Bond

I went and saw the new James Bond this weekend. Not so much because I really wanted to see it, but because the English seemed so unnaturally excited about it, I just wanted to see what went on.

But first let me back track. Southampton has, I believe, 3 movie theaters, 2 of which are right next to each other. The process for going to one of these movies is basically the same as an American theater, only instead of giving your ticket to an usher as soon as you walk inside, you don't do so until you actually get to the theater door. Interesting concept. Keeps you from sneaking in to extra movies, but may require considerable extra man power. The concept of the pre-movie commercials and previews is apparently nowadays universal, and there's not much that can vary with the actual showing of a movie.

The real point of interest is indeed the role of James Bond in British society. Much as I am the token American of the transport planning and engineering course, James Bond is the token Brit of the serial movie hero circuit. And from that point of view, their quasi-obsession seems somewhat understandable. I just found it shocking that Bond didn't care if his martini was shaken or stirred. What is happening to society??

Please enjoy above photo of the Hartley Library. It is the most classically collegiate looking building on campus.