Paradise Driver: 06/15/08

Sunday, June 15, 2008

SCRATCHING THE BACK ALLEYS

Oil 2.0. Genetic engineering has produced a bug that loves to consume agricultural waste and emit crude oil as a natural by-product. Watch everybody start making compost heaps now.

Do you want to see an alien? Look him straight in the eye? Just take a glance in a mirror.

Back in 1976 a sci-fi film called Futureworld was released. Sort of an adult version of Disneyland, with lots of sex. Looks like, once again, that our future could just hold this to be true in about another 40 years or so.

As you are aware, good ol' Dubya has been visiting Europe. But since he is basically an unwelcomed guest, he has time to actually get to see the countryside.

In a case of the pot calling the kettle black, Candy Rice is criticizing Israel for settlements in disputed land in the Gaza strip. Not that I agree with Israel's actions but by what criteria does Candy have the right to offer an opinion about occupying land.

That interesting gadget, the Segway, has been an unexpected beneficiary of the gas crunch.

If you thought that monkey's weren't smart, then explain how this one escaped using a garden hose.

"Let's all be careful out there!"

THIS POST HAS "SPOILERS"

Yesterday evening I had dinner at Appleby's with the "daughter" and grandsons #3 & #4. Then we went to see the Indiana Jones movie. Later I watched the mid-season finale of Battlestar Gallactica. It was a wonderful day.

I have watched Appleby's commercials for years but, since there were no outlets on Mau'i, I could only fantasize about the quality of their product. Lets just say that it didn't live up to my dream. Not that there was anything wrong with either the food or service but it was just ordinary. Plain ordinary. I'll probably go back again but with greatly lowered expectations.

I would rate the Indie movie an "A-". It started a bit slow and was predictable through most of the plot. But there was plenty of action/adventure. When you are at a movie with a 4-year old, its easy to determine when the story had lost excitement. So, using the 4 y.o. meter gauge, I would say that it dragged for a maximum total of 15 minutes. Not too bad. There were some surprises. When Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) appeared it was a shock and, as one of you hinted earlier, if George Lucas wants to continue the Indie series into the future he has it all set up with the Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf) character. And it would be a natural extension. Trust me. There was symbolism about "passing the hat" in the closing scene.

The comedic spots were good and the quips were appropriate. The ending was a might strange but acceptable.

This was the first movie I have seen in a theater since Star Wars - Episode 1. In the beautiful multi-screen theater we attended, I was impressed by how clean it was. No matter where I looked. The people were well behaved. No kids running rampant, no conversations across the theater, no cell phones ringing. Civilized behavior that I was unaccustomed to.

My son has Dish-Tv and has been Tivoing Battlestar Gallactica for me. He has no interest in sci-fi. Last night I was able to watch last Friday's episode. The coalition of remaining Humans and Cylons finally reach Earth. An Earth that has been devastated and is devoid of any lifeforms. And the event is not a recent occurrence. That is where it ended. Paradise Lost. There are 10 more episodes to go before the series ends and they don't start airing until January of '09. I hope the SAG doesn't go on strike and screw-up production schedules and the winter TV season.

Thanks for stopping over. I hope everyone has had a pleasant weekend.

Talk with you later.

"Let's all be careful out there!"