Fun times roaming the streets of Hyde Park, Chicago, as well as the summer and holiday grind of Vero Beach, Florida.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Hedgehog and the Fog
The Russians are disturbing. If you are not already certain of this fact, watch this short animated feature from 1975. It is about a cute little hedgehog who gets terrorized by some creepy ass fog on his way to count the starts with a bear cub. Ah yes, the classic story. For the record, the filmmaker who made this has been working on his current project since 1981 and is only 30 minutes into it. This one is only ten minutes, and it's worth a watch.
^^ That is an interesting little two minute segment on the final installments of the Harry Potter movies. I hadn't heard any official word that they were splitting the seventh book into two movies, but Part I comes out November 2010 and Part II in July 2011. I have no strong reactions to this trailer. I guess it's a little disappointing that it gives away what the Hallows are (ish) up front, but that sort of had to happen.
What does everybody else think? Anyone entirely pumped or hopelessly let down? If you are let down, don't feel too bad...the theme park opens this spring!
I thought it was, of course, but then Sreya disagreed with me. You see, Sreya and I have exceptional taste in movies, but one of us is terribly wrong. However, upon further reflection I am considering her opinion is not unfounded. See, maybe I'm missing the bigger picture. Ok yes clearly it was terrible, but maybe this is the deal: it knows how terrible it is, and it appreciates that and runs with it. It takes its terrible-osity and decides it is going to go further, making a movie you are laughing "at" instead of "with," but in fact also "with" because as already established, it knows how bad it is. Really, whether "at" or "with," you are laughing a whole hell of a lot. Maybe that is to be appreciated.
Yes, I'm back in Chicago, and it's good. Ok, so I've been home for less than two hours and I haven't seen anybody but my cats, but still. By the way, my cats have forgiven me for abandoning them. I think they're just grateful to have my room back as their primary hangout location.
On the plane I watched A Little Princess. There was a special 2 disc special edition of that and The Secret Garden at Books-A-Million, and I knew I had to own it. So I watched my favorite childhood movie on the trip back, and just sobbed. Like, good sobbing. That damn movie made me cry more than the tiny babies coming back from Disney World.
You know, I hate that about where I live. I have nothing to do with Disney, but having to fly out of Orlando means having screaming toddlers on the flight, regardless of where you're going. Lame.
Is it yet time to throw away the army men that Gabe left here last summer? Is it? Really?
So I saw it. Heath Ledger = holy shit amazing. I kind of figured all the fuss about his performance was just because he died and everyone wanted to remember him fondly. Definitely not the case. He was absolutely brilliant. Also, was it just me, or was Batman basically a bit part in this movie?
So what was the absolute best part about The Dark Night? CONSTANT CHICAGO REFERENCES!!! I can't even come close to naming them all. Watching it in a downtown theatre was really fun, because every time something was obvious the whole audience started whispering. You could definitely see Navy Pier, the LaSalle street bank, Sweet Treats of Chicago, and those two weirdo lumpy cylindrical buildings. I don't think they broke down and used Michigan Ave or State St, but the major chase scene was on Lower Wacker and Lower Randolph. Very cool. We're the only city built on three levels (despite the land being completely flat) to the best of my knowledge. When they said "Divert to Lower 5th Street!" everyone just cracked up.
So yeah. It really was all that it was cracked up to be. But I might be biased because of the awesome awesome Chicago-ness, and also the boat load of Russian ballerinas.
I saw Iron Man today. It was...pretty good? I (obviously, I mean, come on) never read the comic books, so all I knew about it was a dude in a iron crazy suit and that song. You know...BUM, BUM, BUM-BUM-BUM, da-de-da-de-da BA-BA BUMBUM. You know.
So of course, I thought it would be shit. Then Gabe's facebook status was something like "Gabriel is...surprised that Iron Man didn't such as much as he expected." So, trusting Gabe's almighty judgment, Jon and I went to see it, since I had to be downtown for an appointment anyway.
Anyway. It didn't suck. It a lot didn't suck. I really enjoyed it. Robert Downey Jr. was actually a total badass, and a really good character. Plus, I'm totally a sucker for special effects. Whenever he grabbed the hologram and spun it around and actually put it on his arm (!!!), I was all OMGZ I WANTS IT.
I am legitimately excited for the new Batman. The first one was not a masterpiece, but it was entertaining, and last half was pure crazy special effects. From the previews, I think this one will be a little better.
You know what would make it AWESOME?? Alfred: But Batman, where are you going?! Batman: ...I have to return some videotapes.
1. I think I might have gotten a really really really bad grade for the first quarter of bio. My group members (including myself) were less than brilliant biologists, and Dr. Quintans, one of the most awesome professors I've had, thinks I'm a total idiot. Well, sort of. See, on Thursday, in the break between lecture and lab (it's a 3 1/2 hour class, so we get a ten minute break most days) I was finishing my bagel outside the lab and reading some article on livers posted outside the door. Dr. Quintans sneaked up behind me and said, "I'm so glad to see you reading about biology." "I think it's really interesting," I said, "I'm just not very good at it." "You could be good at it, you're smart enough. Wait here." He goes in his office and emerges with a brand new $140 biology textbook. This one to be precise. He says, "You don't have to give this back if you promise to read it." So maybe I won't fail.
2. I saw Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last night with Betsy, Olivia, and Albert. I think that it was definitely the best directed, it was done really well. I think David Yates created an exceptional representation of the book, considering how much needed to be cut out to make it practical. Also, the fifth book is so driven by emotion rather than plot, I was very impressed that the movie was actually pretty interesting. The kids are not the greatest actors in the world, but they do a good enough job. Also, Luna and Umbridge were perfect.
3. I think I am going to a release party with Sara and Betsy on Friday night. I have never been to one, but come on, it's the last book. I think it will be fun. I am super jealous of Joe who is rereading all the books right now. All my books are at home. I just want to say that I really like the McGonagall is a spy theory. As much as I want Snape to be a bad guy, I realize this is unlikely. And it would just be too easy for Dumbledore to have a spy and Voldemort be left in the dark. So, even if it's not McGonagall, I really hope there's a spy for the Dark Lord in there somewhere.
4. I taught myself to knit. I will post a picture of the wonderful scarf I am making when I'm done with it.
