 months ago
i went to an AMC, complained about the screen. and one of the employees slapped me in the face for getting mad at him. I tried to tell him i wasn't mad at the employees, but the fact that i could not get my 5$ back. the manager eventually called the cops and the worker was arrested for assaulting a customer.
Joel
· 7 months ago
Aziz, Went to the imax star trek showing in burbank, and I previously saw 300 in IMAX at the bridge. I recall having a super hard time seeing the whole screen for 300 there, but not really having any problem with star trek. I didn't take a ruler and measure the screen, but if this is true, then, I totally agree with you. There's no reason that the AMC should be charing $5 (or, essentially, 1.5x the price of the ticket) for a slightly larger screen. Given this, I think I will boycott the imax screenings at the AMC as you suggested. It's definitely not worth the extra $5.
Kevin King
· 7 months ago
I agree with you Aziz! Finally somebody said something! When I was a kid on a field trip we watched the Kuwait Oil Fires on the big ass IMAX in Scottsdale.
15 years later, I bought IMAX tickets for my wife and kids to watch Spiderman 3, and it was a fucking fake IMAX. This was at the AMC IMAX in north Phoenix. I couldnt figure out what was wrong. I told my kids the screen was like 6 stories high then was disappointed when we got there.
IMAX is totally wrong for having thier heads up thier asses. I will never watch another big hollywood movie at IMAX again. Never have again. And NEVER WILL.
Prattman
· 7 months ago
i totally agree. I paid about 18 bucks to see the Dark Knight in IMAX in Manchester CT and it was nothing more than a slightly bigger screen with louder surrond sound. They are flat out lieing to you and unless you paid the price and actually enter the "Imax Experience" for yourself, you'll never know if your getting the real deal. We need to collect a list of the shitty ones to avoid.
jen
· 7 months ago
I just went to see the Star Wars film at the imax recently added to the movie theater in my town. As soon as we sat down our first though was this is not as nearly as big as the old imax we would go to. It barely seemed any different from a normal theater, we had wondered how they were fitting an imax in the theater. The answer.. they put in a crappy small version of imax and charged 4 more a ticket for it!
Bob
· 7 months ago
Is it really worth it to go through all this for $5? Yeah, you probably got taken, but really..... all this for $5? Must be nice to have all this time on your hands.
aziz
· 7 months ago
I wrote two blog posts, it took me 2 minutes and now people know what IMAX is doing. Its wrong and people are finding out. So yeah.
TLS
· 7 months ago
I agree with you 100% I would have been pissed also.... If they were trying to be honest... They would have told everyone up front about it.... I would never pay extra for so little and I didnt know of this before your blog thanks Keep up the good work TLS
Jamie
· 7 months ago
First off for all you dumb fucking duschebags relating a restuarant to this situation are just plain out stupid, plus I guarentee you lame asses are working the night shifts at Dennys, so crawl back into your dimwitted hole of a life and stop commenting. The man is not asking for a full refund..he just asked for $5 fucking dollars back that he spent to see a screen that is 5 times bigger than your norm. What he got was a screen the same size that was falsely advertised as IMAX. Grant it you yelled a bit but anyone who gets ripped off and does not get angry about it is obviously a pussy. Also the fact that they offered you a soda and a popcorn which costs like $15 dollars is the stupidest thing I have ever heard of. This manager should be fired out of pure ignorance but then again its a manager at an AMC theatre = makes sense. All in all good for you man. I myself will join in boycotting these cum guzzling pussy ass theatres. Fuck all who oppose this cause your dumb. We are in a ressesion people, we do not need to be getting ripped off anymore.
Sophia
· 7 months ago
We shouldn't have to research or go by a list to avoid being scammed by IMAX. They should relabel there shit to MINIMAX.
John
· 7 months ago
The sound in my local IMAX is WAY better than conventional. That's worth $5 to me on a blockbuster show. And the local IMAX screen IS significantly bigger, but not as big as Izza's mouth.
Chuck
· 7 months ago
Keep on being right, Aziz. Preach on.
The entire concept of whoring out a brand name for an inferior product is intentionally misleading and corporate nonsense. The example given of the BMW 3 series is malarky. What is IMAX thinking?
tp
· 7 months ago
Just another example of the rampant corporate dishosesty. They'l do or say anything for another dollar in the coffers. Go Aziz, FUCK IMAX!!!!
Stinker
· 7 months ago
Right on. We need more people to expose rip-offs like this. There used to be a show on in the 80's called Fight Back! that investigated consumer complaints. What happened? Fuck Regal and AMC!
Ram
· 7 months ago
I agree with Aziz completely. Went with a friend yesterday to Regal IMAX to watch Star Trek. It was my friend's first IMAX experience and what a let down it was...!!! It sucked and they charged $5 more per ticket.
What a rip-off......!!!!!
will
· 7 months ago
You are the only funny character on P&R. I am not sure if that show will last without tapping into Poehler's brilliant comedic expertise the way SNL did.
jaynyc
· 7 months ago
I'll never go to an AMC theater again until they remedy this BS
dave
· 7 months ago
Yeah, I got ripped off last night at star trek too!! They will never get my money again!
John
· 7 months ago
I'm right there with you, when I found out the the local theater where I used to work in high school was adding an IMAX screen, I thought to myself are the blowing up the roof to extend the screen to that size? Nope, I found out from a friends that all they did was take out the first few rows of seating and extended the screen slightly from the original size, yet they are still going to charge the same as the "real" IMAX theater I go to at the Irvine Spectrum. What a rip off! If anything they should charge a dollar or two more, at the MOST, for the slightly bigger screen and slightly better picture quality. Other then that, I'd rather drive to to spend my money on a "real" IMAX screen.
Av
· 7 months ago
Fucking corporate bullshit...when will it end? Fuck bitch-ass Richard Gelfond and his lies, that smarmy cocksucker.
I agree with you Aziz.
Brandon
· 7 months ago
I agree..they did the same at the AMC in Torrance. I went in to take a look to see if AMC got a new IMAX screen. But it was the same screen as before..the regular size. I'm sure glad I didn't buy a ticket for the IMAX showing of Star Trek. I would have been pissed. Only go to The Bridge for real IMAX. LIAR LIAR LIAR
Ari B.
· 7 months ago
You're dead on - thanks for bringing attention to this. I honestly had no idea that IMAX screens came in two sizes. Now I know which screens to avoid. (What can I say, sometimes bigger is better).
mundungus
· 7 months ago
Thank You Aziz, You are a golden god with righteous hellfire shooting from your eyes, incinerating the Charlatan's DLP sccreens.
Yahoo and other outlets picked picked up on the fury you've unleashed. More people are now informed and more are angry.
Richard Huntley
· 7 months ago
I 100% agree with Aziz, my wife and me were going to travel 75 miles to see Star Trek at the only "IMAX" theater in Maine,but we saw the article about you trip to the fake IMAX and we called ahead,I was told the screen is "slightly" smaller yeah, only 75% smaller. From now on we'll be staying in our own town for movies and saving $$$$.
Poo Monger
· 7 months ago
Yeah, cause he clearly works for free beer and stuff.
Poo Monger
· 7 months ago
Yeah, cause he clearly works for free beer and stuff.
Loree
· 7 months ago
I was going to take my son to watch Night in the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, after reading this, that has changed. Imax needs to be held accountable for misleading consumers. Don't we let enough people pull the wool over our eyes? Let's stop being sheep and remind companies that without US the CONSUMER they can't exist. And for all of you who believe this is petty, Imax is banking on that mentality.
I'm disgusted when companies thrown honesty and integrity out the door during a period where many are feeling a financial crunch. This is the time where WE the CONSUMER should be getting a BANG for OUR buck.
BOYCOTT IMAX
Alan
· 7 months ago
Holy crap. Isn't this how the hairs are split over what is torture? Isn't this the way Babs Bush described the displaced African Americans by Katrina as "in a better place" in the Astrodome than in their own homes in the 9th Ward? Didn't Hitler say if you tell the same lie often enough, they will eventually believe you? This truly is how these people think. 1. Just put it out there. 2. Be "technically and legally" correct and unapproachable by lawsuit 3. Mislead, but only by letting the public create their false reality based on a buzz word, ie "Oooh! We saw Star Trek in IMAX!" 4. They are forcing a morphing of the reality and people's passivity and lack of questioning the reality presented to them is allowing these theives to get away with it.
IMAX is perceived as the large four story screen and coupled with the specific camera and film format. Period! That is what comes with using the name, word, title or trademark: IMAX. To try to pawn off some technology, but not build the experience, and then charge for the missing experience.......well lying, cheating, Republican, Bush, all comes to mind.
P
· 7 months ago
Totally agree with you bro. Your actions are logical (I'll stop right here).
Consumer needs to be educated on things like this. Of course they are not going to complain if they don't know the truth, or rather, if the marketing campaign is successful. Companies pay marketing people a lot of money so they can fool people to pay even more money. Isn't that the point of marketing? To make people feel good when they want to spend on things?
Regarding Mr. Gelfond's statement, "People don't say 'The 3 isn't a real BMW because it's smaller". He is correct, people won't say that the 3-series isn't a real BMW, because it is a real BMW. But people are sure not going to pay $120K for a 3-series BMW in the states.
So why is it okay for everyone to pay 50% more on a ticket to see a movie on the same size screen as a typical non-IMAX branded theater? Because the screen is still a screen and the movie is still the same movie? Can I get a 50% discount when I go see a real IMAX (with the 72" screen) movie? Heck, why we even paying a fixed amount? Let's just all name our own price on movie tickets. I pick free.99!
Loree
· 7 months ago
I was going to take my son to watch Night in the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, after reading this, that has changed. Imax needs to be held accountable for misleading consumers. Don't we let enough people pull the wool over our eyes? Let's stop being sheep and remind companies that without US the CONSUMER they can't exist. And for all of you who believe this is petty, Imax is banking on that mentality.
Shyanna
· 7 months ago
You're my hero because of this. I had the same issue last weekend when I went and saw Star Trek: The fake IMAX experience. If there isn't a balcony in the theatre in front of the front row of seats...it's not big enough to be IMAX!!!
Loree
· 7 months ago
I was going to take my son to watch Night in the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, after reading this, that has changed. Imax needs to be held accountable for misleading consumers. Don't we let enough people pull the wool over our eyes? Let's stop being sheep and remind companies that without US the CONSUMER they can't exist. And for all of you who believe this is petty, Imax is banking on that mentality.
Chris
· 7 months ago
Even though we're vastly outnumbered according to IMAX scientists, whose accomplishments include shit about volcanoes and some other shit about Antarctica, I will readily stand by your side to fight for moral justice.
Bob
· 7 months ago
Arent they calling it ETX: enhanced theatre experience, not IMAX?? ETX was great, prefer it over IMAX, big screen doesnt mean better experience IMO. Big sound however is where its at. Gladly will pay the extra $5 from now on for action/adventure etc. type movies.
Peter V
· 7 months ago
Aziz, I agree completely. My first experience with fake IMAX was here in Emeryville, CA, a couple of months ago. The people I was with, who had never seen a film in IMAX, walked out saying, "so what's the big deal? It looked like a regular movie." This is deceptive marketing at best. It's sad to say, but greed and short-sighted thinking destroy all good brand names in time.
movie patron
· 7 months ago
They know what they are doing. Full size IMAX theaters are very expensive to build and operate. Put the word IMAX on a standard digital theater and charge the full IMAX price. THIS IS A RIPOFF!!! But, they know the general public is so stupid it will work. Thanks for calling them out on it.
kevin
· 7 months ago
You are absolutely right Aziz!!! I had the same experience in San Antonio, TX when I saw 300 when it was released as the "IMAX Experience". although the screen was larger than regular format, it damn sure wasn't what I was expecting. I'm lucky though, although seeing a REAL IMAX movie is cool, I live in Austin, TX, home of the fabulous Alamo Drafthouse. IMAX has nuthin' on drinkin' buckets of cold beer, eating good food and watching a great movie with other people who love and respect watching movies! Keep up the good work!
Bob
· 7 months ago
this is rediculous. go see a movie. if your not happy with it, come out BEFORE ITS OVER and say something and youll get a refund. if not, stop trying to have your cake and eat it too. i understand he just wanted his $5 back, but the theatre easily could have switched him into a regular showing of star trek once he noticed IMAX wasn't what he expected, and given him back his $5 dollars. he instead decided to stay and watch the movie so he could make some stupid point later. you people need to take some personal responsibility, and stop acting like your children and a bully stole your lunch money.
Asphodel
· 7 months ago
THANK YOU! People always want want want. The theatres may be wrong about charging that much for what is not truly an IMAX, but if you don't like it, don't go. And he should have come out right away and got his money back, not watched the whole film and then complained.
Duke Nukem
· 7 months ago
Way to go, Aziz! It's about time we did something about the LieMAX scam!
15/70 or bust!
Robert
· 7 months ago
how are you going to boycott? by not going to IMAX? or all movie theatres in general? and does that include Regal and AMC theatres that dont have the 1 IMAX screen? or are you encouraging people to watch the movie and complain afterwards? i dont understand this boycott. if you have 25,000 people that actually listen to what you say, you should try doing something that actually matters, and not have them fight your day-to-day battles. this is a waste of time, your not MLK.
aziz
· 7 months ago
REALLY? I'm not MLK??
ash
· 7 months ago
wow, i can't believe the shit that imax is trying to pull. im already peeved at my $10 ticket, but when i want to take more then just me, suddenly a $30 trip turns into $45 worth of bullshit. and with the utter asshole-ness of this dude?... my frustration has peeked. thanks for spreading the word aziz.
Lfsnz67
· 7 months ago
Thanks Aziz. You're a hero! After seeing Dark Knight last year on our new Imax screen, my family was shocked how small the screen was.
Keep fighting the good fight!
Anjula
· 7 months ago
I felt cheated too. I was expecting a much larger screen but had to content with the regular screen. Didnt feel the IMAX experience at all!!!
Alisha
· 7 months ago
Haha. ^__________________________^ Okay, I'm ditching them until they change. Seriously. And I'll tell everyone I know too.
(mostly just because of how the CEO responded)
Tillie
· 7 months ago
They should have given you the $5. Customer satisfaction should be a garantee. They shouldn't have made it so hard for you. I would not pay $5 extra for that kind of an IMAX experience....not the real thing!
errsta
· 7 months ago
fan-fucking-tastic.
Ridiculous that more people just quietly take it up the a$$ from these fools.
As for the Twitter thing - even though it's not real, I intend to use that threat. I just have 7 followers, but whatever.
zen
· 7 months ago
LIEMAX scammed us last summer. My son and I traveled an hour to see Walle. I'd never seen a real IMAX movie but after hearing how great the huge screen thing was, it seemed worth it. As soon as I walked into the theater I couldn't believe that the screen was slightly bigger than a normal theater's. I was not about disappoint my seven-year-old after driving 65 miles. Although the movie was great, the picture quality and sound were very good but not worth the distance and extra expense for a normal sized screen. What a lame rip-off.
Thank you, Aziz, for bringing this bullshit to the attention of the general public.
gothlore
· 7 months ago
Awesome! I can't wait for the IMAX experience to come to my iPod!
As to the quality when compared to the film IMAX, it's no where close. Worse, the 2 overlapping 2k projectors used in fake IMAX are at least 1/2 the resolution of the 4k sony projectors AMC is putting into their non-IMAX digital auditoriums. That means you'll be paying extra for a lower resolution experience.
cani32199
· 7 months ago
Is there a book on 'Class Action Law Suits - For Dummies'?
It would be an easy lawsuit to win. Bring in a bunch of people and simply ask them "Could you please describe what makes an iMax Film?" I bet everyone who is familiar with iMax will answer the same way... Its a very large screen.
That alone between the no differentiation on iMax's choice will win us the case, no questions asked.
So how do we do it?
Kyle
· 7 months ago
Aziz, you're right. It's nice that someone "in the industry" can realize when people are getting screwed over. I don't know how much shit you'll catch for saying what you said, but you manned up and said it. Your comments were right on the mark, at the end of the day that's all that matters.
- Kyle Luebbe / Lawrenceburg, IN
B Hammy
· 7 months ago
This argument has grown ridiculously out of proportion, mostly for people who don't get why this is a very clear case of bait and switch. You tell people they're getting an Imax experience, which pretty obviously means a gigantic-assed screen, and you give them a completely freaking awesome digital projection presentation on a pretty normal sized screen, and you're doing nothing more than conning them into giving you money for something they aren't going to get. The restaurant analogies aren't even correct because they imply an erroneous substitution on behalf of the company. Imax knows what people think of their name and they're going to use it to rip people off for as long as they can get away with it, and thanks to Aziz, that probably won't be as long as their business model predicted. That Imax guy is a douche, as is Bryanzilla.
Bri
· 7 months ago
I also drove out of my way and stood in a hour line to see this movie in IMAX. Then asked my husband if we were in the right theater when it started, because the screen seemed to IMAX size. He went outside and double checked that we were in fact in the right theater. I call SHENANIGANS's on this bullshit supposed IMAXD experience. Part of what lend's to the experience( and me shelling out extra cash) is the size. I was also told I could not receieve a refund and the same blah blah blah. But I am glad I am not alone in this anger and boycott.
Malcolm
· 7 months ago
This whole issue really needs to be distilled. First, many people love the IMAX big experience, accompanied with high quality projection and sound.
Fine. This Is what Aziz was expecting at the theater, but what he didn't get. He just got high quality projection, not the big experience he was expecting.He should have got his five dollars back from IMAX without question, if IMAX really cared about customers.
But he didn't, and I think they don't care. Why?
If IMAX cared about not confusing the audience, they would have called it IMAX JR, or SMALLMAX, or LIL-MAX, and possibly Wee-Max. I bet they even had this discussion well before unveiling the new, smaller screens. There are probably people in the company who knew and warned the leadership that this very same issue would arise. But the marketing heads and president decided not to clarify the issue with a name change. Why?
To fool a bunch of noobs into paying off the expensive new equipment. Nobody is attacking theatre workers here or the technology, those two things are cool. No wrongs there. I think that this issue is just another example of a large corporation disregarding ethical concerns in the name of profit.
I say don't even blame IMAX, just the leadership that approved this misleading scheme.
In time, I bet you will hear from former IMAX employees or theater workers who are privy to many of the disgusting tactics that IMAX's current leaders have crafted at the expense of the viewer. Well see.
Alan
· 7 months ago
Azix,
I caught your act on comedy central a few years back - 4 beats 2 summers, snapped the dog's neck... Funny stuff. I knew I needed to keep an eye on your work.
Now I catch this rant, thanks to yahoo, or something. I researched the theatre at I was going to watch the Star Trek IMAX Experience at. Sure enough, bullshit small screen imax.
First you made me laugh, and now you've saved me $5. Thanks, man.
Alan
· 7 months ago
Damn typo.
Shitonimax
· 7 months ago
I totally agree. These guys are bullshit. Why the fuck wouldn't they just tell us which theatres are which? Do we not have a right to see what we're paying for? I guess these theatres will soon be like those mystery bags you can buy, the little brown paper sacks with a question mark on them. Who the fuck knows what's inside, but they're five bucks. Take your chances! Well, no fuckin thanks.
c-dub
· 7 months ago
I'm all over the injustice of the situation. However, when you DO go see a real IMAX movie at an IMAX theater...I mean, the whole theater is positively enormous. It's more of an arena than a theater. Generally, some facet of the exterior of the building clearly indicates "IMAX" lives here. Am I wrong?
Suburbia_Steph
· 7 months ago
What is really hilarious here are all these people getting all worked up and arguing with eachother! It's grrrrrreat!
Remy
· 7 months ago
I'm totally with you. I would have ask for a refund too.
Not making the difference between a high-quality product and a slighly better than average product, but still making you pay the extra charges, it's basic lying advertising.
I understand your disappointment, and I think that Gelfond's answers are completely inadequate. He seems to confuse things because he doesn't want to admit this problem in public.
If you can't know, before entering the screening room, after having paid the extra charges, which type of IMAX screen you're going be facing, it's just purely and simply abusing the customers.
And I think it's a shame to use such a way for making money.
They're not the first or the last to do this.
But not pointing this out would be accepting it.
Remy
· 7 months ago
Plus, if they want to make a difference in the names, why don't they just call them 'IMAX 28x58', and the genuine one 'IMAX 76x97' ?
It's so simple, and so clear.
Or they could just call them 'Big fucking genuine IMAX' and 'Slighly bigger-than-average-screen IMAX'.
Guest
· 7 months ago
Completely agree with Aziz. Everyone who goes to see IMAX expects to see a huge IMAX screen. I'm boycotting IMAX from now on.
lol
· 7 months ago
What a big boat of fail.
Matt
· 7 months ago
Aziz, you are right on! We all have to speak up when big companies try to screw us like this. Your rant was funny as hell and you shouldn't have done the real update, fuck all these idiots who can't take a joke.
bill davidson
· 7 months ago
this is a great blog.... consumers need to stand up to corporations, and i love all the fuckin swearing!
Jess
· 7 months ago
I am in full agreement. I had my first experience with the fake IMAX screen when I went to see The Day The Earth Stood Still at a Regal Cinema. I was furious. This wasn't the IMAX I knew and loved! I haven't gone back since and I never will.
Danbo
· 7 months ago
Careful about lumping REGAL in there. The REGAL - MARQ-E Screen in Houston is 100% size & sound IMAX certified. I've been to "real" IMAX screens across the U.S., and making blanket accusations just makes you look silly. OTOH - If you see "Big Screen", rather than IMAX attached to the title of the movie, it's likely that it isn't a true IMAX movie, even if the screen / sound of the theatre are "up to snuff".
netboy
· 7 months ago
when people think of IMAX, they think of HUGE SCREEN compares to regular movie screen! and when people buy a mercedes, they think of made in Germany! i would be piss if i bought a mercedes and it' made in Korea!
Gichard Relfond
· 7 months ago
IMAX is FULL OF SHIT. Instead of differentiating their piss poor "Imax Lite" screens, they try to dupe the customer into thinking it's going to be the IMAX that people are used to.
That's like buying a box of Cheerios and finding it's half-full of birdseed. Or raw oats. "Well, it's Cheerios, because we put the name Cheerios on it. We own the name, so if we can do whatever we want with it. Cheerios is whatever we say it is!"
FUCK that noise. IMAX can say it's the IMAX experience, and you walk into a room with a dog turd that says "IMAX" on it. "See? It says "IMAX, so it must be IMAX!"
I'm not going to go spend another 5$ for these jackasses. I'm boycottting IMAX screens and telling my friends to do the same.
Call it "IMAX Jr." or "IMAX 4 Tards" or IMAXSKAM, or something more descriptive, Imax SCHMUCKS!
Joe
· 7 months ago
The so-called "IMAX" theater at the Regal in Albany, NY is just as bad. All they did was remove the overflow seats, and extend the screen to the floor. It's a joke, and it made me mad when I heard people after the show talking about how HUGE the screen was. Everybody in Albany, do yourselves a favor. Hop on the thruway, and go down to the Palisades Mall to see a real IMAX screen.
Mark
· 7 months ago
I totally agree with you.. Nothing worst than a bullshit imax screen, I wasted 15 bucks on the last Harry Potter movie at my local museum.. Granted the screen was big but it was like watching a movie in a fishbowl. I'll be seeing Star Trek again at a real imax screen.. Lincoln Center!
wjc
· 7 months ago
I was watching a movie at a local AMC awhile ago, and in the ads before the movie, they adverstised both YOUR TV SHOW and the NETWORK IT'S ON. So your company is paying AMC to advertise YOUR SHOW and your turning around and bashing AMC? Have you considered this may not be the brightest thing to do? You sir, have a business relationship with AMC, they are propping up your show while you come up with this total non sense that is void of technical understanding and..... oh dear, you sir are an ass.
aziz
· 7 months ago
Dude, I have nothing to do with that AMC deal, I don't pay them to advertise Parks and Recreation. I'm a customer of IMAX and AMC, that's my relationship. So I'm not an ass, get lost. Devoid of technical understanding? My primary source is the LF Examiner, a journal dedicated solely to large screen film projection. For years IMAX has just marketed itself as providers of tremendously large 72 ft screens. Their corporate slogan was THINK BIG. Look at that diagram, those are two very different screens. One is almost 1/5 the size of the other, yet they are marketed exactly the same with no distinction and both have the same $5 surcharge. Regardless of the technical aspects of projecting large IMAX films, the specifications of the audio and picture, etc. the BOTTOM FUCKING LINE is one screen is 1/5 the size of the other and they don't distinguish. Watching it on a screen 5x bigger is MUCH BETTER. Hundreds of people on this comments thread alone have felt duped. YOU ARE WRONG! YOU ARE WRONG! YOU ARE WRONG! HAHAHAHA!
Auditor
· 7 months ago
The evidence is overwhelming that this a case of false/deceptive advertising and this company, AMC, could be open to a class action lawsuit.
Also, for those of you who disagree with this man's complaint, what do you think is a proper remedy for false advertising?
sivadselim
· 7 months ago
Well, I have only seen one film, The Dark Knight, at one of these purported "fake IMAX" theaters (AMC Orchard 12, Westminster, CO) and I thought the screen was quite large and, overall, I was truly impressed by the experience. Maybe it is because I haven't been to a "real IMAX" theater in many years.
Are there perhaps some of these digital IMAX theaters that DO have reasonably large screens? I'm pretty sure that what I saw had a projection size that was considerably taller than 23'. Although it could have been an illusion or the result of expectational bias. I guess I will have to go back to see Star Trek at the same threater to try and assess the screen's true size.
But that these Hollywood feature films are not really shot in IMAX is an important point. They aren't really IMAX, anyway. The Dark Knight only had a few minutes (at best) of IMAX footage, recognizable as those brief scenes filling the entire height of the screen.
Whehter what I saw was projected at the correct size or not, the video quality was superior to a regular theater. And the sound in the (fake?) IMAX theater that I attended was head and shoulders above that of any regular theater. I realize that the sound quality may not be as important to others as it is to me, but I have a very nice surround sound system at home with a real monster of a subwoofer and I thought the sound in the theater was very impressive. The loudest and lowest I have heard in a commercial theater. By far the best theater sound I have heard in recent memory.
Only certain films are available in (fake?) IMAX and these are usually visual and aural extravaganzas. Honestly, for me, the improved video quality and the much improved sound quality is worth the extra $5 for these particular films. I really don't see what the big gripe is.
Eric Eltzholtz
· 7 months ago
I am so glad someone said something and got some attention on this. after seeing films on my regular (aka)IMAX theatre imagine my surprise when visting a new theater and paying for IMAX to see Star Trek and getting imax (aka) digital picture on a regular screen what a ripoff!
janine
· 7 months ago
you are so right! I saw Watchmen at the AMC IMAX in Times Square and it was utter bullshit. I thought that huge blue wang would be the size of my apartment and boy was I let down. It was truly outrageous, but not in the good way like "Jem". IMAX should repay the good movie going citizens for tricking them into a mediocre experience.
Deepa
· 7 months ago
I'm with you on this, Aziz. Thanks for the early warning. Was about to check out Star Trek on "IMAX" myself.
Megan
· 7 months ago
You saw how big the screen was the second you walked into the theater, right? If you were unhappy, you could have immediately turned around, gone to Guest Services, and gotten a full refund, OR you could have switched your tickets for regular Star Trek tickets and gotten your $5 refunded. Or you could have called the theater ahead of time and asked them how big the screen was. You mention the "standard huge 72ft IMAX screen"...THERE IS NO STANDARDIZED SIZE FOR IMAX SCREENS, so at no point were you lied to or mislead. Many theaters want the clearer picture quality and better sound of IMAX, and display it on the biggest screens they possibly can; the 72ft that you desire just won't fit into many existing theaters. The fact that YOU incorrectly assumed that the screen would be your definition of "huge" in no way justifies yelling at a theater manager getting paid $10 an hour.
aziz
· 7 months ago
Megan, I explained the not walking out with the flight analogy. I already made an investment of time by driving to the theatre and planning my day to see the film at that time. Its not my fault they lied. I'm not leaving and switching my tickets to come back another day. I'm just gonna ask for a refund on what they didn't provide. If I go to lunch sit down and order, and they forget to bring me fries and its impossible to bring me fries (as in this case, its possible for them to make it a regular IMAX screen instantly); I can eat the burger and say "Hey look, I'm not paying for the fries, I didn't get them." I don't need to leave and go get lunch elsewhere. I already drove to the restaurant, sat down, and ordered. Its the restaurant's fault, not mine.
There are hundreds of people in this thread alone who felt that IMAX means the traditional IMAX screen which averages around 4800 sq feet not these new ones that average almost 1/5 of the size. Their marketing slogan for years was THINK BIG. Every other IMAX screen I've been too was the huge IMAX screen. Not distinguishing the new ones has mislead hundreds of people on this comments thread alone. THAT MEANS IT IS MISLEADING. I also didn't YELL at a theater manager. He laughed and joked around with us and then they gave us two passes. So basically,
YOU'VE BEEN REFUTED. AHAHAHAHH!
Megan
· 7 months ago
But at no point did ANYONE lie. You watched Star Trek in the IMAX format, projected from an IMAX projector, with IMAX quality sound. So maybe you should have been refunded $1.25, for lack of a huge screen? The fact that your diagram of the Lincoln Square IMAX shows a 76ft screen, whereas you think IMAX screens are typically 72 ft, should be a clue that IMAX screens are not standardized. Check the IMAX website and show me where it says that an IMAX screen has to be 72 ft by 90ish ft. Or show me an advertisement from the theater you went to that states that their new IMAX screen is 72ft high. If you can do that, then I will concede that they used false advertising and you were lied to.
That is an IMAX ad with the HUGE screen many people associate with the name IMAX and it says "THINK BIG." It doesn't give measurements, but that is the IMAX I and many others are used to.
Their brand and the name IMAX for years has been associated with gigantic screens which averages 4800 sq ft. and they are using that goodwill to sell tickets at cheaper more economically feasible new IMAX screens that are averaging 1250 sq ft. Read the hundreds of others here who went in expecting one and got the other, I think this is pretty clear what's going on.
Do you concede?
Megan
· 7 months ago
I may concede to a certain extent; the first ad does show a huge screen which I suppose may mislead customers. The second ad doesn't really prove anything because I think it is about a specific IMAX theater, not all IMAX screens in general. But before you go storm the IMAX headquarters with torches and pitchforks, I too have a link that I think you should see: http://www.pacsci.org/imax/
This site is for the best known IMAX screens in the Seattle area, at the Pacific Science Center. One of the screens is 6 stories high by 80 ft wide, about the size that you seem to typically associate with IMAX. The other screen, however, is 35 ft high by 60 ft wide, barely bigger then the IMAX screen that you were so upset about, and it has been in operation since 1979. So have us Seattleites been getting screwed for 30 years? Or does this prove that IMAX screens have always varied in size?
aziz
· 7 months ago
Megan, the IMAX screens I have an issue with are these new IMAX Digital screens that are significantly different than the traditional IMAX screens that have been around and been the focus of all their marketing since I was a kid. I can't find any advertisements online, but clearly based on the reaction this post has received and the hundreds of supportive comments - the name IMAX is associated with the huge 6 story screen or whatever. These new screens have only went up in the past few years and to pass them off as the same thing is wrong. They are very different and a distinction needs to be drawn. That's all I'm saying.
Lana
· 7 months ago
Thanks for letting us know. I live near a real Imax cinema and have noticed a few more have opened. Upon further investigation after reading this, I know know they new ones are fake! Good work, Aziz!!!
netboy
· 7 months ago
do you know why some people go to a bar or casino resort to watch the superbowl? cus they want to watch superbowl on a 60" screen instead of their 27" TV at home! when i pay 5$ extra for the IMAX movie, i expect the screen to be HUGE! if it' regular screen size, why am i wasting 5$? i can just watch it on regular screen and save myself 5$!
jh stewart
· 7 months ago
Ya know, i despise scum like u Aziz. Picking on poor ole IMAX and AMC during this recession. You are a snitch and nothing else partner, could you refrain from throwing salt please? Why do you feel it is your job to "report" these things? Is it because you really care? NO!!! It is because you are a parasite, you don't create, you just take. Those companies that you just exposed could potentially lose business now (since you are soooo popular duuude), and maybe have to cut hours or employees in this crappy market. So the flip what, maybe the screens are not gargantuan, but they are obviously big enough that people want to pay and see them. You are socialist scum--just like the current administration--and you would rather try to make a big deal out of nothing just so you can be seen as "a man of the people" when really you're just a doodoo head that is trying to kill someone else's business so that maybe (just maybe) there will be more money floating around. With more money floating, then maybe more people will be thankful to the "great" Aziz for the info, and then buy his shirt and ultimately earn for AZIZ!!!! Manipulating the people through artificial "hope". I wish i could explain more, but i have a quick lab to do, so you are a....S O C I A L I S T
Good day to you sir,
J.H. Stewart
p.s.-- to all you out there in cyberspace, holla if you hear me
aziz
· 7 months ago
Ok I've responded to a lot people but the jump to say I'm a "socialist," much less a "doodoo head" seems a bit absurd.
noSocialist23
· 7 months ago
whats absurd is your left coast mentality. thats why california is broke as fuck, all that glitz and glam, but nobody can balance a budget. haha, i know you really like LALA land (i used to visit when i lived in CA).
p.s.-- sorry about the multiple posts, i didnt use the "new post" toolbar to check and see if i was on.
Brent
· 7 months ago
What's absurd is that your silly (and, I have to think, tongue-in-cheek) description of Aziz being a socialist actually sounds like a classic CAPITALIST maneuver.
As for the "doodoo head" reference, it seems clear that in your private language, you must use the verbal sounds that can be represented by the written symbols "doodoo head" to refer to those persons to whom most English speakers would refer by using the verbal sounds that can be represented by the written symbols "champion of justice".
noSocialist23
· 7 months ago
A capitalist move would be to consume, while also creating opportunities for others. In a mixed economy (which we have for now) people get rich through no consideration for the effect that it will have on others, AZIZ and banks that got involved in the subprime debacle thrive in this economy. Understand, my problem is that what if people see this and jobs must be cut in the private sector due to baby AZIZ having a bad time? Oh I know, you and he both would like to see the government create jobs for them that not only overpay employees (on taxpayer money), but also crowd out the private sector and nationalize the IMAX theatre too. With your nationalized IMAX maybe all the screens can be up to baby AZIZ's standards.
p.s.-- i chose to use "doodoo head" because i don't want to curse
good day to you sir
aziz
· 7 months ago
More arguments please.. hilarious.
noSocialist23
· 7 months ago
Ya know, i despise scum like u Aziz. Picking on poor ole IMAX and AMC during this recession. You are a snitch and nothing else partner, could you refrain from throwing salt please? Why do you feel it is your job to "report" these things? Is it because you really care? NO!!! It is because you are a parasite, you don't create, you just take. Those companies that you just exposed could potentially lose business now (since you are soooo popular duuude), and maybe have to cut hours or employees in this crappy market. So the flip what, maybe the screens are not gargantuan, but they are obviously big enough that people want to pay and see them. You are socialist scum--just like the current administration--and you would rather try to make a big deal out of nothing just so you can be seen as "a man of the people" when really you're just a doodoo head that is trying to kill someone else's business so that maybe (just maybe) there will be more money floating around. With more money floating, then maybe more people will be thankful to the "great" Aziz for the info, and then buy his shirt and ultimately earn for AZIZ!!!! Manipulating the people through artificial "hope". I wish i could explain more, but i have a quick lab to do, so you are a....S O C I A L I S T
Good day to you sir,
J.H. Stewart
p.s.-- to all you out there in cyberspace, holla if you hear me
netboy
· 7 months ago
get you facts straight, not everybody willing to pay 5buk extra to see the same screen size as regular movie screen! and when i buy a Mercedes, i expect it made in Germany! not made in Korea or China!
noSocialist23
· 7 months ago
Hey idiot, if they didn't like it then they would ask for a refund ASAP. I am angry because snitches like AZIZ is fucking with the food on AMC's plate. he doesn't want them to be innovative and get their bread on. He is a left coast socialist that wants the IMAX to be government run.
p.s.- ur name is quite fruity
S.
