So this is finals week. Almost time to take the long drive home to Texas. I have three finals down and two to go. I will be doing those on Thursday so tomorrow will be my study study study day. In between my frantic cramming I decided to treat myself to an early Christmas present, a movie that has been rocketed into my top ten. Inglourious Basterds. Now then, don't go judging me too harshly, it is Christmas after all. I actually wrote my final film analysis about this movie. I would post the five page paper that I am very proud of, however the analysis contains plot points that are not for the faint of heart. Quentin Tarantino is hands down one of my favorite directors and this has to be the greatest movie he has made in my opinion. It just barely squeaks past his Kill Bill saga on my list. For anyone who has been previously mistaken, Inglourious Basterds is not a world war 2 movie. It is a spaghetti western that takes place in Nazi occupied France. It is absolutely brilliant. Tarantino even takes the gutsy step to have the last line in the movie be: "I do believe this is my masterpiece..." This is a movie that I would recommend to anyone and everyone. If you are opposed to R rated content, (Language and Violence) check it out edited, it has already been booked to play on the TNT network in a year or two. This is just a movie that needs to be seen.
5 Stars!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Let it snow let it snow let it snow.
Ok, so until I can get the burning ceremony video to upload, yall will just have to miss out I guess. It's pretty frustrating. Well anyways, it snowed a ton, and here's pictures of it: 
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Movies Movies Movies
So today was my last Intro to Film lecture, and I can't help but be a little sadend about that. It has been by far my favorite class I've ever taken probably ever in my schooling career. This was the class that helped me realize that if I want to go into movies that I can. But here at the end of it all I know more than ever that this is what I want to do. I am probably most content when watching movies. That might sound depressing but it's not. I love hanging out with my friends and doing active things. I love playing soccer and other sports. But I really gain enjoyment out of watching movies. I've always been able to see the beauty in films. This semester I've been able to learn about film as what it really is, an art form. It's not about escapism, it's not about money, it's about expression. Every movie is trying to say something and I want to hear what they are saying to me. I want to convey messages to the public. I can make a difference with movies. They take opinions or values and present them in a way that people accept. They become things for people to take and look at and fill with their own interpretations. Once a movie is made it becomes property of the public to fill with what ever theme they see in it. I hope I never lose sight of this fact. Movies are art in it's purist form. The pure and uncensored human expressionism. It is truly beautiful. Movies cannot just be dismissed as stupid, or lame. There is something there and even if you don't see it, the person sitting behind you might have seen it. I can make a difference in this medium. It's not about money it's about sending a message. Star Wars, good conquers over all, no matter how far you fall you can always come back to the light. Lord of the Ring, the hero's journey isn't always a happy one. The Dark Knight, even the best can fall. Watchmen, a lie can be more important than the truth. 300, freedom comes with a cost. Inglourious Basterds, a western doesn't have to take place in Texas with cowboys, and historical accuracy does not matter when you want to tell a beautiful story about self sacrifice. Fight Club, the power of ideas and conformity is unimaginable and as a result those in power must be careful. Kill Bill 1 & 2, the destruction of a villain is not always satisfying, sometimes a good person makes a mistake. Pan's Labyrinth, happily ever after might not be happy for everyone.
This is what I see when I watch movies, I hope I never stop seeing it. It's because of movies that have made a difference in my life that I know that some day I can make a difference in some kid. If one person sees a movie for what it is, than everything was worth the effort.
Here's to you Hollywood....
This is what I see when I watch movies, I hope I never stop seeing it. It's because of movies that have made a difference in my life that I know that some day I can make a difference in some kid. If one person sees a movie for what it is, than everything was worth the effort.
Here's to you Hollywood....
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Week of the Turkey
So thanksgiving break was pretty epic. All manner of crazy shenanigans. Eric flew in and stayed at my place. Most of the time we hung out with Whit and Cody. Thanksgiving dinner was spent at Grandpa Richards' place. Dinner was good, it wasn't like thanksgiving at home, but it was still good. Fortunately a homeless gentleman and a formerly homeless gentleman joined us for dinner so Grandpa did not grill us on the usual topics in front of the company. For example: Eric, why can't you find a nice girl and settle down? Whitney, you eat like a bird! OR Whitney, who's this new boyfriend of yours?? Stephen, what's this about selling your blood?? OR Stephen, you need to cut your hair and shave.
The following morning me Whit and Eric went and spent the day with mom's side of the family. It was fun, Grandpa Adams took us shooting. It was cool because I had never shot hand guns before, just rifles and shotguns. They were just standard 9mm, nothing too fancy. Oh man, the shooting range all though indoors was FREEZING! No joke if you looked close enough you could see your breath! Later that day Eric made a new best friend, our cousin Lindy's son Finn. For several hours it was nonstop giggles and laughter from Finn as Eric played with him. He does really good with little kids. They all really like him. I think it's because they can connect with him since neither of them have very much hair.
