Film Fans Flock to See 'Oppenheimer' in Sacramento's Historic IMAX Theater

Summary:

• Film enthusiasts are flocking to Sacramento's Esquire IMAX theater to watch the World War Two film Oppenheimer shot in 70-millimeter IMAX format.
• Sacramento's Esquire is one of only 19 theaters in the country with a working 70-millimeter IMAX projector.
• The vintage IMAX projector required significant preparation and 3D-printed extensions to accommodate the three-hour film.
• Moviegoers from distant locations, such as Reading and Lake Tahoe, are making the journey to see this extraordinary screening.
• The film Oppenheimer is on display at the Esquire IMAX theater through August 10th.

People are driving hundreds of miles to downtown Sacramento to see the new movie Oppenheimer, a World War Two film about the creation of the atomic bomb, at the city's Esquire IMAX theater—one of the few remaining IMAX 70mm theaters in the world.

Sacramento's Esquire IMAX theater is drawing crowds of film enthusiasts eager to experience Oppenheimer on its six-story tall big screen. Unlike most blockbuster movies projected using digital laser technology, Oppenheimer was shot on 70-millimeter IMAX film, offering a vintage cinematic experience that the director believes is the best possible way to view the film. For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, given the rarity of 70-millimeter IMAX theaters. Only 19 movie theaters in the entire country still possess a working 70-millimeter IMAX film projector, making Sacramento's Esquire a unique and prideful location for this cinematic masterpiece. However, the projector had not been used in years and required extensive preparation and refurbishment. Projectionist Peter Gabriel, one of the few experts who still knows how to operate the vintage projector, explained the challenges involved in getting it up and running, including the need for special $10,000 light bulbs and chilled water to prevent overheating. Furthermore, the theater had to 3D print an extension for the projector's film reel to accommodate the full three-hour length of Oppenheimer. Such dedication to preserving this cinematic experience has attracted moviegoers from far-flung places, with people driving from as far as Reading and Lake Tahoe to witness the historic screening in Sacramento. The film itself, when unspooled, stretches 11 miles and weighs a staggering 700 pounds. The screenings will continue at the Esquire IMAX through August 10th, giving interested viewers a limited time to catch this extraordinary showing.

Don't miss the chance to witness the magic of Oppenheimer on the grand IMAX screen while it lasts. Film aficionados and history enthusiasts alike can revel in this unique cinematic experience that harkens back to the golden age of movie theaters. The fusion of Sacramento's historic IMAX theater with Oppenheimer's compelling narrative promises an unforgettable night at the movies.