not so secret messages...

I have been re-watching Arrested Development— a show that I sometimes can't get enough of. I was watching an episode that I have seen a few times and I didn't catch the blatant political satire until this last time around. It is about how the family has to build a new model home to improve the company's image. They plan to build it in two weeks and say, "it doesn't need to be perfect, it just needs to look good." And they have a business "model" (a woman who used to assist with boat selling by just looking good in a sailor suit made for busty women.) Her sign says, "Solid as a Rock". When ever she comes out the music plays their slogan "solid as a rock" and it sounds like "Solid as Iraq". I never caught it before, but they play on the foreign policy and make many comments about how fast and hollow the house was built and after cutting the ribbon, the house falls to the ground...

Hmm.... what are they trying to tell me about the government here? More importantly, why am I so completely oblivious that I didn't catch the even more hilarious undertone of this one... shame on me.

Oh Mitt.

Oops.

I hate to stay on the political side of things, but my new interest in all media related to politics forces me to ask myself many questions when I see things like this.

One the one hand, my LDS background aches inside at the thought that Romney might have just brushed off a opportunity to really stand firm in his beliefs and give his followers a glimpse into what his religion is really like. On the other, I have to remember that this mini clip is from a longer interview. Perhaps he was asked other questions that led him to this answer. And I guess I can also see what he may have thought she was asking and mis-interpreted as well. In which case, I guess Romney may not have wanted to appear that he actually speaks to God physically face-to-face as Moses, and Joseph Smith. I myself can only be baffled and not let it change my opinion of him because of the one answer. But it does make me question the power of media. Perhaps he knew that this would be broadcast over everything everywhere because it is a hot topic and because he is already such a flip-flopper... but I wish he would have stuck to it. Answer it like you have a few million Mormons analyzing everything you say... and not because you want the vote, but because you represent them.

Anyway- just a thought.

Refreshing, witty, beautiful, real. - New Movie Review #2

Where has this screenwriter been all of my life? Diablo Cody, whose only credit is her blog-like book called "Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper," is nothing short of a brilliant writer. Every line in the movie seemed so effortlessly fun. After reading the first little bit of her book, I can see that the Juno that was in the movie was really a great depiction of perhaps how Diablo sees herself. Spunky, cute, fun, unknowingly hilarious and endearing.

The style of the film was not unlike Nepoleon Dynomite in the filming style, but the pace was given an adrenalin rush. Some of the real moments were so incredibly understated and real that they really catch you off-gaurd in the very intelligent & fast-paced humor of the rest of the film. I think the realness is what gives it the charm.

Some of the actual shots in the film are long and poignant. I am going to need to see it a few times just to catch the wonderful composition and cinematography, but some frames could almost be torn apart and analyzed for the thematic stories that they tell. What a piece of art to give to a starving audience that loves to think.

Yes, there are some irreverent things involved, but I loved them too. Why edit the reality of this young girl's life that is so compelling as it stands alone? I was glad to get a glimpse into it because it once again reaffirmed how grateful I am for the relationships in my life and how important my people are to me. Refreshing, witty, beautiful, real.

Blood Pies - New Movie Review #1

I decided that I wanted to see Sweeney Todd, despite the many reviews that said it was ridiculously bloody and creepy. I wanted to see the show as a reference mostly because I haven't ever seen it and heard so much about it. I hadn't even watched the preview before going to this one because I assumed it would be good. Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter... had to be brilliant. Well, the music was as I expected: Sondheim. I love the music, but because of the director's concept all of the uplifting or humorous songs, but one, were taken out of the movie so that all that was left was the eerie sounding chords and melodies that creep you out about the characters you are watching. The characters were great though. The afore mentioned were so fun to watch as was little boy, Ed Sanders, who is refreshing and sings amazingly.

The characters and style of the film stand out as a classic Tim Burton, complete with a flash-forward fantasy montage in full color that is so stylized and Burton that it forces you to laugh and you wish there was more. I get ill to see that much blood, but it is meant to look fake and it was quite comical at times. If you can handle the blood and like Tim Burton then you will enjoy it and I recommend it. For the record, I did like it and I am glad I saw it. But I will tell you that it left me feeling creepy for the entire night until I went and watched Spamalot to wash it away.