Speed Racer: Saturday Morning Come to Life

Even amidst the trend of remaking classics, no movie has been able to really take me back to the spirit and imagination of cartoons.

Speed Racer did it. Everything about this movie was cartoon. The images, the story, the excitement, the fun. The movie embodied the magical, whimsical, yet fun, thrilling, and simply comical spirit of cartoons. There’s no real way to describe it. It’s cartoon.

Artistically, it’s beautiful. Using every color in the crayon box and some of the coolest computer graphics, every image in the movie is as bold and alive as a kaleidoscope. Electrifying, visually breathtaking, and just plain stylish. It could have easily found success in art house/indie theatres.

As for the plot, it’s got depth to keep an adult entertained, continually throwing them back to the classic good and evil struggles of the cartoon and comic. Speed’s silly younger brother and monkey companion are a hilarious ride for kids. At the same time, the larger than life races with cars that physically shoot daggers and flip over each other keep adults and kids alike thrilled.

I love this movie. The not-so-stellar reviews are really unwarranted and dare I say pretentious views on pure brilliance and cartoon entertainment.

Geek at it’s Finest

Ever wondered how a barcode works? The bars and spaces are read by a laser that convert those spaces to 0s and 1s through a process of. . . I would explain it, but it might take too much of your precious blog reading time. Instead, look at this site: barcodeart.com.

Not only are barcodes explained, but some really fun tricks are done as well. My favorite is the barcode clock. The barcode changes as the time changes.

Along with geeky barcode things, there is a link to this crazy youtube video. I’m secretly jealous that I didn’t have the time or money (in clocks and a wicked electric bill) to do this first.

While waiting for a plane in San Diego. . .

Walk across the street to discover this little outdoor cancer museum. Okay, so it’s not officially called a museum. With plaques on each pillar and every corner explaining the various terminology, types, and struggles of cancer, it felt like a museum.

As you are led through this winding path, inspirational and informational messages are inscribed on each pillar.

The center of the exhibit is a sculpture depicting cancer patients entering into the maze and fear of cancer treatment, but successfully making it through.

Some parts of it are a little too informational, but it was interesting.

It’s fun to find fascinating little things in your town. I never knew this existed, but I’m sure the people who created it would be happy to know that I stumbled upon it. They care about this issue so much and I have immense respect for that.