Family reunion, grad-school midpoint, X-FILES, MAMMA MIA, MUMMY 3 reviews

Okay, it's been a couple of weeks since I wrote, but lotsa awesome stuff has been going down. For starters I went to Utah for a family reunion! Woo-hoo! We stayed at this really posh resort in Midvale, courtesy of Gram and Grandpa Burke, named Zermat. Midvale, apparently, was settled by Mormons from Switzerland, because they designed it to look like a European paradise.

My cousin Carly (who is the female me; we even share a birthday) picked me up at the airport, and she, Matt (cousin-in-law) and I drove up together. This place ruled. It had a pool that was half indoor, half outdoor, a gym (where I pulled a bunch of shoulder and neck muscles), a giant hot tub with a hot waterfall (which I used on said injury), and suites that were more like homes, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, 3 flat-screen TV's, internet, and a living room. What's more, my grandparents paid for 15-20 of those suites to comfortably house the 70+ people who came.

Highlights included a cousins-only dinner (no aunts, uncles, in-laws, or kids allowed; pictured above), a rotating game night where groups of 8-10 people went from room to room and played a bunch of different games in the different suites, swimming with my family, going to see the midnight show of THE DARK KNIGHT, and having a picnic in a park with the little kids running all over the place and making us laugh. We had four generations there! Also, setting up for a family picture, with 20 of us trying to get organized and little kids' mothers fretting over their clothes and hair, only to have the sprinklers go off just as we were about to take the pic!

My grandparents are 85 years old. Nobody's sure they'll be around for the next reunion, so this was their unofficial last chance in this life to see all of us. They left us their "final" testimony of the Gospel, with Gram emphasizing virtuous thoughts and loving one another, and Grandpa bearing witness of the importance of "keeping your knees polished" through prayer and reliance on the Lord. To keep Gram happy, Carly and I did a rendition of "Getting to Know You." Cousin Logan and my brother Adam emceed the festivities on the different nights.

My personal favorite event was the "skit in a bag" activity, where different groups of us were given a short story from the lives of my grandparents, a bag full of random wacky props, and 15 minutes to prepare a 3 minute skit acting out the story, while using ALL the props. Needless to say, our versions were very loose adaptations, and we laughed our heads off. I especially enjoyed my uncle Bill (playing the role of my grandfather) tossing a baby doll (representing Bill's wife, Gayle, as a child) and dropping it on it's head, then deadpanning, "Well that explains a lot!" Cue Gayle shouting out from the audience: "HEY!"

We also performed an impromtu rendition of "Memory" from Cats, as we did at the reunion nearly 20 years ago. It wasn't the same without my dear mother, but we made do. I like to think we did it to honor her.

Anyway, Dad and Carol drove me to Provo that Saturday, and I spent the day with Charan, Tim, and Alan. It was exciting to live vicariously through the latter as he chases his film-making dreams. We went to see TDK at the IMAX and had a great time. Sunday I went to my old ward at BYU, then had lunch with good friend Kelsey Reynolds, dinner with Charan's awesome family, and played games that night with a group including Tim and my old neighbor Stephanie Cook. She's incredible amounts of fun. On Monday Charan and I went to the Provo temple, I went running, had lunch with my friend Jenny, then flew back.


Since then, I've finished my first year of my master's program! Only one to go, and I am done! I had a neat missionary experience when a couple in my apartment complex moved out and gave me their house fan and a bunch of frozen food. I gave them my testimony, the special Ensign about the Savior, and a copy of The Testaments. I went to my friend Janet's big Catholic wedding yesterday, in a beautiful church in Georgia. It was wonderful. I hung out with my buddies Rachel Birmingham, Ali Zaremba, Stefanie Goetz, Kelly Tu, and Marinda Levy. There was great food, an open bar (I had orange juice mixed with cranberry juice, Sprite, and a lime. So refreshing). The night before I went to a church dance in Atlanta; it was a 50's dance, but not everyone got the memo, so wardrobe ranged from 50's to casual to formal. It was fun regardless. I can do The Worm. That's right. On Wednesday we had an Institute closing social, playing sand volleyball, swimming, and having pizza. That night I also watched Xanadu. No shame.

