John Carter - bad title but a good movie

John Carter

The movie John Carter is based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs serialized stories on Barsoom (his name for the Planet Mars).  During the 19^th and early 20^th Centuries, it was common to publish your stories in weekly magazines or newspapers.  Only upon completion is the book format released.  ERB’s first Barsoom story – published in 1912 – was called the “Princess of Mars.”  Why Disney did not select that name is up for debate.  Unfortunately, their choice of title and insufficient marketing are two prime reasons it is not doing well at the box office.  Regardless, I would recommend any fan of science fiction to take the time to see the movie.  ERB, better known these days for his Tarzan stories, was a prolific American science fiction writer who has influenced many of today’s film makers (including a young George Lucas) and science fiction writers (such as Ray Bradbury and Arthur C. Clarke).

This movie is not a faithful representation of the book, and for the most part, this is good.  ERB, like many of the white upper-class of his time, could be patronizing and racist. As those views are thankfully no longer main-stream, they will not fit in a theatrical version released in 2012.

We learn the story of John Carter through his nephew – Edgar Rice Burroughs – and the diary he left behind.  The basic story (without giving too much away) is John Carter, a Confederate Captain, is transported to Mars where he encounters tall green creatures, warring factions of humanoids, and god-like entities called Therns.  John Carter is played well by Taylor Kitsch.  However, I would never believe he was from Virginia for one moment.  While Virginians do not have a thick drawl like Texas, they are still Southerners.  Once I could get based that idiosyncrasy, he was fine in the part.    Lynn Collins (Silverfox in X-men Origins: Wolverine) did a good job as the intellectual Princess, Dejah Thoris.  She also was very good with a sword – would give Xena a run for her money.  Willem Defoe and Thomas Haden Church voice the rival Tharks (green martians).  The cast also includes Ciaran Hinds (Dejah’s father), Dominic West (the would-be ruler of Mars and groom to Dejah), and Mark Strong (as the manipulative thern).  Daryl Sabara – best known as Juni in Spy Kids – plays ERB. 

The effects are fabulous.  CGI characters, such as the Tharks, fit smoothly within your frame of vision.  The story is a nice mix of action, adventure, love, and loss.  I’ve read some complaints about the story being “too old” suggesting something written a hundred years ago would have no relevance.  If that were true, why do we still perform Euripides or Shakespeare?  In this movie, the themes of self-destruction, greed, love, and war are still relevant. So, if you enjoy sci-fi stories, go, watch this movie, have fun.

Our vacation 2012

We drove out of Reno a little after 7am on New Year’s Eve. A few hours into our otherwise uneventful drive I saw the first “pass” sign.  Along 395 is several mountain passes and ski resorts.  Signs on 395 let drivers know which of these passes are open.  Having driven this way several times over the past 10 years, it was almost shocking to see every pass was open. While I was thankful to have no ice on the road…but the peaks had no snow.  This has been an unusual winter.  The news keeps saying this December was the driest since 1833.  Sadly, beautiful.

So fast forward about 10 hours (with breaks and lunch) and we drove into the parking lot of the Mango restaurant and Ultra Lounge.  Wouldn’t you know it…their computer monitor blew up moments before we got there.  So while I got a tour of the place Russ was crawling under desks and in cabinets Oh, William found a quiet little corner to enjoy a cheeseburger and play video games. We decided to delay our drive to Burbank the next morning so Russ could fix their system (when the restaurant was not open).