· 7 months ago
This exact same scenario happened to me a few days ago. I was so pissed. When you pay extra for IMAX and expect the huge screen, it's a major disappointment. I was so unhappy and felt duped. They do not tell you what you are getting before you pay for your ticket because nobody would buy a ticket if they knew. A lot of new theaters in my area have digital screens that are just as big but they don't charge me extra and call it IMAX. I will NEVER make this mistake again. I'm just mad I made the mistake and bought into the SCAM. By the way, I saw Star Trek a second time in one of the regular digital theaters and it looked just as good. IMAX can suck it.
Chico
· 7 months ago
the IMAX at most theatre's are converted from the old style projectors. All of the people complaining need to shut up unless they know what they are talking about. What makes an IMAX an IMAX is the sound and the clarity of the picture NOT the screen size.
aziz
· 7 months ago
Then why was their marketing slogan "THINK BIG" instead of "THINK CLEAR PICTURE AND GOOD SOUND." You're argument just got destroyer Chico.
PRD75
· 7 months ago
Ok Chico, no problem , size doesn't matter, got it. So if I play you a full high definition movie file with super 7.1 surround sound on a 24 inch computer monitor and RadioShack speakers, call it IMAX and charge you $18 for it, would you still be my pal?
aziz
· 7 months ago
Whoa Chico, you just got put in your place son.
netboy
· 7 months ago
to all the LOSERS that defending IMAX! if IMAX is about sound and clarity, do u see IMAX logo on any DVD or blueray disces? do u see the IMAX logo on a any HDTV set? paying 5buk more for sound and clarity? do they charge more for movies with THX or dolby surround sound? and if i want a Snickers, i want a snicker, not fucking M&M. well, M&M is made by the same company as snickers. so M&M = Snicker?
netboy
· 7 months ago
to all the LOSERS that defending IMAX! "IMAX (short for Image MAXimum) is a motion picture film format and projection standard created by Canada's IMAX Corporation. The traditional version of IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems. A standard IMAX screen is 22 metres (72 ft) wide and 16.1 metres (53 ft) high, but can vary.
IMAX is the most widely used system for large-format, special-venue film presentations."
I understand this person being upset as to this not being the huge screen he expected for the IMAX.
What I don't understand is why he actually thought he could watch the ENTIRE movie and then ask for his money back.
When he walked in and saw the screen that was not what he expected don't even sit down WALK OUT BEFORE THE MOVIE STARTS! Then ask for your money back.
Think about this....you order a steak and it isn't cooked the way you order, you eat the whole thing....NO MONEY BACK! Order a drink, isn't what you ordered, you drink it all...NO MONEY BACK!
Come on people use your heads.....you can't watch an ENTIRE movie then say "wahhh the screen was to small I want my money back".
Didn't you realize it was a rip off when you walked in????
aziz
· 7 months ago
You order a steak and potatoes, they forget the potatoes and they don't even have potatoes it turns out, but you're hungry, you came all the way their to eat. You eat the steak - you can say "GIMME MY MONEY BACK FOR THE POTATOES." You're argument is destroyed! AHAHA!
Blart
· 7 months ago
He asked for the "IMAX" part of the ticket price back, because he felt it wasn't IMAX.
Also, he wanted to see the movie. He drove out of his way, it was opening night, and he had a friend with him. Do you know what a dick he would have been to say to his friend, "Sorry man, I know you wanted to see this, but I must take a stand. We're leaving."
So instead, he watched the movie he came to see, but he only wanted to pay for the movie, not the (to him) non-existent "IMAX experience" he was charged an extra five dollars for. That's a bit different from your description.
Also, "wahhh"? What's the "wahhh" for? Are all consumers who complain about any aspect of their experience automatically crybabies? Way to stick up for the rights of a corporate movie theater chain over the individual.
Cyrus
· 7 months ago
Wow, what a wake up call. I've NEVER experienced true IMAX, but thought I had! I'm going around telling people how awesome it was to see Watchmen & Star Trek in IMAX, but it WASN'T EVEN IMAX!!!! Aargh.
sivadselim
· 7 months ago
So, you liked it, right? Felt it was worth the extra dough, right? So, who cares if it wasn't "true IMAX"? You enjoyed the experience and that's all that really matters. All this is much ado about nothing.
laura
· 7 months ago
We recently went to go see star trek in "IMAX" also. The screen was also alot smaller than we expected. Not the movie experience we hoped for also for the extra dough. We wont be going to an AMC for its "IMAX" anymore. Pathetic corporate bull.
Krzzykorean
· 7 months ago
First, I would like to say, the IMAX experience is what you make it. If you go to the theater to intentionally complain, knowing that it's not the "real IMAX", then you're an idiot. IMAX is not only about the size of the screen. Truely, IMAX is all about the picture clearity and super sound features. I used to work for Regal Entertainment Group at one of their "true" IMAX locations, and I have to admit, even some of the customers there were misinformed about a lot of things. Don't go off half-cocked just because you were to to cheap or to stupid to look into finding the "IMAX Experience" you had in your mind. When you first get to the theater of any kind, don't just "ASSUME" that they are all the same. I don't think there are very many people who would argue that standard 35mm film is the same as digital…DUH, not even close. So, the stupid notion that these "mini MAX" and the original "IMAX" are the same…well, let's just say, it's not rocket science.
Ok, next… "Digital IMAX". 1. Almost every movie in this modern age are shot in digital with digital effects cameras. 2. IMAX format is digital. 3. IMAX film is 70mm film stock moving at astonishing rate. 4. Digital projection or projectors are completely different than digital film. 5. IMAX pricing-it simply cost more to make a separate print and sound, that's why it cost more. most people don't realize the risk of a flop, or the money loss. 6. Here's one for all you smart people… IMAX is a Canadian based company! 7. The price of the IMAX tickets, actually all tickets, have many factors. Price increases are due to loss at the box office, whether it's because of refunds, sneak-ins, movie hopping or any other reason. I think it's sad when parents ALLOW their children to steal and teach them to LIE! That's what's happening when you defend your child for the ILLEGAL actions they just did. 8. If you pull up to an "IMAX" theater, and there is no section of the building that stands a lot bigger, then there's a good chance that that "IMAX" is the smaller one…DUH. 9. Change the thinking, don't go to the theater thinking you're going to be disappointed. If you do, you will. 10. Lastly, educate yourself before commenting on somthing you have no idea about…funny guy or not… you just sound STUPID!
So, to end this comment, I say… No matter what someone "FAMOUS" may say, sometimes they are given knowledge "credit" because they are "famous" instead of the actual accredidation of their words. No wonder some comedians are never taken serious in life, these kind of rant and blogs just make you sound STUPID!
krzzykorean on May 17, 2009
Blart
· 7 months ago
You spent a lot of energy on a false argument. People should not have to do research on a product that has been around for years to find out if its definition has suddenly changed. Not everyone is "in show biz" like you. Most people who know the word IMAX think it means "big fucking screen." If the IMAX people want to change that, they have to make it explicit to the public.
An in-the-know usher like you might know the different types of IMAX, but why should anyone else be expected to know it? If I don't research every last thing I purchase to make sure it hasn't changed dramatically since the last time I bought it, am I automatically stupid and an asshole? If I go to the store to buy a box of Hot Pockets, should I be required to do research online beforehand, just to make sure the Hot Pockets people haven't changed their product to microwaveable laxatives?
Also, when did your minimum-wage-earning ass become the expert on the pricing decision of major theater chains? Customer refunds are a part of customer service. Treating customers well and with understanding increases business in the long run.
I love how intensely you movie theater guys complain about having to deal with the public. That's your fucking job! A movie theater is a gigantic building built to hold thousands of human customers.
aziz
· 7 months ago
WHOA. This guy dominated you Kizzykorean. I repeat he DOMINATED you. You lose twice! HAHAHAH!
aziz
· 7 months ago
I'm not stupid you idiot! Hundreds of people on this thread alone were mislead. IMAX markets itself on the big screen, their slogan is "THINK BIG." I didn't go and intentionally complain. You're argument makes no sense. There are two types of screens and they don't differentiate and its wrong. END OF STORY. YOU LOSE THE ARGUMENT!! HAHAHAH!
smellycat
· 7 months ago
OMG, I can't believe you people think this is a debate. IMAX ripped him off -- everyone knows it's supposed to be super sized, not "just a little bit bigger". I'm with the folks that said this is EXACTLY what's wrong with America these days. You're mad at the guy who speaks up for the truth (war anyone?) and you side with the major corporations who are stealing money out of your pocket WHILE YOU'RE HOLDING YOUR PANTS OPEN FOR THEM. Smart. Real smart.
futinyourass
· 7 months ago
ummm krzzykorean sucks fake IMAX sweaty balls and stuff. But seriously, if I pay for the full IMAX experience I better get that. Not watered down IMAX
AmusedReader
· 7 months ago
The comments were fun to read at first. Good post. I'm glad a blog such as your can degenerate such social commentary on something of no importance at all.
nikki
· 7 months ago
get over it ! u watched the whole fricken movie if u didnt like it u shoulda left! duhh! u really are bored..
Mark
· 7 months ago
It is one of the biggest rip offs I have ever experienced, and I paid a guy $100 for a VCR in a parking lot that turned out to be just phone books. Yes, I feel more ripped off by what Imax did to me. I saw Star Trek last week in Long Beach Edwards, and when I went into the theater I was like, wait, that isn't an Imax screen. I actually thought I was going crazy and that I was just imagining this because I remember seeing Batman Begins in San Fran on a real Imax screen and was blown away. But this had absolutely zero "wow" to it. It was just slightly bigger than a regular movie screen.
I will never ever see an Imax movie again in my life.
Duke Nukem
· 7 months ago
Aziz Bin Laden has made a bowl of curry into mountain of tofu. That towel headed vegan needs to SFTU and GTFO already!
Keep up the bad work!
Jaiden
· 7 months ago
I agree with Aziz. I paid for an IMAX experience at AMC (for two people) and couldn't perceive the difference in screen size or the film quality. I was pissed and vowed never to do it again.
benjamin
· 7 months ago
Ok. After reading about this 'controversy' I went to see Star Trek at the AMC 25 theater on 42nd street Times Square New York because they ADVERTISED it as an IMAX film. Keep in mind, I only paid $5 for the ticket because I already had a free pass so they charged me the difference. My first impression when I walked in was .... "uh...isn't the screen suppose to be bigger?" I was very disappointed about the size to say the least but since I only paid $5 dollars I was willing to let it slide. The saving grace for me was that the movie was good and the clarity and quality of the film itself looked really good although on a smaller screen. I'm in TOTAL agreement with Aziz however in terms of how IMAX and AMC are advertising this. They DEFINITELY need to let movie goers know the difference between an IMAX FILM on a big screen and an IMAX Digital flim on a smaller screen. Especially if you're paying MORE MONEY to see it IN IMAX expecting it to be on a HUGE screen. When I first heard about IMAX, the only thing I knew about it was how big the screen was. THAT is what IMAX was known for. The size of the screen. As a public company, they have totally dropped the ball on this one and should be ashamed (especially after reading the CEOs analogy with BMWs??). Screwing their customers over with a 'bait and switch' routine. Thats what it was. Bait and Switch. And in today's world, I can totally see some lawyers getting together and suing them for false advertisement or whatever. In my opinion, IMAX needs to own up. When I buy a more expensive ticket to see it in IMAX, I am expecting it to see it on a HUGE!!! screen. Not something that is only slightly larger than normal. From now on, IF I ever decide to see another IMAX film, I will definitely make sure it is a REAL IMAX film before buying a ticket. Movie tickets are expensive enough and to make it even more expensive to see it on a slighly larger screen is just a rip off. I am definitely not going back to the FAKE IMAX AMC 25 theater in Times Square.
Don Blue
· 7 months ago
DOOD. I totally agree with you. Thought I was seeing Watchmen on the giant IMAX screens I remember from my youth, not so. Hugely disappointed. Keep fighting it.
jj
· 7 months ago
If the you are going to see a imax film, there should be comparison of screen size on a photo so the public is informed. Digital imax is much lower quality than 70mm film imax. I will never go see imax digital.
Karaoke Chris
· 7 months ago
Man, I saw Star Trek in what was formerly the Charleston, SC IMAX theater. It's now a regular theater, run by a local company (much smaller than AMC or REGAL), and they can adjust the size of the screen up to IMAX size. The screen was huge, and i couldn't see any loss of quality in the picture from blowing it up so big.
That said, I guarantee that you saw a better movie than I did. It was hard to follow the action and I feel like I missed stuff because it was going on way over there on the other side of the screen where I wasn't looking. I had the experience of going to the REGAL theater and sitting in the front row. IMAX movies are made for IMAX theaters. A non-IMAX movie shouldn't fill your entire field of vision. The director just didn't intend for it to be seen that way.
Michael
· 7 months ago
I completely agree. I went into Star Trek at the AMC Highlands Ranch 24 in Colorado expecting to the a massive 72 ft screen like at the United Artist at Colorado Center, what i got was just a slightly larger screen. Yes, i'll admit that the picture is a little clearer and the sound is better than a normal theater but not an extra $5 better. I'm willing to pay the extra on the 72 ft screen, you feel completely immersed in the movie and that's what i call an experience. I didn't feel that way at all on the new fake IMAX. I could be ok with it if they only charged an extra $2 max for this new IMAX, but until they drop their prices, me and my friends are boycotting these screens. I work at a company that deals with the projectors and what makes this all worse is that they aren't even IMAX projectors, they are 2 Christie projectors slapped in an IMAX box, so it's even more bullshit.
Not a stupid consumer
· 7 months ago
Of course, you are correct! It's just another example of people selling something to Americans and expecting us to be too stupid to know we've been ripped off. Thank you for bringing this to our attention and warning us of yet another scam. I completely support your point of view and your cause. The makers of these "fake" IMAX will stop when we call them on this and let them know we are NOT stupid. We know IMAX when we see it. We don't go to IMAX for the quality and sound, it's about the size of the screen and the overall effect. Yes, we do know that makers of this system, and we don't like it.
Fascinating
· 7 months ago
I have to say that the combination of this blog post and the attached comments here leave me somewhat mesmerized because so many people came so close to correctly clarifying and addressing this issue but none quite "got there".
First off, the analogies. Yes, the restaurant analogy is not correct as it was pointed out because it's not the same type of situation, namely because (again as it was already pointed out) the customer usually pays after the service rendered in a restaurant while here the customer pays before such services are rendered. But, abstractly speaking, I submit to you all that the restaurant analogy could still be useful if modified correctly to fit this scenario and perhaps, in doing so, it will be helpful to show how absurd the guest services's position was (i.e. "Guest Services: Well sir, you watched the whole movie, you could have come out and we could have "). What happened here, put simply, is that the customer pre-paid for a service. This is in itself unusual because typically payment happens after receiving a service. However, in these types of cases it is acceptable because the customer is willing to pay in advance because he does not expect unwarranted "surprises" while enjoying a service of which he knows the components. This is the key idea here...components. So, for example, let's say you go to a restaurant and you order a steak. The first question you should ask yourself... why order a steak instead of, say, a salad? The answer is simple. While looking at the menu you read what ingredients are contained in a steak and you also read what ingredients are contained in a salad, you compared them in your mind, and decided you prefer what the stake has to offer. In other words, you know in advance when you place your order that the stake is meat, what cut is it, if it comes with potatoes, and so on and so forth. What the people who generated and attacked the restaurant analogy conveniently (by design or because an honest mistake was made) forgot is that typically at the moment in which you place your order if the stake is not available they will inform you AND THEN offer alternatives, which by the way you are free to refuse (i.e. say something "Ok, then I need another minute to choose something else). I've never heard of any restaurant in the world that would bring you an hamburger when you ordered stake. However, this stake analogy doesn't quite cover what happened. Now consider this... You order your stake, and it is available. It takes them an hour to take the stake out (for which they profusely apologize) and when they do its not prepared correctly, the beverage at the table is cold and takes half an hour for a refill, and the waiter is un-attentive and rude. Even then, not everybody asks for a refund. What usually happens (and whit this you must agree) the customer when receiving the bill leaves a poor tip or no tip at all. In effect, the total price for the meal is REDUCED (hence the five dollars back). When this happens usually the restaurant owners/managers stop you at the door asking oh so quite politely "Was there something wrong with the service tonight?" And detailed explanations of why the tip was reduced are given, however they all amount to the same concept: the dining experience was not satisfactory. Alas, this is the key concept that equates the tragic epic lived by our friend Aziz. Yes, he did see the movie in its entirety and yes, he did experience a form of IMAX, but these are just components to a larger idea: The whole movie experience. Just as when you go to a restaurant you don't pay just for the "stake", you pay for the ambiance, the waiters, the commodity of not having to shop/cook yourself, when you go to a movie theater and you pay for IMAX you pay for the movie itself, the sound and video effects and yes, the big screen. The fatal difference is that in a restaurant you know exactly what you are paying for when the bill comes AFTER the meal. In this case you don't and therefore I see no problem in Aziz going to complain and trying to reduce what he owed for the incomplete services he got after he sampled them, just as ANY of you (and me) would. Furthermore, I believe almost everybody can relate here, there is nothing more irritating than having a movie experience ruined by some factor. Please raise your hand if you ever wanted to strangle the person who's cell-phone rang during a movie showing, or wondered very loudly in your head WHAT POSSIBLE REASON WOULD A MOTHER HAVE TO BRING THEIR INFANT CHILD TO A SHOWING OF SAW V ? The reduced screen size is an integral part of the product Aziz purchased and it affected Aziz's experience of the movie Star Trek.
Now, it has been said that because of the pre-paid arrangement that goes on in a movie theater if Aziz was smarter he should have researched that theater's IMAX capabilities and thus would have avoided any misunderstanding. Wrong I'm afraid. Once more go back to the stake. When you order a stake you presume that is made of cow meat. Suppose that, absurdly, in the menu of the restaurant there are no details. The entry simply states "Stake....20.00$". You feel like stake, you order it, it comes out...smells great. You put salt on it, maybe a little stake sauce. You can't wait to eat because you are hungry and really feel like a good stake. You take a bite and then ....oh no....something is wrong...it tastes weird. Why? Little did you know...that's a tofu stake! At this point you call the waiter...maybe get a little upset and you send it back. Already here I can feel some of you squirming to point out the following "See? You moron...you just punched a hole in your whole theory....you are basically saying that if he saw the screen was small he should have gotten out immediately and asked for a refund". Eheehe, yes I suppose you could be right but I urge you to go a little deeper.
Seeing a movie is different than eating a stake. Depending of what kind of interest you have in the movie there can be a lot of anticipation and expectation that become quite large factors in the equation. As Aziz pointed out....he really wanted to see Star Trek and so he did and he should have, since he was a paying customer. It is important to point out though that Aziz had nothing against the movie Star Trek, he disliked the screen size, and the two unfortunately are not distinguishable. It would be like you going to a restaurant, again order a stake, and again it being made out of tofu and say "This is unacceptable, I like the shape of the stake but not its consistency nor its taste, therefore I demand that you change each tofu molecule into cow meat molecule at once while preserving the stake's shape AT ONCE". Yes, he could have just exited the theater and gone somewhere else but again I feel this is unjustified. If a restaurant does not have what you want, you go to another restaurant. In this case, the theater didn't have what Aziz wanted and failed to warn him about this only when he took his seat in the auditorium (not even then, he had to figure it out by himself). It is not fair to assume that Aziz didn't set that specific time aside to see Star Trek and HE had to change his plans or lose anything in anyway especially considering that he pre-paid for a service that was guaranteed to him at the moment the movie theater accepted his payment.
And this brings us to the AMC/IMAX issue. One of you said "the goal of a business is to give out a good product" or something to that effect. WRONG. BUSINESS101, first lesson. The main goal of the business is TO MAKE MONEY. And this is true for ANY business. ANY time you pay for something their goal is ALWAYS to make money. Think of universities. You think their goal is to well educated you? No... as raising tuition rates prove, their goal is to make money. Thus one is hardly surprised that AMC/IMAX are trying to rip us off. Because (and now i'm looking at you, fierce IMAX defender) that is exactly what they are trying to do. If I were you, I would try to wikipedia something other than IMAX history. Maybe try "The United States of America Constitution". It is very clear about mislabeling... because this country is built on labels. Think about it for a second. There are warning labels all over the place: "This show's contents may not be suitable for children" or "smoking may kill you" or whatever...take your pick. Now remember what happened to that infamous old lady that burned herself with the coffee at McDonald's? That whole incident yielded her with reason and an enormous settlement, and us with yet another label "CAUTION- contents may be hot". All companies do it all the time. Think about Coca-Cola. What would happen if to push their sales of say, vanilla coke, they started to label vanilla cokes as coca-cola classics? Can you imagine? I believe you can and that is PRECISELY why they don't do it! They don't want to lose money over lawsuits. I urge you oh IMAX defender to indeed warn the lawyers of your company because although it is true that IMAX has not explicitly mis-labeled their digital IMAX technology they indeed IMPLICITLY mis-labeled them. I wager that in no court of law, at least in the US, a judge and jury would see that the word "digital" appended to the word IMAX could ever be considered to indicate "digital=smaller screen than our original technology" When people think new, they think better...not smaller.
Well, at least this is the issue as I see it....and the size of this comment should at least give a chance to all of you hole punchers and grammar checkers a huge amount to do for a long time, in which case let me say I'm happy to help you =).
One last note... the tweeter threat. Tweeter threat? How can anyone possibly perceive tweeter as a threat? It is amusing, picture this... dark alley, a woman walks through it...scared...cautiously...a figure comes from behind her "Your purse or I will tweeter you all over the internet!!!" AHAHAHAHAH
this deserves a big LOL
owbert
· 7 months ago
"Aziz: You know what Twitter is? I have 25,000 followers, I’m tell 25,000 people you run fake IMAX’s and that they should boycott AMC. "
bully much? or am i mistaken and this is how ppl use their star power?
scooby
· 7 months ago
What? Telling some immovable employee/assistant manager, etc. that you'll contact his district manager,home office, etc. is one of the best tools to get them to move their asses. Using a Twitter threat is no different.
These guys have the power to give you a refund/coupon, whatever. But first, they want to joust with you. I worked in that kind of position for years and I would never just give up the refunds right off. You give as little as you think you can get away with because you can't be giivng certificates to every complainer, and some complaints are utter bullshit.
Still, if they had any validity to their complaint and they brought the home office or the district manager into the argument, I had to really think about whether it was worth it. In most cases, I'd give them their fucking refund and put an end to it. I use this information now when I'm in a tug of war with some reluctant manager who is just trying to win a power battle with me. You need to find a threat that will work.
Based on the thousands who've seen this post, claiming to Twitter your conflict IS a significant threat.
Also - bully? Why is Aziz the bully in this scenario? He had a legitimate complaint. Maybe the manager was the bully. Your "little guy versus spoiled whiny star" argument is crap. Since when are theater managers on the level of emotionally fragile little girls?
owbert
· 7 months ago
p/s.: i will be boycotting amc and any other theaters with "fake" imax, but... i will call a spade a spade, and you were being an arse about the whole thing with working joes.
Justin
· 7 months ago
Just saw it last night. Calling this IMAX is crap! It completely misleads people that have seen a "real" IMAX.
Erik Blood
· 7 months ago
I love you Aziz. Reposting this immediately.
xo
E
Corinne
· 7 months ago
Really hey should call th fake IMAx something different. MY friend and I almost went to see Star Trek at an "imax" AMC theater but figured out by the height of the building that something was wrong. That is ridiculous. I don't pay for better sound quality I pay for being SURROUNDED by the film, that means a big ass screen for you corporate idiots who can't do the math. Sound is not worth 1.5 times the price.
Gene
· 7 months ago
I was duped this weekend, at least my friend bought the tickets. First thing I thought when I walked in was that I was in the wrong theater.
Plus the fucking picture froze for a good 2-3mins roughly halfway through.
Also, Fandango is a waste of fucking money unless you think a show will be sold out and are too lazy or busy to show up early. The debit card didn't work so we waited in line anyway, they took one scan of the card and handed the tix over so why the fuck doesn't the kiosk work?
Epic fail IMAX.
Epic fail Fandango.
And Jesus H. Montgomery Christ there's a lot of all-caps mouthbreathing fucktards that commented on this post. What got them so hot and bothered about this subject? Usually they only freak out this bad if Larry the Cable Guy cancels a show.
Vince
· 7 months ago
So when's the debate going down? If the internets can save chuck, we should be able to spark a groundswell...
I'll be sure to double check my local listing before i'm duped!
Jen
· 7 months ago
Aziz, these guys are all nerds. Get your act back to NY where you're appreciated.
Royston Lodge
· 7 months ago
Cineplex-Odeon in Canada is committing the same crime. What really gets my goat is that they're pulling this shit in cities that ALSO have a real IMAX theatre, so it's really easy to make the comparison.
I saw Star Trek at the Cineplex-Odeon theatre in Ottawa, Ontario. Just a few kilometres away is the real IMAX theatre at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. THERE IS NO COMPARISON.
Tracy
· 7 months ago
There's a new theatre in Seattle about to open. We've been promised an IMAX screen. However, it's now being reported that this will also be one of the small "fake IMAX" screens. This is sad. But thanks for saving me the extra $5!!
renee Nick
· 7 months ago
i love it
Wahoo D
· 7 months ago
I'm a fairly well-educated person and savvy consumer. Until two weeks ago, at the premier of Star Trek at a Phoenix-area AMC/"Imax", I too thought that IMAX referred to a super-huge screen, and felt disappointed and duped when I did not get what I expected. I'm backin' Aziz on this.
ak
· 7 months ago
Hey...lets make a list of fake and real IMAXs here! :)
ak
· 7 months ago
Have seen batman here, huge screen!
101 4th St San Francisco The IMAX Theatre at Metreon's first for San Francisco and the largest 3D screen in the world. Metreon's IMAX Theatre features both 2-D and 3-D capabilities and boasts a huge 80' x 100' screen, seating 600 people in its 2-D configuration and 480 people for the 3-D configuration.
Stunts like this are among the many reasons some people say "piss off" and just bootleg the films now.
Cesar Eslava
· 7 months ago
I also went to see Star Trek on Imax at my local AMC I thought the screen should have been larger. It looked to me like 3 Stories when IMAX should be closer to 8 stories. It wasn't really a rip off since it only cost me about $3 extra then a normal screen. It was first showing maybe thats why it was less. Either way i was ripped off but to get to see that Movie on a larger then normal screen was a thrill. Seeing it at an actual IMAX level would have been 1000X better. Shame on IMAX for grabbing an extra buck by prostituting themselves to the highest bidder.
Esther
· 7 months ago
Boycott 'LIEMAX' if you want, but don't include other Regal and AMC theatres who have nothing to do with these conversions in it. Take your business to theatres with the large screens and show IMAX that that's where their money needs to be spent. If they see enough attendance at the actual large screen IMAX theatres, it will cause change.
I work at an IMAX theatre (with the standard size, 70 or so foot screen) and this bad press has been a burden, but for the sake of not only my theatre, but the theatres of others, boycott the thing you have a problem with, and leave out the other things that are only associated by name.
Kyle
· 7 months ago
Aziz, thanks for bringing this to my attention, this will definetely affect my future decisions regarding IMAX in the future.
Greg
· 7 months ago
I TOTALLY AGREE. Complete rip-off. I've seen 3 iMax movies before, all at the Museum of Science in Boston and all BLOWN_AWAY experiences. Then I saw Star Trek in Phoenix at an AMC. What a WASTE OF MY MONEY, WHAT A CHEAT!!!!.
I will never go to one of these McMax screens again. What a joke, Imax should be destroyed over this. Ditto AMC and every other presenter that goes along with the scam.
Who are these guys? Irish Travellers?
- Greg
Jarrell
· 7 months ago
more power to you. I got ripped off by AMC on Watchmen, and had the same argument with their managment, Ive made it a point to tell everyone not to waste their money for just SLIGHTLY better quality sound.
JY in Jax, FL
Chris C
· 7 months ago
Thanks to Mr. Ansari's HEAD's UP, I did not boycott but went to the only REAL one of two IMAX's in Los Angeles (Universal CityWalk). Paid freakin' $18 to see Star Trek there before it switched over to Ben Stiller's Museum thingie. (Had already seen it on a biggish screen at a press-screening at the Arclight Hwood). The sound was amazing! The HUGE screen was worth it. Hadn't been to an IMAX film in many years.
However, something as little as two punk-ass latecomers who not only came in late, but sat right next to me, proceeded to talk amongst themselves and pour some cheap liquor into their movie soda (ya think we can't smell that crap?) Some dumb (really dumb) looking white guy and his spoiled Asian girlfriend almost ruined my expensive IMAX outing? Could tell how DUMB he was when he blurted out, "Oh, it's Christian Slater!" when Nero came onscreen and spoke? And he kept reading the back of his parking ticket for no apparent reason during most of the 1st part of them film? If this describes you and your stupid girlfriend, you should either die or at least never go to a publicly shown film ever again!
Stupid!
But, YES, beware of the IMAX / AMC faker ripoffs!
Thanks, Aziz, for your warning and rants!
--Chris C in L.A.
Dan Persons
· 7 months ago
Both Lincoln Square and the Empire 25 are in NYC (Lincoln Square is supposed to be the largest IMAX screen in the US, if not the world -- you don't know the word inadequacy until you've seen Dr. Manhattan on that screen). When I saw the IMAX logo at the Empire, I was left wondering how they managed it without tearing out the side of the building, since I know it wasn't built to accomodate the format.
Now I know. You have performed a noble service, and saved me from blowing five bucks on a pointless exercise. If I wore a hat, it'd be off to you.
PRD75
· 7 months ago
Don't be fooled by the comedic tone of Aziz's post. What he said about the quality of those revamped AMC theaters to accomodate IMAX is absolutely true. I had the same experience at the AMC Santa Anita 16 "IMAX", which is really a mini IMAX, when I went to see The Day Earth Stood Still. Does anybody remember that aquarium footage they always play before the feature? Well that was the only IMAX action I got that night. When the film quality of a promo is far greater than the feature's you paid $17 for, you know you got robbed. I work with DI files in post production. For those who don't know what those are, in very short, these are high resolution frame by frame scans coming straight from a film camera. So quality is my middle name. I've seen enough IMAX remastered movies before to do a comparison (emphasis on remastered and not "shot in IMAX" which is of greater quality of course). Never before was I so disappointed and felt robbed like I was by AMC and their new revamped for IMAX rooms. What really happened is that they just blew up the regular 1.85 print on a bigger than usual but not as big as IMAX screen and hoped nobody would notice. So lesson learned: if you want real IMAX experience go see it at a theater that was specifically built for IMAX not "modified" for IMAX. Films remastered in IMAX are just that, remastered but not "shot with a specific camera". So shame on you AMC/Regal/IMAX if you are marketing "THE" IMAX experience then deliver it. Otherwise people will go to these pseudo theaters thinking "what the heck is the big deal about a $17 IMAX movie when it's no better than the BluRay disc I got at home for the same price or less?"
popeye
· 7 months ago
Watched Indianna Jones 4 at Imax Kuala Lumpur. Screens size = 21m x29m The screen size was great but was dissapointed by the image quality. It was like an enlarged 35mm frame. Meaning a soft image. Was it really a remastered film or merely enlarged unto Imax stock? I'd stick to smaller, sharper screens any day (and cheaper too)
RTB
· 7 months ago
IMAX experience is not IMAX and to not distinguish them clearly and charge the same amount, no matter how Aziz acted, is ludicrous. I will never go back to an AMC or Regal IMAX Experience movie again. From now on, the only IMAX that is getting my business is the one in Lincoln Square.
Bob
· 7 months ago
you do realize the one at lincold square is an amc
Marilyn
· 7 months ago
I have to say, for those of you who say ppl just need to do their homework, the imax website is itself very unclear. There's no list of the different kinds of theaters, just a glitchy map widget that really tells me nothing (the results say there are only IMAX digital in the vicinity of los angeles - that isn't accurate). Aziz is right - and IMAX is DELIBERATELY trying to confuse its "branding" by not branding. I saw Star Trek yesterday at the ArcLight Dome in Hollywood - and that was disappointing, too. I thought the screen would be way bigger, and it's a DOME, so of course I thought it was that rounded IMAX theater I remember. The seating was at basically the same gradient as any other theater. Thanks to Aziz for writing this and responding to some of the ridiculous IMAX apologists in the comments.
Kim R
· 7 months ago
I just posted this to crunchgear.com: "I live in MD. The only large screen IMAX we have is at the MD Science Center. For whatever reason, the geniuses over there refuse to show most mainstream movies like Star Trek or Night at the Museum. The next closest large screen IMAXes are at the Air and Space Museums in DC and Chantilly, VA. I was shopping at Columbia Mall and saw an IMAX sign. I was SO excited that i wouldn’t have to drive to Northern VA to see a movie in IMAX form. I started looking around the Net about that theater. That’s when i found out that it’s Fake-Azz IMAX. Small screen with all of this upgraded technology. That’s not what i’m interested in..i want the GIGANTIC screen ! THAT’S REAL IMAX !! I’m SO glad i checked on the information before i went to the movie expecting the real IMAX but finding the fake one ! The staff at that theater is glad too; they just don’t know it. I would’ve pitched the boogie-woogie if i’d paid IMAX money for some fake-azz, so-called IMAX-small-screened ish. The IMAX people ought to be ashamed of themselves for playing us the way they have, and frankly, i’m not interested in giving my money to a company who has so much disresepct for its customers..."
Aziz..dude, i THANK you for pitching the boogie-woogie about this all over the Net ! I was incredibly pissedI've known since a little after Christmas about the Columbia, MD location. off when i first read the info on the Columbia, MD location. Here i was, thinking i wouldn't have to drive through the horrible DC/Northern VA traffic from Baltimore, only to find out that it wasn't a real IMAX. I understand that it's not really about the money; it's about the principle. Luckily, it seems you have large-screen theaters in your area other than the fake-azzed IMAX you went to. Had it been me, i would've gone straight to management as soon as i realized the screen was small. Shoot honey, you could've seen "Star Trek" somewhere else. It wasn't going to go away that same day ! Had they tried to tell me that it was a real IMAX, i would've very loudly cussed them out. That way, any customers who were coming in would've known that they were not going into a real IMAX. I would've encouraged those people to go elsewhere to see the movie. They'd have given me the money just to shut me up and stop them from losing business. Shoot..by the time i would've been done, we mighta ALL been on CNN that night, LOL ! Like i said..thanks, man. I'm happy that the dirt on IMAX is out.
Marcus
· 7 months ago
Earlier this year, I saw the Batman movie at the Burbank "IMAX". Yes, I did expect a larger screen, but never having seen an IMAX presentation, I stayed. I did enjoy the movie, but in light of your expose, I now feel ripped off. Five dollars to me is (of this writing) 2 expensive gallons of gas. IMAX, AMC, until they have truth in advertising, I will boycott them. Marcus
Scott
· 7 months ago
I'm not near as upset as the blogger here is but IMAX is tarnishing their name for a few quick bucks here. They've built up their name on the real experience. Anyone that's seen anything in a true IMAX theatre, including myself, were blown away. Shame they have to toss all that out the window. I won't be seeing another movie in a fake IMAX theatre and now I'm suspicious of anything claiming to be IMAX.
petZ
· 6 months ago
so you want a refund and are over unfriendly to the manager? I also would be pissed, I'd also want a partly refund, but sheesh if you really acted like that you can be happy that you even got anything back. friendlynes goes first. Be friendly to someone who you expect service from, and he will more likely be generous
this story really is something for notalwaysright.com .. you could have asked before hand how big the screen is
this is what I will be doing, because I really doubt our "new" IMAX cinema had somewhere the place for such a huge Screen after the original IMAX theater had been teared down.
they already charged 5 bucks more fore digital films, and if thats the same, I do not have the feeling its worth for me. (I will spark this money for Transformers 2 and Terminator 4 ... no matter what )
aziz
· 6 months ago
I was totally friendly with the manager. He was laughing and joking with us and then gave us passes. Looks like YOU need to login to notalwaysright.com.
Haze
· 6 months ago
How am i supposed to know that i need to ask how big the screen is if i have never heard of the Liemax screen before Aziz pointed it out. I always thought that IMAX screen is the big screen because the IMAX screen near where i live is the big screen. what if i go to a different IMAX and get the liemax screen. I would feel ripped off too. It's like going to a burger place that you always go to, but instead of getting a 1lb cheese burger that you usually get, you get a 1/2 lb with the same name.
Kd
· 6 months ago
Thank you for the enlightenment!
