Portage Theater review

[Barlow]

Ok, here's the latest on the monthly Time Tunnel Toys show at the Portage Theater!

First, some cool merchandise for sale!

[Barlow]

[Barlow]

Here are some people attending the show, including a friend of mine who turned his back to the camera at an inopportune moment, thus missing his moment of fame. 




Here's a screen cap from the movie Munster Go Home...

[Barlow]

And our awesome hosts, presenting House of Frankenstein. We almost got to see Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman instead. LOL! 



A better shot of that:



And finally, a screen cap from House of Frankenstein.



Another fun night filled with monsters and monster fans. Got to see a lot of old faces and talk with old friends and see some new faces as well. And I got my long-lost Dracula puzzle for a song! Thanks John! 

[JAW4Universal]

Believe me, as a newbie to this forum, I don't want to open up a locked can of worms, but just thought I would throw this out as (hopefully) what should be the final word on DVD projection at the Portage.

I think it's great that people love these Time Tunnel shows and I would never discourage regular attendees from going.  The price is right, even for DVD projection.

That said, I have to say I think anytime a show is predominantly DVD projection it should be advertised as such.  I went to one of the Horrorbles shows and one of the Time Tunnel shows.  I love both stores, but as a film fan who treasures presentation, the DVD projection on all films was lacking.  I don't know if it's where the projection system is located or the throw from projector to screen, but all the films shown there looked vaguely faded with poor contrast levels.

I realize 35mm print procurement is difficult and costly, and  lots of people don't seem to mind the projection quality.  This is an age where people watch YouTube and movies on their cell phones, so by comparison, the DVD projection at the Portage is not bad.  But for a cinephile who really treasures strong contrasts and resolution, it doesn't do the job for me.

So, for those who care, can't these organizers just advertise "DVD projection" somewhere on the flyers?  If they are not doing that because it will discourage attendance, that's not really fair to those of us who would not come if they knew. Now, of course, I know the Time Tunnel shows are all DVD projections, so I can make the informed decision not to attend.  But I think it would be fair to others.

Just throwing that out as a suggestion.  For those who love these shows, please don't take it as a slam.  Everybody has their own standards of "quality" projection.  Mine are kind of high. But for the price, the collectibles, and the social atmosphere, I'm sure these are wonderful gatherings for others. 

[hammerfan]

While you make a point, I have to say in defense that i have seen some piss poor 35mm versions shown at various venues as well. Fangoria for example, and I recall a print of King Kong shown at a Wonderfest that was so grainy and choppy it was almost unwatchable. Even Harryhausen commented on how bad the print was. Having a film print is no guarantee that the quality will be better. Also, by doing DVD projection THe show's costs can be kept down and the savings passed  along to the attending fans. The majority of the people who attend this show seem to enjoy it a great deal and most are frequent attendees. That in itself is a testiment to how people feel about it.  Again if you are looking for state of the art cinema, stick to those venues. No one obligates  you to attend.

[raycastile]

While you make a point, I have to say in defense that i have seen some piss poor 35mm versions shown at various venues as well. Fangoria for example, and I recall a print of King Kong shown at a Wonderfest that was so grainy and choppy it was almost unwatchable. Even Harryhausen commented on how bad the print was. Having a film print is no guarantee that the quality will be better. Also, by doing DVD projection THe show's costs can be kept down and the savings passed  along to the attending fans. The majority of the people who attend this show seem to enjoy it a great deal and most are frequent attendees. That in itself is a testiment to how people feel about it.  Again if you are looking for state of the art cinema, stick to those venues. No one obligates  you to attend.

How do you feel about indicating "DVD projection" on the fliers?

[hammerfan]

i see no harm in it. its up to the promoter.

[JAW4Universal]

It's an excellent point that 35mm prints are not always so hot.  I guess I am a little spoiled from the usually fine prints at Music Box and Film Center screenings.  I'm also probably more forgiving of scratched prints (if not too terrible) if the resolution is otherwise excellent.

One thing: when you mention "avoiding venues," I need to point out my problem is not with the Portage overall.  I went to 3 films of their Silent Summer Festival and they looked wonderful, even for their age.  Print projection is not a problem at the Portage.

I do recognize that, as revival theaters and college film societies die, it's going to be harder and harder to get prints of a lot of movies.  Even Rusty Nails, who programs the wonderful Music Box Massacre and Terror in the Aisles events and who strives for film whenever possible, has had to resort to DVD projection for a couple of films.

