“I’m a manager at a Regal 22 screen-plus-IMAX here in Charlotte, N.C., and the Sony techs came in last week and did an upgrade on all our 3D houses (there are 8) so that we can run The Hobbit in 48 FPS when it opens. We also got a 20-minute test reel to run and ensure that it looks okay. Myself and another manager spun it up last night and I can honestly say that I’m not sure what to think. I think it looks amazing but I don’t know if it’s going to be a massive distraction to Joe Popcorn or not. It’s like watching a like stage play. I think it looks great, but I don’t know how it’s going to play with a general audience.
“The big news though is that we are definitely getting it in 48fps. It’s a done deal and we are already selling advance tix to it. Everyone always asks, ‘What does the HFR mean?’ So like I said, I don’t know how Joe Popcorn is going to like it. As of right now, we’re the only theatre in Charlotte playing The Hobbit at 48. Just wanted to pass that along. Happy Thanksgiving and safe journeys.”