Mysteries of the Great Lakes

[seafarer62]

My wife and I saw the Omnitheatre film, "Mysteries of the Great Lakes" at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul.

There was less of the "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" used than what I would have thought. The melody was used as a motif at spots throughout the film. The only vocal used was towards the beginning of the film in which verse 6 was sung in its entirety. (Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings......) The soundtrack uses the version on the Summertime Dream album. That familiar 12-string guiding the melody line is as fresh to me as when I first heard it on AM radio in 1976. Except that it sounds much better on digital !!

The film had maybe 30 seconds on shipwrecks, mentioning the Edmund Fitzgerald but no underwater photography of the wreck.

The central feature of the film was a group's attempt to save the sturgeon. The work has a really interesting storyline involving the conservation officer's relationship with a particular sturgeon. Amazing creature.

All in all- we gave it two thumbs out but would have appreciated more of Gord.

Just received the April 18 tickets for Sault St. Marie..... no word yet on sales for March 22 in Minneapolis.

John- Minnesota

[geodeticman.5]

seafarer62 - thanks for the info. I've been intrigued by this since I first heard mention of it (quite literally ..lol..) when the riffs of TWOTEF rang out from the trailer clip of IMAX 'Mysteries..' when I pulled up Valerie Magees' Lightfoot site gordonlightfoot.com a while back. I simply call it for my own purposes "The (GL BLUE site)" (strictly colloqioal of mine, not the real name,) - But that's the way I notate val's site in my windows 'favorites' function, versus "Wayne's World" (Colloquial again of mine); its really as you all know Lightfoot.ca- which I call the 'GL GOLD SITE' in my own abbrev's used in 'favorites' as well.

My 3 questions for you are:

1. Did you enjoy it, besides the 'two thumbs out" I did see you gave it.

2. If you don't mind, how much were the tickets - for the IMAX theatre ?

3. In the trailer in Val's site, they speak of one particular man's efforts to save something, right when a small crowd starts applauding, also just as TWOTEF starts playing (again?), throughout the film here and there it sounds like.....was that 'one man's efforts in particular' the conservation officer ? Which, it sounds like at that point by context with the song -( no mention is the trailer of the 'one man's identity), or efforts by Lightfoot (we are left to almost assume this before seeing it), because of the TWOTEF timing just as they say 'one man's efforts' or similar, when the crowd applauds.

That seems to be a stretch to think it might be Lightfoot's efforts, but then again he has spent significant money travelling and championing environmental causes in the provinces and NW Territories, Brazil, the Amazon - for issues such rainforest/deforestation , clearcutting, damming up waterways, man altering substantial ecosystems - especially ones it seems that effect idigenous poulations in so far as their game sources for food, clean water, and purely natural wildlands habitat for nature's sake, not just man's. I admire this very much about Lightfoot.
Thanks seafarer62 !

[jj]

glad you liked it, seafarer62...thanks for the review and have fun in the Soo!

hi steveo! being a mapsman, have you played the lakes map game at the film site? i was bad at that, lol

....there is also a map showing the location of cities in the USA where it is playing - I don't know what OmniMax is?

http://sciencenorth.ca/consumer-sites/mysteries-lakes/

http://sciencenorth.ca/consumer-site...lakes-glp.html

http://sciencenorth.ca/consumer-site...-listings.html

yes, that digital sound sure is clear (but some say may lack the original analog warmth)

i think Wayne chose those colours because Gord's Gold, no?

for those who aren't aware, Val also has a mailing list full of GL plus Folk tidbits

check out the corfid Links section...it seems to be the only site that has a Links section to other GL websites...terrific stuff!

[charlene]

it's generous of that Florian to link other GL sites from his site.

I still haven't got down to the Science Centre to see the movie..Hey JJ - wanno go??

[seafarer62]

Answers to Geo Steve:

1. I meant two thumbs "up", not out. Whoops.

2. I think tickets were $7.50/each. At the Minnesota Science Musuem, you can pay just to watch the Omnitheater film. There is a price break if you do the Museum/Film combo.