The following morning we went out in search of a monitor.  It was a Sunday, and January 1^st, so the only open store was Walmart.  There was only two options – it was the week after the Christmas rush so we were lucky to find anything.  Russ saved the day and we enjoyed brunch at the restaurant.  We then decided to spend the day in Palm Springs and stay with Mo & Glo one more night. With the Rose Bowl and parade moved to Monday we suspected Magic Mountain would be busy.  So instead we drove around Palm Springs, something we had not done in a few years despite all of our trips down.   We went to the Air Museum which is dedicated to the aircraft and pilots of World War II.  I was annoyed by the guy who insinuated the Army did not have real pilots in Vietnam but I chose to walk away.  We also finally saw Sherlock Holmes at the Mary Pickford Movie Theatre.  Although Mary never lived in Palm Springs (she lived in her Hollywood home PickFair until her death) her second husband Buddy Rodgers did.  He moved there after her death.  All the mementos were left to his widow who built this theatre and had a room with pictures, costumes, and other Pickford souvenirs.  We drove around and then retired for the night at Mo & Glo’s.

The next morning we drove west to Anaheim…to the happiest place on earth.  We get to our hotel, the Paradise Pier (cheapest of the three resort hotels).  It is beach themed but Mickey and friends are every where.  We really had God on our side, they had a room ready even though check in wasn’t normally for another 4-5 hours.  The room was fabulous.  It was a standard room but a few feet bigger than even Marriots we usually stay at.  It had two queen beds and a couch/day bed…a microwave and fridge.  The view was of our Disneyland Hotel and our pool.  The pool included a basic pool, kiddie pool, hot tub, and mega slide.  After exploring the hotel we decided the boy could go swimming while I run a load of laundry.  I met a great gal from Australia and we chatted away about life, kids, and Disneyland. Our next stop was Downtown Disney.  We explored William’s favorite store – Ridemakerz  - which had grown from a hole in the wall shop two years ago into a huge monster (which rivals the Build-A-Bear nearby).   Then we went searching for the park entrance through the Grand California (the ubber-fancy Disney hotel).  All who stay in the resort can cut through to the California Adventure.  It’s getting dark and chilli, so we head over the Hollywood Back Lot and Monsters Inc.  We get out in time for that part of the park to turn into the nightclub seen in Tron Legacy.  Very cool.  The best part was Flynns…the arcade from the movies.  Inside was 80’s music blasting (Journey, anyone) along with the classic 80’s arcade games (Donkey Kong, PacMan, etc).  And each game was only a QUARTER!  We also popped into the Disney Animation which is a fascinating area with rooms filled with various tributes to Dinsey animation.  After awhile we headed over to Disneyland itself.  I just about cried when we went through the gates.  Wow.  We played for the next several hours…Big Thunder Railroad, Indiana Jones, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and I can’t remember what else.  The night ended with Captain EO Tribute – which is simply Captain EO back in the theatre where it was in 1986 (Honey I Shrunk the audience was here for 20 years until MJ’s death).  I wasn’t a fan in the 80s and still not much of one.  We finally head back to room at midnight and ordered room service (we were starving).

  

Tuesday was a slow start.  I woke up but the boys were dead to the world.  We decided to sleep in and head over later.  We cut through to California Adventure first again.  We went though the new Little Mermaid ride.  Just as in the Haunted Mansion, you ride a doom buggie through a ride under the sea.  I am not a fan of the film (I hate the how they changed the ending) but I promised a dear friend I would do it for her (so I did).  Then the boys went and did the California Screamin’ roller coaster while I stood in line for Toy Story (where they joined me afterwards).  We also did the Goofy’s Fly School (formerly Muhalland Drive) and the Grizzly River Run.  The boys went through the Redwoods, earning their Wildeness Explorer patch (from Up’s Russel). In Disneyland we did most of the traditional dark rides in  Fantasyland – Snow White, Mr. Toad, Pinocchio, Alice.  Well we only got part of the way through Alice.  The ride stopped and we had to walk down the ride and a back staircase.  Quick humorous…Alice threw a tantrum.  Between Tuesday and Wednesday we saw everything we wanted to and then some.  We also did Autopia, Innovations, Buzz Lightyear,  Railroad, Monorail, Peter Pan, Matterhorn, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, Splash Mountain, Winnie the Pooh… we enjoyed Big Thunder RR, Indiana Jones, and Jungle cruise many times.  We did finally fit in Star Tours, but the new 3D technology made me ill, forcing me to give it up.  That nearly killed me. 

