From Cinerama to Imax

I was still a kid, had my transistor radio with the little ear plug, and we got two television stations. Dad had to get up on the roof and turn the antenna to get the picture for the station we wanted to see. We had party lines then too. You had to pick up the phone and listen to make sure no one was talking before dialing. One didn't listen to other's conversation on the phone either.

There was a new movie format and we were all excited. It was called Cinerama. It would have the biggest screen ever. This was such a momentous event that we went all the way into LA to see it. LA was over an hour away! Road trip! Today people commute way farther than that. The movie we went to see was "The Brothers Grimm". Our first Cinerama experience. All along the front of the auditorium was the longest, highest screen ever. The screen was so huge three projectors had to be used. They didn't line up perfectly; you could see the lines between each section. No nevermind there! This was Cinerama! And a trip to LA!

Today I went and saw the new 'Transformers' movie in Imax. It was dazzling. Another huge screen, and no three cameras with lines between the sections. Chrystal clear images, spectacular special effects, and even some funny moments. Surround sound conveying the chest rumbling explosions and the sound of monster robots as they whomped on each other, and bombs got dropped.

I've got to wonder what movies will be like fifty years from now.