Music Reviews

After receiving some critical acclaim for "The News from Here", we continue to move in exciting new directions and pledge a higher quality of material to our fans. As the continuation of the "I'm more cultured than my sisters" series, this post will feature some reviewed music. It will be divided into 3 sections:

1. Featured Song/Artist
2. The Kind of Stuff my Sisters Enjoy
3. My Mom's Song/Artist (that I secretly enjoy)

Disclaimer to Parents: Mom and Dad if you watch these you will compromise the integrity of your mission and I'll be forced to report your infractions to President Pieper and/or President Uchtdorf. --See "White Bible" pg. 31 paragraph 2

Featured Artist: Air

Air is a band of two French guys, who I don't think are gay. If you have this band on your iPod you'll the envy of every woman at Enrichment. I'd never seen this music video before so I don't look into it too much. Although it can be noted that the video has 2 ties from our family's past: Ping-Pong and Pong (from Ricky's Atari). The synergy of this post is amazing...

The Kind of Stuff my Sisters Enjoy: Paula Abdul

This video reminds me of when I first saw it. 1990-Vacaville, CA-The Clark's home. I think we were going to Disneyland, which would make it the last time our family went on a trip. I remember that all the girls loved the video and Rolene told me it was cool. Our friendship was short-lived asRolene and I got into a fight over who got to sleep in the hideaway bed and later that night I threw up in the bathroom. Needless to say, I wasn't allowed back there for 16 years.
This song reminds me of Lindsay, mostly because of how Paula dresses (besides the low cut dress of course). She is like a Jewish Lindsay. Also the ponytail on the top of the head was something Lindsay used to do (like when Paula is dancing on the trash cans). That is the Lindsay Brett fell in love with.

My Mom's Artist (that I secretly enjoy): Linda Ronstadt

I discovered that this was my favorite Linda Ronstadt song recently when I was shopping at Smith's and realized that I knew every word. The intro to this video moves me, I watched the first 17 seconds several times over. I get lost in her piercing stare at the camera --and I see her portrait up with all the aunts and uncles at Grandma's house (like the Will Ferrell one at the bottom of the page). I feel that she really likes mashed potatoes and steak.





Well that's the first installment of the music reviews, now I have to get back to reading in my sociology book.

More Movie Reviews

Jesus Camp

This documentary is one of my favorites. It shows what happens in an Pentecostal Bible camp for kids in North Dakota. Many miracles can be accomplished with a drum set, synthesizer, and a little faith. Speaking in tongues, public penance, and blessings on George Bush are just some of camp's activities. My question is, if Pentecostal churches really have so much political influence, why hasn't there been any legislation against Harry Potter? Needless to say, I couldn't make fun of Evangelicals too much because to many Americans they are just one notch crazier than Mormons. Great pick up, very entertaining. Your kids might think it's funny but you might not want them to get indoctrinated- leave that to primary.

4.7 Stars/ 5 Stars

Cloverfield

We saw this movie for Family Home Evening this week. it's a movie that seems like it should be released in the summer, but for whatever reason is released now. Although the way that the movie was made was interesting, the presentation was great, and the acting was good, the plot suffers. It draws comparison to Godzilla, but with more loose ends-- a lot more.
3.8 Stars/ 5 Stars

Everything is Illuminated

Everything is Illuminated is my favorite all-time movie about Ukraine. There aren't very many to choose from, but the film from the popular novel is a hit. It's about a Jewish collector who travels back to Ukraine to discover family heirlooms and history. What starts off as a just a comedy has a very interesting ending. I highly recommend this movie, and I say that as an unbiased RM that served there. Same kind of appeal as Good Bye, Lenin!
5 Stars/ Stars

Movie Reviews: the foreign edition

Paradise Now

This foreign film answers the question "What causes people to be suicide bombers?" The film is about 2 Palestinian men who are recruited to be suicide bombers in Tel Aviv. With only 2 days to prepare, the two have to say goodbye to their unknowing family and friends. As they carry out their mission not everything goes to plan and they are forced to make frantic decisions. The movie is only 90 minutes long but I thought it was great. Not sure if it's popular in Israel.
4.9 stars/5

Good Bye Lenin!

Good Bye Lenin is a German film by Wolfgang Becker that has to do with a son who lives with his mom in Communist East Germany. His mother, a staunch member of the communist party, falls into a coma and while she is in a coma the Berlin Wall falls. East Germany suddenly becomes westernized. Eventually she wakes up but is in such a fragile state that she can't handle any surprises. Her son then tries to reverse time and convince his bedridden mother that East Germany still exists.
The movie is really good, if you're interested in the westernization of former Soviet countries (or lived in them) you will really enjoy this movie. Mind you it is a foreign film so you have to be careful when it comes to content, we did our research so we were prepared to guard our fragile eyes at the appropriate times. We survived. Great movie.
4.8stars/5

Volver

I saw this movie at BYU's international cinema. They edited for content, bless their hearts. So unless you have another alternative then you might watch out. This movie is the best I've ever seen Penelope Cruz. It has to do with Spanish women and how they struggle with the burdens of Spanish womanhood. Good. See it if you can.
4.5 stars/5

Brigham City

Ok this might not qualify as a foreign film for some people, but those unfamiliar with Mormons might feel like it is. The movie is suspenseful and there are good plot twists. It's brought to you from the maker of God's Army, so there are a few controversial parts that only Mormons would understand. Good movie.
3.8 stars/5

Thanksgiving in California

Lake Arrowhead

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1-3: scenic photographs taken by myself
4. Tara wore her grandmother's Russian hat as we hiked around
5. Tara is here enjoying some Crown Royal, which is the #1 selling Canadian Whiskey in North America
6. Our rooms had views of the lake
7. Tara drooled on me

Yachting to Long Beach

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1-2: scenic photos around Long Beach
3. Home of the Long Beach Crips
4. the parking spot next to the restaurant
5. An old lighthouse
6. Boats in the harbor
7. The other side of the restaurant
8. The yacht compared to the Queen Mary
9. approaching Long Beach
10. The controls to the yacht
11. The Queen Mary and the Hanger where they used to store the Spruce Goose
12. Mike's wispy hair blowing in the ocean wind
13. TylerONE smoking pot in the back of the yacht
14. Tara

Thanksgiving is coming

Thanksgiving is almost here. Today I fly out later today on one of the busiest travel days of the year. Tara maintains that we need to be at the airport 8 hours early. It should be a good trip. We'll take pictures and post them when we get back. Happy Thanksgiving.

Dan in Real Life (2007)
Steve Carell is the star, and he's pretty good. I would have to warn you that Dane Cook is in the movie. There are some funny parts, but not enough to make it worth 7 bucks. Wait until it comes out in the dollar theater.
3.0/5 Stars
This book by Chinua Achebe is a very short read. It's about an African man who struggles with the changes in his culture during the colonization of Africa. The author is African, but from an entirely different society and time than what he's writing about. His book seems reactionary to other books about Africans around that time. Pundits call it a classic, but my skepticism is too great to overlook it's flaws. Only pick it up if you are very interested in the subject.
2/5 Stars