MOVIE REVIEW: THE X-FILES- I WANT TO BELIEVE

I don't know why this was so poorly reviewed. Perhaps people were expecting this to finally tie up all the loose plot threads the show left undone. Instead, this is a standalone suspense mystery that plays out like a director's cut of a good episode. It's genuinely scary, it's pretty well-acted, it's smart and unsettling. And as much as I tire of George W. Bush jokes, there's one here that's quite clever. All in all, if you like The X-Files, or if you just like to get creeped out, it's hard to go wrong here. ***1/2 (out of five) Rated PG-13 for moderate profanity and some violence.

MOVIE REVIEW: MAMMA MIA

Did you know Meryl Streep can do a toe-touch? Seriously! And that Pierce Brosnan has a raspy yet macho singing voice? Kind of like a deeper Bryan Adams. Basically, if you like ABBA, if you like fun fluffy musicals, if you dig that type of energy, this is a blast. If not, move along. Colin Firth adds charm, the young lady's got some pipes, the Greek scenery is gorgeous, and there's a lot of girl-power going on. Not a lot of substance, but that's not what it's going for. It just wants to give you a good time, and it succeeds. ***1/2 (out of five). Rated PG-13 for innuendo.

MOVIE REVIEW: THE MUMMY 3

New director. New locale (China). Jet Li as the villain. Michelle Yeoh helping the heroes. New actress playing Brendan Fraser's wife. Abominable snowman. And yet, this all feels so familiar. We've seen it done before (and better) in the first two Mummy movies. This isn't terrible, it's just...meh. Fraser is good. The actor playing his son annoys the crap out of me (or maybe it's just how the character is written). The effects are great. The swordfight between Li and Yeoh (which could have been worth the price of admission alone) is neutered by up-tight camerawork, poor editing, and un-inventive choreography. The jokes, which were "tongue-in cheek" bad before are now just bad. Meh. ** (out of five). PG-13 for violence and mild married innuendo.

THE DARK KNIGHT REVIEW

Though this film deserves a very long review, as I have so much to say about it, what more needs to be said than has already been mentioned by the nation's critics, who have contributed to The Dark Knight's whopping 94% rating on rottentomatoes.com? Some are saying it's better than Batman Begins, director Chris Nolan's first film in this new Batman series. I disagree, but only because I think that film is a lot better than some critics remember it. I do think, however, that The Dark Knight is just as masterful, and since I consider both to be nearly flawless enough to give them each five stars, it's high enough praise to say this new film is the rare sequel that lives up to the original. Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker? Everything you've heard, all of the praise and hype? All true. His is a riveting, terrifying, and darkly hilarious portrayal of the ultimate villain, and it's a completely original take on the character. Everyone will be talking about his performance, as well they should be, but I hope they won't lose sight of how terrific the acting is across the board. Christian Bale continues to impress as the best Batman/Bruce Wayne ever. Since he was so well established last time, he's given slightly less screen time here, but he's equally compelling as a man pushed to his limits. Michael Cain and Morgan Freeman have less to do, but every second they're on screen, they're terrific. Gary Oldman continues to show that he's just as compelling playing good guys as bad ones; his Commisioner Gordon is a pillar of virtue. Maggie Gyllenhall (Stranger Than Fiction) steps in for Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes. While I'm one of the apparently few people who didn't mind Mrs. Cruise in the first film, Gyllenhall adds a bit more life to the character. Finally, BYU graduate Aaron Eckhart gives a subtle and layered performance as Gotham D.A. Harvey Dent. If Ledger wasn't stealing the show, it'd be Eckhart's acting everyone would be talking about.

The action: terrific (a mid-movie chase scene stands out in my mind). The screenplay: just like Begins, it's full of fantastic moral investigations, fleshed-out characters, and plenty of surprises which I wouldn't dare reveal here. Like the first film, this is dark and scary, but with a lining of humanity and just a touch of humor. The direction is even better this time (thank you, Mr. Nolan, for allowing us to actually see the fights). Don't believe those reviews which say they don't know how this slipped by with a PG-13 rating; it is intense, and the Joker is brutal and horrific, but just like a great Hitchcock movie, the actual gruesome stuff occurs in your imagination, not on-screen. There's not any blood that I can remember, though there are some freaky images vis-a-vis the villains' physical appearance and the sight of some corpses. That being said, this is not a movie to take kids to. Just because you don't see a lot of gore, doesn't mean it isn't terrifying. If you're afraid of clowns, buckle up. Pushed to his limits, Batman gets mean. I mean Jack Bauer mean! At any rate, this is a terrific film; a crime/morality drama first, an action thriller second, and a comic book movie third. It isn't flawless, but the minor complaints are so nit-picky that I've no need to mention them here. Sorry WALL*E, but you're gonna have to pass the crown of year's best film over. The Dark Knight is king, and his jester is one bad motha! ***** (out of five).

