Last week, Regal Cinemas announced that the chain will double the number of IMAX theaters that it runs nationwide, adding another 31 large-format screens by 2010. That will bring the total of IMAX screens in Regal theaters to 52.
I know, I know this is pie-in-the-sky thinking. Most of these films probably couldn’t be properly transferred, and if they could, they probably woudn’t be able to get the box office numbers that would justify the exhibitor expense. Still, there are plenty of individuals out there who have money to burn and a lot of faith in the power of docs (Jeff Skoll, can you hear me?). And there are plenty of IMAX theaters associated with educational institutions, so perhaps one could be prompted to give it a try.
It reminds of the first time I saw Koyanisqaatsi; it was actually at the Beacon Theater in New York City, on a giant screen. Phillip Glass performed the score live and I can still feel the walls shaking. It was truly a religious experience. In fact, that’s the first documentary I’d love to see transferred to IMAX. Godfrey Reggio‘s phenomenal portrait of the dangerous imbalance between humanity and nature on our planet would be incredible on the big, big screen. Any billionaire backers out there?