This is honestly.

And today, in the spirit of Independence Day,

a defiant case for fun,

from novelist and critic Walter Kern.

So, a little late as always because I like my pop culture to ferment some before I swill it down. I saw the sequel to Top Gun. I attended the movie in a theater equipped with so-called 4DX technology. I didn't know what this was when I chose my

tickets on my phone. I learned it costs more to watch the film this way and since I see so few movies in

cinemas and because inflation has made me lazy about trying to save money that's

growing worthless I thought I'd try it out. I assumed it involved a

wider screen or something, maybe crisp or sound, not close. I learned when my wife and I sat down that 4DX is a suite of crude effects which include simulated wind from fans,

squirting water, and seats that rock and vibrate.

The commotion is linked to the drama up on screen,

the commotion is linked to the drama up on screen, but confusingly so at times.

For example, in the flying scenes,

Viper 1 ready.

Maverick terrain's control.

Stand I. Vigorous gustusts were directed at our faces despite there being no such turbulence inside

the sealed cockpits of zooming fighter jets. The scenes which featured water.

Sir, what is this?

This dog fight football, offensive defense at the same time.

One set on a beach, another on a sailboat,

seemed less than vital to the story

and were maybe just there to exploit the squirting tech.

...