Documentary Review: From the Ground Up (9/11)

This documentary moved me to tears on several occassions.  It is so hard to get a grip around 9/11.  Why would anyone want to do such a thing to fellow human beings.  This film moves past that.  This documentary was produced ten years after the tragedy of 9/11.  It tells the stories of several widows whose fire fighter husbands died when the towers fell.  This movie is very compelling.   Each of these women had to find strength within to go on with life.  There are stories of several women who set up foundations, one to support orphaned children, another to run group homes for autistic children and yet another to support a community library.  There was a woman who traveled to Rwanda to help women infected with malaria; but while there she met widows of the Rwandan violence, and gained insight as to how they dealt with their loss.  The women involved have been to support groups with other survivors.  They all had their own story of strength.
The most moving scene was the marathon at the end.  over 2700 people died in 9/11; of them 343 were firemen.  The Stephen Siller foundation sponsors an annual run.  The entry fee supports the foundation.  The foundation uses the money for scholarships and other needs of children.  The run is now a very big deal.  It started with 2000 participates, but now has over 100,000 and 1000 volunteers.  They recreate Stephen's run.  Stephen was headed home when he realized something was wrong.  He turned his car around, but couldn't get though the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel.  So he took his equipment (60 pounds), and ran through the tunnel.  As part of the day, the have placards for each of the deceased firemen which the participants run past.  The are help by firemen, with other firemen holding flags.  It is really great.

Video Presantation: Andy Andrews: The Seven Decisions

Andy Andrews is one funny man.  He is also a very good motivational speaker.  He started out as a comedian, but has now written motivational books as well as become a motivational speaker.  I thoroughly enjoyed his presentation on the seven decisions.  These decisions are:
The Buck Stops Here:  Until we take responsibility for where we are, we have no power to make our situation better.
I Will Seek Wisdom: We must take responsibility for filling our minds with information that will improve ourselves, and in like way be careful of letting negative thoughts into our brains.
I am a Person of Action: Andrews told the stories of people who made decisions.  I love the story of Joshua Chamberlain, whose command to charge changed the battle of Gettysburg, and very possible the outcome of the Civil War.
I Have a Decided Heart:  Analysis is to lead to a decision.  Decision leads to action, and we should be committed to the decisions we make.
Today, I Will Choose to be Happy: The biggest key to happiness is to be grateful.  I will have a grateful heart, and thereby be happy.
I Will Great this Day with a Forgiving Spirit: It is important to forgive others as quickly as possible; even if they don't deserve it; even if they don't ask.  I will also forgive myself.
I Will Persist Without Exception.  The without exception is key.  It is possible to persist, and then quit.  However if the persistence is without exception, then success will eventually come.
Andy Andrews gave the third rule last: I Am a Person of Action.  He did this on purpose, saying t is the most important.  He talked of the butterfly effect or law of sensitive dependency on initial condition.  In this theory, a small action can snowball until it has a tremendous effect.  Andrews illustrated this by talking of Chamberlain, and also George Washington Carver,  He showed how decision we make now can have tremendous results.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndPZVGwaRww 
The Butterfly Effect

I watched the bonus material.  Part was a question and answer session.  Someone asked, what is the most important lesson you want to teach your sons.  With out hesitation he answered, "That I love their mother."  He was so sincere, and so quick, I felt guilty I may not have responded so quickly, and that maybe I have not taught my children this lesson.  Some day I need to give up pride and selfishness, and make sure my kids get this message.

Mormon Movie Review: Tyler: A Real Hero (1994)

When Sheri and I were big into Amway, at one of the conference Tyler Wilkinson was one of the motivational speakers.  This film was shown and we purchased a copy.  This is a story about a young man who had everything going for him, Star football player, stake champion wrestler and baseball player.  However he fell asleep at the wheel, and rolled his vehicle, which resulted in spinal cord injury and quadriplegia. 
This movie is narrated by Steve Young.  The story really begins after the accident.  It is not easy to maintain your attitude in such circumstances.  However your attitude is necessary to regain as much capacity as possible.  This movie concludes with the announcement that Tyler married his high school sweet heart, Jennifer Orton.
This movie tells a great story.  I just don't know why they had to add Paul James as the announcer for the football games.  This spoils rather than adds to the story.

