Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

     I am very much a fan of Pirates of the Caribbean. I love pirate stories and the Depp, so obviously the love child of these two things would make me happy. I have the original movie poster from the first film mounted and hanging in my hallway (much to the distaste of my interior designing mother) and have seen all three movies countless times. I am a huge fan of Johnny Depp, and though I haven't seen a new Orlando Bloom movie in years (you're cute but stick to LotR and PotC) I enjoy watching this piece of man candy on my tv screen. 

     The first PotC, The Curse of the Black Pearl, was perfect, from my point of view, at least. It had a full story. Sure, it got a little lengthy at times, but beginning to end, it was everything I had hoped for and more. And the soundtrack was to die for. The ending of this first film left enough to the imagination; it could have a sequel, or they could have left well enough alone. But we know that when Jerry Bruckheimer and Disney produce a money-maker, they milk it for what it's worth. And I have no problem with that for the most part. So they gave us Dead Man's Chest and At World's End.

     Now these two films had to be seen together. You could not watch Dead Man's Chest without seeing At World's End because the story was incomplete. And I understand the whole carrying on the story in the next film thing. Lord of the Rings is a perfect example. But the difference, you see, is LotR was made as one story in three films. PotC, on the other hand, had a single good movie but decided it was not enough and made two more films to tell one story, and may I add, it appears they used the same soundtrack from the first movie and just played it on random.

     I may be rambling, but all in all, you can watch just The Curse of the Black Pearl. To watch Dead Man's Chest and At World's End, you must watch them together. And if you are unfamiliar with the PotC story and characters, you need to watch the first film to introduce yourself to the whole pirate gang.

     But I found they are making a fourth film.  And I watched the trailer for this fourth film. 

     Now, I hate to say, I will go see this movie. But I will also say, I am very disappointed. The only major actors they brought back were Depp and Rush. And looking at this trailer, it seems only two supporting characters are returning, Mr. Gibbs (as played by Kevin McNally) and Captain Teague (as played by Keith Richards.) Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley will not be in this film. Thankfully, though, their characters Will and Elizabeth will not be either -- everyone on God's green earth hates the whole same character different actor thing.

     I would like to look at this film as just another chapter in the life of Captain Jack Sparrow. He can't be hanging around with Will and Liz forever. But. And I do mean but. This is going to end one of two ways, and neither will be good. Either the PotC sequels will end here, with a fourth movie that doesn't relate to the first three, or this will be the start of even more PotC sequels featuring either Jack's shenanigans and/or Penelope Cruz.

     That was my rant. I'm heartbroken and intrigued at the same time. We'll see how it pans out.

Dear Wisconsin Driver; The Post-Its Revolution

     We all know how people feel about South Carolina drivers. I've heard that SC statistically has the worst drivers. I believed that for a long time. (Someone think of a day where there was not a wreck at five o'clock on I-26 West heading from Downtown.) But after driving in Wisconsin for a little over six months, I have decided that if that is a statistic, which it may or may not be, as I have never read it but have heard it, then it is false. Wisconsin has horrible drivers. So bad, in fact, that I have decided to start the Post-Its Revolution. 


     The Post-Its Revolution involves me, in my car. I see someone driving like a jerk, and magically, they are headed to where I am headed. Once they park, I take my handy-dandy Post-Its and write them a sweet note, telling them how awesome (or not) their driving is. It also includes these sweet notes being left on people's cars who don't know how to park. I already have the Post-Its in my purse, along with a Sharpie that I picked out at Office Depot, only hours ago. 


     "What will these sweet notes say?" you might wonder. Well, obviously it depends on what the unskilled driver (for lack of a more offensive word) might be doing. But here are a few examples:

• Dear Wisconsin Driver: You may think the rearview mirror was invented for fits and giggles. Its actual intent was to be of help during the reversing process. Look behind you before you back up. If you fail to do so, chances are, my car and I are what you will probably hit.
• Dear Wisconsin Driver: I am not fully knowledgeable of the driving laws in this state, though I am sure that the turn signal is not optional. 
• Dear Wisconsin Driver: I am well aware that there is snow on the ground, covering half of the parking lot. However, there is not snow in this parking space or those around it. Kindly look at the lines. Then park BETWEEN them. Thank you.

     These are just three examples. Examples I thought of on my way home from the mall this evening because all three of these instances occurred in the thirty minutes it took me to get home. I used to leave notes on cars all the time back home. And I think it is time to leave my mark on this town and, at the same time, make this a better place to drive. I encourage you all to do the same, wherever you may be. Together, we will make the world a better place, one snarky Post-It at a time.