Full disclosure, as stated in IMAX and I Part 1: We at Filmbalaya have been given compensation to write a monthly feature about the IMAX experience.  This in no way means that we are selling out and are being forced to kiss some giant corporation’s buttock.  In fact, the contract we signed states nothing about us having to say anything positive within these “IMAX and I” columns.  So rest assured, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein will definitely be our own, be it good or bad.  Now that that’s out of the way…

My last IMAX experience was a tad bit underwhelming.  The screen was nowhere near being worthy of the IMAX name, and the movie was this psuedo-intellectual pile of poop portraying itself as a refreshing chocolate-covered granola bar.  Please don’t dwell too long on that metaphor, it’s not my best.

Anyway, I was not about to have another bad IMAX outing.  No, sir!  Which is why, obviously, I opted for a different movie, as well as a different theatre, and a different companion – not that the last person who I went with had anything to do with how good of an overall time I had.  You know I love ya, Tim.  This time out, however, I went to San Francisco’s Metreon theatre, where the possibilities of being engulfed by a mammoth screen were more likely to happen.  Having seen The Dark Knight Rises there I was familiar with the sheer scope of this IMAX theatre.  I also chose the latest James Bond movie, which I thought was going to best fulfill my selfish visceral needs for both action and thrills.  Turns out, thanks to my latest company, the action and thrills were to be provided in the moments preceding the movie.

It is my belief that having somehow already known that we were not going to be thrilled, or blown away with anything in Sam Mendes‘ Skyfall, that my fellow Filmbalayan, Calindra, would provide it all on her own.  Having not been able to enter the theatre because I was holding her ticket I was forced to wait outside for her as she ran “fashionably” late (women and their fashion).  As I stood there, biting my nails, knowing that the previews were probably ending, I began to get anxious.  The possibility of missing what is usually my favorite part of any James Bond movie, the opening title sequences, was on the verge of becoming a reality.  For someone who spends most of his time at the movies, yes, this anticipation was quite thrilling.

As for the action, that came as I ran (okay, walked briskly) into the theatre and had my brief one-on-one bout with my old nemesis, gravity.  In short I tripped in the dark while trying to find my seat and spilt quite a bit of popcorn.  If that’s the extent of life-threatening action and thrills to which my life has to offer than I think I’ll die a happy man.  Just like the latest Bond entry, the mellower and more predictable things that life has to throw at me, the better.  Which brings me to my review, which is actually more of a rant as to why I detested this movie as much as I did.

For more info on IMAX, including what’s playing and where, check out IMAX.com, their facebook page, or their twitter page.

Review for Skyfall and trailer after the jump. Read More…

In preparation of Christopher Nolan‘s third and final installment of the Dark Knight series, The Dark Knight Rises, many theatres will be showing his two previous films leading up to their midnight premier on Thursday, July 19th.  The Balboa Theatre however, will be the only theatre showing all three of these films on actual film, imagine that.

Tickets to see all three films are $25 (that’s 8 bucks and some change for each movie).  Sounds like a good opportunity for me to revisit the world of Gotham.  Trailers, showtimes, and ticket info, after the jump Read More…

Feb 1 – 2: Lemmy (Roxie)

A well-edited and well-shot documentary on the life and career of Heavy Metal musician Lemmy Kilmister, known mostly for his involvement with the band, Motorhead. “The Ace of Spades, the ace of spades!”  All reviews I have read on-line have been positive ones.  Being a fan of Motorhead, I’m looking forward to this one.

Feb 9: Double Feature: Seven – Memento (Castro)

Every Wed from the 9th until the end of February the Castro is showing a Fincher-Nolan double feature. This one is my favorite, as I think Seven and Memento are their best works. Others will disagree, so here’s the rest of schedule: 16th: Fight Club and Insomnia, 23rd: Zodiac and Dark Knight.

Click on the jump to see what else is coming to San Francisco this month Read More…

With Christopher Nolan’s newest film Inception making such a stir we wanted to know what our fans thought of the director by asking: What is the best Christopher Nolan film?  We have a feeling The Dark Knight will take the top spot followed by Inception but The Prestige has a big folliwing as does Memento.