Insight: Imax, Work and Shakira

Hey there.

I've been into IMAX movies for long time, the overwhelming feeling you get from watching them is really quite special. How many times are your senses saturated like that? Your vision is totally filled, hearing dominated, the rumbling from low frequencies going through you.

IMAX (Image Maximum) was created by the IMAX corporation as a projection system with the capacity to display images of greater size and resolution than conventional film display systems. Developed during the 60's by 3 Canadians, the first IMAX screening took place in 1970 at the Osaka Expo.

In terms of the audience experience, there is projection throughout your field of experience and the technical aspects of the film means that there is high resolution and dimensional stability, which gives a sense of realism. For example, when the screen motion dips downwards, a free fall sensation can be felt.

IMAX is all about the senses and there is no better subject than nature for that. It is a shame that many movie goers dismiss the documentary style of IMAX films. The subjects are light and the information presented in a simple, coherent style. But the visuals are spectacular. Probably the best IMAX director is Greg McGillivary. He's worked on a lot of films including The Shining where he shot the opening helicopter sequence, but his IMAX output is the best. Recently, I've seen Mystery of the Nile, Dolphins, Coral Reef Adventure and the Living Sea.

These films all escape the usual drole narration, especially the 3 ocean themed titled which have various film stars narrating. I especially like Pierce Brosnan's contribution on Dolphins- I won't spoil it for you, just listen out for the one liners. The crystal clear visuals really do pull you into the screen and I've had friends develop somewhat of a wanderlust to head out to the Bahamas to pristine seas and the sound of dolphins clicking.

I'll give you a review and run down of IMAX films I've seen recently later this week.

Even the older films are great with fantastic (unintended) comedy moments to break up the extremely banal narration. In one scene of the secret of life on earth, a group of very 80's tourists stand on a beach in Australia in an almost exact re-enactment of Jaws.

Anyway, all IMAX films have some special to offer, so I urge you to give it a try if you haven't had the pleasure of experiencing immersion cinema. If you're keen on dropping a few more dollars, why not try it out at home? I've heard that the films have all been remastered for HDTV so you can get via Cable piped into your living room.


Work has been reasonable- have had an unusually large number of patients in, especially some from the post bank holiday rush. Let me just state my postulate again: Tan's Postulate states that the probability of a patient presenting and the probability of the presentation being severe is higher after a long weekend.

Simply put, folks like to stew with a problem over a holiday rather than waste the day off in hospital. Quite understandable actually, but entirely fustrating when something mild has turned into something severe. Acutally, it's quite dangerous as well. But it's a holiday.


My Playlist for this week:

Hips Don't Lie (still)- Shakira - 2 verse wonder- Bm, Em, A, F#m.
First Day of My Life- Bright Eyes
I Drove All Night- Roy Orbison
Angela- DR Auten
Hiji Suru Style- Force of Nature, Nujabes, fat jon