Movie-goers may soon be “raving” about their 3-D experience. A new Rave Motion Pictures Theater featuring state-of-the-art digital projection and sound as well as 3-D capabilities will open Friday next to the Mall of Louisiana. The 15-screen theater seats up to 3,200 people and covers 74,000 square feet. The theater has a game area, a private party room and three seating areas in its lobby. The concessions stands in the lobby feature a digital menu on a plasma screen. The theater also has six box-office windows and two 24-hour automatic ticket machines. This is the first partnership between Rave Motion Pictures and the Mall of Louisiana. Marketing Vice President Jeremy Devine said he is proud of the theater’s location. “We can offer the whole experience: shopping, dining and a movie,” Devine said. Devine said there are many benefits in using digital projection rather than 35 millimeter film. Digitally projected films come in the form of a coded hard drive which decreases the risk of film piracy. He said the new film format prevents scratches and damage to the film after several weeks of showing. He said the digital film allows 3-D capabilities and a wider range of films as well as richer color and depth. “We want to differentiate ourselves from the competition as well as the home movie-viewing experience,” Devine said. “It’s a revolutionary technology.” The theater will provide patrons with new, specialized 3-D glasses when it presents its first 3-D film, “Monster House,” on Friday. Devine said the glasses are not the standard red and blue that people usually associate with 3-D movies. He said the new glasses are more advanced because they decrease distortion and prevent eye strain and dizziness during the movie. “We’re an early adopter of this technology,” Devine said. “It opens up a whole new world.” Devine said the theater will show movies such as “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Lady in the Water,” “The Devil Wears Prada” and many others on opening day. Later this summer, the theater will present movies including “World Trade Center,” “Snakes on a Plane” and an animated film, “Barnyard.” Devine said the theater also plans to re-issue Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in 3-D in October. “I think this will be the first re-issue of a 2-D movie in a 3-D format,” Devine said. The theater will host a Grand Opening Party tonight at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6:45 p.m. The event is open to the public, but a limited number of tickets are available. Tickets may be purchased for $5 at Mall of Louisiana’s Guest Services desk. Each ticket admits two patrons. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.
_____Contact Angelle Barbazon at [email protected]