Hellboy 2 Review- Surprise: it rocks!

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. 2004's Hellboy was mostly a dull, plodding movie. Every once and a while there were flashes of potential from the creative team: a crackling one-liner, an iconic image, a piece of hard-hitting action, a great character moment. But on the whole, the whole thing felt watered-down, forced, and a waste of talent. Rumor has it that studio suits interfered, as they're wont to do, with the creative vision of the director. But that director was Guillermo Del Toro, whose next film, the visionary Pan's Labrynth, won three Academy Awards, received a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, and got a whopping 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This time, the studio suits politely stood out of his way. Hellboy 2: The Golden Army is at once an altogether superior sequel as well as a highly entertaining standalone adventure movie. The characters are terrific, the action sequences genuinely thrilling, the comedy hits the mark (it rarely did in the first film), and the visual design is at times among the most original and unique of anything I've ever seen. Oh, and there's a character who sounds just like Elder Uchdorf, and Selma Blair is quite comely in this. Go see this movie to enjoy the craft of a great director on the rise. You don't have to have seen the first film to enjoy this one; all you need is my brief plot synopsis (after the review) to get you up to speed for the second. For me, this is on par with Iron Man as the summer's best action entertainment so far (The Dark Knight, of course, soon cometh). While no character in this shines as brightly as Robert Downey Jr's ultra-cool Tony Stark, the ensemble here is better, the action is just as good, and the creativity and visual imagery are terrific. Del Toro is contracted to direct The Hobbit, with Peter Jackson producing. Having seen Hellboy II, I'm salivating for that product. Even more complimentary, when I saw Hellboy I didn't care to see the series continue; having seen it's brawny, spunky, and imaginative sequel, I cannot wait for another installment. **** (out of five) (Rated PG-13 for creepy images, action violence).

PLOT SYNOPSIS: HELLBOY (2004)
In 1944, the Nazis open a portal to Hell, hoping to unleash its power on the Earth. Allied soldiers stop it, but not before a newborn demon gets through. Adopted by a paranormal scientist (and man of faith), the creature develops a love for humanity, kittens, and Baby Ruth candy bars. In the present day (he ages differently) he works undercover for the FBI, fighting demons and monsters, with his best friend Abe (who is amphibious and psychic), and the girl of his dreams, Liz (whose superpower is creating and controlling fire). By the end of the movie, Hellboy chooses good over evil and gets the girl, though he loses his father. He yearns to be accepted by the people he's protecting, but the government insists he keep his existence hidden.

San Francisco trip, HANCOCK review

Alright! I just got back from a fantastic six-day trip to San Francisco for a Smart Marriages conference. The top minds in the field of family studies (and marriage and family therapy) gave seminars over four days at the Hilton, and hundreds (thousands?) attended. I myself attended some fascinating seminars on "hot monogamy" (sex in marriage), the portrayal of marriage and family in the media, emotionally-focused therapy, stepparenting, and more. I learned a lot, but I also had time for plenty o' fun!

I arrived Wednesday night and relaxed. Thursday I had some killer Vietnamese food for lunch with my friend Mallory and my professors Scott and Tommy (deep friend banana with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Fantastic). That night, a big group of us took a limo to Pier 39 (limo was actually cheaper than taxis when there were ten of us) for terrific sea food at Neptunes.

We saw big fat seals (or are they sea lions?) chilling on the pier. Pier 39 has a bunch of shops, as well as a Captain Jack pirate show. Pretty sweet.

Friday night was the 4th of July. We had pizza and drinks in the hotel room of Amy and Stan (a coworker and her husband). I had a Martinelli's apple cider. Didn't need no booze to get crazy. My friends, however, did, if only to get to my level of shameless, embarrassing behavior.

We drove out in a limo (again) to the harbor, where we gathered with hundreds for the fireworks show.

It was foggy in the harbor, but the fireworks were still awesome, as they lit up the fog. It looked like a battleground. I did find it ironic, watching the symbols of freedom erupt just above Alcatraz.

