End of 2011

So I thought I would end the year with a post from TCM with their annual remembrance of all the film industry people who have passed away this year.

Day of Music

I haven’t felt much like writing this year, sorry about that. I have been on a lot of adventures and just have not gotten around to writing about them, let alone send out postcards. But two weeks back AJ and I went to the X96 Big Concert Show at the Gallivan Center and saw The Airborne Toxic Event (yeah!!), Neon Trees, and Panic at the Disco. There were other bands, but these were the reasons we went. Especially to see Panic since we have had not had the chance to see them perform; which in a way we still have not since the lead vocalist Brendon was sick in the hospital so he was not able to perform. But the show still went on with Tyler from Neon Trees singing two songs, along with other performers from that days concerts filling in. Very entertaining, glad they still performed, just wish we had Brendon (Good news, Brendon ended up not having malaria).

Also I found that I like Dallon Weekes from Brobecks who is touring with Panic as bass guitarist and back up vocals. My new favorite romantic song- Love at First Sight (shared below). He did a wonderful job performing and filling in with vocals that night.

Overall a great concert for such a low price. Three bands I enjoy for $25. Money well spent!

Real and One Republic

Last Saturday AJ and I went to a Real Salt Lake soccer game mainly so we could see One Republic perform after the game. I gave up the big BYU vs. U of U football game for this (which turned out for the best since I would have just been frustrated watching us hand the game over to the other team). This is my second adventure watching a live soccer match and it seemed to move more quickly. I attribute it to understanding the game more. Actually, I think I just decided to go with the flow of the game and not focus so much on the calls. Good news- Real won!

After the game we found seats closer to the stage and settled in for a long concert of five songs. Yeah, five songs. It was like getting a sample scoop of ice cream at Baskin Robbins and walking out without ordering. They canceled their earlier appearance this summer so I have been anticipating this concert for awhile and just wished I had more to enjoy. But I can’t complain because I do love their song “Secrets.” I find myself watching the film Sorcerers Apprentice anytime I see it on TV just to hear their music.

Luckily next month The Airborne Toxic Event is coming back into town with Panic at the Disco and Neon Trees. Can’t wait!

Back to School

I love film history. I know it is not a surprise to any of you. If I were able to have my dream job, I would be a film historian or work with film preservation. At times I get antsy wondering why I am not doing what I love and start looking at film schools. During one of those times this past fall I found that UCLA’s Film School offers online courses during the summer. So I took the plunge and I enrolled in Acting and Performance in Film II. The class focused on the challenges actors face in performing in different genres like mystery, drama, comedy, etc. I enjoyed the lectures, the books I had to read, and the majority of the films I had to watch (I still hate Doctor Zhivago). This week they posted our final grade. Drum roll please . . .I got an A+! Brace yourself I’m going to brag a bit more – an A+! Of course I want to send a big thank you for MN in helping me edit my papers. But it really does make a difference if you love the subject you are studying. So after successfully completing one course, I will be registering next summer for another class and hopefully this will help tame the film lover inside me. But I may have just wakened the beast.

Death Cab for Cutie

You would think that as little I have been posting that I have not been up to anything this year but it has been just the opposite. Last week AJ and I went and saw Death Cab for Cutie. I’ve enjoyed their music over the years (including Ben’s stint with Postal Service) but their new album Codes and Keys is what won me over that I needed to see them in concert. A very enjoyable concert that actually started on time which is so rare. Here is a sample of why I like them (the video is a little weird, but I do love the song):



I forgot to mention that Ben never stops moving during the entire concert. He is always in motion, I was exhausted just watching him. No need for an exercise plan for him.

The Hit

My father, sister and I went and saw the Orem Hale Theater production of The Hit by Mike Buckley:

“Susan is dying. But when she hires an inept hit man to speed thing up, things get topsy-turvy funny in a hurry. A zany and heartwarming play about dying and learning to live.”

We went to the afternoon showing and noticed that the audience was made up of more of the mature set then other performances I have gone to, which is not bad just an observation. Since it is a theater in a round, you feel part of the production like you are witnessing it as a fly on the wall. The play was funny, it was enjoyable, and for only $15.50 way worth the money. The bit players coming into the antique shop to make “purchases” were a delight especially the ones played by Levi Larson. Plus I loved the running gag of the family heirloom for every character. After the play I asked my sister didn’t David St. Julien’s funny performance reminded you of Kirby Heyburn and she agreed. You still have another week to catch it, don’t miss it.

Lucky One

I just found a new song I love and I had to share it. I heard it on an episode of Royal Pains and I could not get it out of my head. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. It's called "The Lucky One" by Jess Penner.

Braces

Yes, you read that correctly. After years of waiting and saving I have finally gotten braces. Everyone who knows me knows I need them, except for my nephews. When one of my nephews found out I was getting braces, he asked why because he didn’t think I needed braces (This is why you have nephews. They love you unconditionally and build your self esteem.) So I will not be getting a house any time soon since I took a big chunk out of my down payment savings to pay for all the prep leading up to and including getting my braces. It was selfish on my part to get them and not get a house but I have been wanting them for years. I just decided that enough was enough and I was going to do something about it. Most people know that I do not like getting my picture taken, and really it is because of my smile. So in three years, I promise, get your cameras ready!

Peter Falk (1927-2011)

I’ve been meaning to post this for a week about Peter Falk passing away with complications of Alzheimer’s disease. I loved watching him play Columbo as a child. You the viewer saw the crime take place at the beginning so it was not that you were trying to figure out the murderer, you enjoyed Peter Falk asking the questions and starting to walk off then turn around and say “Oh, there’s just one more thing.” It was priceless watching him needle the who’s who of television stars who were the suspects. Of course he was great in his film roles like Princess Bride and Murder by Death as well. I say that’s pretty good for a guy with only one eye.

