Can they stop the train loaded with hazÂardous chemÂiÂcals before this “misÂsile the size of the Chrysler BuildÂing” hits a popÂuÂlatÂed area and “vaporÂizes everyÂthing in front of it?” That’s the big quesÂtion that driÂves along the plot of the new DenÂzel WashÂingÂton thriller, UnstopÂpable. If you don’t believe me, just watch the trailÂer above. Now we get all acaÂdÂeÂmÂic on you and ask: Is that train realÂly as powÂerÂful as a skyÂscraper-sized misÂsile? And then we turn to Emory physics proÂfesÂsor SidÂney Perkowitz for the answer:
Perkowitz is a good perÂson to size things up. He’s not just any physics proÂfesÂsor. This physics prof wrote the book HolÂlyÂwood SciÂence: Movies, SciÂence and the End of the World and he sits on the adviÂsoÂry board of the SciÂence and EnterÂtainÂment Exchange, a NationÂal AcadÂeÂmy of SciÂences proÂgram that tries to bring more sciÂenÂtifÂic accuÂraÂcy to mass marÂket enterÂtainÂment. Thanks Stephen for the good tip here …


