Apple, I apologize

After 6 months trash-talking Apple Maps while I waited for the upgraded Google Maps, I finally upgraded my iPhone to IOS 6.  So when we headed out to Alexandria for "Tatge Christmas" I had TWO maps programs to choose from to help find the inlaws' house.  Naturally I tried good old reliable Google Maps first. It was a failure, insisting that Doug and Pat lived in the unmanned gatehouse of their gated community. So I gave up and tried Apple Maps, which flawlessly led us 1/2 mile through suburban cul-de-sacs and right to their door. 

So Apple Maps will be my first choice going forward. Unless I need to find Dulles Airport, or the Washington Monument. 

Adventures in Movieland

Saw Les Miserables It was kind of awful. I made sure to see it in a real theater to appreciate the monumental sets, the epic sweep and the thundering cast of thousands. The actors were in full stage makeup, did all their own singing, and were clearly directed to deliver over-blown theatrical style performances. Could have been great if the director hadn't inexplicably chosen to shoot the entire movie in extreme closeup. Recommended only for people who are already so in love with the music that they don't mind spending over 2-1/2  hours looking up the noses of over-emoting actors. 

Saw Tree of Life at home on Netflix.  It was either deeply moving or an exercise in extended tedium - I haven't decided which. Since it's mostly about the visuals, it may have been a mistake to watch it on the small screen. On the other hand, I don't know how I could have stayed awake through the whole thing without being able to pause and take breaks. Recommended if you love awesome cinematography and/or Brad Pitt. Not recommended if you want a coherent story line. Or any story line, really. It's more of a meditation on man and the universe. I thought about saying "humankind" instead of "man" there, but upon reflection I think "man" is correct in this case.

Saw Cloud Atlas last night at the Riverview (thanks for the tip kaustin). Loved it. I can't believe that Les Miz is up for multiple Oscars and this movie was completely ignored. And I guess I owe Tom Hanks an apology for saying that he's forgotten how to act after watching him sleepwalk through several movies. Just give him a role (or two or three or a dozen) where it's appropriate for him to chew the scenery and boy does he deliver. He wasn't my favorite actor in the movie, but I can't say he wasn't acting.You might want to have a cup or two of coffee before seeing this one - you need to stay really alert to have a chance of keeping up. It's challenging, but amazingly well paced. I barely even noticed that it was almost 3 hours long (unlike Tree of Life, which felt like 6 hours).

And that was my week in movies.