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“Five Nights at Freddy’s”
While my trip to the Galapagos took me out of the theater for several weeks, I decided to reward myself by going to see the box office hit “Five Nights at Freddy’s.” That was a sad mistake for various reasons.
Based on popular video games, it tells the story of a mentally ill security guard (Josh Hutcherson) who is employed to spend five nights working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. Filled with a group of creepy animal robots that sing and play musical instruments, they become a threat to humans with each passing day.
Subplots exist that leave you checking your watch to see how long this horror film will last. Among other things, Hutcherson is haunted by the kidnapping of his younger brother years ago that leaves him doing all he can to protect Abby (Piper Rubio), his little sister who lives with him. This becomes a big problem when she accompanies him to the pizzeria for his night job.
Further problems exist when his aunt (Mary Stuart Masterson) wants to take Abby away to collect the child support checks. In addition, the movie isn’t helped by the appearance of a mysterious police officer (Elizabeth Lail) with unknown intentions.
Though I found this film to be a profound waste of time, I’ve never seen the video game. I can’t help but speculate that most of the moviegoers who liked this forgettable film have also enjoyed those games. Keep that in mind.
Commentary on a trip to the Galapagos Islands
My wife and I just returned from spending a week cruising the Galapagos Islands with three friends. Though it was one of the greatest adventures I have ever experienced, it almost never happened when my passport was rejected at the Indianapolis airport.
Though it was valid, it expired 11 days short of the six-month requirement to travel. Though I never heard of this mandate, it forced Monica and I to rent a car and travel to Chicago in hopes of getting a new passport.
With the help of our wonderful local congressman, we thankfully succeeded and found new flights that got us to the Galapagos in time to board the ship. A nightmare became a glorious dream.
Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos consist of 13 major islands and six smaller ones. Located close to the equator, Darwin’s visit in 1835 has forever linked his name and ideas to the iguanas, sea lions, albatrosses and blue-footed boobies that call these islands home.
While the Amazon is home to 300 species of reptiles, the Galapagos has only iguanas, tortoises, lava lizards, geckos and snakes. No place on Earth is as free of introduced and invasive species; because it was so isolated for so long, Galapagos wildlife never developed a fear of humans. You can stand right next to giant turtles and have sea lions swim under and over you while you snorkel. Hundreds of large iguanas rest on volcanic rocks that you can nearly touch as you swim nearby.
The days ended with half-hour entertaining lectures on the ship before breaking for dinner. You then prepare to visit a new island the next day. You go to bed feeling that you have become a part of the evolutionary process.•
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Robert Hammerle practices criminal law in Indianapolis. When he is not in the courtroom or the office, Bob can likely be found at one of his favorite movie theaters preparing to review the latest films. To read more of his reviews, visit www.bigmouthbobs.com. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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