This year I have added some check marks to my bucket list.  I have visited two new temples to me.  We visited Tucson and Elko and Modesto (not completed).  Three new National Parks and two Monuments, Tonto, Casa Grande Ruins, Saguaro and White Sands and Archway.

 My Bucket List to do:

Visit Rainbow Bridge (Lake Powell)

Lea Salonga Live

Donny Osmond Live

Iguazu Waterfall

Camp at Jenny’s Lake

Martin’s Cove again

Ashton History

Cantata Performed
100 recorded songs on You Tube; 30

Gettysburg

Grand Canyon North Rim

Grand Canyon Cavern

Liberty Island

Rainbow Bridge

Visit 50 temples inside: 30: Logan, Salt Lake, L.A., Oakland, Manti, Provo, Ogden, Washington D.C., Rexburg, Jordan River, Vernal, Sacramento, Timpanogos, Palmyra, Seattle Bellevue, Fresno, Cedar City, Provo City Center, Las Vegas, Mesa, Phoenix, Winter Quarters, San Diego, Monticello, Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis. Snow Flake, Denver, Kansas City, 

Winter Quarters Temple

San Diego Temple

Indianapolis 

Fountain outside of Chicago temple

St Louis

outside: 18 Idaho Falls, Draper, Bountiful, St. George, New York City, Boise, Twin Falls, Oquirrh, Reno, Payson, Brigham City, Richland Columbia River, Saratoga Springs, Orem, Portland, Elko, Tucson, Modesto.

50 National Parks, +etc

23 parks Yellowstone, Tetons, Yosemite, Arches, Canyonlands, Grand Canyon, Zion, Mesa Verde, Sequoia, Petrified Forest, Mount Ranier, Death Valley, Great Basin, Capitol Reef, Pinnacles, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Bryce Canyon, Joshua Trees, Kings Canyon, Indiana Sand Dunes, Gateway Arch, Saguaro National Park, east and west, White Sands National Park. 

38 others: Mount Rushmore NM, Golden Spike Promontory NM, Cedar Breaks NM, Natural Bridges NM, Fort Point, Golden Gate NRA S.F. and Rodeo Beach, Scotts Bluff NM, Jefferson National Expansion (Arch), Wilson's Creek Battlefield, Cabrillo NM, Craters of the Moon NM, Dinosaur NM, Timpanogas Cave NM, Fort Laramie NHS, Trail of Tears NHT, Mormon National historic trail, Oregon national historic trail, Arlington, Washington D.C. National Mall and Memorials, Fort McHenry, Independence NHP, Niagara Falls, General Grant NM, Erie Canalway, Buffalo National River, Smithsonian, Monument Valley Navajo Nation Park, Flaming Gorge, Ross Lake NRA, White House, Mojave Desert Reserve, Grand Coulee Dam NRA, Constitution Garden, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead NRA, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Tonto NM, Casa Grande NM, Lewis And Clark National Visitors Center.

50 state Parks: 44: Dead Horse Point, Calaveras Big Trees, Hyrum Lake, Natural Bridges State Beach,  Henry Coe, Big Basin, Ano Nuevo State Park, Carnegie State Vehicle, Castle Rock, Caswell, Clear Lake, Henry Cowell, Columbia, Lake Del Valle, Manresa State beach, Mount Diablo State Park, New Brighton State Beach, Old Sacramento State Park, Seacliff State Beach, Sonoma State Historic Park, Sunset State Beach, Sutter's Fort, Turlock Lake State Recreation Area, Wilder ranch State Park, Antelope Island, Bear Lake Ut, Green River, Starvation, Steinaker, Bear Lake, Id., City of Rocks, Cave Lake NV, This is the Place Heritage Park, Giant City Ill, Bodie, Dutchman SP, Nauvoo State Park, Indian Grinding Rock, Castle Rock State Park, Valley of Fire, Burro Creek.

