Fathom Events - Extremely disappointed in the visual quality of "True Grit"
Attended the Noon show of "True Grit" at the Regal Edwards South Gate, 8630 Garfield Ave., S. Gate, CA 90280 on Wed., May 8, 2019.
My first time at a Fathom Event. I was shocked at the substandard visual quality of the film: dark and grainy and fuzzy, like watching it through a window screen. I am a huge film fan. I am a member of the American Cinematheque which shows films in 35 mm, which can be splendid, depending on the age of the celluloid print.
I have seen color films from the 1960s shown in the DCP process which are absolutely breathtaking in their beauty, brightness, clarity, nearly flawless on the big screen. So I came to this showing with what I thought were normal and high expectations. I was really shocked. I could have had a better quality of color and brightness and clarity on a normal TV watching this on TCM.
I don't know the technology that you use. I spoke to the manager (who politely offered me a free readmittance ticket, which I accepted). She indicated that it was not a CD or DVD that you use but some form of DVR or streaming. In any event, I just don't understand how you cannot use the technology that is available today, namely DCP, to show the best quality projection of a film from the 1960s.
I don't know if it was that the video sent to you was not of the highest digital quality or if your machines are not up to snuff. But I will tell you - I am now extremely reluctant to come back to another Fathom event and I will share my experience with friends. If you and TCM are going to team up together to get folks excited to come to the theater and pay good money for a special experience, then please use the available technology to make it the best it can be.
Respectfully, David Mayhan, 2267 Cowlin Ave., Commerce, CA 90040. DEMayhan@***.com 323-333-****
Reason of review: Bad quality.
Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution.
Fathom Events Cons: Read my review.
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Comments
Recently saw a screening of "High Society" and it was horrible, many of the same issues this poster indicated. I had no idea at the time this film was being streamed and can't for the life of me understand why Fathom would stream such a sub-standard resolution to theaters when there are far better ways of getting a quality picture delivered.
Horrible. I will never pay for another Fathom event again and will warn everyone I know about this inferior viewing experience.
Notebook opened. Taking notes.
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