February 18, 2000

Sorry about the lack of update AGAIN, yesterday. I really meant to do one once I got home, but then we got home and made dinner, and Independence Day was on Fox, so obviously I had to tape that, and then before I realized, it was 11 pm and I was sleepy, so I went to bed. Oops.

My priorities right now have become distinctly ordered. First, work. Second, going home and sitting on my ass to watch some TV. Third, sitting on my ass to watch some more TV. Fourth, sleeping.

ID4. The great part about Independence Day is that every time you watch it, you notice more glaring mistakes. I've seen it three times now, so I'm getting down to the really obscure ones. Like for example, in the chess-playing scene, the chess pieces are set up differently in the closeup than they are in the long shot. And some of the blue screen work in the fighter chase looks really crappy.

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but Keith served in the U.S. Navy for awhile as a reactor operator on a nuclear submarine. So every time I see a submarine on TV or in a movie, I ask him if that's what it was really like. Last night I asked him if being on a submarine was exactly like they showed it, with all the glowing green lights and the swooping periscope display. He said, "Oh, yes. Absolutely. It was exactly like that." So, I hit him with a pillow.

Later on, in the nuclear bomb scene, he started laughing when the guy was using his periscope. "Oh, yeah," he said, "way to use your PERISCOPE during a NUCLEAR EXPLOSION." I said, "But, but, he has a False Spectrum Override!" So then Keith started laughing even harder and said, "Oh, yeah! Way to use your ELECTRONIC PERISCOPE in your ELECTRONIC TANK in a NUCLEAR EXPLOSION!"

Keith thought that part was really funny. My favorite part, however, was the part where they show all the people all across the world huddling in their darkened huts, waiting desperately for The Americans to come up with a plan to save everybody. Seriously, it was dark everywhere in the world except for America, and the Americans were the only ones who had any electricity, or presumably running water, or two brain cells to rub together. I love that scene of the Iraqi villagers running up over the hill wearing their traditional garb, pointing confusedly at the sky. They're nutty Iraqi villagers! Look at the silly villagers! Look how silly they are! If only they lived in America, they would be smart, because all Americans are smart and brave and honest (except for that one presidential advisor) and all other nationalities are dumb and stupid and don't have electricity.

I really loved Independence Day. I loved it more than Armageddon, even.

THE FORUM: What's your favorite bad movie?

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