Other noted Parks, Alum Rock Park, Hyrum City Park, Vasona County Park, Sanborn County Park, Madonna County Park, Joseph D Grant Cuunty Park, Willow Park and zoo, Ross Park Fort Hall and zoo, Tautphaus Park Idaho Falls and zoo, Coyote Hills Regional Park, Gene Leahy Mall, 

Musicals performed in: Oakland Pageant, Pajama Game 2x, Fiddler on the Roof 2x, Brigadoon, My Fair Lady, Scarlet Pimpernil, Amahl and the Night Visitors 2x, The Music Man, Star of Justice 2x, Man of La Mancha, Where's Charlie, Broadway Reviews x 6, Utah State Extension, South Cache Jr. High and Manteca Stake, Saturday's Warrior Chorus,

My Bucket List Done

Les Miserables musical, entire (went with Charity and Miranda), Delicate Arch, Take picture of Los Gatos Cats, Top of Washington Monument, Top of WTC. Machu Pichu, Liberty Island on ferry, Palmyra, Harmony, Martin’s Cove, Eat at La Cabana, Buenos Aires, Broadway Evita 2x, Broadway tours Wicked, Broadway tours, Phantom of the Opera, New York, Nauvoo, Carthage Jail, Independence, Liberty Jail, Wade in Lake Michigan, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Tetons, Write a musical "Your Heart Will Burn", Write Cantata, Write a History x3, Dad's, Mom's, Isaac Wardle, Promontory, Space Needle, Minetonka Cave, Timpanogas Cave, Black Chasm Cave, Top of Coit Tower China Town San Francisco 2x youth and adult, Winchester Mystery House, Clarksville, Ark., Parley P Pratt gravesite, Osceola ghost town, Bodie ghost town, Niagara Falls Canada, Niagara Falls, New York, Climbed Point Arena Lighthouse,  City of Rocks, National Preserve, Kirkland Temple and city. Notebook musical, Beautiful Noise Musical, 

Orpheum Theater for Neil Diamond and A Beautiful Noise

 I visited the Orpheum Theater for "The Neil Diamond musical, A Beautiful Noise."  The show was very good, and the music and dancing were exceptional.

To the Orpheum Theater: The Notebook

 We ventured downtown Omaha on a windy night to attend the "The Notebook" at the Orpheum Theater.  Our first adventure to downtown at night.

Meeting Old Friends in Nauvoo: Dave and Sherry Curtis

 We made it a point to see the Curtis' who are serving a mission in Nauvoo.  Sister Curtis is over the senior performing arts group and has an office in the visitor's center.  Brother Curtis this day was hosting in the Browning home and rifle shop.

Sheri asked at the visitors center, and discovered Sherry was in the office.  We also discovered that Dave was at the Browning home so made it a point to visit him.  He taught us about the first rifling, which was quite a process.  Sherry insisted we stay for the performance at the Seventies Hall which is presented by the older missionary couples.  We had seen it 20 years before, but still enjoyed it, and I am sure much of it is new.  It is incredible that older people would step outside of the boxes and do such a thing; and there was a place for the really older missionaries as well as those not so old.  It was fun.  Sherry said it was a requirement that they all participate at least three nights per week.  You could tell there was different levels of enthusiasm, but some really enjoyed it and had good energy.  We had a time to reminisce about doing Annie in the Stevens Creek Ward.

Savior of the World: Musical Theater, Turlock Stake

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-11-86-savior-of-the-world-2011?category=topics/christmas

This link is an interview of some of the Conference Center performers of "The Savior of the World.  Tonight I attended the performance At Hughson Unified High School produced by the Turlock Stake (perhaps a multistake production) of the Savior of the World.  Anthony, my son-in-law was in the cast.  Charity was rehearsing, but couldn't balance baby and production.

I am not sure how it compares to the original, as in the Christmas spirit this production stopped at the birth of the Savior.  Even so, it was very moving.  They said we needed tickets, and then we didn't.  I would encourage people to see it if the can, tomorrow at 7:30, and Saturday there is a Spanish cast performing. 

