The Saratov Approach

We recently took the opportunity to see a movie recently released by a fellow LDS director, called the Saratov Approach.  There are a number of "Mormon movies" made, most of them humorous depictions of Mormon culture, but this one was different.

This movie portrayed the true life story of two Mormon missionaries who, while serving their two-year missions in Russia 1998, were captured and held for ransom.  It shows the struggles they and their families faced while being held captive, and the relationships that they were able to create with their captors.  By trusting in their faith, and relying on the understanding of a higher purpose for their circumstance, they were able to remain safe against all odds.

"The Saratov Approach" truly was an inspirational film.  I was so excited that our local movie theater played it for two weeks straight, despite the fact that it had an obvious religious message.  The movie continues to set records, as a Mormon-based film, in viewing theaters around the country and amount of money made.  I highly recommend watching it.  The message it gave was universal, not to Mormons only, about the power that the faith of a community and nation can create.

A Word About Harry....

On Thursday night, after much anticipation and excitement, Heidi and I went to see the opening midnight showing of the final installment of Harry Potter.  I had been both looking forward to and dreading this moment for the last ten years.  I remember pouring over the last book of the series, after having read for two straight days, unable to get anything else done.  I finished late into the night, but then reread several parts because I had to prolong the ending of it just a little longer.  It was unbearable to finally close the cover on Harry Potter.

I realize that not everyone can understand this prolonged affection (dare I call it obsession?) which I have with Harry and the Wizarding World.  It probably seems strange to those who have not been there since the beginning.  The day of the movie, I was trying to explain the wonderful depth and meaning of the story and characters to a friend of mine who has only read the first few books, and I almost started tearing up.  The themes of good conquering evil, overcoming trials which seem insurmountable through courage and hard work, making difficult decisions to always do what is right, even when it is not popular, the idea that there is always a chance for redemption, yet it is a choice to be made, and finally realizing that love truly does conquor all are all beautifully interwoven into the fabric of Harry's world.  And then J.K. Rowling's masterful story-telling, with her plot-twists, fully developed characters, and complete fabrication of an entire new world, is what I call real "magic."  It still blows my mind that she didn't leave a single string unconnected through seven books.  In fact, every detail was important in every book, because you never knew when a small piece of information in book two would return in book six, with great significance!

So on Thursday night I got to go along with Harry, Ron, and Hermione on their final adventure.  It was intense, dramatic, thrilling, and touching all at the same time.  I don't know anyone who could escape a few tears as Harry entered the Forbidden Forest for the last time, with the intention of dying to save the world from Voldemort's evil.  Especially as he spoke to the vision of his parents, asking them to stay with him, and his mother's reply was, "Always!"  And then the final culmination of the story, when time is sped up and we see a glimpse into Harry's future life, was truly precious and I was so glad they included it in the movie.

Now here's to hoping that we will get to hear more about James, Albus, and Lilly Potter's adventures at Hogwarts.  They are the children of a Potter and a Weasley, after all, so trouble and adventure are bound to follow!

I found a link to this blog on MSN the day of the movie's release and I really enjoyed it: The ten things we will miss most about Harry Potter.  Check it out if you haven't already.

The Blind Side (winning me over)

I am a strange one when it comes to movies, especially the feel-good, motivational type. I almost always dig in my heels, not wanting to watch them. Part of me detests the cheesiness, and part of me dreads the inevitable upheaval of deep emotions that I encounter as I continue through the story.

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Yet, despite my unwillingness, I almost always love them.

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"The Blind Side" was no exception.

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I have put off watching it now for many months, despite hearing its praises from friends and strangers, even my teenage daughter. Heidi said it was"really good," with the emphasis only a teenager could add.

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So I gave in and rented it. As I was watching it last night I laughed more than I expected, cried just as much as I anticipated, and was thoroughly moved and entertained. It truly is a must-see.

The story, which amazingly is based on the lives of real people, really touched me. It made me ponder about what this world would be like if everyone befriended and helped inspire just one person. It would truly be a different place. And then it made me consider my own life. Have I been reaching out to those in need who are around me? Am I paying attention to the whisperings of the Spirit, prompting me to act when I might otherwise look the other way, or make that phone call another time? Have I hugged my children today and told them that I love them and am so proud of them?

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There can never be enough movies like that.

Missing my Mr. Darcy

I really don't like it when Eric is out of town.....

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The nights are particularly the worst. After the kids are in bed and the house is quiet, I find myself pacing around trying to distract myself from my loneliness. I can never go to sleep, especially in such a vast, empty bed, and the books that would usually enthrall me can never seem to occupy my mind enough.

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Usually at these times, I endulge in my personal guilty pleasure: watching the five-hour BBC presentation of Pride and Prejudice. Since it drives Eric batty, I can only enjoy it when he is not at home, so it has become my standard distraction from loneliness.

So, I am off to press the play button and enter the world of Elizabeth Bennett....



Ahhh, Mr. Darcy, how I wish you were at home.....

Twilight Strikes Again

Last night was the much-anticipated premier of the movie "New Moon," the second in the "Twilight" book series. Like my other Twi-hard friends, I was excited to see this next installment. We planned on attending the midnight showing, and attempted to get tickets online several weeks ago, only to find they were all sold out! Luckily, seeing a guaranteed boon to their weekend gross, the theatre decided to open some more showings at 12:30 am, which we grabbed at quickly.

As it so happened, it has been pouring rain here for the last week. And cold. Now imagine a line of soggy, excited teenagers and giddy groups of women of all ages extending the length of the mall parking lot, waiting for one to two hours to get into the theatre.....Can you see it? Here are some (terrible, I know) pictures from my little camera to illustrate:

I know they are fuzzy, but you get the idea!!

