Great Escape Weekend

This past weekend, Erika took me to The Great Escape for our anniversary (yes, our anniversary was a few weeks ago, but this was the time we had to celebrate).

Things started on Friday when we said goodbye to Kasey (he was watched by Nana & Papa Reyell) and headed out to Lake George around 3:30 p.m. We arrived just after 5 p.m. and checked into a hotel right next to The Great Escape. Erika decided to take me out to dinner at my favorite restaurant Red Lobster - I knew she doesn't like seafood, so I tried to persuade her to go to Outback instead, but we didn't.

I hadn't been to Red Lobster in awhile, and in the past I had always purchased the shrimp platter. This time, however, that was not on the menu, so I got crab legs and shrimp. Erika got a spicy chicken alfredo - she didn't like it.

So, we went back to the hotel room and got some nice rest before our day at The Great Escape the next morning. The room was ok, but I was expecting more. There were marks on the walls and doors, we ordered a room with a large tub in the room, but it wasn't large enough - the bed was comfortable, but overall the room was just subpar.

With Kasey gone for the night, I was hoping to be able to sleep in the next morning, but Erika was wide awake at 7 a.m. So, we got ready and had breakfast before heading down to the park.

A few years ago, Six Flags took over The Great Escape - so we were hoping for things to be updated and fixed up - it wasn't. We didn't go on any of the water rides, but we hit all of the rollercoasters. I was just disappointed that things have not been updated or fixed up, plus a few rides have been removed. Basically, the only thing changed is the name and the prices went up.

Despite the fact that things didn't really go the way we expected, it was nice to spend the day with Erika - with Kasey around and being so busy all of the time, we don't get to spend too much time together, just the two of us - so that was nice.

Sunday was Father's Day and Kasey got me a razor and Sesame Street card (thanks Mom). We went to my parents for lunch and to give grandpa his card. Finally, we had a graduation party for Erika's cousin before we finally were able to go home.

I finished the day with mowing the lawn, watching the final hole of the U.S. Open then starting the Basketball Finals.

During the day yesterday, Erika and I did get a chance to watch Juno. We had been wanting to watch it for awhile now, and it finally showed up on Friday from Netflix.

She quickly pointed out that it reminded her a lot of Napoleon Dynamite which of course was due to the fact of the odd music and that it too was an indie film.

The movie itself wasn't as special as I was expecting with all of the hype, but overall was a pretty good movie. I was sort of disappointed with the ending, but I can deal with it. Jason Bateman and J.K. Simmons were very good in the film. Ellen Page and Michael Cera were both good as well, but I sort of despised Jennifer Garner's character - perhaps I was supposed to, I don't know.

Despite the over-hyping I will give this movie a 3/5 (in my old rankings). Check it out, it's worth a watch.

Random Netflix Movie #5: Numb

I usually tend to watch these Random Netflix Movies when I have a brief amount of time on my hands, therefore they tend to run within the 90 minute range. So, I am almost always browsing the comedy section - most comedies can usually be told with 90 minutes.

So, I happened upon this movie called Numb starring Matthew Perry. I have been a huge fan of Perry for awhile, heightened of course by his portrayal as Chandler on Friends. So when seeing him in a starring role for a film, I thought I would check it out - heck it was also in the comedy section.

Well, I have to say that Netflix really got their labels wrong on this one. Perhaps they saw Perry in a film, and much like me, assumed it must be a comedy. But, I didn't really laugh during this film - it's premise was definitely more on the drama side.

Hudson (Perry) has lost touch with reality. He is diagnosed with depersonalization (quick definition: Depersonalization (or depersonalisation) is an 'alteration' in the perception or experience of the self so that one feels 'detached' from, and as if one is an 'outside' observer of, one's mental processes or body.)

Throughout the film he is desperately trying to find a cure for this ailment. He is a 'writer' along with his partner Tom (Kevin Pollack) - Hudson, as he later describes, is not really the writer, but the bullshitter when it comes time to pitch Tom's ideas to companies. During a pitch, he meets Sara (Lynn Collins) and is somewhat, but not completely, brought out of his head and into reality. They form a quick bond and soon are a couple. Despite still suffering from his ailment, Hudson asks Sara to marry him - and her reaction is to wait until he is fixed. But, he doesn't believe he is ever going to be fixed, and in order to ease her out of loving him, he sabotages the relationship.

