Star Trek

Let me preface with the fact that I am not a fan of the original show, its multiple reinventions or any of the other films. I went to see it with my future mother in law for Mother's Day because that's what she wanted to do. Despite its inherent campiness it was well directed and entertaining.

Fist I want to applaud JJ Abrams for using modern physics phenomenon to rewrite the Star Trek history. It was a great way to tastefully break with the burdensome past. This film has paved the way for future adventures of the Enterprise crew. He also brought uncertainty to the "new" Star Trek technology which lead to some good scenes.

I suppose the campiness couldn't be avoided, but it certainly hit every stereotype in Star Trek culture. Kirk hooking up with a green skinned woman, a guy in a red suit biting it, every major character saying their classic line, Kirk's ripped shirt, and so forth. There were a few just goofy scenes including a monster chase scene and the man sized water pipes that lead to a man sized food processor. Thankfully the film had enough redeeming scenes that I could overlook most of the dumb parts.

I was slightly bored because I knew that the crew was going to make it through since this was their origin movie. I was merely waiting for the next major character to appear and say their famous line. Although I am not a fan and not beholden to any of the prior work I was entertained and claim that this is the best summer blockbuster I've seen so far.

The Descent

At the beginning of this past week my future in-laws closed on a house in NE Portland. Given that the house is affordable and in NE this piece of real estate is a gem. The house was built in '46 and is terribly fatigued. Combined with derelict tenants and then vacant for a year gives the place a beat-in, down trodden look.
My task this week was to descend into the crawl space to cut up and remove the vapor barrier. This was the nastiest piece of work that I've done in a long while. Resplendent in my tyvek suit, goggles, face mask, and rubber gloves I stuffed my self in a 2X3 portal and descended into darkness. The dank air smelled like a used cat box with the acrid tinge of chemical rat poison. Breathing with difficulty through the mask I used a flashlight to illuminate the gloom. The space was festooned with detritus, rat carcasses, poison repositories, small puddles of unknown liquids. It was the most uncomfortable and disgusting place I've been since living in central Mexico. Six long hours later I finished clearing the worst. Sadly my work is not complete. There is still beetle damaged joists that need repairs, and pipes that need replacement. When that is all finished I need to lay down the new vapor barrier. Though the next descent will not be as hellish I do not look forward to it.

The Flaccid Torpedo

The other day I found myself at a Quizno's for lunch. After perusing their limited menu I zeroed in on an advertisement for the Torpedo. A long, narrow sandwich packed with deli cut deliciousness with your choice of vegetables delivered in a hard crusty roll, which was then deposited into an appropriate fitting paper bag. The ad promised a compact, express sandwich that could be eaten with one hand while on the move. Though I was in no hurry I none the less ordered one to sate my curiosity.
As I eagerly anticipated the first bite of this cunning new sandwich design it yawned opened and proceeded to dump its contents down the front of my shirt and into my lap. The oil from the toasted lunch meats had soaked the bread compromising its integrity which lead to the unfortunate demise of my clothing. Nonplussed I tried to salvage what remained of the first quarter of the Torpedo. The paper bag was more of a hindrance than help as the sandwich spilled more of its contents into it. I had to finish the sandwich with both hands and clean myself off after the whole ordeal. The experience was highly disappointing with the added sting of unfulfilled promises from the advertisement. Though I rarely complain about dining this was the first in a long while that I felt acute annoyance. So dear friends be warned of the flaccid torpedo lest your clothes end up sullied like my own.

Wolverine could have been 40 minutes longer

I went to see the Wolverine movie on opening weekend. It was not as bad at the reviews or the fanboys said it going to be, but it wasn't good either. Overall, I was disappointed in the film.
The movie was only a hour and a half, which by current standards is incredibly short. This robbed the movie of continuity and produced a series of clipped scenes that failed to delivery poignancy.
In addition Wolverine is hardly a character to be sympathized with. He's a bestial, testosterone-driven savage bent on revenge who has a vague moral compass. This does not lend itself to a humanizing role. Absolutely fantastic character in a group setting, but when focused on it becomes decidedly less interesting.
The action was dazzling eye candy, but each fight was pointless as the next. Wolverine had little or nothing at stake in each fight and there are only so many times you can say 'This ain't my fight' then be forced into action. Being an origins movie there was no fear for Wolverine's well being. Of course he's going to survive, he has to show up in the X-men later.
I was hoping for more from director Gavin Hood, but it fell short of my expectations.

Welcome

As you undoubtedly know I rarely post on my other blog Gregorian Rant. I've come to use that blog for more poignant matters, and decided I needed a new place to simply lay out my thoughts. Thus the new blog for...well...ramblings. This I hope will be a more active blog with more current information. Feel free to comment and I look forward to future interactions.