National Treasure * * * * ~ NSU post #23

Benjamin Gates (Nicholas Cage) is the youngest in a long line that have been searching for a treasure hidden by America’s founding fathers. Gates has finally found someone who not only believes in his quest but will financially back him, but the nefarious villain Ian Howe (Sean Bean) ultimately betrays him because he wants the treasure for himself. Gates races through Washington DC, Philadelphia, and New York City to protect the Declaration of Independence and the treasure before Howe steals it all for himself. Along the way Gates is helped by his geeky sidekick (Justin Bartha), reclaims his father’s respect (Jon Voigt), and gets the girl (Diane Kruger).

The film starts out with Gates grandad (Christopher Plummer) eagerly sharing the story of how the treasure was hidden. When Ben’s father (Voigt) finds out that his son has been told about “the family curse” he isn’t too pleased. In the present day Gates and company trek across a snowy landscape and find the Charlotte, the ship that was the subject of the first clue about the whereabouts of the treasure. Howe hasn’t shown his true colors yet, but one can easily discern that he has ulterior motives. Gates finds that a map is on the back of the Declaration; Howe suggests that they steal the document. When Gates refuses he locks Gates and his sidekick Poole (Bartha) inside and sets fire to the ship.

Gates finds another route out before the ship explodes. He and Poole travel to DC and try to warn the FBI, NSA, and National Archives that the Declaration is about to be stolen. No one believes them, though Gates does get along well with Dr. Abigail Chase (Kruger) who’s in charge of keeping the Declaration safe. Gates decides to steal the Declaration before Howe can at a Benefit Banquet.

The robbery is pretty typical of an action movie: Gates steals Chase’s fingerprints, she catches on that he’s not supposed to be there, Gates barely beats Howe’s team to the document. Gates ducks into the gift shop so Chase won’t see him and buys a poster of the Declaration. He almost escapes by giving Chase the poster (she thinks it’s the real thing) when Howe kidnaps her. Gates is noble enough to go after Chase but can’t let her go afterwards. He shows her that he has the real Declaration and Howe has a fake.

Gates goes to see his Dad for the next clue. Dad isn’t too thrilled to see Gates at his door: he’s convinced that the treasure isn’t real. He’s also given away the letters that Gates needs. They go to Philadelphia for the letters. Shortly later the FBI questions Gates’ father and discovers that they had been there.

In Philadelphia Poole finds the clue. Gates goes to Independence Hall and finds what they need to see the map: a pair of special spectacles designed by Benjamin Franklin. But the FBI has caught up with them: they arrest Gates with the glasses. Chase and Poole have the map and call Howe for help. Howe calls Gates and demands that the FBI give him up with the glasses or he won’t give the Declaration back. They travel to NYC where Howe helps Gates escape from custody.

Chase was confident that Howe would release Gates if they let him look at the map. Unfortunately Howe is a step ahead of them: he’s kidnapped Gates’ father. Under duress Gates finds a passageway to a chamber but it’s a dead end. His father tells Howe that a lantern there is a clue that the treasure is actually hidden in Boston. Howe abandons them and takes the only route out. Our heroes quickly find the treasure and another escape route. They make a deal with the FBI agent (Harvey Keitel) who’s intent on recovering the Declaration and Howe is caught in Boston.

Overall I was impressed with this film. It was predictably corny (it is a Bruckheimer) and refreshingly clean with a rating of PG. The special effects and stunts were good (no noticeably bad CGI) and the plot never dragged. I didn’t feel that the ending quite did an actor of Bean’s talent justice, but everything was suitably wrapped up in the end. I have already recommended the movie to other people.

essay 2 is finally up ~ NSU post #22

This essay was more difficult for me to write. I was trying to talk about Nature as a place of belonging and the few places i feel like i belong: my grandparents' home near Yuma was one and the desert is another in a way. I don't really like the way this essay came out.

I have yet to hear what grade i got on my fourth essay. As i got A's on my first three i'd be very surprised not to get an A for the essay and the class. Still, i may have irritated my teacher even more.

The class seems so far away now. I've recently been deciding what to take next semester. I plan to take the next English class and am having trouble deciding which teacher to take it from: the one that was recommended to me is going to want me to read lots of Hemmingway which i'm not sure i'd enjoy. It's also an extra book. I'm sure i'll figure it out soon but i still won't be able to register until December 11th.

After that i need to start thinking about applying for other colleges. Do i still want to go to Biola? It's a bit overwhelming as i still haven't found a job. I'm not sure what i want to do anymore. Lately all i've wanted to do is write and i haven't had the time.