Guide Gushing...

Okay, so I just saw 'Hitchhiker's Guide' and I'm afraid I'm gonna hafta geek out on anyone reading this. Alot's happened since my last post, Liz and I went to our Family Reunion, I saw Patton Ozwalt, we've been fighting off allergies... and sleep, but I'll skip to the end and say the movie's what's worth writing about.

I've been a Douglas fan since Jr. High, and apart from being wonderful books, they're exactly the kinds of things you read that demand that you ask the question, "Wouldn't this make a kick-ass movie?" Which inevitably lead to such statements as, "They'll only screw it up." or, "It'd be impossible to do this, they'd have to cut all the good bits out." This was so not the case. The film does take from things done in both science fiction and comedy movies. The opening is very 'Python', and there are some clearly 'Gilliam' moments to it, but there are bits that either in the comic timing, or by pure wit are uniquely it's own. The special effects are a mixture of Henson Film life sized puppets and Lucas Film-calliber CGI. There were a number of throw backs and nods to the previous incarnations of the story. If you've seen the BBC television show, you'll recognize the original 'Marvin' robot on the planet of Vogsphere... or perhaps I've said too much. Mos Def is excellent as Ford Prefect proving he really can do anything, even comedy. Sam Rockwell's insanity rivals that of Alice's Mad Hatter on this trip through the looking glass, playing his President of the Galaxy with a not so subtle 'W' twist, and Martin Freeman's Arthur is every moment hillarious. Look out for a cameo from Simon Jones the original Arther Dent from the Radio series and the TV show, a nice touch.

More than anything, I left with the feeling of complete satisfaction that's rare to get from any individual Sci-Fi, Comedy, or Novel Adaptation, let alone one that is all three. It's apparent that the movie was taylored to please Douglas himself, and in doing so pleased the audience on both sides of the pond. It is specifically a british comedy, but it's balances the tighrope well as being open to American audiences without becoming the least bit 'Hollywood'. In short, it's just what I wanted in Jr. High. I know I'm supposed to be critical and cynical and pick apart the plot points, but what's the point. It's actually an entertaining flick.

For those who didn't know, Douglas Adams passed away May 11, 2001 at only 49 years old. At the end of the movie, the words "For Douglas" appeared, and Liz and I began clapping. It was a total 'slow-clap' experience where we began, then our row, then someone yells out "Yay Douglas!" then the whole crowd applauds. Then we left, therefore missing the stinger at the end of the credits, which MSN's review says is worth the wait. I'm not upset, I will be seeing this movie again in the theater. I haven't done that since the last Star Wars (I said I was geeking out) and I've already planned ahead of time to be semi-disappointed by the next SW flick. Okay, enough slobber over this one. I'm sure they'll be a sequel, and there are 3 more books waiting after that. So see the movie, read the books, pick up 'Salmon of a Doubt' and 'Dirk Gently' while you're at it. You'll thank me. =)

Dobie

Newlyweds, Newly-friends

Before the week winds down completely, I wanted to file another post to the site. I'd been meaning to do this first thing on Monday, but to be honest, it amazes me I made it this far without taking a day off to crash. Last weekend, Liz and I drove up to Athen's Georgia to see Liz's friend from high School, Katrina, get married. The wedding was really nice, and I say this having attended a slew of weddings within the last couple-a years. Now, since 'nice' doesn't really sum it all up, I'll go into a little more detail. The wedding was outdoors behind a big Georgia brick house (which unlike a Florida brick house would include a basement) The gowns and suits were well done, traditional with an orange accent - which I thought was bold, and yet it really worked. The thing that I really liked about it all though was the company. After half a dozen "Family" and "Friends of Family" type affairs, this was the first "Friends" wedding I've been to since my friend's Jim and Mandy got hitched. We stayed with Nancy and Micheal (and now that we've met I can call her Nancy, not "Nancy Liz's friend from High School") who were absolutely the best hosts I've even known, (sorry Jim and Mandy =) Also, Nancy and Liz's friend (also from HS) Daniel and her sig. other Mitchel stayed with us. Then at the actual gig, we met up with my old roommate Carrie and her sig. other Ed, who I had met a couple-a times, both of which new Liz from before my time with them. So here we are, 8 of us 30 somethings, or soon to be 30 somethings, Gen X'ers er whatever, keepin' it real and all that jazz and suddenly I feel like I'm in the 21st century version of The Big Chill. Which actually was kinda nice. You ever experience that nervous feeling before meeting the old friends of your spouse/sig. other (by the way, I love the term sig. other. I think it's a super-cool new thing people are doing. Not that marriage isn't for me, I can't wait for Liz to be a Dobie too, I just think it's good to break the trends of "marriage first, get-ta-knowya later" thing). Well, we weren't havin' it. I totally bonded with Mitchel and Micheal, and felt like Nancy and Daniel were really on Liz's wave-length, which is cool because it kinda fleshed Liz out even more for me, ya know? Connecting with that whole HS experience, lookin' over old pictures an' stuff (I still want a copy of the 'forbidden' video tape guys =) I'd have liked to spend more time w/ Katrina, cause the reception was right there after the wedding, but by the time the party decided to take it on the road, we were all too beat to bounce. That Sunday, before Liz n' I took off, we had a fabulous brunch at The Last Resort Grill the six of us. It felt like we had known each other forever, but in truth we were all either meeting each other for the first time, or re-meeting the versions of ourselves that we all turned into after HS. I'm so glad that all of them (including Carrie and Ed, and Katrina and Raul, and yes Mandy and Jim =) will all be invited to our wedding. Hopefully we haven't given them all enough time to come up with excuses not to show. So, inclosing I'll say Congratulations to the newlyweds, I'm glad I metcha to the newly-friends, and Have an excellent weekend! I for one, will be sleeping in :)
P.S. Friday night we stayed up late and watched Showgirls on USA where they digitally manufactured bras to cover up the nudity which made the flick 1/2 way watchable in the first place. We all agreed it was the best worst movie ever, and even worse on television. So, that's why for the movie of the week (sorry Ma).