Avatar

HWMBO is opposed to the high prices charged in movie theatres for first-run movies. We have lifetime membership passes to the Prince Charles Cinema, and rarely if ever go to see movies in other cinemas, even though I am a member of the BFI on South Bank and should be going over there regularly to see films. We haven't been to but one or two films in the Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in the last 5 years. Thus do our tastes change as we both get older. I suspect that the BFI membership will be allowed to lapse at the end of this year.

So I wasn't surprised when HWMBO arrived home on Saturday from shopping with a large bag of popcorn and a copy of Avatar which he had borrowed from the library on the Walworth Road. He was very proud that he had a coupon allowing him to borrow it for free (I believe it's normally GBP 1.00) so we get to watch the movie for the price of a bag of popcorn (I think it was about 70 pence, around US$1.10).

So we settled down yesterday evening to watch it, in old-fashioned 2D. The movie was lush, showing what throwing lots of resource at the problem of creating an alien environment can do. I enjoyed the movie itself and, as would be expected, found the Na'vi, with their big wide-set eyes, quite attractive. Interesting that Sigourney Weaver was cast in it, undoubtedly giving rise to memories of the Alien franchise.

The movie must have been even more lush in 3D, with all the jumping off precipices, flying around, and other vertigo-inducing features. I somewhat regret that we didn't go to see it in 3D—if it is ever shown in 3D here again in a movie theatre, or in the IMAX theatre at Waterloo, I'll be on it like a shot.

However, thinking of the plot (which was very affecting), my summary, in a phrase: "Cowboys and Indians, and the Indians win this time."

I expect there will be a sequel (or at least a possible or contemplated sequel) where the corporation that wants the Unobtanium returns with more firepower and engages the Na'vi once again. I don't know whether this would be a mistake or not. To go as far as Shrek or Toy Story would be quite wrong for Avatar.

Marblehead Police Log for August 8, 2010

I haven't posted from the Marblehead Police log for a while as the Marblehead Reporter has fragmented the entries: there used to be one entry a week, but they now post them a few days after the date in the report. It became too troublesome to follow it, so I stopped.

However the Reporter's Facebook entry pointed out today's entry, and I think it's worthy of inclusion in its entirety. I don't know whether it was a full moon yesterday, but, boy, it must have seemed like it in Marblehead.

Marblehead Reporter
Posted Aug 09, 2010 @ 01:55 PM
Marblehead —
Excerpts from the Marblehead police log of Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010.

Group of teenagers reported on Captains Walk Lane at 12:11 a.m.

Assisted Swampscott Police in locating an 18-year-old Marblehead resident who had gotten separated from group after reportedly consuming six to eight shots of alcohol at 1:30 a.m. He was found by Swampscott Police in need of medical attention near Prospect and Pleasant streets in that town.

Trespassers reported on Nahant Street dock at 1:41 a.m.

A rollover accident occurred near the intersection of Creesy and Green streets and Lincoln Avenue at 3:14 a.m., with vehicle coming to rest on a fence. Responders found driver out of the vehicle with a laceration to his hand. Driver was transported to the hospital and the car was towed. Log notes that the home at 33 Green St. suffered damage to its fence, bushes and a rock wall. Father of driver later called to report that son was home from hospital.

Group of kids, one of whom was throwing up, was reported on Ocean Avenue at 3:39 a.m. Perhaps they had encountered the ice cream truck cited later in this entry. Ed.

Missing person on Ocean Avenue reported at 4:04 a.m. eventually returned home later in the day.

Workers doing construction too early on a Sunday morning reported on Beach Street at 8:52 a.m. Homeowner said it was a miscommunication with the workers, who should not have been there.

Caller reported at 10:40 a.m. having left wallet behind School Street café the night before.

Marblehead resident confirmed bicycles found in possession of larceny suspects in Swampscott a day earlier had in fact been stolen from his Conant Road home at 11:05 a.m.

Caller reported that “nonstop” music from ice-cream truck parked on Atlantic and Seaview avenues was making her crazy at 1:19 p.m. Police determined truck was in Swampscott. Officer: I'm citing you for driving a woman crazy with your music. Ice-cream man: But I'm in Swampscott, not Marblehead. Officer: OK, as you were. Ed.

Amesbury Police reported finding a stripped vehicle in their town whose last listed owner was a Marblehead resident at 1:40 p.m. Resident reported having traded in car three months earlier. Typical Registry of Motor Vehicles—always one step behind the miscreants. Ed.

Employee of School Street ice-cream shop reported she had been assaulted at 1:53 p.m. I wonder if she had any relation to the ice-cream truck above. Anyone beginning to see a pattern here? Ed.

Walk-in reported hearing a hit-and-run accident involving a parked vehicle on Middle Street at Washington Square at 3:24 p.m.

Vehicle that drove the wrong way up Lee Street reported at 4:41 p.m.

Walk-in reported at 7:48 p.m. that his boat had been struck by another boat while moored in Salem Harbor. Man reported he learned of the incident from a note left by a witness, who also reported that he had been able to get video of the striking boat.

Caller reported that a family member had allegedly stolen over $100,000 from them. Family wrote up a no-trespass letter and delivered a signed copy to the police station.

An Alzheimer’s patient with history of wandering was found in Lynn after being reported missing at 8:29 p.m. The prolonged search involved local police and fire personnel, who at one point used thermal-imaging cameras to search the Steer Swamp area, and a K-9 unit from the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, among others. The State Police Air Unit was en route from Springfield when the man was found. The man was brought to Salem Hospital. The log indicates he would be fitted with a Project Lifesaver bracelet. You would have to have memory difficulties to end up wandering in Lynn. I'm glad he survived the ordeal. Ed.

Car full of kids being driven erratically with passengers who threw bags of trash out the window while traveling from Marblehead High School to the area of Ocean and Harbor avenues at 10:39 p.m. Officer spoke to parent of driver. It's the Rum Raisin ice-cream, ossifer! It made us do it! Ed.