The Airport has never been so fun!

Today was going to be just a typical day of seeing someone, a good friend, off at the airport. Yes, I arrived 15 minutes late, but considering they were standing in the considerably long line for their airline, it didn't really matter.

So, to begin with, my friend waited 35-40 minutes to actually book their bag through for their flight. But thankfully their flight was one of the ones that was actually running on time.
We had decided that we would just meet up for coffee, as one does, when one only has about 40 minutes to see a friend. However, by the time we had got through the line, we only had 20 minutes for coffee.
Oh-kay. 20 minutes. Fine. One can do coffee in 20 minutes. Sure. We'd been talking in line, anyway. So...

However, we weren't counting on the security.

Now, of course, we all know about how security was stepped up a notch after September 11, 2001. Understandable, one can say.
And I'm not complaining about the time it took to drop things off and walk through the arch that beeps if you're carrying anything metallic. No, that was fine. That was great. No time, whatsoever.

What I have to laugh about is the fact that I was the random person who got chosen for the 'swab' test, to see if I'd come into contact with anything to do with explosive materials.

I've never had the swab test before, so it was a new experience. I didn't mind as I thought it would take only a matter of seconds and we'd be on our way again to have coffee.

Boy, was I wrong!

The first test came back as positive. Oh-kay, I thought. Unusual, but you get that. Something random; it happens. Second test, came back positive as well. Hmmm...something's fishy here. Third test was positive as well! WT-?!?!

At this point I was just cracking up all over the place as, well, I wasn't boarding a plane, and, yes! I'm definitely a terrorist. NOT! My friend and I were passing comments between ourselves, typical of Australians thinking something like this was a huge joke. I believe I'm going to be called either 'Uni Bomber Nell' or 'Achmed' by this friend, now. The security area where this was happening, too, had attracted one, and then two more security personnel.

After the three fails I had to get my gear (which was a handbag and shoes - that is all!) x-rayed again. On top of that, I had to also be frisk searched, just to make sure I wasn't concealing any weapons. How could I be concealing anything when I hadn't set off the arch? Okay, well, if you've seen 'In The Line Of Fire' (hmmm...interesting movie), you'll give me pointers, I'm sure. But, really! They offered to either do the frisk there and then, or go to a private room. At this rate, my friend's and my coffee time had reduced to only 10 minutes before they had to board their plane! I decided to go with the then and there, and in a matter of 30 seconds, or a little longer, afterwards, we WERE eventually on our way.

We couldn't believe this had happened. We just had to laugh over it all, from start to finish.

But yes! If you are going to the airport anytime in the future, don't just give yourself half an hour before your flight! Make sure you're there a good hour before, so that you are there ready to board, with 10 minutes to spare.

Oh, and we did get coffee - with 5 minutes to spare.

'The Sorcerer's Apprentice'

I think I saw only one preview for this movie, but, from that, I thought that it would be fun, easy to watch, and have great special effects. Well, I certainly wasn't disappointed in the effects! Having sat through a preview for the Yogi Bear movie that is coming out soon, the effects in this movie were superb. The number of times that special effects were used in this movie - I swear it would be close to every minute! Yet, you wouldn't like the movie without the effects - they make it in some ways. But the acting is very good that you don't really think about the effects at all. (Hmmm...does that even make sense? I hope so...) That's how effects, though, should work - they should complement/supplement the acting.

The plot line is simple enough: reluctant hero finds the courage by the end of the movie to save the world. The message - which is being pushed at kids these days over and over again - is to always believe in yourself and you will conquer your most difficult problems in life. Every movie and book that I watch or read at the moment seems to be focused on that. This, though, does it in a fun way, with many spontaneous funny moments along with the serious scenes. 

The actors are well chosen for their parts (or approached their roles in the best way possible). Nicholas Cage does a very good job showing a serious, but also understanding and lighthearted manner at the same time throughout the movie. He has demonstrated in several movies that he can play a fun role (eg. National Treasure, The Rock, Gone in 60 Seconds - all movies that I've enjoyed numerous times), and the car he has - I want one. Then again, Alfred Molina's car is also very suave at this point (both race through New York in very stylish sports cars - one a Mercedes, didn't catch the other make). Alfred Molina has proven numerous times that he can play a baddie very well. In this he does it brilliantly again. I first saw Mr Molina in 'Chocolat' (which is one of my favourite movies), and he was great in 'Spiderman 2'. He can demonstrate a 'soft' side, but put in the nasty little comments at the same time. In this movie he doesn't demonstrate a soft side at all, but does have numerous situational comedic moments.

One weak point, I admit, is the girl, Becky. Her character is too quick at taking in and accepting all the magic. She believes everything that Dave tells her too easily. Maybe this makes sense to kids, but to adults surely not. The actress herself (Teresa Palmer), though, is not bad at her role; just the lines are not very well written. The guy who plays Dave - our reluctant hero - (Jay Baruchel) does a wonderful job in gaining and keeping the audience's attention. No doubt he will be one to watch in future movies, especially comedies, as he has already starred in things such as 'Tropic Thunder' and 'How to Train Your Dragon'.

There are several funny moments in Dave's training to become the next, most powerful sorcerer in the world (click here if you wish to see one of the more funny moments of the training Dave experiences). Of course, with the title of the movie, it wouldn't be complete without the Mickey Mouse-type scene from 'Fantasia'. Dave, however, does learn his lesson, but teaches his Master (Balthazar Blake), at the same time, a couple of important things too (naturally).

Oh, I forgot to mention: love the Star Wars reference! Love it!

Overall, not a bad movie. Probably will buy it when it comes out on DVD, but not until it drops in price a little bit. However, it'll be good to veg out with - and one that the kids might like on a rainy day during sport at school.