Mormon Movie Review: Dream Big: Story of Glen Cuningham

Dream Big:  This is a movie produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints in 1979.  It is narrated by Bart Starr, of the Green Bay Packers.  It tells the story of Glen Cunningham, who was burned by a Kerosene lantern when young.  In the same accident his older brother was killed. The doctor told him he would never walk again.  However, a boy’s determination can sometimes outweigh a doctor’s proclamation.  He slowly regained his ability to walk and then to run.  This movie tells the story of his career as a runner.  He ran and ran, and then used his running to go to college and the Olympics.  His specialty was the mile.  This is a motivational movie, and tells a very inspiring story.

positive thinking Movie Night: *****Rudy

This is one of my most favorite movies.  It lets you know that it is what you do with what you got that is important.  This movie is based on a true story of Rudy, Daniel Ruettiger (Sean Astin).  Rudy does OK on his high school team, but has no college prospects, just dreams.  He takes a job a the mill like his father.  When his friend dies, he decides to follow his dream at Notre Dame.  He doesn't get in, but attends a smaller school, while he prepares to get in.  There is a cute scene where he participates in the ritual of painting the helmets, reserved for Notre Dame students.  He finally gets to Notre Dame, and makes the practice squad as a walk on.  His job id to be a target for the regulars.  He takes his knocks, waiting for his chance.
This movie tells a few basic concepts, you should always pursue your dream, and sometimes it takes help from a third person to get there.  This show has an incredible ending.  I watched this game live in 75, and saw the team carry Rudy off the field, not really knowing the story.

LDS Movie Review: ****The Last Leaf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bscMNNbDNk

This is a 1983 version of the O'Henry story produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  This a very well done movie in terms of cinematography as well as the telling of the story and the acting.  This story is a classic story of an artist, who has struggled all his life to paint his master piece.  It is only late in life that he finally is able to do this.  In doing so he sacrifices himself for the life of another.  This version is subtitled: A Parable of Easter or of the Atonement.  As Jesus sacrificed himself for all of us, this man sacrificed himself to paint that masterpiece, and save another.  Is their greater love.

LDS Movie Review: ****The Gift

This is a 1977 BYU film based on a story by Pearl S. Buck.  It is a depression era story on a small dairy.  Father, Tav, gets his twelve-year-old son, Sam, up to do chores at four in the morning.  They work together, and father gives him the choice of jobs.  However he is on him about getting up, and not spilling milk, and not sleeping on the job.  His mother helps him understand that this is father's way of showing love, of teaching him to work like a man.  As Christmas approaches, Sam is struggling with what to get his father for Christmas.  The tie he has purchased just doesn't seem right.  He comes up with an idea, and gets up even an hour earlier to put his idea into action.  The best part of this movie is father's reaction to "The Gift."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkL4_MMNgnU

LDS Movie Review: ***^The Pump: An Alleghory for Faith with Works: The Consequences of our Choices

Long title for such a short film.  This is movie put out by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1988. This movie takes place near Rice, California, or in other words, the Mohave Desert. This is terrain that can be unforgiving.  It has few words, except the letter reading by an old miner.  It shows a salesman, who takes a shortcut, and gets stranded in the middle of no place.  He walks, and is thirsty, and about ready to give in when he comes to a ghost town; totally abandoned.  He finally sees a water pump, and pumps and pumps and gets nothing.  He then notices an old letter, which leads him to a bottle of water with which to prime the pump.  The letter says the pump will work if primed.  So we have the dilemma.  Trust the old man and pour the water down the pump, or drink the bottle of water that is before
you.
We are asked this question in so many ways everyday.  Whether to live a life in pursuit of worldly and transient pleasures, or to lay up stores of eternal joy.  This movie is a great discussion starter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd4S8UoTe0U

Mormon Movie Review: ***Blind Love (BYU 1979)

This is another of the old classic short movies put out by BYU.  This movie is about a romance between a blind man and his wife, who feels she is homely.  When he has the opportunity for his sight to be restored via cornea transplant, she is torn.  What is her husband no longer loves her after he sees her.  She forgets something about humanity, and especially people who are blind.  There other senses over compensate, and they have a sense of things.  In this case, the man in question knew where true beauty lied, and it was with his wife.  It is so touching when the bandages are removed, and he sees the beautiful nurse first, but still recognizes his wife.  Beauty is not always in physical appearance, but is often something totally different. 