3. The conservation officer is the working hero in the film. I hate to spoil the film for those who would like to see it. But there is a very emotional connection between the Conservation Officer and an individual fish. Fascinating example of how wonderous the natives of this lake truly are.

I think Gordon's involvement is just allowing the rights to the song to be used. The song is so tied in to Lake Superior, the melody and the lake have joined in the mind of many. Gordon has a loyal following in Minnesota and the producers of the film were very savvy using the song to remind baby boomers of that night 33 years ago. The song has so many meanings: Geography, History, Meteorology, Technology, Indian legends, Business Dealings, Bonds among the co-workers on the ship, Religion, Mortality, and those left behind. Probably are a few more I could have mentioned. Mixing all this into a 6 minutes song was complete genius and inspiration.

Hope all Corfid members get a chance to see it.

John/Minnesota

[jj]

Originally Posted by charlene

I still haven't got down to the Science Centre to see the movie..Hey JJ - wanno go??

ya know i checked out taking jr for an excursion last week and found it would cost $48 for he and i for about an hour of total film experience! we could get a table dance for less, lol

we went to the science part of the facility recently but he's not ready for a revisit quite yet (better for grade schoolers) so I was gearing in on a double bill to make the jounrey worthwhile, including the 30 minute Light Before Xmas cartoon

anyhow, those doublebill prices are only for Fri or Sat eves, jammed with teens (do I sounds old? lol)...so weekdays was possible but finishes at 5, just in time to venture into T.O. rush at Don Mills and Eglinton. horrific! lol ...i wish the GO went from here to there, i could zzz

sorry for the long answer, i meant to say, 'love to hook up but not sure about the OCC'

btw, that Bolt flick was pretty entertaining...I think the one about big eared mouse will be good...sorry about the kid film tangeant...before jr, i gotta squirrely when folks talked of kids so much and sent so many pics

i chuckled over the Steve Carrol quote "nobody really wants to hear about your kids...it's like having to listen to some guy talk about his golf game...you know, the guy is going " You wouldn't believe this amazing putt I made!!...and you're thinking "WHO the heck CARES!!" - good analogy, lol

[geodeticman.5]

Originally Posted by jj

glad you liked it, seafarer62...thanks for the review and have fun in the Soo!
hi steveo! being a mapsman, have you played the lakes map game at the film site? i was bad at that, lol
....there is also a map showing the location of cities in the USA where it is playing - I don't know what OmniMax is?
http://sciencenorth.ca/consumer-sites/mysteries-lakes/
http://sciencenorth.ca/consumer-site...lakes-glp.html
http://sciencenorth.ca/consumer-site...-listings.html
yes, that digital sound sure is clear (but some say may lack the original analog warmth)
i think Wayne chose those colours because Gord's Gold, no?
for those who aren't aware, Val also has a mailing list full of GL plus Folk tidbits
check out the corfid Links section...it seems to be the only site that has a Links section to other GL websites...terrific stuff!

jj- hey how u doin... 'tseeer, regarding a couple things you asked above, I was curious about IMAX and OMNIMAX both, never having been to either, I am embarrassed to say. I hope this cut and paste from wikipedia is not superfluous for you on Imax, but it does at least answer the OMNIMAX Q you had:

****** Q on OMNIMAX - comes with IMAX in the package:

IMAX (short for Image MAXimum) is a film format created by Canada's IMAX Corporation that has the capacity to display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film display systems. A standard IMAX screen is 22 metres (72 ft) wide and 16.1 metres (53 ft) high, but can be larger.

