Explore Modern, Ancient Worlds at Zoo’s Imax

By Dane Stickney, Omaha World-Herald, Neb.

Dec. 20–Prepare to take a big trip via the Henry Doorly Zoo’s Lozier Imax Theater this holiday season.

The zoo is presenting films that explore pyramids in Egypt, creatures of the deep seas, the snow-covered continent of Antarctica and a re-creation of long-extinct dinosaurs.

“Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs” followers researchers as they explore thousands of years of archeological and genetic mysteries of Egyptian mummies. Researchers reconstruct mummy DNA and decipher ancient text in hopes of gaining insight into modern human genetics. The film is presented at 10 a.m. through Dec. 31 (except Christmas).

“Deep Sea 3D” takes moviegoers swimming into the ocean with only a pair of 3D glasses for a diving mask. Narrated by Academy Award nominees Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, the film introduces audiences to a colorful cast of characters from the Gulf of California, Hawaii’s Kona Coast, the Bahamas and more. The film is screened at noon and 3 p.m. through Monday and at 3 p.m. Wednesday through Dec. 31.

Another movie from the deep — “Sea Monsters 3D” — transports audiences back to the Late Cretaceous period, when a big inland sea divided North America. The film travels through the most dangerous oceans in history, encountering long-necked plesiosaurs, giant turtles, enormous fish, fierce sharks and the dangerous mosasaur. It is screened at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday through Dec. 31.

“Antarctica” follows the exploration of the highest, driest, windiest and coldest continent. Much of the footage comes from helicopter rides through icy crevasses and towering mountains and dives through caverns submerged within a glacier. The film is presented at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. through Sunday; 1 p.m. Monday; at 1 p.m. Wednesday through Dec. 30; and at 5 p.m. Dec. 31.

“Dinosaurs Alive! 3D” follows paleontologists as they re-create eight species of dinosaurs from the Triassic Period — nearly 230 million years ago. From the expanses and sand dunes of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert to the sandstone buttes of New Mexico, the paleontologists explore some of the greatest dinosaur finds in history. The film is screened at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. through Sunday; at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday; at 11 a.m. Wednesday through Dec. 30; and at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 31.

Tickets are $6.25 to $8.75. Call 733-8401 or visit omahazoo.com for details.

—–

To see more of the Omaha World-Herald, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.omaha.com.

Copyright (c) 2007, Omaha World-Herald, Neb.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.