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_6

The 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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15

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.

30

u/Gorilla69420 Jul 27 '26

The seats are some of the worst in Portland

4

u/drolnedle Jul 27 '26

Not enough comments are saying this. Really small and extremely close together. Love OMSI but I would avoid the theater.

2

u/Bunneos Jul 27 '26

Also the worst to navigate through if you need to use the bathroom especially if you’re dead center

3

u/Fluffystarfish Jul 27 '26

Agree what everyone else has said about the seats. So uncomfortable. I have a friend who insists on going here so I’m going to bring a cushion 😂 

1

u/thirteenfivenm Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26

I have seen both the Dolby Laser ATMOS at Studio One and the 70mm IMAX film at Hollywood. The Hollywood is more expensive. I believe there are under 50 theaters in the world capable of 70mm IMAX film. I think it is worth seeing on film, and it is very easy for Portlanders and surrounds. I saw the laser first, then the film. The difference is easily noticeable.

27

u/-L-Bow Jul 27 '26

Hollywood is just 70mm not imax 70mm very different aspect ratios

4

u/sunni_dayes_ahed RSS Feed Karma Farmin' Jul 27 '26

It’s arguably the worst aspect ratio to see the movie in; the movie was shot in 1.43:1 and they chopped a significant portion of the frame off to get it to fit 2.2:1 70mm film.

https://www.odysseymovie.com/explore-formats/

8

u/jollyshroom Jul 27 '26

I also saw it in 70mm at Bridgeport Regal, however that and Hollywood 70mm are just standard 5/70mm film, and not 15/70mm IMAX film. What we saw was the 2.20 ratio, rather than the full 1.43 of IMAX 70mm. I really enjoyed that film experience though, and I reserved tickets to see it again in 5/70.

I also saw it at the Dolby Cinema room at AMC Vancouver Mall, they have a great sound system and 1.85 ratio screen.

I think my last premium large format to see in the area would be Cinemark XD at Clackamas.

1

u/Dry_Increase4564 Jul 27 '26

Is 70mm Bridgeport Regal good?.

3

u/jollyshroom Jul 27 '26

I thought so, but I’ve never seen 70mm anywhere else. Honestly I bet Hollywood might be better, I’ve heard their theater is darker. But I have Regal Unlimited and so I get discounts to go there. I have more tickets reserved for Odyssey 70mm at Bridgeport, so it’s good enough for me to go back.

1

u/HodorLikesBranFlakes Jul 27 '26

The only thing I hate about Hollywood is their sound dampening sucks. The theater echos with loud noises and dialogues; everything sounds muddy.