Day: June 30, 2012
Movie Review: Contagion (2011)
Contagion (2011)
3 out of 5 stars
I’ve actually seen better pandemic disaster movies, but I can’t recall the name(s) of them off the top of my head. I agree with most critics that the science and especially the government bureaucracy and corruption depicted in Contagion reflected reality (or predicable reality).
I found fault with the sporadic evidence of the aftermath and consequences shown. For example, we are shown empty sports clubs and malls, grocery stores being looted, trash left to pile up on the streets, nurses striking, police and fire departments woefully undermanned, yet the electricity, water and cell phones continue uninterrupted at the home of our ‘every man’ who is immune to the virus, but lost both his wife (the originating case) and his step son. As far as I can tell, he never leaves the house, except to scrounge for food for himself and his remaining teenage daughter, although they hardly look like they are suffering from starvation or other modern amenities.
So I’ll give the film an above average rating for medical science and government portrayals, but a below average for disaster depiction. Hence, my three out of five star rating.
And, no, I didn’t immediately rush out to my local pharmacy to purchase their entire stock of hand sanitizers. Hot water and soap used frequently throughout the day to wash your hands works wonders as well, and is usually less expensive.
Hot June, Cool Moon
I backburnered my walking routine as the mercury topped triple digits the last week of June. I just can’t submit Apollo, who is mostly black in color, to early evening walks, with the sun still beating down, making the asphalt and sidewalks very hot for his paws. I managed to squeeze in four walks this last week of June, but only three the week before. My best most consistent week came during the second week, where I only missed two days out of seven. The first week became almost a complete wash, since I spent three days at an astronomy convention, one day observing a lunar eclipse and another day observing Venus transit across the Sun.
I didn’t take many photos this month with my cell phone while walking Apollo, probably because we walked very early or well after sunset most days, to avoid the heat and humidity as much as possible. I did capture a few flowers, sunsets, sunrises and quirky canine moments though and am sharing them below (click on the image to see the entire album):
I need to find a better way to get exercise for both of us during the summer. My experience tells me July and August will not be any cooler than the last day of June. I guess it’s back to doing Wii Fit Plus in the great room for the next couple of months.