Rangos Omnimax offers a unique movie watching experience
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The Rangos Omnimax Theater at the Carnegie Science Center will show “Rocky Mountain Express” at various times throughout the holidays. (Photo courtesy of the Carnegie Science Center.)
“Polar Express: An IMAX Experience” will be shown at the Rangos Omnimax Theater at the Carnegie Science Center through the holidays. (Photo courtesy of the Carnegie Science Center.)
This week, most kids are home from school due to holiday break. With all the extra time at home, parents might be wondering what they can do to help prevent cabin fever from setting in.
The Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh has several options of movies playing on their big, big screen in the Rangos Omnimax Theater.
This four-story, high tech IMAX dome theater (one of only 50 in North America) offers a unique movie watching experience.
The 30-foot tall screen wraps around the audience and offers them a viewing experience that is so immersive it makes them feel like they are in the middle of the action on the screen.
The theater offers a variety of educational films that often feature science, nature, history and scenic locals.
However, during this winter break Rangos Omnimax Theater is offering something to help celebrate the holiday season.
“The Polar Express: An IMAX Experience,” the timeless tale of the magic of the holidays, will be shown 3:15 p.m. Dec. 29; 3:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 30; 3:15 p.m. Dec. 31; and 3:15 p.m. Jan. 2.
The computer animated film tells the story about a young boy who is visited by a special train on Christmas Eve. He rushes outside where he meets the conductor who seems to have made a special trip just so he can transport this boy to the magical North Pole.
The film features Tom Hanks (“Saving Mr. Banks” and “Forest Gump”) in a variety of roles including the Conductor, Scrooge and even the big guy himself, Santa Claus.
The film, which is based on the classic Christmas book by Chris Van Allsburg, is rated G.
Also, for those who are “railfans,” or lovers of trains, will want to check out “Rocky Mountain Express” that made its debut around Thanksgiving.
This film offers the audience a virtual trip through deep river canyons and high mountain passes aboard the Rocky Mountain Express.
According to carnegiesciencecenter.org, “Explore some of the most stunning and rugged landscapes on Earth and learn about one of the greatest engineering feats in history-the construction of Canada’s first transcontinental railway through the breathtaking Rocky Mountains.”
Show times for “Rocky Mountain Express” are 1:15 p.m. Dec. 29, 30 , 31 and Jan. 2.
To learn more about the forces of nature Rangos Omnimax Theater invites guests to view “Extreme Weather,” an up close look at the frontlines of the powerful forces of nature.
The film will show a 300-foot tall collapsing glacier, massive wildfires and dangerous and deadly tornados.
Joining the audience on their journey will be researches that help explain the connections between weather and how we humans can adapt to these everchanging forces of nature.
“Extreme Weather” will be shown at 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Dec. 29; 11:15 a.m., 2:15, 6 and 9 p.m. Dec. 30; 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Dec. 31; and 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Jan. 2.
Dive Deep under the sea during the presentation of “Humpback Whales.”
The film narrated by Ewan McGregor (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Beauty and the Beast”) transports the audience to the waters of Alaska, Hawaii and the island of Tonga.
Learn how the whales communicate, sing, feed, play and care for their young.
“Humpbacks were nearly driven to extinction 50 years ago, but today are making a slow but remarkable recovery. Join a team of researchers as they unlock the secrets of the humpback and find out why humpbacks are the most acrobatic of all whales, why they sing their haunting songs and why these intelligent, 55-foot, 50-ton animals migrate up to 10,000 miles round-trip every year,” according to the Carnegie Science Center’s website.
Show times for “Humpback Whales” is 12:15 p.m. Dec. 29, 30, 31 and Jan. 2.
For only two showings Rangos Omnimax Theater will present “National Parks Adventure” to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the U.S. National Park Service.
“‘National Parks Adventure’ is the ultimate off-trail adventure into the nation’s awe-inspiring great outdoors and untamed wilderness. Soar over red rock canyons, hurtle down steep mountain peaks and explore other-worldly realms found within America’s most legendary outdoor places,” according to carnegiesciencecenter.org. “Along the way, the film becomes at once an action-packed celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the National Park Service and a soulful reflection on what wilderness means to us all.”
The film features more than 30 nature parks across the United States .
Admission to see one of the Omnimax films is $6.95 per person. It is also included in the “Explore It All” and “Discover More” ticket packages available through the science center.
For more information about Rangos Omnimax Theater, go online to carnegiesciencecenter.org.