Official THX rated theatre/ house listing

[mpompey]

Is there some official THX-rated theatre listing anywhere on the web? I would like to find a THX theatre in my area. The problem is that the big multi-plex advertise that they are THX. However, I'm sure that is only in their biggest houses, and not all of them.

Is there anyway to find out which theatres are THX certified, and which houses passed the certification? Is their any official certification body out there that theatres belong to?

 

[Francious70]

http://www.thx.com/mod/cinema/find.html

 

[Sheep]

All the Famous Players Silver City locations in Canada are THX cert. I would have it no other way.

SheepStar

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

There is only 1 THX theater within 100 miles of me and its about 25 miles away... I still make the trip out there though I don't go to the movies that often because the movies are right here at home!

~Chuck

 

[gellor]

dangit...i'm in houston, and the nearest thx theater is in austin. (about 3 hours drive away) not quite sure that its worth it.

 

[Sheep]

dangit...i'm in houston, and the nearest thx theater is in austin. (about 3 hours drive away) not quite sure that its worth it.

Move to Canada, We have THX theaters coming out the ying yang.

SheepStar

 

[gellor]

Move to Canada, We have THX theaters coming out the ying yang.

SheepStar

Yep...and if I move to Calgary, it'd be just like living in Houston...rodeo and all. (still not sure if that's a GOOD thing, though...

 

[GlocksRock]

Darn, the nearest one to me is like 35 miles away.

 

[Sheep]

Yep...and if I move to Calgary, it'd be just like living in Houston...rodeo and all. (still not sure if that's a GOOD thing, though...

Cept Calgary drops down to -20 degrees in the winter.

 

[gellor]

Cept Calgary drops down to -20 degrees in the winter.

...C or F?

 

[Sheep]

...C or F?

C, we are C here. Its just enough for your eyelids to freeze shut.

SheepStar

 

[BJP]

C, we are C here. Its just enough for your eyelids to freeze shut.

SheepStar

Sheep, you forgot to mention about the windchill . Other things will freeze

 

[Sheep]

Sheep, you forgot to mention about the windchill . Other things will freeze

True, the windchill will take it into the 30's and sometimes 40's.

SheepStar

 

[anamorphic96]

THX does not mean anything in movie theatres today. Back in the 80's when it first came out it did. Because there where no real standards created yet. But now it means nothing. It's also not a gurantee of anything. No one comes out from THX to inspect or do anything anymore. All these houses are maintained by the theatre company and not THX. You never know when they where aligned last or if the kid starting the movie is a bass head and nudges the sub gain up or if they have done the same to the surrounds. Did you know that high school kids are starting your movie most of the time and cant even focus the image correctly. Or frame and center the image properly. Did you also know that if you where to goto 100 different THX houses/complexes only maybe 5 would be presenting the film correctly and within THX standards. This does not mean you wont get a decent presentation just dont take what you see and here as being a real THX presentation. They are few and far between.

I guess what im getting at with this rant is dont be suckered in by the THX hype and drive 30 or 40 miles when it does not mean anything and the chances of getting a really great presentation are slim.

All MAJOR circuits build to these specs anyway. The houses just dont get maintained the way they should. Because most circuits dont hire real projectionists. They put the kid shoveling your popcorn upstairs to start your movie. The equipment might get aligned once a year. So what it copmes down to is how well the operation is managed and if the GM has high standards and knows how to properly supervise and maintain his equipment to make sure things are running correctly. Most dont.

 

[Sheep]

THX does not mean anything in movie theatres today. Back in the 80's when it first came out it did. Because there where no real standards created yet. But now it means nothing. It's also not a gurantee of anything. No one comes out from THX to inspect or do anything anymore. All these houses are maintained by the theatre company and not THX. You never know when they where aligned last or if the kid starting the movie is a bass head and nudges the sub gain up or if they have done the same to the surrounds. Did you know that high school kids are starting your movie most of the time and cant even focus the image correctly. Or frame and center the image properly. Did you also know that if you where to goto 100 different THX houses/complexes only maybe 5 would be presenting the film correctly and within THX standards. This does not mean you wont get a decent presentation just dont take what you see and here as being a real THX presentation. They are few and far between.