Saturday night we all walked over to Chinatown, which I hear is the best Chinatown in the U.S. It didn't dissappoint. I did embarrass myself at the restaurant, though. The food was fantastic (even if the fowl did still have their heads attached), but...well, I do not think that all Asians look alike. Not by a long shot. Which is why it's so shamefully embarassing that I asked a guy for our check who wasn't at all the waiter who'd been serving us for an hour. Oops.

There were all sorts of shops with decorations, clothing, traditional weapons, parade dragon heads, etc, etc, etc. My favorite was this big guy doing a "Rocky at the top of the steps." I call him Buddah Balboa.

Sunday I walked two miles to Church. It was a gorgeous, two-story building built on a hill, with big windows on one side overlooking a flowergarden. Too bad the meetings (normally at 9 am and noon) were combined that day, so when I showed up for church at noon, it was over! Oh well, the Lord blesses you for trying. Then I totally broke the Sabbath and bought a day pass for the cablecars. I spent the next few hours hopping from car to car, seeing the city.

The LDS Church in San Francisco

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That afternoon I returned to find my friend and roommate Charles on his bed, looking tired. "Dude," he said, "I just got back from the gayest Church meeting I've ever been to." I replied: "Like, it was lame?" He said: "No, that wasn't a figure of speech. It literally was a gay church!" He went on invite from someone at the conference without knowing what he was getting into. He told me that the men had made aprons for a fundraiser and had modeled them during the service. The pastor went on to preach about God being a woman and spent 15 minutes blasting the Iraq war. Man, people sure interpret the Bible differently, don't they?

Anyway, Charles and I went to see the Golden Gate Bridge. We walked across it (it was refreshingly cool and windy), saw the pelicans, marvelled at the structure, and at the ships passing hundreds of feet below. Charles had a close call with a skunk. We saw this sign above a phone on the bridge, and it made us laugh (though it is quite serious).

Anyway, I'm back in Auburn now. Next week: Family reunion!

MOVIE REVIEW: HANCOCK

In short...it was good. Not great. Not even close to great. But entertaining. Any movie that has Will Smith playing off of Jason Bateman (Arrested Development) has something good going for it right off of the bat. Some decent story development, some unexpected drama, some solid action, quite a bit of good comedy. This is the type of movie that doesn't leave a lasting impression. Twenty minutes later, you're not still thinking about it (Wall*E, in contrast, was on my mind for days after). However, if you've seen everything else worth seeing and need a movie/entertainment fix, you won't go wrong here. However, if you're struggling to make it out to the theatre and/0r are saving your dollar for the best, I recommend Iron Man, Kung-Fu Panda, Wall*E, or the upcoming The Dark Knight. This is a rental for you. Will Smith, as always, is highly watchable, Jason Bateman is fantastically dry, and Charlize Theron has a role that will suprise you. *** (out of five). Rated PG-13 for profanity (one f-word which is, I'm sad to admit, pretty funny, and plenty of uses of "a-hole," and violence. Sexual content is a nonissue.)

NEW (OLD) PIC BONANZA, WALL*E, GET SMART REVIEWS

So, nothing huge new with me. Busy as always, though midterms went well. I have one year left and school is no more! This is a big deal, because except for my mission, I've been in school since I was 4 or 5!. I am going to San Francisco this week for a Smart Marriages conference, and I'll be there for the 4th of July! I'm thinking of going to the Redwoods and/or to Alcatraz, but we'll see what happens.

CLASSIC PICTURE BONANZA!
So these won't be new to my siblings, but they were to me. I just found em.' I give you the best of some recently unearthed pictures.

Mom's 50th birthday! I was on my mission when this was taken. Gosh, she rocks! I miss you, Mom.

Me, at about age 13, hangin' with my BFF Tim's little cousin. I LOVE THE 90'S! Check out the "Mossimo" shirt and the "No Fear" hat I'm workin'!

Uhh...Jaimee, I don't think girls in our family were allowed such skanky short shorts! Points for flexibility, though :) Nineteen years later, we're about to hit Park City again!

Dad and I hiked the Y when he came to my BYU graduation.

Mom and Princess Julia. Hahahaha.

What is up with our hair? On second thought, I don't love the 90's.

And, this little gem of an unused promo poster for CTU Provo. There you go James, just me and Donny.

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: This week it's just a simple testimony. I went with the missionaries to teach a discussion, and I'll tell you what, I know by the sweet confirmation of the Holy Ghost that the latter-day work of the Church of Jesus Christ is divine. If you get the chance to accompany the missionaries on a discussion, do so. It is a faith-confirming experience.

