The Mormons, PBS (4hours), April 30 and May 1, 2007

Part 1 of the Mormons showed the origins and early history of the church. Part 2 described the modern day church. Part 1 seemed to include many more critics of the church than did Part 2, which seemed to be more fair and balanced. My sense is that the creators of this documentary found Mormonism's origins and its 19th century history troubling. The conclusion of the four hour documentary quoted a source as saying that most religions have left their origins behind. The question, he posed, is whether Mormonism would be able to "move beyond its own creation" and thus survive in the future. What I believe this source and the writers failed to understand is that the whole essence and strength of Mormonism is the personal testimonies of the members that Joseph Smith was a prophet. Mormonism will never be able to leave its prophetic origins behind, because that is what makes the church what it is.

The Prestige

Review by Anny

Looking for something that will make you think and keep you guessing till the very end? If so, you will enjoy The Prestige, starring Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, and Scarlett Johansson, among others. The film takes place in London in a time when magicians were the celebrities. Two young magicians (Jackman & and Bale) work to become the best they can, the big faces in the show, learning from the already existing great magicians. But when the most dangerous of acts becomes gruesome tragedy, it turns the two of them into enemies, who will stop at nothing to destroy each other. Magic becoming more important to them then their own families, the two men begin to damage not only each other but also their loved ones. When the new invention of electricity is combined with elements of their magic and cruelty to each other, the story becomes even more twisted and leaves the lives of everyone around them unpredictable.

The film based on a book of the same title written by Christopher Priest shows the great imagination of the writer. It brings the topics of vengeance, pride, deceit, and over all brutality to life, while giving a mind boggling thrill. At times during the film it feels a little slow, only to be thrown a curve ball that will get you asking yourself what just happened. Throughout the film it leaves every door open and many questions unanswered till the ending when the greatest Prestige is revealed.

Although the film may not be categorized as a feel good, suspense thriller, with a twist of a love story, The Prestige carries a deep mystery all of its own. If you find yourself scratching your head, be sure to watch it one more time. And remember, not everything is as it seems.

The Work and the Glory: American Zion

Sequel to the first "Work and the Glory," the American Zion is the second in what may be nine movies that follow the fictional Steed family, converts to Mormonism in their search for right to worship God as their hearts dictate. Author Gerald Lund's series of nine books sold over 2 million copies and so has a popular following. Financed by Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller, the first movie obviously made enough money to make the second worthwhile.

The problem in any fictionalization of history is that readers form images of real people that may be different than that portrayed in the fiction. Such is the case in this movie which portrays the prophet Joseph Smith, a well known character in history esteemed by Latter-day Saints. Most people who know his history have their own view of what the prophet was like. It doesn't always jive with the interpretation of the author or the movie-makers, no matter how good their research.

"When you hear him speak, you can see the fire in his eyes," says one of the characters about Joseph Smith. As good an acting job as Jonathan Scarfe does in portraying Joseph Smith, he still is unable to create the fire in the eyes. Probably no one could. That will always be the problem in fictionalization characters that in history are bigger than life.

For more information about this and other LDS films, go to http://www.ldsfilm.com/.

Alias - May 3, 2006

With three episodes left, it looks like a blood bath. Two died tonight. Both got it in the juggler vein. More to come. Let's see - will Sydney meet the same fate? I hope so. Enough is enough.

Is this culture? Yes, America's culture of violence on TV and in the movies.

NOEL (2004)

Disconnect. That's how I would describe this 2004 movie directed by Chazz Palminteri and written by David Hubbard. The movie would be better if it centered on one story rather than three, or was it five. The DVD jacket says, "As five strangers' lives intertwine on Christmas eve, a story of companionship, love and healing unfolds." Only two stories really intertwine, that's the one where Paul Walker's character Mike loses his fiance (Penelope Cruz) because of his jealousy and he learns a lesson about love from Alan Arkin, who lost his wife because of his jealous rage. On another front, Susan Sarandon's character Rose meets Robin Williams (the dying Charlie) and her life is changed. (Susan Sarandon spends most her time walking the streets of Manhatten.) And then there is this completely wild story of a fellow (Marcus Thomas) who breaks his hand to get admitted to emergency because his best Christmas ever happened in an ER. One could easily get lost trying to follow the characters and plot that move back and forth, but seldom intertwine.

Mostly Martha

Mostly Martha is a charming romantic comedy about a single woman whose life is disrupted when her neice, Lina, comes to live with her. In addition, her place as chief chef is challenged when a new Italian cook, Mario, is hired at the chic restaurant where she works. It's only with Mario's help that she gains Lina's confidence and love.

Not only does this film have an engaging story, but it shows an interesting blend of German and Italian cultural stereotypes. Martha is cool and aloof; Mario is exhuberant and engaging. Martha confronts Mario about taking her job away. He threatens to quit. Both show emotions typical of each others' cultures. But Mario's Italian charm wins Lina and through Lina he eventually gains Martha's respect, then her love. In the meantime we are treated to visuals of some very enticing meals.

The Constant Gardener

In preparation for tonight's Academy Awards, last night I saw The Constant Gardener, a film directed by Brazilian Fernando Meirelles and based on John le Carre's book. The film has been nominated for four Oscars: Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role; Achievement in Film Editing; Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score); and Adapted Screenplay.

The movie was povocative and saddening - one of those movies where the audience sits in their seats for five minutes afterwards in silence. Watching it on my laptop's DVD player, I'm sure it had lesser effect. However, I have thought about the movie all night, waking each time from a restless sleep to think about it again. After his wife's murder, Ralph Fiennes, who acts as British Diplomat Justin Quayle, finishes his wife's work to expose the corruption of a pharmaceutical company and the diplomats, who support it. As Tessa Quayle, Rachel Weisz portrays the wife, a passionate activist whose investigation into the dealings of an international pharmaceutical company leads to her murder. Although the wife's death occurs at the first of the movie, flashbacks effectively tell her story throughout the film. As one layer of the mystery after another unfold, we ultimately come to the conclusion that Justin must also give his life to "finish his wife's work."

One great line out of the film is "The pharmaceuticals are right up there with the arms dealers." I questioned the underlying truth behind this statement and the film, which endicts the pharmaceuticals for using Africans as human guinea pigs in testing unsafe drugs. So I did a "google"search and up came an article "Pharmaceutical colonialism in Africa" by Jean-Philippe Chippaux. The article claims that "big drug companies are conducting clinical trials in Africa with no consideration for ethics, the health of patients or the relevance of the drugs to the needs and the pathology of the continent." Some of the drug testing is supported by funds from the US government and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Le Monde diplomatique, August 2005 http://mondediplo.com/2005/08/11pharma

Of course the storyline is fiction and very unfavorable in its portrayal of the British diplomatic corps. Yet, the filming in Kenya occurred because of the cooperation of the British High Commissioner. Like me he must be a John le Carre fan. He also recognized that a story needed to be told about Africa and realized that most film viewers can separate truth from fiction in a story. One of the great truths in this story is the portrayal of the poverty of people who smile and are obviously happy despite the difficulties of their lives. Much of the movie was filmed in Kibernia, a shack town outside Kenya's capital, that houses 700,000 people with little sanitation and clean water. A fascinating scene shows Tessa, a lone white among thousands of black faces, watching a stage play supporting tolerance of HIV victims. The filming and editing at this point of the film are spectacular, as is its sympathetic depiction of African culture.

Another great line from the film was "Some very nasty things live under rocks, especially in foreign gardens." Yes, indeed.