Omnimax theater unveils 1M face-lift

With its new Imax sound system, the theater is unique.
CINCINNATI (AP) -- The Omnimax theater at the Cincinnati Museum Center reopened to a near-capacity crowd Friday after a 1 million face-lift that includes a first-of-its kind sound system.
"It was quite a long line," said Charlie Howard, marketing director for the Robert D. Lindner Family Omnimax Theater. "We were pleasantly surprised."
The theater, which seats 250 people, opened in 1990 but had been closed since Labor Day weekend for renovations. The first feature after Friday's ribbon-cutting ceremony was "Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey."
The theater is the first in the world with the new Imax sound system, said director David Duszynski.
"Right now, this is without question the Number One Omnimax theater in the world," he said.
Other improvements include a five-story, domed, seamless screen, as well as a new projection lens, seats imported from Spain and technology to help hearing- and visually impaired and non-English speaking theatergoers.
Duszynski said he expects the renovations will help the theater keep its ranking as one of the most successful in the country.
The theater opens with a monthlong Viewers Choice Film Festival, featuring six films selected through an online poll.
The winners are "Journey Into Amazing Caves," "Alaska: Spirit of the Wild," "Forces of Nature," "Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey," "Coral Reef Adventure" and "Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets."
Renovations were funded by the Robert Lindner family and revenue from a recent Hamilton County tax levy.