Camberly in Rebeca Raggs outfit

Movie Night: **** Goodbye Mr. Chips

This is the 1969 movie musical which stars Peter O'Toole as Arthur Chipping (Mr. Chips) and Petula Clark as Katherine Bridges.  This a movie about two people from two different worlds, Chipping a school master and Bridges an actress, who fall in love with each other and make a life together.  This is a musical, but at times seems less so because many of the song have been relegated to to being sung under the action, rather than in the fashion of a musical.  Petula Clark is a terrific singer.  Peter O' Toole sounds like Don Quijote through most of the movie.  However this movie proved to be very effective with me.  I was drawn into the story, and was weeping at the end of the story.  This is a passing of time story, showing Mr. Chips before meeting his wife, falling in love, bringing her to the school, being over looked for promotion, and then going through the war and the death of his wife due to The Battle of London.  We then see him briefly after.  The coming of age song, I find very touching:

In the morning of my life I shall look to the sunrise.
At a moment in my life when the world is new.
And the blessing I shall ask is that God will grant me,
To be brave and strong and true,
And to fill the world with love my whole life through.

(Chorus)
And to fill the world with love
And to fill the world with love
And to fill the world with love my whole life through

In the noontime of my life I shall look to the sunshine,
At a moment in my life when the sky is blue.
And the blessing I shall ask shall remain unchanging.
To be brave and strong and true,
And to fill the world with love my whole life through

(Chorus)

In the evening of my life I shall look to the sunset,
At a moment in my life when the night is due.
And the question I shall ask only I can answer.
Was I brave and strong and true?
Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

(Chorus)


I think this movie becomes more poignant as one gets older.  I really enjoyed it.

Movie Night: ****Carousel

This is a classical musical picture.  It is the 1956 adaptation of the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein Musical.  It has the classic song, "You'll Never Walk Alone" twice.  For this alone it is worthy of watching.  This show presents the unlikely marriage of Billy Bigelow (Gordon MacRae and Julie Jordon (Shirley MacLaine.)  Billy is a carousel barker and Julie a factory worker.  Some of the music is contrived and forgettable.  People singing about the clams they are eating doesn’t quite cut it.  However this musical has more great music than I remembered.  “If I Loved You” is fun as the characters explore whether or not the really would ever get married, and then they do.  MacRae does the "Soliloquy" after finding out his wife is pregnant in which he sings to his future baby.  When he realizes he might have a baby, he realizes he needs some money.  For some reason he is not willing to take a job in the fish industry.  He decides to go with his pal and rob a business man.  This doesn't work out, and he ends up dead.  However, he is given a chance to come back and influence his daughter for good.  The speech of Dr. Seldon at his daughter's graduation is classic:   I - I can't tell you any sure way to happiness. I only know that you've gotta go out and find it for yourselves. You can't lean on the success of your parents. That's their success. And don't be held back by their failures...

  Makes no difference what they did or didn't do. You just stand on your own two feet. The world belongs to you as much as to the next fella, so don't give it up. And try not to be scared of people not liking you, just you try liking them. And just keep your faith, and your courage, and you'll turn out all right. It's like what we used to sing every morning when I was a boy. Maybe you still sing it: "When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high." You know that one?
 The show then ends with "You'll Never Walk Alone."

Movie Night: ^ Saturday Night Fever

I ordered this movie from Netflix.  I must have not looked well as it was rated R.  I wanted to watch the music and the dancing, but couldn't get through more than 10 minutes because of the excessive F' word usage.  I could tell it was only going to get worse.  I do not recommend this movie.  I understand there is a PG version which is toned down, but didn't see it available through Netflix.

Movie Night: **^The Marvelous Land of Oz: You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuX8Jzv6_ZA
This is a dramatic production from Children's Musical Theater of Minnesota.  It was presented in 1981.  This musical follows pretty well the book, leaving out a few parts as would be expected.  It has all the characters important in the book, Tip, Scarecrow, Nick Chopper the Tin Woosdman, Jack Pumpkinhead, Woogle Bug, Glinda, Jinjur, Jellia, Mombi. I really disliked Mombi's character.  She was too witchy and had too large a part.  In reading the book she was more a mean sorceress, although she was ugly.  She dominated the show in an ugly way.  However the Tinman, Scareacrow and Tip were very good.  The music was forgettable.  I did find the song of Glinda talking to Tip enjoyable.  "Look to your own heart for there you will find the courage to face tomorrow.  There's no other heart that knows, look to your own heart."

