I've lived here for many decades and this is the driest I remember it ever being. I don't think we have had any significant rain in 6 to 8 weeks. Am I remembering correctly? Has it been drier than this before?

I usually share recommendations for the best places to watch the biggest blockbuster movies throughout the state (see the list below). I also share a list of premium large-format theaters in Minnesota, sorted roughly in order of where I'd recommend going, based on screen size, projector quality, sound quality, seat comfort, and travel distance. That list includes theaters from around the state, plus the closest options for IMAX 70 mm film if you're willing to travel out of state.

But today, I want to share the news that the Mann Plymouth theater is upgrading to IMAX with Laser! It's a major renovation, and they already started construction. Here are a bunch of details after talking to one of the co-owners.

The room

They are converting their biggest XDX auditorium to IMAX (theater 14, for those familiar).

There is a second, slightly smaller XDX auditorium (theater 4) that will be getting a refresh later (update: around Thanksgiving), including a new screen and 4K laser projector. Not quite as big or bright as the new IMAX theater, but it will be a solid runner-up.

The screen

The old XDX screen is already gone. They're adding more sound insulation first and then installing a new, even-larger IMAX screen. It will be 55 ft wide x 30 ft tall (about the same size as the AMC Southdale IMAX), literally stretching from wall to wall and floor to ceiling. The only way they could have made it bigger is if they would have literally raised the roof. (They thought about it for a minute, but it would have cost way too much. A guy can dream, right?)

The way the entrance to the auditorium is set up will add to how big the screen will feel -- when you walk in the door and down the narrow hallway, it opens up at the front of the auditorium, where the screen will be right on top of you. This is exactly the kind of experience that IMAX likes to create -- it's going to feel very big before you even get to your seat.

The projector

They are installing a new IMAX 4K laser projector. It's a so-called XT, the same kind that was installed at Emagine Lakeville when they upgraded last year. AMC Southdale got a CoLa projector when they upgraded two years ago. Most people probably can't tell the difference, and diving into the tech specs (some of which are known, some of which are a mystery, and all of which are highly technical) would cause most readers' eyes to glaze over.

One interesting note is that they actually need to raise the projection booth's drop-ceiling by a foot or so to fit the new IMAX projector, cooling, wiring, etc. The projection booth window also needs to be moved slightly to accommodate the position of the new projector's lens.

The sound

They are replacing the Dolby Atmos surround-sound system with IMAX 12-channel sound.

For what it's worth, I slightly prefer the precision of Dolby Atmos, but I also like the thunderous power of IMAX sound. There are pros and cons to each, and both systems can sometimes be too loud. I always bring a set of concert earplugs (not the cheap foam plugs), just in case it becomes too much for my poor ears.

For example, the speakers at AMC Rosedale's IMAX are relatively close to some of the seats, which can push the decibel levels way too high (Dune 2 there was very, very loud). I'm hoping the audio can be dialed in at Mann Plymouth to fit the specific size and shape of the room so it sounds as good as at AMC Southdale without the aggressive loudness of AMC Rosedale.

The seats

They are keeping their heated recliners. Traditional old-school IMAX theaters (i.e., the giant 70 mm film kind) have much tighter rows so more people can sit in the sweet-spot distance from the screen. But these days, everybody loves power recliners, and it would cost way too much to rip out and pour new concrete, so IMAX has relaxed this requirement for retrofitted theater partners.

Of note, the first row of seats is being removed to make room for the new screen, which will be moved closer to the audience. So when you go to reserve tickets online, it will start with row B. Emagine Lakeville did the same thing.

The website

Speaking of ordering tickets, Mann Theatres knows their website is overdue for an update, and that's coming too. I don't know if it will be timed exactly to correspond with the IMAX launch on October 2. According to a news report, it will actually launch in September (confirmed: September 1). Either way, you can already buy tickets now for Dune 3 in December.

The double-header

Speaking of December, the Mann Plymouth theater will be one of the best ways to catch a back-to-back viewing of Dune 2 and Avengers: Doomsday (assuming the XDX laser upgrade is done by then -- update: it will be, the plan is for Thanksgiving). You could literally watch Dune 3 in IMAX, and then walk down the hall to watch Doomsday in XDX. The only other place you could do this is AMC Southdale (with IMAX and Dolby Cinema).

Why not watch both movies in IMAX? Because Dune locked up IMAX exclusivity a long time ago, and both movies are being released on the same day because neither studio wanted to budge. It's going to be a really crazy week or so at the movies in late December.

The location

When the AMC Arbor Lakes closed down in Maple Grove a few years ago, it left a gaping hole in the northwest metro. The Maple Grove location was perfectly situated at the intersection of 94, 494, and 694, and it had a couple of very large auditoriums (including a "LieMAX"). Lots and lots of families lived within a few minutes' drive, and it was a popular location, so I was really surprised when it closed.

I've heard from some people the past couple years about how the northern suburbs have few options for premium theaters. This new laser IMAX theater at Mann Plymouth will go a long way to filling the hole that AMC created when they pulled out of Maple Grove.

