I have to say — one thing that INDY 4 did right was instill within me a fierce desire to know about his adventures between 1938 and 1957 — specifically, his work during WWII. There were certainly some tantalizing dialog bits that set my brain alight.
Geek Stuff — Indy and More
Saw Indiana Jones last night — enjoyed it quite a bit. Partially, I think, because I had convinced myself that it was going to suck, in a pyroclastic blast of Lucas-ian nostalgia-destroying fire.
Thankfully, it appears that Spielberg managed to taser Lucas and tie him to a chair before he could butt-rape *this* movie with endless Playstation cutscenes.
I’m reminded of a friend’s review of Jurassic Park 3: “It was a good episode.” That’s pretty much what I have to say about Indy 4 — It was a good episode. Nothing earth-shattering, and really, it didn’t need to be. It was just a film that allows us to enjoy a couple of hours with a character that we love. It succeeds rather well on that level.
And again: after Star Wars I – III, all it really had to do was NOT SUCK. Thankfully, it manages.
In other geek news (of a bit more obscure variety): Thanks to the glories of bittorrent, I am now the (proud?) owner of a converted-from-VHS copy of the 1987 ABC miniseries, Amerika. Senior year of high school, here I come. :)
Graduation
My folks headed back to the Wilds of Maine ™ today, capping off a week’s visit for The Minion’s graduation.
Now that The Minion has officially finished high school, her college has been chosen, and scholarships sorted out, we’ve finally arrived at the end of the non-stop, hectic race that has dominated things here at home for the past 6 months or so.
Sunday was the graduation ceremony — held in the air-conditioner-less Allen Fieldhouse at the University of Kansas….on a day when the temperature *and* the humidity were both in the upper 80s. UGH. Fine, as these sort of things go — Pomp & Circumstance, redneck Yee-haws and airhorns from the parents of the few kids who have, apparently, reached the end of their schooling (and will no doubt become solid Republican voters), but worst of all: The speech from school board president Linda Robinson.
Not only did she *literally* say that the most important decision now facing the graduates was the choosing of a mate (no, I’m not kidding — I wish I was), but her “let me talk to you for a minute” speech lasted FIFTEEN rambling, over-long minutes in sweltering heat. By 2/3rds of the way through, parents and grandparents all over the hall were giving her “wrap it up” catcalls and pre-emptive, prompting applause. She was oblivious, and soldiered on to the agonizing end.
Here’s a clue, honey: We weren’t there to listen to YOU.
Plus: CHOOSING A MATE??? That’s what you have to say to an award-winning, record-breaking graduating class (more National Honors Society members and National Merit Scholars than in any previous class, etc.)? CHOOSING A MATE?
Of course, Robinson herself is an ex-sorority-girl, and obviously got *her* “MRS” degree (married to the top Doc at Lawrence Memorial’s emergency room), so I guess that’s the advice she considered appropriate.
Jumping Jesus on a Pogo Stick.