Mormon Movie Review: ****Star Child

 Star Child is a recording of a dramatic performance (1999). It  is the sequel to Saturday's Warrior.  Doug Stewart wrote the book and lyrics.  Gaye Beeson wrote the music.  There are things to not like with this movie, but also things to cherish.  As I watched several times I was moved to tears.  At times the lyrics are very moving.  (lyrics from my memory as I could not find them on internet.)

I promise, I promise, I promise to bring,
On the day that we marry, hands that are clean
That angels may help us achieve every dream
Of endless forever, with you are my queen.
I promise I promise, of this I am sure
I promise to bring you a heart that is pure
That angels may help us achieve every dream
Of endless forever with you as my king.

Oh if there's a person, who can give my life meaning
Then please reach out, take my hand

Follow the light that's in you
Don't be afraid it will guide you
Follow and you'll know
The safest way to go,
If you follow, follow the light.

For the most part it is well presented.  Elder Green however was painful to listen to.  He was off key too often.

I must admit, looking at the college dating scene was not fun, and caused me to have nightmares.  It was a hard time for me.  I don't think people are so focused on finding a mate, even if they are at BYU.  It was a shallow cliche for everyone's character.

This movie does not end all happy like Saturday's Warrior.  Chuck and Marie don't marry, as they promised each other in the preexistence.  But Chuck does find Larry, and he is converted to the gospel.

I saw a stage production in college.  My date didn't like the ending.  I was OK with it.  It is more important to remember we are Heavenly Father's children, than whose child we are on Earth. 

Movie Night: ****^ Love Never Dies

I watched this through Netflix DVD.  It is a 2012 production.
Love Never Dies is the continuation of Phantom of the Opera.  It is an Andrew Lloyd Webber production.
There are a couple of songs that stand out, and summarize the musical.  The Phantom fled Paris to Coney Island in New York.  Ten years later he gets Christine Daae to follow.  She brings her husband and ten year old son.  In the second song, "Love Never Dies" is the hint of the ending.

Look With Your Heart by Love Never Dies Cast
[Christine]
Love's a curious thing, it often comes disguised
Look at love the wrong way, it goes unrecognized

So look with your heart, and not with your eyes
The heart understands, the heart never lies
Believe what it feels, and trust what it shows
Look with your heart, the heart always knows
Love is not always beautiful, not at the start

So open your arms, and close your eyes tight
Look with your heart, and when it finds love, your heart will be right

Learn from someone who knows, make sure you don't forget
Love you misunderstand is love that you'll regret

[Gustave]
Mother?
Look with your heart, and not with your eyes
The heart can't be fooled

[Christine]
The heart is too wise

[Gustave]
Forget what you think

[Christine]
Ignore what you hear

[Christine and Gustave]
Look with your heart, it always sees clear

[Gustave]
Love is not always beautiful, not at the start

[Christine]
But open your arms, and close your eyes tight
Look with your heart, and when it finds love, your heart will be right

Love Never Dies by Love Never Dies Cast
Christine:
Who knows when love begins, who knows what makes it start
One day it's simply there, a life inside your heart
It slips into your thoughts, it infiltrates your soul
It takes you by surprise, then seizes full control
Try to deny it and try to protest
But love won't let you go, once you've been possessed

Love never dies, love never falters
Once it has spoken, love is yours
Love never fails, love never alters
Hearts may get broken, love endures
Hearts may get broken, love endures

And soon as you submit, surrender flesh and bone
That love takes on a life much bigger than your own
It uses you at whim, and drives you to despair
And forces you to feel more joy than you can bear
Love gives you pleasure and love brings you pain
And yet, when both are gone, love will still remain

Once it has spoken, love is yours
Love never dies, love never alters
Hearts may get broken, love endures
Hearts may get broken...

