My wife wants to see avatar, and I thought I'd make the 50 mile trip to the closest IMAX. After researching I'm confused about it being a "liemax" theater. Has the non laser digital projector. Is it going to be any higher quality than a branded (amc or cinemax) theaters reald version? I live 25 miles from one of those.

Dolby cinema or 1.43 ar imax is 100 miles away.

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Mechanicallvlan t1_j2chnf5 wrote on December 31, 2022 at 5:39 AM

I've never heard anyone use "liemax" to refer to xenon projection. The term generally refers to IMAX theaters with absurdly small screens. My nearest IMAX is still xenon, but the screen is large. Anyhow, IMAX 3D is superior to RealD 3D, and in general, IMAX will have a larger screen and better sound than an auditorium being used for RealD 3D. However, if you live close to a large format screen with laser projection, then you might enjoy that experience more than some of the crappier IMAX theaters. Also, IMAX theaters in general have shitty, uncomfortable seating. If it was an option for you, a Dolby Cinema is probably the best way to experience the film.

vchaz OP t1_j2d53k6 wrote on December 31, 2022 at 10:32 AM

Thanks, I'd never heard of Liemax but came across the term in a review of the theater and went down a rabbit hole. I've only been to my local small town theater in the past 15 years and it's not impressive (but at least it's cheap!)

Unfortunately no imax laser near me. Will probably check out that xenon IMAX . Dolby intrigues me, but it is a 2.5 hour drive!

talkingbook t1_j2aitm9 wrote on December 30, 2022 at 8:50 PM

This is a great question. Also 'Avatar' is in HFR. I'm pretty close to a bunch of theaters and the only one advertising HFR was IMAX so we went there. It was great.

But thanks to the reddit hive mind since learned pretty much most* dolby 3d screens will play HFR and it's great.

My understanding based on consensus is Dolby Cinema, IMAX, RealD.

Hope that helps!

*just call ahead and ask.

guiness1024 t1_j2a16ge wrote on December 30, 2022 at 6:56 PM

AMC has liemax theaters near me. They are the size of regular theaters but are called IMAX for the upcharge. I'm less than a mile from the largest IMAX theater in AZ (60ft screen). I stay away from AMC IMAX

lkn240 t1_j2cp1l5 wrote on December 31, 2022 at 7:00 AM

We saw it in Reald and it was awesome.

xxStrangerxx t1_j29tkff wrote on December 30, 2022 at 6:08 PM

You'll be fine. What IMAX really means is that the screen is going to be big, and as long as the screen is big that's great. You can always sit closer if the screen isn't big

Laser indicates more resolution but the difference isn't worth twice the travel time

Illustrious-Baby-254 t1_j29v9x7 wrote on December 30, 2022 at 6:19 PM

“Screen is going to be big” is the liemax version OP was trying to avoid. I agree it’s not worth the insane distance but real imax is a different film format requiring special cameras and exhibition equipment. The theater will have fewer seats, too, due to the required viewing angle. It’s pretty rare. Real 3D is gonna be great no reason for the extra mileage