Category Archives: Movies

Three Sheets to the Wind

Posted on 10-March-2010 by

When I was growing up in the 60s in East Lansing, Michigan, I had a friend whose parents were alcoholics.  My friend was a bit of a nerd.  He loved movies (this era was pre-tapes and pre-DVDs) and he would … Continue reading →

Posted in mormonism, Movies, Personalities | 1 Comment

Everybody’s Fine . . . Except

Posted on 28-February-2010 by

Two nights ago I watched the movie Everybody’s Fine, starring Robert De Niro as father and several other fine actors as his offspring.  In the movie Frank Goode, a widower played by De Niro, travels around the country visiting his … Continue reading →

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“Gran Torino,” A Movie Review

Posted on 30-January-2010 by

A few nights ago, I rewatched Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino.”  I love this movie.  It is rated “R,” principally for language.  At times, it seems like every other word is either a racial slur, the f-bomb, or a crude swear … Continue reading →

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Full Court Press

Posted on 23-January-2010 by

Two articles in this week’s periodicals paint a less-than-flattering image of official and unofficial Mormons.  The first appeared in Time Magazine in a review of the movie “The Book of Eli.”  The second was the lead article (complete with cover … Continue reading →

Posted in mormonism, Movies | 2 Comments

Movie Magic

Posted on 12-January-2010 by

Below is a list of lesser-known movies that I recommend: Pi – Faith in Chaos (Darren Aronofsky director)  1998 Twin Falls Idaho (Michael Polish director) 1999 Sling Blade (Billy Bob Thorton director) 1996 Run Lola Run (German, Tom Tykwer director) … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | 5 Comments

“Avatar,” A Movie Review

Posted on 05-January-2010 by

I recently went to see “Avatar.”  I give it an “A” for special effects (with reservations) and a “D-” for plot. Here are my random comments about the movie:

Posted in Art, Movies, Technology | 13 Comments

Break on Through

Posted on 01-October-2009 by

Years ago, before I could face the pain of dealing with our Regional Office, I stopped at what is now Carl’s Jr for breakfast.  After a delightful snack, I started back toward the SLC Federal building.  As I was leaving … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Personalities, Philosophy | 14 Comments

Africa and the Popular Media

Posted on 16-February-2009 by

Lately I’ve become obsessed with sub-Saharan eastern Africa.  It is a place that has been tormented by HIV/AIDs, terrible wars, over-population, corrupt and inept governments, and famine.  Just as you think things are calming down in the region, another disaster breaks … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Movies | 7 Comments

Sunstone at the Movies

Posted on 10-August-2007 by

Wednesday night (August 7) and Thursday was movie day for me at the Salt Lake City gathering of the Sunstone Symposium. This 24-hour period included presentations involving: (1) background information on the television documentary The Mormons; (2) a revisiting of … Continue reading →

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States of “Dutcher”

Posted on 13-February-2007 by

I watched the movie “States of Grace” last week and enjoyed it. The movie isn’t perfect, but it is by far Richard Dutcher’s (the director) best effort to date. Brigham Young University’s decision not to show it on campus is … Continue reading →

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