Mega-Bad Movie Night at the Academy of Natural Sciences

Scientists weigh in on bad movies at Mega-Bad Movie Night. Credit: Academy of Natural Sciences Scientists weigh in on bad movies at Mega-Bad Movie Night.
Credit: Academy of Natural Sciences

What happens when gigantic, laboratory-engineered reptiles escape? There’s only one way to find out.

Don’t worry, no need to don your white coat and start splicing. “Dinocroc vs. Supergator” plays out this scenario for you, in all its schlocky glory. The movie is screening on Thursday at the Academy of Natural Sciences, along with experts pointing out — Mystery Science Theater 3000-style — exactly where the movie’s products got their scientific facts horribly, horribly wrong.

“We choose bad movies on purpose, so there’s something for us to teach about,” says Jill Sybesma of the Academy of Natural Sciences.

Since 2010, the Academy has hosted a “Mega-Bad Movie Night” a few times a year. The idea is to poke fun at the movies, Sybesma says, but also to also educate moviegoers in an entertaining way. But this one’s just for the adults: those under 18 have to stay home.

All of the Academy’s exhibits will be open before the screening, and live animals will be brought out. Scientific specimens related to “Dinocroc” will also be on display. “This time we’ll be bringing out anything crocodilian-related, so skulls, skins, eggs, various types of crocodiles and alligators,” says Sybesma.

And if all those alligator eggs make you hungry, head over to the complimentary snack table. There will also be a cash bar. Tickets include access to Butterflies!, a permanent exhibit featuring a tropical garden and up to 40 different species of butterflies from all over the world. Butterflies only live a week or two, so the display is constantly rotating, with 60 to 150 fliers flitting around on any given day.

If you go
Mega-Bad Movie Night: “Dinocroc vs. Supergator”
April 4, 6:30 p.m.
The Academy of National Sciences
1900 Ben Franklin Pkwy.
$15
www.ansp.org