Rumor has it, that a certain Two-Headed Nerd host promised you all I would be playing the new Assassin’s Creed this weekend. Well, sorry he spreads such false rumors. Next time he should check with me first to see if I have time to do so (editor’s note* She had plenty of time). I just was so busy cuddling with my pugs this Thanksgiving weekend. But, don’t worry, it’ll happen.

You see my husband is very excited that I actually have some interest in the latest installment in the Assassin’s Creed series. I’m not really a fan of the last two, I mean how many times does one need to perch themselves on the ledge of a building? Anyhow, the only reason I am interested in this new game is because takes place during the Revolutionary War. I love history (fun fact about me), and especially really enjoy this period. I was even giddy when Ben Franklin and Sam Adams (delicious beer) both made appearances! This leads me to what this week’s blog is actually about. A movie filled with this same history that airs on TV all year long and it’s a great Thanksgiving family film. What masterpiece am I referring to? Why, NATIONAL TREASURE of course, starring Nicolas Cage as Ben Gates, Treasure Hunter (technically aren’t treasure hunters pirates?  I mean both have the same end game, right (editor’s note* No, pirates steal sea-borne cargo)? I’m serious, I love this movie.

It all started with National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets. Oh yes, there are two of these gems. I had never seen the first one and a few Christmases ago, my family decided to go see National Treasure 2 and assured me I didn’t need any background from the first to understand it (editor’s note *that should be your first warning). They were correct, by the way. Anyhow, after seeing the sequel, I figured it made sense to see the first. I watched it and I was hooked! I mean, the movie is about a treasure hunter who STEALS THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE which, apparently, is super easy (I’ll be in DC in December and will let you know how my attempt goes).

You see, Cage’s former partner, Ian, has gone rogue and is also trying to find this treasure that the free mason’s hid in 1776 (the map to the treasure is on the back of the declaration) so that’s why Nicolas Cage has to do all this shit (i.e. steal the declaration) and find the treasure first. Following? The movie is really just like the Amazing Race (seriously, you missed out in not casting Eric Piper and me for Season 13; you would’ve had ratings GOLD! GOLD I SAY!), each time Cage’s character finds a clue, it leads him to the next clue – basically it is a big ass scavenger hunt put in place by Ben Franklin and the masons of that time.

This movie is not only a fast-paced-thrill-ride (bwahahahahahahhaha, sorry I just re-read what I typed, so ridiculous) but you actually learn a thing or two. For example, did you know that daylight savings was not implemented in the US until World War I? I didn’t. Thank you National Treasure for wrinkling my brain. Who was the one that first suggested the idea of Daylight Savings Time? Ben Franklin! Teachers should really use this movie in American history classes (I’m kidding, kind of…).

Whenever National Treasure (or its sequel for that matter) is on TV, and it’s on a lot, I highly suggest you give it a watch. It is like my Kryptonite (*editor’s note; Kryptonite hurts Superman, not sure this metaphor works. *wife’s note: um, it hurts me that I like this movie so much), every time I see it on the guide, I immediately turn it on. My husband just doesn’t understand. Maybe, if he would actually watch it, (I sat through Tommy, so he owes me) something would click and he would finally realize the fun he has been missing. Instead all he does is yell from the office, “What are you watching out there?”

My response is silence, which immediately triggers him coming out to see and going, “Seriously, National Treasure. God, why do you love this piece of shit movie? You, know you can watch it on Netflix so you don’t have to sit through commercials.”

My response, “I like the commercials, it adds a new level of depth to the movie. You just don’t know the greatness that you are missing out on.” That usually makes him leave the room mumbling “Nicolas Cage hasn’t been great since Raising Arizona” which, now that I am thinking about it, is probably one of the reasons I love this movie.

I love the hater reaction it forms in my husband. It’s really is easy to get him upset over things he can’t stand (a la Charlie Kelly), and for some reason the greatness that is National Treasure is one of them. This is all making sense now, my love for this movie, comes from the history it weaves into its story AND for the hate it inspires in my husband.

Annnnnd scene!

————————————-
Kacie Baum is a professional partier, mother of two pugs, and the wife of Matt Baum. She tolerates the constant presence of the Two-Headed Nerd in her home each week. She did not write this bio. Pre-THN entries of Girl Meets Nerd can be found here.