After a string of therapists, including a cognitive specialist named Dr. Cheryl Blaine (Mary Steenburgen), with whom he has a sexual relationship with, and she becomes attached to him - Hudson realizes there might be no hope.

The only true stability in Hudson's life has been his father. His mother was distant, and his older brother hardly had anything to do with him - but his father was always there for him, and always comforted him. Hudson had always been afraid to talk about his father and death, in fear of losing him. But it wasn't until his father did die that he started to take charge of his disease (that and his arrest for stealing shoes).

Hudson was able to track down Sara at a video store and confessed his true feelings to her, telling her that he would love her for ever no matter what, but it would be nicer with her in the picture.

This movie had sort of a Garden State feel to it. Zach Braff's character in Garden State was also a highly medicated person, who had no real connection with the outside world - he too was always inside of his own head. And it was a girl that helped him figure things out in the end.

Although I went into the movie expecting a comedy, I wasn't totally disappointed. I felt Perry did a pretty nice job in the film, and although I am not really familiar with Collins, she too was pretty decent. I give the film a 3/5. Although, I would recommend Garden State ahead of this one.

Newsworthy Notes: I plan on revamping my grading process a little bit. I am a frequent visitor to the blog of Random Ramblings of a Demented Doorknob and I like the way he has his ratings setup (as long as he doesn't mind of course). I will try and figure out my own little way of using movie quotes to rate the movies, though.

Another blog should be out today, if I have time, documenting my wonderful weekend. So check back if you wish.

Marvin the Martian

Everybody has their favorite cartoon character for some reason or another. I am a huge fan of a number of different characters. Woody from Toy Story, Mike from Monsters, Inc., Donkey from Shrek, etc.

But, there has always been one character that truly is above them all: Marvin the Martian.

I usually tend to gravitate towards the lesser knowns, and when I was looking through cartoons - Marvin wasn't used nearly as often as the other characters. So seeing him was a real treat.

The fascination was truly propelled when I won a Marvin the Martian t-shirt at a school dance. It was like a sign or something, he was meant to be the character for me.

Since then, however, I feel Marvin has grown in popularity. Back in the day, it was always Bugs or Daffy or Porky, but now the lesser known characters have become more popular. That still doesn't mean he isn't my favorite.

I am not sure what it is about him, his odd voice, the fact that he is an alien or if he just looks interesting, but for years now he has been my one constant.


Some interesting facts about Marvin:

1. Made is debut in Haredevil Hare in 1948.
2. His likeness is on both the Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers.
   
3. Originally had no name, but was known as Commander X-2.
4. Voiced by Mel Blanc originally.
5. Also voiced by Bob Bergen, Eric Goldberg and currently Joe Alaskey.
6. Hails from Mars.
7. Has a dog named K-9.
8. Was the referee in the movie Space Jam.
9. Can currently be seen in Duck Dodgers.

Haredevil Hare

Subliminal Messages?

In the fourth day of Cartoon Week, I have decided to look at what can only be described as the 'mistakes' of cartoons.

Throughout the years a number of Disney films have been accused of sticking in random objects or messages in their films that most closely resemble sexual images or audio.

I will now submit a few examples that I have found:

In The Lion King, when adult Simba collapses on top of a hill he lands on a patch of dandelions. These dandelions let off a bunch of pollen that travels into the air and appears to form the word 'SEX' (see picture). According to the animators of The Lion King the letters actually formed are 'SFX', which is short of special effects. They say that it was sort of a signature they put into the film - it has since been removed entirely in newer releases.

Another example is found in Aladdin. When Aladdin visits Jasmine at her castle, he is met by her trusty guard tiger, Rajah and they 'wrestle' on the balcony. In a lightly sounded audio, you can clearly hear the words 'Come on, take off all your clothes'. The original audio was supposed to be 'Come on, good kitty', but the other version made it into the film. It has since been removed and replaced with, "Come on, down kitty'. Disney has stated that it is something that might have accidentally been grafted onto the soundtrack.