Love never dies, love will continue
Love keeps on beating, when you're gone
Love never dies, once it is in you
Life may be fleeting, love lives on
Life may be fleeting
Love lives on
 

Caleb finishes Musical Run Bye Bye Birdie

The green room

Caleb and friends, Maddie, Emma, Siman, Annie

Tony outside just before we went in

Musical finished this weekend.  Sheri, Charity and Anthony, Miranda, went Friday while I went Saturday.  I actually got Tony over there Saturday and then they were sold out; however we went for the final scene.  I wanted Tony to hear Caleb sing "Rosie."  I thought it was the highlight of the show.  They really need an auditorium at the high school.  They use the green room, which only holds 75.  They do have array of lights, but no stage, and no arch.  Nothing like the auditorium in Cupertino which seats 400.  I wanted to be there at the end to catch a picture of Caleb with his friends from the Lathrop Ward. 
Now to brag a bit.  Caleb did a very professional job.  He projected well.  He also showed great emotion.  His reaction when he told  Mama to go home, and to the kiss were classic.  It was fun watching him.
Missing the musical, I took Tony to Del Taco.  I really like there fries.  So did Tony.  Tony is a great ketchup dipper, and we had enough ketchup to accommodate him.  The churros as good as well and the have an assortment of shakes.  The tacos are cheap.  I went to the drive-in, but Tony noticed the play place, so we spent an hour almost while Tony played.  He loved the slide, but he did bonk himself on the seams a few times.  They also had  couple punch bags an Tony played Power Rangers for a good long time.  Those bags kept knocking him down, and then he would have to get even with them.  The thing I was impressed with was the cleanliness.  Much better than McDonalds across the street.

The other thing I enjoyed this weekend had nothing to do with Manteca, but Bear Lake in Utah.  Liz and Mark had given us a bottle of Chads raspberry jam.  Positively the best I ever tasted.  It is a bit pricey, but maybe could be a sporadic treat.
 http://chadsraspberrykitchen.com/site_directory/products/jam_raspberry.html
Meantime we stick to the Food 4 Less jam which has a very good price.  I have always loved raspberry jam, and now Sheri is hooked as well.

Movie Review: ***^Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

This is an early Andrew Loyd Webber Tim Rice.  This theatrical movie features Donny Osmond.
This is Andrew Lloyd Webber's first musical performed, which he wrote while he was in high school.  Originally it was only 15 minutes, but has gone through much revision and expansion.  This is an operetta telling the story of Joseph.  They missed an important lesson taught by the story in the Bible, otherwise I may have given it more stars.  When Joseph is tempted by Potiphar's wife, the Bible says he got himself out.  In this version he does not get himself out but stays resisting temptation.  The movie also like to insinuate that Israel, the prophet was a philanderer because he had multiple wives.  That is not the motivation for polygamy, or at least shouldn't be.
This move does have great music.  It has period pieces not reflecting Hebrew music, but Cowboy, French etc.  This show also has Donny Osmond.  His rendition of "Close Every Door to Me" is a show stopper.  It also has the pursuit of a dream, and the reunification of a family.

Movie Night: ***^ Xanadu (Olivia Newton John)

Xanadu 1980
This is my continuation of watching the musicals available through Instant Netflix.  The selection is rather slim.  Sheri and I enjoyed this one when we were younger.  It actually came out a couple years before we were married.  Olivia Newton John stars as Kira, a muse.  Gene Kelley as Danny McGuire, is a former love interest of the muse, and the current love interest, Sonny Malone is played by Michael Beck.  The story explains a muse is not allowed to have a permanent relationship, but they are to help people’s dreams come through.  The dream in this case is for the two men, who are partners, to get a club going which they call Xanadu.  When the muse has to leave as the dream is fulfilled, Sonny is depressed and miserable, as Danny was 30 years ago.  He goes after her.  He runs through a mural, into the realm of the muses.  Because of this great love, she is granted a day to come back and see the opening day of the club.  She still has to leave in the end, but they do get a day.  This show has good musical, and a story line that works.  I don’t know what it is with all the roller skating.  Maybe it was a think for the time, roller skates, not roller blades.  There is a twist at the end.