Michael Taylor
· 6 months ago
I saw The Dark Knight on a Liemax screen and an IMAX screen. The difference is absurd; the first one was nothing special, the second one is amazing. Their marketing campaign is incredibly fucked up. Keep fighting Aziz!
awt
· 6 months ago
It's pretty obvious when you first walk into to one of the AMC IMAX theaters that's it not a full size IMAX screen. No one forced you to sit there. AMC would have had no problem giving you your money back before the movie started.
The IMAX experience at the two AMC theaters near me is much, much better than any of the 100+ screens in the DC area. The screen is larger. the picture is better with the digital DLP projector and it sounds much better. Now while it's not a full size IMAX screen it is noticeably larger than the other screens. It's made me look forward to seeing a movie in the theater again. That is the only place I will see a movie now if it's available in IMAX.
Now there are a couple of full size IMAX theaters in my area, but I'm not about to drive over an hour, sitting in traffic to get there. Not when two AMC IMAX theaters are 5 mins and 20 minutes away. I will gladly continue to pay the extra $3($4 for a 3D presentation) over seeing the pictures in the other theaters which have small screens, use film projectors and sound like crap. I wish they would turn more of their existing screens into the "IMAX Lite" theaters. It's well worth it and they will continue to get my money.
aziz
· 6 months ago
1 - Its not pretty obvious. How have hundreds and hundreds of others agreed and felt duped like I did?
2 - My point is not that there is anything wrong of no value with the IMAX Lite as you dub it, just that they should CALL it somethign like that so people know.
awt
· 6 months ago
Your example at the top shows it. if a person cannot tell the difference between those two sizes than they are blind. I first saw an IMAX presentation in the mid 70's. It's very easy to tell the size difference. I'm Happy that the screen is larger than the previous largest screens at my local AMC theaters. That coupled with digital projection and a much better sound system make it worth it to me. For the past 15 years, my girlfriend and I have seen between 20 and 40 movies each year at the movie theaters. These new IMAX(lite) theaters at my local AMC theaters is easily better.
BiffWebster
· 5 months ago
I'm with you on this totally. What Aziz did is basically like going to a nice restaurant, eating a gourmet steak, and then complaining at the end of the meal that the steak wasn't big enough and that he didn't want to pay for it. Such foolishness. And Aziz, your credibility would have increased by leaps and bounds if you refrained from so much pointless profanity in your blog. Thanks for your time.
Matthew Snodgrass
· 6 months ago
Okay, that's freaky. I'm from the east coast. I was in Burbank on the 11th on business. In the afternoon, I went to see Star Trek in your theater (non-IMAX). Half way through, I had to take a leak so badly that I had to go in the middle of old-Spock's explanation of the planet exploding. At the end, I snuck into the IMAX screening and happened to walk in right at the same part I missed. First thing I thought when I walked in was, "This screen doesn't look like an IMAX screen. I've been to the one in Lincoln Square, NYC."
Maybe I sat right next to you?
BiffWebster
· 5 months ago
I love how there are so few honest people left in this world so much that a person has no problem stating that they snuck in.
Will Garzon
· 6 months ago
Good Job!!! The real IMAX screens only show a typical "scientist" recreate some lame ass problem/mystery in a different "ecosystem" in about 45-50 minutes...these are lame movies that are suppose to "inspire young minds." Give me The Dark Knight or Star Trek on those screens and now we are talking!! Theater movies show IMAX movies about as much as the History channel shows stuff about Hitler or WWII
Angry in Woodland Hills
· 6 months ago
To paraphrase "Network," you have articulated the popular rage, my friend. The AMC Faux IMAX @ Century City is little better than one of those poop screens at the Beverly Center. After taking my two nieces to see "Monsters vs. Aliens" in 3D Fake-Max there I wanted to make AMC feel my anguish by assaulting them with the dull edge of my Movie Watcher card, but cooler heads prevailed. For now.
Disgusted Movie Lover
· 6 months ago
I was going to describe how I came to learn of the allegedly IMAX screen at 42nd Street Times Square in NY and how I would not go until I re
All Comments
On a side note, when are you coming to Denver? Come do a show. I work at a brewery and will give you free beer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, next… "Digital IMAX".
1. Almost every movie in this modern age are shot in digital with digital effects cameras.
2. IMAX format is digital.
3. IMAX film is 70mm film stock moving at astonishing rate.
4. Digital projection or projectors are completely different than digital film.
5. IMAX pricing-it simply cost more to make a separate print and sound, that's why it cost more. most people don't realize the risk of a flop, or the money loss.
6. Here's one for all you smart people… IMAX is a Canadian based company!
7. The price of the IMAX tickets, actually all tickets, have many factors. Price increases are due to loss at the box office, whether it's because of refunds, sneak-ins, movie hopping or any other reason. I think it's sad when parents ALLOW their children to steal and teach them to LIE! That's what's happening when you defend your child for the ILLEGAL actions they just did.
8. If you pull up to an "IMAX" theater, and there is no section of the building that stands a lot bigger, then there's a good chance that that "IMAX" is the smaller one…DUH.
9. Change the thinking, don't go to the theater thinking you're going to be disappointed. If you do, you will.
10. Lastly, educate yourself before commenting on somthing you have no idea about…funny guy or not… you just sound STUPID!
So, to end this comment, I say… No matter what someone "FAMOUS" may say, sometimes they are given knowledge "credit" because they are "famous" instead of the actual accredidation of their words. No wonder some comedians are never taken serious in life, these kind of rant and blogs just make you sound STUPID!
krzzykorean on May 17, 2009
It is very easy to go around calling other people stupid, but smart people don't do it. They don't need to prove their intelligence by picking out the shortcomings of others. I don't think that not being aware means you are stupid, it just means you don't know. There is a huge difference. Especially when there is nothing indicating you are missing something in the first place. The only stupid people are those who know things but choose to ignore them.
Are you high?
Stupid is as...ah you know the movie.
Grow up and face reality. You are the problem
with this situation and economy, you slobbering
Pavlovian dog.
Marcus
Are you nuts? What your defense for IMAX equates to is an automaker selling a Jaguar, and then when things get going really well in sales, substituting a Jetta. Yeah, it'll get you from point a to point b, and it has the same service schedule, and you can get leather seats in both, but they are NOT the same...which is why you will pay thousands upon thousands more for a jaguar.
Maybe you should marry IMAX...hee hee. I would've been pissed too, if I couldn't tell the difference between movies and spent five dollars a ticket more. The price of tickets now is outrageous enough that I have to PLAN which movie I might see, because a night at the movies costs me upwards of fifty dollars.
I don't think anyone would quit going to AMC just because someone famous told them too. Aziz did not just use his status to get his way. He specifically backed up his argument with facts. Also, many people have been disappointed by this new IMAX and it is false advertising for them not to have warned people that they should not expect the IMAX they are used to. So it makes perfect sense that people are upset. What does not make sense, however, is how some moron like you, wastes your time sounding like an arrogant prick because (I'm assuming) you have no life. If you did have a life, you would realize that this is just someone venting about a theater experience that was far less than satisfactory and you should just go on with your day. People like you make me sick. If you don't like what you read keep it to yourself. Otherwise you are just an arrogant douche bag with nothing to fulfill you so you spend time spouting off your ignorance at people who don't really want to hear it. Good for you.
1. Almost every movie in this modern age are shot in digital with digital effects cameras.
WRONG, the percentage of film shot digitally (feature films) is absymally low
2. IMAX format is digital.
GREAT
3. IMAX film is 70mm film stock moving at astonishing rate.
did you just say that?? then what is the previous comment at 2 .
Make up your mind is it digital or film stock??
4. Digital projection or projectors are completely different than digital film.
yes,we know that,
we also know
-dvd are different from DVD players
-VHS are different from VCR
-BD are different from BD players
did you just realise the stupidity of your comment #4
Point is not about being famous or not ,it is all about feeling cheated.
and moreover somebody using his status to point out a scam/cheat, what's wrong in that.It makes sense
"1. Almost every movie in this modern age are shot in digital with digital effects cameras." - IMAX films are not shot with digital cameras, they use 15/70mm film specifically for the detail available in the film as opposed to digital.
"2. IMAX format is digital." - no it isn't, IMAX format refers to the image dimensions, i.e. a squarer image compared to that of what most films are shot in, letterbox or the like. The fact that IMAX is starting to use digital does not mean that IMAX format means digital. Something to think about, the Sydney IMAX in Australia (the largest flat screen IMAX, roughly 30mx36m) can't upgrade to digital for some time because digital projection is still too crap to deliver a half decent image to a screen that size.
Hope that clears up some things
WRONG, WRONG, WRONG YOU DUMB JACKASS!!!
your comment makes you sound even stupider because you are defending the way corporations get away with false advertising which essentially STEALING FROM THE PUBLIC, RAPING OUR POCKETBOOKS, for their own greedy pockets. No, not like children who because the movie maybe sucked or the screen wasnt IMAX big like the title suggests it will be, and they movie-hop after they paid to get in because the movie was boring, the two dont even compare you ignorant Korean.
record the movie and then sell it for your $5.
justice served.
Every single one of you will at some point be screwed over. How do you think you are going to feel? Wouldn't you be angry? Wouldn't you want to tell people about it? I bet you would be pissed if the people you told called you a loser and to get a life cupcake.
Okay so perhaps he could have left and gone somewhere else, but I doubt many people would actually leave part way into a movie they really wanted to see. Not getting up and leaving at the beginning doesn't prohibit the man from making a complaint.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, maybe he could have dealt with this differently, by email maybe, or have just gone ahead and trashed the company name on Twitter. Web based material has been known to change peoples perceptions based on what they have read online. I am not certain people care so much when it comes to cinemas though. Surely you go to the one that is showing what you want to see and is close enough to get to. But not everybody is the same and not everybody deals with being screwed over in the same way. He is right that this is about a principle. Just because it seems minor to some, doesn't make it less important to him.
A very quick bit of research on the web (which is quite useful for finding stuff out when you aren't slagging people off) shows that Aziz is actually right about the size, although it can apparently vary. The original point of IMAX was to dramatically increase the resolution of the image by using a much larger film frame, so he has asked actually for a reasonable refund.
For the record I wouldn't have threatened the manager of a cinema with bad publicity. He has no real buy in to the companies future at the end of the day and so doesn't really care. If the twitter thing needed to be said (and I am not certain it did) it would have been of more interest to the company itself.
Personally, if I felt so strongly about this, I would give the negative publicity anyway and then make a complaint to the people who really care, enclosing a link to the negative publicity and including the fact that their manager is telling customers that he doesn't care about them.
http://bit.ly/liemaxpetition
Please sign and reblog/retweet/rewhatever!
Thanks!
I say: He DIDN’T JUST COMPLAIN….he THREATENED…AND he asked for his MONEY back after WATCHING THE ENTIRE MOVIE!!! Hello!!!! Just try to go to a restaurant, EAT ALL THE FOOD and THEN say I want my money back because the food was terrible. Noone would do that because most people don’t have shit for brains like Mr. Moron here.
This clown should shut the fuck up, go back to his lame comedy and stop polluting the Internet with his ignorance.
For crissakes dude….talented comedians become famous utilizing their talents. Is this the only way you can gain notoriety…by being the biggest fucking tool in the U.S.A.???
The threat was a joke. Read and then write.
BUT.....you folks apparently would YELL at the cashier and threaten them "I've got 25,000 twitter followers and I'm going to TELL THEM ALL YOU DIDN'T GIVE ME MY SHAKE!!!!!!!"
And of course...since you DIDN'T DRINK THE SHAKE you wouldn't have to pay for it like you would have to PAY for a movie that you watched in it's ENTIRETY.
So please, Mr/Mrs Fuckwad, get a workable analogy before you write. OK?
And as for the Mr/Mrs Fuckwad comment. First off there is no reason for being a complete jerk. Second off your inability to understand to what most consider a fairly simple analogy is not his fault.
How about you show at least the mental capacity of a second grader before you write, OK?
To the parent post, congrats. Americans should stop being such pussys. Its because we dont have a backbone that people and corperations think they can do the shit they do. Everything from Imax/not Imax all the way to Torture/Not torture.
You still have an issue with reading. Aziz never said anything to the cashier about twitter, he said something to the manager about twitter. Your point that yelling people shouldn't gain you a lot of empathy is still valid, although it loses some value coming from someone so fond of caps lock and calling me fuckwad.
Apples and oranges. :-)
No offense intended Bah...'fuckwads" is a term of endearment and I do love you.
Just because somebody else doesn't have the intellectual capacity to compose an analogy you can't shoot holes in (come on, it's always easy to shoot holes in somebody else's analogies) doesn't make their underlying point invalid, nor does it give you the right to go off on an irrelevant rant that you would never say to somebody like that in person... unless, of course, you're the kind of guy who spends all his spare time in fist fights.
I would be mad too.....paid extra $5 for nothing. Aziz is in the RIGHT!
i'm creeped out by you bryanzilla.
yuck.
IMAX (short for Image MAXimum) is a motion picture film format and projection standard created by Canada's IMAX Corporation. The traditional version of IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems. A standard IMAX screen is 22 metres (72 ft) wide and 16.1 metres (53 ft) high, but can vary.
NOTHING states that there is a 'regulation' to the type of screen, if you read up on it, what makes IMAX an IMAX is the film that is used. The larger screens are fashioned to show off the higher resolutions, but there is no IMAX standard of a screen size. Because you got lucky with a place with a huge screen doesn't mean every IMAX showing will be the same, or near the same. I frequent Cape Canaveral's IMAX which towers the theater, going to any other IMAX viewing I wouldn't expect something of that calibur. Perhaps a phone call, "hey how big is your IMAX screen?" could have prevented your degenerate self from looking like a tool in public.
i'm creeped out by you also EZB.
yuck.
As for the OP? That all-caps rant about AMC and Regal can get this thread taken down if their lawyers ever see it.
That Imax guy is a douche, as is Bryanzilla.
I think you are ridiculous for not seeing the point the guy is making and just jumping on some self defensive rant that really shows no understanding or thought process.
A digital version of IMAX started rolling out in 2008. The new system is a projection standard only; there are no digital IMAX cameras.
Digital IMAX systems can show either normal or 3D content in DCI or IMAX digital format (which in itself is a superset of DCI). Being a digital system alleviates the need for the use of bulky film reels and facilitate inexpensive distribution of IMAX features, the more compact nature of digital equipment means the system can fit inside a normal multiplex cinema complex rather than the specialised buildings IMAX normally requires.
Despite those advantages, one big disadvantage is the resolution of the picture is much lower than normal IMAX. The screens used by digital IMAX installations are also much smaller (28x58 feet) than those found in traditional IMAX cinemas. Despite these facts, the digital installations are marketed simply as IMAX, drawing no distinction to the traditional 15/70 IMAX – much to the dismay of 15/70 IMAX cinema owners.[5]
Deals have already been signed with Hollywood studios for IMAX 3D features, such as "Shrek Goes Fourth 3D".[6]
IMAX digital currently uses two 2K-resolution Christie projectors with Texas Instruments Digital Light Processing technology alongside parts of IMAX's proprietary system. The two 2K images are projected over each other, producing an image that is potentially of a slightly higher resolution than common 2K digital cinema. Originally, IMAX had been considering using two Sony 4K projectors.[7]
IMAX recently signed a deal with AMC to start utilizing this new technology beginning July 2008[8] in the US. In December 2008 two digital screens were opened inside Odeon Cinemas in the UK[9] and three inside Hoyts Cinemas in Australia with a fourth to follow later in 2009[10].
Now YOU go fuck yourself.
Wikipedia isn't a sin. The guy just educated every dickbag that bothered to read his post.
No it is not, it is for fools.
As for looking like an idiot, that's your point of view. I've experienced viewings at IMAX facilities in Memphis, Nashville, Huntsville, and tallahassee, and with that experience comes expectations about what "The IMAX Experience" actually is.
Imax is a large specialized 70mm film format being displayed on either a 70ft high specially curved screen or dome with a high powered sound system and extremely bright and clear visuals.
IMAX Digital is not the same as the Famed IMAX format.That's the point I'm making.
The quality is lower, the resolution is lower, and to me, its nothing more than something like the giant-screen theaters that have popped up here and there, and those theaters used 50ft screens with 35mm projectors, which is murder on the eyes, because you are using the same type projector and bulb system to blow an image up more than double its size.
AMC is at fault here as much as IMAX, because they aren't being specific about what IMAX system they are using, and IMAX is at fault because they are allowing AMC to delude customers into thinking they are getting a traditional IMAX experience when in fact, they aren't.
Btw holding down that damn shift key every time I type "IMAX" is starting to get fucking annoying.
1) Why are you bothering to defend these companies? That's just stupid. Do you sweep popcorn for them or something?
2) He's probably getting more followers after this. Why would the "twitter guys" (who they are, I don't know) care what he's doing? Most of his followers are here... so... maybe don't argue that.
3) You sound like a disgusting person. I know that doesn't have anything to do wih anything, but the way you speak makes me want to vomit. Here's some hints: Punctuation is your friend, use it (emphasis on using it) appropriately. For example, "get it dummy" should have a question mark. Now, I know, The fact you didn't graduate from middle school makes this difficult, but you should know people judge you on such things. Oh, and an ellipse has 3 periods "..." not "......" - that looks silly, yes? Maybe proof-read what you write? Or just... I dunno... don't talk?
"been around BEFORE HE WAS BORN...They are so well respected in the theater community and make movie companies a lotta dough"
Those three reasons are perfect justifications not to cry bullshit over blatantly false advertising by IMAX. You must be a share holder in the company.
It's also not IMAX which is traditionally 70mm film... it's "digital IMAX"
The experience at the Regal IMAX place I went to a few weeks ago was certainly a step above a typical theater - I have no complaints.
AMC also has an announcer talk over the end credits of IMAX movies directing people to their exits. UNACCEPTABLE. I respect the artists who work on films and don't appreciate someone interrupting their credits as they scroll.
Not cool.
Anyhow...
As for the article, hell yes he should have gotten his 5 bucks back at the very least! I hadn't heard about the whole wannabe IMAX thing until now - I don't go to many movies - but if I was psyched for the IMAX experience (and yes where I live we do have a real IMAX theater) and got what he did, I'd be pissed off too and ask for a full refund because it IS NOT IMAX, just some cheap imitation. Sure you say to do some research but if someone is like me and not really keepingup with the whole thing and I go to the theater expecting IMAX and getting a pale imitation... And as for looking at the building you can't really go by that - there could be more below the ground ya know... that is actually how the IMAX theater in my area is set up - they renovated part of an old building and dug down below the ground level to be able to incorporate the IMAX theater... from the front of the building you cannot tell there is a true IMAX theater in it.
Seriously?
This is a retarded crusade. You fail at life.
The fact of the matter is you saw a movie that was LEGALLY branded a certain way. No one is to blame but you. IMAX theater 'popped' up all over the place rather quick, and you didn't think to check to see if they were 'legit' or not.
The other side of this argument is..
I have been to several IMAX theaters across the south, and no 2 of them were the same. How do you expect a theaher to conform to a standard that is nonexistent.
You don't know what you're talking about.
I know there hasn't been a Hollywood movie shot for IMAX, that's the whole point. Why would you pay for the IMAX experience, when you aren't getting it it?
It can vary a little bit, but to go from 72 ft to 58 ft is a little more variance than usual.
when i think IMAX, i think HUGE. research done.
if there was a different size screen in the theater im getting ready to purchase a ticlet at, they should have a posted notice.
they do it for the people that dont like shaky camera scenes-- why not for people who dont feel like being misled ??
Red Herring anyone?
A digital version of IMAX started rolling out in 2008. The new system is a projection standard only; there are no digital IMAX cameras.
Digital IMAX systems can show either normal or 3D content in DCI or IMAX digital format (which in itself is a superset of DCI). Being a digital system alleviates the need for the use of bulky film reels and facilitate inexpensive distribution of IMAX features, the more compact nature of digital equipment means the system can fit inside a normal multiplex cinema complex rather than the specialised buildings IMAX normally requires.
Despite those advantages, one big disadvantage is the resolution of the picture is much lower than normal IMAX. The screens used by digital IMAX installations are also much smaller (28x58 feet) than those found in traditional IMAX cinemas. Despite these facts, the digital installations are marketed simply as IMAX, drawing no distinction to the traditional 15/70 IMAX – much to the dismay of 15/70 IMAX cinema owners.[5]
Deals have already been signed with Hollywood studios for IMAX 3D features, such as "Shrek Goes Fourth 3D".[6]
IMAX digital currently uses two 2K-resolution Christie projectors with Texas Instruments Digital Light Processing technology alongside parts of IMAX's proprietary system. The two 2K images are projected over each other, producing an image that is potentially of a slightly higher resolution than common 2K digital cinema. Originally, IMAX had been considering using two Sony 4K projectors.[7]
IMAX recently signed a deal with AMC to start utilizing this new technology beginning July 2008[8] in the US. In December 2008 two digital screens were opened inside Odeon Cinemas in the UK[9] and three inside Hoyts Cinemas in Australia with a fourth to follow later in 2009[10].
'Do you really think they're trying to take credit under their own name when they have no identity shown except for "The Truth"?' -- Saying "learn something and shut the fuck up" does not necessarily imply that whoever copied and pasted that wrote it themselves, but not citing the source while coming off as being on such a high horse does. A simple "taken from Wikipedia" or a link to the IMAX page would have sufficed.
"What's the point in rewriting paragraphs of information when the wikipedia page states it perfectly?" -- That's exactly the attitude towards information on the internet that makes plagiarism so rampant across universities in this country; I feel sorry for you if that's truly how you think.
"The endnotes were left in because...drumroll please...the author DIDN'T CARE." -- Copying and pasting in no way whatsoever gives authorship to the post.
Here's an example of how a simple citation can give validation to any post:
Douche: a word to describe an individual who has shown themself to be very brainless in one way or another, thus comparing them to the cleansing product for vaginas,
Bag: a container or receptacle of leather, plastic, cloth, paper, etc., capable of being closed at the mouth; pouch.
-http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bag
Well well, looks like one definition has a definite source though both are correct; can you guess which one it is?
That's right! It was Douchebag! The source: you!
Coming to the defense of someone who copied and pasted Wikipedia to make themselves out to be better than another is inane. Now please, have a field day with your reply. I couldn't give a fuck what some anonymous asshole behind a computer screen thinks of me.
Fine, Here is the requested info.
"IMAX Digital
A digital version of IMAX started rolling out in 2008. The new system is a projection standard only; there are no digital IMAX cameras.
Digital IMAX systems can show either normal or 3D content in DCI or IMAX digital format (which in itself is a superset of DCI). Being a digital system alleviates the need for the use of bulky film reels and facilitate inexpensive distribution of IMAX features, the more compact nature of digital equipment means the system can fit inside a normal multiplex cinema complex rather than the specialised buildings IMAX normally requires.
Despite those advantages, one big disadvantage is the resolution of the picture is much lower than normal IMAX. The screens used by digital IMAX installations are also much smaller (28x58 feet) than those found in traditional IMAX cinemas. Despite these facts, the digital installations are marketed simply as IMAX, drawing no distinction to the traditional 15/70 IMAX – much to the dismay of 15/70 IMAX cinema owners.[5]
Deals have already been signed with Hollywood studios for IMAX 3D features, such as "Shrek Goes Fourth 3D".[6]
IMAX digital currently uses two 2K-resolution Christie projectors with Texas Instruments Digital Light Processing technology alongside parts of IMAX's proprietary system. The two 2K images are projected over each other, producing an image that is potentially of a slightly higher resolution than common 2K digital cinema. Originally, IMAX had been considering using two Sony 4K projectors.[7]
IMAX recently signed a deal with AMC to start utilizing this new technology beginning July 2008[8] in the US. In December 2008 two digital screens were opened inside Odeon Cinemas in the UK[9] and three inside Hoyts Cinemas in Australia with a fourth to follow later in 2009[10]."
-SOURCE WIKIPEDIA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMAX
Are you happy now?
Does this appease your Internet Blog integrity issues?
Are you masturbating furiously using your own waste because NOW oh my GOD NOW a source has been claimed!
You can sleep peacefully now, knowing that the internet is safe from copy and pasted comments!
Seriously? What kind of inane, juvenile response was that? I hope that really gets you somewhere in life.
Whatever. This argument is pointless. I've been writing final papers for a solid week now and am in full-on citation mode hahaha it's starting to get to me.
all the free time spent
leading to false fulfillment
could have been happy
Haikus can be fun
But sometimes they make no sense
Refrigerator
Using the same IMAX name for less and not disclosing the difference is clearly deceptive. That is a legit beef. If they want to sell that product, that's fine but you must discern the difference rather than just sell you a ticket and say bummer, you bought it. I'd be pissed if I was a 15/70 owner since they are clearly damaging the brand reputation by mixing indiscernable products to the consumer who will only have one reaction: the pic is smaller and while better res is cool, who cares?
IMAX AS IN EYE-MAXIMIZE! EVERY OTHER IMAX IS 72 FT HIGH, WHY WOULD I
ASSUME DIFFERENT! IDIOT IMAX APOLOGIST.
You watched the whole movie before complaining, forfeiting your refund. Get over it.
My actual point is this: Variations of the traditional IMAX format include IMAX Dome (using a tilted dome screen) which is sometimes called OmniMAX, IMAX 3D and IMAX Digital.
And since it was the IMAX Digital Experience, I'll also bring this up: The screens used by digital IMAX installations are also much smaller (28x58 feet) than those found in traditional IMAX cinemas.
that comment is lost on those out here not from the east coast...
i live in LA, moving from Tampa...
i've done the IMAX at MOSI and were i to go to the IMAX in Burbank i would expect the same experience being it carries the IMAX name...
dome theater and all...
i'd ask for a refund for the difference too...
this man has great point...
and i'm glad he has the balls to let people know about it instead of not saying anything and letting others get fucked...
like soooo many cowards do...
just saying
That is how IMAX themselves define the difference between them and standard theater you idot. Clearly you do not have an IQ over 30.
The problem is that they don't tell you what size it ISN'T!!! The problem is that IMAX has been established for about 20 years as what it WAS up until recently when they decided to put it on little screens because no one was going to the movies anymore. It was a 70 foot screen. I have been to IMAX theaters in many cities. Usually they are at tourist attractions or museums. They were all the same size or very close to it. You feel like you are hanging over the edge of the screen and virtually immersed in the film. I went to see Watchmen on the IMAX screen at a regular theater complex and was incredibly disappointed with the so-called "experience". It was nothing like the real thing. That is the point.
Read very carefully here - IMAX is on the verge of being hit with a class-action lawsuit here if they do not change the name of this BS. Precedent has already been set for such a class-action lawsuit by companies attempting to change a widely accepted branded product - and then offering an inferior product under the same branding -- this is going to be a home run for some attorney.
I can't stand you stupid show, and will make sure I boycott anything you appear in.
apologist Mr. "Not a fan"!
http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2009/05/08/vfx-en...
I get it. I'm with you. I live in Burbank and I didn't know AMC was screwing with people. FYI: over at Universal Citywalk, they have a real IMAX screen. Check it out.
You are totally right for asking to recieve your money back. I saw star trek in "fake IMAX" and was extremely disappointed by the small screen size in comparison to the IMAZ theatre experience in Irvine, CA. The screen in Irvine was soo big that I had to turn my head to watch the movie and thats what I enjoy, the feeling of actually being immersed in the movie. These theatres that are showing movies in "Fake IMAX" should be ashamed and should lower ticket prices substantially. I applaud you for voicing your opinion and hopefully others will back you.
Thanks,
Will
Companies like this need to know that they need to LISTEN to the CONSUMER, we are what keep them in business. We are the reason that senior-citizen CEO at IMAX can have a 20-something wife with fake tits.
Dude, you crack me up. You're the best part of parks and recreation...I'm following you on twitter now. haha.
Thank you for pointing this out. I won't waste my money again, that's for sure.
FALSE ADVERTISEMENT for sure!
When purchasing my Star Trek Imax tickets on Fandango.com for tonight, I noticed they charge a $2 convenience fee per ticket. Fandango usually only charges $1 convenience fee. So Fandango makes out like kings off the Imax screens as well. Fandango is doing no extra work for that extra $1, doubling their profit on Imax purchases. And it's not even a true Imax screen!
Haha hopefully I can still enjoy the movie tonight, without continually thinking about getting screwed with fees and the small screen..
I'm not sure if that's the same or worse than the IMAX/AMC thing. If it's true I'd like to hear Fandango's reasoning.
Man. That's some serious TicketMastering bullshit.
When I go to Fandango and pay for any normal showing there is only a $1 convenience fee, as I said. This becomes $2 per ticket with an Imax show. Maybe it's different in your area (I'm in Pittsburgh, you could be in a more expensive city). Or maybe you work for Fandango (or parent company Comcast) and are just trying to cover up their shenanigans? I wouldn't be surprised, considering how much attention Aziz's blog is getting.
(It starts at the bottom and goes up)
From: Randy Brashers [mailto:randy@bransonimax.com]
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 1:58 PM
To: Paul (Will's Boss)
Subject: FW: The IMAX experience.
Paul,
I would very much appreciate if you could let Will know we would rather he not contact anyone in our company in the future.
Randy Brashers - randy@bransonimax.com
Vice President of Administration & Operations
http://www.bransonimax.com/
Branson's IMAX Entertainment Complex
3562 Shepherd Of The Hills Expressway
Branson, MO 65616
417-335-3533
________________________________________
From: Jill Knox [mailto:jill@bransonimax.com]
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 10:25 AM
To: 'Randy Brashers'
Subject: FW: The IMAX experience.
Jill M. Gleason-Knox- jill@bransonimax.com
Vice President Advertising, Marketing & Sales
http://bransonimax.com/
Branson's IMAX Entertainment Complex
3562 Shepherd Of The Hills Expressway
Branson, MO 65616
417-335-3533, Ext 115
2007-2008 Chair, Student Youth Foundation
________________________________________
From: Will
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 4:38 PM
To: 'jill@bransonimax.com'
Cc:
Subject: The IMAX experience.
My wife and I purchased tickets online last week for The Dark Knight because we have heard nothing but "If you haven't seen it in IMAX then you haven't seen it"! Now I find out that your theatre isn't even capable of showing the movie the way it was intended? This if very disappointing to say the least. Do you have plans to upgrade your equipment anytime soon? I have been disappointed in the past about your inability to showcase movies properly, but this is ridiculous in the extreme.
I don't really want anything from anyone other than a theatre within driving distance of Springfield that is what it says it is. I will make certain all of my movie nerd buddies know that your IMAX experience is the equivalent of sitting really close to the tv, adding no depth or clarity.
Wow, I really can't believe I'm this worked up about this, but there you have it.
Feel free to pass this on to whichever 'tard is in charge.
Sincerely,
Will
CEO of IMAX is on Crack its like saying if I Rub One Out its the same as Having Sex with a Real Person. While the Out Cum (pun) is the same the experience is TOTALLY DIFFERENT!
If I were the manager I would have had you removed by security for causing a disruption.
yes, the manager sure was delighted that somebody put sooo much brain into argueing in a way like this
People like you are the reason that society is going straight to hell. Your opinion means nothing, your threats are empty and your logic (pardon the pun) fails.
Have a nice day, looser.
And if someone has 25,000 followers on Twitter, they are adored by many, are a celebrity, or have something great to say and share with the world.
You are the one who is the idiot.
Good day!
and if you call him a loser well then your logic (pardon my english) fails
because in reality Shaq makes more money than you, gets laid more than you, and definitely has more friends than you.
duh.
Also Human Giant, full of win.
YOU are wrong because you should have walked out before the movie even started if the money was really an issue. The money was not the issue; you were more interested in being a douchbag and attentionwhore.
Had you called them on it and asked for your money back then you would have had a compelling argument. Instead you just come across badly and sabotage your own point.
DYING TO SEE STAR TREK AND FINALLY HAD TIME YESTERDAY. SO I SHOULD
HAVE JUST LEFT AND GOTTEN FUCKED? NO. I SAW THE MOVIE AND ASKED FOR
THE MONEY BACK ONLY FOR THE RIPOFF IMAX ($5).
If you were that put off, you should have turned around & asked for a ticket to another showing in a "regular" theatre as soon as you saw the IMAX screen. But no, you sat through the whole movie and then asked--no, DEMANDED--a partial refund and acted like a spoiled, whiny, "do you know who I am??" douche.
Not to mention, you got 2 free passes to another movie, worth $20, and you're STILL complaining. Get over it and stop acting like a child.
Yes they shouldn't be labling it as IMAX I've gone to IMAX for years in town and I would assume that it's the big screen with the killer sound. But I also would have either complained after and not asked for my money back, or walked out before it started. You paid for your steak you ate it and then complained it wasn't enough when you had time before the ads were done to walk out say hey this isn't an imax can I have my 5 bucks back or I want a refund and I'll go to a non imax theater to see it.
Cry me a river that this is the time that you had set aside to see it you're still pulling a double standard.
http://tinyurl.com/qm88rl
http://destroyfakeimax.blogspot.com/
must be sad that this loser has so little in his life that he has to complain about this.
He's just bringing attention to the fact that the standards for IMAX are not what they used to be. Sure, it could have been done differently, but I think you're missing the point.
:)
nice out
http://www.twitter.com/mrmattself HOLLA
And the campany name is Santikos. There are
Only 2 IMAX theaters in San Antonio and I think
They're both Santikos.
screen is unacceptable.
Now the other stupid thing, what I don't get is the fact that they couldn't even give you 5 lousy dollars back?? I work at a restaurant and a liquor store, and I give money back ALL THE TIME. Bad wine??Here I'll give something in place of it or even your money back.. No big deal...Also the manager or the 1st person you talked to could've gave you an explanation right of way as well as the 5 dollars..Why waste time and b.s. over something that is more IMAX's fault then the $7.00 an hour worker?? Shit if it was me, I'd give you the fiver and proly the promo dvd as well....TAKE IT TO THE TOP,SON!!!!cya vkatnyte
In fact a studio might shoot a film for theatrical release but the distributor who buys it for a given territory (e.g. USA) might decide to release it straight to DVD instead.
Most studios contract with distributors such as Technicolor or Deluxe to create and physically distribute the prints (whether 35 or digital) that will go to the theaters. The studios have total control over who gets copies and for how long, based on negotiations with the theater management, and the theaters pay what amounts to a 'rental fee' based on how long the feature has been in release already.
What you seem to be thinking of is the Sundance/Cannes/Tribeca model, where independent filmmakers show their work in the hopes that someone with deeper pockets will like it enough to buy it and finance the distribution of the work to a wider audience. It still follows the same path though, with the financier in place of the studio. Certain groups and individuals have specialized in this process and been misnamed 'distributors', but they're really just financiers who are hoping to make a profit.
but its close
Very lame. Thanks for calling attention to this.
Aziz
10 minutes later:
Excuse me, these fries are were not big enough, i would like my 99 cents back.
Well just give us the fries back and we will gladly refund you the $.
Oh you ate all of them. OH!
Do you know what Twitter is?
out of here you IMAX apologist!!!
Aziz clearly has a very easy life, if he sees this as such a big problem.
- winstin wilkey
Las vegas, Nv
I saw Beowulf at the IMAX in Hartford, CT (shit-hole) and I must say that I was far more offended by the film, and its half-hearted bullshit narrative, than the size of the screen. I would say that you can take solace in the fact that the movie was good and you didnt completely waste your time/money.
I also saw Star Trek in MiniMax Mother's Day night at AMC 18 Del Amo in Torrance, CA. I Facebooked my status right away. SERIOUSLY WHAT THE FUCK. Let's get a class action lawsuit together dude. I'm serious. Let these motherfucker lying suits deal with us. Obama's not going to change shit. We're gonna have to do it. Let'r go.
FYI The Bridge Cinema @ Howard Hughes Center in Westchester has a real IMAX. email me:croatiansoccerreport@gmail.com
They seriously need to let you know it's Fake IMAX in advance.
IMAX Corporation
2525 Speakman Drive
Mississauga, Ontario
L5K 1B1, Canada
Phone: 905-403-6500
Fax: 905-403-6450
Email: info@imax.com
Maybe you are mean.
But as a person that works in customer service, I'm not so sure that I agree with your whole tirade AFTER you watched the entire film. If you had a problem with the charge, i'm sure you would've discovered it partway through the movie. Yes, I wouldn't leave the awesomeness that is "star trek" partway if I didn't have to, but you probably should've said something. It's as if you eat a whole steak and say "hey, I ordered it rare, this steak was well done" and expect to get a refund. It doesn't work that way; the way I see it, people have the opportunity to complain up until a certain point. By watching the entire film, that point was already passed.
