Last Friday night (Jan 22nd), there was an all-star telethon on all 4 major television networks in support of the relief and rebuilding efforts in Haiti. The program alternated between sad stories read by big-time actors and mornful tunes sung by big-time performers. All were dressed in somber dark gray or black. Interspersed was an occasional report from Haiti. Even though I wanted to like the program, it was about as exciting as a funeral.
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 word. Although it sounds almost obscene, I found myself laughing at some of the absurd and creative uses of racial epitaphs.
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 photograph) in the National Geographic. I have no particular comment on either article, but it is interesting to see how we are portrayed in the popular press.
As you drive into Monticello, Utah, which I do frequently, there is one solitary stop light. In fact, it is the only stop light in San Juan County. A few years ago, if you’d have turned toward the east, you’d have been on US 666 headed for Colorado and then New Mexico (the Four Corners areas). You’d first be crossing pinto bean country and then into the Navajo Nation.
Below is a list of lesser-known movies that I recommend:
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:
There are two commercials currently running on national television that I place on opposite ends of the like/dislike spectrum.