Here are my friends Maryanne, Laura, Amy and Lindsey, anxiously waiting to be let into the theatre.

Maryanne and I got our tickets seperately, so we were in a different theatre than the other girls. They got to go in at about 11:15, while we waited outside for another 30 minutes.

Here we are, seated and ready to roll!!

I went equipped with a full bag: a crochet project, awaiting my attention, my camera, some popcorn from home, and a soda to keep me awake.

Maryanne and I were both in agreement: the movie was.....fantabulous!

I liked it much more than the first movie. The characters were a lot more developed, and there was a lot more action. Of course, an interesting love triangle never hurts either. I can't wait to take Eric to see it. He wasn't too excited to go, saying it's more my thing, but I think even he will like it!

I crept into the house at about 3:30 this morning. I don't remember the last time I was out that late.....Wait a minute, I have never been out that late! I am a self-proclaimed night-owl by all definitions of the term, but that was really pushing it for me!!

Today I am in the dreamy haze of extreme sleep-deprivation, but I must say that it was totally worth it! It's not very often you can get excited about a goofy thing like a movie, and revel in the experience with a bunch of soaking-wet strangers. I highly recommend doing it whenever such an opportunity presents itself!

Young at Heart

I just watched a fantastic documentary called "Young at Heart." It's about a group of senior citizens who perform various pop and rock songs, touring around the world. The documentary follows them as they attempt to learn some new pieces for an upcoming concert series. It also focuses closely on some of the individual performers, telling their story.


I laughed, I cried, I spontaneously clapped my hands to the beat! There is something magical and mesmerizing about how music can connect people. The music these people performed often kept them going through many health issues, and gave them a valuable direction and lease on life, keeping them "young at heart."


Here is the trailer for the movie. I know it will make you want to see it! :)






And here is a "music video" that was part of the documentary. It cracked me up! It shows the character and liveliness of these guys!

The Twilight Zone

There is a strange phenomenon gripping the suburbs of our country. It involves perfectly innocent, even ordinary housewives and teenagers alike. It is an obsession with the relationship between a teenage girl and her boyfriend. One who happens to be....a vampire.

Yes, I am ashamed to admit it. I fell into the trap as well. It all started, innocently enough, with reading a book for my Book Club. Everyone was reading it, couldn't put it down! And after all, it was written by an LDS gal in Arizona. Support our enterprizing members!

I started reading "Twilight" but had a difficult time getting into it at first. It was such an intimate look into the mind of a teenage girl, sometimes it made me feel uncomfortable. I remembered my own awkward teenage years....feelings of inadequacy, unsure of my place in the world or society, worrying about my grades, but even more, worrying about what other people thought of me. I can't say that I was very much like Bella, the main character of "Twilight," but it reawakened those memories I had of that period in my life.

Absolute misery.

I would never want to go back.

So I was hesitant about attaching myself to this story. Stephenie Meyers' writing style is not what I would refer to as literary genius. (The comparison of her to JK Rowling is ludicrous to me....she is not even in the same universe.) Parts of the story were cheesey or overly-dramatic. (I mean, really, do you have to turn around and try to be a martyr every week?) But Meyers is very clever here. She gets you hooked on the story line, intrigued with what's going to happen next. You are willing to trudge through the pages and pages of both repetitive and sappy descriptions of Edward's angelic face and how often he softly strokes Bella's cheek....ugh....just to find out....

Anyway, when it came down to it, I ate it up like everyone else. I joined the crowd who was so excited for the fourth and final installment of the book series, that I had to preorder it on Amazon, then waited on tender-hooks until it arrived. I stayed up late two nights in a row (I know, it should have been only one all-nighter but I do have a life, you know!) trying to finish it, then immediately tore it apart with my friends. ("Can you believe she did this?" and "What's with the ripped-apart bed-posts, anyway?") I do not want to give away any important parts for those of my friends still reading it (Are there really any of you out there?), so I will leave it there.

All this drama and excitement over a silly book series can only lead to one thing....a movie deal, of course! I rallied all my Book Club pals and organized a party to see the "Twilight" movie on opening night. We bought tickets in advance online, so as not to have to miss out on such a historic cultural phenomenon. Heidi, of course, went with me as well. All of her friends had read the books, and it was all they were talking about. I felt the series was a little too hormone-driven for the imagination of a 12-year old girl, but gave in to letting her see the movie.

The energy in that theater was palpable! I was surrounded by 12-year old girls, their high and constant chatter spiking up the energy of the room, and the voices of the mothers, competing with the near-hysteria of excitement. When the lights dimmed everyone cheered. Then as a hush fell over the crowd as it was about to start, one of the gals from my group yelled out, "I love you, Jacob!", starting a chorus of cheers and, "I love you, Edward!"'s all over the theater. This is the eternal debate of "Twilight," who should Bella be with....Edward or Jacob?

The debate continues....

The cheering and audience participation continued throughout the movie. Whenever a new character entered a scene, there would be cat-calls and whistles. Lines of dialogue immediately recognized from the book were cheered like words from an energized political speech. We were Meyers' faithful followers, and I don't think anyone left disappointed. All her true fans were just willing the movie to be phenomenal, whether it could live up to it or not, so of course it has succeeded.

Now the mayhem can die down a little.

Until the next movie, that is.

As for me, I find I admire the woman who inspired so many swooning teenage girls and their mothers to come together and discuss the same book so whole-heartedly. She woke up one morning after having a vivid dream. After writing it down and expanding it some, it eventually turned into one of the most successful young adult series of all time. Just an ordinary, run-of-the-mill mother and housewife.

Just like me.

I could relate to her, and yet I find I am a little envious. Being a break-out star of a writer was always my fantasy as well. Now if only I could have a really fabulous dream one night....