Still as big as ever, Omnifest turns 20

Omnifest, the annual film festival at the Science Museum of Minnesota, is marking its 20th birthday with a slate of movies produced by the museum. There was a lot to choose from; it's the world's largest museum producer of the giant-sized films, which are shown on a 90-foot domed screen using film stock that's 10 times the size of that typically shown in a multiplex. The festival, which begins Friday and continues through the end of February, includes five films that will be shown in rotation: "Ring of Fire" (our favorite), "The Greatest Places," (breathtaking scenery), "National Parks Adventure" (if the government shutdown doesn't end soon, this might be the only way to see these sites), "Journey to Space" (these astronauts are gutsy) and "Tornado Alley" (these storm chasers are crazy). Tickets are $9.95 for adults and $8.95 for children and seniors, with $2 off for any subsequent movies seen on the same day. (Museum members get free admission to one movie a day.) Screening times change; go to smm.org/omnifest for a complete schedule.