Flock of Dodos: The Evolution-Intelligent Design Circus
by Dr. Randy Olson
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DVD details
Actor: Flock of DodosDirector: Dr. Randy Olson
Brand: New Video
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 85 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-09-10
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: NEW VIDEO GROUP
DVD Reviews of Flock of Dodos: The Evolution-Intelligent Design Circus
DVD Review: An excellent look at a complex story
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought this movie summed up the overall concerns and issues associated with teaching evolution in public schools very well. It really gives you insights into the players and personalities on each side. It's also an excellent look into the background on the teaching of evolution, including such gems as the Scopes Monkey trial and the(now debunked) Haeckel's drawings.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in this issue.
DVD Review: Dishonest and unscientific - don't waste your money
Summary: 1 Stars
If you want a good documentary that actually addresses both sides of the debate, states the strengths and weaknesses of both arguments and tries to offer an honest conclusion about which is the stronger argument, do not waste a penny on this movie. You will not learn anything. Intelligent Design is misrepresented and smeared, and a detailed case for Darwinism that destroys the ID argument is never even attempted - the filmmaker basically falls into the same lazy trap of calling Intelligent Design theory creationism so that he never has to attempt to refute the Intelligent Design argument. If the filmmaker wanted to make a dodo out of Intelligent Design all he had to do was immediately show, using illustrations and evidence, exactly why the Intelligent Design argument is wrong, why Irreducible Complexity is wrong, and end the debate right there. If you read Michael Behe's debates with major scientists here on amazon by looking up his book "The Edge of Evolution," and finding the blog debate, you'll see him repeatedly expose the false arguments thrown at him by the supposed top scientists of the day. It's right there for all to read. This is probably why the filmmaker of this documentary avoids the actual debate and sticks to name calling and belittling.
Since there is no honest and proven refutation of Intelligent Design (research it thoroughly, there actually isn't), the filmmaker is left with 2 options - to either present the debate honestly and admit weakness in Darwinism, or hide from the debate and simply condescend, ridicule, and look down upon the "ridiculous" ID movement. The director chooses the 2nd option. They forgot to be scientists. What we're offered here are a bunch of lazy "scientists" smoking cigars, playing cards and belittling others, all the while forgetting to bring their actual argument to the table. They try to dismiss ID by destroying old creationist arguments. What does one have to do with the other? ID theory and creationism are two completely different things.
The Darwinists in this film don't make a dodo out of Intelligent Design because, as Pacino said in And Justice For All-
"Only we have a problem here. And you know what it is? Both sides want to win. We want to win! We want to win regardless of the Truth! And we want to win regardless of Justice! WINNING is everything! That man there wants a win so badly today, it means so much to him, he is so carried away with the Prospect of winning, the IDEA, that he forgot something absolutely essential to today's proceeding. He forgot his case. He forgot to bring it."
If the Director, Randy Olson, makes a second film, maybe he'll remember to bring his case with him. When I watch science documentaries I like there to be actual science in it. Skip this one.
DVD Review: Worth it
Summary: 5 Stars
I saw flock of dodos at a screening while in college a couple of years back. At the time I was conveniently in an evolution department so there was a huge buzz around it. Needless to say, the movie made an impression on all of us. To this day I still say this is a movie that every ecologist and evolutionists needs to see to avoid the pitfalls of stubborness and just plain 'smartness'.
But at the same time, it is not a movie made for scientists only. The movie is made in such a simple and straightforward way that anyone can (and should) watch it as well, and the various GRE words definitions throughout the movie make for a very fun diversion for anyone who has had (or is) studying for that exam. There's a good deal of humor and contrary to popular belief, it is not made to insult or demean as most other movies of this genre would.
Silly as it sounds, this movie is very much worth it and I highly recommend. This now stands proudly in my dvd collection and I keep making friends watch it. So far, no one hated it.
DVD Review: Intelligently produced and entertaining, questions left unasked
Summary: 4 Stars
A marine biologist turned filmmaker goes to middle America to explore the issue of Intelligent Design and discovers, to no one's great surprise, a political and social agenda behind a manufactured controversy. Along the way director Dr Randy Olson has reasoned, calm and mostly rational discussions with people from both sides of the issue, allowing each to explain their ideas, but also to reveal their vulnerabilities. The Intelligent Designers for the most part know less about science and more about theology, while the scientists seem a bit smug and unable to communicate with anyone without a graduate degree in science.
Overall, this is an intelligently produced and entertaining presentation of the topic. Three points, though, I wish had been addressed. First, if irreducible complexity demands a creator, then Dr Olson should have been asking, who created the creator? Secondly, why does this science/religion controversy pop up from time to time only in the USA? The rest of the world seems to care not a whit. Finally, why is this question of the origin of life and the universe of any importance at all? It seems obvious that understanding the question means being able to observe and measure the system from outside the system. But as we are (and always will be) a part of the system, this is the equivalent of your eye trying to see itself. It won't happen.
#
DVD Review: Entertaining and informative
Summary: 4 Stars
I have a keen interest in the evolution/creationism debate, and I read about this film on the excellent science blog Pharyngula, so I added it to my family's Netflix queue. The movie is engaging while educating the viewer on evolution and the problems with intelligent design. The best part? Definitely the animated dodos.
Description of Flock of Dodos: The Evolution-Intelligent Design Circus
In a light-hearted take on the culture wars, FLOCK OF DODOS tweaks egos and pokes fun at both sides in the evolution vs. intelligent design debate. Evolutionary biologist and filmmaker Dr. Randy Olson rides along with jargon-impaired scientists and jargon-rebranding intelligent designers as they engage in the comic theatrics that erupt wherever science and religion clash over the origins of life. From the shadowy, well-funded headquarters of the pro-intelligent design Discovery Institute in Seattle to the rarefied talk of Olson s science buddies around a late-night poker table, FLOCK OF DODOS lends a thoughtfully critical ear to the wonderful personalities and passions driving the Darwin wars.By explaining the quirks of evolution with colorful visual aides while respectfully listening to people of faith, FLOCK OF DODOS is intelligently designed for popular appeal (VARIETY). And if you find it difficult to determine which side of the issue is the bigger flock of dodos, Olson offers up his 83-year-old mother, Muffy Moose, as the ultimate head dodo who provides the Rodney King perspective of can't we all just get along? This enlightened, fun film is a must-see for anyone who cares about the issues of our time.
DVD Features: Top Ten Questions; Shared Visions: A Comic Debate; Pulled Punches: Controversial Content; Vetoed Comedy: Humorous Deleted Scenes; Panel Discussion Highlights; Howard Hughes Medical Institute Clips; Animation Outtakes; Filmmaker Biography
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