I imagine, and I am only being the Devil's Advocate here, that until digital cinemas are fully instituted, there is going to be a marked difference in screening a celluloid print of a motion picture (if that is the feature's original production and presentation format) and a DVD/Betacam SP projection of it. I saw a ULTRAMAN TIGA: THE FINAL ODYSSEY presented at the Egyptian in 2000, in which a film print was not available, and so a Betacam SP was presented in its place. Of course, it just didn't look right, which was most likely the fault of the projector -- insufficient lumens, over-extending the throw, or both.

Since other screenings of Betacam SP copies, such as ULTRAMAN GAIA: BATTLE IN HYPERSPACE at G-Fest '99 and WonderCon '99 were beautiful, because of the smaller screen and less throw needed, it seems that this was indeed the reason why ULTRAMAN TIGA: TFO looked so soft and washed out. Hopefully, the Egyptian has upgraded its video projection system, which should address these issues.

Until HD digital video production and projection is standard in cinema making and presentation, video projections of celluloid motion pictures will be continue to be substandard to an actual film presentation. There were a few times where I went into a film fest and was treated to a video projection of a movie, and asked for my money back -- so, I send my best wishes to The Egyptian on their upcoming presentation of GAMERA THE BRAVE. I hope that none of the video versus film issues will blemish the enjoyment of this screening for anyone.

Back to work I go...
August Ragone
kaijupro@yahoo.com