Up The Yangtze

I have to admit we were a little disappointed with the movie. Not knowing anything about it going in, it wasn't quite what I expected from a movie bearing that title. That's not to say it wasn't a good movie, or interesting, but I don't feel like I stumbled across a wealth of insight into the Yangtze after watching it. And it wasn't at all about traveling up the Yangtze. It was more of a narrow look into how the Three Gorges Dam is affecting lives of one peasant family forced to relocate out of the flood zone. They couldn't afford to send their daughter to high school so they sent her to work on a Yangtze cruise boat instead. 

There were parts that were quite funny, which mostly involving the boat's crew trying to talk to American tourists (all of whom seemed despicable). And parts that were sad, such as seeing the poor peasant farmer have to move his belongings out of his simple hut near the river, which soon swallowed up his home and land. Mostly, it was just a glimpse into the life of a family directly affected by the world's largest dam. I enjoyed the movie, but it lacked a cohesiveness and a broader view that would have made it really good.

In other news, we've lost $60 on a recent investment due to the current near-bear market.

Also in other news, we recently helped some friends move out of their house and freshen it up for use as an executive rental. The current renter? Bobcat Goldthwait. Never heard of him? Me neither. But only because I haven't seen Police Academy 2, 3 or 4. Liz has heard of him, but only because she's seen Hot to Trot. Anyway, he's in Seattle to make a new movie called World's Greatest Dad, apparently starring Robin Williams. Too bad we aren't around for longer or I'd definitely wait in front of the house every morning and beg for a cameo.