Now You See Me: Movie Review

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Earlier this year I watched several episodes of the show "Breaking the Magicians Code."  Magic tricks are performed: amazing, crazy, and stupefying.  Then a masked magician shows how the tricks are done.  Suddenly a feeling of stupidity overwhelms.  There's no such thing as magic . . . magic tricks are just elaborate hoaxes that create wonder.  It's not real.

That's what Morgan Freeman's character, Thaddeus Bradley, is trying to prove in Now You See Me, a suspense movie about keeping the secrets of magic a secret, and those who don't.  There's a new magic act called the 4 horsemen, and their show's involve visual splendor and hypnosis mingled with bank/money robbing.  It's the attention they get while robbing banks in mystifying ways that pulls in the FBI.  Agent Dylan Rhodes, Mark Ruffalo, is trying to stay two steps ahead.

What follows is cat chasing mice . . .

The 4 horsemen comprise a mentalist, escape artist, master locksmith/robber/magician, and sleight-of-hand expert.  When we see their show we're treated with quick tricks and hypnotism.  Nothing awe inspiring, really, which is what I wanted to see.  A movie about magic should be filled with more magic, or at least amazing tricks that dazzle but seem plausible.

There was an exciting car chase, and a crazy escape scene when one of the horsemen try to evade the FBI, but the climax, the big reveal, was a let down and somewhat predictable.  And suddenly this whole "magic" thing feels silly and ridiculous.

I was entertained through out . . . until the lame ending.  My brothers were underwhelmed.  Robbie gave the film a 2.75, and Steven declared it shouldn't get above a 3.  

MPAA: PG-13 for language, some action and sexual content.

Ephraim's Rescue: Movie Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Ephraim's Rescue is a companion story to the 2011 successful LDS film 17 Miracles, about the Martin & Willie Handcart companies.  Both movies are directed by T.C. Christensen.  Whereas 17 Miracles exclusively follows the Willie Handcart company, this story follows the life of Ephraim Hank's, an early convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and one of the first rescuers of the Martin Handcart Company.  This new movie also follows those in the Martin Company, some of their struggles and sacrifices as they traveled west.

Originally I wasn't going to see Ephraim's Rescue, having a choice between 42, Epic, and After Earth, all movies I haven't seen, but was curious.  Then I decided to take my Grandma with me, and my brother Steven recommended I see Ephraim's Rescue with her.  For that we're both glad.

I don't have any early LDS pioneer heritage.  Every single one of my grandparents joined the church in the late 1950's early 1960's.  Because of that I always felt a little disjointed towards Church History.  All my church friends growing up had pioneer ancestry.  When Pioneer Day rolled around each year, every July 24, they shared stories and I felt a little left out.  I deeply appreciate the early Saints, naturally, but never felt truly connected.  Those sentiments have changed now that I'm older.  My Grandparents are pioneers, with their own struggles and miracles, persecutions, trials of faith, etc.  But then aren't we all pioneers with our own stories and unique circumstances?

One of the few moments in Church History that did stay with me was that of the Martin and Willie Handcart companies.  Stories of the English Saints who gave up everything to sail across the sea and walk to Utah in the dead of Winter, some with no shoes, have stayed in my memory.  The horrors; the Miracles.  They may not be my blood relatives, but that doesn't matter. They were trailblazers.  Faith paramount.  Amazing.  I think of my life and the many times I've dealt with anti-Mormon bigotry in California, but what is that compared to them?  Nothing.  Through the harshest of circumstance they endured.

Faith precedes the miracle.  

I wouldn't have what I have if they weren't first courageous.

Was the movie perfect?  No, there were flaws, but that's not what I took from the film.  In Ephraim Hank's I saw a man who was reckless in his youth, but easily touched by the spirit regardless.  In him I saw Alma the younger, the sons of Mosiah, Amulek, and Zeezrom (my favorite people in the Book of Mormon.  Men who were not perfect, who sinned, but allowed the atonement of Christ to fully work in their lives, and then became faithful servant's, facing danger in unknown territories to follow and teach of Chirst, the coming Messiah.  Amulek is my particular favorite.  I'm off topic!)

I felt my heart touched while watching the film, my testimony strengthened.  Thankful to live in this modern era, to know that God loves us, and is mindful of us as he was with those in the old World (biblical times) and the early inhabitants of this promised land.  That we still live in a time of covenants, temple blessings, prophets, and apostles.  That every living man who is worthy can hold the priesthood, not just the descendents of the tribe of Levi.  And even though, as a Women, I can't hold the priesthood, no priesthood blessing is withheld from me.   How great is his love?  How great is Gods mercy?  Infinite.   

The character and strength of the LDS Pioneers is a great blessing.  To them I will always be thankful.

Window

(Taken with my cell at Temple Square UT)

"A morning-glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books."