Oh, there's just one more thing....

Occupational Hazard

So, I just had a blonde moment that I had to share. I was calling my credit card company to activate my replacement card and the representative asked why I was calling and I said to activate my library card. Yep. I actually said that. I corrected myself by saying I mean my credit card. He then asked me did you just say library card? I said yes. He laughed and said that is funny. After completing all my verification he concluded our conversation saying with a chuckle, now don’t go using it at your library because it is not going to work. I just became the topic of conversation at that call center today. I just know it.

The Airborne Toxic Event

On June 1st AJ, DF, and I went to a concert that I have been waiting for over 2 years to come to Utah- Airbone Toxic Event. I first fell in love with the group with their song Sometime Around Midnight and they have had me hooked ever since.

I have to say they were my favorite concert I have ever been to and here is why:

They were personable with the crowd- Mikel Jollett twice walked out into the crowd during the concert and came out afterwards to talk to fans. (I got one person away from him before he switched directions).

I love that their keyboard stand is a stack of books.

They mix instruments like the violin and the cello into their music. (FYI a man playing a cello is very sexy without the tux)

The band members each can play multiple instruments and switch around during the concert.

Noah Harmon looks like a cross between Maxwell Claufield and Bruce Springsteen (yeah, I have a little bit of a crush).

They actually have cool band t-shirts to purchase and thanks to AJ I have one!

And of course their music is great!

So even though my ears rang for three days after the concert it was worth it and here is just a sample why:

Jamed Arness (1923-2011)

I just found out today that James Arness, of Gunsmoke fame, passed away yesterday at the age of 88. Before he took on the role of Matt Dillion for twenty years (it held the record for the longest running drama TV until last year) he did a few film roles and was hesitant to take on Gunsmoke and be typecast until his friend John Wayne encouraged him to take it. “Go ahead and take it, Jim,” Wayne urged him. “You’re too big for pictures. Guys like Gregory Peck and I don’t want a big lug like you towering over us. Make your mark in television.” Standing 6 feet, 6 inches tall he most defiantly left a mark and he will be missed.

Thor

Am I the only person who has a hard time taking Thor seriously as real action hero? I just keep thinking of the film Adventures in Babysitting and laugh. Just a thought I keep having with all the commercials for the new film that opened last weekend, so of course I had to share.

March Madness!

March Madness is right! What a year for Cinderella stories. If you would have told me Duke was not going to be in the final four, I would have laughed at you.

First, I was so proud of BYU making it to the Sweet Sixteen. Even though they did not go on, I had fun watching them this season. I will miss watching Jimmer and Emery, but I’m glad that Hartsock will be back next year. I had a friend ask what would be my dream matchup with BYU and I said, to play against Butler and Duke and this year there was that possibility to see that happen but we lost to the stupid Gators.

Second, I have been a Duke fan for about 20 years, always cheering for them during the NCAA Championships. To have them lose the same day as BYU made for a very sad day at my house. Between the stress of the games and to be consoled afterwards I almost went through an entire bag of Cheetos.

Luckily Butler is still in otherwise I would have stopped caring what was going on in the tournament.

Jane Russell (1921-2011)

It’s always sad to report that another Hollywood legend has passed away. Yesterday we lost Jane Russell to a respiratory-related illness. Russell, known for her roles in Gentleman Prefer Blondes and The Outlaw, brought to the screen a presence of strong beauty. One who could play against men like Robert Mitchum and hold her own. Too bad Howard Hughes controlled her early film contract and limited her opportunities to become a bigger star than she was.

Let There Be Music!

Back in June my car stereo system decided to start acting up without my permission. It would decide when it wanted to work and when it wanted to take a break. By November my CD player completely gave up on me and retired. For someone who is in their car a lot, I grew dependent on listening to books on my commute to work. The problem was I just did not want to dish out hundreds of dollars to get it fix. But luckily I have connections. AJ’s brother was so kind to do all the research on what new system I needed to purchase and install it for me for free (though I had to give him a small thank you, I would have felt guilty otherwise). All this week I have had a smile on face as I once again started listening to a book my car (It really does make the commute go faster). So thank you AJ and her brother for helping me out because I am one really happy camper!

Oh, plus AJ gave me some other great news this week, Airborne Toxic Event is coming to town!

Primary

I have been called to teach Primary. I will admit it is not my first choice in the calling category, but it is defiantly not the worst on my list. I will be teaching the 9 year olds. As I have mentioned before I have only substituted in Primary on occasion so this is new territory for me. I will have to get a Primary Songbook because (I’m dating myself here) the “new” songbook came out the last year I was in Primary so the majority of the songs are new to me.

Today I got a quick crash course in teaching. I was in Sunday School when the Primary secretary came in and got me and asked me to substitute in Primary today for the 8 year old class since the teacher went home with a sick child. So I was handed the manual, pointed to the classroom, and had 40 minutes of class time to fill. Luckily the lesson was on Jesus’ baptism so I could wing it. I think today was to show me gratitude for the class I will be teaching in two weeks and be glad I will not be teaching this class of very rambunctious boys.

John Barry

Today we lost one of the great film composers, John Barry to a heart attack; he was 77 years old. The five-time Oscar winner worked on eleven Bond scores, Born Free, Out of Africa, and Dances with Wolves.

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.