I certainly agree with your point, this is completely messed up and I will not be supporting this practice by any means (only Metreon meets my IMAX needs), don't get me wrong. But I'm just saying that complaining after the fact rarely works out in the customer's favor, so you definitely got lucky this time. I remember when I went to a botched screening of "Cars" a few years back...but that's a different story...
Another analogy is if you booked a first class seat on a flight for $500 above the normal fare. Upon boarding the plane, you discover that all the seats are coach. Should you refuse to fly? Or should you still fly and insist on getting the fare knocked down to coach?
This is essentially what Aziz did. He still wanted the journey, but since he didn't get first class service, he should only pay for coach.
I don't even buy snacks at theatres...I just smuggle my own from home.
lol irl
Boycotting the new FAKE Imax screens is a good idea. Even better, complain to the managers of the theatres, just like you did. But the best call to action here is to send a message to Imax CEO Richard Gelfond, because he's the main liar responsible for this sham.
Send complaints to: info@imax.com
IMAX contact info:
Phone: 905-403-6500
Fax: 905-403-6450
IMAX Corporation
2525 Speakman Drive
Mississauga, Ontario
L5K 1B1, Canada
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10252008/entertainm...
And anyone who threatens a theatre manager by saying "Do you know what Twitter is?" is lame anyway.
and Empire). Secondly, threatening someone with Twitter is a joke, and
you are stupid for not getting that, GET LOST YOU USELESS FAKE IMAX
SYMPATHIZER!
You, my friend, are not very different from IMAX and AMC. You promise us one thing and provide what you feel is an equivalent but, in reality, is a half-assed substitute.
Doesn't this pose the question though of films being released in IMAX format like The Dark Knight and Transformers. If these films get put onto these small screens, what would be the point at all of even waiting tons of thousands of dollars filming IMAX? The screen's aren't big enough to encorporate the whole IMAX thing in the first place so it doesn't make sense to me why install small screens.
Is fake IMAX for free worth it?
this is bullshit. i am properly outraged!
I know this because I'm a VFX artist who has worked on a few big budget summer films, sometimes we can get away with a 1K shot that has enough grain/motion blur in which we can scale up to a higher resolution in post.
That being said, I do agree that IMAX / IMAX 3D / IMAX digital should be more apparent, but that's up the customer to be savy enough to care. Fortunately every "imax" I've been to has been a true imax screen.
However, I disagree with you getting a refund after you have watched the whole movie. If the screening was that objectionable, complain/get a refund and go to a different theatre/screening.
for the IMAX ripoff. I planned my day and wanted to see Star Trek, I'd
been waiting all weekend to see it. I shouldn't get screwed over AGAIN
by not even getting to see the movie.
Now, going forward the boycott works. Show them you will not pay extra for something that you are not getting.
very lame, very disappointing..
If I were the manager, I'd be laughing out loud after that.
"So, you got 25000 virtual friends? Wow..."
Not only that, but if they give him two free tickets afterwards, he -still- goes to blog about his 'bad' experience.
He should take his arrogant ass somewhere else.
Come to think of it, he still owes me money after I seen some of his appaling work I paid to see...
The only thing I would have done differently is not watch the entire movie. If I walked in and saw a small screen after paying $5 extra for IMAX I would have turned around immediately and walked out.
I have only walked out of a handful of movies in my life, usually due to technical issues with the equipment (really bad sound, out of focus, etc). Every time I have received a full refund and apology from the staff.
You say its not about the $5 but its the principle of the thing. I think the movie manager feels the same way. You saw the entire movie then wanted a partial refund. You HAD to have known before the previews started that it was not really IMAX. So why sit there through the whole thing?
Your overall cause is just but your $5 claim is crap. I bet you would have received a full refund if you would have even walked out halfway.
Like several other people pointed out, you did get two free passes. Next time you go to an IMAX, call ahead and ask them how large their screen is. Just takes a minute!
BUY REALLY IS COKE? NO, IMAX IS MISUSING THEIR BRAND NAME TO TRICK
PEOPLE!
You know, that restaurant would probably amend your order to mashed potatoes if you complained before you at the baked one. Just like AMC would have refunded you if you didn't decide that it was the utmost importance to enjoy a service THEY provided you that you have no inherent right to see.
Entire corporate structures cannot bend to the will of one individual, lest they set a precedent for partially refunding every jackass with some a complaint that was avoidable. You got reimbursed. You could have gotten fully refunded if you left in the middle. You made the economic choice that their "lie" didn't offend you enough to leave the movie until it was over. Therefore you took the RISK that they wouldn't refund you, even partially.
It's a shitty business practice, but hey, have you ever seen a ShamWOW commercial? Do you boycott every software company that makes you agree to an absurd EULA? This is America, not Utopia. Caveat Emptor still applies to absolutely everything. It's your choice to be a lazy consumer. Your point probably would have been much better taken by the management if you did indeed leave during mid-show because you just couldn't stand the screen size.
The fact remains that you have no recognized human right to see Star Trek, and therefore you must abide by the legal practices (as deceptive as they may be) set by the theater. The awareness you're spreading of the deception is appropriate (and a good idea that in a way champions democratic ideals), your indignation at suffering through something you could have easily remedied with no serious harm to your life is simply a product of this ridiculous notion you've been raised with that you're entitled to life, liberty AND entertainment.
Diet Coke
Coke Zero
Coca-Cola C2
Cherry Coke
Cherry Coke Zero
Coca Cola with Lime
Coca Cola with Lemon
When you buy a can of coke, I'm guessing you check to see which one of the above you're buying. There are also different flavours of IMAX theatres....and not all of them mean huge screen. You should have done the same when you went to the IMAX digital theatre -- this is your fault, not theirs.
And for the other apologists saying that he should have researched this before buying the ticket, let's continue with the Coke / Diet Coke analogy, shall we?
Should I have researched beforehand, and verified the ingredients that could possibly be in the formula for Coke and the ingredients for Diet Coke, just to make sure I don't get ripped off? Maybe that is just me, being silly and thinking that I can trust a company to give me the value that is advertised, when I am paying for that value.
And I'm just taking a stab, but you must be Indian.
So, sorry you had a bad experience, but our Regal is perfectly fine.
How many twits do you know again?
"In addition to this terrible tragedy, there are also terrible things going on in Darfur." - Threw up in my mouth at this comparison.
"Buy my product, it's amazing! Oh, and fuck you."
Anyone who defends that line of thinking is begging to get ripped off in the future. Enjoy that.
And then there's the twitter comment. Who gives a shit about that, really? That manager doesn't care about what you have to say in the first place because he's tied to what the company tells him. He probably wouldn't have even forwarded the complaint because it would fall on deaf ears.
You went about this ALL WRONG, sir. Your Boycott should include the idea of CALLING ALL COMPANIES INVOLVED instead of it turning into a stupid blog post for attention.
The quality of IMAX isn't based on the size of the viewing screen it's in the format of the cameras and the film and the quality of the image it was recorded to. Originally IMAX was in a HUGE screen in special venues, the new smaller screen isn't as bad as seeing it on a regular screen and the quality of the image is better, you aren't seeing the same film image. It's sad that you weren't happy about this, but how often have you seen an IMAX film in the past few years. Probably not enough if you are having this reaction. I have seen around 8 films at our local smaller IMAX format screen and it's still much much nicer than a regular screening of the movie.. The sound is also better... I think you should check out imax.com and check out the theater showing the flick more carefully. IMAX is a brand not a size of screen..
Your argument is ridiculous.
However, since I'm here, at your site, looking at pictires from the P&R show, I suppose you win afterall.
Congratulations. The Darfur add-on was brilliant.
Internet faux-rage as marketing.
Aziz: Hey, Pol Pot. What's the deal with this genocide in Cambodia? You should stop this at once.
Pol Pot: Sorry man, the genocide's already happening. I can give you beriyani though.
Aziz: I don't want beriyani! I want this genocide to stop and I want you held responsible. It's the principle of it.
Pol Pot: Sorry Aziz, I'm too much of a lazy asswhipe to consider your legitimate complaints. Her's two free passes to the Angor Wat.
That is what is going on people! Aziz is like the John Malkovich character in the Killing Fields or Jennifer Connolly in Blood Diamond who is getting the story out via Twitter! IMAX is scamming us and we don't need to sit around and let it happen. Who are you apologists anyway, Neville fucking Chamberlain? It's a good thing someone like Aziz has the courage to stand up against this misjustice. Go step on something poisonous you Nazi crackheads.
You fail.
rock it aziz. rock it.
Had I been the manager I would have just given you the $5 out of my pocket probably but it is really a jerk move to demand it, have them more than compensate (two free tickets) and then still tell everyone you were wronged...
If McDonald's changed the Big Mac to some kind of peanut butter and jelly sandwich and didn't say anything, customers like you and I would be pissed, and these same netjerks would be saying we should've called ahead to check the menu.
As for IMAX, the point is this; most people associate IMAX with large screens. To most people, IMAX = large screen. The digital picture and sound are extras that they don't even notice half the damned time, and that's coming from an audio engineer. So you buy a ticket based on that name recognition, which you associate with a large screen, only to find out that the screen is balls when you walk into the theatre, giving you a few minutes to decide to put up with it or change your schedule. If people can't figure out how this is misleading, or expect people to call into every theatre to check screen size, they're either plain stupid or just being contrary.
Now to call for the boycott of future use is well within reason. Using twitter to inform others so they would not be hoodwinked, again within reason.
But in this case, Aziz evidently thought it was ok enough to watch. It is not like you don't notice something like a smaller screen size when you walk in.
Olde English people like you spend too much time on cliffs writing scrolls in habits and not enough time watching out for the common man. "Ye olde Imax" can suck a wang.
Aziz still got the Big Mac (movie) he wanted, he just didn't feel he should pay for the fries (IMAX) he didn't get.
The point being, had he walked out soon or shortly after walking in and complained "This is not IMAX" then they could have refunded his money or refunded the difference and let him go to the non fake IMAX. Why is that ridiculous?
A-FUCKING-MEN!
Stop being a sucky ass customer, do what normal civilized people do and just don't go back there.
Your constant bitching about $5 because a screen wasn't big enough however completely viewable is preposterous.
They were generous enough to give you 2 free passes because you more or less made a complete assclown out of yourself and they felt sorry for your pathetic existance.
Get a job.. get a life.
Something Aziz has never been.
sure that killed the imax feeling, and you got to complain..thanks for the warning..
your 15 minutes are up, who cares?
And YES I believe you should have just left immediatley and taken a full refund.
What kind of fucking douchebag sits through the whole movie thinking "Oh man this movie is awesome but the screen really ruined my experience because it's NOT IMAX and it's TOO SMALL"
I understand your 'anger' being told "THIS IS IMAX" when it's a smaller screen but still an IMAX projector and still IMAS quality picture and sound, but you should have just left immeidatley.... They do have policies in place and you know it.
I love the little "Update" too. You know what, you care more about media and funny videos and watching Star Trek on a "real IMAX screen" you shouldn't add an "update" later saying "oh by the way Darfur is in big fucked up trouble, GOOGLE about it"
Why don't you make an entire post about it with links to helpful websites? Maybe show that you care just a bit more?
You crack me up.
OK I'll reblog this tonight, in small part because they really shouldn't be ripping people off, but mostly because this story is just too amusing to not tell. You wait until the movie is over to complain, threatened them with your Twitter account, insulted their "refreshments" (rightfully so, I imagine) and managed to get a jab in at Matthew McConaughey's latest stinkbomb in the process. You are comedic gold.
Aziz, for the mutherfucking win!!!
If you're pissed, you leave the movie and get a refund. Star Trek will still be playing later, so just buy a cheaper ticket for a different show.
It's not 'subtle', it's just trying to cover up a little for his dumbass behaviour.
Yes, I copied and pasted this. Because none of you deserves an original response.
Or are you part of his fail-gang of 'comedy'?
Yes, I copied and pasted this, because you don't deserve an original response.
the point is this is the blog of a comedian. ignore the jokes that are over your head and focus on the issue that he's trying to help people out. Trying to prevent the public from getting screwed by IMAX's shoddy attempts at mislabeling their products and making more money.
THING IS A JOKE, YOU ARE IDIOTS!!! I ALSO REALIZE DARFUR IS A GREATER
TRAGEDY THAN A FUCKING IMAX SCREEN. WHAT THE FUCK.
Yes, I copied and pasted this. Because none of you deserves an original response.
Or are you part of his fail-gang of 'comedy'?
Yes, I copied and pasted this, because you don't deserve an original response.
Hey at least you didn't suffer through watching the film in Austin, where the IMAX screen is inside a dumb ass Texas history "museum" and the seats were designed for midgets. Seriously the worse IMAX screen I have ever watched a movie in, be thankful you didn't see it there, fucking terrible experience.
Saw Star Trek on Friday morning at the Arclight. Went and saw the movie a second time at the Burbank "IMAX"... Not only was the screen nowhere near as big as it should have been, I'm pretty sure the image was cut off on the top and the bottom. A good number of the shots of the ship looked not at all as impressive as they did at the Arclight. Just thought you'd like to know.
Yes, I copied and pasted this. Because none of you deserves an original response.
Or are you part of his fail-gang of 'comedy'?
Yes, I copied and pasted this, because you don't deserve an original response.
Yes, I copied and pasted this. Because none of you deserves an original response.
Or are you part of his fail-gang of 'comedy'?
Yes, I copied and pasted this, because you don't deserve an original response.
Yes, I copied and pasted this. Because none of you deserves an original response.
Or are you part of his fail-gang of 'comedy'?
Yes, I copied and pasted this, because you don't deserve an original response.
Yes, I copied and pasted this. Because none of you deserves an original response.
Or are you part of his fail-gang of 'comedy'?
Yes, I copied and pasted this, because you don't deserve an original response.
Use of tired internet slang like "fail": check.
Originality: Whoops, missed the boat again.
Result: Suck!
That's too bad, my checklist here says you suck. Sorry about that. Checklists, y'know? What can ya do?
IMAX is to movies and film as Kleenex is to facial tissue.
BTW, I luv your show Aziz. Suggestion: give Amy's character a promotion every season w/ more zaniness. By season 3 she should be a senator and she can channel Hillary as a fckup. That'd be awesome.
thing is a joke you idiots! Now get lost IMAX apologists.
Screen size is relative. Just sit closer. Movie tickets should only cost $5. If you want to hurt a theater chain don't buy any food or beverages. Ticket sales only covers the cost to operate.
You never seem to get that kind of honesty from someone who's ready to take your money these days, so I thought I'd mention this example. The theater was the Waterford Lakes 20 + IMAX in eastern Orlando.
IMAX is not happy. They're going to come after you with everything they have. It won't be easy. But this shit just got real.
Fortunately, here in Montreal, the movie IS playing on a true IMAX screen.
Also, the reaction of the manager to your claim is typical of these fucking morons who know nothing about movies and are only in business to make money from overpriced popcorn.
Good to know there are more asshats around then.
GIMMIE GIMMIE GIMMIE!!!
BLAA BLAA BLAAAAAAA!!!
Get a fucking life twit!
and i was also pretty annoyed when i went to amc for ~the day the earth stood still~ for my first "imax experience," paid a lot more, and saw nothing different than the other screens. it sounded a little better, but it was not worth the extra money we paid.
in this ecomomy, they should be lowering prices, not ripping us off at every opportunity.
go Mets!
"I DON’T LIKE POPCORN AND I DON’T LIKE SODA, I WANT MY $5!!!"
Too funny...
And many of them are accusing Aziz of exactly that, when the guy is just trying to make a point in a funny manner. Many just don't "get it," so they just shower hate on the guy, because anything they don't get must be stupid or serious or wrong, right? I mean, they're Johnny Whogivesacrap, and they've got something to SAY!
Dumbass.
Shut up you whiney Twittard.
He didn't get...what he paid for. He went to the theatre with the rightful expectation of A and was given B. He asked for the DIFFERENCE back, not a full refund. It was the manager's decision to comp 2 tickets. Aziz asked for 5 bucks. I'm sure it was all part of his nefarious plan, though, the rotten thief.
And of course he should've walked out. Why see a movie you've been waiting months to see when you scheduled time to see it? You can go ANYTIME! Unless you're an adult with demands on your time, like, oh I don't know, a busy shooting and promotional schedule for a new series. He should wait another week or so because the theatre misled him. Or are you another one who says we should call every theater we visit to check the screen size ahead of time? Stupidity blends together, so I lose track.
Thanks for putting this up.. ll warn my friends in the city.. Lets use the Twitter power to fucking screw them..
Fuck You IMAX.. a standard MY ASSS..
http://www.lfexaminer.com/20081016.htm
It seems IMAX is creating a scam for the sake of doing so. That's like going to McDonald's and asking for a McChicken deluxe and all you get is a McNugget and lettuce.
pretty interesting and disturbing news about IMAX, you had my attention in the first half of the article, but then you went way over the top with your little fight with the theater manager... the bullshit about popcorn and soda, your little rant about how many twitter followers you have, are you serious? Do you even think anyone cares about your blog? I found the link to your blog from another site and it made you sound like a real douche so I had to go find out just how much of a twat you really are. This is one of the main things that bugs me about LA, it's full of spastic self-righteous micro-crusaders like you. Get fucked, Aziz.
Can you believe I'm getting paid for this? Thanks, Homeland Security!
Why, what would the 25,000 out of roughly 6,790,062,216 people on this Earth do without so vastly important an individual such as yourself? Can not the manager of AMC, clearly someone with significant importance in day to day activities and trying to scam the unwitting masses, not see your staggering impact on world news? I am shocked. No, aghast, that you were not refunded that $5. What has the world come to?
BUT NO. I got the "IMAX Experience", which is just moviespeak for "Fuck You".
Sure, the sound was dynamic, but the screen size was smaller than my town's 'Dollar' theater.
I'm boycotting. I should have walked out before I sat through it.
But it was the new Star Trek.
Honestly? ......Honestly?
Oh no boo hoo I paid for something and was too stupid to realize that a 72ft screen doesn't fit in a normal theatre wahhhh
Instead of putting "He is also well known for raising awareness on the injustices of fake IMAX screens" they put "He is also well known for being an obnoxious Twittard who steals movies from AMC and harasses theatre staff." I shall fix this post haste.
I agree with you about the slimy business practice and thank you for bringing it to our attention, but you gave up your right for indignation and self-righteous claim to "the principle of the thing" when you decided to sit through the movie rather than leave or exchange for a different time in a regular non-"IMAX" theatre.
If it really were the principle, you would have refused the free passes as well, which he gave you just to shut you up. After all, if you're boycotting AMC and telling everyone else to as well, the passes just went into the garbage anyway, right?
Perhaps you've forgotten that "Dance Flick" is coming out in two weekends.
And Crank: High Voltage is still in cinemas.
STFU asshole! You Kommiefornia pussies are ridonkulous.
Yes I said ridonkulous.
Tickets to regular shows are $10.50 here while the IMAX are only $12... it's obviously worth it and I still plan to see any good movie at that theater. I'm sorry you got burned, but no way am I going to give up going to the IMAX here, or suggest that anyone else skip shows there because some random person had a bad experience. I don't like those bootleg, slightly-wider-screen IMAX theaters either, but it's is amazing when it's the real thing and no amount of petulant nerd rage could convince me to not go there... even more so when the price is only a buck fifty more. Get over yourself.
I would have punched him in the face and told him to scrape the sand out of his mangina and quit wasting peoples time.
And comedian is probably the wrong term for what you do.
....
No? Aw man, nobody believes you're tough. That's too bad!
Oh well, can't win 'em all...
all you losers are crying about what he posts on his own blog? get a life jackasses
2) why in the world does "internet famous" bother you? he has 25k on his twitter how does that impact you? other than you being "internet jealous." a normal person would be like "25k w/e" and move on. only a true nerd would be outraged by that
For every guy like Aziz who made a fuss, there are likely 50 other people in the audience that are disappointed in the show and because they don't want to look like an A-hole in front of their date or they don't want to bother just let the $5 bucks go. This will catch up with IMAX in the end, but it is a shame to the museums that are running real IMAX documentaries (shot in IMAX) that this will likely effect their business also. I think you should make a distinction, boycott the IMAX in multiplexes not the museum IMAX theaters which do a pretty good job.
1) The funny, endearing kind. Even through his hyperbolic rage, Aziz has achieved this kind of hilarious absurdity. His argument is legitimate--IMAX has a well-known connotation (= big-ass screen), and charging the same amount for anything less than what is GENERALLY EXPECTED is JUST NOT COOL.
2) The humorless, judgmental, moronic kind. Many of you commenters (read: nasty-ass trolls) have successfully achieved this kind. Yes, he is angry that he didn't get what he paid for. No, he shouldn't have walked out on the movie he paid to see. He wasn't angry about the movie, he was angry about the lies. THEY SHOULD HAVE NEVER CHARGED EXTRA FOR SOME BULLSHIT BRAND NAME. His argument is valid, his rage is EXAGGERATED FOR COMEDIC EFFECT, his Twitter line is PRICELESS because he knows it's RIDICULOUS. Those of you reading this blog and trolling the comments, only to conclude that this successful comedian needs a life--perhaps some serious self-searching is in order. I may be killing time at work by replying to your fucking simpleminded jackassery, but at least I'm not wasting everyone's time reading a blog by someone I don't even LIKE.
That having been said, I like you, Aziz. The haters aren't worth the creative energy you should be using to make us (read: intelligent people) laugh. <3
I disagree that this is a scam. I find $6 for 32oz of Diet Coke a scam, but that's another story.
I think using one's Twitter following to threaten a company is as weak as the argument itself. Sure, you got Re-Tweeted like crazy, but look at the feedback in your comments here. Having 25k Twitter followers doesn't mean they are necessarily loyal or will go up to bat for you.
I believe that the correct way to handle this is to stick to the facts and keep your point to the fact that the screen sizes. Perhaps offer constructive feedback in how they market the IMAX experience instead of jumping to conclusions that it was a strategic maneuver that they intended to mislead viewers.
Thanks for elevating this to the people, but your argument is weak and you killed it with the fact you threatened with your 25,000 Twitter followers. Make your argument to the merit of facts and not emotions and character.
Best wishes,
Joe
I think it speaks to YOUR character that you judge HIS character based on "facts" you didn't even get right.
It ALSO speaks to your character that you can't recognize hyperbole and, in failing to do so, attack him for being so emotional. Eventually, when enough people attack you for things you didn't even say, any writer will begin to respond emotionally.
Also, your stiff-necked, intelligentsia presentation doesn't work when you write a sentence like "I believe that the correct way to handle this is to stick to the facts and keep your point to the fact that the screen sizes." So, it's a fact that the screen sizes?
Someone already posted an article written in Oct '08 about exactly this; when IMAX began releasing the smaller screens, there WAS some noise made about branding them the same as the traditional screens. The IMAX execs decided to push on anyway, claiming that the IMAX brand represents "an experience," not "big screens." In reality, they knew that this exact problem would come up. It was one of the arguments FOR rebranding. Of COURSE it was a strategic maneuver to mislead viewers.
And since subtlety apparently passes you by, here's a freebie: the Twitter celebrity comment is a joke. It's more hyperbole. It's outrageous and loud and silly. It's cartoonish.
If he said he used an acme rocket to chase the roadrunner around, you'd probably tell him he should've used a slingshot b/c it's more "green."
One more time: Grow. A. Sense. Of. Humor. It's tiresome when funny people have to explain everything to you.
Guilty as charged, I didn't realize that he only asked for a partial refund. Regardless, I don't see the theatre being at fault, it's more so the marketing of IMAX.
Regardless, you won't catch me railing against companies simply out of entertainment. Seriously, if the screen size wasn't as large, then get up, grow a backbone and leave. But clearly, the motion picture was enjoyable enough to tolerate 127 minutes of torture on the 58 foot screen.
I don't think all of this was simply humor, that's all I'm saying. I think there is some merit to this, but not to the degree that Aziz is taking it.
--Joe
Golf claps to you for getting two free tickets! ;) See people it helps to complain and whine.
I love watching you rabble-rouse. :)
I saw "Watchmen" on the exact same screen and had the same thoughts you did - that ain't no "IMAX". However, that being said... the extra $5 for the digital 3-D presentations they run on that screen sometimes is TOTALLY worth it. I saw "Monsters vs. Aliens" on the same screen, and it was probably the best 3-D experience I've ever had - it was like Disneyland on crack. And popcorn salt.
BTW - e-mail me next time you're gonna do the Twitflix thing; I want to promote it on the site!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha....
Moron.
That's like going out to dinner, finding out your food was not cooked all the way, eating the entire thing, and then bitching. It's not the way you handle things.
its most likely due to a poor experience growing up- possibly being molested by an uncle, maybe his father. either way he is not good at expressing himself without being abusive which could possibly also indicate that he has less than average sized genitalia.
sorry william- you dont need to be so angry. we're all here for you. we'll give you the love you so desperately desired from your mother as a child. it's gonna be okay.
It's IMAX, so it's all about watching a movie on a motherfracking giant 72feet screen!
When you pay for brand association it's because you know you'll get you money's worth, this is simply stealing.
1 - They did not charge ANYTHING extra for it.
2 - They change the name to Lite or something else.
3 - The width of the screen has to match the width of an IMAX screen, the height has to be the proper ratio for the movie to fill in the width of the screen (so it can be shorter than an IMAX screen but not thinner)!
If they did these 3 things, maybe we wouldn't be forced to take up arms and rise against them! We should fight for our $5!! We should rebel and take down the oppressors! Death to the salesman!
Seriously though... they suck.
And personally I side with them on this one that you could have left as soon as you got into the theatre and realized that it wasn't the large IMAX screen you expected.
AMC has two different showings of Star Trek. And IMAX and a regular. You could have opted to pay less once you found out the difference.
And threatening an AMC manager with twitter? Lame.
Fuck... It is lame that it's not a real AMC but this post is even more lame.
— Jay Z.
Congratulations, you have won the internet. please get a life
also PnR is an awful show but im sure you know that
i mean; sucks that you ended up getting a smaller screen.
but i really wouldnt have complained about the 5 bucks.
i mean cmon; you're Aziz Ansari - you're richer than most people man. $5 is nothing.
i mean cmon - the movie was THAT good that you wanted to finish it right?
i think that you came for the movie not the screen size (well i guess partially for the screen size, seeing as you went to an IMAX theatre).
we should just settle this - i mean it's been done right? Aziz got 2 free passes in exchange for a "bad" cinema experience (i'm putting bad in quotes cos i dont think it's that big of a deal).
and i find it hilarious that there's a Mass influx of haters in this entry.
did a pal of theirs tell them of this or were they following Aziz on twitter or tumblr? if that latter - that's kinda sad... actually both are quite sad. that you guys are looking for someone to hate on.
some you guys are actually intelligently expressing your opinion
and i get it - you're expressing your freedom of speech - but so is Aziz.
make your point and move on - stop trolling the thread - makes you look sad.
Also, atleast Aziz has got his identity up here - you guys are hiding behind screen names and internet anonymity.
you guys even started to attack Seth... really?
anyway - get this over with.
IMAX isnt consistent - lesson learnt.
Get over it.
Find something real to bitch about, like how bad your show sucks.
Tell Amy to stick with the Amazing Bee.
It takes 2 minutes of your time to make a difference when something is clearly wrong, yet most of you probably just bend over and say, "thank you sir may I have another!" Idiots and weaklings.
Thanks for making this known to me Aziz. I saw this story on Aintitcool and it's a good heads-up for those of us who would think about going out of our way to see a movie in IMAX.
The complaints go on though, some reason the picture was all blurry and I complained about that after the movie and they said they don't see anything wrong with it.
If they would at least make a clear distinguish in name between the different theaters I wouldn't mind so much, but in regular google searching there is no way to see what type of screen you are getting before going somewhere.
I myself had the same opinions that you have, but for $5 more you getter better picture and WAYYYYY better audio. Personally I feel $5 extra is worth it. Especially considering I only see the blockbusters on the IMAX screen.
It's not that big of a deal, be angry at more important stuff.
http://www.collider.com/entertainment/news/arti...
i noticed it in Watchmen already!
shame on them
You expect to see an IMAX movie when you go to an IMAX movie. It's as simple as that.
Aziz isn't doing this for the $5. He's doing this for YOU... and ME.. and everyone who is going to have the same, bad experience. Now we can't trust IMAX. I won't go see an IMAX movie because I don't know what I'm going to get! I agree that this was a bad move on the part of IMAX.
Sounds like nobody wants to spend the crazy amounts of money it costs to put in a a real IMAX anymore :(
<3 J murder
That said, the picture is crisper, cleaner and much better than standard movies... which is why they call it the IMAX experience.
I find the argument lacking in the following posts: 96, 159, 200, 257, 317-334, and 397.
what i DO care about is where the legit IMAX theaters are. Is there some sort of list somewhere? I don't want to make a trip to an IMAX theater only to get ripped off, but how would I know before I go inside the theater? What would employees say if you asked them?
Thanks for making my point for me. Your response is so wrong it’s almost amusing. The IMAX Experience® is about Size, Sound and Picture, period. All this other stuff your quoting (probably from some marketing brochure you use to hawk this nonsense to theatre owners) is silly. The image I saw while watching Star Trek wasn’t discernibly brighter or sharper and didn’t have any different sound than any other theatre I’ve visited many times before in the very same multiplex.
It just seems like IMAX and the theatre owners have hatched some sort of half assed plan to stave off wide screen TV proliferation cutting into your box office sales by implementing some cosmetic band aid designed to dupe the public. Seriously, there had to be a better way to improve your business without destroying your brand. Can you say “Cadillac Cimarron”?
You have managed to take the IMAX name and associate it with… nothing. At least have the decency to call these so-called “Imax” theatres something more appropriate like; ImaxLight or Imaxmini or better still Sighmax. I wonder what the next big marketing idea is that you guys have up your sleeves, padded armrests, cupholders? Oh wait they already exist as do these so called IMAX multiplex theatres. They are called “regular movie theatres” and they don’t cost $3.00 extra per ticket.
Bye
Spencer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Info at IMAX [mailto:Info@imax.com]
Subject: RE: Very Dissapointed in your company
Dear Spencer,
Thank you for your email. The IMAX Experience® is about more than just screen size or any one individual characteristic or feature. It is made possible through the combination of the world’s sharpest and brightest images, the clearest and most accurate sound available and IMAX’s immersive theatre geometry. And more fans around the world are able to see Hollywood blockbusters in IMAX today thanks to our growing network, our ground-breaking digital projection system and our IMAX DMR® (digital re-mastering) film conversion technology. For more information on The IMAX Experience, please visit www.imax.com.
Best regards,
Sarah Armstrong
IMAX Corporation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Spencer
To: Info at IMAX
Subject: Very Disappointed in your company
Hi,
I recently went to a so called IMAX theatre to see Star Trek over the weekend (AMC 16 Woodland Hills). I can’t tell you how disappointed I was in the experience. This was not the “Wow” IMAX experience I expected. The screen was just marginally bigger than a regular screen and the image looked digital not FILM and the sound was just normal with no enhancement that I could distinguish.
This and other so called IMAX theatres that are popping up around CA and probably other states are weakening your brand. Even the casual movie patron can tell the difference between true IMAX and these “gimmick” theatres you are opening. It really seems like you are trying to pull a fast one, and I expect that this will come back to bite you in a negative way. From my perspective a company that I once truly respected for their innovation and value for my money has come down about 10 notches to represent just another corporation trying to finagle the maximum amount of dollars from the public with the minimum amount of innovation.
Thanks for nothing.
Regards,
Watching movies in DLP is the only way to go..
OMG, i bough a blu ray version of the Shawshank Redemption and it's almost as good as the tape version, i want my 18 dollars back...
fuck off.
Why the hell did everyone get all nasty with their responses?
To all the haters who have waaayy too much time on their hands:
If you don't give a damn about what he's complaining about, your ass isn't being very productive by posting about how lame you think the complaint is. Also, in case y'all didn't read, this whole post has a heavily sarcastic tone to it, hence the update on the bottom. Simma' don naw.
Anywho, more power to you.
Odeon cinema here in the UK is pulling the same shit here in London. I didn't think to ask for my £2 back...I'm writing a letter. My girlfriend even commented why i was so sad when we got our seats. I was gutted. Thank god, Star Trek was good.
Fake IMAX = DLP screen with awesome sound ...but not IMAX!!!!
I love how society has come so far.
Roger Ebert ran two articles - one from a projectionist and another from a moviegoer on this very issue earlier this year:
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...
Stay brown and funny.
FILM......IF IT'S A FILM THEATRE YOU WON'T BE DISAPOINTED, AND YOU WILL COME AWAY WITH A GREAT TIME AT THE MOVIES!
fucking retarded.
you're quicker, funnier and way more intelligent like that duder. and if you're THAT important, than go higher up than a fucking local manger, if you're upset enough, which you CLEARLY are to blog about it in such a manner.
.. a little tact on your part, goes a long way.
I do a lot of work with brands and how customer-centric they are and this is a perfect example of a half-assed operationally (benefiting AMC and IMAX) centric alliance. You are absolutely right that they should have created a sub-brand that differentiated this from the giant screen experience.
I missed Batman in IMAX and have been determined to see Star Trek on the giant screen. THANK YOU for the heads up. I'll probably still go, but i would have been just as pissed. I would love to see the Enterprise on a huge-ass screen.
Is the experience all that better/different? Not sure.
You are totally right in your campaign. Follow me on twitter at cxChuck and i'll retweet this all the time.
Consumers must exercise their rights and this is the best way to do it.
1: I totally had a similar experience when I went to see The Dark Knight in IMAX in Dallas. It was my second viewing of the movie, so I actually walked out and made plans to see it on a regular digital screen later that day.
So having not seen Star Trek yet, I already was hesitant to see if my local theater in Virginia was the same way.
2: I can't believe how much crap people are giving Aziz. I mean, ok, maybe I wouldn't have complained so much at the theater, but that is just a personal thing. Otherwise get off his back. I would have thought people would give a resounding "yeah, me too!", but apparently not. He does have a point, ya know, and supplies evidence to his criticisms.
Keep fighting the fight Aziz.
And fuck loews, amc and whoever, ill watch their movies on my 15" monitor for free off of bittorrent.
http://www.mediawhorenetwork.com/2009/05/boycot...
Oh, look -- there's a picture of you and him on this page too! It must be true. I'm relieved -- it would be disappointing to see a talented comic who's finally gaining mainstream attention to turn into a FUCKING DICKWAD!
You threw a temper tantrum.
Grow up and quit the over priviledged BS.
They don't show Hollywood movies.
They show documentaries.
Perhaps you and your 25000 twitter followers should do a little research, using this gadget called the internet, before you go whipping out about it.
Your rage is misplaced, and it's obvious this is a massive trolling by Aziz to get hits. Pretty lame, and not a good representation of either yourself, your show, or your network that you "work on". You are acting like a spoiled child, especially in comments, and it null and voids any argument you *may* have had.
Also, have you ever, ever, EVER worked in a theater , or any real retail? Threatening people is about the last way to get anything done.
http://www.mainstreet.com/article/lifestyle/are...
I can't believe IMAX whored themselved out like this. What a rip off. I will never go to an AMC IMAX again, and probably never to go AMC in general. I will just wait for video and I can watch it on my super duper plasa home theather and not be bothered by jackholes around me anyway.
Shame on AMC and IMAX for screwing the little guy. I just want to be treated with a little consumer repect here.
I'd have been pissed too! And, also, props, Aziz, for taking it this far. I would have stopped when they offered me free popcorn! Because it actually is pretty tasty.
1. So none of those calling him a loser have ever complained about something and someone else didn't think you were over reacting. Different cases, nothing is equal. Your comparisons are weak and variant.
2. Its a freaking blog, he can whine complain, boast do whatever the hell he wants and you chose to read it. If it didn't envoke some feeling good or bad it would have been boring and pointless, but you all responded.
3. I was sent this blog, only reason I am commenting is to comment on your comments because they are ridiculous and bother me more then the point of his blog.
STOP YOUR BITCHING! I went to the BMW dealership and paid my 85grand for my bran new M5, and they gave me a 528i instead, and you dont see me throwing 25k twitterers in the managements face, asking for my money back. I mean after all the M5 is just a 5series with some extra power and body work right? Never mind the 40 thousand dollars extra I paid, they are basically the same thing, right?
