Coming to an IMAX screen near you

[kelpmermaid]

Well, near downtown LA, anyway. Here's a chance to get in some warm water dives...

http://www.casciencectr.org/Imax/Features/CoralReefAdventure/CoralReef.php

 

[Arnaud]

Can't wait to see it. Doesn't seem to be the 3D version, though...

 

[cyklon_300]

Nice images and music...worthwhile message on preservation...

The downside was the divers shown...several needed a refresher course in trim/buoyancy control.

There was also a distracting infusion of drama concerning a DCS hit that the filmmaker received, but he toughed it out and did a 350' rebreather dive after his chamber ride...?

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it appeared that one of the support divers was sitting on a coral head during a deco stop. Sorta defeats the message being put forth...

 

[kelpmermaid]

Aren't all films shown on an IMAX screen 3D? I've only been to one (Ghosts of the Abyss) at the IMAX theatre in Weschester, so I assumed they were all like that?! Bummer if it is not...although it did make me feel like I'd reversed my contact lenses for a moment.

 

[Arnaud]

Nope. Not all are theaters are 3D equipped and not all movie are shot in 3D. You need both. However, this movie was shot in 3D and this theater is equipped. I find it odd that they don't mention it because they do for some of their other projects.

 

[John H. Moore]

The downside was the divers shown...several needed a refresher course in trim/buoyancy control.

As most of the divers were amongst the world's foremost u/w filmmakers, and they regularly deal with carting around hundreds of pounds of equipment underwater, I'm kind of thinking that it's not they who are likely to need refresher courses...

There was also a distracting infusion of drama concerning a DCS hit that the filmmaker received, but he toughed it out and did a 350' rebreather dive after his chamber ride...?

Actually, as I understand it, the hit was pretty serious. They did kind of dramatize it in the movie, but then they immediately moved on in the movie... not so much in real life. (Yes, of course they moved on in real life and Howard is OK now, but it was pretty serious.)

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it appeared that one of the support divers was sitting on a coral head during a deco stop. Sorta defeats the message being put forth...

Don't recall this, but if you're sure that it's there, I would say something to them. They're very conservation-minded and I'm sure that they wouldn't want their message diluted in that way. If it's there, a gentle reminder of what that does to their message might be well received.

It's Howard & Michele Hall
http://www.howardhall.com/

 

[cyklon_300]

As most of the divers were amongst the world's foremost u/w filmmakers, and they regularly deal with carting around hundreds of pounds of equipment underwater, I'm kind of thinking that it's not they who are likely to need refresher courses...

Actually, as I understand it, the hit was pretty serious. They did kind of dramatize it in the movie, but then they immediately moved on in the movie... not so much in real life. (Yes, of course they moved on in real life and Howard is OK now, but it was pretty serious.)

Don't recall this, but if you're sure that it's there, I would say something to them. They're very conservation-minded and I'm sure that they wouldn't want their message diluted in that way. If it's there, a gentle reminder of what that does to their message might be well received.

It's Howard & Michele Hall
http://www.howardhall.com/

John -

Who would you suggest take the courses then? If you are suggesting that it is me, my trim and buoyancy were not pictured in 70 mm format, theirs was. Granted, the equipment was bulky but I was specifically thinking of several divers pictured that were not carrying any extraneous gear that collided with the bottom.

I've dived with former commercial divers and underwater archaeologists and some of them have exhibited the most heinous t/b I've seen. Just working underwater doesn't guarantee that a diver has good form.

It was simply my honest opinion that the DCS portrayal was distracting to the theme and pace of the film. I'm not sure non-divers gained much from the depiction of the chamber episode or the implications to Howard's health. I hope Howard fully recovers, but wonder whether contractual obligations for completing the film pushed him to make the deep rebreather dive after a serious hit.

Thanks for supplying the link. I will use it. And fwiw, I would give almost anything to have been part of the crew making this film.

 

[Arnaud]

Wifey and I finally saw the movie last Sunday.

I have to agree with C_300. I was amazed at how bad the trim of most divers was (and I'm not talking about the ones carrying equipment). I don't know how many times they're shown head up, feet down, swimming with their hands and kicking their split fins in the sand. I was also surprised to see so much "touching", something that less experienced divers will try to duplicate.

From a structure standpoint, I thought the movie was weak. The plot is contrived and lacks consistency and focus (culminating with the renactment of the DCS hit). The three parts are really unbalanced. I also didn't care for the added sound effects.

All that being said, we had a good time. It was a pleasure to see the reefs on such a rainy day. The movie features many gorgeous shots. The IMAX dome makes it a terrific experience. Too bad we didn't get the 3D version.