Sundance 2011 Be Here.

Oh, I was there and I was glad that I went. One of the reasons you go to Sundance is to expose yourself to films that you might never would have seen otherwise. Below are the two films I saw this year.

Family Portrait in Black and White

In a Ukrainian village, big-hearted, formidable Olga Nenya single-handedly raises 23 foster children. Sixteen are the biracial offspring of visiting African students and Ukrainian women, who, living in a country of blue-eyed blondes that’s racked with endemic racism, often see no choice but to abandon their babies. And that’s where Olga comes in.

Family Portrait in Black and White charts the rhythms of Olga’s hectic household, rife with rambunctious kids and goats. As diverse dramas unfold among the brood—a high-schooler struggling to transcend his plight through education, a boy longing to reunite with his Ugandan father, and a child courted for Italian adoption—Olga reveals herself to be loving and protective, but also narrow-minded and controlling. A product of communist ideology, she favors collective duty over individual freedom. It’s this philosophy that gives the orphans the rich sense of belonging they ache for, as well as cause for rebellion and distrust, in this lyrical, sometimes gut-wrenching tale about the meaning of “Mama,” “family,” and “nation.”

This film made me very grateful to be born and raised in America to a loving family and to have such luxuries like indoor plumbing. It broke my heart that Olga would not let her children be adopted to the loving host families that wanted them or let her children pursue their college education even though the government would pay for it. You wanted to reach out and help these children. The thought then brings me back to what am I doing to help those in my community? I can help here even though I might not be able to help there.


These Amazing Shadows

From Dorothy’s entrance into Oz to the pizza delivery at Ridgemont High, cinematic moments take on iconic levels of meaning in a film lover’s life. As the government-appointed protector of our cinematic legacy, the National Film Registry selects culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant works for preservation in the Library of Congress.

Guided by a true cinephile’s love of the medium and a treasure trove of archival footage, These Amazing Shadows molds a cultural history from pieces of film, offering a microcosm of the work of the National Film Registry and making a powerful case for film preservation.

I am so glad that AJ found this film at the last minute for us to watch. If I had my dream job, I would become a film historian so I really enjoyed this film. I knew the majority of the films they talked about (minus the unknown documentaries and some of the silent films) and it was interesting to hear why they chose these films to be preserved. I could talk about this film for hours because it is a subject that I am passionate about. One thing I do want to share is that did you know that anyone can submit a nomination for a film to be preserved? I’ve been contemplating which film not already preserved should be on that list. Which one would you preserve?

Ice Ice Baby

I’ve been in the mood for hockey for awhile so when I saw that the Stockton, CA Thunder was taking on the Utah Grizzles that sealed the deal. So this past weekend, AJ, AMM, JR and I went. I’ve been to two other hockey games but it has been years so I still don’t get all the rules. But one thing I knew for sure, it was going to be a good game when a fight broke out in the first 2 seconds of the game and about half the team on both sides end up in the penalty box. Just an FYI, the refs do not break up the fight until the players fall down on the ice and no one wants to look a wimp and fall down first so they can go on for awhile.

Our seats ended up being right behind the Stockton Thunders team and all that separated us was a piece of plexiglass. You missed part of the game with the coaches walking back and forth but it was very entertaining to see the players up close. We got to see the skates being sharpened, a hanging tooth pulled out, the same sweating/snot filled towel passed around from player to player (that grossed me out more than the blood), and we are still trying to figure out why there was double bubble gum evenly spaced out along the back ledge. One thing to note, the equipment manger did an excellent job, and yeah, he wasn’t too bad to look as well. Then again, he actually had all of his teeth unlike the players.

In the end Stockton won and I was glad because I felt they were my home team after watching them so intently.

Tron: Legacy

Maybe because I was really young when I saw the original Tron and have not seen it since that I thought it was cool. When you look at the era it was made it’s pretty impressive. So my dad, sister and I decided we had to go see the new film since we saw the classic one together.

My thoughts:

I enjoyed the film. It stayed true to the look and feel of the original with a few updates. Okay, a lot of updates on the special effects that made it very eye pleasing but the original concept was there.

I still love Bruce Boxleitner.

I did not like that they turned Bridges into a hippie.

The film defiantly left an opening for a sequel. My guess is it will be Sam Flynn taking on the Edward Dillinger character and that is why Cillan Murphy took such a small role at the beginning of the film.

A side note: I keep looking to see if the trend of Quorra’s bangs cut at a slant will catch on in the fashion world.

