Marion Cotillard as Mal and Leonard DiCaprio as Cobb in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures sci-fi action film “Inception,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
Natalie Portman in “Black Swan.” Photo Credit: Niko Tavernise.
Mark Wahlberg (right) plays Micky Ward, Christian Bale (left) plays Dicky Eklund in “The Fighter.” Photo: Jojo Whilden.
Jeff Bridges plays Rooster Cogburn in Paramount Pictures’ “True Grit.” Photo Credit: Wilson Webb.If You Go’ What: Sharkfest’ When: 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7.’ Where: Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St.’ Admission: Free to Aquarium members; $14.50 nonmember adult; $9.50 nonmember child 3-12, ticket allows admission to Ocean Journey only.’ Registration: community.tnaqua.org/events/summer-2015/shark-fest’ What: #Sharknooga’ When: 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8.’ Where: Imax Theater, 201 Chestnut St.’ Admission: $25 movie and one drink ticket, $20 movie only, must be 21 or older to attend.’ Register: community.tnaqua.org/events/summer-2015/sharknooga
Duuuh, duh. Duuh, duh. Duh, duh, duh, duh
Composer John Williams’ two ominous notes sounded by tuba and cello, growing progressively faster as they are repeated, are arguably the most well-known notes of any cinematic score. Heralding the approach of the great white shark in “Jaws,” the musical theme is still just as ominous 40 years later as it was when it scared people out of the water in 1975.
“‘Jaws’ launched a feeding frenzy of misunderstanding about sharks that has lasted in the public’s mind,” says Thom Benson, senior marketing and communications manager at the Tennessee Aquarium.
Adds Jackson Andrews, director of husbandry and operations, “‘Jaws’ made it cool to hold contests like shark rodeos to see who could catch the most, or largest, sharks, which were then discarded without thought to the important role sharks play in maintaining the balance of a healthy ocean.”
So to distinguish fact from fish tales and give the public a better understanding of these ocean predators, the aquarium is hosting Sharkfest on Friday night, Aug. 7. This family-friendly event will have educational stations set up in Ocean Journey as well as special guests and a display of prehistoric megalodon shark teeth.
“Cowboy Kyle has rounded up some shark pups he’s been raising since they hatched from eggs. He’ll put on hip waders and go into the water of the touch tank,” says Benson. “Dr. Bernie’s Traveling Shark Show is up in that same area, and he’ll bring a bunch of specimen fish that have been preserved so they are touchable.”
Fans of Discovery Channel’s Shark Week will have the chance to meet Brent Mills, Michael Love and Rob Hall from Nature Film Network. These Chattanoogans have produced a number of underwater documentaries, says Benson, including “Shark Clans,” a documentary about great whites that drew 2.1 million viewers, according to Nielsen tracking, when it aired on July 10.
“My guess is this will be a big treat for our guests because they probably saw that program on Shark Week. It will be fun to talk with them and ask what it’s like to tag great whites,” says Benson.
The aquarium’s shark weekend continues Saturday night, Aug. 8, at the Imax Theatre with #Sharknooga. Adults (ages 21 and up) are encouraged to dress in costume for a double feature, “Sharknado” and “Sharknado 2: The Second One.” If you loved flying sharks at the cineplex, wait until they attack from a six-story Imax screen.
Benson says a signature cocktail and nibbles will be served during a brief intermission between films. Weather and shark experts will be on hand to answer questions moviegoers might have. For example, why are sharks always the bad guys?
“We’ve never done anything like this before. It will be a fun event, and we’ll provide a little information about sharks during intermission. There are more than 400 species of sharks worldwide. Many are either vulnerable, threatened or endangered. It’s important for people to understand that there is a mission behind the fun of this,” he explains.
“Those who have seen the films know that the movies are the cotton candy of the movie world: no nutritional value, but an awful lot of fun.”
Benson encourages registering for #Sharknooga, but walk-ups will be accepted Saturday night as space is available.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.