An epic adventure with a wizard, dwarfs and hobbits debuts at Nanaimo’s Landmark Cinemas Avalon theatre tonight at 10 p.m.
The theatre is one of a select few across Canada offering a sneak peak of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 3D in the high frame rate, 48 frames per second.
The other B.C. location chosen is West Kelowna.
Neil Campbell, chief operating officer and partner for Landmark Cinemas of Canada, said in a press release that the high frame rate provides a whole new movie experience for theatre guests.
“As a theatre owner you want to ensure your customers get the ultimate movie going experience by their theatre having the best technical product,” said Campbell. “That’s what going to the movies is all about - the experience.”
The film was both shot and is projected at 48 frames per second rather than the usual 24 frames per second. The purpose is to enhance the clarity and smoothness of the film image.
The Hobbit film is the first feature movie to be released in the high frame rate 3D digital format.
To prepare for the film Landmark installed new digital projectors in the theatres.
Campbell said now that more cinemas are moving toward digital projection and many films are being shot digitally increasing the frame rate is becoming easier.
Tickets to The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey are for sale at Avalon or www.landmarkcinemas.com.