Of all of Universal’s classic movie monsters, The Mummy is easily the least scary. The thought of a bumbling Boris Karloff in swaddling papyrus doesn’t make me cry, it makes me cringe. But if the story of a corpse coming back to life sparks your curiosity about the traditions of ancient Egypt and the fascinating culture of kings, queens, pyramids and tombs, you can find out more on the big screen (without the cheesiness) in Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs, which opens today at the Pacific Science Center’s Eames IMAX Theater. Scientists reveal how bodies were embalmed and where they were hidden, and the movie even recreates the tale of one of the most significant archeological finds in history. Also note the film is narrated by Christopher Lee, who played the mummy in the 1959 remake of the classic, though kids might know him best as Count Dooku in Star Wars: Episodes II and III. It’s a film for the whole family to get wrapped up in. See www.pacsci.org/imax/ for schedule.

Wed., Dec. 26, 2007