Thing Explainer // Randall Munroe

In the spirit of Thing Explainer, this word thing is getting done in simple words using simple writer.  

Why I'm reading
That computer funny image with four letters.

Where I got the book
My local book place; also new job!) It was sticking out of the book holder as I walked by -- probably should be in the big books area, but whatever -- and I grabbed it.

What I think will happen
Things we've learned and done and created written in very simple language.

So how was it?

It was… not not like a school book, to tell the truth. A lot of blue pictures with lots of information and tiny words everywhere. I don’t think it would teach you anything unless you already understand the ideas -- they’re not simple blue pictures; they’re blue pictures with lots of information, written in simple language.

With that said, it’s a fun read. It makes you see things in a new way… and half the fun is trying to figure out what the hell Munroe’s talking about. What is a key lock? It’s used to keep things locked up, but what does it really do? It checks the shape of a piece of metal, and opens for the right shape; so it's really a “shape checker.”

I’d really love something like this for languages, history, and that kind of thing.

Recommendation
[Neeeeeerds.] ;) It’s also a lot like the Green brothers’ Things Hitting Each Other Course!

Feels
Fun and school-book-y?

Parts I like the most
The US Laws of the Land (especially the “serious office” branch!) and the Pieces Everything is Made Of.

Parts I don't like the most
It’s a lot to take in, and to be truth-telling, I rushed through some of the pages I wasn’t interested in (or already mostly understood). The simple language is fun, but I already know how the body and washing machines and ships work, and the language is only fun for so long.

Captain America : Civil War

Why I'm watching
Marvel’s been knocking these out of the park. The first Captain America was alright I guess (Hugo Weaving was massively underused) but Captain America: Winter Soldier was great (and not just great for a superhero movie).

Where I watched the movie
Local theater with just Alan (usually we do these superhero movies with a big group…)

Expectations
Something along the lines of Captain America: Winter Soldier in plot and feel, but with all the A
vengers getting cranky at each other and failing to communicate. I won’t lie, I’m expecting the infighting to be annoying (come on guys, just sit down and talk it out, it’s all a misunderstanding)

So how was it?

Uhhhh…. Really good. Really, really good. I don’t know how they got that many characters together (including two entirely new introductions) and built that complex of a plot without getting confusing, convoluted, bloated, or boring. Are you taking notes, DC? Because the latest Superman reboot managed all four and an insanely bland story.

There’s a lot going on in this one, but the central issue is (I’m not kidding) paperwork. After the disaster in Sokovia, the UN wants control over the Avengers, and the Avengers initially take sides over signing a treaty -- Iron Man is for, Captain America against. The actual “civil war” comes when a bomb goes off and Bucky Barnes (Rogers’ old frenemy, the Winter Soldier) is implicated.

And guess what? It wasn’t all just a misunderstanding. There’s lots of people feeling all sorts of feels, having all sorts of opinions and perspectives, and no one is entirely wrong. (Okay, well, in terms of priorities, Cap’s team is right to go after the bad guy that Stark’s team doesn’t quite know about; there could have been better communication there).

Best villain yet, I think.

Recommendation
Oh, just go see it.

Feels
It had exciting action scenes and a reasonable amount of humor (much less than the Avengers movies) -- but you’re gonna feel some feels. Lots of good people hurting each other because they’re doing what they believe is right. While it avoids pointless grittiness, this isn’t a lighthearted superhero movie.

Favorites
It’s all about the pacing. We get action scenes that are dynamic and interesting (and don’t drag on as characters repetitively bash each other into buildings), slower scenes with some humor (that’s actually funny and appropriate to the situation), glimpses of humanity (without bleeding hearts and dramatic speeches), side characters who actually matter (and aren’t just plot devices)... basically my favorite part is the whole movie.

Part of that good pacing includes just chucking two new superheros into the mix with minimal backstory (especially Spiderman, oh god) or explanation of powers (still not 100% on what Black Panther is or how he does what he does).

Okay, I lied: my favorite part is the central fight, team Cap vs. team Stark -- more specifically, the constant undertone of "Imma beat your face in, but we’re still cool, right? Right."

Least favorites
There were a few things I was iffy about, but ultimately liked. Black Panther’s character was a little weird for the first, oh, third of the movie, because I didn’t have context for him -- but in the end, I love the way they did it.

So what did I really think?

Click "read more"... massive spoilers ahead!