I guess what im getting at with this rant is dont be suckered in by the THX hype and drive 30 or 40 miles when it does not mean anything and the chances of getting a really great presentation are slim.

All MAJOR circuits build to these specs anyway. The houses just dont get maintained the way they should. Because most circuits dont hire real projectionists. They put the kid shoveling your popcorn upstairs to start your movie. The equipment might get aligned once a year. So what it copmes down to is how well the operation is managed and if the GM has high standards and knows how to properly supervise and maintain his equipment to make sure things are running correctly. Most dont.

Mr. Negative!

I bet you would be blown away by the Theater Experience up here.

SheepStar

 

[anamorphic96]

Mr. Negative!

I bet you would be blown away by the Theater Experience up here.

SheepStar

I know. But I have been a projectionist for over 10 years and have seen the stuff you guys dont see.

I mainly wanted to warn people that THX means absolutley nothing these days. Especially in commercial cinemas.

 

[Sheep]

I know. But I have been a projectionist for over 10 years and have seen the stuff you guys dont see.

I mainly wanted to warn people that THX means absolutley nothing these days. Especially in commercial cinemas.

www.famousplayers.com

These are the ones I go to. A bunch of my friends work their, and if the movie isn't right, pink belly!

SheepStar

 

[anamorphic96]

Dont know to much about FP but have heard they have a good reputation from some people I have spoken to. I have a few friends in Canada.

There a medium sized circuit which helps with maintaining things. Most circuits get to big and dont hire enough people to maintain things correctly. Hopefully youre one of the lucky ones like me to have some well run sites in your area.

Im also spoiled in the fact I see quite a few screenings in the Dolby screening room here in SF. You really see and hear the differences when you have this perk. Let me see if I can find some pics of the room and I will send you some.

 

[Sheep]

Dont know to much about FP but have heard they have a good reputation from some people I have spoken to. I have a few friends in Canada.

There a medium sized circuit which helps with maintaining things. Most circuits get to big and dont hire enough people to maintain things correctly. Hopefully youre one of the lucky ones like me to have some well run sites in your area.

Im also spoiled in the fact I see quite a few screenings in the Dolby screening room here in SF. You really see and hear the differences when you have this perk. Let me see if I can find some pics of the room and I will send you some.

Cool thanks!

SheepStar

 

[rumble]

THX does not mean anything in movie theatres today. Back in the 80's when it first came out it did. Because there where no real standards created yet. But now it means nothing. It's also not a gurantee of anything. No one comes out from THX to inspect or do anything anymore. All these houses are maintained by the theatre company and not THX. You never know when they where aligned last or if the kid starting the movie is a bass head and nudges the sub gain up or if they have done the same to the surrounds. Did you know that high school kids are starting your movie most of the time and cant even focus the image correctly. Or frame and center the image properly. Did you also know that if you where to goto 100 different THX houses/complexes only maybe 5 would be presenting the film correctly and within THX standards. This does not mean you wont get a decent presentation just dont take what you see and here as being a real THX presentation. They are few and far between.

I guess what im getting at with this rant is dont be suckered in by the THX hype and drive 30 or 40 miles when it does not mean anything and the chances of getting a really great presentation are slim.

All MAJOR circuits build to these specs anyway. The houses just dont get maintained the way they should. Because most circuits dont hire real projectionists. They put the kid shoveling your popcorn upstairs to start your movie. The equipment might get aligned once a year. So what it copmes down to is how well the operation is managed and if the GM has high standards and knows how to properly supervise and maintain his equipment to make sure things are running correctly. Most dont.

I know someone who manages a small chain of multi screen theaters. Only a few of the largest screens in the theaters are THX certified. He has to have them certified by a THX tech every year. Hates it because they have to shut down the screen for 1/2 day while they check the room out. Also has to make sure the hvac does not come on while they are working so it does create problems for them. I believe he has to go through this process in order to advertise the theaters as being THX.

You are right about the knowledge of most of the employees. In a 20 screen theater there is probably only a handful of people that really know how the equipment works. The rest are selling snacks, cleaning, selling tickets etc.