Every year, there should be at least one movie that lights up your senses like fireworks. You should feel anticipation buzzing at the base of your heels. Hollywood owes us this--at least one time a year. This year, one of the most anticipated films buzzing up from the feet up is Christopher Nolan's Interstellar. The reason for the excitement:
1) It's Matthew McConaughey in space. 2) Chris Nolan did that little film called The Dark Knight. 3) MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY --> IN SPACE.
The official synopsis goes like this: "A group of explorers make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage."
Booorrrring, right? Seriously though, this movie is guaranteed to melt some cerebellums like a plastic cup. Here's the good news: Paramount Pictures announced that 240 theaters--specifically, movie theaters that have the capability to project the movie in actual film, including 70mm IMAX, 70mm (70mm is three times the resolution of the standard projector) and true 35mm--will show Interstellar two days early.
Because Christopher Nolan is an ardent advocate in preserving and utilizing the power of real, honest-to-goodness film reels, there are a number of ways to see Interstellar in ways that promise an extraordinary experience. Also, Dallas is one of the few cities selected to show the film in one of the best formats you could ask for. So, why is Nolan being so damn intense about all this?
Here's an excerpt from the tech specifications, via the film's website:
INTERSTELLAR was shot using a combination of 35mm anamorphic film and 65mm 15 perf IMAX FILM. When presented on 70mm IMAX, the sequences shot on IMAX are printed full quality in their native format- the highest quality imaging format ever devised, offering almost ten times the resolution of standard formats, and filling the giant IMAX screens from top to bottom. The 35mm anamorphic sequences have been blown up to fill the IMAX screen side-to-side using a 6k digital DMR process, the highest resolution processing ever used in a feature film presentation.
So, yeah, the process was done with incredible care. James Wallace, Creative Manager for the Alamo Drafthouse - The Drafthouse is getting Interstellar early, in 35mm, and will serve a Interstellary-themed food menu - says of the "film first" initiative Christopher Nolan is engaging:
"I think giving it to certain movie houses early is Mr. Nolan's way of saying "thank you" to the cinemas that still show 35mm film, when most theaters--and studios for that matter, including Paramount, which is releasing Interstellar and made an exception in this case--have gone completely digital (for a few reasons including automation, cost, etc.) We live in a digital world, but filmmakers like Nolan still see the "value" (and magic) in shooting a film on 35 in the same way we, as a cinema, see that in showing films on that format. "
Here's your guide to seeing Interstellar in all its glory.
Interstellar in 70mm (Opens November 4) Why this matters: 70mm offers three times the resolution of standard projections. 70mm is a bigger-than-normal film print, which means it can hold more tracks for sound. Which means sound so good it can blow whales out of the ocean.
Studio Movie Grill 11170 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75243 Where to get tickets
Look Cinemas (Prestonwood) 5409 Belt Line Rd, Dallas, TX 75254 Where to get tickets
Interstellar in 35mm (Opens on November 5th) Why this matters: 35mm has a richness to it that digital will never have. It feels different. It uses actual light projected through celluloid. Alamo Drafthouse (Richardson) 100 S Central Expy, Richardson, TX 75080 Where to get tickets *Note: The Drafthouse is also showing a Nolan film retrospective throughout November. That's a can't miss.
Texas Theatre 231 W Jefferson Blvd, Dallas, TX 75208 Where to get tickets
The Magnolia 3699 McKinney Ave #100, Dallas, TX 75204 Where to get tickets
AMC Northpark 8687 North Central Expressway, #3000, Dallas, TX 75225 Where to get tickets
Interstellar in Digital IMAX (Opens November 5) Why this matters: Nolan shot some of the film using actual, giant IMAX cameras. Which means, this film wasn't blown up to IMAX size after the fact. It's a sight to see.
Cinemark 17 11819 Webb Chapel Rd, Dallas, TX 75234 Where to get tickets
AMC Northpark 15 8687 North Central Expressway, #3000, Dallas, TX 75225 Where to get tickets
On November 7, the film opens wide. At that point, you can see it all over Dallas. Actually, they'll probably debut it straight into your mind. If you're going to go the digital route, ask if your local theater has a 4K projector. That will provide the clearest, and best high resolution image for the digital formats.
It makes for happy eyes.