A film with a couple of hidden accidents is The Little Mermaid. On the original artwork that was released with the film, a point on King Triton's castle appears to look like a penis. The company admits it's mistake, and chalks it up to a late night rush job by the animator. The second 'accident' in the film is of the priest at during Eric and human Ursula's wedding appears to have an erection during the scene. The priest is of small stature, and it is possible the animator was trying to show the priest's knees. Both incidents have since been removed from later versions of the film.


Finally, and possibly the worst, is in the film The Rescuers. In the scene where Bernard and Miss Bianca are flying through NYC on Orville - an image in the background appears to be of a nude woman. It is very brief and not clear when the film is in regular motion, but with the pause ability, it is indeed a nude woman in the background. This has also been corrected in newer releases.

So, is Disney specifically placing these messages into their films? Are people just too sensitive and making innocent pictures and objects into a sexual innuendo? Are animators just getting bored and seeing what they can get away with?

There are many questions, and possibly ones that just won't ever be answered. I feel that some of these can possibly be mistakes - such as The Lion King or The Little Mermaid. I can see that is possible for those to be mistakenly viewed as sexual. But, The Rescuers is absolutely not a mistake. There is no denying a naked woman's picture is in the background. And it didn't get there by accident.

I am not really sure that any of these are affecting our children, however. Most children who are watching these films are not even aware of what these images are yet - so technically it shouldn't be affecting them. It is also way too quick for most people to see - just those that are actually looking for it.

These instances are quite comical to me in a way. But, now that I am a father and I know my son is going to be watching these movies, has my stance changed? Probably a little. If in fact he does happen to see these images and asks that question - it's too early for him to know the real answer.

I am a strong believer in the fact that censorship is a terrible thing in America. But, people need to know where to draw the line - these are children's films, and these images/audio should not be mixed in.

Disney Afternoon

I have not been an avid watcher of Saturday Morning Cartoons in quite some time now. I do remember a short time in my childhood when this was the best thing about the weekends. Then, I started to enjoy my sleep - so waking up early to catch the cartoons was no longer worth it.

I believe that early morning cartoons on weekends were invented for the parents, instead of the children. Send the kids downstairs to watch cartoons while the parents catch up on some much needed snooze time.

I, however, am now waking up in the early morning hours again thanks to my 20-month old son. He is not a huge fan of television yet, but he does have a few shows that he will watch parts of. He enjoys the Backyardigans and our Saturday morning fix of My Friends Tigger & Pooh and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Cartoons have changed a lot since I was a kid. Most are educational in a way, especially the new Spanish learning cartoons like Dora and Diego.

My favorite cartoons, however, weren't the Saturday Morning Cartoons, but during the week after school. I remember getting home just in time to watch The Disney Afternoon, and would watch the two hours of cartoons until supper was ready. It was perfect for kids getting home from school.

The first year of Disney Afternoon consisted of The Gummi Bears, DuckTales, Chip 'n Dale's Rescue Rangers and Tale Spin. Each year, however, the first show would be removed and the shows would all slide up a half hour for the arrival of a new show at the backend of the two-hour block.

The first year was my favorite, though. The Gummi Bears was one of my all-time favorite cartoons, and losing it after just one year was disheartening. I did continue watching, however, as I enjoyed the newly installed Darkwing Duck. The following year, DuckTales was lost and Goof Troop was the new kid on the block. This, however, would be my final year of watching. It could have been because I was getting older, but I never truly got into Bonkers or especially Gargoyles.

The first three years, however, were my favorite cartoon years. I still remember the first commercial previewing the new Disney Afternoon, and how excited my sister and I were that we would have something to watch when we returned from school.

I don't seem to see anything like this on television anymore, but then again I might not be looking hard enough. Back then we didn't have as many television channels to choose from - and so far I am not a frequent viewer of Disney, Nickelodeon or Boom (I am sure I will be soon enough). But, as far as cable television, a Disney Afternoon-type block for kids just doesn't seem to exist.

I'll tell you what, though, sometimes I long for those lovable Gummi Bears.

For your viewing pleasure - the six intros to the Disney Afternoon.

Gummi Bears

DuckTales

Chip 'n Dale's Rescue Rangers

Tale Spin

Darkwing Duck

Goof Troop