As of 2008, IMAX is the most widely used system for large-format, special-venue film presentations. As of March 2007, there were 280 IMAX theatres in 38 countries (60% of these are located in Canada and the United States). Half of these are commercial theatres and half are in educational venues. A variation of IMAX, IMAX DOME (originally called OMNIMAX), is designed for projection on tilted dome screens. The largest IMAX DOME in the world is IMAX Adlabs[1] at Mumbai, India with a screen area of 12,700 sq. ft. Films can also be projected in 3D with IMAX 3D. The largest IMAX 3D Theater in the world is Prasads IMAX[2] along with South Asia's only 4D Simulator at Hyderabad, India. It is the IMAX at Darling Harbour in Sydney, * Australia, however, which possesses the largest screen in the world.
*Hey jj we ought to ask Steve from Sydney, and Joveski if theyv'e been, huh ?

That was interesting for me; hope it answered your OMNIMAX Q, jj,
As u you see, I put the short-read for IMAX in light blue, and short-read for OMNI in green. Char, I hope (really) that ANY use of color doesn't give you a headache; that would not be too cool of me. Lemme know Okee ?

Next Q jj:hi steveo! being a mapsman, have you played the lakes map game at the film site? i was bad at that, lol

:

No ! Cool ! Gotta check it out, and will let you know at some point-thanks for the tip, jj.

Next Q jj:i think Wayne chose those colours because Gord's Gold, no?

jj - I save SO MANY 'favorite' sites to scroll-through that I have to have a visual clue scheme that is eye-catching to find what I want fast, using mnemonix, color, caps, U-name it ! I do believe you are right on the Gold Wayne's site versus Gord's GoldI, though ! - it IS a perfect backdrop for the classic GG1 photos front and back, and base color skin for 'Wayne's World'.

Val's blue with that irridescent vertical streak down the left is really cool, too. Of course the content is what matters, but the initial catch-your-eye is high on both. I know Val has designed other websites for ppl, lots I think. Valerie ? Hook-em initially with first-glance appearance, then keep 'em reading with substantive content.

Kudos to both Wayne Francis AND Valerie MaGee on very well-thought out and compelling sources to keep returning to; both treasure troves in their own right.

As fas the GG1 album cover front and back photos of Gord were the photos that had every guy that was GL FAN 75 I think it was asking his barber- "How does a guy get his hair to do that?", and God help you if you were in an older-style MEN's barber shop. The response was "whatsammata wit'you, dat takes a PERM - you know, what da WOMEN get that smells bad in the WOMEN'S BEAUTY SHOPS, and sets you back $20"(in '75). And then looking around at all the guys that your barber said loud enough to make sure they heard, waiting for a cut and that da**ed smelly water; "Naw, he he, I was uhh, just curious what-ta... dem fancy guys and rock stars do to make the hair like that, you wit me ? Sure ain;t for me, no sirree". Da88 !

So between that, and my beard growing-in in fungus-like patches until it filled in, in my senior year of High School, I couldn't pull it off -I thought it would 'get the chics' haha in school. Oh well. By the time My beard beard was filled in enought to re-consider gettin 'the perm-aaaaagggg", 'fros" on caucasians were not acceptable behavior in the small Mtn Town my parents moved to in my senior year. They were still cool for African-American guys, but a white guy wearing a 'fro', in a town where every guy was supposed to look like a mountain guide - North-Face Michelin-man-puffy down/gore-tex from head-to Raichle or Vasque-toes(monster climbing boots) - if not they'd kick your a88....lol...

Cpme to think of it, THERE WAS A GUY THAT COMPLETELY LOOKED LIKE JOHN DENVER in my senior year in Colorado - and he had it all down, from the Woolrich green-and black buffaloe-plaid shirt-jac on the 'Rocky Mtn. High' album covetr with Denver (Deuchedorff) (sp?), to the ubiquitous AND requisite Navy-Blue Down Jacket, Hiking/climbing boots (with Vibram lug-soles NOT MEANT FOR CONCRETE - the old yellow label Montagna-block climbing sole would wear down to leather midsole from wearing them through one winter in town - and the street salt, oh-man what a way to destroy (back then) $80 boots (now c $300-450) !.

