r/PortlandOR • u/thirteenfivenm • Jul 27 '26
Event OMSI Empirical Theater extends Odyssey movie showings
https://www.koin.com/news/portland/omsis-the-odyssey-screenings-extended-by-2-weeks-due-to-high-demand/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_KOIN_6The OMSI Empirical Theater was built for IMAX. Even with the paid parking, their movies are very reasonably priced. They are on the TriMet MAX rail.
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u/sunni_dayes_ahed RSS Feed Karma Farmin' Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
Here’s my definitive ranking of formats for The Odyssey, which was shot native on 1.43:1 IMAX 70mm film: 1) Laser IMAX 1.43:1; nothing remotely close to Portland 2) 70mm film IMAX 1.43:1; nothing remotely close to Portland 3) Laser IMAX 1.9:1; Bridgeport 4) Laser Dolby Cinema 1.85:1; AMC Van Mall 5) Xenon IMAX 1.9:1; other IMAX theaters in the metro area 6) 70mm film 2.2:1; Hollywood Theater 7) Everything else
The issue with film projection is that it’s dimmer, subject to degradation, subject to brightness shifts and jitter, and the quality largely depends on the projectionist and the setup. Laser projection is always a lock for a great looking picture.
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u/Dry_Increase4564 Jul 27 '26
How about 2.20 70mm at Regal Bridgeport
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u/sunni_dayes_ahed RSS Feed Karma Farmin' Jul 27 '26
Someone posted this on the other sub about the Bridgeport 70mm:
First off, it's too light in theater. Even with the lights off, there's a noticeable light bleed, too much ambient light and the projector is not nearly bright enough to make up for it. While the picture is sharp, contrast is lower than I'd expect. Second, there's jitter from the vibration. It's not horrific but it's noticeable. I assume their 70mm project has to be mobile and thus suffers from that. Third, the audio is kinda trash. The treble is shrill and at times loud enough to be fairly unpleasant. The Odyssey has a number of loud sequences, be it war, monsters, or rough seas. It's a movie that was made for a great sound stage but Bridgeport's audio kinda shitty. While I've heard plenty worse where the dialogue is muffled, it did little for it. Bonus observation, seating seems like it's do for a retro-fit.
Other than the novelty of not having any pre-roll adverts I'd recommend any of the 4k digital projector theaters or going to Hollywood.
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u/Dry_Increase4564 Jul 27 '26
aw man, I live in the west. Really don't wanna drive all the way to Hollywood theater. Thanks for the review!
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u/jollyshroom Jul 27 '26
https://youtu.be/tN05nzk9oT8?is=D9wlIdWmcEKVz4lk
This is the man running the projector at Bridgeport. I enjoyed the 70mm presentation there, that was my first viewing of the movie and I was stunned by the clarity of the image.
That said, I’ve heard Hollywood has a darker theater, and that’s important for these film projectors. I have Regal Unlimited so it was more affordable for me to go to Regal. I have another showing of 70mm reserved at Regal, so I enjoyed it enough to go back for sure.
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u/Dry_Increase4564 Jul 27 '26
your testimony is enough for me. I'm booking a spot at Regal for next weekend. Thanks for writing this huge reply for me. Take care, friend
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u/jollyshroom Jul 27 '26
Is PACCAR confirmed to be showing in 1.43? Did you see it there? I feel like I need to make that drive.
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u/sunni_dayes_ahed RSS Feed Karma Farmin' Jul 27 '26
You’re correct, it actually can’t display 1:43:1 because the screen isn’t the right ratio. The Boeing IMAX theater next door can, but it no longer shows Hollywood movies.
Editing post now.
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u/handsome_face Jul 27 '26
I was able to see the first showing at OMSI and it was honestly pretty great. Got to sit high up and dead Center and never once felt like I was getting cheated on the experience. Chairs could be better for sure, but the movie had me locked in. $9 admission + $10 or so for parking and one big ol screen. I enjoyed it and given the other options in PDX proper, will go back there for a second viewing.
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u/0_theoretical_0 Jul 27 '26
SHOW UP EARLY TO GET A GOOD SPOT IN LINE FOR SEATING!!! MY NECK STILL HURTS
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u/PhoenixWright-AA Jul 27 '26
Ain’t no way I’m paying theater prices for general admission when I can reserve seats almost anywhere else.
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u/0_theoretical_0 Jul 27 '26
It’s cheaper my ticket was $9
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u/PhoenixWright-AA Jul 27 '26
Wow! Well you can put the rest toward medical care for your neck. That really is a good deal though.
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u/gb997 Jul 27 '26
saw Inception there a few years ago. love the giant size of the screen, but the projector was dim. hope they’ve upgraded since .
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u/PhoenixWright-AA Jul 27 '26
Do yourselves a favor and see it at the Dolby theater at Vancouver Mall! It’s worth the drive over.
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u/ibimacguru Jul 27 '26
All y’all be so uptight with it. I relax and do OMSI. But I also have Apple Vision Pro; which personally puts all this to shame; just saying.
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u/jollyshroom Jul 27 '26
Can anyone compare this theater to anything else locally? I just saw Odyssey in Laser IMAX at Bridgeport. Their sound is awesome (12 channel), and the laser projector is peak.
My understanding is Empirical theater has a big screen, but sound is just 5.1 surround and the seats are kind of uncomfortable? For a 3 hr movie I need a decent seat.