Aspect ratios of theatrical releases

Films/DVD Asylum

Movies from comedy to drama to your favorite Hollyweird Star.

I know this is probably going to sound like a naive question but with a the different aspect ratios movies are filmed in (2.35 and 1.85 being the most common) how do cinemas deal with making sure the film is presented in the proper OAR. Do the multiplexes have screens with different aspect ratios so for example a multiplex might say "ok The Two Towers is 2.35 so we'll show that in cinemas 1,10, and 15 since they have 2.35 screens and we'll show Catch Me If You Can which is 1.85 in 3, 7, and 18 since they have the screen of the ratio. Then there's the issue of the older theaters which may only have 2 or 3 cinemas. Do studios release prints in other aspect ratios to compensate for the lack of the proper screen ratio or do cinemas crop the prints. I guess what my question all boils down to is how can I be sure that the movie I see in the theater is how the director intended it to be.
Thanks in advance for your replies.

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Topic - Aspect ratios of theatrical releases - ftran999 16:36:11 01/04/03 (4)

Re: Aspect ratios of theatrical releases - SR 23:24:00 01/04/03 (3)

Kind of....... - Chris Garrett 10:45:17 01/05/03 (2)

Re: Kind of....... - Victor Khomenko 11:15:37 01/05/03 (1)

At $800 a pop, reflectors.......... - Chris Garrett 14:31:36 01/05/03 (0)

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