Mormon Movie Review: Run Dick, Run Jane

This is a 20 minute movie produced by the church in 1972, and touts the benefits of running, are at least of having a fitness program.  This movie tells me I should be a runner, or at least do more aerobics than I am now.  Even though there is a lot of research since this movie, it provides enough evidence as to the import of a more active life.  Mailmen on the street live longer than those doing clerical jobs.  In England, bus employees who go up and down the stairs of the two-decker buses live longer than the driver who just sits and drives.  There are so many examples, and I am sure current research would be more alarming.  What is interesting is they were worried about obesity then, and the worry would even be more so now that almost half of the population is obese.
This movie takes away your excuses for not running.  It shows a runner over 100 years old.  It shows a runner with no feet.  This movie is old, but still it is a reminder of taking care of yourself.  My niece is a runner, and didn't start until after high school.  You can follow her blog here:
http://runningfortrevor.blogspot.com/
This is the New Era article about the movie
https://www.lds.org/new-era/1972/10/run-dick-run-jane?lang=eng

Mormon Movie Review: ****Johnny Lingo (LDS Church 1969) (to mmboe)

This is one of my favorites.  At home, Mahana is basically a servant, or worse than a servant.  We don't see Mahana's mother, but her father calls her, "Mahana, you ugly."  And that is who she is in her father's house, Mahana the ugly, who hugs the shadows of the hut.  However Johnny Lingo pays eight cows for her.  In the community a man can get a good wife for two or three cows, and excellent one for four or five, and never has there been an eight cow wife.  The local merchant assumes Johnny Lingo is just proud.  However he visits the home after they have been away for a year, and finds Mahana to be beautiful.  These are quotes from that meeting as Johhny Lingo explains the change.
Johnny Lingo: Think what it must mean to a woman, her future husband meeting with her father to discuss the lowest price for which she can be bought. And later, when the women of the village gather, they boast of what their husbands paid for them - three cows, or five. How does she feel, the woman who was sold for one, or two? This could not happen to my Mahana.
Trader Harris: Johnny, I've misjudged you. I thought you were thinking only of how important you would look to your friends, paying 8 cows for a wife. I didn't know you wanted to make Mahana happy.
Johnny Lingo: More than happy, Mr. Harris. I wanted her to be an eight-cow woman.
Trader Harris: I see. In her father's hut, Mahana believed she was worth nothing.
Johnny Lingo: Yes, and now she knows she is worth more than any other woman on the island.
 This is a lesson in self-worth, but also in how are actions are reflected in others.

The message is right on.  My only complaints have to do with the music and the acting.
http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/feature-films?lang=eng

Movie Night: *****Brave

Brave is a very popular Disney Pixar movie released in 2012.  I am seeing it through Netflix DVD.   This movie is set in the Scottish Highlands.  I love their accents.  The theme of this movie is mother daughter relationships, and overcoming pride. This movie has a very interesting plot.  Merida and her mother are at odds over her having to marry a young man from a different clan so as to strengthen relationships between clans.  Merida would like to fall in love, and choose her own husband.  In her conflict with her queen mother, she runs away.  While away she comes upon a witch, who gives her a potion to change her mother and thus her fate.  The potion turns her mother into a bear.  Her father hates bears, having lost his leg to a bear attack.  Merida has to get mother out of the house, and switch her back.  Meanwhile her triplet younger brothers also get turned into bear cubs.  Merida finds out the key to restoring mother is to mend her pride in terms of her relationship with her mother.  There are a couple stand out quotes, having to be responsible for our own futures:

Merida: [voice over] Some say our destiny is tied to the land, as much a part of us as we are of it. Others say fate is woven together like a cloth, so that one's destiny intertwines with many others. It's the one thing we search for, or fight to change. Some never find it. But there are some who are led.

Merida: [voice over] Some say fate is beyond our command, but I know better. Our destiny is within us. You just have to be brave enough to see it.

This is a feel good show.  It have a positive motivational theme.  Tony and I enjoyed it together.

Movie Review: BYU Education Week: Michael Ballam: Recognizing Inspiration in the Arts

This is the third and last Michael Ballam presentation available through BYUtv.  He continues with his inspiring talks about music.  In this talk his them is that if we surround ourselves with the light Of Christ through inspirational literature and music, then we can avoid the influence of the Prince of Darkness.  He starts talking about how people are often appointed to there time and position in life.  He starts with Esther."  Esther 4:14...and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?  He then talks about other prophets, Moses, Joseph Smith who were also appointed to particular times and duties. 

