Cinema projectors and bad focus

[Will__]

I saw King Kong the other day in a fairly down-market multiplex, and was struck by a problem the projectionist seemed unaware of or unable to fix:

Any closeups were in perfect focus, yet longshots, be they CGI ape or New York or whatever were slightly out of focus. Is there any other focussing (sic?) apparatus other than a normal lens turn? And wouldn't this make the whole film in focus rather than just closeups? Can't work out why the longshots were so, well, fuzzy is too strong, but they weren't crystal.

I was wearing my glasses, I recently had a sight test so I know they're fine. I've noticed it on films at this cinema before but never so markedly. And so consistently!

Any ideas? Thanks

[Mikeyd2]

I think you give the answer, when you say that the CGI shots are the ones that are out of focus. The enlarging of the images from CGI (or video ) transfered to film can sometimes look very "soft".

I have thought this for a while . My theory (and it is only that ) , is that most films are now edited on small computer type screens and it goes unoticed 'til it is "blown up " onto the big screen. That also goes for all the fast editing that also seems in vogue or shakey camera-work . Looks fine on a small sceen , but you can't take it all in on a cinema screen.

[theren_911]

Mikeyd2 - Where on earth do you get the idea that Hollywood editors don't realise that the picture quality is going to be poor? Most films are produced for the cinema screen. Also, maybe the films are proof watched?

It's probably just a knakkered projector if the cinema is old etc.

[The Cowboy]

The projector should have a small knob on or near to the lens to adjust the focus. Maybe the projectionist needs his eyes tested. I worked a a projectionist in the 70's and that's how we did it. But I have to admit we rarely had to use it as most films were in perfect focus.

Cowboy