Science Movie Night
Great films. Great science. Great discussions.
The 2nd Tuesday of every month, join us for free movie screenings followed by lively discussion with an expert in the field, presented by the Natural History Museum of Utah in partnership with the Utah Film Center, and The City Library. All films begin at 7pm in the Main Library Auditorium. Visit the Natural History Museum of Utah's website for more information.
SCHEDULED EVENTS
Tue, June 11, 7pm
Japan's Killer Quake
Directed by Jan De Bont
NR | 53 min | 2011 | USA
Filmed shortly after the devastating Tohoku earthquake of March 2011, this NOVA documentary examines the powerful geologic forces that unleashed the quake and how they brought Japan to the brink of a nuclear meltdown. Using exclusive footage and illuminating animations, the film follows the progress of the earthquake as it was generated under the Pacific Ocean, travelled throughout the Japanese mainland, and produced a destructive tsunami. After the film, join University of Utah Research Associate Professor of Geology and Geophysics James Pechmann for a discussion of new understandings of the Tohoku earthquake and his research on earthquake hazards in Utah.
Tue, July 9, 7pm
Fighting Fire with Fire
Directed by Michelle Metivier
Not Rated | 44 min | 2005 | Canada
Monster forest fires, big enough to be seen from space and hot enough to create their own weather, used to be a once-in-a-decade nightmare. But now, they're an everyday summer reality across vast stretches of North America. This documentary raises questions about conventional methods of fighting fire and whether decades of suppressing fire have simply made matters worse. Fighting Fire with Fire ventures into the forests of Banff National Park where the park wardens have experimented with prescribed burns and examines the resource and public perception challenges of improved fire management in a changing climate. After the film, join Mitchell Power, NHMU Curator and Assistant Professor in the U of U Department of Geography, for a discussion of his research on Utah’s ancient and modern wildfire patterns and how understanding the implications of climate change for Utah could lead to better fire suppression policies.
Tue, Aug 13, 7pm
Key Largo
Directed by John Huston
Not Rated | 100 min | 1948 | USA
In this film noir classic, an approaching hurricane traps embittered World War II veteran Frank McCloud (Humphrey Bogart) in a hotel on the Florida Keys with ruthless gangster Johnny Rocco (Edward G. Robinson). As the storm rages outside, tensions simmer between Rocco and McCloud while sparks fly between McCloud and his war buddy’s widow (Lauren Bacall). We’ll focus on the hurricane that creates the movie’s suspenseful setting in a post-film discussion with a severe storm expert from the University of Utah’s Department of Atmospheric Sciences. Discover how scientists are improving forecasting tools to distinguish between ordinary and truly exceptional storms and learn how real storms differ from the Hollywood versions.
Location: Main Library Auditorium
Contact Information: 801-524-8200