Well, now that the non-spoiler thread's been bumped...
I've been debating where I want to see the movie first. The Uptown seems like the natural choice. It's DC's historic movie house (been there since the 30's) and the only one in the area showing Star Wars on 5/25/1977. It's a huge, single-auditorium theater with a balcony and a deeply-curved cinerama screen which was installed in the late 60's and left unchanged even after the most recent renovation in the 90's. Originally it was a Loews and after the AMC merger they wanted to split it up into multiple auditoriums but public opinion kept that from happening. It's always been the traditional lineup spot for stuff like Star Wars, Harry Potter, etc.
It was actually the last place I saw RotS on the big screen. I saw Blade Runner there back in '07. The picture nicely filled the large screen although the distortion caused by the deep curve was more noticeable if you weren't sitting farther back and in the center. They apparently made the switch to digital in 2010 just in time to show Tron: Legacy in 3D. They alternate 2D and 3D showtimes for the relevant movies. Interestingly, I've heard it's the only AMC in the country using a Christie projector instead of the Sony 4K's. It has something to do with either the throw or the 3D convergence of the Sony not working well with the screen. I've seen at least one 2.35:1 movie there since then and while the digital projector doesn't quite reach the corners of the screen, it actually makes the distortion less noticeable.
With Episode VII, I'm sure they'll do early screenings the night before the official release (it's become the standard thing for these big movies over the last couple years). My big question is whether or not they'll make that very first screening 3D or not. If they do, I'm of two minds about it. I'd love to be part of the first audience to see it there, but I'd really, really prefer it just be in 2d as the movie was filmed. At the same time, knowing that all the cgi is a native 3D render and that the post-converted live-action will probably look decent kinda takes the sting off of paying the extra money and wearing glasses on top of my glasses that darken the image.
The fact that some of this is being shot in real IMAX adds yet another layer to my choices. Imax is rolling out their new 4k+4k laser system next year. It will replace the 15/70 projectors while still filling the screen. Once again, it becomes an issue of whether they'll even offer 2d as a screening option.
decisions, decisions...