 

Thursday was our tour day.  We did the Adventures by Disney “Lights, Camera, Magic” day tour.  This tour is only being offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from Dec 26 through March 3^rd (?). We met at the Grand California lobby at 8am.  After enjoying coffee, tea or hot cocoa, we all hopped in the (very nice) bus and headed to the Disney studios in Burbank.  Corri and Chrstian were fabulous guides and made the entire trip fun.  We walked along the buildings, going into the theatre, down the halls of the original animation building, through the basement lined with many cabinets filled with artwork and masters.  Several buildings from the original studio were brought here when it moved.  More modern buildings have since been added.  You can see the hospital where Disney dies from the studio.  We peeked into the ink room.  Walt only hired women to work the ink rooms – thinking women had a better eye for color.  One of these ladies became his wife.  We visited the Hollywood Records Office where I learned that they not only produced the works of Selena Gomez but also Queen!   We went through the Frank G Wells Building which houses the archives.   There we saw the stone version of Mr. Tumnus and the wardrobe from the first Narnia movie released by Disney.  They had hundred of books, scripts, models, and other cool items.  On one shelf was the animatronic bird Disney bought in New Orleans.  He bought two, taking the second one apart.  He used this technology to develop his animatronics in Disneyland.  We also got to see the original animation camera setup which allowed an almost 3D effect in movies such as Snow White.  In front of the new animation building (while features the 7 dwarves holding up the roof) is the Disney Legends Courtyard.  The handprints of the award recipients (such as Dick van Dyke, Julie Andrews, animators) line this courtyard.  There is a statue of Walt and Mickey found in every park.  In the parks it is surrounded by a small fence.  Here we could get on the statue and take pictures.  There is also a statue of Roy Disney with Minnie Mouse and a large version of the actual award given.  The actual studios were all in production and we were unable to take a closer look.  We then had lunch in the commissary.  Russ had Walt’s world famous chili.  After lunch we were able to shop in the studio store – primarily available only to studio employees.

Sadly we went back onto the bus to leave.  But our next stop was Hollywood.  We were able to walk along, looking at the stars (on the ground) and we went to Graums Chinese Theatre to look at the handprints.  We also received a behind the scenes tour of the Kodak Theatre – where the academy awards have been held since 2001.  We did a driving tour of Beverly Hills and Hollywood.  We saw the original Comedy Store, the original House of Blues, Chateau Marmount (where Belushi died), the Laugh Factory, and Rodeo Drive.  The boys were car-watching a spotted several vehicles, debating their costs engines, and manufacturers.  We ended the day at Gladstones in Malibu where we enjoyed a snack and the sunset.  The trip would not be complete without LA traffic and sure enough it took two hours to get back to Disney.  We watched Lilo and Stitch on the bus, napped, and chatted.  In addition to the fantastic places we went to, we also received cool Mickey pins, our own Hollywood Stars, cupcakes from Sprinkles, the original issue of the D23 club magazine, a picture frames, and a thumb drives full of pictures.

Fab-u-lous.

When we got back to the hotel I was not feeling so hot (again). So, we meandered through Downtown Disney and finished our shopping.  And called it an early night.

Friday morning we got up early and went straight to Space Mountain.  I told the boys to go (there was no wait) and I popped over to get Fast Passes for later.  When the boys came out we did debate me going on the ride.  I wasn’t feeling very well (sinus issues) so we all agreed that might be pushing it.  We went into the California Adventure early (via the hotel guest only entrance).  While waiting for the Hollywood Backlot to open we went into Soarin’ California.  Then the boys did the Tower of Terror twice with Muppets 3D in between the trips.  We had lunch in the park and head back to the room for a break.  Heading to DisneyLand for one last hurrah, we did all of our favorite rides again – Splash Mountain, Pirates, Big Thunder, Indiana. We found the Club 33 door (and took pictures).   I think we may have done a few dozen other rides but now it is all a big (happy) blur.  We sauntered back to the hotel around midnight.

