The Cinepolis Pico Rivera in Los Angeles County and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema New Mission in San Francisco have made headlines with the introduction of Barco’s new premium HDR laser projectors. These venues are the first permanent theater auditoriums to showcase this cutting-edge technology, coinciding with the release of Paramount’s latest film, “Novocaine.” Notably, the Pico Rivera location also marks the debut of the Cinepolis MACRO XE premium auditorium format in the United States.
As Barco continues to roll out its innovative projectors, a lineup of highly anticipated films is set to be mastered for this advanced system. Audiences can look forward to David Ayer’s thriller “A Working Man,” slated for release on March 28 through Amazon MGM Studios. Following that, the much-anticipated game-to-film adaptation “A Minecraft Movie” from Legendary, Warner Bros., and Microsoft will hit theaters on April 4. Additional titles include “Warfare,” directed by Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza, and “Civil War,” helmed by Alex Garland, both scheduled for April 11. Finally, Ben Affleck will return to the big screen in “The Accountant 2,” which is set to premiere on April 25, also under the Amazon MGM banner.
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In addition to the new venues, “Novocaine” is also being screened in HDR at three locations that participated in Barco’s HDR pilot program last fall. These theaters include B&B Theatres Red Oak 12 in Dallas, Regal Dania Pointe in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area, and Regal Times Square in New York.
The HDR by Barco laser projectors utilize the company’s proprietary “light steering” technology. This innovative approach allows for a remarkable redistribution of light, enhancing the viewing experience by providing a wider dynamic range between the brightest highlights in sunlit scenes and the deepest blacks in darker sequences.
The pilot program, which took place last year, featured a selection of notable films, including Paramount Animation and Hasbro Entertainment’s “Transformers One,” Dreamworks Animation and Universal’s “The Wild Robot,” Paramount’s “Smile 2,” Warner Bros.’ “Joker: Folie À Deux,” and Amazon MGM Studios’ “Red One.”
Looking ahead, the HDR by Barco laser projectors will take center stage at the upcoming CinemaCon, set to commence on March 31 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, where theater owners will gather to explore the latest advancements in cinematic technology.