Seriously, some of your readers need to take Ethics 101...throw in Common Sense 102 for good measure..
I too was IMAXfucked.
You fail at basic reasoning and should end your life now to avoid procreation.
ISSUE, YOU ARE A COMPLETE IDIOT.
1. I don't like my burger. I demand a new one!
2. Here's another burger, sir.
1. I don't like this one either! Gimme another one!
Go play in traffic.
They may be liars, but you're still acting like an asshole.
review your senses of humor, people
Without meeting each of those (and many other) criteria, a movie theater could not carry the THX badge.
Now, you can go into just about any retail store that carries a decent collection of home stereo equipment and find THX-branded SPEAKERS! Just the speakers ... nothing else. Similarly, many movie theaters that are clearly not large enough to qualify and clearly do not include the THX speaker layout are sporting the THX badge.
It just goes to show that when enough money is involved, people who once gave a crap about the quality of their work will often be willing to chuck it all down the drain for a piece of the action.
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...
He has a valid point.
If he felt that strongly about it, he should've left the moment he realized he wasn't in a "true" IMAX theater.
There's a distinct lack of civility on his part. He's lucky he got the two free passes.
dude too much 'effings tho'...
watched the movie last night in IMAX Experiance...
paid only $9 = $4 above the $5 regular Mon-Thur price...
almost walked out, while watching the AMC/"History channel" thingy
that looked grainy and out of focus - probably not prepared for the DLP...
but then they rolled out the movie previews then the movie and WHOOOA...
I did liked the experience... but I think it's worth only about $2 extra
over the regular price... plus maybe a free popcorn (if u paying $4 extra)...
prolly will join ur boycott after I watch the new Transformers...
can't promise 100% tho'... ;)
- peace
Star Trek was never shot on IMAX film, so projecting it onto a real IMAX screen would look terrible. The IMAX Experience is just an upconversion of the original 35 mm film onto IMAX film stock, so that they can project it onto a slightly larger screen and avoid focus and jitter problems. The audio system is also slightly improved. It's like watching a regular DVD on an HDTV... the upconversion looks nice, but you can't expect a low res video to magically appear in HD.
Also, I saw Star Trek with the IMAX Experience, and it was definitely NOT digital. They use a digital copy of the film and print it onto IMAX film stock, then project it with an IMAX film projector. Some guy at the theatre behind me was talking about how it's "digital", which was wrong. There is such a thing as IMAX digital projectors though, so your theatre may be different. But, since you didn't bother to read any of the information about what you were buying, I'm willing to bet you got this wrong too.
This information is freely available to anyone who asks. The info is posted on their website, a million other websites, and is available in the theatre if you simply asked while you purchased your ticket. I do agree that the IMAX Experience is a bit deceptive, but you can't expect them to give you your money back AFTER you sit through the entire film.
I've seen quite a few movies on the LEGIT IMAX screen(the giant 72 ft screen), and although they werent shot in IMAX, they still looked good.
So Aziz is completely right in making the complaint he did, because he felt screwed over by the name. It is not clarified at the theater that you are watching on a smaller screen, and no one should have to go on the internet to find the difference between IMAX and digital IMAX.
I've worked in a movie theater before, and I agree that asking for a refund after watching the whole movie is stupid... but Aziz did not ask for a full refund, just the price difference from the digital IMAX to the regular ticket price, a measly 5$, which seems extremely fair.
You should probably do research next time before you post about something like this
You know, I don't think the pertinent issue here is how it was shot, or why "real" IMAX wouldn't work. The issue is deceptive tactics used by companies to con people out of money.
Next time try to critically read the arguments at had, it might help you the next time you open your laptop.
you contradict yourself and have on the very basic understanding of what imax is. first : calling it an up conversion is just plain stupid. 2: it is digital in the since that it has to be "digitally remastered" (DRM) into imax format. which does NOT reduce the resolution. what it does is place the frame on a 15/70 print in letterbox format. so when some guy says digital, try and not jump to conclusions that he's asa retarded as you are and get what the conversation is about. DRM.
You have questions ask them, i work with this shit.
We know you've been entertaining us for more than 40 years, and for all of that time, we, as consumers have come to expect that when we pay a premium ticket price for an IMAX experience, that means we're going to see 70mm film projected onto a giant screen. I mean, that's the very definition of the IMAX format, is it not???
If the IMAX corporation wants to break from their traditional 70mm format and create new projection formats (ie using digital projectors on a much smaller screen) that's fine with me! Go for it! Diversify! Just DON'T CALL IT "IMAX" ...because in our minds, IMAX = 70mm film projected on a giant screen.
If you must associate the name IMAX with this new product you're pushing, at least give it a new name. Call it "IMAX MINI" or "IMAX LITE". But if you continue to use just the name "IMAX" then all you're doing is misleading your customers and destroying the fine reputation you spent 40 years building up.
And if you won't give your new product a new name, then we will continue calling it what it is: "FAKE IMAX" or "LIE-MAX"
You're right about feeling like you've been jipped because movies these days costs way too much. But if I were you, I would have walked out during or even before the film. Walking into a theater that promises IMAX and then realizing right then and there, that the screen is much much smaller, well that would be your chance to make a stand. Instead you watched the entire movie then walked out to bitch and complain, doesn't that seem a little.. I don't know.. hypocritical? "Hi, my name is Asshole, I'm here to watch this IMAX..uh-whaa? it's not IMAX! Well then, I'm going to ask for my money back, RIGHT after I watch this movie."
When I watch IMAX, I'm mostly hoping for a great quality picture with booming sound. As for the big screen, anything thats 10X bigger than my TV is big enough for me.
Eh, anyway, my only problem with you is that you complain about the wrong points. Not only that but I can't have respect for someone who's going to be a dick to a manager of a theater who probably hates his job and can't REALLY do anything about..well anything. Plus the whole watching the whole movie before demanding a refund part really made me think you were just an all around idiot.
BTW if you're going to lie about the twitter part, you should have lied about watching the whole movie to the rest of us, say you walked out or something so we can all think you're tough shit, 'cause honestly, you know that's the point you're trying to make here.
Secondly, he didn't lie about the twitter part. You're an idiot.
Aziz: Can I have my $5 back cause that screen isn't a real IMAX screen?
Theater: No, you watched the movie.
Aziz: Can I have a free soda and popcorn?
Theater: Why? .. That'd be like $12 by our pricing. It'd make more sense to give you the $5 back.
Aziz: Yah, that does make sense. Well.. I'm never coming here again and I'm going to blog about it!
Theater: See you at home Aziz, don't forget to clean the litter pan.
Aziz: I WILL MOM, GAWDDD!
In addition to the screen size, which is the most obvious problem- IMAX used to mean that a 70mm projector was projecting 70mm film. Now the "digital IMAX" just doubles up 2k projectors. There's several theaters that have 4k projectors in NORMAL movies.
So why lie to the consumer?
It's false advertising and frequent movie goers are starting to feel ripped off. If you don't like this as a complaint, there are tons of other places on the internet you can go to.
Thank you for shedding light on this. Thankfully, I've only gone to the Burbank AMC once and it was awful. That why I'm seeing Star Trek at the IMAX at The Bridge. It's worth the drive and you can eat at Dinah's fried chicken afterwards, b'okay!!
Thanks so much for helping to bring this issue to light. I have noticed this since I was a kid and we took a field trip to see Imax at the Museum. I was living near Milwaukee at the time and was blown away by the sheer magnitude of the Imax screen. At that time, all they were showing was some shitty movie about dinosaurs. It didn't matter since they were HUGE dinosaurs! It was a memorable experience that I never got to relive. I moved to CA 6 years ago and was excited when I was going to see Spider-Man 2 in Imax in Valencia only to be completely let down. I thought maybe I had imagined how massive the screen was I saw previously. I since have seen Dark Knight in "Imax" and again was disappointed in the size of the screen. I truly thought I was the only one that noticed, glad to finally see that isn't true and someone is stepping up and voicing their opinion.
Thanks.
I was planning on going to see Star Trek in IMAX at an AMC in Santa Clara (nor cal) but now I'm thinking twice.
A commenter on digg put it very well: "IMAX presented by Monster Cable".
Fuck IMAX if they're selling out like that.
The bottom line is that "IMAX" is a term that has been associated with extra-large high-quality screens for at least the last 5 years within the collective consciousness. To now, after all this time, say that "IMAX" can be either the product we all expect OR a sub-standard product that is VERY different from the original concept is absurd, and quite frankly, bad business.
Had they made the decision to call it "IMAX Digital Film Projection" or something else for the extra 5 dollars, that would be one thing. But to use the same trade name which is so synonymous with a larger-than-life experience when compared to your average movie screen is deliberately misleading. I will do my best to avoid ever seeing any movie in IMAX again, instead going to my local 'Ultrascreen' which, while not using the same patented IMAX technology while actually SHOOTING the film, does make normal films seem larger-than-life and is also offered at the same price as a regular ticket.
To the IMAX CEO I say: Keep telling yourself that what you are doing is right and that '90 percent of the commenters' on this site 'disagree' with Aziz. I think that is nothing more than a cheap line to save face and convince yourself you are not in the wrong. Bad form, sir. Bad form.
Keep crusading Aziz we're behind you!
THANK YOU AZIZ! Now I know I'm not crazy! Fight on mighty warrior!
And DEAR IMAX,
If 90% disagree, count me in that 10% of people who aren't pussies constantly getting fucked by the big bad ramming dicks that are you, imax. My dick might be smaller, but what's more imposing? Getting raped by one large dick or being gang banged by millions of tiny angry dicks?
Down with the man! (or woman!)
Aziz Ansari has a completely valid point.
Seriously, i understand where Aziz is coming from. But as soon as IMAX's CEO announces 90 percent of the people disagree with aziz all of these complaints pop up.
Its half for entertainment and half to criticize IMAX. Why would you call him a loser? Its pathetic, unless your getting paid to do it.
Good for you for actually standing up to a business and asking for your money back when you're not satisfied. You saw the movie... and you weren't asking for all of your money back. People don't understand that. The IMAX quality wasn't up to your spec... so a refund of the five extra dollars for the IMAX quality is completely justified.
By the way, the manager who argued with you about $5 is the retard. Who wants to waste their time horribly representing a company over $5? It's managers who make a shitty living from a shitty company and are fed up with lives... they have to take it out on customers.
So to all of you who would stand in line to be fucked by an angry IMAX cock, have fun. I won't be following you unless it's a massive 72 ft... that's the only way I like my IMAX cock. Big.
By the way... the definition of IMAX = Image MAXimum. Not sound maximum, not seat maximum, IMAGE MAXIMUM.
What's wrong with you people?
This is like paying 20 bucks to see the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine, then paying 30 bucks to see them play at a little league field because it was the "Dodger experience". Fuck that - half the value in an event is the venue. And when a name becomes synonymous with a type of venue, you have a duty to distance yourself from that connection when know that you aren't delivering the product most consumers are expecting......
Needless to say, I will never make the mistake of going to this or any other fake iMAX theater again.
I hope some starts a site with a list of these fake iMAX screens to help make sure others are not suckered too.
Shame on you Imax.
It's easy IMAX means big, he got ripped off simple as.
If you go to a jewelry story, and someone's like "oh look at our tiffany's collection" and it's actually tiffany INSPIRED, would you pay the same price? Fuck no.
This is a shit economy and when people want to treat themselves they shouldn't find themselves screwed over. Now I haven't been to the Imax-like theaters, but I like the experience of real Imax movies, and I'm not going to pay a 50% increase in prices for something that isn't properly advertised.
And to all these little bitches on here complaining and whatnot "Oh, Aziz, I hate you!" or "You spend way too much time whinning" I think MAYBE you should stop reading his blog, and his tweets, or anything to do with him. I don't make it a point to harass celebrities I dislike. If anyone needs to "get a life" it's you. Honestly, I hope you bastards lose your jobs for not focusing on your work... my fingers are crossed.
On another note why is Darfur getting so little love here?
$5 WASTED!
$5 will buy quite a few cheese roll ups at Taco Bell...
I take that shit seriously, guys. That's nothing to play with.
it's a CEO's job to discount claims / issues / etc.
he's just being another CEO who doesn't give a fuck about us as long as we go to his theaters..
it's a shame, because he's wrong - and aziz isn't the only one who thinks that this false representation is total bullshit, lowbrow tactics to make more money.
go fuck yourself AMC/IMAX
http://www.imax.com/
When I entered the theater I realized what IMAX stood for: normal screen. REALLY loud. I could rent the movie and turn it up on my own TV if I wanted to permanently damage my eardrums. Now granted, the quality of the film was great, but I didn't pay for good quality, I paid for a giant screen, which is what I have always known IMAX to be.
I will never pay for another IMAX movie again.
it is shameful that IMAX has not consumer ethics about employing a HOT APPLE PIE gimmick- it doesn't have to be hot or apple pie- it's all the name / brand. right on for not giving up and bigger right on for PARKS AND REC! laughter makes the world better.
i am now boycotting your money stealin business.
False advertising.
fight the power, aziz!
It's sad that people didn't understand you twitter joke--fuckin morons. IMAX is ripping ppl off and need to stop w/ that shit!
IMAX is an epicly awesome thing, and for it to be tossed aside on these smaller screens is an abomination.
TWO THUMBS DOWN TO IMAX.
Making the theaters educate average joe? The theaters are just going to come up with better bullshit. "Our cinema now has the Digital Extreme Premier Package with 60 additional speakers!" Now they don't say IMAX, still charge you $5 more, and all you get is 60 Piezo speakers that beep once in a while.
Eat the $5 and say screw it.
OR
Get your $5 but take an hour of time doing it? Even someone making minimum wage would screw themselves.
As for the people making comments about how you should have left BEFORE the end of the movie - fuck that. You're a busy man who doesn't have time to waste. The only reason I would have left before it was over is because I don't have shit to do (like most of the commentors on this page) and can go back to the theater anytime...
The IMAX I went to see Watchmen wasn't the same IMAX I knew, It was just a slightly bigger screen, before it was an experience, that was worth 5 dollars more, but not anymore!
And people should chill out about the tweeter and Darfur thing, seriously they are on a comedians blog, of course there are going to be some jokes. DUH
So if people still want to be charged 5 dollars more for a "bigger" screen , be my guest, but me and my family are done going to "IMAX" theaters
Look, you can't put Safeway Select Plastic Bottle Vodka in a Grey Goose Bottle, then charge more. It's that simple.
I had the same exact experience a couple months ago and felt totally GYPSYED out of money. I won't see another IMAX without making sure its real true BIG ASS IMAX.
Thanks for taking this stand, Aziz.
Call it IMAX Lite or IMIN or something different.
IMAX are whoring their name out; Shame...
Top-Tip:
Don't mention Twitter, I have followers etc..
As Twitter is "Jumping the Shark" - or Whale.
But I went to the Lincoln center Imax, and that is an experience, I saw Star Trek. Yeah it was 18 dollars, but worth the money.
I'm with you on this one.
Aziz was only trying to help you not get scammed, Jesus.
I think IMAX owes us a legit explanation. If anything, they should call these screens something else. I'll think twice now before going to an IMAX.
Good for you for standing up for yourself too. People let things slide out of sheer laziness and I commend you for staying true to your word and doing what you believe in.
Aziz is doing this to warn other people of what may happen if they pay $15 and expect a gigantic 76x97 IMAX screen and instead get a much smaller 28x58. This isn't a self-righteous Hollywood actor bitching about losing $5 at a movie theater. It's about the corporate ethics of a multi-million dollar corporation weasling an extra $5 per ticket by subtly mislabeling a product. You should be happy that you learned this and now maybe the same thing won't happen to you. If you like paying $15 for a movie ticket and seeing it on a slightly larger screen instead of a full-size IMAX, then more power to you. If you're like me, then you would be pissed in Aziz's situation too. I'm glad that this is getting so much publicity.
As one such commenter, I hereby decry IMAX for their screen scam.
Also, catch Parks & Recreation, Thursday nights on NBC.
I'm in total agreement with you. I don't see how their digital experience is any better then other digital projectors that don't charge the extra fee. I went in to see Star Trek on IMAX expecting more. Sure the picture and sound were exceptional (shouldn't that be standard by now though), but I expected to be 'wowed' by the screen. However it was no larger then a standard screen, and cropped anyway for aspect reasons.
I will not be going to any IMAX digital showings in the future. If I'm paying extra for a movie going experience, I would rather go to the Arclight.
Fuck IMAX for branding all of these slightly bigger theaters with their name.
The brand "IMAX", started by my great grandfather, Mandrake Imaxington, is in relation not to the size of the screen, but the quality of the picture and sound. At first we did make excusively very large screens, and my grandfather and father were fine with this, but when I took the helm three years ago, I told them, "Listen, I don't want to be known as 'the dudes with the huge screens', I want to be known more for our outstanding video quality and outrageously beautiful sound. Right now I'm mostly known for being charged with murdering my wife, and that's totally bullshit because they didn't prove shit.
Fuck you, terrorist, IMAX will crush you. Your show doesn't have shit on "The Offcie".
Sure the screen is a little bigger than most, but it's not even close to what I expected from something called IMAX. I wont go to any type of IMAX theater again whether it be the traditional IMAX or what they are now trying to pass off as such.
"Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me."
Good post.
In hindsight, I think seeing a giant blue schlong on an IMAX screen for 75% of the film might have been a bit much though - but that was not their decision to make for me.
-V
(Twitter: deafcarr0t)
http://www.imax.com/corporate/investorRelations...
IMAX Corporation
2525 Speakman Drive
Mississauga, Ontario
L5K 1B1, Canada
Phone: 905-403-6500
Fax: 905-403-6450
Email: info@imax.com
If all else fails use common sense (something that some movies goers have little of, as I was a manager with AMC and other circurt for years)
1) Call First - as a general rule most mega-plexes do not have a "Original generation 72 foot IMAX screen"
2) Wonce you walked into the theatre it should have been VERY APPERANT that the screen was not what you were expecting - Leave then and get a refund, not after the entire movie
3) The general population has a "Bitch and you'll get something for free" mentality. Those of us who are in management are over you pissant who have this attitude. Bring a real concern or comment to us and we are greatefull, bitch and we smile at you and you DON'T want to know what we are thinking behind our fake smile.
4) Finally, did you offer to have the manager subtract the points you earned on your MovieWatcher card for the ticket that was refunded -- Hell no just take it all and run....
Always do research about the movie. If you know it was shot in imax, then go for it. otherwise just go to the regular show.
Also, here in san francisco, we have a couple theaters that have "DLP" shows, which are basically just HD versions of the movie. Usually those are better experiences than imax - because most movies aren't imax format.
Also, even though you claim your "twitter" comment was a joke, how come it's still in you conversation above? And it's basically quoted.
Oh, and if anyone else falls for this. Ask the manager for a movie pass. You'll see a free movie on their mistake - duh.
Awesome
Guy 1: Hey, man, let's go see this awesome new movie on the IMAX screen!
Guy 2: No, what the hell, it's not any bigger, that's a waste of $5!
Guy 1: You're right, we could buy a small popcorn for that much. Let's go to the normal theater.
UM DUH.
I hadn't known that there were different-sized IMAX screens, but now that I do, I'll make sure that I never go to a smaller IMAX screen.
If you want, I can send you some technical specs on the quality differences, assuming you are literate.
For further technical differences in the film size and projectors, it's all explained rather well here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMAX#Technical_asp...
To this day, I had never seen an IMAX movie. And because of this, I never will. FUCK IMAX, you dirty bastards
they are diluting their brand name and they will pay a lot of money in the end to repair the damage they are doing to themselves./
Thanks for pointing out the ripoff Aziz! you rock
IHunt
www.twitter.com/IHunt
What Mr Aziz saw sounded more akin to the Ultra-screens of Marcus Theaters. I went to visit family in Iowa over the weekend, and finally got to experience Star Trek on a Marcus Theater Ultra-Screen. And the best part? I didn't have to pay a $5 fee. And, the Ultra-Screen is slightly bigger than the Fake IMAX in Burbank.
Any claim in defense of IMAX on this issue, is negative to everyone who wants to have the greater experience (terrific sound and video on a 72' screen) that we have all known for our entire lives until recently. If this issue isn't resolved now it will mean less true IMAX theaters down the road as they are most likely cheaper (although I can't provide any proof). Is everyone really ready to see IMAX disappear? I'm not. That sucks. IMAX is an experience like none other, and it would be terrible if it was replaced by better than average standard movie theaters.
Aziz, I fully support your cause. I'll keep up on twitter for updates.
@LT_Smash
I went to go see star trek last night at AMC Eastridge in San Jose, and although the movie was stellar, the whole "IMAX" experience was a sham. I've been to the true IMAX theater in Dublin, and it's a MAJOR difference. For one, the screen is HUGE, and two the sound is fuckin rockin. I'm never going to any of these AMC wannabe IMAX's again.
peace.
I take my movie going seriously. If IMAX wants to charge $15.00+ bucks for a ticket, then it had better be a true IMAX experience. Because of your post, I sent the following email to IMAX corporate:
Hello IMAX,
I live in Sacramento, CA, and was interested in seeing an IMAX presentation of Star Trek at the El Dorado Hills Stadium 14 & IMAX (in El Dorado Hills, CA), as the movie is not currently playing at the Sacramento IMAX theater.
But, I found out the IMAX screen in El Dorado is much smaller than the Sacramento IMAX, yet tickets are still going for an unbelievable $15.00, and there's no mention in theater advertising that it's a reduced-format screen.
I see at least five movies per month; because of your company's approach, I will not be viewing them at an IMAX theater.
***
IMAX is not getting a dime out of me until they clear up what the viewing customer is getting for their hard-earned buck.
Thanks for the great post, Aziz.
Regards,
V. Smith
That said, you're not a hypocrite either in this case because you *only* asked for the difference between a IMAX ticket and a regular ticket-- because you effectively got a regular movie theatre experience when you were duped into thinking it would be an IMAX experience. I mean, did these people getting on your case even read what you said? Either way supposing you did immediately stop watching and request a refund, these same people aren't factoring in the opportunity costs you incur for having to even file a complaint, change theatres, perhaps coming back at another time, and overall bullshit inconvenience caused by being mislead like this. That justifies more than just a refund. These same opportunity costs lead you to watch instead of walk out. Well played, sir.
There's no way to tolerate this bait-and-switch marketing without permitting it. So let the population who is inured and doesn't care about being screwed, get screwed. And give the rest of us a refund. That way we can live in harmony. Hearts and minds are probably not going to change on either side.
I once went to a Cinemark to see a movie on a legit IMAX screen that they were all hyping up and it was just the regular movie image on this Huge Screen (which looked ridiculous) and the Volume jacked up to Rock Concert levels. Haven't been back.
What they are doing is objectionable, like ordering a large Coke and being given a Dixie cup full of warm water (which might also happen at movie theaters) under the name Digital Coke. No, this dilutes what the brand is supposed to be and IMAX should worry what they are doing to their brand name. You do not throw your name on anything that you do not want people to associate your product with, in this case an inferior and misleading experience. It's terrible business and the only "wow" factor I have is that IMAX thought this was a good avenue to pursue.
Also does IMAX or AMC or anyone even have a way for me to easily search to find a 72ft. near me? I live in Los Angeles and around us there are quite a few "IMAX" theaters. So according to you crack rock smoking bloggers that disagree with Aziz I am supposed to call up every theater till I find a 72ft. one and just accept the fact I am being lied too? Should I also accept the fact I am being lied to about not getting a 72ft. IMAX and just settle for a pathetic 25ft "IMAX" for the same cost?
To all those against what Aziz is saying, stop smoking rocks and use some common sense. What AMC is doing is wrong, hell the difference between the real IMAX experience is larger than the new downgraded "imax" itself.
I will never pay 5 bucks extra for "IMAX digital" I will pay 5 bucks extra for a HUGE SCREEN or for a huge screen and 3d. I go to the theater for one reason only...big screens.
Side note... argue long enough with a theater manager and you will get free passes...I do it every time I go. I tell them the kids were loud an constantly talking. It always helps to walk out and plant the seed during a slow scene also ;)
i will say that i once used to be one of many kids sweeping up popcorn and random shit like romance novels and single shoes.
i understand that the imax company is robbing people of their money, but coming from that guest sevices scenario you posted, i can tell you that yeah the managers of a movie theater can't really do too much except adjust the audio, a/c, and screen from scope to something else.
they make the money solely off concession sales really, given an arcade or not. otherwise, yeah the money pretty much goes to the movie makers or in this case imax.
shit happens and lifes a bitch. that's all i can say.
next time i would go to an imax theater i already knew ahead of time that the screen was the megasize it was supposed to be.
mm yeah.
oh and i remember proudly walking out of that movie theater one day and telling them that they could shove their tacky bowties and brooms right up their arses.
p.s. twitter is sooo lame.
hah.
Also, to all the big spenders whlo mock him for asking for a five-dollar refund, I believe it was the principle, he was concerned with, not the money.
And calling someone a whiner for complaining about gettig ripped off? When yo get ripped off, you should stick up for yourself.
Also, what is this bullshit argument that he stayed for the whole movie so he has no right to complain? Of course he sayed through the movie. He drove out there, he waited in line, he's in his seat - he's supposed to go home now? That's how they get you. He stayed, he enjoyed the movie on a regular-sized screen, and he wanted the "Imax" portion of his ticket price refunded. Simple. Fucking corporations think the public works for them - customer satisfaction should matter both on a large-scale and an individual level.
Aziz - I think you have every right to be angry, and you absolutely deserve your IMAX surcharge back.
IMAX - You need to really examine what kind of company you intend to be and clarify your branding to really reflect that. You also need to hire a digital media manager to help you learn how to deal with customers in a digital world. What you're casually dismissing as an angry blog is quickly escalating into a public backlash at a time where your great strides will be completely overlooked by your lack of PR. The truth is, this never should have happened, but when it did, you should have fixed it quickly. You know better.
me:"Hey this isn't real IMAX"
AMC worker "People keep saying that but it's actually wider than the old IMAX"
me: "oh....ok, I get it. You don't know what you're talking about. Thanks"
THIS IS A MARKETING STRATEGY to charge you more money because lots of people think movies projected on IMAX screens are massive experiences. IT'S A SCAM! IMAX DIGITAL is one of many 2k digital projection systems, lots of theater chains are switching to 2k digital projectors that aren't IMAX Digital, THERE IS NO REASON TO BE CHARGED 5 EXTRA DOLLARS. You're being duped when you go to one of these showings.
You guys can flame Aziz all you want but he's just cleverly pointing out AMC/Regal's ambiguous use of the IMAX name to trick people into paying more.
If you were unhappy with it, you should have left straight away and asked for a refund.
And they aren't lying to people, you just didn't bother to check if IMAX means a large screen, or just better quality.
Finally, I've never been to those cinemas, but surely someone of average IQ would be able to tell that it isn't a 72ft screen if the building isn't that big?
I'm beginning to hate all of our stupid capitalistic, bureaucratic bullshit and greedy corporate CEOs and board of directors who will gladly screw us, take bailout funds and give themselves more bonuses while furloughing employees who make 100 times less than themselves.
And I hate liars and their lies like this IMAX.
I agree with you. SCREW AMC, Regal and IMAX. I will try and find ( if possible ) a theather thats not these in my area in NJ and watch movies there. Wish me luck.
Back-petal.
...idiot
The two screens are different therefore they should be called different things. It's like calling a slider a jumbo jack because it is both made by jack in the box. It's a marketing lie and people should know.
Maybe Aziz should spend his time doing something more productive but anyone wasting there time on here telling him that is being a hypocrite. If you really sincrely care about darfur then wtf are you wasting your time on here?
Unfortunately he is also fighting a battle that he can't possibly win.
5 items from the McDonalds dollar menu
half of another movie
anything else worth $5
Who are these spoiled brats trolling and acting like $5 isn't a big deal. It's an old fashion bait and switch and it ain't right.
I demand an apology from IMAX and until something changes I am boycotting them and any affiliated companies.
I can't even believe this is even an argument... IMAX CLEARLY started as and is known for 70 FOOT SCREENS... well worth the $5 surcharge... but to start putting the IMAX stamp on smaller screens then charging the same price as a 70 foot screetn is absolutely a rip-off... and tarnishing the IMAX brand... if the screens aren't big enough - BUILD EM... don't just shove a square into a round hole out of greed.
If I walk into an IMAX, I expect it to be a damn big screen... if its not, thats false advertising and deserves a refund for the IMAX $5 price...
I live in Houston, and a frequent AMC i visit suddenly popped up with an IMAX logo on one of it's main theatres. Having seen films for the past 5 years in that theatre, I was like how is that possible?
So, I went one day to see what was up. I saw Monsters Vs. Aliens IMAX 3D. and to my dismay, was severely dissapointed. It wasn't IMAX @ all.
I've been to "real" IMAX. And according to my standards, the theatre needs to be so fucking big i feel like im looking at a landscape.
So I agree with you Aziz, it's riduculous and a crock of shit,
and to all you other douche's who disagree, go and pay $5 extra dollars for a few more feet of silver screen.
p.s - parks and recreations, funniest shit, even though your character is a pretty big douche, I haven't figured him out yet, but i guess as the season progress's I will
lol Thats nearly as bad as the WoW player saying "I have a Level 70 Hero on WoW, you better give me my money back".
Fake IMAX concerns me more than Darfur. Does that make me a horrible person or does it just make me... American.
I think both. Thanks Aziz, for the heads up. You can thank that tubby bastard, Harry Knowles, for pointing me in the direction of this blog.
Carry on, good sir.
Here comes the best part.
Star Trek starts, and the movie doesnt even fill up the fucking screen. Its cropped in its original theatre screen size format. You can see tons of empty space on the top and bottom. It was a fucking joke. Get them Aziz. GET THEM.
Loved the movie though.
70mm is not just 35mm blown up either. It's about the amount of information being projected.
Plenty of us bloggers and viewers are discussing this and we want IMAX to differentiate between the formats - before we pay extra for an experience that is not the IMAX EXPERIENCE as we have come to know and love it.
Here's a few places that are talking about it even more in depth, and also my blog on the subject.
http://cyber5.wordpress.com
http://samanthaurban.blogspot.com/2009/05/duped...
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/41049
We want Real IMAX!
I agree with the principle though.
Does baby need a bottle!
Why don't you get a life loser!
Instead of walking out of an event he was dissatisfied with, this guy WATCHES THE ENTIRE MOVIE....THEN....THREATENED the poor schmuck working at the theater (who probably only makes minimum wage) and wanted ALL of his money back.
What a complete fucking asshole. Like the poor theater employee is the one responsible?
There are smart ways to handle a situation like this and there are dumbshit ways to handle situations like this.....
This guy Aziz is a complete fucking dumbshit..in fact he should be made Captain of the U.S.S. Dumbshit....he should be made President of Dumbshitistan....he should be crowned Grand Exalted Poobah of the United Brotherhood of Dumbshits...
New dictionary definition of "dumbshit": Aziz
Frankly I had the same feeling myself.. I don't think its right. Good for you aziz! We get shorted and robbed in every aspect of our lives. On a dam relaxing entertainment outing I don't want to get fucked in the pocket by one more person. WE should BOYCOTT!! what the hell is the point of paying extra for nothing!
http://ontherun.hollywood.com/
Also, WTF is going on with these dumbasses in the comments section? Too many people got sticks up their asses. Really, yall are bringing up Darfur in a light hearted dialog? LOSERS!
THE PROBLEM at hand is that many of us would have been willing to drive several hours out of the way to see something in IMAX!!! If I did that, and a REGULAR SCREEN, I would want to murder someone, and you damn well bet, I would go ahead and watch the movie so as to make sure the trip wasn't A GIANT WASTE OF TIME! Thank you, Aziz for saving me on gas and the cost of a defense attorney.
I support your comments 100%. I can't stand people who watch the whole movie and then want a refund. I also hate people who always say 'The customer is always right!" That is a phrase that companies should use to treat their customers and not customers using the phrase to get freebies.
First of all, of course you have. Second, does he get the time back it took him to go out of his way to see the movie in IMAX if he complains first? How can you be so dense as to completely miss the point of his post? It has NOTHING to do with the 5 dollars.
Aziz doesn't care about or need 5 bucks. This is about absolutely blatant false advertising. Have you ever even seen a real IMAX screen? It's very clear that you have not since you cannot seem to grasp what is happening here. I am glad he is spreading the word about it, so it doesn't happen to me.
IMAX = $16
LIEMAX = $10.
These theaters seem to go against the claim in the IMAX Corporation's trailers that they have the "biggest screens." I've been to plenty of non-IMAX theaters with bigger screens than these new Digital IMAX theaters. The only difference is that those were projecting 35mm film. I will no longer patronize that theater, since for the same price I can have a much better experience across town, at a proper (in my own personal opinion) IMAX. I will also recommend my friends don't pay extra for the new IMAX, since it simply isn't worth the difference in price.
IMAX should no longer be allowed to advertise "the biggest screens" if they continue deploying these theaters that are closer to average size and smaller than some standard theaters.
I only feel sorry for markets where the "new" IMAX is the only choice. Many fans will want to see their favorites on the biggest screen and best quality, but they may still be missing out compared to proper IMAX in cases like The Dark Knight, which actually makes use of the typical IMAX aspect ratio for some scenes.
Hear that IMAX CEO. Don't try to cop out and tell us only 10% agreed with Aziz. There will be more complaints once Aziz's story has been heard.
I remember going to an AMC 'IMax" movie with my son and daughter. I left the theatre to get some popcorn. I mistakenly entered the same film in a regular showing of the feature, one room down and could NOT found my kids. You would think the screen size and projection quality would have been a give away that I was in the wrong theater- but it wasn't. This new IMax is a total rip off
My local AMC has that IMAX bullshit and I went and saw the screen, yeah it's big but it's no where near the size of a real IMAX screen. It's pure marketing bullshit and 95% of people won't figure out mainly because only a few movies are ever released with IMAX camera. And the reason so few IMAX movies are released is because it takes balls and skills to use that big ass camera.
The last major movie to use IMAX cams was Dark Knight and it had a whole earth shattering 4 scenes in it.
However, defending yourself by claiming to fight for the people and lashing out at the FAKE IMAX APOLOGISTS who have replied just makes it look like you've gone bat shit crazy or you were serious about everything, including the twitter boycott.
-MIKE
I agree with you 100%! Viva La Revolution!
IMAX quality and sound?????? What the hell does that mean?? IMAX represents HUGE screens. Ill never go to another IMAX again.
Granted it looked and sounded great, but when I paid the $5 premium to see IMAX, I expected a gigantic screen, not just a retrofitted auditorium. Screw IMAX, I'm going to the ArcLight!
I guess now this makes it only 89% for IMAX... way to defend your product Richard Gelfond. This is the same douche that claims that piracy is crippling the movie industry (which btw has been having record years).
If you leave a movie less than half way through at amc they give you a refund, no questions asked, my friend and I have gone up and just told them the movie was terrible and they gave us our money back with a smile.
Furthermore, how is this even wrong? It's a movie filmed with IMAX equipment and marketed by IMAX. just because the screen isn't huge doesn't mean it's not an imax movie.
Even furthermore, if you couldn't tell that the theater wasn't big enough to incorporate the giant imax screen from the outside, you don't deserve your money back.
http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/05/12/extra-...
You know what the manager was thinking, "Oh, so he's a no life loser who spends all day on his PC, I have nothing to worry about here."
I'm not saying people who spend a lot of time on the PC are bad, I'm one of them. However, acting as if anyone will be impressed by your nerd status online, is pathetic.
Everyone knows imax is known for one thing. the gigantic screens.. and now they are trying to whore theyre brand out.. they shouldn't call it imax if it isn't what we expect.
Anywyas i emailed them and complained for you.
I remember my younger customer service days I would have thought you were a huge asshole.
My "reblog": http://www.geojohn.net/2009/05/the-imax-experie...
I commend you for, what it looks like, reading the whole comment section on this page. I know that most of this blog [post was a joke, but i do work for AMC up near Seattle, at a theatre that has an IMAX screen and would like to explain a few things:
I understand your frustration with with the smaller screen size. But in order for a theatre to be upgraded to IMAX regulation you must remove the old smaller screen and IMAX installs a screen that covers the theatre wall to wall and ceiling to floor. My IMAX screen is about 50 feet high and around 60 square feet larger than the original screen.