Movie Musical Review: ****Oklahoma (1955)

This is a movie presentation of the original musical.  It seems to be very true to the original, including the overture, interacte music and all of the dance music. It starts with Gordon MacRae as Curly McClain singing "Oh what a Beautiful Morning,"  and just gets more delicious from there.  Laurey (Shirley Jones joins him with her beautiful voice.  Curly is courting for Laurey but she is not sure if she wants him, as she has promised to go to the party that night with Jud (Rod Steiger), their ranch hand.  Jud has a chip on his shoulder for anyone who thinks he is better than him.  At the same time there is a love interest between Will (Gene Nelson) and Ado Annie (Gloria Grahame).  I really like the song "Pore Jud is Daid."  If Jud is just playing along, or really thinking about what people will say when he is dead, I don't know.  However this song is a premonition of what is to some.  Laurey and Curly finally hit it off, and get married in the final scene.  This creates bad blood between Curley and Jud, which boils over on the wedding night. 
My only complaint about this movie is too much dancing.  Some of the dancing is cute, but the scene where Laurey is confused, the dance goes for ever.  The entire movie is two and a half hours.  They could have shortened it at least 15 minutes.  I do love the music,  "Oklahoma" is always a favorite, as is "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top."

Musical Movie Night: **^The Frog Prince (1986)

This is not the Disney version, but a made for T.V. version, which not only has the prince who has been turned into a frog, but also two princesses, nieces of the king, and only one is a rightful princess.  The older sister is elegant and gives off the look of a princess; but she is also mean spirited, and treats others poorly.  However the younger sister has self esteem issues, mostly brought on by her sister who is always putting her down.  She wishes for a friend, and finds a frog.  However she and she frog become friends, and she now has someone to talk to.  Her sister notices the change in her, and kidnaps the frog, putting him in a pit where he is sure to die due to lack of water.  The music in this musical is forgettable, but I liked it for the characters, the king who has a good heart, the prince and the younger sister.  Aileen Quinn (also Annie) stars as the young princess, Helen Hunt as the mean sister. 

Musical/Movie Review:****Saturday's Warrior (to mmboe)

This is a 1989 made for video version of the popular Mormon Musical.  I was once in the chorus, and my bias is they could have used the chorus backing up many of the songs.  There is more depth with the chorus, and there were parts where the orchestration was naked.  Maybe they were trying to save money.
The story comes through in both versions.  There were a couple special effects I enjoyed.  Talking through the cloud of heaven at earth didn't work for me.  However when Todd and Julie are singing a duet, even though far apart, their hands are overlapped.  This was very effective.  I enjoyed Julie and Todd the most.  I hadn't realized how whiny Jimmy was.  "Isn't there a some one who will take me as I am, build me up not put me down, make me feel like I'm as good as another.  This just comes off like a complainer.
This movie gives a view of what preexistence may have been like.  However it is not doctrinal, nor meant to be.  It does touch the heart of the LDS community and has done so for many years.

Movie Night: ***^Funny Face

Funny Face is a very entertaining movie.  It stars Audrey Hepburn as Jo and Fred Astaire as Dick a photographer.  It also has Kay Thompson as Maggie, a fashion magazine editor.  These three characters do very well together.  The editor has her eccentricities with  lipstick, and a grating voice, but by the end of  grows on you.  The model, who really doesn't want to be  a model, but wants to go to Paris to meet her hero of philosopher of empathic thinking.  And the photographer, who is all business, but is able to keep the model going and performing.  Over time, Jo falls in love with Dick.  Dick finally realizes he returns this love when Jo spends too much time with our philosopher friend.  Dick gives upon everything and is headed back to New York.

The music is by George and Ira Gershwin.  However the music is mostly forgetable.  What is not forgetable is the dance, by both Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn.  Also what is fantastic is the modeling by Audrey Hepburn.  She was a model before becoming a movie star.

