Once again, an invisible man in the sky trumps common sense.

Some IMAX theaters not screening volcanoes flick

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- The IMAX theater in Charleston and several others in the South have passed on showing a science film on volcanoes because of concerns it might offend those with fundamental religious beliefs (emphasis mine).

"We've got to pick a film that's going to sell in our area. If it's not going to sell, we're not going to take it," said Lisa Buzzelli, director of the local IMAX theater. "Many people here believe in creationism, not evolution."

Buzzelli said while the Charleston theater doesn't rule out showing "Volcanoes of the Deep Sea" in the future, she considers people's religious views when showing films.

The film makes a connection between human DNA and microbes inside undersea volcanoes. Buzzelli said the handling of evolution was considered in her decision.

IMAX theaters in Texas, Georgia and the Carolinas have declined to show the film, said Pietro Serapiglia who handles distribution for Stephen Low, the film's director and producer who is from Montreal.

"I find it's only in the South," Serapiglia said.

Some people worry screening out such films will discourage filmmakers from making others in the future.

"It's going to restrain the creative approach by directors who refer to evolution," said Joe DeAmicis, vice president for marketing at the California Science Center in Los Angeles and a former director of an IMAX theater. "References to evolution will be dropped."

The IMAX Theatre in Myrtle Beach also decided against showing the film. The theater's director, Jerry Lennard, would not comment.

Some IMAX theaters are connected to science centers. Charleston's is next to the South Carolina Aquarium but has no formal relationship with the aquarium.

Whit McMillan, the aquarium's director of education, said while evolution is taught there, he didn't see a problem with the IMAX decision.

"They're a for-profit theater," he said. "It's basically none of my business."


So what they're saying is "We're not going to show something that might educate people, because we're afraid of the backlash from redneck Christian fundies." Super, let's stick pour heads in the sand a little deeper. More and more, southerners remind me of The Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal (42!!). The Ravenous Bugblatter Beast is so mind-bogglingly stupid that it thinks that if you can't see it, it can't see you. Therefore, the best defense against a Bugblatter Beast is to wrap a towel around your head.

Churchies are so afraid of anything that might compromise their precious holy book, that they will do whatever they can to keep themselves in the 18th century. Facts? Who needs facts, irrefutable proof of life before 10,000 years ago, scientific evidence and pesky little things like carbon and radon testing? They're all tools of the DEVIL!

For Christ's sake (and I really do mean that), it's a GODDAMN MOVIE!!! ABOUT VOLCANOES!!! I love IMAX movies, and it really saddens me that they would sink to this level. Education isn't about learning anymore, it's about money, just like everything else. Time to write another pissy letter. And to the people who live in the south who are sick of me ragging on them... Perhaps you should consider moving to a part of the country where your shoe size and IQ isn't interchangable (translated into redneck-ese: Move outta yer state if'n ya wants ta get some more smerts. Get 'er done!!!)