Back From Xmas in Wisconsin

[abracanabra]

Home from Wisconsin. Gathered truly excessive quantities of loot, mostly from The Mad Scientist, who really did go craaaazy (list forthcoming). Himself spent quality time with his godson and niece. I managed to stay mostly sane, despite lack of internet access for most of the visit. I also caught a nasty cold (or brought it with me); today was worse than yesterday, so I'm hoping tomorrow's better!

Driving in was interesting, since we had about 10 feet of visibility in front of the car in the fog--that same night his parents hit, killed, and field-dressed a deer (and an uncle took it off to be mounted after butchering it the next day).

I had the usual culture-clash issues, but mostly everything went well, and I only had to step up (against general conservative red-neckedness) a couple of times, in a mostly unobtrusive way. His grandmother is growing crotchety and senile (as mine already have).

Came back and were greatly pleased to discover house unburnt, valuables unstolen, and cats undead--er, alive, that is. Bonus thanks to whoever shoveled our front walk (mischief03?); when I told the Mad Scientist it was done, he made various promises of sexual favors to the shoveler(s), which he then hastily recanted in hopes of not worrying the wife.

While we were there, also saw Aliens vs. Predator Requiem.
Although it was fairly enjoyable, I was sad afterwards. The quotient of Awesomeness was not as high as it should have been (I loved the first one), and I fairly wanted to smack the scriptwriter upside the head a few times, for offenses in plot, exposition, and dialog. Also wanted to steal the camera and pan out on a few scenes for a properly epic composition--increasing the lighting while I was at it. There were too many characters, all laden with exposition-heavy backgrounds, and insufficient development.

It was a lot more of a teen-scare movie than a proper monster movie, despite a generous hand with the gore. It wasn't terrible, it's fun, it'll be better in the theaters--but lowered expectations will increase your enjoyment.

Comments

[mischief03.livejournal.com]

That was me for the shoveling. I figured you'd both appreciate it, and that the city would not appreciate you not shoveling the walk.

[cloudscudding.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Mostly we were worried that it would be really obvious that nobody was home. Oh! I have a thank-you gift for you, too (this time, not a frog).