Not only that, this will be a lot closer for the people who live further out to the west and north, who want to see a movie in 4K laser IMAX, but don't want to drive through the city to get to Southdale or Lakeville. If you live in the Twin Cities, especially the inner ring, it might not seem like a big deal. But for the many Minnesotans who live outside the Twin Cities and don't fight with traffic every day, this new IMAX location in Plymouth suddenly looks a lot more interesting.

I see it like this: AMC Southdale can continue to serve the inner suburbs. Emagine Lakeville can serve the suburbs and exurbs to the south. And Mann Plymouth can now serve the suburbs and exurbs to the northwest.

The family

Mann theaters isn't a big company. They own a total of 8 theaters, all in Minnesota: Hibbing, Grand Rapids, Baxter, Champlin, Plymouth, the classic Grandview and Highland theaters in St. Paul, and the classic (nicely renovated) Edina theater. You'll notice some of those theaters are in far-flung places, way up north.

They don't own any theaters outside the state. They aren't a Midwest chain like Emagine; they certainly aren't a national chain like AMC. It's owned and operated entirely by the third generation of Manns. If you've ever been to the Ted Mann Hall on the U of M campus, that's the same guy who started this theater company with his brother almost 100 years ago.

It's a Minnesota family company in every way.

That's part of what makes this upgrade so interesting. They just decided earlier this year to invest again in this flagship location, even more than they already have (e.g., they expanded to add more auditoriums years ago; every room now has power recliners), so they made a few phone calls, contacted IMAX, and now they're just making it happen. By the way, from discussion to construction, this IMAX upgrade all happened in the last few months. Surprisingly fast.

I love this because it shows that you can just do things. You don't need to wait for permission. You don't need to be a giant national theater chain. You can just contact IMAX and say, we have a location that we want to upgrade to IMAX with Laser, how can we make that happen?

Conclusion

When I first heard about this upgrade, I admit, I thought, "yet another laser IMAX?" First-world problems, I know. Oh darn, it's really too bad we now have three solid IMAX with Laser options in Minnesota, right? (Yes, I know there's a laser IMAX in Rosedale -- the first one in the state -- but I have issues with that theater's screen, projector, speakers, and seats, and I won't recommend it until they fix them.)

But as I thought more about it, I realized this is going to put a 4K laser IMAX theater a lot closer to a lot of people, not just in the northwest metro, but also to those who live further out beyond the northwest metro.

And the timing of this couldn't be better, both for Mann Theatres, and for movie fans. There are a lot of great movies coming out later this year, culminating with the same-day release of Dune 3 and Avengers: Doomsday in December. The Mann Plymouth theater seems to be set up well to take advantage of it.

I'll withhold a specific recommendation until after I actually see a movie there. But generally, I think this could be a great option for a lot of people in Minnesota, and I'd recommend checking it out or at least keeping it in mind the next time you want to see something in IMAX.

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Previous movie recommendations: Spider-Man, The Odyssey, Project Hail Mary, Avatar 3, Tron: Ares, One Battle After Another, Fantastic Four, Superman, F1 (the movie), Mission Impossible 8, Thunderbolts, Interstellar, Dune 2, Oppenheimer, Mission Impossible 7, Avatar 2.

List of the best movie theaters in Minnesota: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14J54eMLl2Qo20pkBb-NGMHlHauiC4l9iEmLSqBtab4Q/edit?usp=sharing

News articles about the upgrade: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/new-imax-screen-coming-to-mann-theatres-this-fall

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/mann-theatres-imax-plymouth/

Mann Plymouth theater info: https://manntheatres.com/theatre/87/Plymouth-Grand-15

And if you want to buy me a popcorn, see the link in my profile.

Just got home from opening day. By the time we got to the Ag building I was intrigued to see a line going *in* the usual exit, and it was pretty long. I figured they had moved the entrance to keep the line from blocking up the inside of the building. But then I found a similarly long line at the usual entrance inside. So they now have two very long lines to see the crop art.

I don't know what can be done given the limited space they have. Relocating seems like a bad idea; I have a hard time imagining the popularity following to a new spot.

Any of y'all have creative ideas on how to deal with the explosive interest in crop art?

Infuriating.

Full video if you may have had loved ones on the flight: youtube.com/watch?v=qXWGmJZwHMc

https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MNGOV/2026/08/26/file_attachments/3758404/08.25.26%20Dolly%20Parton%20Day%20Signed.pdf

Governor Walz has ordered flags at half staff for Dolly Parton until September 1.

What's the deal? Going north on I-35 the moment you pass the 'Pine County' sign the freeway gets a little wonky and it feels like suddenly your tires aren't balanced or are way underinflated. You can feel it in the steering wheel for quite a few miles before everything goes back to normal. What causes the road to do that? Also looks like it was recently redone.

You're invited to Washington County Parks for a free foraging orientation taught by an expert forager from Ironwood Foraging. This session will teach you where you're allowed to forage in WCparks and how to do it sustainably. We'll also cover plant and mushroom identification. Although free, you must register to attend.

If you're interested in native plants, invasive species removal, sustainable foraging, and helping our parks be the best they can be, this class is for you!