I commemorated the end of spring break in a couple of ways.  First, I went in to school for a couple of hours to get ready for tomorrow.  New quarter, new unit, therefore new paperwork to handout.  Second, I got a haircut.  It was time.  And third, I went to catch a screening of Spider-Man: No Way Home.  Second and final time for me.  It’s rare that I see a movie in theaters twice anymore, but this one was worth it.

By now most everyone is aware of the big twists of the movie.  Even the Oscars mentioned the fact that all three cinematic Spider-Men were together in one movie (it was part of the crowd-source “top five” voting that they did).  And while I will say that it’s a big draw for the movie. it’s just one part of what makes the whole thing work so well.  In fact, by the time Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield show up, there’s a good chance that you’re already exhausted and emotionally drained.  Which is, alas, what makes this third outing by Tom Holland the first real Spider-Man movie for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

It’s odd to realize that we’ve now had two Spider-Man movies since the curtain dropped on Avengers: Endgame.   The effects, of course, are still there.  And not just for Spidey but for Doctor Strange, too.  Strange is a nice thread in the movie, particularly how he’s the only one who really knows what Peter is trying to do with the spell that he requests.  The other thread is college admissions, which I’m particularly mindful of these days as I teach seniors.  There’s some real hope and heartbreak there, which is part of what makes the last bit of the movie a different kind of painful than the rejection in the first bit.

I’d love to post some clips here, especially of the three Peter Parkers together.  The whole movie is worth viewing.  And it’s worth seeing in the context of the other two Spider-Man movies, even if you don’t see the other MCU movies that involve Spidey.

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So school starts tomorrow.  On some basic level, I think I’m ready.  Curveballs keep getting thrown at me.  Last quarter it was a member of my department not returning (and thus bringing on a temporary teacher).  This quarter, it’s a co-worker in another area of responsibility somewhat radically changing their work presence on campus.  It is what it is, but it’s another complication for me to process.  Plus tomorrow is three classes, an administrative meeting, and a faculty huddle.  Hopefully it will be a day to hit the ground running and not just to hit the ground.  We’ll see.

(image from cnbc.com)