A digital IMAX screen also doesn't automatically mean that the screen is going to be over 70 feet tall. There are plenty film IMAX screens that are smaller than that size.
There is a lot more I could say here, but I don't want to waste your time. If you have any questions, I would love to answer them.
The shit is sleeze, no question about it. They take their name famous for having 60+ foot movie screens and a 70mm film format that amazed us as kids on field trips. They use it to charge an extra $5 for what is simply a 2k digital projector (which is arguably worse than a well calibrated 35mm projector).
I went out of my way and drove from Santa Monica to The Bridge just to see The Dark Knight in IMAX. I felt the exact same way. I was like, why the fuck is the screen so small? What a jip.
A lot of you should really stop bitching whether it be about imax or what you think about the person who wrote this both of you actin like some bitches right now. What do you learn when you surround yourself with snakes and worms?
I can't believe they responded to you at all. They must be worried that the jig is up.
This rant reminds me of parents who take their small children to an R-rated movie and then complain when the movie is too risque for the kids. No one even tries to find out why a movie is rated R, just like you didn't bother trying to find out what kind of IMAX theater you were going to.
Were I the manager, I wouldn't have given you anything. You sat down and watched an entire movie and then expect a partial refund because the screen wasn't big enough for you? If you're as busy as you claim you should just be glad you got to see the movie at all.
Sure, you're a comedian, and supposedly this post is full of "subtle humor," but typing in all caps and telling people to fuck off is hardly the way to be taken seriously.
That is, if you're even serious about boycotting.
Coke, I assume its a Coke. That's the whole point, they don't
differentiate between these two distinctly different types of IMAX
screens. Also, try to call the AMC Burbank. Its not really possible,
they are all automated and no one picks up the "customer service line."
The R-Rated analogy is flawed. I went to an IMAX screen, expecting an
IMAX like EVERY OTHER IMAX - Lincoln Square, Bridge, Universal. I
didn't get it and there was nothing to forwarn me and nothing in the
advertising to differentiate this IMAX from those others.
FUCK OFF!*
*Writing a thoughtful serious take on this whole issue as we speak
Sorry just had too add that in, too get yours go to your friendly Mexican store
And before I forget, your attempt at humor at the end of the post is beyond childish.
situation to going to see an IMAX movie and it being significantly
smaller screen than what the IMAX branded screen generally means.
When you walked into the theater, it should have been pretty obvious that the screen was smaller. If it wasn't, then as soon as the trailers started it should have been ridiculously obvious the screen was smaller.
So why did you keep watching? Just so you could pitch a fit?
And really, in the end, this whole damn argument is moot because you watched a movie that was filmed on 35mm film with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The image projected on screen would NOT fill the whole frame. If you're lucky the width will be the same, but the top and bottom third of the film would have black bars. Using the image in your blog as an example, that would mean that you're watching the movie on a screen that's only 30 feet tall (at the absolute maximum). So that spectacle you were talking about? Not gonna happen with a Hollywood film. Sure, with movies like Dark Knight and Transformers 2 we get specific scenes from the movie filmed in IMAX, but all in all it's just way too expensive to shoot an entire movie in IMAX. This is why the movies filmed exclusively for IMAX are 40 minutes long.
they are doing is clearly misleading. I am clearly in the right.
No?
Then please stop complaining. You watched what was, basically, an HD movie. Yes, IMAX made their name with large screens, but it's not just about that. It's also about delivering sound and projection that is of a superior quality to a standard theatre. We pay more money for HDTV and Blu-Ray discs, why is the theatre any different?
HUMONGOUS one of kind screens. Their marketing slogan was THINK BIG.
You lose the argument Kapit!
And what argument is there to lose? You've brought nothing to this discussion outside of a half-assed Coke analogy. Every question I've presented to you has been brushed off with claims of you being in the right.
How can you even hope to debate the CEO of IMAX if you can't even answer some simple questions?
out, there are over 2000 comments on here. I'm doing my best. I
searched and found your other posts, ALL of which I address btw. But I
will re-address because I'm an idiot that is still wasting time with
this.
Why did I walk out? ITS IN THE OTHER POST - "For those saying, “Dude
you saw the movie! And then you want a refund!!! Why didn’t you
leave??” First off, I just asked for the $5 IMAX surcharge on the
principle that it wasn’t IMAX. I was fine paying the other $10 for
seeing the movie. Second of all, I’ve been dying to see the movie and
I finally had a window of time to see it. I was going to watch the
movie. I didn’t want to deal with that hassle and not get to see it.
Someone brought up a good analogy in the comments. If I bought a first
class plane ticket and then got on the plane and saw all the seats
were coach, I’d still get on the flight. I wouldn’t get off, miss my
flight, and totally inconvenience myself. I would get on and then deal
with the issue afterwards."
Your argument about IMAX being "about delivering sound and projection
that is of a superior quality to a standard theatre. We pay more money
for HDTV and Blu-Ray discs, why is the theatre any different?" Because
you don't buy a Blu-Ray disc and get a disc that's DVD quality and
have them say "Look this is the Blu-Ray experience, deal with it bro."
Regardless of your thoughts on my personal situation, the point I'm
trying to make is ultimately indisputable. Argue against this - 1)
They make two types of IMAX screens. That is a FACT. 2) The new
screens are on average almost 1/5 the size of the original screens on
which the name IMAX has been marketed for years. That is a FACT. 3)
They do NOTHING to differentiate between these two types of screens at
movie theatres, on website listings, or anything. It just says IMAX.
That is a FACT. 4) To put out two products of wildly different quality
under the same name, for the same price, WITH NO ADVANCE WARNING TO
THE CONSUMER IS WRONG!!!
SUCK IT KAPIT!! YOU HAVE NOTHING!!!!!!! NO ARGUMENT TO REFUTE THESE
POINTS! IF YOU DO, LET'S HEAR IT.
First off, a movie is not a plane. Hopefully that is obvious. I still don't understand how leaving a theater is a huge inconvenience. You could have got your 5 bucks back and waited a whole 30 minutes for the next show to start in a standard theater. Would 30 minutes really have mattered that much? With all the time you've spent on here replying to various comments you could have seen the movie again :)
You saw a movie free of visual or audio problems. The resolution was higher than that of a 35mm film print. How is
that not of a better quality?
1) Technically, it's the same type of screen ;) That being said, the size of the screen for Digital IMAX is dependent on the size of the theatre they're converting. The screen fits to the walls and ceiling of the theatre.
2) Where did you get the 1/5th number from? Just curious, cause it seems different websites have different numbers. The Digital IMAX I visit, while it doesn't wrap around as the usual IMAX theatres are, is still impressive as hell. I'd say it's a good 50 feet high and 60-70 feet wide.
3) Hindsight is 20/20. No one has noticed or cared about this for a couple years now, and the only reason anyone cares now is because people are easily susceptible to forming opinions based on what someone else says.
4) The QUALITY of the movie is NOT different. Only the screen size and projection setup are different. Yes, IMAX film is of a higher resolution, but Hollywood movies are not filmed on IMAX. Did you happen to catch Dark Knight in IMAX? There is a HUGE different in quality between the scenes shot on 35mm and those shot on 70mm.
Oh, and as it happens, I do have something :)
Leaving a theatre is an inconvenience. I drove out an extra half hour
to see the film in IMAX. I had a 2 hour window to see a movie. I
couldn't wait 30 minutes to start another showing (nor is it on me to
find out if that's an option). This is all the theatre's screwup, not
mine. I do agree I could have seen the movie again given all the time
I've spent replying to comments, but as you can probably tell I enjoy
arguing.
The issue not of better quality. I paid for an IMAX screen. Have you
read the hundreds of other comments written up here? People expect
IMAX to be a large multi-story screen.
First off, just read this whole article and it explains the issue much
better than I can:
http://www.lfexaminer.com/20081016.htm
1) Its NOT the same screen. These are two different things. Even IMAX
acknowledges that. The retro-fitted Digital screens are NOT the same,
they just started making those in recent years. Even Regal and AMC
wanted to call them Digital IMAX as to not confused customers
expecting the usual IMAX.
2) The screen size numbers are from the LF Examiner piece - http://www.lfexaminer.com/20081016.htm
- the average size of the new digital screen is 1,250 sq ft and the
average of the traditional ones is 4,800 sq ft. It averages about 1/4
the size. The 1/5 number is from that diagram above which is an
example from NY, where many people have gotten upset by the bait and
switch. (No point to be awarded, just clearing up where I got the
number from).
3) I don't understand what you mean. Hundreds of people on this thread
alone agree they also felt jipped by these fake IMAX's. There have
been several articles complaining about it before mine, mine just
happened to get spread around. Here READ these:
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...
http://gothamist.com/2009/01/30/dark_knight_is_...
4) Yes I understand the difference between the two types regarding
material shot on IMAX cameras. But you keep ignoring the central tenet
of my argument. The primary benefit of IMAX screens are the HUGE
screen. They are making two different types of screens now and they
are not distinguishing between the two. The new ones are on average
1/4 the size. They charge the same $5 and there do nothing to inform
the consumer. How can you agree that's fair?
Amused Reader needs to grow some nuts and stand his/her ground for once and see that you can get what you paid for, and were promised.
and as for getting your $5 back... that is REG policy. if you were upset at the beginning you could have walked out and demanded all your money back. but the fact that you watched the whole thing and then complained, that just seems like you want to rip the theatre off rather than us. also, be aware that 99% of the money you pay at the box office does not go to REG at all, it goes to Hollywood. so in all honesty, REG didn't hurt you at all.
Let's BOYCOTT !
What's funny is how they've analyzed every word of the story, blaming Aziz for everything from watching the movie all the way through to not taking the more lucrative free popcorn offer to his failure to research the size of the screen in advance to being short. It's a terrible and interesting thing to observe. When these FARKers put their minds to it, they can come up with 999 different kinds of bullshit to support any position they feel like (which is why they make such great Bush-loving ditto head teabaggers).
The box office operator calls it "our version of imax" I saw star trek. Great movie but EDX (or IMAX digital) is not worth the extra $5. Since none of the scene are filmed in IMAX it not worth watching in a real IMAX theater either.
im from the uk and last night went to see star trek with a couple of friends at one of the few imax screens in our country. After seeing the dark knight i was amazed at the imax scenes and couldnt wait to show my friends, after ten minutes into the feature i was still waiting for an imax scene after the whole film i felt truly dissapointed it was nothing like imax film it was just the film stretched out to fit the screen in a poor resolution that made the fast-moving action scenes unwatchable ! the imax presentation before the feature was the only true imax part of the evening the rest of it looked like a decent pirated cam-job at best ! there needs to be some clarity over the format rather than consumers getting ripped off again
Why do they charge $1 more when they give less value for your money?
I don't mind telling you that I reclaimed my bag of grain and got out of there.
Tally ho!
Also, I predict this strategy will backfire on them. Once everybody catches on, NOBODY will go to these little-dick IMAX's. Same bad business strategy as always: deceive people to get their money. Anybody who cares about IMAX will not go there, and anybody who doesn't won't pay $5 more for it. Kudos to you for posting this, as you're accelerating the learning curve.
Advertise it as an "Imax like experience" and tell me in advance it's not the true Imax and let me decide from there.
A rip off is a rip off and should be fought against. I wish I lived in the area, I'd love to boycott this theatre and write a letter informing them why.
This is just a ploy to get back some of the money they are losing from piracy. Instead of lowering the price of tickets, and popcorn so that movies are more affordable, they keep turning out shitty Super Hero and Comic Book movies, by the dozen, and tell you it's IMAX.
Just download the torrent of the movie on thepiratebay.org, and don't support your IMAX theater.
The fact of the matter is that the quality is less. Small = less. Less = bad, especially when your not expecting it.
What is IMAX thinking? Oh, and the science center that actually has IMAX will not be showing it until the cash cow's at the multiplexes have binged themselves thoroughly. Enjoy it while it lasts.
This is my favorite: IMAX Chief Executive Richard Gelfond - "Does American Airlines brand a (Boeing) 767 (flight) differently than a 727? We wouldn't put our name on it unless it lived up to the 'Wow!' factor and to the Imax brand,"
My wow would be considerably less "Wow!" and more like "Oh?"
What if Coke decided to change the formula and not say anything. Sure, they have done that over the years, however it is clearly labeled as such and they all failed.
Boycott IMAX! The only tool you have as a consumer is your wallet. Keep it in your pants!
Does this shit fly in Canada, or are we as Americans just that easy to dupe?
Thanks you for your email. The IMAX Experience® is about more than just screen size or any one individual characteristic or feature. It is made possible through the combination of the world’s sharpest and brightest images, the clearest and most accurate sound available and IMAX’s immersive theatre geometry. And more fans around the world are able to see Hollywood blockbusters in IMAX today thanks to our growing network, our ground-breaking digital projection system and our IMAX DMR® (digital re-mastering) film conversion technology. For more information on The IMAX Experience, please visit www.imax.com.
You saved me $5. And probably more. We just got one of these "imax" theaters at an AMC near me. I was pretty pumped until you found out it was not an actual IMAX like the ones I've been to before. The best part of IMAX it the uninterrupted peripheral viewing pleasure. I don't think you can achieve that with a slightly bigger than normal cinema screen.
So you may have lost your $5, but bet your ass they won't be getting mine.
I have boycotted the "IMAX experience" from the day it was released b/c I perceived the same thing as you experienced and didn't want to just give my money away for free in these hard times.
If the "real IMAX" is still around and they show movies, I'll go there otherwise screw AMC, Regal, and IMAX for trying to scam my hard earn money out of my pocket.
Completel bullshit.
The only ones who are really fucking themselves over is IMAX. Their brand will be worthless if they keep this up. How difficult would it be to launch a competitor to this "IMAX lite" or cut them out of the equation altogether with a cheaper or better competitor? Not very. I'm not certain how much Dolby Labs and Lucasfilm get for licensing their Dolby and THX technologies, but that's pretty much where IMAX appears to be heading.
In the end, it's a marketing ploy to make people think it's one thing, but instead they get another. That's a poor practice and it backfires. Eventually, they will have to re-brand with a new name to sell it as a fully digital experience. In the future, I do not plan to support any IMAX or AMC for false advertising.
That's all this discussion should be about, not about restaurants, the Sudan, or how Aziz told off the manager (I mean, comedian, HELLOOOOOO!) Sure it may not be the most important thing out there right now, but it's good people out there feel the same as me. Thanks, Aziz!
http://www.contentinople.com/author.asp?section...
All imaxes are not the same. The newer imax digital screens are a bit of a rip because they are imax screens being converted from the older screens in theatres that have already been built. Therefore cannot be turned into 70 ft tall screens if the building was not meant to be that big.
If you just ask a theatre 1 how big their screen is and 2 if its imax digital then this would have never been an issue. If you like traditional imax go to a traditional imax theatre. if you saw it on a ginormous screen why stop going to that theatre for some new one? stick with what you know is awesome.
just because its smaller doesnt mean its not imax. imax is the film. sure if its not filmed with an imax camera (which parts of dark knight were the only one filmed with an imax camera) then it is converted into imax film. it does not make it suck. imax makes its be clear and big and really great sound. the only movies that are stretched onto the screen are giant screen movies. dont watch them they are just reg movies really blown up and stretchy looking.
imax is an experience aziz whether you know it or not you still saw a badass version of star trek on an awesome screen. just because it wasnt 70 ft tall doesnt make it any less of an awesome picture. you need to watch a regular version to compare the two. or just deal with the fact that you have a size issue :) <3
That's some pretty shady math, I'd like to see the overlap between the total # of screens start trek opened on - probably north of 3k - and the total # of screens IMAX is on - and then use THAT overlap to see what type of "choice" consumers were actually given. He thinks that his IMAX brand actually compelled more people to see THE movie event of May.
Really? Brand Dilution INDEED.
BOYCOTT IMAX.
Imax is a superior quality format and process for shooting and screening film. in an IMAX braned cinema you are getting that upscaled video an audio quality even if the film is shot on conventional film, and the price of the equipment totally justifies the extra price.
In a way the picture quality is even better than the big imax screens, since it's the same imax format being concentrated into a smaller size, and your viewing distance from the screen means that once you're in your seat the experience is pretty much the same.
This is all a load of bullshit and you are a twat. you don't deserve free popcorn.
LIEMAX screens stink!
They dilute the IMAX brand and they are not worth the extra $5!
If theaters want to retain customers they should stop the nonsense. I'd pay an extra five bucks to have a normal size screen with an usher for the loud mouths and less commercials.
Those days are over, the Imax brand has been sold and resold again to Hollywood for use in regular small screen theaters. The current owners of Imax have been trying to resell Imax for years and are not focused on making quality products. The result is that movies not filmed using Imax Cameras are being shown on small screens at higher Imax prices. The fake Imax claims digital quality, but there are other digital projections technologies in theaters like DLP Digital that do not charge extra. Some like the Sony 4k digital has higher quality than the fake Imax and also does not charge extra.
Star Trek was not filmed using special Imax cameras in the way scenes of The Dark Night were. There is no true Imax version of Star Trek anywhere. If you see Star Trek in an Imax theater, you are not getting the real Imax experience of the past. If the ticket price is the same, the PretendaMax version would be reasonable. To pay $5 to $10 extra for a fake Imax experience is a ripoff. The new Imax owners are hoping the public doesn't understand current digital film technology and falls for the scam.
In the late nineties, the Canadian founders of Imax sold their company to Rich Gelfond and Brad Wechsler. Over the next decade these two gentlemen would ruin both the stock price and the beloved Imax brand.
The stock price, which traded at $49 in 1999, would drop 99% to 59 cents in 2001. The Imax stock spent the rest of the 2000 decade between $3 and $11, where it currently sits at $7.
The original Imax founders spent decades building a beloved brand of quality films made using quality cameras shown on larger than life screens. The new owners, Gelfond and Wechsler, have replaced the founder's forumula for quality with a misguided attempt for more profits. Faced with shareholders that lost up to 99% of their investment in Imax, Gelfond and Wechsler made a desperate attempt to attract more interest in the Imax stock price. Gelfond and Wechsler made a deal with Hollywood to use the Imax name on small screens in regular movie theaters.
The Imax founders goal was to use cutting edge technology and provide a quality experience.
The Gelfond and Wechsler Imax team's goal is to get the stock price back up.
The Imax founders made decisions based on what makes a good movie experience.
Gelfond and Wechsler make decisions based on how to make the quickest buck and sell the company yet again.
Gelfond and Wechsler's original 5 year plan was to buy Imax from the founders, expand at the expense of brand quality, and re-sell the expanded Imax company at a profit. There have been two fizzled auction attempts. In 2006, Gelford and Wechsler put Imax up for sale a third time. This third round of potential buyers included Sony, but they all backed off when they looked at the books.
In 2007, a decade of accounting concerns caught up with Imax. Gelford and Wechsler's team had questionable past revenue accounting processes that resulted in a SEC investigation and six class action lawsuits.
So let's recap:
Gelfond and Wechsler would do anything to make Imax attractive to buyers. Even if it's questionable. This is proven by the SEC Investigation, six class action lawsuits, and the attempt to use the Imax name on non-Imax quality screens. The new owners have departed from the vision of the Imax founders. They are simply hoping to sell tickets to small screens at higher Imax prices for personal gain.
http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=b1eea...
Do you remember seeing the frame aspect ratio jump from normal letterbox to almost square on city fly overs in Batman? Have you ever been to a documentary film that was shot in Imax?
Imax cameras shoot 70mm, sideways (15 perf). No popcorn movies are shot in Imax. Every commercial popcorn movie you have ever seen in an Imax theater was just the *same* movie projected larger.
Transformers 2 will be the first movie in the history of visual effects to have characters integrated into Imax plates and projected 5 stories tall, and it will only be for 3 main sequences. (see information available online)
I was debating seeing "Night at the Museum" down there, but now that you remind me how not-good the last experience was (and for EXTRA MONEY!) - I'm going to the neighborhood cinema instead.
Just figured I'd add incase no one else has, that Cineplex (a canadian theatre company) also carries Imax brand screens at selected locations.
They claim crisper sound and image quality, but again are nothing in size compared to the real Imax screens. The auditoriums themselves are usually only bigger in the sense that they can hold more people. A few I've been to also have different seats, but that's about the only differences from the regular shows they play.
I had one guy, get pissed off at me because I turned cleaning lights on in the theatre, before he was done watching the credits and say he was going to find a manager to get a refund. I apologized to him, and told him that's how it works. This particular theatre required manual light switches which turned on our HUGE cleaning lights vs just house lighting, but that's all we had.
But incomparison, if some old lady, or small child went flying down the stairs because there wasn't enough lighting for them to leave before this guy finished his credits, the damage to the theatre would have been far worse.
But back on point:
The deal with refunds is usually if before 30minutes into the movie you decide not to stay, or that you don't want to see that particular movie, a refund can be done. That way people don't try to get free movies out by complaining about stuff AFTER the movie is done.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=794797796...
I used to work in a movie theater and they could have very easily given Aziz his money back. It's not a difficult procedure by any means. And even if it were, I just would have given him the five bucks out of my pocket and embezzled more cash from the concession stand. You just give the complainers their money back. I had to give a guy and his wife money out of my own pocket once when they complained that "Rising Sun" (Sean Connery/Wesley Snipes Japanese gangster flick, 1993) was a "dirty movie" because it opened with a sex scene. I just wanted them to fucking leave. They did.
Last summer I almost drove three hours to see "The Dark Knight" in IMAX. If I'd gotten there and found a fake-ass IMAX screen I would have burned the fucking place down.
JR.
In retaliation, I movie-hopped two more films.
However, after wathcing full movie and asking for full refund or partial refund doesnt count.
Like restaurant rule. Doesnt sound ethical either.
These micro IMAX amc/regal been around long time may be a year or so.
Its a matter of knowledge. All movie chain IMAX are micro.
Musuem and Science center imax are cool ones.
Dude i know how yu feel when yu get screwed. Get over it...
Threatening them.. hahah. Probably yu shd have wrote it and not to say abt it.
Not cool man,,,,
Goood yu made a issue.. yu got publicity for yurself and for the whole issue.
Now every one knws atleast.,,,,
Do u think everyone cares how big is the screen....
So as long as yu have 60-70% crowd like that this theaters will be around for some time....
Go to a good movie in AMC or anywhere some shows for a good movie hardly yu see any ppl. 5-10 may be... Still they continue to operate...
You know how. BECAUSE THEY GOT THE MOST EXPENSIVE POPCORN AND SODA .. in the world. A cup of corn and couple of teaspoon of syrup would cost may be few cents. But they got to pay all the ppl. they have to run the place.. I knw yu are upset.. go watch it in good place,...I am sure yu will enjoy it...
adiorio@amctheatres.com; administrator@amctheatres.com; cramsey@amctheatres.com; dickw@regalcinemas.com; gslayton@amctheatres.com; gthyer@amctheatres.com; juscott@amctheatres.com; mbell@amctheatres.com; mzwonitzer@amctheatres.com; pblase@amctheatres.com; sgormley@imax.com; slarson@amctheatres.com; zbaze@amctheatres.com; jthomison@hilliard.com; scott.barry@credit-suisse.com; dmiller@cariscompany.com; george.hawkey@barclayscapital.com; jeffrey.logsdon@bmo.com; mharrigan@wundernet.com; chris.white@wedbush.com; bmogil@westwindpartners.com; mbacker@researchassoc.com; david.gober@morganstanley.com; jhindelong@mchny.com; ewold@mcfco.com; dick.westerling@regmovies.com; dick.westerling@regmovies.c; mark.leonard@regalcinemas.com; gm925@regmovies.com; don.delaria@regmovies.com; larry.lutz@regmovies.com; npimaxsales@imax.com; humanresources@imax.com; info@imax.com; rgelfond@imax.com;
When we went to see the movie in a theater in Houston (AMC by the way) my wife mentioned that the screen looked smaller than the previous IMAX that we had been in (which is in a museum). I did make too much of that at that time untill I read about your blog and it turns out that she was right and that we were viewing on a smaller screen. At that time we thought that we were merely farther away. Looks like we got screwed. The next few words will be in caps because I want to make sure people get this...
I WILL NOT WATCH AN IMAX MOVIE IN AMC OR ANY THEATER THAT HAS THE SMALLER SCREEN ANYMORE. FROM NOW ON ITS EITHER THE MUSEUM OR A STANDARD SCREEN..
Again thanks for bringing this to my attention
The ironic thing is that outside of the theatre, TV screens advertise IMAX, but show pictures and video from their bigger theatres!! It's only until you pay and get inside this one that you realize it about the same size as any other one.
Also, in terms of people not complaining, you have to account that alot of people have only been to IMAX once or twice, most not at all, and their locations are so limited that if a large one isn't nearby, there's nothing to compare the crappy one too. Most people that go in probably still think it's a ripoff but don't go to the extent of complaining because that's what they think an IMAX theatre is supposed to look like. I know 4 people who went to this smaller IMAX theatre I speak of, and didn't notice anything being wrong at all because they'd never been to an actual IMAX theatre.
However, all 5 of us did agree on one thing - Absolute waste of money. I'll definitely never pay the extra money for slightly better sound.
I plan on seeing the movie at Airbus IMAX in Virginia. I guess now I will get the real experience. I am very disappointed with AMC. It is false advertising plain and simple. Give these larger screen theaters another name but to use the term IMAX is to lie.
Is this the official AMC response or just yours? Seems like maybe you all got the same memo.. money first..service? NO not for those Jack Asses!!
Do you really like saying "For 50 cents more you can get a large"? I doubt it. Some fat prick in an office somewhere thinks you do.
The theaters also should have trained their customer support people on how to deal with exactly this situation, because I highly doubt Aziz is the first customer, and he most certainly won't be the last, to demand their $5 back.
And this is exactly why brands (all brands) need to start learning about Twitter, like yesterday. Because it's not going away. Consumers aren't idiots, especially IMAX fans who are even more likely to be techno-geeks than the average movie-goer. And with a slew of IMAX-branded films stacked up to hit the box office this summer, they better get their shit together. Little film called Transformers, anyone?
I'm not calling you a dumbfuck, Aziz.
It just seems to me that maybe the whole "IMAX Experience" naming came about for legal reasons, that they had to be draw a distinction between an "IMAX Film" and "Whichever Film: tweaked for an IMAX-like theatre".
But their "distinction" is totally dubious and frustrating. I grew up with the IMAX in Boston, moved to NYC with its Lincoln Square IMAX and have the same high expectations of anything called an "IMAX Experience".
I had the exact same experience but in Fort Myers at the Regal AMC or whateverthefuck it's called. I didn't complain because I was with my dad and we were having our first movie outing in many, many years, but I was just as annoyed.
"IMAX Experience" is totally misleading and bogus. From what I remember, "THX" is/was all about audio, and in order to be "THX certified" you had to meet a certain standard. Paul Newman's foods, were all about organics, right? And despite the fact that it all started with shooting on huge-ass film (and whether IMAX Inc. or whateverthefuck they're called wants to admit it or not), IMAX made its name with ridiculously huge screens. Sure, the film was big and the resolution blah blah blah... but their claim to fame is big. fucking. screens. So using that name to peddle a less-than experience comes across as... I don't know... sleazy.
And let's not forget: measuring these IMAX-lite screens by their height is pointless, since so many films they're showing are in cinematic ratios, not IMAX, so it's really about how wide the screen is since the film never fills the horizontal space. And 58 feet is not all that wide compared to other decent theaters. Not to mention more and more cinemas are going to digital projection with 2k and 4k projectors, thereby giving people a nearly identical (visually, at least) experience to the "IMAX" one next door.
Anyway. "IMAX Experience" just feels like a shitty way to do something only somewhat cool. The real drag is that IMAX has always been about an awesome, immersive movie experience and fans of the original IMAX have always appreciated it. This "IMAX Experience" just seems weak.
Manager: I don’t really care sir.[/quote]
+1 for the Manager. I don't know who this guy is writing this blog but even if it was meant as a joke that was a fine response. Go whine to the CEO & board of directors.
Look refunding a disatisfied customers money is the cost of doing business. Azizi didn't even ask for a total refund. And for those morons who say you can't eat the entire meal and then get a refund... I worked in the restaurant biz for 15 years and it happens all the time. The goal is to get the customer to come back, duh? For the record "imax" (note lowere case) will not be seeing a return visit from me.
100% Agree. The IMAX Experience tag line is "Think Big". How they could think that the "big" part isn't part of what consumers are expecting when they purchase IMAX tickets.
I guess it's like how Diesel puts their name on a 7 dollar windbreaker and it becomes 120 bucks. Until consumers decide that they wont put up with this shit, it will continue as it has. At least getting the issue on the table will allow consumers to make an educated decision instead of just being "tricked" as so many of us have into thinking we were about to see an actual large IMAX screen.
In conclusion, IMAX (which I used to love) has become a crock of shit.
Film camera standard is 35mm, IMAX is 70 or 75... somewhere in there. The point is, it is twice as big.
Sometimes films will be upconverted to an imax frame, meaning they will be shot on 35mm, then that film will be projected on a 70mm nagative, producing a larger frame which can be expanded to larger screens without as much quality loss.
In short, IMAX is the size of the frame being projected, not the size of the screen like we have come to know it as.
Also, you are right, that is lame and cheap of them to swindle everyone like that, you have all the right to be upset
If your purpose is to *fix* this problem somehow, please clean up the language and I can spread it more easily.
http://welcometotardville.blogspot.com/2009/05/...
Key here is "LARGE-FORMAT"!!!!!!!!!!!! Even google expects to see a LARGE screen.
I won't since I'm a decent guy, but the point is- it's SO the fucking principle of the matter.
I won't since I'm a decent guy, but the point is- it's SO the fucking principle of the matter.
See, this is what's wrong with Hollywood and the film industry in general these days. It's why they're steadily losing their ass. They don't even go through the motions anymore to pretend the crap they're pumping out is worthwhile on a human level anymore...It's just cheap fucking thrills. There's simply no SOUL left in Hollywood. Nobody cares about anything but the almighty dollar. Bunch of WHORES.
YOU'RE KILLING THE FILM INDUSTRY, YOU FUCKTARDS!!!!!
Having only paid $6 at the local science theatre to experience a TRUE IMAX with beautiful cuts of mountainous expanses, I expected a $15 ticket to give me about that much more.... lame.
and as for getting your $5 back... that is REG policy. if you were upset at the beginning you could have walked out and demanded all your money back. but the fact that you watched the whole thing and then complained, that just seems like you want to rip the theatre off rather than us. also, be aware that 99% of the money you pay at the box office does not go to REG at all, it goes to Hollywood. so in all honesty, REG didn't hurt you at all.
Didn't you read what was going on? The whole point of the argument is that these theaters are being touted as 'IMAX' theaters, but they're something else that nobody who's gone to a 'real' IMAX theater would EVER mistake for the 'real' thing....
And don't gimmie that crap about how the theater chain doesn't make more than 1% on the movie...While it's not a huge percentage, it's a darn sight more than a measly 1%. Theaters couldn't survive on snack bar proceeds alone...They'd die...
And it's not even about the money---It's the principle. The theater chains are touting these 'Fake' IMAX screens to increase THEIR profits...So they should be counted with the rest of the schemers. They're perpetuating the lie, so they're just as bad as IMAX....Grow a brain, willya?
IMAX is making a huge mistake by selling out this way. If they were to present it as what it is, Digital projection with Enhanced sound, that would be fine. But don't call it IMAX unless it really is IMAX! How long until people realize that they really aren't getting that much different of an experience for the extra $5? Soon, IMAX won't mean anything, and then it will disappear. And that would be unfortunate, because the true IMAX experience is really something special, especially when combined with content that really can take advantage of it. Like Star Trek, Transformers, Dark Knight, etc.
I almost fell for the fake IMAX screen dupe when I went to see Watchmen. The only thing that saved me from spending the extra money at the wrong place was that I KNEW there wasn't--there couldn't--be a gigantic screen at the theater close to my house. Before this there was a lot of confusion about whether or not the local theater really had IMAX. My brother and I went to the IMAX site, looked at the different IMAX brands, and of course reached no definite conclusion. This is a problem. I feel sorry that you and many others couldn't get the right information. IMAX is definitely failing in their response to this. Fandango, IMAX... better start talking.
i want to go to one now please.
First off, keep fighting the good fight.
Second, add the normal theatre scree size to your diagram there - that way you're covered.
Thirdly, I only watch Parks show for you. Drop that shit and get your hairy ass into a movie, quit dickin' around.
Peace in the middle east.
The point here was that he didn't feel that he watched the movie in Imax so he wanted the difference back $5 (the price of a regular presentation). he didn't want the whole money back, just the difference. I think that is fair. I felt the same way when I went to the AMC Orchard 12 in Colorado and a little bit when I went to the Westminster Promenade 24 because in this one the screen was a little big bigger and the sharpness of the movie was outstanding and the sound incredible(still not the Giant Imax Screen).
Would you pay for a Corvette, only to get a Geo Metro with a Corvette logo on it? Same paint scheme, same logo, just smaller. It's a fucking sham.
Besides, as someone who has seen the dealings of IMAX first hand, fuck em, they're right off cunts who need to stop fucking the general public AND THEATRES in the ass business wise.
You have my deepest sympathy.
I would do the same thing if I were you.
BTW, I just learned that IMAX theatre will open 'within' the multiplex theatre close to my home. (Osaka, Japan) I was wondering how they can install such a large screen in the existing structure. IMAX may be doing the same thing here...
Good for you.
I love your new show, and now I will be sure to faithfully watch it.
I'm done with Imax until they resolve this. It's not to prove a point, but just because I don't want to take the risk of paying a bunch extra for what ammounts to not much of a change.
:-)
Thanks for being a public servant, or for that matter the next Ralph Nader
In the end, Aziz' point is simple: he paid for something expecting to get it and didn't, so he took it to the streets (or Twitter...) to inform others about his misfortune to save them from the same fate. What he's fighting for (a movie) isn't the most noble of causes, sure, but the principle is a valid one. He realizes the inanity of it, obviously, with the "update" about Darfur.
And for the record, Mr. IMAX President, I agree with Aziz on principle. I'll be waiting on Monday to see if the ticket returns for ST drop dramatically as a result of this campaign. Regardless of the sales this past weekend, now that this issue has been brought to light, this weekend will be the true test of the "boycot".
I hate how its advertised as IMAX and not as IMAX digital as it is supposed to be. I still wouldn't have known the difference between the two until seeing this post and doing some extra research. I will know be making the drive the the Universal Citywalk for Transformers 2 as it does have the 8 story tall screen.
The IMAX Experience® is known as the world's most immersive movie experience. Now through the magic of IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-Mastering), movie-goers can experience a whole new way of seeing Hollywood blockbuster movies.
IMAX® Corporation has developed a total system to re-master 35mm live-action films into 15/70 film format for exhibition in IMAX theatres. Referred to as IMAX DMR®, this technology digitally enhances the image quality of 35mm motion pictures for projection onto screens up to eight stories high. The images are just as big, clear and beautiful as those films originally produced in the 15/70mm format.
At the Montreal Imax Theatre for example, the physical film itself is shot with a camera 70mm and projected with a projector of 70mm...the screen size is not that important but the distance between the screen and the viewer is important. It's like having a very small tv in a very large room or vice-versa. The effect feels very different. The immersion feeling is only because the total angle of your both eyes covered is smaller than the width and height of the screen from were you stand...
For the AMC Imax theatre, a movie like Star Trek is shot with a 35mm camera and than blowed up digitally the cover to fit the screen and it is not using a 4k projector like a real Imax Theatre. Yes it's cheat...if you have a good sound system and a screen to feel the immersion, well it would feel a bit like an Imax. For purist thought, they can easily see the burry images of the blowup...but when the camera is constently moving creating motion blur and filled with flare lens like Star Treck...regular movie goers don't care that much because maybe they cannot see the differences.
By the way, most Imax movies shot with Imax technology are usually documentaries and 45 minutes long. Why? because it is extremelly costly. A movie like Star Treck would cost miminum 2-3 times the budget of a regular 35mm shot movie.
I think it's a ripe off that AMC charge extra. They should just say it's big screen experience, better seat, better sound...
Compare:
Real Imax Theatre is around 10-12 $ (canadian dollar)
AMC Imax for Star Treck is 15$ (canadian dollar)
Other comments :
Imax Corp is a public company and need the please shareholder
Marketing is a synonymous of bullshitting but the world itself sound better...