Saturday brought the football game I've been waiting all season for, BYU vs Utah. It was a really entertaining game. A real nail biter at the end. But of course our boys pulled through in over time. Rushing the field was a lot of fun. People everywhere just sprinting onto the field and screaming and cheering. When I stopped running I realized I was standing right in front of a camera so me and the four or five strangers around me were naturally screaming and cheering up in the camera's grill. So I think I was on TV.
Now for the glory that was Sunday night...
Me, Sarah, Brittany, Kim, Zac, and Ethan were planning to go to the Salt Lake temple to see the lights. As it turned out we went to the Ocker Mountain Temple because apparently the SL temple shuts off the Christmas lights at 10 and we wouldn't have made it. Now then, I have to back track a little bit for this next part. There is a young man who, let's call him "Rory", has the hots for Sarah. Her and her roommates were all twitterpated when he first asked her on a date and even more so when he wrote some cheesy poem leading up to the date. But then things turned sour when the day after the date they were hanging out and he told Sara all about how he will not kiss a girl unless that is the girl he is going to marry. Naturally that put a bit of an awkward spell on the relationship (I use the term loosely, they were not an item). Also it just turned out that he has one of them "More righteous than thou" attitudes. So anyway, when we got back from the temple there was a letter on the girl's door, so we all hurry inside to read it. It turns out it was a poem from "Rory", a very lengthy one at that, and in it we learned that he was under the impression that Sara and him were an item and that they were having a rough patch and all sorts of other fantastic things. So we all made Sara call him and work everything out during a very long phone discussion. At the end of the call he told her to burn the poem. This is where I come in...
I am putting together a solemn assembly in which all the members present for the event will come together to burn the poem. Funeral attire of course, complete with candles and a lovely poem/eulogy written by yours truly, to be read during the burning of the letter. I will try my darnedest to have it recorded so I may share it with the masses on this humble blog. Last night was just plain FANTASTIC! hahahahaha
The following morning me Whit and Eric went and spent the day with mom's side of the family. It was fun, Grandpa Adams took us shooting. It was cool because I had never shot hand guns before, just rifles and shotguns. They were just standard 9mm, nothing too fancy. Oh man, the shooting range all though indoors was FREEZING! No joke if you looked close enough you could see your breath! Later that day Eric made a new best friend, our cousin Lindy's son Finn. For several hours it was nonstop giggles and laughter from Finn as Eric played with him. He does really good with little kids. They all really like him. I think it's because they can connect with him since neither of them have very much hair.
Saturday brought the football game I've been waiting all season for, BYU vs Utah. It was a really entertaining game. A real nail biter at the end. But of course our boys pulled through in over time. Rushing the field was a lot of fun. People everywhere just sprinting onto the field and screaming and cheering. When I stopped running I realized I was standing right in front of a camera so me and the four or five strangers around me were naturally screaming and cheering up in the camera's grill. So I think I was on TV.
Now for the glory that was Sunday night...
Me, Sarah, Brittany, Kim, Zac, and Ethan were planning to go to the Salt Lake temple to see the lights. As it turned out we went to the Ocker Mountain Temple because apparently the SL temple shuts off the Christmas lights at 10 and we wouldn't have made it. Now then, I have to back track a little bit for this next part. There is a young man who, let's call him "Rory", has the hots for Sarah. Her and her roommates were all twitterpated when he first asked her on a date and even more so when he wrote some cheesy poem leading up to the date. But then things turned sour when the day after the date they were hanging out and he told Sara all about how he will not kiss a girl unless that is the girl he is going to marry. Naturally that put a bit of an awkward spell on the relationship (I use the term loosely, they were not an item). Also it just turned out that he has one of them "More righteous than thou" attitudes. So anyway, when we got back from the temple there was a letter on the girl's door, so we all hurry inside to read it. It turns out it was a poem from "Rory", a very lengthy one at that, and in it we learned that he was under the impression that Sara and him were an item and that they were having a rough patch and all sorts of other fantastic things. So we all made Sara call him and work everything out during a very long phone discussion. At the end of the call he told her to burn the poem. This is where I come in...
