After watching this documentary I actually felt like I learned a lot about black holes. The information is presented in a way that allows it to be understood simplistically but still talks about more complex concepts. The narrator was easy to understand and was quirky in a good way. The scientists interviewed and the topics discussed were relevant. Overall, a well made documentary on an intriguing topic.
18 Reviews
Excellent documentary, black holes from A to Z
benniegrezlik16 June 2020
Don't listen to the misogynists who get upset when women do science - they're called scientists just like their male counterparts. Grow up.
The documentary starts in the days when black holes were theoretically possible but improbable, to the conclusion (always provisional in science) that black holes may be what makes galaxies, and therefore us, possible. Along the way, we were treated to the history of how the first black hole (Cygnus X-1) was discovered and finally proved beyond reasonable objection, and then to the work which showed that (probably) every galaxy has a super massive black hole as a seed.
Great job and Janna Levin is a great presenter.
The documentary starts in the days when black holes were theoretically possible but improbable, to the conclusion (always provisional in science) that black holes may be what makes galaxies, and therefore us, possible. Along the way, we were treated to the history of how the first black hole (Cygnus X-1) was discovered and finally proved beyond reasonable objection, and then to the work which showed that (probably) every galaxy has a super massive black hole as a seed.
Great job and Janna Levin is a great presenter.
Best Documentary on Black Holes I have seen so far
royhectorkabanlit14 July 2019
This is the best documentary I have seen so far about Black Holes. It is quite comprehensive, taking us back to who and how Black Holes were first conceived until the use of Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) was used to detect a Black Hole event.
And they relay the information in as simple as possible, easy to understand way. I think this would make a great Teaching Aid to High School and even College Students about Black Holes. A Must-See movie for Science Enthusiasts. Thank you, PBS and Netflix for making this movie more accessible.
And they relay the information in as simple as possible, easy to understand way. I think this would make a great Teaching Aid to High School and even College Students about Black Holes. A Must-See movie for Science Enthusiasts. Thank you, PBS and Netflix for making this movie more accessible.
Annoying to watch
fido234 August 2019
One of the best in the NOVA series.
SILMARILLI12 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Janna Levin is the Host/Narrator for this excellent instalment of the Nova series.
She IS the Carl Sagan of today. She has the same charisma and ability to spellbind and inspire the viewer that Sagan had. A true inheritor of his legacy. She actually made learning fun and exciting. Her excitement was infectious, a true inspiration. "TOUR DE FORCE ! ! !"
She takes you through a lot of science and theory during this double length episode. Fortunately Janna does it in simple and easy to understand language backed up by lots of visuals. You will learn what gravity is, what Black Holes are, how they form and why they are important to galaxy formation.
At times I was so captivated by what I was learning I was on the edge of my seat. This is learning at its best. That said this is science and may not be for everyone. Younglings may find learning how the universe works and how galaxies form a little boring, or it just might be the spark a young Einstein needs.
EXCELLENT episode, and an ever better Narrator. EMMY WORTHY EPISODE.
She IS the Carl Sagan of today. She has the same charisma and ability to spellbind and inspire the viewer that Sagan had. A true inheritor of his legacy. She actually made learning fun and exciting. Her excitement was infectious, a true inspiration. "TOUR DE FORCE ! ! !"
She takes you through a lot of science and theory during this double length episode. Fortunately Janna does it in simple and easy to understand language backed up by lots of visuals. You will learn what gravity is, what Black Holes are, how they form and why they are important to galaxy formation.
At times I was so captivated by what I was learning I was on the edge of my seat. This is learning at its best. That said this is science and may not be for everyone. Younglings may find learning how the universe works and how galaxies form a little boring, or it just might be the spark a young Einstein needs.
EXCELLENT episode, and an ever better Narrator. EMMY WORTHY EPISODE.
