Well, the drive-in was really something.

BHK and I had a wonderful time! Let’s see… We got there at about 6:50 pm, and left at about 3:45 am. We got home at just about 5:15 am, to hear my alarm clock going off. That underlined the fact that I’d been awake for just a smidgen over 24 hours. (I left with BHK for the movies right from work yesterday.)

We bought an outside food permit for the car, but still hit the snack bar really hard. So much for a healthy diet this weekend. Between BHK and I, consumed were a bunch of egg rolls, a mega-tub o’ corn, corn dogs, cream cheese & jalapeno poppers, fried cheese sticks, a home made chipwich ice cream sammich (likely my fave item). We brought 2-liters of home-mixed Arnold Palmers (made with blueberry iced tea) and an additional 2-liter of diet cherry Pepsi. Neither bottle survived, given the salty food we ate… fortunately the day’s heat dissipated as the sun set.

Next time, I suspect we’ll bring dagwoods, and just grab corn and ice cream at the snack bar… a little bit healthier, at least.

We waited until sundown for the movie to start – that was about 8:45 or so. The playground was cleared out once the movies started rolling.

Opened with the national anthem, and a promo to “Attend your house of worship regularly”. First thoughts, the projectionist / owner really likes to gab and play with the audience. He went over the rules and regulations about turning off running lights, etc…. a real homey and comfortable family atmosphere.

Warner Brothers Cartoon – “Beanstalk Bunny” A classic, to be sure. This and all of the shorts had awesome cartoon elements, all featured things you can’t show on TV anymore… smoking, violence on women and children, etc.

First feature – Kung Fu Panda. I enjoyed it, though the celebrity voices seemed pretty under-utilized. When it looked like the movie was winding down, I went to grab our popcorn… it was a good thing that I left when I did, as it took about 20 minutes in line to get corn and bring it back. I returned to the end credits, where folks were invited to flash headlights to the kung-fu fighting theme at the end. I liked the extra little movie-bit after the credits, too.

Then – Kit for Kat – Sylvester and Kitten stuck out in the cold, with Elmer taking them in. Not as great as Beanstalk bunny, but it was pretty dang funny, regardless.

There was no Watchmen Trailer on Batman! but we did get to see trailers for Ice Castles with (I can’t remember the last time I heard the name Lynn-Holly Johnson – For Your Eyes Only, maybe?), a pause for a marriage proposal, and a preview of Mr. Quilp (a musical version of The Old Curiosity Shop ).

So… The Dark Knight. I liked it, but *really* didn’t think it lived up to the hype. I feel that the movie was good, but maybe a 30-45 minutes too long. I think the ol’ Two-face element was excellent, and would’ve worked better in a more developed movie of its own. The Joker was good, but certainly not an Oscar-worthy performance in my opinion… however.. I didn’t much care for “No Country for Old Men” at all, and that won two Oscars last year. Heath Ledger did a good job, but he really isn’t my idea of the Joker – I think more in terms of bright, surreal colors amongst the dark and gritty Gotham backdrop. This version was a good villain, and genuinely creepy… but not what I think of when I think “Joker”. Bale’s Batman was… more like scenery than an actor. He portrayed Bruce Wayne well enough, but his “bat-voice” grated on my nerves more than the one he used in the first movie. I liked the newer costume, and the motorcycle… the tech-sonar bit was OK, but it didn’t jazz me like it did some. I certainly don’t think it’s my favorite Superhero movie… or even in my top 5. Probably my top 10, but then, how many good superhero movies are there?

After the Big BM passed… more intermission commercials for food… the snack bar closed at 1:30am, so it was pretty much a 10-minute warning.

Freaky Bic Shaver sponsored movie ad. very surreal.. “we’re all disposable here” – I remembered seeing it at the midnight movie express, back when I went to the town center mall in Palm Beach. Very Nostalgic for me, and I wish I could find a copy of the video on the web, but it was about the same time as this one. also shown were all sorts of lobby animations for snacks.

Then – Three bears in “Bee-Deviled Bruin.” I’ve always loved the 3 bears… the sawed-off runt of a father being a loudmouth and violent guy… but you can understand why, given his family life.

Last movie of the evening, starting at 1:30ish – Get Smart. Cute movie.. and loyal enough to the source material. I liked Hymie’s cameo, but wasn’t crazy about Smart’s back story – however, it was good to seem him as semi-competent, as opposed to a complete bumbler.

All in all, I think that both BHK and I had a great time. We’re going to try and lure the in-laws and Adam (and a date, if he wants to bring one) to the next show. I’m hoping it’s the Wanted / Hellboy / Mummy 3 combo that was hinted at – I’ll know on Wednesday, when they announce the lineup.

Anyhow – after we slept for about 4 hours, 9am came, and it was time to go get my shots – did and done, then headed to Trott’s for corn… Adam’s Birthday is tomorrow, and we’ve got to have the corn!

Vegged out and rested much of the day – The new Monk was sad to me, as it’s a memorial episode… the mystery itself was no great shakes, but they gave the actor a nice mention and some due. Psych was maybe a bit too family-dramatic and less zany as usual, but I expect it’ll be back on par come next week.

Last but not least, we finally caught Pirates of the Caribbean 3 – I liked it more than the 2nd one, which suffered a bit from “back to the future-bridge story” syndrome.

That Taco salad was mega-tasty… I ‘m not sure why we did cheese crackers for dinner with that good stuff in the fridge… I’m too worn out to use the microwave, I suspect. Hitting the bricks early tonight… until later, dear journal.