MOVIE REVIEW: WALL*E

I loved it, loved it, loved it. From the visuals to the characters to the story to the comedy to the surprisingly deep morality, this is a fantastic movie, even if you don't have any whippersnappers with you. Surprisingly touching, poignantly romantic (I know, it's about robots, but...you have to see it to understand). Previously, the best Pixar movies had a razor-sharp verbal wit (Toy Story, The Incredibles) but Wall*E, having a pair of leads who hardly speak, resurrects the type of sweet and good-natured characterizations and physical comedy found in, candidly, the silent masterworks of Charlie Chaplin. Seriously, if you love Wall*E, go and rent Charlie Chaplin's City Lights; it's one of the best romantic comedies ever. At any rate, while Iron Man may be the year's most kick-a** entertainer so far, Wall*E spoke to me more, and was equally entertaining in it's own sweet way. And it is a visual feast. See it on the big screen. ***** (out of five)

MOVIE REVIEW: GET SMART

In a nutshell: Get Smart will have you smiling the whole time, chuckling and giggling for a healthy chunk of it, and a handful of times it'll make you laugh until it hurts. Surprisingly solid action, a very likable role for Steve Carrell, and Anne Hatheway showing more charm than...well...ever. Alan Arkin, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson...they're all good. Not an instant classic, but definitely worth catching if you need a laugh. Some terrific one-liners and physical comedy. Steve Carrell seems to be channeling more of his Daily Show persona and less of Michael Scott, and it's good to be reminded of his comedic range. Rated PG-13 for a few profanities and a handful of vulgar jokes/innuendo. ***1/2 (out of five).

DVD REVIEW: BE KIND REWIND
Less of a riotous comedy (though it does have its moments) and more of a just plain likable, feel-good, fun movie about making your own movies. I may be biased, as I love Jack Black and Mos Def, but this is a great little film that really captures the fun of making movies with your friends, for your friends. Really entertaining. Rated PG-13 for a few profanities and one innuendo. ***1/2 (out of five).

HAPPY FATHERS' DAY! PLUS: INCREDIBLE HULK - JUNO - KATE & LEOPOLD REVIEWS, AWESOME MUSICIAN PLUG

To all my friends and family who are fathers, I wish you a very happy Fathers' Day. I wish to pay a brief tribute to my truly exceptional dad. Though I'd like to fill this page with memories and thoughts, if I got started I'll be here all night, so I'll keep this brief. My dad is one of the best people I've ever met. He truly emulates the Savior in the way he deals with others. He is patient. He's caring. He's kind. He's merciful. He is hard-working, and self-sacrificing. He's fun-loving. He's a fantastic, considerate, and loving husband. As my mom once wrote to us about him: "You girls would be so lucky to marry a man like this. You boys would be so lucky to be a man like this." He's been so good to our family, to Carol, to the Rays, and to everyone he meets. He's been a great counselor and a great friend. He instilled in me a love for God, a passion for the scriptures, and an awe for nature. He taught, by word and example, the importance of honoring women and of treating all people with friendliness and respect. He got me into Frankie Vallie, Old Westerns, Bond movies, camping, hiking, running, dogs, and (after a lot of effort)...dirt biking. (Sorry, Dad, I haven't been bit by the handball bug yet). He taught me to revere the Holy Priesthood and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. There's a lot I could say, but most importantly: Dad, I love you. You're a great father, a great husband, a great son and brother, a fun grandfather, a beloved church leader, and a great man.

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: For Father's Day, I love this quote by President Howard W. Hunter: "The title 'father' is sacred and eternal. It is significant that of all the titles of respect and honor that are given to Deity, he has asked us to address him as 'Father.'"


MOVIE REVIEW: THE INCREDIBLE HULK


After Director Ang Lee's (Sense and Sensibility, Crouching Tiger, Brokeback Mountain) artsy-fartsy take on The Hulk tanked at the box office a few years ago, things looked dire for the big green dude. So what was in order? Recast the franchise, get a new director, and basically pretend the first one never happened. This is a reboot of the Hulk franchise, and it's a credit to the filmmakers that I very much enjoyed this film, given that I have no history of giving a crap about the Hulk or his tendency to smash things. I've always looked on the character with mild disdain, writing him off as a Jekyll & Hyde-type on steroids. But this Hulk kept me entertained from start to finish.