Excellent!
dochito18 June 2020
really cool and instructive but
yes-he6 July 2019
An hour 41 of scientists saying the same thing
joshua-beau-harrison75 July 2019
I literally sat there waiting for them to say something for half an hour. But they literally kept talking in circles and even at a few moments asked ME(the viewer) what a black hole was? I counted at least 10 times before i stopped counting.
I turned it off the first night after 40 mins or so and gave the second hour a watch the next day. It was only slight less cringy
I turned it off the first night after 40 mins or so and gave the second hour a watch the next day. It was only slight less cringy
nothing new except for the women
andretfernandes3 July 2019
I started watching hoping to find new information about black holes. Since it's relatively new, I thought there would be things never mentioned before in other documentaries.
But it's just the same information as always, except that they changed men for women here. Female scientists, astronomers, hostess, etc... I'm no sexist, but watching this movie without new content made me quit around 30min
Horrible
vilmaluciano13 July 2019
Terrible narration, ok information
boonexy22 September 2019
This is a fun documentary in terms of the content,. but the narrator they chose is extremely unnatural and her voice alone begins to wear on you very fast. It is too high, and she seems very uncomfortable reading her lines. It sounds as if shes almost on the verge of yelling the entire time and her voice is mixed way, way too high.
Her skits between information are entirely too long and she herself does a terrible job of explaining what they are demonstrating. It's actually the opposite of what you would think, it becomes insulting on some level because they try to basically explain these concepts that scientists who are interviewed have already done a great job explaining. The skits read like a children's book on "How sSace Stuff Werks!" or something similar.
Overall it's a great subject but this woman should never narrate anything. The length is drawn out as well and concepts are reiterated over and over. I got through it eventually but for a professional program about science I have never had such a hard time with the presenter/narrator. I would avoid this documentary and find one with less/better narration, and to PBS, choose your narrators based on their narration, not on whatever criteria you had that fit this woman. We don't even really need a narrator, the actual scientist interviews are way too sparse.
On a frivolous note the narrator seems to be keenly aware of her physical appearance, they go out of their way to show profile shots of her wearing high heels and yoga-pants type outfits, and show profiles of her walking and it comes off as very bizarre.
Her skits between information are entirely too long and she herself does a terrible job of explaining what they are demonstrating. It's actually the opposite of what you would think, it becomes insulting on some level because they try to basically explain these concepts that scientists who are interviewed have already done a great job explaining. The skits read like a children's book on "How sSace Stuff Werks!" or something similar.
Overall it's a great subject but this woman should never narrate anything. The length is drawn out as well and concepts are reiterated over and over. I got through it eventually but for a professional program about science I have never had such a hard time with the presenter/narrator. I would avoid this documentary and find one with less/better narration, and to PBS, choose your narrators based on their narration, not on whatever criteria you had that fit this woman. We don't even really need a narrator, the actual scientist interviews are way too sparse.
On a frivolous note the narrator seems to be keenly aware of her physical appearance, they go out of their way to show profile shots of her wearing high heels and yoga-pants type outfits, and show profiles of her walking and it comes off as very bizarre.
Made for High School Students
rsplace5 July 2019
A 4 minute intro? Really PBS??
editing_budgie20 July 2019
Repetitive and low info, the worst host.
marciama4 August 2019
It is very repetitive and low information, and as bad as it is, the host makes it even worse, in any aspect. I don't understand any production company in its sane mind and market scope to choose a host like this. So it is not informative nor entertaining, it is even hard to listen to the host, a total waste of the topic and the production budget.
Black holes not for dummies
guyext4 September 2019
Janna Levin ruined this...
livinglifing21 October 2019
This would have been one of the best documentaries on black holes in recent memory. Then, Janna Levin showed up for work. The worst narration of ANY KIND I have ever seen. Painful to watch but otherwise informative thanks to a great supporting cast. Please learn from this mistake, Nova.
Low info and a bit woke
francois-paquette13 July 2019
Very little content, and visuals are very basic. The reviewer abive stating its a high school documentary is right on poiint.
Also, i was very surprised learn very little white men under 200 years old study physics now.
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