Anyway - our local John Denver man (who to this day STILL is a strolling al fresco Cafe minstrel with stax of his Indie CD's for sale at $10.... went on to have EXACTLY Denver's blond foop haircut, the EXACT round wire-rims, even LOOKED like him facially -AND down to the floppy leather hat....probably gave the guy schiziphrenia (sp?) ....lol... If you go to Estes Park, Co this next summer, he'll still be there, guitar case open or tasteful coffe-can open for tips.... but you know he really IS good ?

He's added in to his J Denver repertoire some of the local 'Lazy-B Wranglers' tumblin-tumbleweed real Wester songs boys- they've been singing like the 'Sons of the Pioneers' for years up there on the Lazy-B Chuckwagon Dinner steak rides, on half-dead 35 yr-old worn out nags..lol... The guy with the great bass voice for songs like 'Ghosr Riders On The Storm' unfortunately died a few years back, he had loved his whiskey, Old Bear Squeeze, or something, and would sing up a deep Ghost-Riders like you've never heard, but he fell off of the back highest level of the mini-bleachers they performed on and conked his head too many times... I don't know if it was that , or the booze that did him in.

Thats my story for today.

[geodeticman.5]

Originally Posted by seafarer62

Answers to Geo Steve:

1. I meant two thumbs "up", not out. Whoops.

2. I think tickets were $7.50/each. At the Minnesota Science Musuem, you can pay just to watch the Omnitheater film. There is a price break if you do the Museum/Film combo.

3. The conservation officer is the working hero in the film. I hate to spoil the film for those who would like to see it. But there is a very emotional connection between the Conservation Officer and an individual fish. Fascinating example of how wonderous the natives of this lake truly are.

I think Gordon's involvement is just allowing the rights to the song to be used. The song is so tied in to Lake Superior, the melody and the lake have joined in the mind of many. Gordon has a loyal following in Minnesota and the producers of the film were very savvy using the song to remind baby boomers of that night 33 years ago. The song has so many meanings: Geography, History, Meteorology, Technology, Indian legends, Business Dealings, Bonds among the co-workers on the ship, Religion, Mortality, and those left behind. Probably are a few more I could have mentioned. Mixing all this into a 6 minutes song was complete genius and inspiration.

Hope all Corfid members get a chance to see it.

John/Minnesota

Thanks, seafarer62

[Patti]

I saw this film at the Duluth Omnimax yesterday. I very highly recommed it to everyone. I was into the guardianship, the imprinting, etc.

Here is a link that has a nice little video:

http://sciencenorth.ca/consumer-sites/mysteries-lakes/

[Gitchigumee]

I just purchased 2 tickets for the film. My friend and I will see it on our way to the concert 3/22. How could I not, with a name like mine? Thanks, Seafarer, for reminding me that this film was out there.

- Gitchigumee

[fezo]

Man I would like to see that. i think the nearest place to see it is Erie Pennsylvania which is just about a perfect diagonal across Pennsylvania from here. Being from New Jersey you sometimes forget how large a state can be...

Well, sometime I hope.

[Gitchigumee]

My friend and I saw "The Mysteries of the Great Lakes" film at the Omnitheatre (Imax) at the Minnesota Science Museum in St. Paul last Sunday (3 hours prior to the concert that night). For those of you who may be considering seeing it, the cost was $21 + $13 parking = $34 for 2 people, or $17 apiece.

I was expecting much more of GL's music to be featured than was. "The Wreck" was featured very nicely in one section, however, as was stated in previous posts.

The film was great, and much more than just beautiful scenery set to music. For anyone interested in ecology, saving endangered species, and the goodness of the human spirit, this is a great film for you.