Credit must be given to Edward Norton, whose Bruce Banner is a lonely, tortured soul who struggles to keep the rageful beast within him at bay. Norton makes a sympathetic lead, and he does some fine character work here. Nothing amazing, ala Christian Bale or Robert Downey Jr., but solid nonetheless. Liv Tyler does just fine (though there's sure to be some inexplicable hatred for her by the public...there always is for the love interest in superhero movies! I don't get it. I liked Katie Holmes, Kirsten Dunst, and Kate Bosworth just fine). William Hurt, Tim Roth...the entire cast turns in good performances. The cinematography is excellent (some stuff in Brazil is particularly eye-catching). The pacing is great, and while there is some down-time between Hulk moments, the film doesn't lag. This is a much more somber movie than the crowd-pleasing Iron Man, but the handful of attempts at humor hit the mark just fine.

Most importantly, the film gives you a good dose of Hulk smashing things real good. The CGI on the Hulk is far better than the trailers made me think it'd be (with a few exceptions). And the action in this movie is fantastic, visceral, hard-hitting stuff. You truly feel the physical power of the character, and a couple moments startle you with just how kicka** they are. The final battle in particular is a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the exploration of the "villain's" motives (villains who think they're doing the right thing are always more interesting), as well as Bruce's desire to control his demons. Good people have a dark side, and bad people often have some virtue left in them, and this movie explores that idea to good effect.

Flaws? Well, being a comic-book movie, you have to suspend disbelief (even within the rules of its own universe) about what's possible or even plausible. Some plot-holes arise (though some are explained as the film goes on, in the moment I was thinking "wait, what?"). One side character's actions seem like a bit of a stretch. But mostly, any qualms I have stem from the fact that I've been spoiled by excellent superhero movies, like Iron Man and Batman Begins. This is not an excellent superhero movie. It is, however, a very good superhero movie that has some truly rockin' action, solid character work, and good acting. It's more than worth catching in the theatres. (Rated PG-13 for action violence, mild language, and a brief foreplay scene that goes nowhere). ***1/2 (out of five).


DVD REVIEW: JUNO

This year's indie darling is every bit as good as you've heard. Just be aware that the story itself isn't ground-shaking. It's a good, simple, sweet, and straight-forward tale. What sets the movie apart is its tone, dialogue, acting, and sheer likability. As someone who's worked with teens for the past five years, I can tell you that this is pretty true to life in terms of current teen vernacular and attitude. And while this world of teenage pregnancy, divorce, and step-families is not "traditional," it is, sadly, true to life for a lot of people, and what I liked is how a lot of the characters are truly supportive of one another and try their best to do the right thing by each other. The relationships are complex; some are touching, honest, and giving, while others are less so. Even the least likable character in the film is painted in a way that, while the actions are inexcusable, they are understandable.

Ultimately, this is a morality tale where a teenage girl decides against an abortion and places her child up for adoption; from my perspective, that's to be applauded. Her dad and stepmom, while frowning upon her sexual activity, genuinely love her and support her in their own irreverent way. The film has other uplifting messages, and while the way things happen with Juno should be interpreted by teenagers as the exception, not the norm, for unwed pregnancies, in the context of these particular characters it works. Where the film really shines is in the very real and engaging performances by the actors across the board. Elizabeth Page (X3: The Last Stand) is truly fantastic as Juno, running the whole gamut of emotion. Michael Cera, of Arrested Development fame, basically plays the same character he did on that show, which is fine, because he's just so dang lovable. J.K. Simmons (the newspaper boss in Spiderman) and Allison Janney (Hairspray) are a hoot as Juno's parents. Jennifer Garner (13 Going on 30, Alias) and Jason Bateman (also of Arrested Development) do good work as the prospective adoptive parents. And a certain cast member of The Office makes a brief, funny early appearance.

Juno works very well as both a comedy and a drama, with some very touching moments intermixed with wonderfully written comedic dialogue. NOTE: The first 20 minutes feature an unnecessarily dense onslaught of vulgar humor, but after that it gets much better.The music is great, too. RATED PG-13 for frank sexual discussion, vulgar humor towards the start, moderate language (including one variation of the f-word), and brief sensuality). ****1/2 (out of five).

