Waterworld Science Movie Night Discussion

WATERWORLD
SCIENCE MOVIE NIGHT
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Presents:
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Details:
Year: 1995
Rated: PG-13
Parental Rating: Cautionary; some intense scenes of action, violence,
brief nudity and language
Running Time: 135 min.
Released By: Universal
Cast:
Kevin Costner: Mariner
Dennis Hopper: Deacon
Jeanne Tripplehorn: Helen
Tina Majorino: Enola
Directed by:
Kevin Reynolds &
Kevin Costner
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In a future where the polar ice caps have melted and most of the Earth is
underwater, some humans have managed to survive.
In “Waterworld”, several different societies have emerged. There are
communities of survivors living on floating cities called Atolls, bands of
Smokers (pirates) under the command of the evil Deacon, and loners who
roam the seas on man-made ships in search of commodities to trade for
supplies.
The Mariner (Kevin Costner) is a loner who reluctantly befriends Helen
(Jeanne Tripplehorn) and her young companion, Enola (Tina Majorino) to
help them escape from the Deacon and his band of Smokers, who believe
that Enola holds the key to finding the mythical Dryland.
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According to the film, what caused
the earth to flood itself?
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Is it technically and/or theoretically
possible for the polar ice caps to
melt?
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Is it possible to flood the earth, if the
polar ice caps melted, given the
known amount of surface water
available for the task?
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If the polar ice caps did completely
melt, would most of the land masses
be underwater?
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If the Earth was covered with water,
and very little dry land existed, would
humans have enough oxygen to
survive?
Where would most of the oxygen
come from?
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After the polar ice caps melted,
how did humans adapt socially
and physiologically to their new
environment in Waterworld?
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The survivors called their floating
cities “atolls”. How does this
compare with the actual definition of
an atoll?
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What did the humans value on the
atoll, and why?
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Why does the Mariner distill and
drink his own urine rather than using
ocean water?
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What made the mariner different?
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How did the mariner get that way
(become different)?
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Does it make biological sense for the
Mariner’s gills to be located behind
his ears?
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Would the Mariner’s gills be functionally
effective?
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Would it make biological sense for
the Mariner to have developed
webbed feet?
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What powered the mariner’s vessel?
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What was the mariner seeking?
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Why did the mariner have no interest in
Helen?
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Who was Enola, and what made her
special?
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Why was Helen so protective of Enola?
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Was it true altruism, or did Helen and
her genes benefit from the relationship
(with Enola)?
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Who were the smokers?
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What powered the smoker’s vessel and
all of their vehicles?
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What civilization did the smokers
represent?
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Could plants survive in soil that was
obtained from the bottom of the
ocean?
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As Helen breathes, what would
happen to the concentration of
oxygen and carbon dioxide in the
bubble?
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How would the pressure of the water
affect Helen and the Mariner as they
reach a greater depth?
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Would the Mariner’s gills continue to
be effective at a greater depth?
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What is the name of the mountain
depicted on Enola’s tattoo?
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What animals are present on dry
land?
What animals would you expect to
see?
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What does the film predict for the
future of fossil fuels and the humans
who depend on them?
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Questions
Compiled by T. Lazauski – Peer Tutor
Edited by D. Leonard – Learning Specialist
The Academic Support Center @ Daytona State College
http://www.daytonastate.edu/asc/ascsciencehandouts.html
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