The sturgeon is a creature which has lived in the Great Lakes for 150,000,000 years. It is on the brink of extinction, and there is currently a race to save the species. In particular, one man's life's work has been focused on it. It also focuses on how we have abused the lakes through the decades and how the lakes have been recovering. It is a really amazing story, and I have a whole new appreciation for the magnificent sturgeon. I always knew the Lakes were beautiful, and I feel lucky to live close enough to visit them every year or two. I would highly recommend that you all attend this film soon if you can, because I'm not sure how much longer it will be showing. The more people that see it (especially children), the greater the chances to save the Lakes and the great lake sturgeon.

[Patti]

This might be fun.


http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/sturgeon/sturgeon_spawning.html

[brink-]

I wish I had known it was there!! I had hours to burn before the concert and wanted to see that so bad. Oh well, someday it will be on DVD.

Originally Posted by Gitchigumee

My friend and I saw "The Mysteries of the Great Lakes" film at the Omnitheatre (Imax) at the Minnesota Science Museum in St. Paul last Sunday (3 hours prior to the concert that night). For those of you who may be considering seeing it, the cost was $21 + $13 parking = $34 for 2 people, or $17 apiece.

I was expecting much more of GL's music to be featured than was. "The Wreck" was featured very nicely in one section, however, as was stated in previous posts.

The film was great, and much more than just beautiful scenery set to music. For anyone interested in ecology, saving endangered species, and the goodness of the human spirit, this is a great film for you.

The sturgeon is a creature which has lived in the Great Lakes for 150,000,000 years. It is on the brink of extinction, and there is currently a race to save the species. In particular, one man's life's work has been focused on it. It also focuses on how we have abused the lakes through the decades and how the lakes have been recovering. It is a really amazing story, and I have a whole new appreciation for the magnificent sturgeon. I always knew the Lakes were beautiful, and I feel lucky to live close enough to visit them every year or two. I would highly recommend that you all attend this film soon if you can, because I'm not sure how much longer it will be showing. The more people that see it (especially children), the greater the chances to save the Lakes and the great lake sturgeon.

[charlene]

I don't know if they put those IMAX movies on DVD..
they'd sure lose the impact on my little bitty tv..
lol

[brink-]

DON'T BURST MY BUBBLE!!!!!!!!!! I have a bigger tv and I will wear magnifiers and make it bigger yet.

Originally Posted by charlene

I don't know if they put those IMAX movies on DVD..
they'd sure lose the impact on my little bitty tv..
lol

[Sydney Steve]

From the murky depths of the mysterious Great Lakes emerges a post attributed to the Brink Ness monster .

Scientists can only guess , but based on the text of its recent Corfid posts and despite the efforts of the puzzled Moderator , they can only theorise that while the brain is certainly not well developed, that it is reasonable to assume that the mouth is quite large and that the size of the base quite large to help to counterbalance the lack of anything substantial above the shoulders.

Oh as we are on the serious side for discussion aren't we ; Umm well I love Summertime Dream and The Hoooose You Live In....(what funny pronunciations these Canadians have)...
(does that get me out of trouble for blatant off topic sledging Char ?)

[charlene]

well you were heading the right way till the funny talking Canadians remark..

[brink-]

large at the base???? how many stone might you weigh - spineless steve - oops Sydney Steve I mean.

Originally Posted by Sydney Steve

From the murky depths of the mysterious Great Lakes emerges a post attributed to the Brink Ness monster .

Scientists can only guess , but based on the text of its recent Corfid posts and despite the efforts of the puzzled Moderator , they can only theorise that while the brain is certainly not well developed, that it is reasonable to assume that the mouth is quite large and that the size of the base quite large to help to counterbalance the lack of anything substantial above the shoulders.

Oh as we are on the serious side for discussion aren't we ; Umm well I love Summertime Dream and The Hoooose You Live In....(what funny pronunciations these Canadians have)...
(does that get me out of trouble for blatant off topic sledging Char ?)

[joveski]

coming from the same land as steve, i agree with some of the funny pronunciations in gord's tunes, even though i love most of them

[charlene]

you guys listen weird!
lol