AMC Saratoga 14 — Attraction in San Jose

Integrating the unmatched experience of IMAX at AMC Saratoga 14 with the specific example of watching "Dune Part 2" provides a vivid illustration of how dramatically this format can amplify the cinematic journey. Visual Grandeur of Dune in IMAX "Dune Part 2", a visual masterpiece that explores the rich and sprawling landscapes of Arrakis, finds its perfect showcase on the IMAX screen. The bigger-than-life panorama of desert dunes, intricate architectural designs, and expansive battle scenes are rendered with such clarity and detail that you feel transported to another world. The IMAX format, with its massive screen size and increased resolution, captures the essence of Frank Herbert's universe in a way no other format can. Watching "Dune Part 2" in IMAX at AMC Saratoga 14, moviegoers witness the intricate textures of spice-laden sands and the fabric of the characters’ costumes with an unprecedented level of detail, enriching the storytelling through visual splendor. Auditory Immersion The layered and atmospheric sound design of "Dune Part 2", from the haunting score by Hans Zimmer to the whirling sandstorms of Arrakis, is experienced in all-encompassing detail through IMAX's sophisticated sound system. Every note of music, every footstep, and the subtlest whisper is crystal clear, creating an auditory sphere that enhances the emotional depth and tension of the narrative. In critical scenes, such as the thunderous roar of sandworms or the delicate political dialogues, the IMAX sound system ensures that the audience does not miss a beat, deepening the immersion into the Dune universe. Enhanced Content For movies like "Dune Part 2", which might feature scenes shot with IMAX cameras or specifically formatted for the screen, the aspect ratio difference means audiences at AMC Saratoga 14's IMAX theater get to see more of the cinematic world without the cropping common in standard presentations. This expanded view is crucial for a movie set in such a visually complex universe, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the director's vision and the depth of the alien world Herbert created. A Story Enriched The sweeping narrative of "Dune Part 2", with its focus on themes of power, survival, and destiny, is made all the more compelling by the IMAX experience. As viewers are drawn deeper into the story through the immersive visuals and sound, the plot's intricate dynamics and character relationships gain additional impact. The struggles and triumphs of Paul Atreides and the rich tapestry of Dune's universe feel intensely personal and grandiosely epic, all at once. Conclusion Watching "Dune Part 2" in IMAX at AMC Saratoga 14 is not merely viewing a film; it’s embarking on an immersive journey into the very heart of the narrative and its world. The enhanced visuals, superior sound quality, and sheer scale of the presentation elevate every aspect of the movie, from the epic battles to the subtlest expressions of character. For fans of the Dune saga or those new to the series, the IMAX experience offers a unique and unforgettable way to experience the majesty and complexity of Herbert's universe. It exemplifies how the technology and setting of a movie showing can transform a great film into an...

Pros:

Parking. The theater is part of a strip mall with a huge parking lot. You won't be able to get princess parking every visit, but I've never had to park more than a couple aisles away, either. Note: Parking around the back is a clever trick… unless you’re going for a late showing. There’s a sign back there that warns of nightly closure (I think it’s around 10 PM, but don’t quote me). I didn’t read the sign and got locked in once.

Reserved Seating. Most, if not all of their theaters have reserved seating now. DO be careful if booking at a kiosk that you don’t accidentally book a wheelchair seat. Pay close attention to the colour-coding! Trust me, I have done this. My seat was the floor.

A-List. It's like MoviePass, except functional. The main benefit is insulation against AMC’s crazy high and ever-fluctuating ticket prices. You’ll save money if you see at least two movies a month OR if you see at least one Dolby, 3D, or IMAX showing in a month.

Dolby. There's one Dolby theater here now and it is AWESOME. Disclaimer: This is the only Dolby theater I have ever been in. However! The projection is cleaner and richer in colour and the sound system has got awesomely deep, seat-rattling BASS. If any part of that bothers you, no worries - I have enough enthusiasm about this for both of us.

Staff/Feedback. The staff is okay. Most often, a woman named Gloria scans our QR codes as we go in and she’s basically perfect. There was an issue for a while where staff would enter the theater and begin cleaning before the credits were over. I submitted feedback online and (coincidence?) it STOPPED. I really appreciate that. (I know a lot of people don’t care about the credits. Another rant for another time, but YES, you should sit through the credits. Try. It.)

Cons:

Toilets. This is going to be a weird complaint, but I have never - EVER - used the restroom here without multiple unexpected flushes and yes, you can definitely feel the water kicking up. There MUST be a way to adjust the sensitivity level on these things, I’m begging you, AMC!

Seating. Their reclining seats do not properly recline. The backs tilt, but the foot rests only lift a few inches, so that your calves are just slightly pushed out from your seat. Awkward leg dangle, slow cut-off of circulation. Are they installed incorrectly?

Reserved seating. Recliner seats take up a lot of space, which means fewer available seats, which means you really DO need to book in advance, especially if you want to see a movie early or in Dolby. Reserved seating also means that people are not as shy about arriving late, during the trailers and the first several minutes of the film.

Phones. Maybe this is a universal problem, but I wish AMC could block Wi-Fi and data usage inside the theaters while movies are playing. Or that they'd at least have staff members come through and kick people out for it. “You can get a refund at the front, please leave.” And no, it really doesn’t help if you dim your screen brightness...

I tried to get tickets to Poor Things with Emma Stone at AMC Mercado for an early evening show but it was surprisingly sold out apart from the front row. It was getting late so AMC Saratoga was the only apparent option. It's been in theaters for a few weeks, so I was concerned it might not be in theaters much longer and wanted to see it before the Oscars.

So I've always been aware that AMC Saratoga was a tier below the other AMC theaters in the South Bay. Therefore I try to avoid going there, but my sister lives in Saratoga and we like to watch movies together. We both used to live in LA, so we would go to the Arclight Theater and the Vista on Sunset Boulevard or the Chinese Theater. I'm also in the Motion Picture Editors Guild so I've been to screenings at ILM/Lucasfilm at the Presidio, Paramount, Warner Bros Studio, Universal, Sony, Pixar in Emeryville, Dreamworks, Disney, and so on.

So it is not lightly that I say this: Theater #4 in AMC Saratoga is the most filthy and disgusting theater I have ever been in. I don't blame the ushers, who are young people that are just handed a broom and mop and told to go clean. I once was an usher in college so I know what it was like.

This is complete negligence on the part of management and the owners of this theater. Just look at the other photos of the seats, which are deeply stained. Judging from the style of seats, they look like they are over 20 years old. They are fixed; they don't recline at all. I've been to plenty of older theaters, but they sanitize the seats and wipe the cup holders and floors thoroughly. Maybe they only focus on cleaning the Dolby Cinema and the first run theater, who knows. In any case, they need to replace the seats and cup holders in that theater to make it respectable or close it down. I know AMC has gone through some difficult times financially, but to paraphrase Nicole Kidman's AMC promo, heartbreak doesn't feel nice in a place like that.

As for the projection, the geometry of the screen didn't match the image. It looked like the width of the top needed to be balanced with the bottom because they were uneven. The image coming out of the projector was also flat while the concave screen is curved inward. So the image looked distorted around the edges. Oddly enough, there was one trailer that properly filled the screen but then the actual film was roughly matted around the edges.

What I do know is that I will never return to AMC Saratoga even though it is closer to my sister's house. She can come over to AMC Mercado or AMC Sunnyvale on my side of town...