Movie Night: ***Huckleberry Finn (1974)

This is a musical telling of Huckleberry Finn.  This is very true to the story of Huckleberry Finn, but the music is really not that impressive.  This is a very low bass on the song "Huckleberry Finn" and Jim sings about freedom.  This story made the point that Jim had a wife and a newborn child.  Huck had been taken in by a couple old women.  So when Huck's father comes asking for $1000 Jim knew the only thing they owned to raise that kind of money was himself.  So he took off, with the hope of earning his freedom and getting enough money to buy the rest of his family, so they could stay together.  They were headed to Cairo, Illinois.
When I was young I didn't understand why.  In fact it seems the were headed to New Orleans.  In both cases it would be because this was during the war, and he was trying to meet the Union army, where the union had already proclaimed that slaves of the states in rebellion were free.
As for Huckleberry's part, he was taken by his father, and locked in his cabin.  He managed to escape, and was also headed down river.  Jim fashions a raft, and together the head down river.  They have many adventures, mostly with Jim staying with the raft, while Huck goes to explore.  Huckleberry ends up in the middle of a feud, and barely escapes with his life.  He and Jim meet a couple con men, and Huckleberry and Jim barely escape with their lives when the pretend to put on a show, but then make off with the ticket sales with no show.  Huckleberry then ends up with another family.  The con men pretend to be long lost relatives of a deceased person, and want to claim the inheritance.  Huck swindles them, and puts the money in the casket.  In the meantime the rightful relatives show up, and things are bad for the con men and Huck says where the money is.
However when he returns to the raft, Jim is gone.  The con men turned him into the slave hunters, and he is headed back to slavery, instead of to Cairo.  Huck manages to set him free, and the run away escaped by the coon dogs and men.  Huck trades him shirts, agreeing to go back to his life with the old women, while Jim escapes.  The movie ends with Jim getting away while Huck watches.
I liked the way this movie presented the desire to be free, and the sacrifice for freedom and family.  It was also very true to the book.  The music was forgettable.
This movie is available through instant Netflix.

To the Movies: ****^ Les Miserables (2012)

I have seen a few opinions about Les Miserables from--the best movie ever to too dark.  And after visiting the theater yesterday, I can understand both remarks.  Les Miserables is a dark story to begin with.  However with all the expectations, many were predisposed that it was going to be the best ever even before seeing it.  I wave watched the ten year, and 25 year anniversary concerts over and over.  And granted those were concerts not theatrical productions.  But they music from those far surpasses  that in the movie.  The movie was going for character and story, and took the risk of casting theatrical actors in musical parts.  Sometimes it worked, and others it didn't.  So the pluses and minuses.
Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean worked.  His singing does not compare to Colm Wilkinson, but he carried the roll.  "Hear my Prayer" is the highlight of the show, and although I would have liked to hear Colm Wilkinson, Jackman delivered the emotion of the song such as to be effective.  It is just so beautiful the way Wilkinson holds that last note.
Russell Crowe as Javert did not work.  The song "I Swear by the Stars" sounded more like some one singing in the shower than a prayer to the stars.  Crowe did  make the suicide scene more believable than I had seen it.
The added song of Valjean singing his love to Cosette added depth to the character.  You also can love instantly.  Being a foster/adoptive parent I know this is true.
The three young people, Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) Eponine (Samantha Barks) and Marius (Eddie Redmayne) were the highlight of the show.  They carried their trio and other performing parts with energy and gusto.  I left the theater humming "heart full of love."  "On My Own" was also well done.  However keeping with the dark theme of the director, was done in the rain. Marius sang "Empty Chairs," with such beauty and emotion, I think everyone who has seen this has cried with him.
Fantine (Anne Hathaway) was somewhat of a controversy.  Lea Salonga sings which much greater skill, energy and professionalism.  However, in the mood of the film, Hathaway did an incredible job.  The song "I Dreamed a Dream" was presented later in the movie, after arriving at the bottom, rather than just starting the slide, so there was a different tone (darkness) to the song.  I especially like her in the death scene at the end. 
The innkeepers are a welcome comic relief.  The must have worked so hard at coordinating everything.  I especially like their entrance through the carriage to the wedding. 
So there are more things to like and love about this version of Les Miserables than there are to dislike.  The music is worth going to see, the action is well done, the characterization is good, and the sets are effective (except for the sewer which is over the top) and the theme that when we show love to each other, we show love to God is timeless.  Oh Colm Wilkinson does have a cameo as the priest.  His baritone voice resonates, and somehow he is in the final scene at the pearly gates.  A nice touch.  I recommend this movie, but don't go so far as to say it is the best ever.