[X] My Assistant

[slinted]

This isn't really a Spirit only topic, but since she has been on Mars a bit longer, I'll give her the honor of this thread.

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/rovingmars/

January 27 release

[odave]

It didn't open in the Detroit area either Maybe they didn't think there'd be enough sales. But it is in Grand Rapids, which, for me, is at a distance that requires a day trip and associated long-haul child wranglers^H^H^H babysitters. I'll make the trip, though.

[ljk4-1]

Cornell, IMAX Go to Mars:

http://www.cornellsun.com/news/2006/01/31/...s-1545226.shtml

On the front page of the Cornell Daily Sun:

http://www.cornellsun.com/media/paper866/d...ts/y4z4y46z.pdf

[ljk4-1]

A review from Science Fiction Weekly:

"The new IMAX film Roving Mars does a good job at recapturing some of that euphoria, as seen through the eyes of those who created the rovers.

"Unfortunately, this film doesn't do as good a job at documenting the experience, or conveying the wonder that is Mars."

...

"The movie is based on a book by NASA's Steve Squyres, who also provides some of the hyper-enthusiastic narration (the rest of the narration tends towards the melodramatic, as does the score). Sadly, the script could have used some assistance: A big deal is made early on about how the initial parachute designs failed, but the film lacks follow-up on how, exactly, NASA solved this problem. Like the interviews, the footage—including that from the actual launch and landing—lacks a timestamp to provide context as to when these events occurred. And Spirit's early mechanical difficulties are glossed over entirely, even though that was a real-life dramatic moment at that time."

The complete review is here:

http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue458/screen3.html

[Shaka]

A review from Science Fiction Weekly:

"The new IMAX film Roving Mars does a good job at recapturing some of that euphoria, as seen through the eyes of those who created the rovers.

"Unfortunately, this film doesn't do as good a job at documenting the experience, or conveying the wonder that is Mars."
.

http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue458/screen3.html

I haven't seen the film, and won't anytime soon, since Hawaii's IMAX theater converted to a circus recently. I do get the impression from this thread that the film falls well short of conveying the full impact of what is happening on Mars. The excitement we in this forum feel, may not be reaching the broader public as it could and should! What percentage of the world's population will ever see an IMAX film? Is Imax the medium of choice for spreading the Gospel of Marsaphilia ? I think NASA, if it truly wants the world to get behind the colonization of the solar system, has both a duty and an opportunity to infect new generations with the 'bug' that infects us. We are some 600 enthusiasts. Why aren't we 600,000?. The internet does or will soon reach billions. That's why I think the full potential of this medium - right through to virtual reality - ought to be exploited by NASA as a major priority. Nothing lends itself to this effort better than the MER saga. Emily has broached this issue in her thread, but it shouldn't be left to We happy few, we band of brothers to foster this issue. It's time for NASA, and, indeed, space agencies around the world, to make a serious effort to move space exploration from a peripheral obsession of a fringe group, to a central focus of human aspirations. We 600 do have ideas, contacts, imagery, voices to help get the ball rolling. Perhaps we ought to try.