The next morning we pack and headed back to Palm Springs.  We meet my cousin Mina Grace for lunch…where I proceeded to talk for 3 or 4 hours.  It was wonderful seeing her again after 15 years.  We finally started on out way home after 4pm.The wind was pretty horrendous – later that night the freeway was closed due to wind damage.  After driving for 4 hours we decided it was best to stop for the evening.  We found a great Marriot in Ridgecrest, enjoyed some really good pizza, then tuckered in for the night.  After breakfast we started our trek again.  When we finally got home we unpacked and just about died. J  It’s taken about a week to recover (although the sinus problems are lingering).  This was a wonderful and amazing trip.  

December 2011 - Holiday Letter

Another year…another letter.  You may be thrilled to hear that this year I will finally be keeping it brief.  I seem to be running out of time and if I ever what to gets these out on time I better move it!

William is growing daily; at least it feels like he is.  If we have to buy him pants one more time this year, I just might scream.  I think he will be taller than Russel before this year is out.  He is a junior at Coral Academy of Science – a local charter school he has attended since 7^th grade.  He is still into computers, engineering, robotics, legos, and video games.  In May he made his confirmation, using the name of Saint Joseph in honor of his grandfather.  This summer he began working as a cashier at Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse.  He stayed through September when we decided it was best to him to focus on school and just become a back-up cashier when they are in a pinch.  He has been doing very well in school this year although AP Physics has been a bit of a struggle.  They changed the Robotics Club into an actual class and he has been really enjoying himself this year.  He has also made some really good friends.  One of his classes is an SAT prep class that helps the kids understand how to navigate the test plus completing college applications and those dreaded essays.  He wasn’t thrilled but as his mother…I was.  He is still taking summer engineering classes at UNR and plans to attend in the fall of 2013.

Russel’s business is having a fabulous year.  I joke if it has a wire, battery or plug, he can (and will) fix it.  Most days he is running around so much he forgets if he is coming or going.  But his clients love and (who could ask for more).  He still teaches karate and helps at their tournaments and other events.  He is now also teaching the Coral’s junior high robotics team.  It has proven to be taxing…if he had any hair left it would be turning grey.  Regardless, he is having a good year.

I am happy to say I have now been with the District Attorney’s Office for six years.  Being a county employee is tough, between the pay cuts, lay-offs, and budget slashing it’s a wonder… But despite all that negativity I still love my job.  I get to use both my creative and analytical sides, which is fun.  I have few remaining accounting clients on the outside, just enough to keep my skills sharp.  I am trying to be a “good” girl and listen to my doctors.  My arthritis and asthma sometimes contradict each other but I am fortunate to have excellent doctors who care.  I still sing at church but have cut back much of my other volunteer work to focus on the art of relaxation.

We’ve had our ups and downs this year but continue to survive and maybe even (do I dare say it) thrive.  We have been scrimping and saving and couponing our little hearts out.  In January we will spend a few days in Disneyland…the last hurrah before William goes off to college (and bankrupts us).  Then budget season begins anew at the county and my nose will be to grindstone to find new ways to save money.

In the meantime, I hope you have a wonderful holiday season filled with peace, joy and happiness.  No matter which holiday you celebrate, may if be a happy one.

All of our love,

Vicky, Russ, & Will     

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Joyous Kwanzaa, Blessed Saturnalia, Happy Holidays

The winter holidays seems to bring out the extremes in humanity – both the best and the worst of us.  There is the classic “my holiday is better than your holiday” and the visceral “I must get [fill in the blank hot toy] for my son /niece/grandchild/etc.”  But the spirit of this season can be summed up as celebration – a celebration of life, family, and survival.  There are years (if not centuries) of traditions for Christmas (religious), Kwanza, Solstice, Hanukkah and christmas (secular).  I have to stress that no one holiday or tradition is superior to the other.  I may celebrate Christmas as a Polish Catholic, but that is me and my family.  What you do this time of year is just as valid. 