 

~ Walt Whitman

Home ~ The Piano Guys

I love this cover from The Piano Guys; they're covering Phillip Phillips single "Home."  BTW, you can buy the new Piano Guys 2 Deluxe Edition CD/DVD album on Amazon.  My brother got me an autograph copy for my birthday, and I love it!  (He got to meet them earlier this month at Desert Book.)

Learning to play a Hyundai . . .

Did you know Hyundai made pianos?

I've known since I was eight, back when my family bought the above pictured upright 23 years ago.  It's the piano I learned to play on, and it honestly sounds great, though I read a review somewhere that Hyundai full grands are not that good.  

I've known about Hyundai being in the musical instrument business long before I heard about their cars, which are fantastic.  Several members of my family own one, though I've got a Chevrolet.   Someday I'm destined to own a Hyundai, simply because I grew up playing one.  We'll see.  It would be classic if I ended up with a Sonata! (Another music connection.) 

My ultimate dream is to one day own a full grand Yamaha.  They're amazing!  Back at BYU I would go down to the piano rooms and play the Yamaha's . . . and then drool a little.  Steinway's are amazing, don't get me wrong.  They've earned the reputation they deserve.  My Grandpa R. used to own a Steinway full grand.  When I was a kid I played on it several times, but not understanding the King of Piano legend the Steinway has, I didn't appreciate it.

The Steinway piano was promised to one day go to me, but when my Grandpa moved back to Ventura he sold it for an electric piano.  I cried that day!  And even now, 13 years after he sold it, I'll bring up the fact that he made a bad investment choice in selling the instrument.  Acoustic pianos, if well maintained, maintain or appreciate in value, especially a Steinway Full Grand!!  Anything electronic, especially instruments with old technology, depreciate in value.  Logic.  I've explained this to him many times, but he still insists that his electronic piano is worth a lot of money.  The keys aren't even weighted.   -_-;;  He'll never get it. 

Remembering Our Heroes

When I was in High School I had the great fortune to volunteer a few times at a convalescent hospital.  It seemed, really, that I didn't do much; mainly making crafts and talking to the patients. Though the service was small I did pat myself on the back a few times for doing charity.

I was humbled real fast that Summer of 1999.

The weather was hot, and July 4th was soon upon us.  My friend and I were asked to bring all those sitting in wheel chairs to the pavilion for a patriot ceremony.  The flag was raised, the words sweet, then something happened that I will never, never forget.

The person leading the ceremony asked all those who had served during World War II to stand.  Suddenly most of the men stood, and I was quickly humbled, tears running down my face.  Those men who I thought I was serving had given me the greatest service of all.

  We are the Land of the Free because of the Brave.

Change

(Deer Creek UT . . . taken with my cell phone.)

"Sometimes we look for those thunderous things to happen in our life for our lives to change or go in the other direction. We seek the miracle. We seek the parting of the seas, the moving of the mountains. But no, it's a quiet thing. At least for me it was."

~Ben Vereen

The Host: Movie Review

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

I've been really having a hard time writing this review for The Host.  I saw the movie a day before it was released, and here I am two months later finally writing a review for a movie that sadly got pushed aside and forgotten, with about a $26,564,000 domestic gross, and about $48,154,000 Worldwide.  Not very good numbers for a potential franchise hoping to cash in on the Twilight phenomenon.

I've never read the Twilight books, but I have read The Host.  The story honestly captivated me, and I couldn't wait to see it in theaters.  To date I've been twice.

Where the book succeeds the movie fails, and vice versa.

 For those who don't know, Earth has just been invaded by a group of aliens called Souls.  They're body-snatchers, unable to live outside of a shell, so they travel the Universe, living the lives and cultures of others.  They've done this on many other World's, and we're merely the next in line.  They take over, and soon our consciousness is erased, searching our memories to blend in.  There's no violence, theft, murder, war . . . they claim to be a peaceful race, only what they've committed is silent mass genocide.  They don't see it that way.

Then comes Melanie, a girl on the run who's survived the first several waves of captor, until she's cornered and gets taken over.  "Wanderer" is the Soul implanted in Melanie, but when Melanie is supposed to disappear, she remains: Watching, commenting, and trying to gain control.  But this story isn't so much about Melanie, but about Wanderer and what she gains while living here.

But unlike the other Worlds the Souls have taken over, our species is different.  We have emotion, distinction, family, motherhood, and relationships, things the Souls have never experienced on other Worlds.

That aspect never fully made it into the movie.  There's semblances, but the limited time a motion picture film is allowed actually hurt the movie in the long run.  The long book is able to fully explore the themes behind being human and our right to be ourselves.  Yes, there is the love quadruple, but there are many relationships Wanderer (Wanda) makes in the book that is cut in the movie, and these relationships help her develop.

