All it takes is a little push.

Yesterday I saw The Dark Knight and it was magnificent. Seeing it in IMAX was exactly the right decision: during every action sequence, I watched with eyes wide open like a child. (As opposed to several times during the non-action sequences when I cried like a child.) It is a masterwork, a gloriously moving epic that earns its place as a new highwater mark in comic book movies.

I was actually a little late for the movie, which technically was okay since I'd already seen the first scene online. However, I'd really wanted to see that sequence on the real big screen, if only for that first look at the Joker's face, a shit-disturbing few seconds that's scarier than any horror movie I've seen in a long time.

But don't take my word for it. You could take the word of the 94% fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes if you wanted but really, see it for yourself if you want and if you don't, just pass it on. I was already anticipating the people who'd have the lack of balls to give it a bad review and by that, I don't mean people who actually disliked it or found it flawed. Rather, I mean people who just want to be contrary. All-purpose trolls, if you will. Entertainment Weekly called them pop culture bullies and I'd say that's accurate. I recognize tendencies in myself (and the internet tends both to reward and to foster those tendencies) but I've got a friend who is a textbook Insulter and let me tell you, internets--it is so tedious. Anyway, like what you want. Unless it's certain jambands.

What made the experience sublime is that I saw it at the Space and Rocket Center. After the requisite purchase of astronaut food, I was walking down the hallway to exit when I was struck by a painting on the wall.



(Enjoy my surreptitiously-taken-with-my-phone photo.)

It was done by Fred Freeman (it took me a few minutes to puzzle out that signature), who did a number of illustrations regarding space research for magazines like Collier's and who also illustrated a children's book Wernher von Braun wrote called First Men to the Moon. Unfortunately, it seems to be a task to find Freeman's art online. Even eBay had only one print. I must do some more searching. I don't know what it is about his work that I like--it just speaks to me for some reason.

Also, it was Reunion Weekend so Space Camp alumni were there, as well as the Saturn/Apollo team members who made the impossible dream of space a reality. Cheers to impossible dreams.

And speaking of things that move me, here is a video clip.. Lemme say beforehand that you may get distracted so we'll just mention it now--yes, Harrod's apparently had an Exotic Animals department. Thought about it? Okay, good.

What? I'm not crying, you're crying!