Juno

I know there has been tons of hype and advertising about the movie Juno, but I personally only saw it last night. I'd been wanting to see it for months now.

I first caught a glimpse on the apple.com website and knew immediately I had to see it. At that point nobody knew about the low budget film. Every time I said, "I really want to see Juno." People around me would arch one eyebrow thinking I was crazy enough to bring up travel during a movie conversation.

Juno sure didn't disappoint. The acting was great! The dialog so clever and edgy. I loved it! It was one of those films where you begin to think, "How can this possibly end well?" The movie is so honest and real about every situation it portrays that you can't conceive of things working out because in real life it wouldn't. Yet, by the end and despite it all...everyone seems to get what they want...somehow it all works out for the best.

I'm a sucker for a happy ending. I can't help it. Life is filled with tragedy and horrible situations already; I don't want to see it on the big screen! Juno was one of those movies that give you hope. Hope that there are good people out there, hope that things will work out for the best, hope that love is real. It also helps remind me about the people I love and the people who I already know are good; like my parents, Jim, Dave and Bev. How did I get to be so lucky? And how can I forget that they are there? I hope they know that I appreciate them and think about them often.

I definitely recommend the movie, and if you don't happen to like it...I don't want to hear about it :)

Emma Smith: My Story

Last night I took my swim buddy and fellow recovering Mormon to "Emma Smith: My Story"

Just so we're all on the same page, Emma Smith was married to Joseph Smith Jr., the original leader of the Mormon Church, when the church first started and was forced to move as far as Nauvoo, IL.

You're probably wondering why two ex-Mormons like us would go and see such a movie, and under most circumstances I'd pass up this movie and not give it a second thought. First of all, it was free, a free preview to a work-in-progress film. Also, I'd be given a chance to critique a Mormon-made film, which is an opportunity I felt I couldn't pass up :)

My friend Taylor finds religion very fascinating despite his rather bitter past and since I was allowed one guest, I knew I had to invite him.

The movie was definitely Mormon-centric. A more appropriate title to this flick would be, "Joseph Smith through the eyes of Emma" Some parts made me uncomfortable with their overly religious content and bias.

All in all, I'd have to say I didn't like the film; too slow and religious for my taste. The movie only lasted about 1:45 min, but it felt more like 3+ hours to me.

"For the Bible Tells Me So"

I heard about this movie a while back, but thought it would never make its way to Phoenix. Fortunately the small theater on Mill Avenue near ASU showed it last weekend.

A group of friends and I saw it together and I must say I was impressed. This movie basically outlined how many people have used the Bible to stigmatize and justify their hatred toward particular groups of people; historically, African Americans, women and more recently, gay people. It was a very emotional at times, some people seeing the light from the beginning, others only a portion of the light, and some seeing it a little too late.

I knew I was in for a treat when there were protesters outside; oblivious to the fact they were proving the point of the movie.

"Good Morning Baltimore"

I saw the musical "Hairspray" on Sunday evening and it was GREAT! I totally recommend it. Funny, witty and insightful. I grinned from ear to ear the whole movie.

Feeling Better

Ok, so this weekend I finally started to feel better and I feel almost completely myself this morning.

Since I was feeling better I went to my swim team's movie night at Chris'.

First we watched Grease, which was an interesting experience in a room full of homosexuals; it was just one big sing-a-long.

Then we watch a movie I'd never heard of, Can't Stop the Music. OMG! It was awful! The gayest movie in the worst way! It featured the Village People. Super gay! It was too much.