Blog Directory CineVerse: September 2010

Meet the Young Victoria

Monday, September 27, 2010

The Oak Lawn Library will be showing the upcoming following film in its lower level meeting room (for more details visit
http://www.lib.oak-lawn.il.us/upcomingevents.shtml):

The Young Victoria (2009) -- Wednesday, September 29 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. -- A dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria's rule and her enduring romance with Prince Albert. Starring Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend. Rated: PG. 100 min.

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Laugh-out-loud lunacy a la the Coen brothers

Sunday, September 26, 2010


In the mood for a gut-busting comedy? Join CineVerse on Wed., September 29 for "Raising Arizona" (1987; 94 minutes), directed by the Coen brothers. We'll also have time for a trailer tribute the this great sibling filmmaker team.

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Move over celluloid (part 2)

Thursday, September 23, 2010


(This is part 2 of a 2-part article on digital movie theater projection; part 1 published yesterday.)

by Erik J. Martin


Under ideal circumstances and using the best equipment, digital movies projected on a big screen can produce extremely bright, crisp, colorful images. There are no film-grain artifacts, jerky projector movements or reel-replacement delays to interrupt your moviegoing experience. Unlike film, which can intersect with the shutter 48 times a second, light from a digital projector is always hitting the screen, arguably yielding a more pure, robust picture.

A movie studio or distributor can send a theater its e-movie on a portable hard drive that stores the images as digital files that can be played through a digital projector, beam the film directly to the theater via satellite, or transmit the information in real time through fiber optics or over the Internet. That means the production cycle - from shooting the feature to getting it in theaters - will be shortened, possibly allowing moviegoers to see a new release months earlier than today's distribution process allows.

But despite digital advantages, e-movies face a number of hurdles before corporate and consumer acceptance can be assured. For one, while the picture is vibrant and robust, it still can't boast the same contrast ratio as film. Dark colors and bright images set against black screens aren't rendered quite as true, which can limit a cinematographer's vision and compromise a film's artistic scope.

What's more, the transition costs from film to digital projectors in theaters are staggering. Digital projectors cost hundreds of thousands of dollars apiece. And because there is no trade group or regulatory agency to enforce digital-cinema standards, a flurry of competing projection technologies could confuse the motion-picture marketplace and set back the evolution of digital movies for longer than industry experts anticipate.

Texas Instruments’ popular line of digital light processing projectors are used to display first-run movies on nearly 5,500 screens across North America. In an effort to compete with Texas Instruments, Sony recently inked a major deal to install its 4K digital projectors in all AMC Entertainment theaters (nearly 5,000 screens).

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Move over celluloid--make way for digital flicks

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

by Erik J. Martin

While 3-D theatrical films are making a bigger splash lately, 3-D isn't the only hot technology wave that's grabbing the attention of viewers. Digital movie projection could change the way movies are made and viewed.


In the not-too-distant future, "going to see a film" may be an outdated expression. That's because there may not be any "film" to see. Instead, every multiplex or moviehouse you frequent henceforth could very well be showing a state-of-the-art multimedia movie, digital-style.

If you thought high def technology represented the biggest revolution in movie entertainment since the advent of surround sound, think again. All signs indicate that the real watershed in motion picture enjoyment may not be the trend toward 3-D; instead, perhaps it will come from digital movie projection at your favorite theaters.

“E-movies” first began to make headlines in the late 1990s, when big-budget, mainstream flicks made brief debuts via digital projector. Director George Lucas became a pioneer allover again when he decided to release a digitally projected version of "Star Wars: Episode I--The Phantom Menace" at four specially equipped theaters in 1999. Since then, many films, have been projected digitally to lucky audiences across the country. In fact, some industry experts estimate that approximately 20 percent of theatrical films are being projected digitally today.

Why the seemingly sudden shift from 35 mm film to digital images? Though it's unlikely that electronic movies will completely replace film anytime soon, digital movies can save studios and theaters money in the long run and give audiences an upgrade in picture and sound, resulting in more bang for your box office buck.

Tomorrow: Part 2 of this article

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"Glory" in the greatness of Kubrick

Sunday, September 19, 2010


Take the road less traveled and join CineVerse on Wed., Sept. 22 for "Paths of Glory" (1957; 87 minutes), directed by Stanley Kubrick. We'll also have time to take in a trailer tribute to the films of Kubrick. Don't miss this one!

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Political paranoia podcast

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Three years ago this week CineVerse dissected the great political thriller "All the President's Men," starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford.

This riveting group discussion was captured on tape and can be enjoyed again by clicking here.

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The movies are great "In America"

Monday, September 13, 2010

The Oak Lawn Library will be showing the upcoming following film in its lower level meeting room (for more details visit
http://www.lib.oak-lawn.il.us/upcomingevents.shtml):

In America (2002) -- Friday, September 17 at 10 a.m. -- A touching, modern story of a young Irish immigrant family adjusting to life in New York City. Rated: PG-13. 105 min.

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Life, the universe and everything

Saturday, September 11, 2010


Like Thai food? Maybe you'll also like a Thai movie. CineVerse will explore
"Last Life in the Universe" (2003; 112 minutes), directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, on Wed., Sept. 15.

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Links for movie lovers

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Enjoy reading about movies? Appreciate perspectives from other film fanatics? Here are a few recommended blogs and sites you can visit for further reading on film:

And if you relish renting or buying movies on home video, here are a few good resources that provide reviews and such:

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Jane Campion tickles the ivories

Sunday, September 5, 2010


CineVerse will explore a passionate love story set in a foreign land on Wed., September 8 with a viewing and discussion of "The Piano" (1993; 121 minutes), directed by Jane Campion. and starring Holly Hunter. Hope you can join us!

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The soundtrack to our cinematic lives

Wednesday, September 1, 2010


Happy September, film fans! A new month brings a new CineVerse poll. For September, CineVerse asks the question, “What is the greatest film score of all time?” Is it “Gone With the Wind”? “Star Wars”? “Jaws”? The American Film Institute ranked its top 25 all-time film scores, so those will be among the choices. Vote for your favorite movie music by participating in our latest CineVerse poll, found on the left sidebar of our home page. Deadline to vote is through Sept. 30.

By the way, here are the results to our last poll, which queried: “What is the greatest science-fiction film of all time?” There was a tie at the top: “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Star Wars” each garnered 20 percent of the vote; runners up included “E.T.” and “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (13% each).

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