His topic then focuses on how music can bring the light of Christ into our lives.  "We can be protected by the light of Christ....The peace of God."  He uses several examples of this, including Saul being comported by David's harp, and King George finding comfort in Handel's "Water Music."  He notes how different songs and composers have been inspired by God.  "I am a Child of God" is a song he mentions, as well as Bach, Brahms and Beethoven.

He draws the conclusion that if God inspires music, then also Satan.  We have the Light of Christ to help us discern.
http://www.byutv.org/watch/59952d8a-b734-4672-9fb9-bd1a98587125/byu-education-week-michael-l-ballam-2009

Michael Ballam concludes with the thirteenth article of faith.  We are expected to do as Joseph Smith advised, as he quoted Paul.  "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."  Seek is an action word. 

Ballam intersperses his discourse with music.  He is a fascinating speaker, and very uplifting.

Mormon Movie Review: ****^The Drop Card

This is one of my favorite of the old BYU movies.  It tells the story of La Nina, freshman age from who is attending BYU.  Her family is very traditional and of Italian descent.  Going from rural Idaho to the campus is a struggle.  Her struggles becomes more intense, as her first assignment in communications class is to talk about something she does well.  She immediately asks the instructor to please sign her drop card.  He decides to not do this, but meet with her to see if he can help her.  Her struggle is the assignment, she does not think she does anything well.  They go through several meetings, and she is still determined to drop the class.  The professor comes upon her in the cafeteria, where she is after skipping an appointment.  She makes a comment on the poor pizza they serve, and the professor has proven his point.  She does have value, and has a skill at making pizza.  I find this movie motivational on two fronts.  The professor goes the extra mile  to work with LaNi.  Lani's struggle is also motivating, as she realizes she has worth, and is able to share this with others.

Movie Review: Michael Ballam: *****The Power of Music to Lift and Teach

http://www.byutv.org/watch/8bf61cd8-434b-4c8a-a458-47999cb684b1/byu-education-week-michael-ballam-1998
byutv, you may have to log in

BYU Education Week 1998
I love Michael Ballam's talks on BYUtv.  They are recorded education week presentations, and he mixes music with his lecture.   His presentations motivate and uplift me.  He is also very insightful on the power of music, and has many tremendous experiences in sharing music with others.  He takes about the great composers, and how they often said they were inspired by God in their music.  He also tells of his teachers, and experiences in which music has helped people think more clearly and touch their imagination, like Albert Einstein.

Movie Night: ****^Cool Runnings

This is a 1993 movie of the first Jamaican bob sled team at the 1988 Winter Olympics.  I actual remember this story from the Calgary Olympics.  Four sprinters, who were hoping to run track and field, but a fall ends this dream, but still wanting to be Olympians, take up bob sledding.  Irv Blitzer (John Candy) becomes their coach.  This movie is not only motivational, but funny.  A lines that sticks, "You dead man?"  This line is in my vocabulary.  The Jamaicans find their style, with a lucky egg, and their own song, "We got a Jamaican Bob Sled Team."  It is amazing how sometimes dreams hang by a thread, and their is always opposition.  Sometimes opposition comes from those you love; sometimes from those you don't know; and sometimes from others who disrespect you.  Whatever the case you have to stand and fight.

Motivational Movies: Summary

***** Rudy
***** Hoosiers
***** Michael Ballam: The Power of Music to Lift and Teach: BYU Education Week (1998)
***** Michael Ballam: The Healing Power of Music: BYU Education Week (1999)
***** Michael Ballam:Recognizing Inspiration in the Arts: BYU Education Week (2009)
***** Brave (Disney Pixar 2012)
***** Unstoppable
****^ Hitchcock
****^ The Drop Card (BYU)
****^ Johnny Lingo (LDS 1969)
****^ The Emmet Smith Story (BYU 1979)

****^ The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend (Pete Maravich)
***^ Pistol Pete Maravich: The LSU Years (perseverance practice)
****^ Cool Runnings (1993) Jamaican Bob Sled Team, a dream vs opposition
****^ Wild Hearts Can't be Broken, (1991) Diving Girl
**** The Phone Call (LDS 1977)
**** Faith in Every Footstep
***^ Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (talks about having a dream)
***^ John Baker's Last Race (BYU)
*** Run Dick, Run Jane  (BYU 1972)
*** Blind Love (BYU 1979)

Movie Night: ****^The Pistol (1991)

The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend:

