At the Movies, Movie Night: **^The Sorcerer's Apprentice; ***Captain America

I watched these two movies with Tony last week, the first on dish but it is also available from instant Netflix; the second at the Marketplace Theater.

I must admit, the Sorcerer's apprentice leaves something lacking.  It seems they try to mesh a modern adventure with the original Mickey Mouse movie, and fails in both respects.   I must admit I really don't like the ending, and the broom scene reenacted here is cute, but really doesn't fit into the plot.  Nicholas Cage is good, the apprentice is not, the young girl is pretty, and it is good the sorcerer (Nicholas Cage) gets back with his love after missing her for thousands of years.  The action is good, but science winning the day in the end is sort of contrived.  So this movie gets a reserved recommendation.

I judged the second movie through the eyes of Tony, who was really bored with the first part of the movie.  In the theater he was more interested in playing with his chair than the movie.  However when Captain America gets his shield, then things start to pick up. The action was exciting after that point.  This is a good WWII action movie.

It was fun that John Starks (Iron Man) was part of the movie, and a rival for the woman's affection.  It actually explains where he gets the power for the suit he eventually makes.  I hated the ending however.  I wanted him to get the girl, not end up frozen for 70 years.  And so for this movie a mild recommendation.

Book Review: The Book of Mormon: A Family Discussion Guide

This book is written by a member of our ward, April McMurtrey.  It can be had through Amazon.com.  http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9_sc_1?rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Aapril+mcmurtrey&keywords=april+mcmurtrey&ie=UTF8&qid=1323640842
This is not a traditional book where you take it and read it from cover to cover.  However it is meant as a companion to reading the Book of Mormon.  It asks questions which will be conducive to fulfilling the requirement of Moroni, "...and ponder it in your hearts." (Moroni 10:3)

This book is geared to help direct family scripture reading.  It can also supplement reading for next year in Sunday School (which is gong to be focused on the Book of Mormon,)  family scripture study, and personal scripture study.  I am hoping that we can use this for Family Home Evening study over the next couple of years. 

I recommend this book to those who are seeking to enhance their study of the Book of Mormon--whether for family or personal study.

Charity's 21st birthday

Charity turned 21 yesterday.  We had celebrated with her the week before at Home Town.  Charity loves their potatoes and gravy.  I should have done better at pictures but I did catch Caleb with a ketchup cracker sandwich in honor of "Terminal."  We had a good tie, and then went to their house and rediscovered Legos.  Anthony had been playing with them.  Tony made a plane, and I played with the characters.  I was trying to put together a Star Wars battle. but I had to compete with Tony for the men.

Birthday girl and Miranda

cracker and ketchup sandwich

Tony took this picture

Charity's birthday ended up being a busy day.  She had a job interview, and Caleb had a talent show, Sierra Idol in which he sang and played, "Crazy"Andrew Garcia.  Caleb and Sheri were also helping with the ward Halloween party.  They had to make a delivery to the church.  Miranda was part of the interview as Charity needed to cut someone's hair, and turns out color it as well.   We ended up eating Texas chocolate cake Charity had made, but pretty late.  Tony and Sheri had gone to bed.  However we did sing to her, using a tea candle for the cake from the jack-o-lanterns we had the night before.  In the end Charity, Anthony and Miranda missed the Idol competition, and in fact didn't get to our house until after we did.  We were worried about them by that time.  But they were OK in the end.  Hopefully a long interview is good news. 

Movie Night: *****Pride and Prejudice

This is not  review in the traditional sense, but a comparison of four different versions of Pride and Prejudice.  These four include the first one I saw, which is the 1995 six tape series with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth in the lead roles.  I then saw the new movie, 2005, with Keira Knightley and Mathew Macfadyen in the lead roles.  I have recently been introduced to two new versions via Netflix.  One is 1980 BBC with Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul in the lead roles which is available through Instant Netflix. The other was a Netflix DVD, 1940 with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier.

First generally reviewing of these movies.  They are all classics, and the story is classic. The first version actually takes the most liberties with the story.  Lady DuBourg is in league with Mr. Darcy, rather than actually upset.  The 1980 BBC version is actually the most modest.  However the version I first saw was the Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.  This one highlights the figures of the women in a very pleasing manner.  And the Keira Knightley has a more rural feel to it, with pigs on the screen, and Keira Knightley is always beautiful, but no miracle bra is going to do wonders, so this version is more modest as well.

Eliza  I love Jennifer Ehle in this role, and her walking every place.  However the character in the 1940 version, captures much more passion for me.  So I must vote for Greer Garson as my favorite Eliza.

Mr. Darcy  In similar fashion I must say Laurence Olivier captures the romance of the film in the most placing manner.  I was introduced to this role form Colin Firth, who is a great actor, and one of my favorite.  However the way this role is played by Laurence Olivier is classic.  

Mr. Bennet is a wonderful character, who actually grows and matures from the experiences with regards to Lydia.  I must admit I prefer the character from the 2005 movie best from Donald Sutherland, just based on the way he presents one of my favorite lines, "If any other men come to marry any my daughters, send them in; I am quite at my leisure." Classic!  His smile is just perfect.

Mr Bingley  I like the Mr. Bingley from the six tape series.  He is just a happy young man, no one can help but like him. Lydia is such a clueless wonder in this version I have to love her. Mrs Bennet with her loud laughing and talking takes the day in this version as well as well.  Mr Collins, the cousin who is set to entail the estate, is such a nerd and brown noser in this version he is fun.  And his wife, Charlotte, is played in just the perfect fashion. Lydia is so good lamenting at her father's rebuke in this version.  Her cry is just perfect. 

Mr Darcy's cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliams is most enjoyable in the 1849 version as the actor is in a kilt.  Fun.  Miss Jane Bennet is the most beautiful in the 1949 version.  The last seen where Mr. Bingley proposes, and she cries through it.  That is fun.

Mr. Bingley's sister is the most sinister in the 1940 version.  Mary is at her worse in such a  truly delightful way in the version as well.

The bottom line is I love this story, and each of these version is a pleasure to watch.

A Family of Bloggers

Charity's blog:
http://charity-dawn.blogspot.com/

Miranda's blog:
http://miranda-lifeasiknowit.blogspot.com/

Mark's blogs:
http://lambandtyger.blogspot.com/
http://thecommonastronomer.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/thecommonastronomer
http://www.myspace.com/asdecemberleaves
A couple of his sites include his music, but not all of it. 

Natalia/s blogs:
http://nmooret.blogspot.com/
http://mooretn.blogspot.com/

Sheri writes in her journal, but doesn't feel she wants her thoughts online.  Jeremy does not yet have a blog.