I am putting together a solemn assembly in which all the members present for the event will come together to burn the poem. Funeral attire of course, complete with candles and a lovely poem/eulogy written by yours truly, to be read during the burning of the letter. I will try my darnedest to have it recorded so I may share it with the masses on this humble blog. Last night was just plain FANTASTIC! hahahahaha
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Today I went with Whitney and her boyfriend Cody to go see the new Wes Anderson movie The Fantastic Mr. Fox. The title says it all, Fantastic! One of my favorite directors Wes Anderson delivers yet again. I love all of this guys movies. This was the first movie he has done that has not been rated R. It was also stop motion. So it was pretty different from what he has done in the past. He has directed: Bottlerocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenemboums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zisou, and The Darjeeling Limited. In each of his movies he has called on a very regular group of actors including Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Willem Defoe, Meryll Streep, and many others. This movie although stop motion and done with puppets felt exactly like Wes Anderson's other movies. Each shot was set up with the picture frame beauty of his live action films. Also this movie, if you ignore the more child friendly aspects of it was just like his other films. It even contained all the material his other films are rated R for. Except instead of dropping the F bomb the characters would say cuss. As in, "What the cuss was I thinking?" All in all, go see this movie, then go see all of Wes Anderson's other movies. They are all very good, and very pleasing to the eye!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Dial "D" for Dinner
Last night I had inner at my friends Ellen and Haley's apartment. The intent of the dinner was so that Ellen could meat our mutual friend Jessica's new fiance. They've been dating for about two months and have a date set for January second. Crazy fast right? Well Ellen was very much upset when she found out about this, marriage frightens her you see. So it was Ellen and her boyfriend Brian (fun fact he's a pretty cool cat), Jessica and her fiance Josh, and Haley, and myself. Haley made bread sticks, Ellen made Manacotti, Jessica and Josh brought some kind of salad, and I baked a cake. Yeah I'm pretty much a stud when it comes to baking cakes now a days. On a different thought thread I baked a cake on friday for Ellen's suprise party. I also put up the streamers, I'm quite the little party designer. Anywho. So the dinner conversation was allright, mostly consisting of the various mile stones of Josh and Jessica's courtship. They have both prayed about it, and the families are on board, so as long as they're happy I guess, but I still say it's very fast. After cake (and can I get a ruling on this, am I the only one who thinks the idea of putting btterscotch pecan, or something like that, icing on a cake is disgusting?) we played phase 10. It's kind of funny, I've only ever used phase 10 cards to play the wonderful game of werewolf. If you are unaware of what werewolf is, just know this, it is one of the greatest games ever invented. At this point Jessican and Josh had to leave. So it dropped down to the usual hangout group of Ellen, Brian, Haley, and myself. We kind of watched The Mummy, but about half way through Haley just shared hilarious videos with me on her computer. At the end of the night when Haley and I went down to her car so she could give me a ride home, her car wouldn't start. The engine wouldn't even turn over, nothing. So it was looking like I was going to end up just staying on their couch that night. But then it ended up we borrowed a roommate's car and I was able to get home. That in a nutshell was my weekend.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Intent to Deceive
The scene is as follows:
BYU is on the end zone, poised for a touch down. The ball is hiked, not to the quarter back Max Hall, but to the running back Harvey Unga. Airforce's defense can't react fast enough as he plows through to make a beautiful trick play resulting touch down. Out of no where flags fly onto the field, the crowd screams in rage. The call is made "penalty to the offense for intent to deceive." The crowd goes absolutely insane. And for the remainder of the quarter the entire stadium is screaming and booing and swearing at this idiot reff. Of course the intent was to deceive! It was a trick play! The thing that ticked me off the most was that this very fair play got called out when a few years ago during the Boise/OU game OU was winning when in the last play the Boise quarter back fakes a pass and then runs it in for the winning touchdown. That was over the top trickery, that was friggin backyard style. Show me the rule that states the ball MUST be hiked to the quarterback. The reffs then proceeded to make every call against us they could. And blatantly looking away whenever a call should have been made on airforce. You could practically see their airforce uniforms poking out from under the reff uniform. Every time a call should have been made against Airforce the reffs were either too busy counting their bribe money, or reviewing their boarding pass for their flight back home to Colorado. All idiot reff calls aside, this was definitely the most fun home game I have been to.