Pete Maravich had a gift on the basketball court, and he was a pleasure to watch.  This movie tells how that gift came to be.  There are some things that come naturally, and there are some things you develop.  In this case, both of those criteria apply. 
This movie deals with Pete Maravich when he was in eighth grade, before he was a legend.  He was struggling with things just like anyone else.  However he had a dream.  His father had been a profession player, and was a college coach.  He emphasized self confidence.  Pete took these lessons to heart.  He had a love for basketball, and being the best.  I love this movie.  It is a motivational classic.
One warning for those who watch this movie with their children; it shows many “tricks” with a basketball.  Your kids will try many of these tricks.  If they do the “ricochet” incorrectly it may cause an injury.
This movie is very motivational if you have big dreams.  If not I imagine it will fall flat.  I like Pete's interaction with the cheerleader.  Pete can't understand why do something if you are not dedicated to be the best.  By the end of the movie she has caught on, as has Moose, the big guy on the team who wants to get a scholarship.

Ar the Movies and Movie Night:***** Unstoppable, ****^Spider Man Trilogy

*****Spider Man: This movie introduced us to Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, who had flaming red hair in the first movie of the trilogy.  We also see Mary Jane's family, and next door, Peter Parker living with his Aunt and Uncle.  Peter the nerd, becomes Spider Man, after a trip to a science laboratory and a spider bite.  He then faces the Green Goblin, who is also his best friend's (Harry's) father.  The action is great, as is the budding relationship between Mary Jane and Peter Parker.  We also see the emotions of the change, and accepting the responsibility of being a super hero.  Finally Peter realizes those he loves are in harms way, and that effects all he does.  Harry, dates Mary Jane, and Spider Man and the Green Goblin have a war, which results in the Goblin's death.  My only complaint, we want to know how Peter came to live with his aunt and uncle.
***** Spider Man II: This movie takes up where the last left off.  Harry has a sense of vengeance  against Spider Man.  This effects all he does, and his relationship with Peter Parker.  The relationship between Mary (whose hair has toned down some) and Peter continues to bloom, even through a wedding to The Bugle editor's (J Jonah Jameson's) son and Mary Jane.  She shows up at Peter's in her wedding dress, after fleeing the ceremony,  how romantic.  In the meantime Peter makes a friend with Dr. Octavius, whose experiment with nuclear fusion goes awry, turning him into a super villain with eight limbs, four metallic.  He makes a worthy bad guy as the robotics takes over his conscience.  Of course Mary Jane is put in harms way, and she discovers Peter is Spider Man.

****^Spider Man III.  In this were are introduced to the Sand Man, who actually shot Uncle Ben.  Spider Man also faces his dark side, as he comes in contact with an alien symbiotic organism. Peter is then faced with a darker alter ego.  He becomes mean to those around him, but finally beats the symbiode off, and the symbiode attaches to Peter's rival photographer at the Bugle, making Carnage who becomes Spider Man's other rival.  They gang up on him.  In the mean time Harry has become the Green Goblin, and had run ins with Spider Man.  However the Green Goblin comes to Spidey's rescue in the end.  I really dislike the reporters when Spider Man is getting beat up.  They detract from the action rather than adding to it.
Tony loves Spider Man and talking about the symbiode that crashed from outer space and made Black Spider Man and Carnage. 


*****Unstoppable  This came over HBO (which I guess we have as a promotion.)  You would think that a train movie would be boring.  However this is a train with no driver, and runaway speed, headed for an urban area with toxic cargo and with a sharp curve with gas tanks, sure to explode in a crash.  It also has two heroes who defy orders, and chase the train down, putting their own lives in danger, but saving the day in the end.  Great ride.

Motivational Movie: ***^Invictus

This movie released 2009 and is now on DVD.  I am watching it courtesy of Netflix.  It stars Matt Damon and Morgan Freemon and is directed by Clint Eastwood.  This movie tells of the relationship between Nelson Mandela and Francois Pienarr, Captain of the South African rugby team.  It talks about overcoming odds, and doing better than you can do.  It is a study of what inspires us and motivates us.

I think the best part of the movie was the Invictus poem, written  by William Ernest Henley who had tuberculosis in his leg, and his leg amputated:

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

The conclusion of the movie, with Nelson giving the Cup to Francois, is a true story, and is considered one of the most inspiring sports scenes to be portrayed on British  television.  That this country was able to pull itself out of apartheid, and then jointly support their team to the World Cup is incredible.  I hope to remember the line, "I am the master of my fate:  I am the captain of my soul."