Sleep Update, Dentist Update, and Movie Update

[davetheanalyzer]

To help with my sleep, I decided to buy sleep headphones. I read they could play relaxing music to drown out snores and other disrupting sounds. I’ve been experimenting with how to use it, since I discovered when I got it Monday it needs to be charged and connected to a device to play music. I’m trying to only use the sleep headphones when the disrupting sounds start, to let my phone rest and conserve headphone charge. Also, the sleep headphone material might irritate my skin and I want to limit contact. Maybe I should have gotten another brand but for now, I’m trying to make this one work. I got dental work earlier this month. I had a temporary new crown inserted on a bottom back tooth. Fortunately, I was numbed enough the only discomfort was the rubber thing keeping my mouth open and that was adjusted at my request. Dealt with some sensitivity and had to be careful flossing and brushing that tooth the next few days but otherwise, it was fine. I went back yesterday to get a permanent crown. It feels weirdly smooth but I think I’ll get used to it. 

I saw The Bad Guys with Mom in theaters, who like me had fun with the film. The animation was good and the characters all endearing, feeling like a bunch of friends with their light arguments and playful tiffs. It seemed to be about being boxed in to the roles expected by society and whether to combat or accept the villain label. Mr. Wolf’s the leader, with a suave charm that useful in heists. He also looks after his gang, making sure the grumpy Mr. Snake has a good birthday. He’s also quite strategic. When a steal gets bungled, he persuades Marmalade a noted do-gooder to redeem him and his gang, which’s initially a ruse until they can escape and go back to their criminal ways. Mr. Snake’s grumpy and all about dealing the cards your dealt with in life. Nevertheless, he appreciates the kindness the gang does for him. They’re pretty terrible at doing good and I was amused (and kind of relieved) that the two moments of eating creatures comedy were easily reversible. Though faking it at first, Wolf’s challenging conversations with Governor Diane Foxington make him think about doing good genuinely.

In the bungled heist, an old woman Wolf accidentally saved praised him and that made him rethink things. Diane’s doubtful, having her own beliefs about their reformation, but she warms up to Wolf. Even as the gang attempted to return to their criminal ways, their attempts at singing and dancing as a distraction to a approving crowd was fun for them. Wolf doesn’t tell the others his changing feelings and there’s some struggle with interpersonally communication with the gang, fearing losing the bond. When Marmalade frames them and reveals his true villain-aspiring colors (Including disguising as the old woman Mr. Wolf saved.), they feel betrayed. Snake especially hates the young Wolf’s going to throw this away, since turning good seems to mean leaving the gang, the closest family they all have in a hostile society. He, Mr. Shark, Mr. Piranha, and Ms. Tarantula bail on him, even after the distraction of Diane revealing to be a former major criminal after she breaks them out of jail. I do enjoy Diane and her backstory, where she’s confident but teasing and cheers Wolf up.

Seeing their stolen stuff gone from their hideout, Shark and the others are upset until Snake gives Shark an ice pop to comfort him, which makes them feel the wiggle of doing good and want to change their ways. Mr. Snake denies this and seems to defect to Marmalade. I like how the three save Wolf and Diane and embrace him. The three also bond a bit with Diane while stopping Marmalade from mind controlling the gerbils into robbing donations. When the chance comes to clear their name, I like Wolf and the others can’t leave Snake behind and rescue him. I like he and Wolf were honest with each other and hugged. I also liked that Snake’s “defection” was actually a ruse to sabotage Marmalade’s plan. I also liked the gang prevented Diane from confessing to her former crimes by turning themselves in. I do feel weird Marmalade gets accused if Diane’s former crimes rather than his own, but I guess it signals his arrogance he took the incriminating gem off her and that she’s safe from arrest (maybe?). A year later, they go free to join Diane in crime-fighting. I hope there’s a sequel, which seems likely with its good box office now.

There’s a few caveats. There’s the usual the police’s involvement that comes with heist films. There are some iffy jokes and others that might squick some out, like a brief mention that Snake’s rap sheet includes eating pet animals (in an implied permanent way). There’s Awkwafina’s involvement with her issues of African American cultural appropriation. With all that in mind, I do recommend this film for those interested.

 

That’s all for now. I had my library writer group meeting last week and it went well; I got good feedback on my second submission. I also got back from a walk where I should have worn a thicker jacket. I hope I don’t get sick. Until May’s end, see you!