Mysteries of the Unseen World

Narrated by Forest Whitaker, this National Geographic production (presented here in both 3D and 2D versions) takes viewers on an eye-popping visual journey into the realms of the unseen, capturing sights that are too slow, too fast, or too small to be witnessed by the naked eye. Along the way, the documentary celebrates the pioneering work of key individuals who helped to greatly expand our understanding, including John Nash Ott (1909-2000), whose time-lapse photography made it possible to observe cycles and patterns in nature, ranging from blooming flowers to changing skies; and Harold E. Edgerton (1903-1990), whose strobe-flash photography slowed down lightning-fast events (including lightning), such as falling drops of water, which actually bounce repeatedly when striking a surface, quickly becoming smaller and smaller. And for things that are too small, the aid of electron microscopes reveals all sorts of strange phenomena, including mites that can spend their entire lives in your eyebrow (yes, ewww, but the plain reality is that you personally harbor far more organisms than there are people on the globe). Mysteries of the Unseen World concludes with some intriguing predictions for future nanotechnology, everything from artery-clearing nanobots to the building of an elevator to space using carbon nanotubes (brave new world, indeed). Mixing beautiful visuals (slo-mo popping corn, spilled milk, dragonflies in flight) with brief interview clips (featuring, among others, Louie Psihoyos, Oscar-winning director of The Cove), this entertaining and informative documentary short also includes a “making-of” featurette. Highly recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (R. Pitman)