Chicagoans can experience Christopher Nolan’s historical fantasy epic ‘The Odyssey’ in different formats, including 70mm and IMAX, at various theaters across the city.

70mm IMAX at Cinemark Seven Bridges

The Cinemark Seven Bridges and IMAX in southwest suburban Woodridge is one of the few theaters in the world capable of projecting ‘The Odyssey’ in 70mm IMAX. This format makes full use of IMAX’s expanded 1.43:1 aspect ratio and technology, resulting in a larger picture on the screen compared to other formats.

According to Cinemark public relations officer Julia McCartha, only 25 theaters in the U.S. and 41 in the world are able to showcase ‘The Odyssey’ in this way, as it requires threading an over-800-pound film reel through specialized projectors by trained projectionists.

Other Formats and Theaters

For those who cannot make it to the Cinemark Seven Bridges, ‘The Odyssey’ is also available in other formats at various Chicago theaters. The Music Box Theatre, AMC River East 21, and AMC Roosevelt Collection 16 are screening the film in 70mm. The AMC River East 21 and Regal City North are showing it in IMAX with Laser, while most AMC locations and the Alamo Drafthouse Chicago are using Premium Large Format (PLF).

Lead projectionist Julian Antos at the Music Box Theatre notes that 70mm film is ‘seen as the gold standard’ of film projection since it was developed in the 1950s. Antos attributes the sold-out screenings of ‘The Odyssey’ at the Music Box to the historic nature of the theater itself, saying it’s ‘a cool, inviting and warm place to see a movie.’

Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.