Lately, I’ve been looking for a Word on the Street story to cover on 18 Cinema Lane, as I haven’t published any movie news related articles since May. So, when I watched a recent video from the Youtube channel, Film Threat, about an upcoming movie screening, I just had to write about the story on my blog! Starting on August 28^th, The Sphere in Las Vegas will host an immersive screening of The Wizard of Oz. The 86-year-old film will be elevated through practical effects, such as giant fans and fog elements. Glenn Derry, an “Oscar-winning technical wizard”, is working on the Sphere’s screening of The Wizard of Oz. He justifies using these practical effects by stating, “We are here to ensure that everybody gets a great experience of feeling like they’re in the Wizard of Oz. And that includes sight, touch, sound, and smell”. AI (artificial intelligence) will also be utilized to compliment the Sphere’s wraparound screen. Scenes are expanded using a technological process referred to as “outpainting”, allowing the audience to see more of a scene’s background. This screening of The Wizard of Oz features Uncle Henry in a scene where he was originally off-screen, extending Charley Grapewin’s role.

As Film Threat’s Chris Gore and Alan Ng reacted to this piece of movie news, they developed mixed feelings about the screening. Chris even speculates the “future of cinema” being spectacle based is due to “fewer and fewer people are going to the movies”. I can only speak for myself, but I am torn over this screening of The Wizard of Oz. The idea of an immersive movie screening is fascinating. If this idea is going to be executed, The Wizard of Oz is the perfect film to choose, as there are so many moving parts to the story itself. But the added content to the Sphere’s screening of the movie raises some concern. I find the subject of restoring and preserving “lost media” interesting. However, the inclusion of AI creates a fine line between restoring “lost media” and rewriting cinematic history. This fine line needs to be discussed by both film and “lost media” enthusiasts.

What are your thoughts on this piece of movie news? Which movie do you think should receive an immersive screening? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

The video referenced in this article: ‘THE WIZARD OF OZ FALLS VICTIM TO AI | Film Threat News’ from the Youtube channel, Film Threat