IMAX misrepresenting themselves. Regardless of your "theatre buff
friends," read all these comments and see how much this is getting all
over the press/internet, clearly many people have went into these "new
IMAX" screens expecting the regular humongous IMAX screen and felt
duped. IMAX does nothing to differentiate the two and they charge the
same price. Look at that diagram, you really think watching a movie on
both those screens is the exact same experience? They don't need to
differentiate the two?
You're argument about the films I'm in is hugely flawed. If you went
and saw those movies of mine you mentioned and the movie cut off 3/4s
of the way through or Paul Rudd wasn't in your version of I Love You,
Man - then your analogy would make sense, but it doesn't.
And yes, I understand there are more worthwhile issues. That's why I
made the comment about Darfur. This is ultimately a stupid issue, I
didn't think it would get spread to this level, but clearly its a
problem that resonates despite what you may think.
The following article is fairly informative:
http://gizmodo.com/5250625/cineplexes-getting-i...
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=...
or go to the guy's site: http://destroyfakeimax.blogspot.com
The twitter threat is totally valid. If I were a manager, I'd love a threat with an opportunity to prevent it as opposed to someone just walking out the door and destroying my brand on the net. Forward thinking marketing campaigns rely on word of mouth / peer based reviewing through sites like facebook and twitter - companies should be afraid of the negative buzz they are used to create as well.
Customer service is even more important to building a good brand with a strong name these days, but I find it surprising that, regardless of the outcome, a company would be so against a customer.
If a customer feels like he was cheated out of something, just pay the $5 to make him feel like you're really out there to get it right. I was in a show where the theatre shut the projector off while the credits were rolling. I went out and said "Hey can we watch the rest of the credits?" They gave me free refreshments AND free tickets, because the couldn't rewind the projector. I wasn't even asking for this, they offered. Last month, a projector malfunction caused a pause in the playback of a film I was watching. Annoying, yes, but they fixed the problem and continued playback. After the screening, the manager handed each person a free movie pass on the way out.
They want you to keep coming back, and it's worth the $5 - $10, because in realyity, they aren't paying that much. If you are or aren't in the seat, it costs them the same ammount of money to play that movie for the rest of the audience, and it only makes a difference if its a jam packed theatre. If they're going to be difficult about it, I'd rather just go to a different theatre where they won't be. It's this kind of crap that is killing the theatre industry anyway - bad theatres, bad experience, bad refreshments, bad customer service. The only advantage these theatres have right now is being able to watch the movie before it comes out on blu-ray and you can watch it in your pajamas, with whatever you want to eat/drink, and the sound and image probably look better if you have a decent setup.
Thanks.
personally, i would much rather have a better quality image and be able to feel the explosions all around me than to have Spock’s nostrils be 10 feet tall.
For example, input zip code 97224 into the theater locator and you'll get 3 results. One is a dome theater and the others are shown as 3D IMAX. From personal experience I now know that the Bridgeport IMAX theater is one of the farce small screen theaters, and the McMinnville IMAX is true IMAX.
This leads us to a basic conclusion:
When choosing how to informe consumers of the type of experience to expect IMAX deliberately failed to distinguish between traditional, huge screen, IMAX theaters and the smaller screens.
IMAX, do you really think it is more important to tell consumers that a theater is a dome IMAX than it is to tell them that the screen isn't huge?
Come on people, IMAX meant HUGE. To fail to differentiate between the huge screens and the smaller screens while taking care to let us know which are 3D and domes speaks to a deliberate misleading of the consumer.
Go You! :)
This is not the first time Imax has over sold and under delivered. They did the same thing more than a decade ago to commercial Theatres when they sold them stereoscopic 3D technology (hardware) and then failed to deliver enough films (software). Eventually other producers filled this gap.
This digital Imax system is not even an Imax developed projector. They purchased it from an outside firm. It is a mispresentation to charge a surplus for a system that delivers very little more than a 35mm conventional projection.
The 15/70 Imax film projector system, for which Mr. Ansari presumably thought he was buying a ticket, does deliver the goods.
Stick to your guns until you achieve your goal, the debate.
Morris in Montréal
I admire the traditional texture of a projector screen, there is just something great about it. I don't care for super clear picture. Films always start out as an idea, thus they are art, and fundamentally art should be seen in an artistic light. If I wanted to go outside and look at real people, I would go outside. That's what clarity is for. As for thrills, I'll play a video game with friends. As for I-MAX, I feel a lot of them are perhaps even a little too big. What you're paying for is the clarity of that huge projector. I saw The Dark Knight in I-MAX and it was great, but only portions of it were shot with the cameras. I await the day when entire films are shot on I-MAX, but that would cost too much money. I saw Star Trek on the so-called small I-MAX and enjoyed it. It was clear and still a lot bigger than the regular sized screen. On a six-story I-MAX the aspect ratio would appear very skinny and wouldn't even fill the entire screen. That film was never really designed to be seen that way anyhow (not to mention you should be a Trek fan first, thrill seeker second).
I'm not saying that it’s wrong to demand your money's worth but it’s unrealistic to expect anything greater than what we have today: Overcharged prices, poor customer service, corporate manipulation and magic-deficient storytelling are just some of the realities plaguing the movie experiences today. I feel that true peace comes from within and it can't be given to you by others. Even if I saw it on a 70 foot screen, if the movie sucked ass and I didn't have a bunch of family and friends to enjoy the experience with, I probably wouldn't care. I'll tell you what is morally unjust is the prices of candy, soda and popcorn. If you ask me it should be against federal law to charge that much. The citizens are being robbed of their hard-earned money and are simply throwing it away. I sneak in candy all the time and don't give it a second thought. Genocide, slavery, political assassinations, corruption and over-priced candy and soda.
IMAX = Eye (optical sensory organ of the human body) + MAX (to the maximum, i.e. HUGE screen)
Without a huge screen it is not IMAX (EYE + MAX).
1.) Employees of AMC/Regal/IMAX
2.) People that also got ripped off but didn't have the stones to say anything about it, so it makes them feel better to rank on someone anonymously in a blog. Or, more simply put, pussies.
The thing that blows me away is that the dumbass manager somehow thought it made more business sense to cough up two free passes (but only after seriously alienating the customer) than to just say "Sorry," and give back the $5.
(Aziz, I'm gonna check your show out just because you amused the hell out of me with this article.)
I took a look at the size of the "imax experience" screen at my local regal theater after viewing the movie on the normal digital projector and was happy that I didn't pay the extra money. The next day all the guys at the office talked shit about this rip-off.
thanks for speaking up for all the little people!!! i went to see monsters vs aliens at a fake amc with my family 2 weeks ago. (try $5 x 5...boy, did i get ripped off.) i wanted to say something to the manager but my wife said i shouldn't since we were with our 9, 6 and 4 year olds.
keep up the good fight!
hank
And perhaps he shouldn't have gone off on a movie attendant, but the fact remains that IMAX ripped him off and is ripping YOU off. That douchebag Richard Gelfond is effectively stealing YOUR money and laughing about it. His utter dishonesty and dismissal of the real problem here should raise alarm bells - the guy doesn't care that he markets one thing and sells another!
Gelfond is a lying, greedy d-bag. Charging the same for an inferior experience is outright theft.
I'm filing formal complaints tomorrow with the consumer protection agency in NYC, and with the FTC for misleading advertising. Let's see if Richard aka "Dick the Douche" Gelfond thinks its a joke when some government types crawl up his ass and fine his company for ripping people off.
Having a slightly nicer digital screen is not the same as a real IMAX. They should just distinguish the two and that way people know what they are getting.
Keep up the protest. Your argument makes sense.
I am a member of the Giant Screen Cinema Association which constitutes the vast majority of all the 15perf 70mm film format Giant screens that formerly were known for IMAX format films. These theaters are not part of the IMAX corporation but are independently owned and operated and are being used to prop up the "IMAX DIGITAL" format, which as you correctly point out, is pretending to be something it’s not. These theaters, the majority of which are owned by institutions (aquariums, museums, etc) actually charge LESS for admission to a true Giant screen then Imax Digital even though their costs are far higher. I would like to invite you to speak at the upcoming Giant Screen Cinema meeting in September as my guest, as your frank manner would be welcome wake up call to the cinema owners who live in fear that Imax will take away their projectors if they speak out against the company which still leases much of the large format film equipment used globally. There you will be able to address almost every single theater owner in the world that runs the IMAX format (IMAX the company will also be present) at one time and explain to them how they are getting screwed.
If you have a message to deliver, deliver it where it is needed, and to the people who need to be yelled at, directly.
I can slap a Lexus ornament on a Pacer and tell you to pay me extra for it, but you're still ripped off if I deliver it after you've paid me and I won't give you a refund.
Just don't call it IMAX if it isn't. And, sure as hell don't charge like it is. This is why state AGs end up wasting your money suing jerkface operations like these theatres for making false claims. Then they tell you to apply for a coupon for a movie at a theatre 5 towns away, which you'll get in the mail (with your SASE) 3 years later.
BTW- if you have 25,000 followers, threatening with twitter isn't a bad idea, as long as you're factual >-)
IMAX wont be getting my $5, $10, fucking 25 cents after reading this. Boycott on.
Maybe they should call it "IMIN" as in I-Minimum?? LOL! Keep fighting the good fight...
Cool,
Greg V.
Problem solved
Like people said before my post, you didn't get everything you paid for so you are intital to your $5 you paid extra to get the "Imax Experience"
Thats why I dont go To AMC any more. they suck
Comparing the size of one screen to another is like comparing Aziz Ansari to a real comedian. I have seen a few of his performances. Anyone wanna tell him he is the joke. Maybe he should try another form of work, he may become famous for something other then crying...
inconvenience myself because of their false advertising? I asked for
my $5 back. I'm in the right.
I went to an "IMAX" screening at AMC theater in Century City and it was a complete joke. It was so tiny compared to the real IMAX screen. It was just a normal screen. Why pay more? Next time I'll make sure to ask how big the screen is. IMAX and AMC are thieves and ripping ignorant people off. But IMAX is ultimately just damaging itself. Imagine someone who's never experienced a real IMAX screen and first sees this tiny one? They'll think what's the difference? None. And they'll never pay extra or go to an IMAX again. IMAX is stupid and will eventually get what they deserve.
Prior to the publicity that this blog generated, I had NO idea that IMAX screens differed in size. The ones I have been to have all been the HUGE screens. Therefore, I totally understand his ire and agree that he should get his money back.
The good that is coming out of this situation is that, thanks to "Aziz," people will now know that there IS a difference and can make the choice to see a real IMAX experience or a fake IMAX on a little screen. Now they know to check in advance.....
I agree with you!
As far as fucking smaller size of mother fucking screen by IMAX...That's different story..we are being decived by another asshole ceo on size comparison of fucking 3 series...so..if thats the mother fucking case then .we should be fucking paying premium only $1 more compare to regular movie and full size screen IMAX. At some point..captialism forgets about its consumers and wants to fuck and drain every penny out of middle class america.
"Usher, I am looking for the IMAX version of this movie."
"This is it sir..."
"Ohh, now I see it. The very normal sized screen has a 2 inch concave to it. That's amazing! I would pay $100 dollars a ticket for this superior experience."
Never again bitchez...
Thank you for pointing this out and what a rip off. Did not know about it and now I will look for the small IMAX screens so I do not pay extra for my smaller screen experience.
Just in case, this post supports Aziz and not the IMAX people who think we are idiots!
When you talk about the "fake" IMAX's, these are IMAX Digital, a much lower resolution format that does not run on a hard copy film. Its kinda like playing a DVD in a theater. And if anyone has ever tries to use a projection screen and DVD - you would know that the larger the area you try and show it on, the worse the picture quality gets.
So I agree, screw the fake ass IMAX's that rip you off. If its not a 15/70 mm format DO NOT SEE IT! Ask, if they dont know then they dont have it. And if they say yes and its not, then you have been lied to and THEN you can really go after them.
P.S. Human Giant was fucking awesome too.
They should definately differentiate their screen sizes. I wouldn't pay $5 more to see it on a "tiny-MAX" screen, but I might pay an extra $2. I would also definately want to know which screen size I was going to expect.
This is a total rip-off.
THANK YOU for shedding light on this bullshit they're trying to pass off as quality for just as much money as the real thing.
Thanks for the warning though, I'd fry someone's balls in peanut oil if that was my IMAX experience.
"FUCK IMAX!!"
Keep it up man!
Are there some of these digital IMAX theaters that DO have reasonably large screens, perhaps? I'm pretty sure that what I saw had a projection size that was considerably taller than 23'. I guess I will have to go back to see Star Trek there to try and access the screen's size.
I think that these Hollywood feature films are not really shot in IMAX, anyway, is an important point. TDK only had a few minutes (at best) of true IMAX footage, recognizable as those brief scenes filling the entire screen, top to bottom.
Additionally, the sound in the theater I attended was head and shoulders above that of any regular theater. By far. I realize that the sound may not be as important to others as it is to me but, honestly, for me, the sound alone was worth the extra $5. I have a very nice surround sound system with a real monster of a subwoofer and I thought the sound in the theater was very impressive. The loudest and lowest I have heard in a commercial theater.
And he claims the Twitter thing was a joke? How are we supposed to know that?
Open your eyes my friend. Or don't...I don't care. The problem is not that he's Indian. & They obviously tip you horribly because you serve them bad..being the biased and opinionated person you are. You can complain about your tip not being proportionate to service, but this guy can't complain about not getting worth of extra service charge he paid for IMAX big screen?
THEY ARE USING FALSE ADVERTISING. THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE NOW
SAYING THEY FELT DUPED AS WELL, SO I'M CLEARLY RIGHT ABOUT SOMETHING.
I'M USING ALL CAPS CAUSE YOUR STUPID THING ABOUT INDIAN BARGAIN
HUNTING PISSED ME OFF. YOU'RE AN IDIOT.
I want you to give the CEO a verbal beat down on that debate should he accept it. Let the venue be on Bill O'Reilly's show with half the debate on a BS IMAX screen and the other on a real IMAX screen. Let the public see and hear the difference.
GTFO.
great argument. Way to address the issue.
When I go to Fandango and pay for any normal showing there is only a $1 convenience fee, as I said. This becomes $2 per ticket with an Imax show. Maybe it's different in your area (I'm in Pittsburgh, you could be in a more expensive city). Or maybe you work for Fandango (or parent company Comcast) and are just trying to cover up their shenanigans? I wouldn't be surprised, considering how much attention Aziz's blog is getting over this..
If they're so intent on labeling standard sized digital films as "IMAX", then they need to distinguish between the different formats.
You can never be an American because you're not white.
ROFL!! :)) you low life dickhead ..you're a shame for any race! & You're obviously scared of towelheads!! Run before they find you...they'll make your ass into spicy curry....ha ha ha ha Duke Nukem...what a retard!
Take that, IMAX!
In response to the IMAX dude's argument that the fake IMAX is still an 'experience' so it doesn't need to be distinguished from the real IMAX: If the fake IMAX is so great and people won't care about the difference, why don't you go ahead and specify the which is which? According to you, it won't make a difference. So, prove it! Let the consumer decide which they prefer.
I went to see Dark Knight months ago and realized that the screen was much too small for IMAX. I ran back and forth between a regular screen and the IMAX and couldnt tell the difference. I complained to guest services and was told that the screen couldnt be any bigger because the ceiling isnt high enough.... so i yelled at the 15 year old girl and said, "THEN DONT CALL IT IMAX!" eh. got my money back but lost an hour out of my life.
Good work Aziz.
with us you idiot. I wasn't mean and I know he isn't the person
responsible its the corporate responsibility up top. Read all these
comments, IMAX clearly misrepresents itself and people feel ripped
off. I wrote about it and it spread around, because the argument
resonated. Don't call me pathetic and a douch.
These so-called "IMAX" theaters pulled a bait and switch by charging IMAX prices for a smaller screen. That is never justified. That's like paying for a dozen donuts and getting donut holes instead.
It is about the principle.
And you're boycotting Aziz over this? Who are you, anyway? A schill for the IMAX-wannabe scheisters? How much did you get paid for posting this idiot drivel? Or are you using this post as part of your IMAX employment resume under the "kissing corporate ass" section?
Please, I doubt you even have a TV.
P.S. Love you in Parks and Recreation, and looking forward to seeing you in Funny People. :)
I went to see Star Trek: the Imax Experience at the Regal #14 theater in El Dorado Hills with my wife this last Tuesday and before we went in, I was telling my wife I was suspicious about the size of the theater, it doesn't look like it's going to be the size of the Imax that I recall.
So when we went in and it looked nothing like the gigantor Imax theater I recall. My wife didn't know what Imax theaters really looked like and I had a heck of a time explaining to her that the Imax theater I knew and loved was far bigger than this screen.
Well, now I feel vindicated. I was getting heated up about this issue over the last 2 days and lo and behold we find your blog. LOL great minds think alike! I can't believe this issue blew up like this right at a time I was talking myself blue in the face with my wife about how the real Imax I recall was so much bigger! Unbelievable!
Go Aziz!
I went to see the new Star Trek movie in IMAX at a times square theater this past weekend. Thank goodness it was sold out for the next three shows. I paid less money and saw it on a non-IMAX screen. Because I had seen a Rolling Stones' concert years ago at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia (as well as other films) and loved it, I was going to organize a large group of people to go see it on IMAX today. One of my friends turned me on to a slew of blogs indicating that the times square IMAX is barely different than the regular showing and not worth the extra $5.00. I would try another theater, but since the IMAX name has no value, I do not know which are good theaters and which are not. So, I guess I will pass (as well as my friends).
IMAX's CEO, Richard Gelfond, response, "The overwhelming majority of comments on that guy’s [Aziz Ansari] blog this morning, more than 90% of them, are vehemently disagreeing with him. And consumers are confirming this with their continued purchases of tickets.", is exceptionally insulting--and stupid. Most of the comments (I could not read all 1300 of them) I read were anti-IMAX and the few disagreeing with him were upset about his Darfur joke, not his point about the implosion of a brand. Secondly, the fact that Star Trek is the best selling IMAX movie does not confirm that the blogger was wrong. You HAD, over 20 years, built a strong brand that was just coming to fruition. By ripping off consumers, in this day of blogs, etc., you have ruined 20 year's work over night. Count those phenomenal ticket sales for Star Trek. That is the number of people, in the past week, with whom you have destroyed your brand...no, wait, change that to the number of people on the internet who no longer trust your brand.
The larger IMAX screens are only good for the environmental/animal documentaries anyway.
IN REGARDS TO THE COMMENTS...THEY ALSO NEED TO LEARN TO COUNT AND CALCULATE PERCENTAGES!!
Yes, you read that right. It's the largest screen in the USA. And it's showing Star Trek.
http://www.bengies.com
Well, it was the IMAX at the Irvine Spectrum in Irvine, CA...run by EDWARDS. It sucked! I didn't feel any "IMAX" experience at all. And when I saw this blog, I thought I would voice my opinion as well.
And although I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, I have to say that Richard Gelfond's, COO of IMAX, was that of a donkey!! His analogy was that some people might claim a "3-series (BMW) isn't a real BMW".....well you DUMB-ASS Gelfond...at least people know they are paying for a 3-series! For your damn IMAX...people don't even know what they're paying for!! ... the REAL IMAX or some shitty small screen bogus IMAX !! You're really ripping people off and you can't even admit there's a problem.
I for one will be boycotting IMAX. I'll pay the regular $10.50 instead of allowing that idiot Gelfond to make a penny off of me! FUCK OFF Gelfond and get your head out of your ass!!
That being said, Aziz does not deserve a refund. His being inconvenienced and not wanting to leave to see the movie another time does not constitute as a reason for a refund. It sucks, but you live, you learn and you file a class action lawsuit. If and when you do, give me a call, I am always looking for easy money.
News about this story is spreading everywhere because of what Aziz is doing.
Companies market on the intarwebs, dude. They also lose their reputations and they lose boucous sales there.
Twitter is far, far bigger than you realize.
Yes, I am familiar with Twitter. Yes, I am aware that there are millions of people using this application. I pulled the number "thousands" from Aziz's post itself. Just enjoy the mental picture of someone using that phrase as a threat, or don't for all I care. Stop patrolling message boards for places to insert your faux wisdom.
Now, go Tweet about how you're currently reading Camus and taking a shit on your golden throne.
While you are sitting there behind your keyboard making fun of the idea of "threatening" someone with using Twitter to ruin their business, I'm envisioning the mental picture of it working quite well. And it is WORKING quite well.
That's the difference between a savvy businessman and a blowhard like you. Those who understand the damage Twitter can do to a business's reputation are taking Aziz a lot more seriously than you.
Your head's so far up your ass about this issue that if you go any further they'll be calling you Cheshire Cat.
Not only that, but I don't think just every action movie should be on IMAX. I haven't seen Star Trek yet, so I don't know about it, but I think IMAX should be reserved for films with scenes that give you that whee! factor. You know, like when you feel like you're flying through the Grand Canyon?
From one actor to another, break a leg on Parks and Recreation -- great show and you're hilarious on there! P.S. Great season finale ("She's my age" HAHA).
I've created an eHow article on how to avoid being scammed by the iFake experience!
http://www.ehow.com/how_5023788_real-imax-exper...
Time to educate the public on how to hit these guys in their wallets!
Not only that, but, because we wanted to see the film in IMAX, we drove to another city. It took us an extra hour to get there, plus we had the added expense of the gas.
Had we known we weren't going to see an actual IMAX film, we could have saved time and money and seen Star Trek in our local movie theater.
I feel so ripped off. Thanks for taking up this issue!
I am not a huge start trek fan but it sounded like a cool movie to watch in a IMAX so i payed 15 bucks to see it. As soon as i got in i was disappointed. The picture quality may have been a lil better but not enough to charge and extra 50% for a ticket. I was expecting a hung screen that wrapped around not a screen that maybe was 30% bigger. Everyone in the theatre was bitchin.
serves IMAX right for downplaying their bait and switch tactics. What a bunch of assholes. I feel bad for the theater manager though. He's just trying to make his $11 an hour to go home and spend it on cat food while living in his mom's basement. How the hell is he going to know how to handle a crisis situation like this when his company is trying to get paid for just selling an idea.
IMAX blows.
Richard Gelfond blows.
Kevin Connor blows. (AMC SVP & GC)
Craig Ramsey blows. (AMC CFO)
You are so right and I agree that this is an injustice and just another way for these people to make more money based on a name. I pay money for the brand of jeans I wear, but I get the quality I expect for that price. I would be really pissed to walk into that IMAX theater and be cheated. You had every right to stay and watch Star Trek. You had every right to ask for the $5 dollars back. I would have done the same thing.
Also, did you find out anything about the $2 dollar convenience fee for Fandango tickets vs. the regular $1 dollar fee? That seems like bullshit. Why would Fandango think its cool to charge an extra dollar for reserving an IMAX ticket...whether it be real or fraud.
Thank you for bringing attention to this matter. Good luck! We have your back. You should update your page with the next step to take to set this right.
LIVE LONG AND PROSPER!
Obviously, this explains how he can think I-mini and I-max are the same thing.
motherfucker." (Assuming you're white, if you're Asian let me know,
but that'd be kind of weird.)
Call or email Mr Fag to let him know how you feel about being taken. 212-821-0188 or rgelfond@imax.com
I for one will never go to an "IMAX" screen until they correct this money making scheme. As for that dumb ass CEO and his bullshit comment about 90 percent of the comments disagreeing with you...bull fucking shit! The only people disagreeing are the racist pigs calling you a paki and towel head. Fuck them!
You have many people supporting you and that G fuck is just a pussy. I hope he agrees to a debate with you, but something tells me he's gonna be a chicken fuck. Fuck IMAX! And fuck the morons who dare use your page for racist comments.
Live long and prosper!
I'm also amazed by people who want to explain the technical side of things which they don't even understand themselves. EZB, because of the high cost of film IMAX came up with this new way of showing their movies and, there is no film in the new smaller IMAX theaters. It is a digital file.
As for the lack of a standard screen size, you may be right but it makes no difference when we're talking about a screen about 1/4 the size of what people are used to. If you ordered a quarter pounder at your favorite hamburger place and got a 1/16 pounder, I don't think you'd be a very happy person.
I sent an email to rgelfond@imax.com saying the following. We should all email this prick! Phone is 212-821- 0188
Dear Sir,
Please know that I for one will never go to an "IMAX" fake screen or the real deal ever until you correct this money making scheme based on the IMAX name. As for your comment that 90 percent of the people on Aziz's blog are disagreeing with him....you are so incorrect. For starters the majority of the disagreeing people are racist pigs who are calling him a towel head and paki. If you want to use fake numbers to make a point...you should accept the racist ones as well. I hope you are seriously not supporting comments like paki's are jews, towel heads, cheap, etc. Please rethink your comments to the press and consider either correcting this farse or accept Mr. Aziz's challenge to the debate.
You have lost one customer.
Not a customer!
I'm glad someone else has brought this up, because since my experience I have refused to watch any movie on an IMAX screen unless I know it's the real effing deal!
LieMAX!
We definitely expected a much larger screen size and hoped that somehow the walls would magically move and a magnificent screen would be unveiled. Well, our hopes were crushed that night. Rip offfff.
The IMAX company used to be so proud of its brand, as it well should have been. I have been to an IMAX theatre in Montreal, Quebec, and before the film starts, there is a laser show from IMAX, boasting about the screen size, and boasting that the brand is Canadian.
Looks like IMAX can't be so proud anymore.
Proper IMAX is spectacular. I've been to them on school trips, to see Dark Knight, Kung Fu Panda, The Lion King, and it's always worth it. Fake IMAX is the same size as a regular screen. The least they can do is advertise it as a digital screening instead of IMAX.
Good for you for sharing this! I'm tired of this horseshit!
I still root for IMAX, that's why i hope they change the price and/or labeling of these fake theaters before they loose more customers and more importantly, give the wrong impression to those who don't know what IMAX really stands for.
Keep on fighting Aziz. Word needs to get out.
When you are paying the extra $$$- size does matter ;)
I've watched commercials talking about the amazing experience of the IMAX, in which they talk about the screen size, only to discover that it was false. ( Yes, they were advertising the IMAX around my area, but they outright lied. )
That is false advertising, no matter which way you cut it.
The only way that altering or putting up a sign, letting others know, would hurt them is if they ARE trying to scam people.
Also, using BMW as a comparison is ridiculous, and I'm not sure that the CEO even knows the difference between the models. Who on earth wouldn't be upset about overpaying 50-70,000?
I, for one, will not be visiting another IMAX until that policy is changed. If the CEO doesn't feel like changing it, fine. I can and will manage just fine visiting a regular theater, and it won't be one of the ones who offer IMAX.
And keep up the good work on Parks and Rec.
The biggest insult though, is the idiot CEO of IMAX using the BMW analogy. Only a guy with more cash than brains would use such a ridiculous argument.
The moron could have easily said, "we are looking at our branding strategy and should be making some changes soon."
Or, "The Imax experience at movie theatres fitted with smaller screens still employ advanced digital projection and digital audio technologies. Unfortunately, we are unable to control the size of the screens at current movie theater locations since that would involve the drastic expansion of the theater facilities. We aplogize for any confusion our IMAX branding may have caused, but we do still feel that the Imax experience is far superior to any normal moviegoing experience. We hope that all moviegoers will come and experience IMAX digital technology for themselves."
That would have given IMAX some time to let this shit blow over.
See how easy it is to do damage control, shit for brains CEO guy?
Now fire his ass and hire me, I want an 18 year old wife with big fake titties.
Hey Aziz...if ur reading this, what say you devote your next blog to campaigning for this guy to take Gelfond's place?
IMAX > aziz
out to Burbank, how would I know its not the usual IMAX that's been
marketed to people for years and years? Also, have you been to Bridge
Cinema or Universal or Lincoln Square? They house IMAX screens and are
regular theatres. The overwhelming majority of comments here back my
case, so YOU ARE THE MORON.
Is this a better deal?
I should say not. Best buy can do that by stacking large HD TVs together. I go to the movies because I want a big-ass screen and as the connotation IMAX usually means the BIGGEST screens of them all, the dinky size offered is a rip off.
And why would the company advertise the huge size difference? It'd mean less business because other movie companies can do the same damn thing. IMAX is known for it's size. Imax should keep it's size.
I will not see any more IMAX movies until this issue is resolved and I see a clear delineation between theaters that have true IMAX screens and the fakers. Call it IMAX Lite, or something that clearly distinguishes it from a real IMAX screen.
I spend a lot of time back n forth east/west coast and am used to the "real" imax back home on east coast & when i go to imax i expect the full real deal for the xtra $$.
When 300 came out last year i went to the "imax" @universal city L.A. -expecting the same type of large screen/sound etc, but @first I turned around & walked out of the theatre because i thought it was the wrong one!!
I felt absolutely, completely ripped off... right in the heart of hollywood movie land!!! Nothing new there i guess!!lol
The theatres need to distinguish the difference in "imax" screens or its going to backfire on them sooner rather than later.
only problem is, the wall is squarish (4:3 ratio) like a regular TV, so the projector had to letter box, making the amount of image actually being projected on the screen smaller still.
Yes the picture was nice, but the size was just a bit bigger than screens in the theaters right next to the IMAX because the room is basically the same size. They got my money once, never again. I waited in line for 45 minutes. The people we met in line thought it was a rip off since they visit the Metreon in SF CA on a semi-regular basis. Never again, Fairfield/Edwards in CA is the FAKE IMAX.
I'm pretty sure its illegal to advertise something as being one thing when its actually another... X_X;
Oh wait there is a law against false advertising X_x;
I really had HIGH hopes for "The Watchmen", insisting my friends and I see it in "IMAX". They had free passes. I didn't. $15 & 3hrs later (not to mention 3 instances of dropped audio), I realized I was better off just paying for the regular screen price. WTF?!!? THAT was IMAX? The last one I went to was a showing of "The Living Sea" and I remember it making me feel freakin' claustrophobic; like I was gonna DROWN because it was so HUGE!!! But it was AWESOME! For THAT I'd gladly pay the extra $5! But that bullshit "Watchmen" screen? Not so much.
Anyhow, more power to you man. I hope those fools take notice and realize we ain't havin' it. As a matter of fact, "Network" said it best; "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore!!!"
I was very disappointed with Monsters vs Aliens in Imax digital 3D for this and the screen size issue.
A professional tecchie in the 3D/film business.
I can't avoid going to AMC theaters if I want to see movies in the theater (which I do) but they aren't suckering me into that fake digital IMAX bullshit again. It might be worth $1 more for the slightly-bigger screen, but not $5. I suspect they're not getting anybody coming back for a second helping of that, which means they're going to be losing money hand over fist. And that makes me smile.
The real tragedy is the lack of hospitality and fair prices at convenience stores and gas stations that you're people are monopolizing. But I don't bitch to them about it. Fuck you. You're on a popular TV show and you're bitching over 5 bucks. Crazy ass Hindi. Take a shower.
The real tragedy is the lack of hospitality and fair prices at convenience stores and gas stations that you're people are monopolizing. But I don't bitch to them about it. Fuck you. You're on a popular TV show and you're bitching over 5 bucks. Crazy ass Hindi. Take a shower.
1) 'Hindi' is a language. It's like someone calling you 'English'. At least you capitalized it.....lol
2) If you meant to say 'Hindu' as some sort of racial slur then you are still displaying your wanton ignorance since the name 'Aziz' is a Muslim name, an entirely different religion from the Hindus.
3) If you read his blog (p.s. I have never watched his show or any of his movies and couldn't care less about his acting talent), he is making an important point about principles which you apparently missed completely. He wasn't focusing on the value of the $5, he was focusing on what it represented.
Here is another reminder of that fact - You wrote " ... you're people are monopolizing".
The contraction 'you're' means 'you are'. If you had paid attention in school and earned a GED, you would have learnt that you should have written 'your'.
lolol
Thank you, Aziz, for raising my awareness of what is going on with IMAX today. Now I know my experience wasn't an anomaly. (I think I originally wrote it off to being in a National Park area. I'm used to being -- or at least FEELING -- ripped off on almost anything you have to pay for in the vicinity near a National Park.) Next time, I'll know to do some research. Or maybe I'll just boycott.
It sounds like many here share my impressions of IMAX being essentially synonymous with oversized screens. Speaking for myself, what makes the traditional "IMAX experience" distinctive is the sense of being swallowed up in colossal size and sound. It's majestic!
On the other hand, I've really never even thought about better resolution being part of the IMAX experience, though, of course, this is also a big part of what makes an IMAX viewing so potentially impressive. A super-sized screen with a crappy picture would be glaringly awful. But whenever I've considered going to an IMAX show, my decision has always centered on the question of whether it's worth the extra money to be blown away by the sheer scale.
It's kind of like when I decide whether it's worth the extra bucks to go to a theater -- say, for "Lord of the Rings" -- rather than simply renting a movie and watching it on my poor little ol' television at home. Size matters, when that's what you're paying for. Imagine going to the theater and being "treated" to a really high-quality showing on a home entertainment center!
I think it would be interesting if the IMAX folks (or some independent party) did a survey to find out what percentage of IMAX patrons would actually volunteer (with no prompting) the notion of "superior resolution" as one of the premium features of the IMAX experience. Just a simple "What are the key features of an IMAX experience?" survey. Maybe I'm out of touch, but it would be interesting to know what people would say.
For everyone out there that is saying that Aziz is wrong...you're just a fucking moron -- the very people that IMAX loves. Only in a America are people so lazy, and so stupid, that they don't care about paying an extra $5 for something that they're not getting. You'll bitch about bread going up 25cents a year, but you dont care that a major corporation is raping you. Good job, America.
Aziz, keep up the fight for us....
Mike
I'd throw in a Consumer Legal Remedies Act claim too. That one's under 1770 and 1780 of the civil code since you did, in fact, buy a ticket and they did, in fact, fail to disclose that the screen you were getting was fekkin puny.
Personally I stopped going to the movie theaters around 15 years ago and watch it all on DVD's. I get 15 a month for $4.50 so to me, watching it on a puny screen at home is far cheaper than paying a ton of money to drive to, pay for parking at, and cram myself in a theater full of hacking, weazing jacking people and their crying babies and seeing eye goats, horses or chickens or whatever else they smuggle in.
Like I said, hire yourself a good class action lawyer and rip them a new one. Don't get mad. Sue em.
After all California is theeeeeee home of the lawsuit.
Now if i go Imax i only go to the one i know for sure is the full Imax theater the only problem with that theater is it usually gets the movies like a week or two late.
I an utterly disgusted that IMAX, REGAL, and AMC would do this.
So it's an IMAX projection, that's not what we expect ...as an audience member when I pay for the"IMAX experience" I want the large format "print" on the large screen...that is the difference between 35mm and the larger format IMAX...you can project a larger image with more detail...
Furthermore:
As a member of IATSE (stagehands) in Hollywood I find it a professional slap in the face.
Thank you Aziz.
Nail'em Aziz.
What a lame response from IMAX's CEO too.
The IMAX CEO is a liar. 90% of the comments here are NOT supportive of IMAX. It seems that 80% agree that IMAX is screwing the customer. Well, screw YOU IMAX! I was actually going to take my daughter to see this in IMAX. Now, I will not. $30 they'll never see.
IMAX is engaging in deceptive marketing practices. Calling it IMAX Digital or something that gives the buyer a clue would be a somewhat fair solution (though people are likely to be tricked the first time they pay an extra $5 to figure out that 'Digital' = 'pshyc!!!')
Thanks for making people aware of this ripoff.
Dr. Sid
It has now successfully destroyed its name, image and reputation with this "bait & switch" tactic.
Thanks for shining a spotlight on and exposing this so-called IMAX production.
From the CEO down to the theatre managers, they showed their true character with continued spin and distortion while remaining in deep denial.
I'll never step into an IMAX theatre again.
and realize - hey it doesn't have leather seats. You can get the money
back for them jipping you on the leather seats. It was false
advertising.
Loved you on scrubs though Aziz!!
/This gets picked up by MSM and their cards come tumbling down.
I'm joining the boycott!
!!!!!Boycott Aziz for his disinformation campaign against IMAX!!!!!!
I personally appreciate the heads up about the IMAX thing. Like most people, I think of it as a big screen and was not aware that they would use anything BUT the big screen. The fact that they are trying to trick consumers (by deliberately not telling them) is pretty fucked up.
Thanks for the heads up.
You rock on Parks and Rec!
