New thoughts on the Batman films

A few years ago, I posted my initial thoughts on the Batman films. My thoughts on them have changed since then. Here are my new thoughts.

Tim Burton films: The films have a gothic edge, are filled with memorable soundtracks, and the characters are complex, but easy to understand.

Joel Schumacher films: Mixed Bag, in my opinion. On one, hand, the films can have some heartwarming moments and the characters are sympathetic. On the other hand, they're overloaded with campiness akin to the 1960's show with Adam West (i.e. the bad puns and the cartoony portrayal of the villains like Two-Face and Mr. Freeze).

Nolan Trilogy: While I find some of it hard to understand, I can still get the most important plot points down.

I just wanted to clear that up. Thanks for reading.

P.S. My surgery's in November. I'll be doing Halloween events soon, though!

San Francisco Dungeon and Madame Tussauds

I just got back from seeing San Francisco's new attractions: Madame Tussauds and The Dungeon. They are my favorite non-theme park attractions here in Northern California. I'll tell you about both. The photos in this update are souvenir photos, by the way.

The San Francisco Dungeon is the most immersive attraction in Northern California. In fact, it surpasses all the major theme parks around here because it's much more reminiscent of Disneyland and Universal Studios (sorry, Santa Cruz dark rides). You get to experience the history of San Francisco, including the Gold Rush (which features a mine-themed Mirror Maze), get shainghaied and go on a boat ride, see a Chinatown plague doctor, and hear a ghost story from Alcatraz.

Madame Tussauds, on the other hand, is a wax museum. This and The Dungeon replaced the Wax Museum that had been there for 50 years. The exhibits are themed to San Francisco's history, Music, Sports, and Film. The last room you go through is set up like an A-List Party. You even get to go behind the scenes in one room and see world leaders in another. I couldn't tell at one point if one guy standing next to the model of the Madame herself was real or wax! He moved, so I knew he was real.

Steven Spielberg

E.T.

Alfred Hitchcock

Lady Gaga

Elvis Presley

Beyonce

Al Capone

Michael Phelps

That's all for now! my next update will come soon. See you soon!

Spring Update

My dear friends, it's been 4 MONTHS since my last post! My, how time flies! Here's some stuff you'd like to know:

Discovery Kingdom's now open year round.
I got mom to ride Superman with me (she didn't like it, though, but I understand)!
Undertow is one of my new favorite rides at Santa Cruz.

Anyways here are some photos of a boardwalk trip with my mom this past saturday.

 I hadn't ridden Tsunami in a long time, so I did just that.

 I enjoy doing the Double Shot.

 As you can see, we tied on Ghost Blasters.

 I never get seasick on the Pirate Ship!

 I like the Cliff Hanger as well.

I also did Buccaneer Bay, the indoor mini golf.

Well, that's it for now. I'll have another surgery soon, so wish me luck. But for now, GOODNIGHT EVERYBODY!

Holiday Season 2013-14

Happy New Year! This Holiday Season, I went to 2 theme parks.

We first went to Holiday in the Park at Discovery Kingdom. We saw the puppet show, the tree lighting, and the sea lions. We also rode Roar and the Wave Swinger. I found out the park has removed the Wave Jumper to make room for their new ride for this year, Tsunami Soaker. I'll miss the Wave Jumper. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of this trip.

After a disappointing Rose Bowl, we went over to Knott's Berry Farm. It was my first time there, and I enjoyed it. We did the following rides:

Silver Bullet
Butterfield Stagecoach
Calico Mine Ride
Timber Mountain Log Ride
Mystery Lodge
Stunt Show
Riptide
Sky Cabin
Jaguar

Here are the photos:

Ready to go in for the first time in forever! (Just had to put in a reference to one of my favorite movies of last year!)

My first ride at the park: Calico Mine Ride (It's currently closed for a huge update). My godparents, Steve and Gloria, and their daughter, Kimberly, went with us.

Talking to Sad Eye Joe (the prisoner in the jail). It's a nifty surprise at this park.

 Silver Bullet- My favorite coaster in the park!

Jaguar- A long and smooth family coaster.

 Me and my posse at....

...the stunt show!

This was a fantastic holiday season. This year, I'm looking forward to the San Francisco Dungeon attraction that'll open this summer at Fisherman's Wharf. What are you looking forward to?

Halloween Events

It's been a while since I did an update, but i've been really busy. After we went to Great America's Haunt, we did 3 other haunts. They were Pirates of Emerson, Fear Overload (for the 1st time), and Discovery Kingdom's Fright Fest. They were kind of disappointing, but we had fun nonetheless. Here are some photos.

 Fear Overload Photo

Fear Overload Sign

 Pirates of Emerson staff

Clown-Evil at Pirates of Emerson

 Me and my old friend Chuck at Fright Fest

Fright Fest- Awakening

Fright Fest- Pirates of the Dead Sea

Fright Fest- The Last Ride (coffin simulator)

That covers it for now. Join us soon as we check out some holiday offerings. Until then, Ben Out!

Halloween Haunt 2013

It's been a while since I did a post, but I've been busy over the last 2 months. Last night, we went to California's Great America's Halloween Haunt. Here's what we did.

Attractions
Dia de los Muertos
Slaughterhouse: Annihilation
Madame Marie's Massacre Manor
Cornstalkers
Zombie High
Fun House Express (Action Theater)
Werewolf Canyon
CarnEvil

Scarezones
Underworld Alley
Dead Man's Cove: Forsaken Souls
The Gauntlet

Shows
Overlord's Resurrection
Blades of Horror

Rides
Grizzly
Tiki Twirl

Here are some photos.

These tombstones are for attractions no longer at the park.

 The Overlord rises above the park to begin the night.

 Zombie High- And I thought my high school was harsh on me.

Slaughterhouse- They say there are too many people in the world and not enough food.

 Underworld Alley- The army of the dead rise to wreck havoc.

The Gauntlet- It's fueled by the haunting melodies of CarnEvil.

 I felt I was watched.

The Fun House Express was a nice surprise.

That covers it for now. If that Haunt wasn't scary enough, I'll have my wisdom teeth extracted on wednesday. Ben Out!

Great America- July 2013

Today my mom surprised me with a trip to Great America, where I rode Gold Striker for the first time. It was the most insane wooden coaster i've ever ridden! Here are some photos.

 Me in front of the ride. One of the day's first rides.

 The view from the Star Tower.

 Me taking mom for a spin on Barney Oldfield's Speedway.

 I get nervous every time I ride Drop Tower.

 Peanuts Pirates- Not that intense, but reridable.

 A tight fit, but I got on Woodstock Express.

A double splash today- Rip Roaring Rapids and Whitewater Falls.

That's about it for now. Join me soon when I check out a water park and ride Santa Cruz's Undertow!