BYU is on the end zone, poised for a touch down. The ball is hiked, not to the quarter back Max Hall, but to the running back Harvey Unga. Airforce's defense can't react fast enough as he plows through to make a beautiful trick play resulting touch down. Out of no where flags fly onto the field, the crowd screams in rage. The call is made "penalty to the offense for intent to deceive." The crowd goes absolutely insane. And for the remainder of the quarter the entire stadium is screaming and booing and swearing at this idiot reff. Of course the intent was to deceive! It was a trick play! The thing that ticked me off the most was that this very fair play got called out when a few years ago during the Boise/OU game OU was winning when in the last play the Boise quarter back fakes a pass and then runs it in for the winning touchdown. That was over the top trickery, that was friggin backyard style. Show me the rule that states the ball MUST be hiked to the quarterback. The reffs then proceeded to make every call against us they could. And blatantly looking away whenever a call should have been made on airforce. You could practically see their airforce uniforms poking out from under the reff uniform. Every time a call should have been made against Airforce the reffs were either too busy counting their bribe money, or reviewing their boarding pass for their flight back home to Colorado. All idiot reff calls aside, this was definitely the most fun home game I have been to.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Shaken Not Stirred
I watched Casino Royale for the first time tonight. I've seen it a couple of times, but I only ever came in during the big poker game shortly before he gets "tortured." So naturally none of it made any sense to me. It is pretty good. It has an awesome opening chase scene, and the action is over the top and fun. But I must say, it just isn't a Bond movie. There's a lot less womanizing and no crazy gadgets dished out by Q. It's a good movie, but it's just a spy movie. Like Mission Impossible or The Bourne Series, it isn't "Bondy." And also, where the heck is Penny?!
Lamezies
I am a bit frustrated, I had two papers I wanted to post, but it will not let me copy and paste into the text box. That is unfortunate, I was real proud of those papers.
While I was setting all this up I went through and "followed" other people's blogs i.e. Whit, Mom, and Jess. It was kind of interesting to look at my mom's blog, she had pictures posted of how all of our rooms looked now that no one is home anymore. My room was the same, but it still looked weird. All the rooms looked weird. It really sank in that home is not home anymore. I don't live there anymore. The only times I will be there will be if I am visiting for a holiday or waiting for school or mission to start. Home will never be home again. I knew that when I left, but I finally understand it. I'm not particularly upset about it, but it is still a very odd sensation. I'm pretty much standing at a doorway, and who the heck knows what is on the other side. I have a lot of big changes coming up in life. I am currently listening to my iPod on shuffle and the ewok celebration song from the ending of the special edition episode 6 just came on. Kind of ironic, I always paired that song in my mind to the end of an era. Like cleaning your locker out at the end of a semester. What adventures could have been? It always makes me sentimental and a little sad. But happy too. It is a happy song, Hayden Christenson is finally at peace haha. Dadblastit, now am really in the mood to watch episode 6!
On the topic of movies, I am waiting for my film lab to start up. That is definitely my favorite class. My T.A. is awesome. All my life my dream has been to get into the movin' picture business, but I always knew I would just have to grow up and get a grown up job. But I'm finally realizing that I can do whatever I want. I am going to get into the picture business. I don't care what I do, I just know that I'm going to make movies. It is a very liberating feeling to realize that I can do my dream job. I friggin love the cinema.
While I was setting all this up I went through and "followed" other people's blogs i.e. Whit, Mom, and Jess. It was kind of interesting to look at my mom's blog, she had pictures posted of how all of our rooms looked now that no one is home anymore. My room was the same, but it still looked weird. All the rooms looked weird. It really sank in that home is not home anymore. I don't live there anymore. The only times I will be there will be if I am visiting for a holiday or waiting for school or mission to start. Home will never be home again. I knew that when I left, but I finally understand it. I'm not particularly upset about it, but it is still a very odd sensation. I'm pretty much standing at a doorway, and who the heck knows what is on the other side. I have a lot of big changes coming up in life. I am currently listening to my iPod on shuffle and the ewok celebration song from the ending of the special edition episode 6 just came on. Kind of ironic, I always paired that song in my mind to the end of an era. Like cleaning your locker out at the end of a semester. What adventures could have been? It always makes me sentimental and a little sad. But happy too. It is a happy song, Hayden Christenson is finally at peace haha. Dadblastit, now am really in the mood to watch episode 6!
On the topic of movies, I am waiting for my film lab to start up. That is definitely my favorite class. My T.A. is awesome. All my life my dream has been to get into the movin' picture business, but I always knew I would just have to grow up and get a grown up job. But I'm finally realizing that I can do whatever I want. I am going to get into the picture business. I don't care what I do, I just know that I'm going to make movies. It is a very liberating feeling to realize that I can do my dream job. I friggin love the cinema.
My First Step Into A Larger World
This is what the kids on the Internet call a "blog." That is to say this is not a journal under a mattress that is private, any friendly pedophile can read this. Huzzah! Now then why did I name my blog what I did? Well, Alderaan is a fictitious planet from star wars that gets blown up. In other words no one on it is alive, so I thought it was a neat name. So basically I'm going to put all sorts of profound thoughts on this thing and tell of my many adventures here at BYU. Enjoy yourself while you're here.
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