‘Odyssey’ fanatics pay epic prices for rare IMAX – Business News
Fans of Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” are paying resellers epic costs for showings at New York City’s solely true IMAX 70 mm screen — with asking costs reaching over $1,000 per seat.
One eBay service provider with the crafty of Odysseus and foresight of Athena supplied pairs of tickets to AMC Lincoln Square 13 on the Upper West Side for a jaw-dropping $999 every — efficiently promoting three pairs.
Other eBay listings included $998 for six “prime seats” and $899 for three back-row seats.
One brazen reseller has been asking for $7,000 for 5 tix for an August showtime — enough to attempt Penelope’s persistence — however was but to get any suitors as of Tuesday afternoon.
Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” has fueled a filmgoing frenzy in New York City. Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures by way of Everett Collection
A Reddit web page devoted to New York City moviegoers was flooded with determined pleas for tickets to see the film as famous person director Nolan meant — on the rare IMAX screens that may play 70 mm movie, the very best decision on the market.
On eBay, a scalper bought a pair of tickets for $999 to an IMAX exhibiting at AMC Lincoln Square 13. @ryanparcheesi / ebay
“I just want one ticket to 70 mm… it’s hurting my heart that I can’t just get one ticket for one day, and I’m hearing some people didn’t even show up to the movie,” one consumer wrote.
“So please if you’re not sure or planning to not go, drop your ticket to me, please. I’m calling on Zeus himself.”
There’s solely about 40 theaters worldwide with true IMAX 70 mm large screens, contributing to the crazed degree of demand.
AMC Lincoln Square 13 is New York City’s solely such venue, with a large 75.6-foot tall, 101-foot broad screen that’s the largest within the nation.
It technically ties with a 76-foot tall screen in Pooler, Ga., since they’ve the identical quantity of usable space in relation to film formatting.
The solid of “The Odyssey” on the movie’s New York premiere. Getty Images for Universal Pictures
Unprecedented demand meant the Lincoln Square theater’s 6 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m., 10 p.m. and even 2 a.m. IMAX 70 mm showings of “The Odyssey” had been bought out by Aug. 19, which was as far out as listings went as of Tuesday.
The solely remaining IMAX 70 mm tickets there have been for wheelchair seats – however prospects as unscrupulous as Antinous have began shopping for these up, too, followers warned.
In a Reddit post labeled “if you are not disabled read this,” a consumer wrote: “Please stop buying up the wheelchair spaces and especially the companion seats no matter how popular a movie is if you are not disabled.”
Some determined followers have began to complain of outright scams.
“I’ve been trying to get a ticket forever. I’ve been scammed left and right,” one Reddit consumer lamented, although the individual didn’t go into element.
A r/NYCmovies web page moderator instructed Variety that the group has been working to keep scalpers and scammers at bay, however it’s difficult since most profiles are nameless.
When the moderators get a report of a scammer, they ban the account – thus getting rid of their posts – however scammers usually remake accounts underneath new names, mentioned the moderator, who was recognized as Tessa.
Scalpers bought tickets to IMAX showings online for lots of of {dollars}. @ryanparcheesi / ebay
For these keen to forego the IMAX 70 mm expertise, they’ll have a comparatively simple time. AMC Lincoln Square 13 had ample out there seating for its Dolby and Laser screenings as of Tuesday.
But it appears most moviegoers wish to see the almost three-hour movie within the highest high quality potential.
AMC Stubs A-List members – the movie show chain’s prime rewards tier, which prices $29.99 a month for 4 motion pictures a week and perks like free popcorn refills – have griped about scalpers beating them to the punch every time new tickets turn out to be out there.
Maria Merkle, a researcher dwelling in Manhattan, mentioned she is an element of a group of 5 buddies with A-List memberships, however just one of them has been in a position to secure a coveted IMAX ticket.
“I watched it opening night on a regular, not-IMAX screen because I couldn’t get IMAX tickets at an AMC,” the 24-year-old instructed The Post.
AMC Lincoln Square 13 in New York City. Getty Images
“I want to rewatch on the Lincoln Center 70-mm. IMAX screen, but I s–t you not, every single seat is booked for every single showing as far out as AMC releases tickets.”
Many Reddit customers have taken to discussing the positive factors of views from totally different seats, together with trading and promoting tickets — although in response to the foundations of r/NYCmovies, tickets can solely be bought on the unique $33 price.
Several posts warned customers to beware scammers asking for money transfers to their Venmo or Zelle accounts with out offering ticket receipts or proof of buy.
One consumer lamented that scalpers have turn out to be so aggressive that there have been round 10 empty seats in a sold-out theater on Monday evening, seemingly from the tickets they had been unable to sell in time.
