Jaws is one of the most iconic films of all time, and it’s getting a re-release — but this time in IMAX. With that in mind, we got together to talk about some other movies that we would’ve loved to see in that extra large format! Tell us what you’d like to see @SiftPop!
Frank Kemp here. It’s been so long since I’ve done one of these that my name no longer appears on the website. I’m like the drunk uncle you only see at the occasional family reunion who is there to tell you Armageddon deserves an IMAX re-release. This 1998 action movie stars Bruce Willis, with Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler having a very awkward love scene while her father, Steven Tyler, serenades. He just loves his little girl so much. With huge VFX and amazing surround sound, this Bayhem movie needs a remaster and IMAX release. With only three years until the 30th anniversary, we need to start demanding it, along with a 4K of the Criterion Director’s Cut. Yes, this movie is so good that even Criterion had to recognize it. Also, I want to point out that Michael Bay’s The Rock ALSO has a Criterion release. So please stop with the Michael Bay (and Nickelback) hate. Just love movies, y’all. (Frank Kemp)
One of the great sadnesses for any film fan is that we will never get to experience the true wonder that an early 20th century film viewer might have had when witnessing the great silent classics for the first time. To see Metropolis on the biggest screen possible, a film which itself has inspired the visual aesthetics of films like Blade Runner, The Matrix, Batman, and Star Wars, would be nothing short of extraordinary. Directed by Fritz Lang in 1927, Metropolis remains the prototypical science fiction epic. The sets, art decoration, and production design are still as visually striking as when the film was conceived. To marvel at the craftsmanship and get lost in the world of a film created just a few months shy of 100 years ago would make for an all-time theatergoing experience. (Foster Harlfinger)
As a lifelong fan of all things stop-motion, I could not contain my excitement for the release of a 1993 Tim Burton holiday themed, musical film featuring claymation-style characters. The Nightmare Before Christmas was the absolute coolest thing middle school me could have ever imagined seeing on a big screen, as I had spent the past several years sculpting, filming, and creating claymation movies of my own. As mind blown as I was during my initial viewing, I can’t help but think I would have gone absolutely catatonic if IMAX technology had been a more mainstream viewing option at the time. Pair that with the iconic Danny Elfman score in digital surround sound (a new innovation in theater technology that same year), and my parents would have had to drag me out of the theatre to keep me from watching every showing all day long. The deeply layered textures of the characters set against the sweeping landscapes of Halloweentown in such an immersive setting would draw viewers into the fantastical world in unimaginable ways. (Patrice Downing)
So it might be a bit of a theme that I’m picking a disaster movie involving the sinking of a ship for this, but instead of the obvious choice, I have to highlight one of Gene Hackman’s more underrated dramas in The Poseidon Adventure. Think about it: A ship that’s hit by a massive wave that causes it to capsize has to be one of the few movies that is begging for the IMAX treatment, especially if it was in IMAX 3D. Having such an amazing aspect ratio, plus the depth that 3D movies could give (ocean pun not intended), this is a story that would be absolutely phenomenal to watch if it was screened in IMAX. The sharpness of the picture as the tsunami crashes into the ship, capsizing it and sending our band of survivors into a tumble and the need to escape a situation that has been, quite literally, turned on its head, would be an amazing experience. (Joseph Davis)
There certainly isn’t a shortage of Alfred Hitchcock masterpieces. While a myriad of answers could be acceptable for what his best is, my personal favorite is Rear Window — a masterpiece I think would be perfectly suited for the larger IMAX format. The thriller follows wheelchair-bound photographer L.B. Jeffries (Jimmy Stewart) and his girlfriend Lisa Fremont (Grace Kelly) as they try to determine whether a neighbor across the way is guilty of a heinous crime. Stewart and Kelly give absolutely magnetic performances in their respective roles, but it’s Hitchcock’s direction in particular that really shines. From the very opening scene, we’re given everything we need to know about the apartment complex’s layout and those who inhabit it. Through the lens of Jeffries’ camera, we get a brief snapshot of the lives of those around him. We know every inch of what’s lurking outside our protagonist’s window, but this opportunity would give audiences the chance to explore it in even greater detail. The cinematography is truly spectacular and would only be heightened by the premium screen. (Jake Bourgeois)
Powell and Pressburger are legendary in film circles as a pair of the greatest directors of all time. Their visual styling and use of color are legendary. The richness and vibrancy of their films are compelling, hitting the audience with so much emotion. But their crown jewel (and one of Martin Scorsese’s favorite films) is The Red Shoes. This towering achievement of cinematic expression and voice is a must-see for any cinephile. Getting it remastered and up on an IMAX screen would be one of the greatest cinematic experiences ever. The use of music is so important, and being able to hear it through the excellent speakers of an IMAX auditorium would be a game changer. There is a ballet sequence in the middle of the film that boasts some of the greatest visuals in the history of cinema, and seeing the immaculate production design, vibrant costumes and makeup, and the pristine choreography would be a life-affirming experience. Powell and Pressburger created a film that drilled down to the core of cinematic majesty. (Shane Conto)
It’s not just the visuals that would make Twister so much fun in an IMAX format. The real treat would be the sound. Between the rain, hail, and thunder, that’s enough to make the hair on your arm stand up. In reality, it’s the wind that will be the spectacle of the experience. For someone who was deathly terrified of storms when I first saw Twister, hearing the loud wind and what it can do destructively made me excited for more. Several scenes would be elevated in an IMAX experience. The first twister where the characters get stuck under the bridge, the drive-in scene, and the opening sequence would all be enhanced. But it’s the climatic final twister, the big F5 one, is where you get your money’s worth. (Mike Hilty)
If there’s one film I wish I could’ve seen on the big screen, it’s The Wiz. This reimagining of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz features legends Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross as Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. With vibrant songs, dazzling cinematography, and pure joy woven into every scene, it’s a musical that completely won me over as a kid — something I didn’t think was possible at the time. Even though it’s very much set in the ’70s, The Wiz still holds up today, with countless moments that would be breathtaking in IMAX. The 133-minute runtime is filled with standout sequences, but none more iconic than “Emerald City Sequence,” where bold flashes of green, red, and gold meet unforgettable fashion and feel-good music. This cult classic deserves to be remastered and re-released, giving both longtime fans and new audiences the chance to “ease on down the road” in IMAX. (Chantal Ashford)