One More Sleep 'til Christmas

To quote Kermit the Frog from The Muppet Christmas Carol (love that film, mainly because of Rizzo the Rat) only one more sleep ‘til Christmas. The older I get the less magical it seems to be. I have not really even been in the mood to watch my favorite Christmas films this year. What it comes down to you really need to have little ones around all excited about Santa Claus and the season to get you all excited about it as well.

I have decided that next year I really need to do more service to bring the true spirit. One of my favorite Christmas’ was when I was a senior in high school and I was a volunteer Salvation Army Bell Ringer. Every Friday night and Saturday day I rang the bell (actually I sat next to the bucket while a little musical bell played Christmas songs) at the local mall through the Christmas season. It was so fun to see the little kids come up and put pennies in. Ever since I was a little kid I loved doing the same thing and I can not pass a Salvation Army bucket and still not put money in today. Even though my family participated in a Sub for Santa project this year I really need to focus more on the Savior. So if anyone can think of a great service project let me know.

Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and to quote Bing Crosby from White Christmas that at this time of year may we “count our blessings instead of sheep.”

Merry Christmas!

White Christmas

No, this post has nothing to do with the weather. Every year as part of our Christmas gift my parents treat my oldest sister and I to a Christmas performance. This year we went and saw White Christmas at the University of Utah’s Pioneer Theater.

The film, White Christmas (1954) starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye is one of my favorite holiday films that I watch every year. So I pretty much know the film by heart and love it. But I still enjoyed the play. The sets were top notch, the choreography fun (I do love tap dancing), and the actors did a descent job (a nod to Tally and Kaitlyn). The script was a little different and so were the characters but I kept an open mind. I’m so glad that they kept the “Sisters” routine that the guys perform it’s one of my favorite scenes.

Just a few observations: John Shuman who played Ezekiel did a great interpretation of Pa Kettle. Mary Driggs who played Martha was more Ethel Merman than Mary Wickes but the character worked. I also thought it was interesting that they threw in “I love the Piano” which is from another Irving Berlin film Easter Parade.

I’m glad we have this new family tradition now that we are older it always helps me get into the Christmas spirit. Plus, we stopped off at Baskin Robbins for a nutty coconut shake afterwards. I do love those shakes.

The Tourist

The film felt like an Alfred Hitchcock film starring Cary Grant with Jean Louis doing costumes. To those who may not understand that compliment, let me explain. A light hearted suspense dealing with a mistaken identity of an average American man, running from the law and the men out to kill him but does it all for the love a well dress woman. So, very much like North by Northwest with a twist.

I never understood why guys find Angelina Jolie attractive but when she is dressed with class and style as in this film, I finally get it. Just a note on her wardrobe, when the film starts out she is wearing white, then slips into grey, ending the film wearing black. (Costume designer Colleen Atwood deserves a nod for that). As for Johnny, I could have done without the goatee. But even though he may not have looked good (sorry the last time I found him attractive was when I was a kid watching 21 Jump Street), he did a good job playing the awkward reserved man in love spurting out the funny lines while in danger.

I enjoyed Paul Bettany’s character and can I just say it’s amazing what a well tailored suit can do for a man. And kudos for casting Timothy Dalton as head of Scotland Yard, he fit the role perfectly. Rufus Sewell role, though minor, was also well done. The film was enjoyable. It was funny, had action, a little romance, beautiful scenery and a great cast. I highly recommend it. Plus they threw in a Muse song in the closing credits for good measure.

Christmas Open House

For the last nineteen years my parents have opened their home the first Monday of December to the neighborhood and ward to come celebrate Christmas with them. I think it is a magical event, even though at times it can seem a little chaotic with over 150 people, majority of them kids, in our downsized home. We may go a little overboard with the decorations but the kids love it and it sets the mood for the evening.

The first stop is the candy shop- the dinning room hutch with several glass jars of candy to fill your treat bag. Then comes the reindeer food (Santa’s reindeer are well feed in our neighborhood). The best moment is when the children come around the corner and they see the toy shop (the kitchen table filled with dollar store toys) and their eyes light up and they literally run to the table. Of course it takes time to pick the perfect toy and you might have to trade once or maybe five times till you get the right one. But after the big decisions are made, you can celebrate the victory with lots and lots of food. The last stop of the evening is you pick up a family Christ center gift that we have put together because that real reason to gather friends together to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

So after weeks of planning, cleaning, and decorating the evening comes to an end. We discussed that maybe next year will be our last open house, but then we realized that we would really miss it and it would not be Christmas without it. So here’s to next year and the years to come.