Riverbank Imax being prepared for ‘super’ debut
The Imax theater at the Galaxy Luxury+ cineplex on Patterson Road is nearly ready for its close-up. The dual projectors have been given test runs on the three-story-tall, 70-foot-wide, extra-bright screen. The same plush seats with motorized recliners that furnish the other theaters are in place.
Construction workers are putting down final pieces of flooring, putting up signage and adding other finishing touches.
This is absolutely, unquestionably going to be the best presentation in your market.
Adam Peterson
Galaxy Theatres, on the new Imax theaterOn Wednesday night, the theater will get a soft opening with a screening of “Jurassic World” for a Riverbank Historical Society benefit. The next night will be the big premiere, as the first spring blockbuster movie, “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” opens in Imax 3-D.
“One of the things about Imax 3-D is the image is a lot brighter and a lot sharper,” said Nathan Paul, general manager of Galaxy Luxury+. Each projector uses a 6,000-watt bulb.
“The curved screen helps envelop the viewer in the picture,” he said.
“Also, it does a more effective job (than a flat screen) of guiding the light back to the audience,” added Galaxy Vice President of Construction and Presentation Technologies Adam Peterson, here from Fort Worth, Texas, for the theater opening.
Right now, we’re employing about 15 extra people. We’ll see where that gets us. It may be a little more than we need, may be a little less.
Nathan Paul
general manager, on staffing for the ImaxAn image-enhancement system uses light and sound monitors in the theater to calibrate the projection system daily, the men said.
When the Imax theater is screening 3-D movies, which likely will be often, “the coolest thing about the presentation is that one projector handles all the information for your left eye and the other all the information for your right eye,” Peterson said. “The 3-D picture is nearly twice as bright as the 2-D, so the common complaints about watching 3-D – dim picture, motion sickness, eye strain – all go away.”
Including spaces for wheelchairs, the theater accommodates 352 people, with the actual number of recliners about 345, Paul said. Thursday’s screenings of “Dawn of Justice” are sold out except for a few seats in the front row, he said.
Tickets for Imax screenings are $15 general, with discounts for seniors and children. 3-D screenings carry a $3 surcharge.
This story was originally published March 17, 2016 at 5:46 PM with the headline "Riverbank Imax being prepared for ‘super’ debut."