In my family we enjoy a big meal on Christmas Eve which includes kielbasa, ham, pierogi, cauliflower, homemade applesauce, and oplatek.  Pierogi is a Slavic dumpling most commonly made with potatoes and cheese but can also be filled with meat, sauerkraut, or fruit.  Oplatek is a rectangular wafer similar to modern Christian Eucharistic hosts with pressed religious images.  These wafers are shared with everyone at the table with hugs, kisses and Christmas cheer.  We then attend Midnight Mass which I personally believe is one of the most beautiful services. Christmas day is filled with gifts and leftovers and visiting the homes of our loved ones.  I continue my mother’s tradition of giving three gifts to my son – she used to tell us three gifts were good enough for Jesus so it should be good enough for us. 

I also observe the 12 days of Christmas.  I bet most of you have no clue what the song really means.  Well, over the centuries the Christian celebration of Christmas has evolved. First of all, many of the symbols we now connect with Christmas (such as the decorated tree) began as symbols of other winter celebrations predating Christianity.  Also, traditions from other countries (such as Santa Claus) have become mainstream.  There is of course the whole controversy of moving the celebration to coincide with the Winter Solstice (as we all know Jesus was probably born in the Spring but we already had Easter).  And finally, the gift-giving traditions have changed.  During the Middle Ages, after the four weeks preparation (Advent) Christmas was just day one.  Christmas, and often gift giving, lasted 12 days - until Epiphany, which celebrates the day when the Magi find Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in Egypt and present gifts [bit of trivia, the Bible does not tell us how many came nor their names nor from where but because there were three gifts the assumption was born].   So the big gift giving day is January 6^th (in today’s calendar) – the 12^th day of Christmas.  Perhaps in these economic times it is good to not have 12 days of gift-giving…oh well, at least wait until after Epiphany to toss the tree and decorations..

We give gifts to say “Thank you,” or “I love you,” or even “I appreciate you.”  Sometimes the gift giving gets out of hand.  We try to out-do each other, going for the biggest, newest, or coolest.  We are swept up by the images we see on tv, in the ads, and online.  If you recall, the Grinch learned that is isn’t the “stuff” but the love that makes the season (read the original book, and skip the Jim Carrey movie).  The act of giving a gift should be an act of love.  Homemade gifts are the best…even a hug can be the best gift of all.  So stop, breath, and don’t go too nuts this year.  Tell your loved ones what they mean to you.  Do something nice for someone.  If you are blessed this year, give back - contribute to a food bank, donate you gently used items, drop your change in that red bucket, or even adopt a family in need.  If you don’t know anyone personally who needs help this year, the reach out to organizations such at the boys and girls Club – they always have families in need.

So, as I celebrate the last week in Advent, may I wish you peace and joy this season and in the new year.  A heart felt thank you to my friends and family who bless me everyday with their love and support.  I am truly blessed and what you to know how special you are.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Joyous Kwanzaa, Blessed Saturnalia, Happy Holidays

Muppets – They’re back

We watched the new Muppet movie with a bit of apprehension.  Writers Jason Segel and Nicolas Stroller were better known for their bathroom humor in films such as Get Him to the Greek and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.  Their version of the Rat pack includes Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd and Judd Apatow.  So you have to wonder how these guys will pull off The Muppets.  However I am not one of those people who mistakenly state that the Muppets are kiddie-fare.  Hensen had quite a sense of humor - watch the first season of Saturday Night Live and you will see.  Even the original Muppet TV show has some subversive humor.  I loved it all.  I have loved everything Hensen and Frank Oz created (even Labrynth).  So, Jason and Nicolas had a hurdle with me.