Maybe future organizers of these fan events can work with the venues on improving DVD projection systems so it's as good as possible whenever 35 or 16mm prints are too difficult to obtain.

Oddly enough, one of the worst places to see films projected, the Brew & View at the Vic, has a surprisingly good DVD projection system.  Went to see "Darkman" there and it took a long time for me to realize I wasn't watching a print.  At the B&V, I'd say you're actually better off with a DVD projection.

I noticed at the Portage, the DVD projection system is way at the back of the theater, while at the Vic, it's up near the stage.  I think this has a lot to do with the faded, poor contrast DVD quality at the Portage.  Or maybe a stronger bulb for the projector would solve it?  Just throwing that out for whatever it's worth.

But, yeah, as a film "geek" customer, I'd appreciate it if event organizers made it known what format the film will be shown in.  Beyond that, hey, whatever works.

[raycastile]

I believe show promoters should let patrons know in their marketing materials whether they are showing film prints or DVD projection.  I also believe that in 10 years time, showing film prints at conventions and festivals will be extinct.  It already is, practically.  Maybe revival theaters will still do it, but I doubt it.  The price of professional digital projection will come down and everyone will have access to high-definition digital transfers.  No one will want to watch an orange, faded, scratchy, warbling, splicey film print when they can watch a pristine HD digital transfer.

[Barlow]

I personally don't really see an issue with it. To me, that's sorta nit picking. You go to the show, ask for a free membership card, and your entry fee is just $9 ($10 minus the dollar discount). If you split that up, it comes to $2.25 a movie. You can't even rent a movie that cheap! Plus you get entrance to the convention area free. I mean, really, it's a pittance for what you get in return.

And keep in mind that Time Tunnel Toys isn't trying to put on a hi-tech, expensive, state-of-the-art show for movie connoisseurs who are going to sit around with a score card grading the quality of the film. It's just a monthly opportunity for a bunch of monster fans and their families to get together and share some monster bonding while enjoying old favorite monster movies and sharing monster merchandise and what not, without breaking the bank. In this economy, I think it's a blessing to have this show every month.

So as for the DVD projection, eh. Doesn't matter to me if it's being shown from a VCR on VHS, as long as the picture isn't torn to shreds I'm ok with it.

Concerning contrast levels, I've also noticed I prefer a bit more contrast on a few of the movies, but it's so unimportant to me because it still looks fine and I have so much fun that by the time I'm 10 minutes into the movie, I've forgotten to even bring it up to John. I'm assuming there's a setting on the projector that can up the contrast and resolve that complaint? If not, and if DVD projection at a theater uses a regular DVD player, I'd be more than happy to let Time Tunnel Toys use mine, because it's a region-free Toshiba with built-in contrast and sharpness controls. So they'd be able to adjust it via the player to whatever level looks best. Problem (if it was one to begin with) solved. 

For most people, I'm not sure it matters whether the flier says DVD projection. In fact, I think it might be counter-productive because it might cause some people to misinterpret that as "high definition" when it isn't.

The way I sum it up:

Entrance to 4 movies and the convention: $9 (with free membership card)
Parking in nearby lot for the entire evening: $2.50
Price of monster merchandise: Whatever you want to spend (I usually drop $20 or so)
Value of an entire evening of monster entertainment and bonding with other monster fans for about the cost of dinner for one at McDonald's: PRICELESS!

[JAW4Universal]

Per Barlow's summary: I do appreciate the fan-gathering aspect of it, and all you say about the costs is right on the money.  Good marks for Time Tunnel all around in that respect.

But I do cringe a little at your remarks about "movie connoisseurs who are going to sit around with a score card grading the quality of the film." I don't carry a scorecard, but yeah I am a movie connoisseur and I like the best possible presentation.  If you truly love movies, I think presentation is vital.  Maybe that's the difference here.  I'm a big horror buff, but a movie buff first and foremost.  As people get used to watching lousy streaming video on iPod screens, I fear what is considered "acceptable" presentation is getting watered down.  Call me a snob, but that's where I stand.  Not to beat a dead horse, but this is why I think it's fair to ask a programmer to say what format is shown.  When I go to see a movie, I'd like it to look better than my TV set at home.

Per raycastille's comment: "The price of professional digital projection will come down and everyone will have access to high-definition digital transfers.  No one will want to watch an orange, faded, scratchy, warbling, splicey film print when they can watch a pristine HD digital transfer."

