Panda Baby

Apparently the new panda baby is doing well at the National Zoo. They are having a contest to name the baby (well, more like voting to choose one of 3 names). The new baby isn't on display yet, but it will be worth a visit once that happens. In the meantime, here's a picture of papa panda from my last trip to the Zoo.

Serenity (non spoiler) review

Had the opportunity to see Serenity at a preview screening at the lovel Regal Cinema in Chinatown the other night.

First, in case you're wondering, no, you don't have to have seen the show or read anything to enjoy the movie - it's just fine all by itself with no context. If you're a fan of the show or Joss Wheedon's other work, you'll get more out of it by knowing the backstory. On the other hand, you're probably not counting on my review to make the decision to see the movie. But just in case you were, SEE THE MOVIE!!!

It's funny, it's touching, it's sad, it's good versus evil, individual versus big government, all the fun things you want in a space movie. Plus a girl who totally kicks butt! (I think Joss has a think for strong, warrior women, but that beats the screaming, helpless female all to hell.)

I saw it with a crowd of the already converted, but everyone I heard talking about it later on the Metro truly enjoyed it.

I'm going to see if can get the soundtrack on iTunes. And trying to figure out when I can see it again (after MirrorMask).

Serenity Now!

In preparation for Friday's release of Serenity, I'm spending all day Sunday recovering from the Book Festival and watching Firefly on DVD.

For anyone who doesn't already know, here's a synopsis:

Joss Whedon, the Oscar® - and Emmy - nominated writer/director responsible for the worldwide television phenomena of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE, ANGEL and FIREFLY, now applies his trademark compassion and wit to a small band of galactic outcasts 500 years in the future in his feature film directorial debut, Serenity. The film centers around Captain Malcolm Reynolds, a hardened veteran (on the losing side) of a galactic civil war, who now ekes out a living pulling off small crimes and transport-for-hire aboard his ship, Serenity. He leads a small, eclectic crew who are the closest thing he has left to family –squabbling, insubordinate and undyingly loyal.

All your old favorites plus David Krumholtz (and can I just say that if my math professors were like his character on Numb3rs, I'd have a PhD by now).