Jason Segel is a Muppet fanatic and has wanted to do a movie for years.  Having read some of the incarnations over the past few years, I am glad it took a while to get the movie into development.  Everything had to be just right.  Although I had my doubts about his writing, I thought Jason as one of the stars was great.  His character Marshall on How I Met Your Mother is the perfect simpleton and goof-ball.  So we have to problem believing he has a muppet for a brother (Walter).

I was pleasantly surprised – this movie was fabulous.  Amy Adams is the sweet, mechanically-talented grade school teacher who is in love with Segel’s Gary.  They travel to LA for their 10^th dating anniversary.  They bring Walter, Gary’s muppet-obssessed brother with them and they visit the Muppet Studios.  There they discover the studio is in disrepair and a bad guy (Chris Cooper) is about to implement his dastardly scheme.  The rest of the movie is about bringing the Muppets back together and raising the money needed to save their studio.  There is singing, dancing, waka-waka jokes, and a lot of nostalgia.  The songs are often goofy and sometimes bittersweet.  I had a blast.  We all laughed, including my teenage son.  The audience we were with was obvious all having a good time. There are a dozen cameos and several inside jokes which will keep you watching.

Living here in Reno, there are some interesting jokes just for us.  Fozzy Bear is performing in Reno in a bottom-of-the-barrel casino.  His dressing room is the alley behind the casino where you hear gun shots followed by rain (boy, did that bring howls from the audience here).  Then when Fozzy is depressed and says he doesn’t want to go back to Reno there is an unexpected laugh I don’t think the writers planned.  Everyone in our audience had a good sense of humor and there was no offense taken (I think you need to have a certain amount of self-deprecation to survive in Reno).  FYI - the movie makers clearly have not been to Reno (except to get the fabulous shot of our arch).  It was cool though, almost like being in the movie (hee hee).

So, go see this movie.  Those who grew up with the muppets will enjoy the nostalgia and kids today will discover the amazing world of Jim Hensen.  GO!

Once Upon A Time...Maybe

I have been watching ABC's new TV show "Once Upon A Time" with a smidgen of hope and a dash of anticipation.  As a huge fan of Grimm's collection of fairy tales (the real ones not the tamed down versions) I found the premise compelling.  Reminiscent of Brigadoon, there is an enchanted town in Maine filled with story book characters...lost in time and space.  The "fairy tale" story is told in flashbacks to explain the modern-day actions of characters.  There are some familiar names, Snow White, Prince Charming, Wicked Queen, Rumpelstiltskin, Red Riding Hood, Grandma, etc.To avoid spoilers, I won't delve deeper.

I really like the fairy land story - more than the modern tale.  In general the acting, writing, and characters are fine but it's taking too long.  I might have liked the story better as a mini series a la "Tin Man" the SciFi channel produced a few years back.  I am finding myself exasperated by the drag factor.  Still, I plan on giving it some more time to grow on me.  I don't often watch episodic TV any more (primarily documentaries and fun stuff like Mythbusters) so maybe I am just not used to waiting for a plot line to finish.

I do hope it gets better. I still like the premise.

The Countdown

Only 56 days until Disney Land.  I don't care what anyone else says...DL is the happiest place on earth.  In the past 10 years I have been lucky enough to go 3 times...2001, 2007, and 2009.  In 2001 I was able to get a sweet deal because no one was travelling after 9-11.  In 2007 and 2009 I saved up and did extra side work to pay for the trips.  This year we saved and saved...I wasn't sure we would make it (I had yet another pay cut and could not work as much after hours due to my health).  But we cut back (a lot) and put every penny aside. Whoo hoo the trip is booked and I am overjoyed.  The boys like DL but not nearly the obsession of mine. Hee hee. I expect this to be our last DL trip for awhile.  William is more important and that boy is going to college!!