Dedham, MA—Jul 17, 2006
National Amusements Deploys 14 Additional RealD Digital 3-D Systems to Circuit
Installation to be completed for launch of Columbia Pictures’ MONSTER HOUSE in REAL
D
National Amusements, Inc., a world leader in the motion picture exhibition industry operating more than 1,500 screens in the U.S., U.K., Latin America and Russia, today announced an agreement with REAL D, the leader in the delivery of premier 3-D experiences, to roll-out 14 additional digital 3-D projection systems in select theatres (see list). This follows the October 2005 agreement with REAL D for 11 systems and brings the total of National Amusements 3D 2K projection systems to 24 locations on 25 screens. The installations will be completed for the opening of Columbia Pictures’ comedy thrill-ride MONSTER HOUSE in REAL D on July 21, 2006.
“Based on our great success with REAL D for the CHICKEN LITTLE launch in October 2005, we are very excited to expand the REAL D digital projection system to additional theaters,” said Shari E. Redstone, President, National Amusements. “This great 3-D technology allows National Amusements to bring patrons a broader range of unique film and entertainment programming options such as live sports and concert performances, building on our goal to make our theatres a community entertainment destination.”
“We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with National Amusements, an innovative circuit committed to delivering the very best entertainment experiences to their audiences,” said Michael V. Lewis, Chairman, REAL D. “The addition of REAL D Cinema systems to National Amusements theatres means more movie fans will be able to experience the thrilling adventure of MONSTER HOUSE in the REAL D digital 3D format, as well as future content coming to the platform soon.”
Columbia Pictures' MONSTER HOUSE in 3-D will be released in the REAL D Cinema format – the largest -3D cinematic format worldwide – day-and-date with the motion picture's 2-D release on July 21, 2006. This is the second release in REAL D and the second motion picture to employ the ground-breaking "Performance Capture" innovation developed by Sony Pictures Imageworks.
REAL D Cinema systems are comprised of several components, including a specially-treated movie screen; REAL D Cinema glasses; and a REAL D Cinema Z-Screen lens that mounts in front of the digital projector, enabling the projector to show 3-D. Customized software by REAL D integrates the components to deliver a flawless 2-D or 3-D movie experience. National Amusements’ new installations will also utilize Barco 2K digital projectors and Kodak servers.
In Columbia Pictures' comedy thrill-ride MONSTER HOUSE, three kids (newcomers Mitchel Musso, Sam Lerner and Spencer Locke) cross over to the other side of the street to unlock a mystery and experience the greatest adventure of their lives. DJ (Musso), the kid across the street, has the plan. Jenny (Locke), the newcomer, has the brains. And Chowder (Lerner), DJ's best friend, doesn't have a clue.
The cast includes Steve Buscemi, Nick Cannon, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jon Heder, Kevin James, Jason Lee, Sam Lerner, Spencer Locke, Mitchel Musso, Catherine O'Hara, Kathleen Turner and Fred Willard. Directed by UCLA Spotlight Award-winner Gil Kenan, the film was written by Dan Harmon, Rob Schrab and Pamela Pettler and produced by Robert Zemeckis, Steve Starkey, Jack Rapke and Steven Spielberg. Jason Clark served as executive producer. It has been rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for Scary Images and Sequences, Thematic Elements, Some Crude Humor and Brief Language.
For the digital 3D presentation of MONSTER HOUSE, audience members will receive comfortable, lightweight glasses enabling them to view the film in the REAL D Cinema format. REAL D Cinema glasses for MONSTER HOUSE are styled like classic sunglasses and are provided free with movie ticket purchase. Unlike traditional anaglyph 3D, REAL D Cinema uses state-of-the-art digital cinema technology to eliminate eye fatigue and ensure that moviegoers enjoy the most comfortable 3D viewing experience possible.
Tickets for all performances can be purchased in advance at the theatre, by phone or online at www.nationalamusements.com. Group sales can be coordinated by contacting Debbie Heller at 866-581-9138 x301.
New REAL D digital 3D theatre installations, combined with Kodak servers and Barco projectors:
Location
Showcase Cinemas Warwick, Warwick, RI (south of Providence)
Blackstone Valley 14 Cinema de Lux, Millbury, MA (south of Worcester)
Showcase Cinemas North Haven, North Haven, CT
Connecticut Post 14 Cinema de Lux, Milford, CT (south of New Haven)
Fairfax Corner 14 Cinema de Lux, Fairfax, VA (Wash., DC)
Linden Boulevard Multiplex Cinemas, Brooklyn, NY
College Point Multiplex Cinemas, Whitestone, NY
Jamaica Multiplex Cinemas, Jamaica, NY
Edgewater Multiplex Cinemas, Edgewater, NJ
Showcase Cinemas Milford 16, Milford, OH (Cincinnati)
Maumee Cinema de Lux, Maumee, OH (Toledo)
Showcase Cinemas Dayton South, Dayton, OH
Showcase Cinemas Flint West, Flint, MI
Showcase Cinemas Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, MI
Theatres currently equipped with REAL D digital 3D system, combined with Dolby Servers and Christie projectors.
Location
The Bridge: Los Angeles
Showcase Cinemas Buckland Hills, Manchester, CT (Hartford)
City Center 15, White Plains, NY
Farmingdale Multiplex Cinemas, Farmingdale, NY (Long Island)
S/C Davenport 53, Davenport, IOWA
Island 16: Cinema de Lux, Holtsville, NY (Long Island)
Showcase Cinemas Randolph, Randolph, MA (south of Boston)
Showcase Cinemas Revere, Revere, MA (north of Boston)
Springdale 18: Cinema de Lux, Springdale, OH (Cincinnati)
Stonybrook 20: Cinema de Lux, Louisville, KY
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