May 27th, 2008

Saturday I went to see the new Indiana Jones movie. I was young enough to have only seen the original three on Beta (remember those?) and VHS, so seeing the latest installment at the theater was a bit of a treat - like finishing a drumstick and finding that there’s still a few peanuts left in the package. And while at the time I thought the film was both better and worse than I expected, my overall feeling is that Lucas & Spielberg ultimately threw us, the fans, a few peanuts after they had their fill on the drumstick. Mindless fun, but ultimately disappointing if you stop and think about it.

There be spoilers below (mostly spoilers, so be warned).
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• posted by Matt
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May 26th, 2008

Because I am nothing if not all about vicarious thrills, I like to spend Memorial Day weekend watching people raft down the dozens of Class IV whitewater rapids on north central Idaho’s Lochsa River. I’ve been whitewater rafting several times. I’m a chickenshit, though. I’ve only attempted the Blackfoot River’s Class I and II rapids. I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready for the Lochsa, especially the twenty miles of it that flows–no, rages during high water–through an area known as the Black Canyon. Why? Well, let’s look at what happened to these brave souls.

Here they are this morning. Their guides, at the rear, can clearly see there’s trouble ahead.

Moments later, in about the time it took me to yell “Oh shit!” and focus my camera, their raft hit a gigantic wave head on.

The customers seemed to recover quickly. They clustered around one edge of the raft. I’m sure they learned to do this from the guides before they stuck a single toe in their rented wet suits. However, while one of the guides climbed on top of the raft the other lost his grip and started floating away.

They soon rounded a bend of the river and were lost to sight. I assume everyone’s okay. When I returned to this rapid later in the day, there was no sign of emergency personnel, local law enforcement or grieving rafters.

Maybe someday I’ll have the cojones–er, ovarios–to attempt the Lochsa. In the meantime, you’ll find me on the region’s gentler rivers. I will be easy to recognize. I’ll be the one sporting water wings.

• posted by Rebecca
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May 21st, 2008

My coworkers are well trained. One of them just brought me all the dark chocolate from her Costco-sized jug of Lindt truffles.

• posted by Rebecca
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May 19th, 2008

Sorry things have been so slow of late on this blog. Chalk our silence up to spring fever, I guess. My time has been largely taken up with a traditional springtime activity: falling in love. With a car.

Two weeks ago, my poor decrepit subcompact mysteriously squealed–I guess you could call it a mechanical death rattle–for the last time.* That was Tuesday the 6th. I found the Beetle that Friday, test drove her on Saturday, and signed the check the following Monday. Since then, my online free time has been mainly spent in only a few places: eBay Motors, Volkswagen Forum, VW Vortex. I’ve found myself coveting original factory-made VW floor mats, Blaupunkt stereos, even a silly stuffed daisy for my dashboard vase. I’ve learned to match part numbers to my VIN. I’ve read the owners manual from cover to cover (hmmm…maybe I should note this on my Bookworm list). I’m on the phone every day with the dealership and the founder of the local VW club. I’ve become obsessed. I’ve become…a car person.

And to think it only took me 37 years.

*I sold it to a friend of my mechanic’s for a song. No, not even that much. More like some tuneless humming.

• posted by Rebecca
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May 15th, 2008

In case you’re wondering what to watch–or what to avoid, as the case may be–this weekend, allow me to copy and paste some paragraphs from my Netflix notebook because I don’t feel like posting make a few suggestions.

My Best Fiend: The message of this movie in a nutshell? Klaus Kinski was one zany dude, man.

Once Upon A Time in America: It’s a fascinating mess that gets less fascinating and more mess by the end of the movie. Plus, Zamfir, Master of the Pan Flute, does the soundtrack. ‘Nuff said.

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead: I can’t recommend this movie highly enough. Hoffman, Hawke and Finney really pull your sympathies in all directions right until the tragic ending.

Lars and the Real Girl: This was a very, very sweet little movie. It’s more about dealing with love and loss than buying a sex doll; in fact, there’s no sex in it, nor is it an extended joke about sex toys.

Papillion: I saw this when I was a kid. For some reason, I remember it having a lot more leprosy. It’s…okay; it’s very dated in places.

The Postman Always Rings Twice: If it weren’t for Lange’s pubes and Nicholson’s ass, this movie would be just another Hallmark Hall of Fame production. There’s only a hour of film noir in there, and the rest is surprisingly boring.

Shoot ‘Em Up: It’s an exhilarating combination of silly entertainment and nihilism. It’s so over the top, with so many good actors chewing the scenery in the best possible ways, that it’s really hard not to smile.

Lagaan: What a silly, silly movie.

*I’ve shamelessly stolen the idea for this title from Matthew. Blame a serious case of bloggers’ block.

• posted by Rebecca
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May 8th, 2008

Amy: Hi, Blakeypoo. I… I was just about to call you! And make a tuna sandwich!

Blakeypoo: I’m in prison, bitch. I have to call you, remember? And what’s this I hear about you going bald?

Amy: Ha ha. You so funny! Hold on a minute, my condiment is ringing.

Amy: Hello? Hello? Huh. They must have hung up. Blakeypoo, you still there?

Blakeypoo: ………

Amy: Poobear? Aw, he must have hung up. Oh look, a crackpipe!

• posted by Matt
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May 1st, 2008

Remember that eye trouble I was telling you about a month ago? Well, I didn’t realize there was a contributing factor.

So, yeah. It turns out I need glasses.

• posted by Rebecca
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April 30th, 2008

Every time I jump on Netflix to mess with my queue, they recommend a particular movie to me.

From the description:

This documentary closely examines the sensationalized story of a man from Seattle who died from a ruptured colon after having sex with a horse in a barn. Director Robinson Devor transcends the shocking headlines to explore the circle of people who secretly possess an interest in bestiality.

I’m not sure what it was I watched that led to this curious suggestion. Could it have been The Postman Always Rings Twice? Maybe Eastern Promises? Or even Superbad? I guess I should be thankful. At least Netflix didn’t somehow obtain personal information from another movie site I visit frequently; the words “dom”, “leather” and “uncut” don’t appear anywhere in that synopsis.

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