She's also majorly beat up in the book.  Seriously harmed, whereas in the movie she is only slapped.  I read somewhere that either the director or the writer didn't like this fact, but it proves Wanderer's patients and strength, and how she is different then Melanie.  What she is willing to endure.

There is a beautiful friendship with the Doctor that all but disappears in the movie.  It's a relationship of trust and understanding.  But where Wanderer fully grows is through her relationship with Walter.  A minor character that dies of cancer in the book, so minor he's no where to be found in the movie, but so pivotal to Wanderer that his loss actually dampers her growth.

What the movie gets right the book gets wrong; What the book gets right the movie gets wrong.

None of the other Worlds are explained in the movie, and though it seems like an easy removal for times sake, those scenes were some of the most interesting in the book, and necessary for understanding Souls and the complex, unique situation found on Earth.  And they're necessary for understanding Wanderer, because of the many Planets she's lived on, which is quite rare for her species.  Most Souls live one or two lives before settling on a Planet to experience an eternity living as a single race over and over again.  Earth is Wanderers 9th Planet, and because of her experience and knowledge she is celebrated by her people.  She's never found a place that feels like home.

Some changes I did like in the movie was that some minor characters die who didn't beforehand.  This shows the value the rebels place on Freedom.  The lengths they are willing to go to protect and remain free.  And I also prefer the movies ending.  There are aspects to the way the book ended that didn't sit well with me.  I much prefer the way things are tied up in the movie.

Because of the deletion of some developments in the book, this movie does play a little more Twilight then is found in the written word, with the focus being on the love story.  There are some sweet moments in the movie between Melanie and her brother Jamie, and I like the glowworm cave.  Nice touch.

Beyond that, I was impressed with the acting of Saoirse Ronan, who plays both Melanie and Wanderer, though the voice over work did get annoying at times.  I really don't like Melanie.  Didn't like her in the book; don't like her in the Movie.  I don't like Jared, either.  Just throwing that out there.  I really loved Diane Kruger's performance as the Seeker.  Always strong.  There are some tweaks to here character for the movie that I actually like.

Overall I did like the movie, and I wish more will follow, though at this point I don't think that's going to happen.  I would have loved to see where the story goes.  (As a note there's supposed to be two more books, so at least we'll have that.)

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for some sensuality and violence

ABC's Amazing Fall Lineup

(A Postcrossing.com postcard I got,

 illustrated by the sender from Russia "Svetlana.")

Once Upon A Time in Wonderland

This series is a spinoff from Once Upon a Time, focusing on Alice and her adventures in Wonderland, and back home again in Victorian England.  When I heard about this show several months ago I was a little nervous, but after seeing the trailer I am beyond excited.  

It looks like it's going to be very good, maybe even better then Once Upon a Time.  Hopefully they'll keep the story concise and character driven, which OUAT got right in the first season, but struggled with in the second.

From what I've read across the net it looks like Sebastian Stan isn't reprising his role as the Mad Hatter, since he's busy with other projects (Captain America: Winter Soldier), and so forth.  And there's rumors that Cora, Barbara Hershey, may make a guest appearance as the Queen of Hearts.  That would be cool if it works out.

Originally Wonderland was going to be a mid-season show, airing when OUAT was taking brakes to fill the gaps, but the show was so strong that ABC is bringing it to us sooner as a Fall show.  That's hopeful!  As it stands the show will air on Thursdays.  Fingers crossed that it's really good, and gets a large audience to keep it going.  (Nothing's worse then getting into a show and having it get canceled with no conclusive ending.)

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

It's a Marvel television series developed by Joss Whedon, the writer and director behind  the mega blockbuster The Avengers.  The show is going to be about S.H.I.E.L.D., headed up by  Phil Coulson, played by Clark Gregg!  And we all thought he died during the Avengers!  The show looks interesting and fun. 

It will air on Tuesdays.

And of course Once Upon a Time is going to be on Sundays . . . unless they change it.  I really don't like when they start shifting shows around.  Many a canceled show that makes.  

So, to sum up:

Once Upon a Time: Sundays

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Tuesdays

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland: Thursdays

Yeah, it's going to be Epic!

Echoes of Star Trek the Experience

When I was in Las Vegas last month I wandered into the Las Vegas Hotel, LVH, which was the former Las Vegas Hilton, where Star Trek the Experience took place.  I was really sad when I found out the Star Trek experience was ending, and thought everything was removed.  As I wandered through the casino nostalgia hit me hard as I walked into the Trek Universe.  I wonder if there are hidden remnants behind walls.  

When I was much younger I visited twice.  As the "ride" starts you think you're about to board a shuttle craft simulator when you're suddenly transported to the Enterprise Transporter room, and then led to the bridge.  It was an amazing experience!  And I'll never forget the shock of being transported, by surprise, and having that opportunity.  It felt so real!  I can say I know what it's like to be transported 

to the U.S.S. Enterprise.