Exclusive: Joe Dante's THE HOLE Will Indeed Be Screened In 3D...

Yes, Joe Dante's THE HOLE will be theatrically screened in 3D. But here's the bad news, it's only going to be screened in 3D in four theaters in Atlanta, premiering on September 28.

I got in contact with Joe personally and he told me the disappointing news.

So while many of us have waited a long time to see this thing on the big screen in 3D, it looks like that won't happen with this distribution deal.

Alternatives? Fly to Atlanta. Or buy the 3D blu-ray when it becomes available. Not too many I'm afraid. If anything changes with the 3D locations, I'll be sure to let you know.

RealD and HNA Group Agree to Install 3D Technology on 500 Cinema Screens Across China

Congratulations HNA Group and RealD! China is indeed ramping up with 3D!!

BEIJING & LOS ANGELES, May 31, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- RealD Inc., a leading global licensor of 3D technologies, and leading diversified services and integrated operations company, HNA Group, announced today an agreement to install RealD 3D technology on up to 500 cinema screens across HNA's newly formed cinema circuit, HNA Vigor Film Investment. Installations of RealD 3D technology have already begun.

"Going to a 3D movie has become a very popular form of entertainment in China. To cope with the increasing demand, Vigor plans to install RealD 3D on 500 screens in the next five years," said Guo Wei Chen, General Manager of HNA Group. "Brightness is an important factor in ensuring a good cinema viewing experience and RealD delivers crisp, life-like 3D images with its cutting edge technology."

"HNA's entry into the cinema market is an exciting development for China and one RealD is honored to be a part of," said Edman Chan, RealD's General Manager of Greater China, Southeast Asia and Korea for Cinema. "Together, we will create the lifelike and immersive visual experience for the viewing audience that has become synonymous with RealD 3D." 

RealD 3D is currently available on approximately 650 cinema screens in China with future commitments for approximately 1,250 additional installations for a total of approximately 1,900 screens in the territory.

Globally, RealD is the world's most widely used 3D cinema technology with approximately 20,200 screens equipped with RealD 3D (as of March 23, 2012) by approximately 900 exhibitors in 68 countries around the world.


About RealD Inc.

RealD is a leading global licensor of 3D technologies. RealD's extensive intellectual property portfolio is used in applications that enable a premium 3D viewing experience in the theater, the home and elsewhere. RealD licenses its RealD Cinema Systems to motion picture exhibitors that show 3D motion pictures and alternative 3D content. RealD also provides its RealD Display, active and passive eyewear, and RealD Format technologies to consumer electronics manufacturers and content producers and distributors to enable the delivery and viewing of 3D content. RealD's cutting-edge 3D technologies have been used for applications such as piloting the Mars Rover.

RealD was founded in 2003 and has offices in Beverly Hills, California; Boulder, Colorado; London, United Kingdom; Shanghai, China; Hong Kong; and Tokyo, Japan. For more information, please visit our website at www.reald.com .

About HNA Vigor Film Investment (Beijing) Co., Ltd.,

HNA Vigor Film Investment (Beijing) Co., Ltd., situated beside the well-known Beijing 798 Art Zone, as a key subsidiary of HNA Xinahua Culture Holding Group Co.,Ltd., owned by HNA Group (one of China's Top 500 enterprises), exclusively enjoys the unique artistic and cultural atmosphere and possesses an innovative business philosophy and strong business developing capability. Being an excellent integrated producer focusing on content creation, creative design and in-flight media, Vigor is determined to be, through its business of film & TV investment and cinema building, the best integrator in China's film & TV industry chain and the leader in developing culture, relying on HNA Group's superiority over domestic aviation, airports, hotels, clubs, tourism, financial and securities, real estates and freight. By adhering to the innovation of pattern and technology, and the combination of industry and financing, Vigor is dedicated to achieving HNA Group's culture ideal and spiritual pursuit of being a world-class enterprise and world-class brand.

Cautionary note on forward-looking statements

This press release includes forward-looking information and statements, including but not limited to: statements concerning the anticipated rollout of RealD 3D technology across the HNA Group circuit and the growth of the 3D cinema industry in China. These statements are based on RealD's current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside RealD's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. RealD's annual and quarterly reports include a more detailed discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may cause that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.

RealD undertakes no obligation to update publicly the information contained in this press release, or any forward-looking statements, to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date they were made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Germs On 3D Glasses! The Sky Is Falling!! Or Not...

Perhaps you have read the sensationalistic headlines lately: "Scary Bacteria Found On 3D Glasses!" (Original story found at Good Housekeeping). Don't be fooled. In most instances, this is a non-story and I am surprised so many media outlets picked it up. I was not going to publish it at all but I have had a few people come to me with the story so I want to set the record straight, at least from MarketSaw's point of view.

The headline and story are blown way out of proportion. Yes there are germs on 3D glasses. These are the same germs that are found EVERYWHERE. That is why we have an immune system that can deal with day to day germs. ABC News at least got it right:

"If you swab the popcorn box, arm rests on the seats, door handles leading into the theater and the coinage you get in change at the concession stand, you'll find the same distribution of germs."

"We could culture many features of our inanimate environment and find entirely similar results."

"Overall, doctors said they felt the study overstated the risk involved in wearing these glasses."

In the end, if you want to wipe out about 95% of the germs that are found on 3D glasses - or anything else for that matter (theater chair arms, popcorn boxes, door handles, etc) - use an alcohol wipe. The same germs are EVERYWHERE. We live with them everyday and there is no need for alarm.

Honestly, what a waste of time and effort for sites to publish this story. Now you know the truth. It would not be a bad idea to carry some wipes with you - I may do that too. But there is no cause for concern for the average moviegoer.