Review: The Dark Knight

The last time I went to an IMAX theater was in Zion's when Mom and Dad took me just after I got off my mission. So I had forgotten what IMAX is like. One of the first shots in the film is an aerial view of "Gotham" (I think it was actually Chicago) and it kind of took my breath away. All my eyes could see was the screen. You are "in" the movie the whole time.

Anyway ... the movie was awesome! Everyone has been raving about how great a job Ledger did with the Joker and they are spot on with their opinions. I've never seen a more evil villain. Anton Chigurh from "No Country for Old Men" is up there, but the Joker from The Dark Knight tops him.

The plot was very good. I'm not a professional movie critic, but I thought the story line was pretty good. I got lost a couple of times, but for the most part, to me the story was believable.

The action sequences, the Batmobile, the Bat-bike and all the gadgets Batman used were cool as expected.

As for that WSJ article and the comparison of Batman with GWB ... I agree. In fact despite the symbolism of it all, it really wasn't symbolistic. They discussed themes that are very relevant to the war on terror as we know it today.

When I was done watching all two and a half hours of it, I liked it so much, I was ready to make a short pit stop and then go watch it again. I think I'll be going again this week on my seven days off.

One other thought ... Jill and I have been watching all the past seasons of "24" We are in the middle of season two currently. But I told Jill that The Dark Knight is a lot like 24 where they are flashing between multiple scenes and plots at the same time. The movie doesn't have the multiple screens up, but they do flash between scenes and back again very quickly which gave the movie a very fast pace. You sit on the edge of your seat a lot of the time.

The Dark Knight

While getting the kids lunch today, I was listening to Rush Limbaugh. He was reading a WSJ piece about the comparing GWBush and Batman and the war on terror. I'm going to the IMAX version of The Dark Knight tonight, so my ears perked up when I heard Rush talking about Batman.


I read the WSJ article (you can read it here) and found it very interesting. I remember Rush talking about this same subject when Lord of the Rings came out a few years ago. Anyway, read the article ... it's interesting.

I'll post a short review of The Dark Knight after I see it this evening. I'm very excited to see this!

Cami Opening Presents

Emma our artist has done Cami's birthday poster the last two years. I think she did a great job on this year's too!

Millie Turns Two

I know Jill is really busy and everything, but I was a bit shocked when she didn't post Mille's birthday pictures this week. We actually celebrated her birthday the day before on the 20th. We had our neighbor friends over for some appetizers and dessert.

Camille was a little frightened when everyone sang. She put her hands up to her mouth and started to cry ... poor thing. Then when Jill tried to light the candles, she didn't like that either. So we just stuck two candles in and called it good!

She dug right into the cake.

Some pictures of our friends who came over.

A Visit from Uncle Richard

Richard came into town. He managed to stop by for a short visit and some dessert. The kids were very excited about this visit all day long. We even convinced them to take a nap so they could stay up late enough to see Uncle Richard.

Cami really love Richard. She kept climbing on his lap and giving him loves ... it was sweet. Ben and Emma were showing off for him the whole time. It was a lot of fun. Erick and Jill had gone on some errands. So by the time they got home, Lemonhead was a little tired and was too shy (or tired) to get excited like the other three.

Anyway, it was fun chatting and seeing you Richard! Please come again when you find some new investors here in Big D.

Happy Fourth!

We started the day at our ward's pancake breakfast and bike parade. The kids and I and our neighbors Kasi and Kandis rode our bikes to the church which is maybe 1 mile away. We realized Emma had a flat tire halfway there and we weren't about to turn back. So, her and Kandis took turns riding that bike and we made it! However, poor Emma did most of the riding and she was very tired (and grumpy)once we made it.

Here is a picture of us tired and hot after our long bike ride to the church.



We had a good time tho, we did the flag ceremony and then enjoyed the hot cakes. Don and the little ones met us there. Next was the parade. It was a very short parade around the church due to the heat. The bishop threw out candy for the participants.

Emma was the parade's leader





Even Camille participated in the parade



Here is the whole fam


After the big party, we went home and relaxed, watched Wimbledon and played the wii. Don had to work that night (bummer) and so he left around 5pm while the kids and I went out in the backyard and got wet and did fireworks. We ended by eating this fun and festive cake. Unfortunately, we did not do the big fireworks. I was not going to brave that alone with 4 kids! There is always next year! We had a good day tho and hope you did too!

I couldn't resist posting this cute picture of Camille.

My Little Artist

Here is a picture of her that I took this morning, quite the model huh?




Now, here is a sample of her artwork.



Just look closely at this picture, there is a fan blowing the curtains, the curtains have tassals, she included a hanging picture on the wall with people in it, there is a lamp in the room. The details are quite fascinating and I think she is quite the little artist!

BLOCKS!!!

Look what our neighbor made for us. He is a carpenter and made us a huge set of building blocks. I have been wanting a set since I first had my kids and so we are very excited. We woke up this morning to find the kids building and having lots of fun. Besides this wonderful man who made us our blocks, there is one other family in our neighborhood who we have become quite good friends with. We are grateful for good neighbors who are good influences on our children.