And if you want to take it all seriously, then you also have to admit the guy has a point -- there is in fact misleading advertizing going on here. It may not be the world's biggest tragedy, but as a hook for a comic rant it is WAY above average. Well done.
It's bad enough that theater chains are glossing over the IMAX screen size difference - but when IMAX themselves behave so irresponsibly and respond so callously, all they are doing is destroying their credibility and brand name. What idiots!!
I'm now going to drive off in my baby Ferrari (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_X1/9) :D
Google, Fandango, and MovieTickets. It said Star Trek: The IMAX
Experience and it listed Bridge Cinema, Universal, and Burbank. I've
been to the other two, they are HUGE IMAX screens, how the FUCK am I
supposed to tell the third one listed is fake?? Seriously, how would I
know? Nothing indicates the third is different. Get lost.
15 years later, I bought IMAX tickets for my wife and kids to watch Spiderman 3, and it was a fucking fake IMAX. This was at the AMC IMAX in north Phoenix. I couldnt figure out what was wrong. I told my kids the screen was like 6 stories high then was disappointed when we got there.
IMAX is totally wrong for having thier heads up thier asses. I will never watch another big hollywood movie at IMAX again. Never have again. And NEVER WILL.
IMAX is doing. Its wrong and people are finding out. So yeah.
Keep up the good work
TLS
The entire concept of whoring out a brand name for an inferior product is intentionally misleading and corporate nonsense. The example given of the BMW 3 series is malarky. What is IMAX thinking?
What a rip-off......!!!!!
I agree with you Aziz.
Only go to The Bridge for real IMAX.
LIAR LIAR LIAR
Yahoo and other outlets picked picked up on the fury you've unleashed. More people are now informed and more are angry.
I'm disgusted when companies thrown honesty and integrity out the door during a period where many are feeling a financial crunch. This is the time where WE the CONSUMER should be getting a BANG for OUR buck.
BOYCOTT IMAX
Isn't this how the hairs are split over what is torture?
Isn't this the way Babs Bush described the displaced African Americans by Katrina as "in a better place" in the Astrodome than in their own homes in the 9th Ward?
Didn't Hitler say if you tell the same lie often enough, they will eventually believe you?
This truly is how these people think.
1. Just put it out there.
2. Be "technically and legally" correct and unapproachable by lawsuit
3. Mislead, but only by letting the public create their false reality based on a buzz word, ie "Oooh! We saw Star Trek in IMAX!"
4. They are forcing a morphing of the reality and people's passivity and lack of questioning the reality presented to them is allowing these theives to get away with it.
IMAX is perceived as the large four story screen and coupled with the specific camera and film format. Period!
That is what comes with using the name, word, title or trademark: IMAX.
To try to pawn off some technology, but not build the experience, and then charge for the missing experience.......well lying, cheating, Republican, Bush, all comes to mind.
Consumer needs to be educated on things like this. Of course they are not going to complain if they don't know the truth, or rather, if the marketing campaign is successful. Companies pay marketing people a lot of money so they can fool people to pay even more money. Isn't that the point of marketing? To make people feel good when they want to spend on things?
Regarding Mr. Gelfond's statement, "People don't say 'The 3 isn't a real BMW because it's smaller". He is correct, people won't say that the 3-series isn't a real BMW, because it is a real BMW. But people are sure not going to pay $120K for a 3-series BMW in the states.
So why is it okay for everyone to pay 50% more on a ticket to see a movie on the same size screen as a typical non-IMAX branded theater? Because the screen is still a screen and the movie is still the same movie? Can I get a 50% discount when I go see a real IMAX (with the 72" screen) movie? Heck, why we even paying a fixed amount? Let's just all name our own price on movie tickets. I pick free.99!
THIS IS A RIPOFF!!!
But, they know the general public is so stupid it will work.
Thanks for calling them out on it.
I had the same experience in San Antonio, TX when I saw 300 when it was released as the "IMAX Experience". although the screen was larger than regular format, it damn sure wasn't what I was expecting. I'm lucky though, although seeing a REAL IMAX movie is cool, I live in Austin, TX, home of the fabulous Alamo Drafthouse. IMAX has nuthin' on drinkin' buckets of cold beer, eating good food and watching a great movie with other people who love and respect watching movies! Keep up the good work!
15/70 or bust!
Keep fighting the good fight!
Okay, I'm ditching them until they change.
Seriously. And I'll tell everyone I know too.
(mostly just because of how the CEO responded)
Ridiculous that more people just quietly take it up the a$$ from these fools.
As for the Twitter thing - even though it's not real, I intend to use that threat. I just have 7 followers, but whatever.
Thank you, Aziz, for bringing this bullshit to the attention of the general public.
As to the quality when compared to the film IMAX, it's no where close. Worse, the 2 overlapping 2k projectors used in fake IMAX are at least 1/2 the resolution of the 4k sony projectors AMC is putting into their non-IMAX digital auditoriums. That means you'll be paying extra for a lower resolution experience.
It would be an easy lawsuit to win.
Bring in a bunch of people and simply ask them "Could you please describe what makes an iMax Film?" I bet everyone who is familiar with iMax will answer the same way... Its a very large screen.
That alone between the no differentiation on iMax's choice will win us the case, no questions asked.
So how do we do it?
- Kyle Luebbe / Lawrenceburg, IN
That Imax guy is a douche, as is Bryanzilla.
Fine. This Is what Aziz was expecting at the theater, but what he didn't get. He just got high quality projection, not the big experience he was expecting.He should have got his five dollars back from IMAX without question, if IMAX really cared about customers.
But he didn't, and I think they don't care. Why?
If IMAX cared about not confusing the audience, they would have called it IMAX JR, or SMALLMAX, or LIL-MAX, and possibly Wee-Max. I bet they even had this discussion well before unveiling the new, smaller screens. There are probably people in the company who knew and warned the leadership that this very same issue would arise. But the marketing heads and president decided not to clarify the issue with a name change.
Why?
To fool a bunch of noobs into paying off the expensive new equipment. Nobody is attacking theatre workers here or the technology, those two things are cool. No wrongs there. I think that this issue is just another example of a large corporation disregarding ethical concerns in the name of profit.
I say don't even blame IMAX, just the leadership that approved this misleading scheme.
In time, I bet you will hear from former IMAX employees or theater workers who are privy to many of the disgusting tactics that IMAX's current leaders have crafted at the expense of the viewer.
Well see.
I caught your act on comedy central a few years back - 4 beats 2 summers, snapped the dog's neck... Funny stuff. I knew I needed to keep an eye on your work.
Now I catch this rant, thanks to yahoo, or something. I researched the theatre at I was going to watch the Star Trek IMAX Experience at. Sure enough, bullshit small screen imax.
First you made me laugh, and now you've saved me $5.
Thanks, man.
I would have ask for a refund too.
Not making the difference between a high-quality product and a slighly better than average product, but still making you pay the extra charges, it's basic lying advertising.
I understand your disappointment, and I think that Gelfond's answers are completely inadequate. He seems to confuse things because he doesn't want to admit this problem in public.
If you can't know, before entering the screening room, after having paid the extra charges, which type of IMAX screen you're going be facing, it's just purely and simply abusing the customers.
And I think it's a shame to use such a way for making money.
They're not the first or the last to do this.
But not pointing this out would be accepting it.
It's so simple, and so clear.
Or they could just call them 'Big fucking genuine IMAX' and 'Slighly bigger-than-average-screen IMAX'.
i would be piss if i bought a mercedes and it' made in Korea!
That's like buying a box of Cheerios and finding it's half-full of birdseed. Or raw oats. "Well, it's Cheerios, because we put the name Cheerios on it. We own the name, so if we can do whatever we want with it. Cheerios is whatever we say it is!"
FUCK that noise. IMAX can say it's the IMAX experience, and you walk into a room with a dog turd that says "IMAX" on it. "See? It says "IMAX, so it must be IMAX!"
I'm not going to go spend another 5$ for these jackasses. I'm boycottting IMAX screens and telling my friends to do the same.
Call it "IMAX Jr." or "IMAX 4 Tards" or IMAXSKAM, or something more descriptive, Imax SCHMUCKS!
advertise Parks and Recreation. I'm a customer of IMAX and AMC, that's
my relationship. So I'm not an ass, get lost. Devoid of technical
understanding? My primary source is the LF Examiner, a journal
dedicated solely to large screen film projection. For years IMAX has
just marketed itself as providers of tremendously large 72 ft screens.
Their corporate slogan was THINK BIG. Look at that diagram, those are
two very different screens. One is almost 1/5 the size of the other,
yet they are marketed exactly the same with no distinction and both
have the same $5 surcharge. Regardless of the technical aspects of
projecting large IMAX films, the specifications of the audio and
picture, etc. the BOTTOM FUCKING LINE is one screen is 1/5 the size of
the other and they don't distinguish. Watching it on a screen 5x
bigger is MUCH BETTER. Hundreds of people on this comments thread
alone have felt duped. YOU ARE WRONG! YOU ARE WRONG! YOU ARE WRONG!
HAHAHAHA!
Also, for those of you who disagree with this man's complaint, what do you think is a proper remedy for false advertising?
Are there perhaps some of these digital IMAX theaters that DO have reasonably large screens? I'm pretty sure that what I saw had a projection size that was considerably taller than 23'. Although it could have been an illusion or the result of expectational bias. I guess I will have to go back to see Star Trek at the same threater to try and assess the screen's true size.
But that these Hollywood feature films are not really shot in IMAX is an important point. They aren't really IMAX, anyway. The Dark Knight only had a few minutes (at best) of IMAX footage, recognizable as those brief scenes filling the entire height of the screen.
Whehter what I saw was projected at the correct size or not, the video quality was superior to a regular theater. And the sound in the (fake?) IMAX theater that I attended was head and shoulders above that of any regular theater. I realize that the sound quality may not be as important to others as it is to me, but I have a very nice surround sound system at home with a real monster of a subwoofer and I thought the sound in the theater was very impressive. The loudest and lowest I have heard in a commercial theater. By far the best theater sound I have heard in recent memory.
Only certain films are available in (fake?) IMAX and these are usually visual and aural extravaganzas. Honestly, for me, the improved video quality and the much improved sound quality is worth the extra $5 for these particular films. I really don't see what the big gripe is.
already made an investment of time by driving to the theatre and
planning my day to see the film at that time. Its not my fault they
lied. I'm not leaving and switching my tickets to come back another
day. I'm just gonna ask for a refund on what they didn't provide. If I
go to lunch sit down and order, and they forget to bring me fries and
its impossible to bring me fries (as in this case, its possible for
them to make it a regular IMAX screen instantly); I can eat the burger
and say "Hey look, I'm not paying for the fries, I didn't get them." I
don't need to leave and go get lunch elsewhere. I already drove to the
restaurant, sat down, and ordered. Its the restaurant's fault, not mine.
There are hundreds of people in this thread alone who felt that IMAX
means the traditional IMAX screen which averages around 4800 sq feet
not these new ones that average almost 1/5 of the size. Their
marketing slogan for years was THINK BIG. Every other IMAX screen I've
been too was the huge IMAX screen. Not distinguishing the new ones has
mislead hundreds of people on this comments thread alone. THAT MEANS
IT IS MISLEADING. I also didn't YELL at a theater manager. He laughed
and joked around with us and then they gave us two passes. So basically,
YOU'VE BEEN REFUTED. AHAHAHAHH!
That is an IMAX ad with the HUGE screen many people associate with the
name IMAX and it says "THINK BIG." It doesn't give measurements, but
that is the IMAX I and many others are used to.
HERE - http://gabbygruen.com/Gallery/albums/Magazine/I...
THIS SAYS 5 STORIES HIGH!
Their brand and the name IMAX for years has been associated with
gigantic screens which averages 4800 sq ft. and they are using that
goodwill to sell tickets at cheaper more economically feasible new
IMAX screens that are averaging 1250 sq ft. Read the hundreds of
others here who went in expecting one and got the other, I think this
is pretty clear what's going on.
Do you concede?
This site is for the best known IMAX screens in the Seattle area, at the Pacific Science Center. One of the screens is 6 stories high by 80 ft wide, about the size that you seem to typically associate with IMAX. The other screen, however, is 35 ft high by 60 ft wide, barely bigger then the IMAX screen that you were so upset about, and it has been in operation since 1979. So have us Seattleites been getting screwed for 30 years? Or does this prove that IMAX screens have always varied in size?
Digital screens that are significantly different than the traditional
IMAX screens that have been around and been the focus of all their
marketing since I was a kid. I can't find any advertisements online,
but clearly based on the reaction this post has received and the
hundreds of supportive comments - the name IMAX is associated with the
huge 6 story screen or whatever. These new screens have only went up
in the past few years and to pass them off as the same thing is wrong.
They are very different and a distinction needs to be drawn. That's
all I'm saying.
when i pay 5$ extra for the IMAX movie, i expect the screen to be HUGE!
if it' regular screen size, why am i wasting 5$? i can just watch it on regular screen and save myself 5$!
Good day to you sir,
J.H. Stewart
p.s.-- to all you out there in cyberspace, holla if you hear me
"socialist," much less a "doodoo head" seems a bit absurd.
p.s.-- sorry about the multiple posts, i didnt use the "new post" toolbar to check and see if i was on.
As for the "doodoo head" reference, it seems clear that in your private language, you must use the verbal sounds that can be represented by the written symbols "doodoo head" to refer to those persons to whom most English speakers would refer by using the verbal sounds that can be represented by the written symbols "champion of justice".
p.s.-- i chose to use "doodoo head" because i don't want to curse
good day to you sir
Good day to you sir,
J.H. Stewart
p.s.-- to all you out there in cyberspace, holla if you hear me
and when i buy a Mercedes, i expect it made in Germany! not made in Korea or China!
p.s.- ur name is quite fruity
CLEAR PICTURE AND GOOD SOUND." You're argument just got destroyer Chico.
if IMAX is about sound and clarity,
do u see IMAX logo on any DVD or blueray disces?
do u see the IMAX logo on a any HDTV set?
paying 5buk more for sound and clarity?
do they charge more for movies with THX or dolby surround sound?
and if i want a Snickers, i want a snicker, not fucking M&M.
well, M&M is made by the same company as snickers.
so M&M = Snicker?
"IMAX (short for Image MAXimum) is a motion picture film format and projection standard created by Canada's IMAX Corporation. The traditional version of IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems. A standard IMAX screen is 22 metres (72 ft) wide and 16.1 metres (53 ft) high, but can vary.
IMAX is the most widely used system for large-format, special-venue film presentations."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMAX
What I don't understand is why he actually thought he could watch the ENTIRE movie and then ask for his money back.
When he walked in and saw the screen that was not what he expected don't even sit down WALK OUT BEFORE THE MOVIE STARTS! Then ask for your money back.
Think about this....you order a steak and it isn't cooked the way you order, you eat the whole thing....NO MONEY BACK! Order a drink, isn't what you ordered, you drink it all...NO MONEY BACK!
Come on people use your heads.....you can't watch an ENTIRE movie then say "wahhh the screen was to small I want my money back".
Didn't you realize it was a rip off when you walked in????
don't even have potatoes it turns out, but you're hungry, you came all
the way their to eat. You eat the steak - you can say "GIMME MY MONEY
BACK FOR THE POTATOES." You're argument is destroyed! AHAHA!
Also, he wanted to see the movie. He drove out of his way, it was opening night, and he had a friend with him. Do you know what a dick he would have been to say to his friend, "Sorry man, I know you wanted to see this, but I must take a stand. We're leaving."
So instead, he watched the movie he came to see, but he only wanted to pay for the movie, not the (to him) non-existent "IMAX experience" he was charged an extra five dollars for. That's a bit different from your description.
Also, "wahhh"? What's the "wahhh" for? Are all consumers who complain about any aspect of their experience automatically crybabies? Way to stick up for the rights of a corporate movie theater chain over the individual.
Ok, next… "Digital IMAX".
1. Almost every movie in this modern age are shot in digital with digital effects cameras.
2. IMAX format is digital.
3. IMAX film is 70mm film stock moving at astonishing rate.
4. Digital projection or projectors are completely different than digital film.
5. IMAX pricing-it simply cost more to make a separate print and sound, that's why it cost more. most people don't realize the risk of a flop, or the money loss.
6. Here's one for all you smart people… IMAX is a Canadian based company!
7. The price of the IMAX tickets, actually all tickets, have many factors. Price increases are due to loss at the box office, whether it's because of refunds, sneak-ins, movie hopping or any other reason. I think it's sad when parents ALLOW their children to steal and teach them to LIE! That's what's happening when you defend your child for the ILLEGAL actions they just did.
8. If you pull up to an "IMAX" theater, and there is no section of the building that stands a lot bigger, then there's a good chance that that "IMAX" is the smaller one…DUH.
9. Change the thinking, don't go to the theater thinking you're going to be disappointed. If you do, you will.
10. Lastly, educate yourself before commenting on somthing you have no idea about…funny guy or not… you just sound STUPID!
So, to end this comment, I say… No matter what someone "FAMOUS" may say, sometimes they are given knowledge "credit" because they are "famous" instead of the actual accredidation of their words. No wonder some comedians are never taken serious in life, these kind of rant and blogs just make you sound STUPID!
krzzykorean on May 17, 2009
An in-the-know usher like you might know the different types of IMAX, but why should anyone else be expected to know it? If I don't research every last thing I purchase to make sure it hasn't changed dramatically since the last time I bought it, am I automatically stupid and an asshole? If I go to the store to buy a box of Hot Pockets, should I be required to do research online beforehand, just to make sure the Hot Pockets people haven't changed their product to microwaveable laxatives?
Also, when did your minimum-wage-earning ass become the expert on the pricing decision of major theater chains? Customer refunds are a part of customer service. Treating customers well and with understanding increases business in the long run.
I love how intensely you movie theater guys complain about having to deal with the public. That's your fucking job! A movie theater is a gigantic building built to hold thousands of human customers.
You lose twice! HAHAHAH!
mislead. IMAX markets itself on the big screen, their slogan is "THINK
BIG." I didn't go and intentionally complain. You're argument makes no
sense. There are two types of screens and they don't differentiate and
its wrong. END OF STORY. YOU LOSE THE ARGUMENT!! HAHAHAH!
u really are bored..
I will never ever see an Imax movie again in my life.
Keep up the bad work!
"uh...isn't the screen suppose to be bigger?"
I was very disappointed about the size to say the least but since I only paid $5 dollars I was willing to let it slide. The saving grace for me was that the movie was good and the clarity and quality of the film itself looked really good although on a smaller screen.
I'm in TOTAL agreement with Aziz however in terms of how IMAX and AMC are advertising this. They DEFINITELY need to let movie goers know the difference between an IMAX FILM on a big screen and an IMAX Digital flim on a smaller screen. Especially if you're paying MORE MONEY to see it IN IMAX expecting it to be on a HUGE screen.
When I first heard about IMAX, the only thing I knew about it was how big the screen was. THAT is what IMAX was known for. The size of the screen. As a public company, they have totally dropped the ball on this one and should be ashamed (especially after reading the CEOs analogy with BMWs??). Screwing their customers over with a 'bait and switch' routine. Thats what it was. Bait and Switch. And in today's world, I can totally see some lawyers getting together and suing them for false advertisement or whatever.
In my opinion, IMAX needs to own up. When I buy a more expensive ticket to see it in IMAX, I am expecting it to see it on a HUGE!!! screen. Not something that is only slightly larger than normal. From now on, IF I ever decide to see another IMAX film, I will definitely make sure it is a REAL IMAX film before buying a ticket. Movie tickets are expensive enough and to make it even more expensive to see it on a slighly larger screen is just a rip off.
I am definitely not going back to the FAKE IMAX AMC 25 theater in Times Square.
That said, I guarantee that you saw a better movie than I did. It was hard to follow the action and I feel like I missed stuff because it was going on way over there on the other side of the screen where I wasn't looking. I had the experience of going to the REGAL theater and sitting in the front row. IMAX movies are made for IMAX theaters. A non-IMAX movie shouldn't fill your entire field of vision. The director just didn't intend for it to be seen that way.
First off, the analogies. Yes, the restaurant analogy is not correct as it was pointed out because it's not the same type of situation, namely because (again as it was already pointed out) the customer usually pays after the service rendered in a restaurant while here the customer pays before such services are rendered.
But, abstractly speaking, I submit to you all that the restaurant analogy could still be useful if modified correctly to fit this scenario and perhaps, in doing so, it will be helpful to show how absurd the guest services's position was (i.e. "Guest Services: Well sir, you watched the whole movie, you could have come out and we could have ").
What happened here, put simply, is that the customer pre-paid for a service. This is in itself unusual because typically payment happens after receiving a service. However, in these types of cases it is acceptable because the customer is willing to pay in advance because he does not expect unwarranted "surprises" while enjoying a service of which he knows the components. This is the key idea here...components.
So, for example, let's say you go to a restaurant and you order a steak. The first question you should ask yourself... why order a steak instead of, say, a salad? The answer is simple. While looking at the menu you read what ingredients are contained in a steak and you also read what ingredients are contained in a salad, you compared them in your mind, and decided you prefer what the stake has to offer. In other words, you know in advance when you place your order that the stake is meat, what cut is it, if it comes with potatoes, and so on and so forth.
What the people who generated and attacked the restaurant analogy conveniently (by design or because an honest mistake was made) forgot is that typically at the moment in which you place your order if the stake is not available they will inform you AND THEN offer alternatives, which by the way you are free to refuse (i.e. say something "Ok, then I need another minute to choose something else).
I've never heard of any restaurant in the world that would bring you an hamburger when you ordered stake.
However, this stake analogy doesn't quite cover what happened.
Now consider this...
You order your stake, and it is available. It takes them an hour to take the stake out (for which they profusely apologize) and when they do its not prepared correctly, the beverage at the table is cold and takes half an hour for a refill, and the waiter is un-attentive and rude.
Even then, not everybody asks for a refund. What usually happens (and whit this you must agree) the customer when receiving the bill leaves a poor tip or no tip at all. In effect, the total price for the meal is REDUCED (hence the five dollars back).
When this happens usually the restaurant owners/managers stop you at the door asking oh so quite politely "Was there something wrong with the service tonight?" And detailed explanations of why the tip was reduced are given, however they all amount to the same concept: the dining experience was not satisfactory.
Alas, this is the key concept that equates the tragic epic lived by our friend Aziz. Yes, he did see the movie in its entirety and yes, he did experience a form of IMAX, but these are just components to a larger idea: The whole movie experience. Just as when you go to a restaurant you don't pay just for the "stake", you pay for the ambiance, the waiters, the commodity of not having to shop/cook yourself, when you go to a movie theater and you pay for IMAX you pay for the movie itself, the sound and video effects and yes, the big screen. The fatal difference is that in a restaurant you know exactly what you are paying for when the bill comes AFTER the meal. In this case you don't and therefore I see no problem in Aziz going to complain and trying to reduce what he owed for the incomplete services he got after he sampled them, just as ANY of you (and me) would.
Furthermore, I believe almost everybody can relate here, there is nothing more irritating than having a movie experience ruined by some factor. Please raise your hand if you ever wanted to strangle the person who's cell-phone rang during a movie showing, or wondered very loudly in your head WHAT POSSIBLE REASON WOULD A MOTHER HAVE TO BRING THEIR INFANT CHILD TO A SHOWING OF SAW V ?
The reduced screen size is an integral part of the product Aziz purchased and it affected Aziz's experience of the movie Star Trek.
Now, it has been said that because of the pre-paid arrangement that goes on in a movie theater if Aziz was smarter he should have researched that theater's IMAX capabilities and thus would have avoided any misunderstanding. Wrong I'm afraid.
Once more go back to the stake. When you order a stake you presume that is made of cow meat. Suppose that, absurdly, in the menu of the restaurant there are no details. The entry simply states "Stake....20.00$". You feel like stake, you order it, it comes out...smells great. You put salt on it, maybe a little stake sauce. You can't wait to eat because you are hungry and really feel like a good stake. You take a bite and then ....oh no....something is wrong...it tastes weird. Why? Little did you know...that's a tofu stake!
At this point you call the waiter...maybe get a little upset and you send it back.
Already here I can feel some of you squirming to point out the following "See? You moron...you just punched a hole in your whole theory....you are basically saying that if he saw the screen was small he should have gotten out immediately and asked for a refund". Eheehe, yes I suppose you could be right but I urge you to go a little deeper.
Seeing a movie is different than eating a stake. Depending of what kind of interest you have in the movie there can be a lot of anticipation and expectation that become quite large factors in the equation. As Aziz pointed out....he really wanted to see Star Trek and so he did and he should have, since he was a paying customer. It is important to point out though that Aziz had nothing against the movie Star Trek, he disliked the screen size, and the two unfortunately are not distinguishable. It would be like you going to a restaurant, again order a stake, and again it being made out of tofu and say "This is unacceptable, I like the shape of the stake but not its consistency nor its taste, therefore I demand that you change each tofu molecule into cow meat molecule at once while preserving the stake's shape AT ONCE".
Yes, he could have just exited the theater and gone somewhere else but again I feel this is unjustified. If a restaurant does not have what you want, you go to another restaurant. In this case, the theater didn't have what Aziz wanted and failed to warn him about this only when he took his seat in the auditorium (not even then, he had to figure it out by himself). It is not fair to assume that Aziz didn't set that specific time aside to see Star Trek and HE had to change his plans or lose anything in anyway especially considering that he pre-paid for a service that was guaranteed to him at the moment the movie theater accepted his payment.
And this brings us to the AMC/IMAX issue. One of you said "the goal of a business is to give out a good product" or something to that effect. WRONG.
BUSINESS101, first lesson. The main goal of the business is TO MAKE MONEY. And this is true for ANY business. ANY time you pay for something their goal is ALWAYS to make money. Think of universities. You think their goal is to well educated you? No... as raising tuition rates prove, their goal is to make money. Thus one is hardly surprised that AMC/IMAX are trying to rip us off.
Because (and now i'm looking at you, fierce IMAX defender) that is exactly what they are trying to do.
If I were you, I would try to wikipedia something other than IMAX history. Maybe try "The United States of America Constitution". It is very clear about mislabeling... because this country is built on labels.
Think about it for a second.
There are warning labels all over the place: "This show's contents may not be suitable for children" or "smoking may kill you" or whatever...take your pick. Now remember what happened to that infamous old lady that burned herself with the coffee at McDonald's? That whole incident yielded her with reason and an enormous settlement, and us with yet another label "CAUTION- contents may be hot".
All companies do it all the time. Think about Coca-Cola. What would happen if to push their sales of say, vanilla coke, they started to label vanilla cokes as coca-cola classics? Can you imagine? I believe you can and that is PRECISELY why they don't do it! They don't want to lose money over lawsuits.
I urge you oh IMAX defender to indeed warn the lawyers of your company because although it is true that IMAX has not explicitly mis-labeled their digital IMAX technology they indeed IMPLICITLY mis-labeled them.
I wager that in no court of law, at least in the US, a judge and jury would see that the word "digital" appended to the word IMAX could ever be considered to indicate "digital=smaller screen than our original technology"
When people think new, they think better...not smaller.
Well, at least this is the issue as I see it....and the size of this comment should at least give a chance to all of you hole punchers and grammar checkers a huge amount to do for a long time, in which case let me say I'm happy to help you =).
One last note... the tweeter threat. Tweeter threat? How can anyone possibly perceive tweeter as a threat?
It is amusing, picture this... dark alley, a woman walks through it...scared...cautiously...a figure comes from behind her "Your purse or I will tweeter you all over the internet!!!"
AHAHAHAHAH
this deserves a big LOL
bully much? or am i mistaken and this is how ppl use their star power?
These guys have the power to give you a refund/coupon, whatever. But first, they want to joust with you. I worked in that kind of position for years and I would never just give up the refunds right off. You give as little as you think you can get away with because you can't be giivng certificates to every complainer, and some complaints are utter bullshit.
Still, if they had any validity to their complaint and they brought the home office or the district manager into the argument, I had to really think about whether it was worth it. In most cases, I'd give them their fucking refund and put an end to it. I use this information now when I'm in a tug of war with some reluctant manager who is just trying to win a power battle with me. You need to find a threat that will work.
Based on the thousands who've seen this post, claiming to Twitter your conflict IS a significant threat.
Also - bully? Why is Aziz the bully in this scenario? He had a legitimate complaint. Maybe the manager was the bully. Your "little guy versus spoiled whiny star" argument is crap. Since when are theater managers on the level of emotionally fragile little girls?
xo
E
Plus the fucking picture froze for a good 2-3mins roughly halfway through.
Also, Fandango is a waste of fucking money unless you think a show will be sold out and are too lazy or busy to show up early. The debit card didn't work so we waited in line anyway, they took one scan of the card and handed the tix over so why the fuck doesn't the kiosk work?
Epic fail IMAX.
Epic fail Fandango.
And Jesus H. Montgomery Christ there's a lot of all-caps mouthbreathing fucktards that commented on this post. What got them so hot and bothered about this subject? Usually they only freak out this bad if Larry the Cable Guy cancels a show.
I'll be sure to double check my local listing before i'm duped!
I saw Star Trek at the Cineplex-Odeon theatre in Ottawa, Ontario. Just a few kilometres away is the real IMAX theatre at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. THERE IS NO COMPARISON.
101 4th St San Francisco
The IMAX Theatre at Metreon's first for San Francisco and the largest 3D screen in the world. Metreon's IMAX Theatre features both 2-D and 3-D capabilities and boasts a huge 80' x 100' screen, seating 600 people in its 2-D configuration and 480 people for the 3-D configuration.
(from: http://www.sfstation.com/loews-imax-theatre-at-...)
I work at an IMAX theatre (with the standard size, 70 or so foot screen) and this bad press has been a burden, but for the sake of not only my theatre, but the theatres of others, boycott the thing you have a problem with, and leave out the other things that are only associated by name.
I will never go to one of these McMax screens again. What a joke, Imax should be destroyed over this. Ditto AMC and every other presenter that goes along with the scam.
Who are these guys? Irish Travellers?
- Greg
JY in Jax, FL
However, something as little as two punk-ass latecomers who not only came in late, but sat right next to me, proceeded to talk amongst themselves and pour some cheap liquor into their movie soda (ya think we can't smell that crap?) Some dumb (really dumb) looking white guy and his spoiled Asian girlfriend almost ruined my expensive IMAX outing? Could tell how DUMB he was when he blurted out, "Oh, it's Christian Slater!" when Nero came onscreen and spoke? And he kept reading the back of his parking ticket for no apparent reason during most of the 1st part of them film? If this describes you and your stupid girlfriend, you should either die or at least never go to a publicly shown film ever again!
Stupid!
But, YES, beware of the IMAX / AMC faker ripoffs!
Thanks, Aziz, for your warning and rants!
--Chris C in L.A.
Now I know. You have performed a noble service, and saved me from blowing five bucks on a pointless exercise. If I wore a hat, it'd be off to you.
I had the same experience at the AMC Santa Anita 16 "IMAX", which is really a mini IMAX, when I went to see The Day Earth Stood Still. Does anybody remember that aquarium footage they always play before the feature? Well that was the only IMAX action I got that night. When the film quality of a promo is far greater than the feature's you paid $17 for, you know you got robbed. I work with DI files in post production. For those who don't know what those are, in very short, these are high resolution frame by frame scans coming straight from a film camera. So quality is my middle name. I've seen enough IMAX remastered movies before to do a comparison (emphasis on remastered and not "shot in IMAX" which is of greater quality of course). Never before was I so disappointed and felt robbed like I was by AMC and their new revamped for IMAX rooms. What really happened is that they just blew up the regular 1.85 print on a bigger than usual but not as big as IMAX screen and hoped nobody would notice. So lesson learned: if you want real IMAX experience go see it at a theater that was specifically built for IMAX not "modified" for IMAX. Films remastered in IMAX are just that, remastered but not "shot with a specific camera". So shame on you AMC/Regal/IMAX if you are marketing "THE" IMAX experience then deliver it. Otherwise people will go to these pseudo theaters thinking "what the heck is the big deal about a $17 IMAX movie when it's no better than the BluRay disc I got at home for the same price or less?"
Screens size = 21m x29m
The screen size was great but was dissapointed by the image quality.
It was like an enlarged 35mm frame.
Meaning a soft image.
Was it really a remastered film or merely enlarged unto Imax stock?
I'd stick to smaller, sharper screens any day (and cheaper too)
"I live in MD. The only large screen IMAX we have is at the MD Science Center. For whatever reason, the geniuses over there refuse to show most mainstream movies like Star Trek or Night at the Museum. The next closest large screen IMAXes are at the Air and Space Museums in DC and Chantilly, VA.
I was shopping at Columbia Mall and saw an IMAX sign. I was SO excited that i wouldn’t have to drive to Northern VA to see a movie in IMAX form.
I started looking around the Net about that theater. That’s when i found out that it’s Fake-Azz IMAX. Small screen with all of this upgraded technology. That’s not what i’m interested in..i want the GIGANTIC screen ! THAT’S REAL IMAX !!
I’m SO glad i checked on the information before i went to the movie expecting the real IMAX but finding the fake one ! The staff at that theater is glad too; they just don’t know it. I would’ve pitched the boogie-woogie if i’d paid IMAX money for some fake-azz, so-called IMAX-small-screened ish.
The IMAX people ought to be ashamed of themselves for playing us the way they have, and frankly, i’m not interested in giving my money to a company who has so much disresepct for its customers..."
Aziz..dude, i THANK you for pitching the boogie-woogie about this all over the Net ! I was incredibly pissedI've known since a little after Christmas about the Columbia, MD location.
off when i first read the info on the Columbia, MD location. Here i was, thinking i wouldn't have to drive through the horrible DC/Northern VA traffic from Baltimore, only to find out that it wasn't a real IMAX.
I understand that it's not really about the money; it's about the principle. Luckily, it seems you have large-screen theaters in your area other than the fake-azzed IMAX you went to. Had it been me, i would've gone straight to management as soon as i realized the screen was small. Shoot honey, you could've seen "Star Trek" somewhere else. It wasn't going to go away that same day !
Had they tried to tell me that it was a real IMAX, i would've very loudly cussed them out. That way, any customers who were coming in would've known that they were not going into a real IMAX. I would've encouraged those people to go elsewhere to see the movie. They'd have given me the money just to shut me up and stop them from losing business.
Shoot..by the time i would've been done, we mighta ALL been on CNN that night, LOL !
Like i said..thanks, man. I'm happy that the dirt on IMAX is out.
Yes, I did expect a larger screen, but never having seen an IMAX
presentation, I stayed. I did enjoy the movie, but in light of your
expose, I now feel ripped off. Five dollars to me is (of this writing)
2 expensive gallons of gas. IMAX, AMC, until they have truth in
advertising, I will boycott them.
Marcus
I also would be pissed, I'd also want a partly refund, but sheesh if you really acted like that you can be happy that you even got anything back. friendlynes goes first. Be friendly to someone who you expect service from, and he will more likely be generous
this story really is something for notalwaysright.com .. you could have asked before hand how big the screen is
this is what I will be doing, because I really doubt our "new" IMAX cinema had somewhere the place for such a huge Screen after the original IMAX theater had been teared down.
they already charged 5 bucks more fore digital films, and if thats the same, I do not have the feeling its worth for me. (I will spark this money for Transformers 2 and Terminator 4 ... no matter what )
with us and then gave us passes. Looks like YOU need to login to
notalwaysright.com.
The IMAX experience at the two AMC theaters near me is much, much better than any of the 100+ screens in the DC area. The screen is larger. the picture is better with the digital DLP projector and it sounds much better.
Now while it's not a full size IMAX screen it is noticeably larger than the other screens. It's made me look forward to seeing a movie in the theater again. That is the only place I will see a movie now if it's available in IMAX.
Now there are a couple of full size IMAX theaters in my area, but I'm not about to drive over an hour, sitting in traffic to get there. Not when two AMC IMAX theaters are 5 mins and 20 minutes away.
I will gladly continue to pay the extra $3($4 for a 3D presentation) over seeing the pictures in the other theaters which have small screens, use film projectors and sound like crap.
I wish they would turn more of their existing screens into the "IMAX Lite" theaters. It's well worth it and they will continue to get my money.
agreed and felt duped like I did?
2 - My point is not that there is anything wrong of no value with the
IMAX Lite as you dub it, just that they should CALL it somethign like
that so people know.
Maybe I sat right next to you?