Experiencing 3-D with Mamma mia

Mom and I had intended to see the new musical Mamma Mia this weekend, but the show sold out before we got to the front of the line. So we opted for the 3-D Brendan Fraser flick, Journey to the Center of the Earth. Despite being a child during the pinnacle of the 3-D  era, this was my first experience with three-dimensional filmography. I expected a great vehicle for Kraft product placement (It's the cheesiest!), but I was pleasantly surprised by a decent story line and solid acting. Not to mention very cool in-your-face graphics that made viewers duck and dodge tentacles, dinosaurs and glow-in-the-dark birds. This is one kids movie that the adults will enjoy, too. And if we're really lucky, a few moviegoers will crack their own copy of the Jules Verne classic. 

And no more cardboard spectacles with one red lens and one blue. The shades are much trendier these days. Still, having to wear shades on top of my regular glasses made me glad we were in a dark theater. My bespectacled readers will have to double up, too. Ever wonder what a 3-D movie looks like without the glasses? Much like watching a movie without your prescription glasses. Sure-fire recipe for a killer headache. Click the 3-D link above for a brief explanation of how the technology works. Coming to theaters soon: a 3-D CGI movie about flies on a journey into space. 

Another blast from the past? (Pardon the reference, Brendan.) I heard a piece on NPR this week about John Waters, the man behind Hairspray. Somehow I've made it 31 years without hearing of Odorama, which is how he filmed the 1981 movie Polyester. That's right. Scratch 'n' sniff cards that let you experience the full-bodied grossness of gym socks, dead fish and assorted nefarious bodily odors. It was an interesting interview. Learn all about Smellovision here.