You're mostly right, but in one way terribly wrong.  Yes, high-quality digital presentation is here, and it's fantastic.  I'm no anti-modern technology guy.  My favorite mainstream theater is the Muvico in Rosemont, where all their films are 4K Digital projections and they look like...movies! Glorious, sharp resolution, actual movies.  If that's what replaces celluloid, I've got no problem with it. 

Where you are terribly wrong is where you say, "everyone will have access to high-definition digital transfers."  A lot of old films will never be upgraded to top-of-the-line digital projection formats.  Yes, standard and BlueRay DVDs of many old films will be available, but they won't be equal projection quality to the new 4K or the old 35mm showings.  Which is why when I see some of these films at the Massacre or other revivals, I know I'm often seeing something which may never be shown as it should be again...which makes those occasions all the more memorable.

Now, I don't expect Time Tunnel or anyone else creating these events on meager budgets to be able to equal 4K Digital projection, but I think there are probably practical ways to improve what they do. As for notification to newcomers, I don't think one line at the bottom of a flyer would kill anyone. 

[Monster Bob]

If they were to show projected films, they'd have to hire a Union film projectionist also.

[Barlow]

JAW4Universal wrote:

Per Barlow's summary: I do appreciate the fan-gathering aspect of it, and all you say about the costs is right on the money.  Good marks for Time Tunnel all around in that respect.

Glad we agree on that! 

But I do cringe a little at your remarks about "movie connoisseurs who are going to sit around with a score card grading the quality of the film." I don't carry a scorecard, but yeah I am a movie connoisseur and I like the best possible presentation.  If you truly love movies, I think presentation is vital.  Maybe that's the difference here.  I'm a big horror buff, but a movie buff first and foremost.  As people get used to watching lousy streaming video on iPod screens, I fear what is considered "acceptable" presentation is getting watered down.  Call me a snob, but that's where I stand.  Not to beat a dead horse, but this is why I think it's fair to ask a programmer to say what format is shown.  When I go to see a movie, I'd like it to look better than my TV set at home.

On some aspects, I totally agree with you. When I buy a DVD or pay $10 to see one movie (a modern movie), I expect top-notch transfers. But again, I think it's a bit much to expect any promoter to pay exorbitant amounts of money to rent actual film and hire a union projectionist. If that's were the case, the entry fee would easily triple, which defeats the purpose of the show to begin with. I for one wouldn't want to see those movies if I had to pay $30 or so just to walk in the door.

I think it's a matter of intent. You admit you're more a film buff than a monster buff. So in a sense, that show is not aimed at your particular interest. It's more intended to satisfy monster fans who just want a great night of good, affordable entertainment.

Now, I don't expect Time Tunnel or anyone else creating these events on meager budgets to be able to equal 4K Digital projection, but I think there are probably practical ways to improve what they do. As for notification to newcomers, I don't think one line at the bottom of a flyer would kill anyone.

Well, I offered one solution to the contrast issue, so that should be easily fixed. Also, keep in mind that sometimes a DVD projection is better than film. Or at least as far as affordability goes. Time Tunnel Toys played the finest ad most complete version of the 1922 Nosferatu available...the new Kino transfer. I can't imagine how much it would cost to rent that on actual film and hire a projectionist. The entry fee would triple at least!

So I think people need to keep in mind the intent of the show and the reason it exists - lots of great monster fun at an extremely affordable price. It's really unfair to judge it by other standards.

[ICEMANN333]

HELLO....  thanks for the good remarks to my fans......if i was to have all the movies i do once a month and pay the huge money some of these films i would have to charge 30.00 to each fan.... i tried to get star wars  i got a good deal one night 2.500.00 just for film wont go there........i have my many members and lots new fans and they know its dvd ....((( film cost is very high on top line movies ...THIS SHOW IS FOR A ONCE MONTH MEMBERS AND FANS WITH CHILDREN TO ENJOY...to have a night out to enjoy some old movies on the big screen with a toy show in lobby.....i will say not one and i mean not one person has ask for a refund...and if they would i would give a full refund.............for those who want to enjoy a night out with us all are welcome to talk .trade. buy .sell .or bring in a built up model to display at my show......note this is not LA or new york this is portage theater bringing something special for kids dads and moms.......to all I WAS born a monster and i will always be a monster.....big john......thank you u.m.a  sorry i was quiet for a while but im still alive... ghoul bye..must go now softball playoff game......jjj