Month: August 2014

For the first time this summer, I laughed out loud during a blockbuster–and it was in a good way.

Marvel’s latest offering, Guardians of the Galaxy, is a refreshing new look at the marvel universe that does almost everything right. For slightly over two hours and enjoyed the simple, forward moving plot and never once asked myself, “How does this all lead to the new Avengers movie?” Instead I laughed, whispered inside jokes to my kids and enjoyed the audience around me enjoying the same thing I was seeing on screen: the film Transformers 4 wished it could’ve been.

The plot of the Guardians movie follows a human name Peter Quill who is thrust into a life of space privateering long before he is ready. As a result Quill is a character who desperately hangs on to the past. That struggle is symbolized by an object which brought to mind the Indiana Jones movies of old. Everything else about the film is old school, from the relationships between the protagonists and antagonists to the special cameo in the requisite after-the-credits scene. Quill and allies become embroiled in a conflict much larger than themselves and must learn to work together and with those around them in order to save the world. Sound vaguely Avenger-esque? It should, because the Guardians are built on the same template, though without the ‘Power brings responsibility’ angle so common to traditional heroes. Lets get this straight up front. These aren’t the well known heroes of everyday comics. The Guardians come from deep in the C list. However, Guardians of the Galaxy benefits from its obscurity. It is a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously and allows the director to explore a previously unregarded aspect of the Marvel Universe without the increasingly heavy burden of fan expectation.

I think Marvel is primed to score big at the box office and can find simple ways to continue tying this part of the world to the world we all know, love, and have grand expectations from. Still, the nature of the Guardians will allow viewers to put aside those lofty expectations and enjoy what is a great film and certain to have a great sequel.

Lets get right to it.

 

Some Thoughts:

1. My fascination with Lindsey Stirling grows and apparently I’m not alone. Others in the industry are pumped up to work with her. I went so far as to pick up an album. That’s a big deal for me. I don’t buy a lot of music anymore–especially new music for myself and not stuff for the kids.
2. I asked my son if he wanted to try out for the middle school flag football squad and he replied, “I only want to play for you, Dad.” Thats a touching thing to hear from your son as a dad and a coach. I don’t want to jump to conclusions and say he’s not interested in playing, but I do wonder if this is something all kids with dad/coach situations go through. I want him to try out more than ever now–just for an opportunity to stand on his own. I don’t have this issue with the mid-kid. He is itching to join a club soccer team and fully aware that I don’t coach it.
3. I’m terribly gleeful when it rains in the desert. I’m half-driven to start clearing out the ground for the new treehouse since it will be so damp and easy to move.
4. Mona and Beth from the Amazing Race are doing a series of commercials for Walmart. I generally do not condone selling out but I’ll make an exception in this case. Its smart business to capitalize on that moment. In the very least it cements your popularity and all but guarantees a spot on an Amazing Race All Stars season, since they’ll bring in viewers (and sponsors).
5. Finished my second ever organized basketball season with an undefeated season (we got a tee shirt!) and a loss in the finals on a last second shot. I truly believe I understand how the Patriots felt back in the day. Not the level of the emotion but the flavor of it.
6. The first bursts of communication from my working life are arriving from my deep psyche. The other night I dreamed about assignment sheets. The dream was very useful and may provide a new way of delivering information to the students. Still, it is too early in the month to return to what is to be a very busy 9 months of work…