★★★½ Encounters at the End of the World

[Gino: 3.5]

Gino says: 'This is a Werner Herzog documentary documenting a trip to Antarctica. For those expecting like one of those IMAX or even Discover-channel type films, you will probably be disappointed. Looked to me like it was shot on video, etc. But you still get to see and hear some cool stuff: like freaky creature habitat under the sea ice, the other-worldly sounds of the sea-lions, and basically take a trip you will likely never take in real life. But the main subject (and the main beauty) here is Herzog's attempts to find out what kind of people go to the end of the planet, to the least hospitable place in the world to drive a fork-lift or study penguins. Hint: mostly a little bit crazy people. But there is some poetry to it: the fringe elements of our species going to the fringe habitat of our planet to witness both astounding Nature and the fragility of our own kind.'