Entertainment

Tonight I finished watching By the People: The Election of Barack Obama (2009).  From Wikipedia:

By the People: The Election of Barack Obama is a documentary film that came out in November 2009 on HBO. The film was produced by Edward Norton during the 2008 Presidential election of Barack Obama. It follows Obama and various members of his campaign team, including David Axelrod, through the two years leading up to November 4th, 2008.

I heard David Plotz pan this documentary on the Gabfest, accusing the filmmakers of squandering their behind-the-scenes access and not getting any amazing Obama moments.  I don’t really agree (there were several moments that I thought were great…prepping for a debate, chatting off-stage while he is introduced, etc.), especially since the film was as much about a variety of other campaign staffers as about Obama…and they were interesting to watch too.  As the film closed with those folks reacting to the election results, I was reminded how I felt that night too…and that was worth remembering.

I give it 4 out of 5.

On our 15th anniversary cruise back in July, Twilight (2008,PG-13) was showing in the ship’s theater.  I’d been planning to read it anyway (if the ladies occasionally watch football with us, we can occasionally read about romantic vampires), so I knocked the book out over a few days before watching it with the Crumps.  From ScreenIt!:

After relocating to a small town to live with her dad, a teenager meets and ends up falling for a teenage vampire who's torn between his love for her and his appetite for her blood.

I didn’t love the book or anything, but it was enjoyable enough.  Having read the book also made the film more interesting than it would have been otherwise.

I give the film 3 out of 5.

Several months back I watched The Dark Knight (2008,PG-13).  From ScreenIt!:

While trying to bring down various criminal figures, Batman must contend with a murderous psychopath who enjoys toying with him.

I enjoyed it.

I give it 4 out of 5.

On Saturday night of the June MS150 weekend, Eric and I went to see Star Trek (2009,PG-13) (continuing the tradition we started when we saw Iron Man last year).  From ScreenIt!:

The young and relatively inexperienced crew of a starship must set off on a rescue mission when a madman goes on an intergalactic spree of revenge.

I liked it.

I give it 4 out of 5.

A few months back we went to see Up (2009,PG) in the theater.  From ScreenIt!:

A 78-year-old widower uproots himself when he attaches balloons to his house and sets off for South America, unaware that an 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer has unintentionally come along for the ride.

I give it 4 out of 5.