Solar Max (IMAX Large Format)

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Starring: Alex Scott
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Type: DVD
Directed By: John Weiley
Studio: Sling Shot Entertainment
Release Date: 2002-04-02
Running Time: 120 minutes

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Solar Max Wow
A must show to any Earth Science class studying the Sun and solar activity. Great narration takes the viewer from ancient civilizations to modern day satellites and how dynamic the Sun really is. Aligns to CA Earth Science High School standards.

Don't bother astronomy students
This film was very dissapointing and not at all what I expected.

There were only a few glimpses of the Sun and not enough explanation about its properties: how it generates nuclear fusion; how and why the Sun shines; its position on the HR diagram/comparison to other stars; apparent brightness, etc. I thought this would be a great film to summarize information on the Sun for my descriptive astronomy class.

Don't bother wasting your money. I am not impressed!

Over rated
I can't believe this program received eight five star reviews. I guess it depends on what your interested in. This film is good if your looking for a history of the sun: sun worship, space probes, old theories on the aurora borealis, sun spots(which they never explain) etc. The film is very poor if your interested in the science behind the sun. This video talks nothing about the composition of the sun or the processes that go on inside it. It says little or nothing about coronal mass ejections or how they work. It also doesn't explain anything about the magnetic field or why there is a "Solarmax" every 11 years.(The answer has to do with its twisted magnetic field, which they never touch on)
"The Universe" series has a much, much, much better program on the sun called "Secrets of the Sun", not only do they explain the science better but they have much better images.
One more thing, this program only really has one visual of the sun, there are not many visuals as you are lead to believe. The only reason I am not giving it a 1 or 2 is because I am guessing this film was made before much of the knowledge we have now was discovered, but if it was these filmmakers should be ashamed and I guessing these people were slackers and just wanted to get the project done.

Stunning in IMAX; Still Brilliant on the small screen
"Solarmax" is a model of what scientific documentary should be: informative without being patronizing; visually spectacular without being a CGI blast-a-minute face slapper. Whenever possible, writer/director/producer John Weiley allows the images to do all the talking. When necessary, understated narration is inserted by the very pleasant and dignified voice of Alex Scott.

The marvelous score by Nigel Westlake ([[ASIN: B0000014XK "Babe"]], "Miss Potter") runs the gamut from classically-inspired harp+glass harmonica to raucous, gut-thumping surround-sound percussion. The music is always appropriate to the scene--never cloying and never a distraction--and manages to complement the visuals while adding a unique color all its own. (If you have ever seen a big, explosive auroral display in person, you should find Westlake's musical evocation perfectly suited: shimmering, colorful, joyous.)

I look forward to the day when the Blu-Ray version of the film is available for the home. Until then, this DVD is a great addition to anyone's library and worth playing for anyone who comes to visit. As we head into another solar maximum over the next few years, too, IMAX cinemas around the world would do well to bring this film back into regular rotation. The sun never goes out of style.

Breathtaking...if you watch it in IMAX
I had the chance to see this movie back in 2001 at an IMAX screen. Boy...was it good. With amazing footage, beautiful photography, outstanding narration (both English and Spanish) and a sountrack that will be a feast for your ears, this IMAX movie is one of the best. Is fun, entertaining but above all filled with information. Directed to young adults and adult audiences, so you wont get childlish comments or explanations. Very well put together, you will enjoy it.