DVD REVIEW: KATE & LEOPOLD


This is an older one that I've just got around to seeing. Blah. Meh. I like both of the main actors, but this movie was just so...bland. An hour into it I thought: "I haven't laughed or been moved, engaged, or amused by this once. Not once. In a whole hour. It wasn't terrible, it just...didn't try. I generally love romantic movies, but there was no real chemistry in this. Hugh Jackman falls for Meg Ryan even though they'd not shared one genuine moment of connection and she'd been a total b---- to him nonstop. Dialogue: bland. Story: half-baked. I did enjoy the argument for chivalry, I just wish it'd been presented in a better movie. If you need your Meg or Hugh fix, go watch Sleepless in Seattle or The Prestige instead. ** (out of five).

MUSIC PLUG: MEGHAN COFFEE


So I caught this show on Friday night at a local pub by singer/songwriter/mother Meghan Coffee. She's local (from Georgia), but has a New York sound. I actually went with a friend to see another band, only to find out this girl and her band were playing instead. I was thinking of bailing, but then we heard her sing and stuck around. Really good stuff, if you ask me. If you're into Sarah McLoughlin, my good friend Laura Ostler, or think Jennifer Tilly would sound awesome if she sang, give this girl a listen. Her band was very good, as well. I LOVE her CD (Songs To Sail By), which I bought at the show. It comes out next week, and I bet you can get it on iTunes within a few weeks. For now, give her a listen at: http://www.myspace.com/meghancoffee

Just let the music on her myspace play in the background while you do something. If you don't love it...then we agree to disagree, no biggie. I really dug it.

MY BIRTHDAY, ATL TRIP, KUNG-FU PANDA, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, MST3K

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
Thank you all for your kind phone calls and emails. I felt truly loved on my 27th. I celebrated by having lunch with the OCC (Obsessively Close Cohort), AKA my marriage and family therapy buddies. We ate pizza at the Mellow Mushroom (Auburn's best, if you ask me). A friend of mine threw me a surprise birthday party at a nearby park, where my friends gathered for cake, games, and a roast on yours truly, with embarrassing stories provided by my sisters (I'll get you!). At work my superior Roberta baked me a chocolate brownie cake and we had a little party with my coworkers. Charan called with his annual Indian-accent rendition of the "Happy Birthday" song. Family and friends all contacted me. Thanks and I love you all.

ATLANTA TRIP
Went with the YSA's from my branch to a Young Single Adult Conference in Atlanta. There were hundreds of people there. Friday night was a dance. Young men and young women then stayed over at separate members' houses. We made a late night run over to Waffle House; ironically , we were just debating the sanitary level of the restaurant when we spotted a roach running across the kitchen floor. We just laughed and kept eating. Good stuff. Saturday morning was a series of Gospel workshops (kind of like glorified Institute classes, but on multiple specific topics). There was outdoor volleyball, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a movie, a fantastic testimony meeting, and another dance. Great times.

We followed a spiritual prompting to pull over and help a motorist on the side of the road. He was an old man who had broken his femur, and on his first day out of the hospital his car ran out of gas on the freeway. I was sad to hear that he'd been trying to wave down cars for an hour and a half, at night, but no one stopped in all that time. Just goes to show that one should always follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost. We got him some gas, and when we had some other technical problems, Caitlynn and Tiffany started praying in my car, and viola, problems solved. I had a good chat with him about the Savior (he's Christian) and we gave him a Conference Ensign and a Family Proclamation/Living Christ double-sided bookmark. So all in all, a pretty awesome experience!


SPIRITUAL THOUGHT:
I had what I believe to be a rather profound insight from the Holy Ghost today as I read from The Book of Mormon.

"... the people of the church began to be lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world, that they began to be scornful, one towards another, and they began to persecute those that did not believe according to their own will and pleasure" (ALMA 4: 8).

Here we have an instance not of the unbelievers persecuting the saints, but the other way around. In our quest to become righteous, we must beware of becoming self-righteous. In our attempts to "be in the world, not of the world," Satan may erroneously lead us to despise the world. This would be contrary to the Savior's example; He loved the world. Jesus associated with harlots, sinners, and publicans. He despised worldliness, but never the world. "He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation" (2 NEPHI 25:24).

The Father is the same way: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." (JOHN 3:16). We ought to be careful to never think of ourselves as better than those who do not share our beliefs. That's how the Gospel of Peace turns into a dogma of hatred, as it did with the Crusades, the Inquisition, the KKK, and the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The Lord loved the world and its people without being worldly, and He's our example, so...you see where I'm going with this.

