Cinema Connoisseur Blog
A CEDIA Expo for the Cinema Connoisseur
For the first time since the pandemic halted life in March 2020, I – along with about 15,000 other professionals in the home technology field – was able to gather in person for the annual CEDIA Expo from September 29 through October 1 in Dallas, Texas. I can’t tell you how good it was to…
Panel Discussion: The Importance of Sound in Movies like A Quiet Place
In the Cinema Sommelier review of the inaugural issue of The Cinema Connoisseur, we feature the 2018 hit movie, A Quiet Place starring John Krasinski and Emily Blunt. The film is very unique in the way it uses sound, or the lack of sound, to enhance the fear factor. This film truly showcases the importance…
Building the Best Team
When founding Paradise Theater, my vision was to do it all. After all, I had been in the building industry, an integrator, a designer, and one of the first private cinema designers. I was one of the best and with absolute control of every detail, I would assure absolute quality for every client. My wife,…
So, How Is the Home Theater Business?
Good is the enemy of great.” This quote by Jim Collins, author of Good to Great sums up the state of the home theater industry. That’s why I almost titled my article “Doing well, could be better!” To repurpose another Collins quote, That is why we have proportionally so few great home theaters, because we have a lot of…
Romancing the Cinema
The movies change us. When we are transported, as good movies will do, to another place and time, even into another person’s life, we are beguiled and can’t think of anything else. When we share that experience with friends and family it is even better. What other experience can do that? It is rare. In…
Building A Private Cinema Community
I like movie analogies. They usually involve memorable movie quotes that are central to a film’s theme or plot. Magic moments from the art form that is all about such moments. Analogies are all about emphasizing a point. So, if I want to make a point, what better source than the movies? The art form…
A Residential Cinema Renaissance
Renaissance can refer to many things. European history between the 14th and 17th centuries, a reawakening of something that has been dormant or a period of new growth or activity, usually referencing a specific item or interest. The latter is my hope for private cinema. Either way, a renaissance is preceded by provocative events. The 14th century renaissance,…
Planning in the Pursuit of Perfection
Johann Sebastian Bach was the master of the technique “theme and variation”. His compositions initiating with a simple “hook” that he would repeat with subtle differences throughout a composition. These variations maintained the listeners’ attention throughout, as Bach explored the theme and succeeded in getting his musical idea across. Much more effective than just repeating…
Quality Content is the ‘Fine Wine’ of Private Cinema
In 1992 Bruce Springsteen released a song titled 57 Channels (And Nothin’ On). Who knew just how foretelling that would be? Now, when we could all use some compelling and fulfilling diversion, we find ourselves in front of on-screen menus offering many times 57 choices and, arguably, still nothin’ on! Not only that, there is nowhere…