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Health & Fitness

Movie Theater v. Home Theater

Going to the movies? Here's something to think about...

Go out or stay in?  If you want to catch a movie and you don't know which to choose,  I have two words for you:  aspect ratio.

Movies are constructed to be viewed, ideally, on a 30' x 70' rectangular screen (huge!) whose aspect ratio, or spatial dimension, is 1.85:1.  There are several reasons that this shape and size is optimal for viewers. Only in a darkened theater, where the images on the big screen fill your senses, including, importantly,  your peripheral vision, will you have the visceral experience of active involvement with the story.  Further, the kind of information on a  screen this size isn't easily contained or displayed in the limited format offered by a square TV box or even a "big screen" home theater.

Filmmakers get frustrated when audiences miss carefully chosen details because they had to be cut due to formatting problems.  Even widescreen (or letterboxing) is less than an ideal solution because the images are significantly reduced in size from the theater screen. If you watch a movie in a theater and at home, you might be  shocked at the difference in the experience.  There is just "more" to it in a theater.

In Shoreline, we're lucky to have the Crest Cinema Center at 165th and 5th Avenue NE.  Seattle Weekly calls it the "best second run cinema" in Seattle.  "Second run" refers to movies that were until recently (within the last two months) released for the first time in larger theaters.  These films begin showing in theaters like the Crest about the time they are offered for release as a DVD.

The Crest has four screens and shows every night of the week with matinees on the weekend.  And the best part?  Each ticket is only $3!  For the price of a rental DVD you can see a recent movie the way it's meant to be seen: on the big screen!  Check out details at http://www.landmarktheatres.com/Market/Seattle/Seattle_Frameset.htm

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