141 years young and still beautiful!
Happy Colorado Day
Another Rainy Hike
We went hiking this morning and again it was rainy. Can’t really complain much as the alternative is literally everything burning.
We had a quick five mile hike at Cub Creek and although it was not raining heavily I was completely soaked by the time we finished.
Lucy found the sediment puddle again and looks like somebody painted her bottom half black. Luckily the monthly fundraiser dog wash is tomorrow.
Very Nice Brewing Company
We attempted to hike up near Eldora on Saturday morning where I thought that the forecast was not calling for rain. We hiked for about an hour through some light rain until the floodgates opened wide. Luckily there is a brewery in Nederland (seriously, in most places in Colorado there is likely to be at least one brewery nearby). I’ve always wanted to stop at Very Nice Brewing Company but rarely found myself in the area. With the rainy day we had the perfect opportunity to try out this extremely dog friendly spot. The taproom is certainly no-frills but is backed by very good beers. My favorite of the day was the Logical Fallacy, a black IPA that was served with a shot of espresso.
I also had a nice conversation about rugby with one of the patrons who noticed my Canada Sevens hat, and said hello to numerous pups.
Morning At The Dog Park
Lucy was exhausted after a morning at the dog park at Chatfield State Park.
War For The Planet Of The Apes
If you like sci-fi monkey movies this one’s for you.
Despite great performances from motion-captured actors like Andy Serkis and Steve Zahn, it’s still CG. The violence against “animals” (and people) is easy enough to dismiss as fake but it still makes one question why we can’t all just get along and need to bring guns in as a solution. I suppose that’s the point of a “War” film, though, and I guess you have to write to the most common denominator in your audience demographic.
At least the writers tried to make the script interesting and I admit I didn’t see the twist with Woody Harelson’s character coming until right as it occurred. That twist does attempt to explain a certain aspect of the films (both this new trilogy series and the original series from the seventies). I appreciate attention to details when it doesn’t hit you over the head.
Harelson’s Colonel character is one of the few non-CG actors in the film, although his scenes try too hard to paint him as crazed and “off the rails” and the dialogue falls flat. The script does tie up this whole Planet trilogy to a point where there doesn’t need to be another film (or series of films)… but you know Hollywood: there will be at least three more.
Bottom line: good summer entertainment as long as you are not expecting more than CG apes blowing shit up.
Spider-Man: Homecoming
I wasn’t sure the world needed another Spider-Man reboot… but was I wrong. Marvel has pulled Peter Parker into their Cinematic Universe with the assistance of cross-over appearances by Tony Stark, Pepper Pots, Happy Hogan and even Steve Rodgers. Peter Parker does exactly what any other fifteen year old boy would do when given supernatural strength and reflexes (as well as the ability to climb walls and ceilings… somehow): worry about impressing his crush.
While the origin of Spider-Man is implied and only mentioned briefly during conversation, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker is young, sassy, impetuous and nervous — exactly the right combination for a Spider-Man feature film. You care about the boy and his journey into becoming a super hero, with all the responsibilities that entails.
There’s humor through most of the film in the vein of most of the recent Marvel films and it certainly helps the audience enjoy the journey. One of the Marvel execs recently told a reporter that humor is their hook into the audience’s attention, which they’ve successfully done here.
Marvel is firing on all cylinders lately and this latest entry doesn’t disappoint. I predict this will be one of the more successful summer movies of the year, especially given some of the competition (Wonder Woman, for example, and the excellent Baby Driver).
True Spider-Man comic nerds will appreciate the hidden (and sometimes obscure) references in the script to future villains and other characters in the Spider-Man history. And in true Marvel film spirit there are two post-credits “bonus” scenes. It pays to have patience…
Happy Birthday Fabi
Fabienne turns ten today* and believes the Independence Day celebrations are in her honor.
* I estimated her birth date to around 4 July 2007. I picked the Fourth as it’s easy to remember.
Baby Driver
I watched Baby Driver Tuesday night at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Littleton. WOW! Written and directed by Edgar Wright, previously known for Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz and others, brings a massive car chase/bank robbery film with a PERFECT soundtrack. If you watch at a Drafthouse location Mr. Wright was kind enough to film several interview spots that play prior to the film which discuss his inspirations for the film and some behind-the-scenes details.
I’m already planning to see it again, but one must see it on the big screen while it’s out in cinemas. #VolumeUpPedalDown
Humane Society Of The South Platte Valley Fundraiser Dog Wash
The Brew On Broadway (The BoB) hosts a fundraiser dog wash on the last Sunday each month to benefit the Humane Society of The South Platte Valley. This is the first time this year we have been in town for the event so I took the girls down to the brewery and had baths. Neither of my dogs were happy about actually getting bathed but tolerated the experience. The weather was fantastic and the beer (as always) was great. What a great way to spend the first Sunday afternoon of the summer!
Guanella Pass Brewing
The dogs and I went hiking in Guanella Pass again Sunday afternoon. This time we stopped at a new Brewery in Georgetown, Guanella Pass Brewing, first so Lucy did not have a chance to roll in crap like she did last weekend.
I overheard the owner telling some guests they had only been open two weeks. I was impressed with the beers and the facility at such an early stage.
The taproom itself is clean and modern with stainless steel counters. There are televisions if you must watch them but the window seats with great views of the street and mountains are a better pairing with the beer. Summers in Georgetown provide excellent people watching (well, they’re actually tourists… are they really people?).
The patio is currently uncovered (no umbrellas or shade) as they are assessing the “wind situation” in Georgetown. There is an Italian restaurant a couple doors down that delivers and I can attest the meatball sub was very good.
I look forward to many summer visits to this brewery.
