the year: 2005
the genre: action/adventure
the cast: Matthew McConaughey (Dirk Pitt); Steve Zahn (Al Giordino); Penelope Cruz (Eva Rojas); William H. Macy (Admiral Jim Sandecker); Rainn Wilson (Rudi Gunn); Lamber Wilson (Yves Massarde)
the plot: Explorer Dirk Pitt goes on the adventure of a lifetime of seeking out a lost Civil War battleship known as the "Ship of Death" in the deserts of West Africa while helping a UN doctor being hounded by a ruthless dictator.
count: how many times Al loses his hat.
watch for: the disappearing/reappearing light stick while Eva is in the well.
don't miss: the "Panama".
listen for: "Hi! How are ya?"
did you know: the fact that Al Giordino had some of the Admiral's cigars was an inside joke from the novels; he always seemed to have some no matter how carefully Admiral Sandecker kept them under lock and key.
extra bonus points: if you know who else (more than one) was considered for the role of Dirk Pitt.
also listen for: "Next time, YOU go!"
did you also know: the cast had camel-riding lessons during which they would have to ride the camel at full gallop for 90 minutes alongside a moving train.