MOVIE REVIEW: KUNG FU PANDA


In short...it's awesome. This is the best CGI-animation movie since The Incredibles. Clever writing, gorgeous animation, fun action, and stellar vocal work by Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, and...(drumroll please)...Jackie Chan! The latter lends a feel of authenticity to this kung-fu themed flick, but you don't have to be a martial arts afficionado to enjoy the ride. Like The Incredibles, this works on multiple levels: kids movie, adult comedy, fantasy, and action movie. Jack Black is immensely likable and Dustin Hoffman charms. There's even some decent morality and philosophy going on. And it'll make you laugh. What more do you want? **** (out of five).

TV ON DVD REVIEW: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA


DWIGHT SCHRUTE: Do you watch Battlestar Galactica?
PARTY GUEST: Uh...no.
DWIGHT SCHRUTE: Then you are an idiot.
- THE OFFICE

TV Guide gives it a 10 out of 10 and says it "transcends genre. One of TV's boldest and best dramas...intensely suspenseful." The Boston Globe says "it surpasses nearly everything else on TV." Entertainment Weekly gives it an A- and calls it a show "you ought to be watching... spaceships or not!" The Chicago Tribune, USA Today...you get the picture. It doesn't matter if you don't like sci/fi. Brushing this show aside for being set in space would be like missing out on Lost because it has a smoke monster, Batman Begins for being about a bat-man, or The Lord of the Rings because it has dwarves, elves, and dragons. The point is, anywhere smart writing, thrilling acting, complex moral dillemmas, and great storytelling are going on, you can bet I'll be there. I've been watching this show on DVD and I love it. It's constantly being praised as the best show on TV, and while I personally think that title goes to Lost, this is pretty awesome in its own right. Fantastic actors, gripping plots, surprisingly intense action, great production values, you name it. While it's first few episodes are fine, it builds steam as it goes on and becomes truly great. Examines issues of faith, politics, war, morality, family, and more without taking sides or providing easy answers. It's also very emotionally impacting. Currently airing its fourth (and final) season, now is a good time to give this a shot on DVD and catch up. Has some sexual material (more in the earlier episodes than later), but it's easy to see it coming and FF it. Edward James Olmos (Stand and Deliver) and Mary McDonnell (Dances With Wolves) lead an exceptional cast. Give it a shot! I'm Jono Decker, and I endorse this message.

DVD REVIEW: MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATRE 3000- THE MOVIE

The Gyst: I don't care who you are, you'll laugh till your sides ache. **** (out of five).

The Full Scoop: Once again, you don't have to like sci-fi to enjoy this. All you need is an affinity for dry wit and clever sarcasm. This movie made me laugh harder than any other film I've seen all year. Mystery Science Theatre 3000 was a cult TV hit in the 90's that spawned this 1996 movie. The plot (not that it matters) is that a mad scientist wants to dominate the world, but first he needs to find a movie so bad that forcing humanity to watch it would break their collective spirits (rendering them easily conquerable). To test his catalogue of terrible B movies, he kidnaps some poor schmo (Mike Nelson) and sends him up into space, forcing him to watch cheap, poorly acted crap (and yes, these ARE real movies). Mike fights loneliness by building a pair of robot friends, and together the three of them maintain their sanity by endlessly making fun of the movies that are sent to them.

This is where the show (and the movie) excells. While the brief intermission sketches are pretty weak, the actual riffing of old movies provides some of the most clever, brutal, and quick humor I've ever experienced. But don't take my word alone for it:

- "Siezes hold of your funny bone like a rabid mongoose and never lets go." USA TODAY.
- "Flat-out hilarious. Provides more laughs per minute than most Hollywood comedies." THE WASHINGTON POST
- "Hilarious commentary. ***" ROGER EBERT
- "May be the mildest PG-13 film in quite some time. Though the robots utter a couple of profanities and there are some vulgar cracks, it easily could have received a PG rating. When MST3K is on the mark, it's a howl. Only a couple of jokes...fall flat. There are more than enough genuine belly laughs to make Mystery Science Theater worthwhile. ***" DESERET NEWS

So give it a shot. The first 5-10 minutes are slow, but then it kicks in. P.S. When our heroes realize that one of the actors in the movie they're watching is the professor from Gilligan's Island, the riffing is particularly rich.