So I finally got a chance and saw the movie. I can honestly say that I have seen all four Indy movies in the theater. Which is pretty cool. You cannot review this movie on its own merits. Right off the bat I will say that I really liked it. It might actually be better than The Last Crusade but only time will tell with me.

The MacGuffen device was good. I know its very different than holy objects but lets face it. How pissed off would everyone be if he went in search of another Christian object. Raiders of Noahs Ark? Indiana Jones and the cross of Christ? Indiana Jones and the lost meaning of Kaballah? Well you get the idea. The Crystal Skulls where good and progressed the movie forward in a linear manner. I will say that the Skull itself should have been a little smaller. It was a very big awkward thing. But Oh well. The Idea was very cool and reminisced of 50’s sci fi which was cool.

Speaking of the 50’s, it was a little weird seeing Henry Jones Jr. in a different time period. It took a little getting used to, but towards the middle of the movie you say okay! And you finally give in and say thats what has to happen to properly place Indy’s age. I did not enjoy how however, how there where allusions of Indy’s past being larger than life. I think it distracted from the movie. We all now Indy is a badass and has adventured throughout the globe and this movie should be a new adventure. We do not need to know that he has already been to this part of the world when he was a kid. Spielberg did however make Canon the Young Indiana Jone Chronicle which is much better than dismissing the whole Franchise.

The whole cast was great. Every actor was on top of their game and the chemistry between all of them was good. There should be no complaints in the actors dept. Marion did look a little haggered but whatever. Shia did well as Indy’s son and i am glad they did not make him into just a carbon copy version of Indy. but I hope they don’t continue the series with him. It would not be right.

There where two thing major things that did not make this movie feel truly like a previous one. The lighting was all off. Although the lighting was good it was not a match of the original series. To many blooming effects and lens flares. Damn the lens flare. every shot practically had a damn lens flare. The other thing was the editing and pacing of the movie. It felt like one giant chase sequence. At no time did we relax and take in what was going on.

In all, I really liked the movie. It was more serious than The Last Crusade which I liked. Everything was fun and full of adventure which is the essence of Indy. It has a few flaws which are mostly continuity with the original three. If it was a new movie without any history it would have been great. It would have been impossible to be on par with Raiders. People even criticized Temple of Doom because it was not like the first one. I can honestly say that it was a good movie and a welcomed addition to the Indy franchise. Please, No more!

Christine was reading an article about how fathers in this age are taking on more responsibility with the raising of there children.  a generation ago fathers where the bread winners and would come home and deal out punishment for what the children did through the day.  Just wait till you father gets home!  That was then.  Now fathers our tending to their children in a more motherly type role.  What used to be deemed motherly duties are shared between parents.  Notice how there are now mens diaper bags and changing stations in the mens rooms?  all recent things.  I hadn’t thought of it to much and I used to laugh when my friend Sam would refer to himself as Auntie Sam.  He sews things for his daughter and even this evening showed off a cute lamb costume he made for Zoe.  Sam is also in charge of Zoe’s nighttime routine including reading her a story.  but I find myself having more in common with him and all our friends who have children.  They are all taking on a more active role than our fathers did with us.  Wierd how things like this change.  I attribute it to the dual income family.  Husbands and wives both have to work so they both have tend to the house and children.  I talk more about my thought on dual income in another post.

Which brings me to the point of this article.  Being a big nerd, from the moment I found out Christine and I where having a baby I   started reading father blogs.  here is a list of the ones I have found entertaining and useful.  I encourage you all that have kids or are going to have kids to look at them.  Tell me what you think!

zigzagmama

offsprung 

dadlabs 

geekdad

Well,  after my early departure from Softmirage, I was faced the daunting task of having two weeks off.  Oh what a glorious time it was.  I never once opened up a 3d program.  I spent many days with my kids.  I have a much better appreciation of all the hard work there grandparents put in during the week.  At times a was going a little brain dead trying to come up with activities for me and the boys to do.  Needless to say a few Disneyland trips where in order.  I braved the park by myself and them and realized watching two kids is hard.  On one of our trips I went with our friend Jen Fassoth and her girl.  We ended up having a blast but I must say that my arms are tired from carrying the boys in the queues.  I did take a couple of days off from the boys and hung out with my friends.  It was therapeutic.  I saw Iron man with Fulton and Angelo and I had forgotten how much fun our witty banter was.  I spent an eveing with Miss Ramos and we ended up drinking…  Alot!  I got a few drinks with James and had a night out with the boys Cam and Jeff.  I completed my landscaping job in the front yard and I must say, It looks scpectacular.  I put in so many sprinklers it looks like Fantasmic!

I developed a new bond with my kids.  It really is amazing watching these little guys grow.  They are talking so much and their little personalities are shining through.  It really is amazing being a dad.  I am really looking forward to knowing them and raising them for a long time.

I look forward to my new job with excitement and intimidation.  I have no ideas what to expect considering that I am moving into a larger firm with many more talented artists.  I hope I do well.  I will be carpooling to my new location and hope that we do not get on each others nerves. I think it will be fine though.  My new job offers me a 9 80 schedule which gives me every other Friday off.  I am really looking forward to spending more time with my kids.  Also,  it will start alleviating some of the pressure of my parents having to watch my kids 3 days in a row.

Well,  Thats it for now.  I also took the kids and Christine to the Huntington Library a couple of days ago.  I will post those pictures up soon and write a full story.  Wish me luck. I’m out

I guess I am a Jackass. Yesterday morning I went to the coffee shop by my house. When I parked my car I was a little crooked and taking up a little past the line. Fortunately there was almost no one else in the parking lot due to it being past morning commute time. After I ordered my coffee and bagel I get into my car and notice the conspicuous piece of paper on my windshield. I was taken back by the little note. Due people have nothing else better to do with there time than to print and cut these things out. And then take time to put them on peoples windshields. due they actually think there making a difference or due they feel better about themselves for doing it. Well! It pissed me off. Which I guess is the point in it. After sleeping on it for a day I know find myself being amused by it. I guess I will have to pay it forward since I kept the fake parking violation. I can’t wait for the next victim. Maybe I will feel the same things that the guy felt when he put this on my car.

Well, On Monday I officially gave my 2 weeks notice At my current place of employment. I would love to tell specific reasons on why but the bottom line is it came down to money and time off to spend with my family. My last day will be May 9th and I will be starting my new place of employment a week later. It will be nice to have a week off to hang out at home and get some things done around the house. I cannot reveal yet where I am going for my new job just in case there are spies out on the internet but lets just say that I am really excited and a little nervous as all big changes in life are. Will I like my new place, are the people fun to work with? I do not know yet. I will still be in the same business of architectural PreViz but I get the feeling that I will really be expanding on my artistic abilities and progressing forward in my career. I can honestly say that I do not take very risky chances! Well, that’s it for now. I will keep everyone posted on my transition.