For the first time since I have been in Utah I was able to attend the Sundance film festival. Even though I went on a Monday night, and there wasn't that much happening, I thought it was pretty cool. I went with my roommate, who was volunteering there, and one of my good friends.
I saw a really CRAZY movie called Bellflower. It's hard to give a short synopsis of this movie, but I will do my best. Basically it's about a couple guys who like to sit around and think about how they would survive the Apocalypse. Eventually thought gives way to action, and they begin to build cool things like flamethrowers (you can see why I chose to watch this film, yes?). However, one of the guys falls in love with a girl, and she subsequently tears their world apart. And that is a very short, and inadequate synopsis. I do not recommend this movie. It was out of control and the story quickly descended into chaos. The cinematography tried too hard to be artistic, there were some really cool shots, but overall the style got old quickly (basically most of the shot blurry with only the main subject in focus. It was also really grainy (could have been 8mm film) which added a nice effect, but at times was distracting). There was also some sound issues, where a person speaking on one side of the screen sounded in the opposite speaker, which seems like a basic issue that should have been taken care of. The director shows talent, but hopefully his next project can be a little more. . .purposeful?
I saw one celebrity, Ed Helms, who acts in a few movies and TV shows.
And that's about it. I spent some time wandering around Park City, which seems like a pretty sweet place to live.
Anyway, it was fun, next year I'll have to spend more time there.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Stagnant
I've been perusing my blog for about half an hour now, and I've come to the conclusion that my blogging has become rather stagnant over the past year. Essentially all my blog posts come down to either funny/interesting internet videos, or me whining in some way about women.
What do I need to do to change?
PS. It's easier to blog when there is a quantifiable audience. In other words, I appreciate comments and feedback on my posts. Though, I do understand that a post should have a certain relevance in order to deserve this. . .most of mine from the last year haven't.
What do I need to do to change?
PS. It's easier to blog when there is a quantifiable audience. In other words, I appreciate comments and feedback on my posts. Though, I do understand that a post should have a certain relevance in order to deserve this. . .most of mine from the last year haven't.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
True Grit
True Grit = Awesome movie!
"Well," you ask, "which one? The original with John Wayne? Or the new one with Jeff Bridges?"
"Both," I answer.
And I can honestly say this, having just watched the original Sunday night, and the new version on Monday. Both are very good.
The original is excellent, the cast is strong, and the writing is absolutely brilliant, especially for a John Wayne western. There are several scenes of dialogue that have wit worthy of a Shakespeare play. And John Wayne is at his best.
The new adaptation is also excellent. It survives by staying very true to the original; many of the lines are still the same, and the plot is changed very little. It excels by its more artistic delivery. The cinematography is excellent, and the composition of some of the scenes is really quite beautiful. The cast in this one is also excellent. Jeff Bridges takes the role played by John Wayne and gives it a grittier feel.
In short, go watch True Grit. It doesn't matter which one.
Oh, I guess I should do a story synopsis. Here you go: The father of a 14-year-old girl is killed by the coward Tom Cheney. When she discovers that the law is doing little to pursue the killer, the girl, Maddy Ross, takes matters into her own hands by hiring a US marshal, Rooster Cogburn (John Wayne/Jeff Bridges), to track down the killer. She hires him because she is told that he has "true grit." Naturally she insists on accompanying the Marshal in the hunt. As the story progresses, we discover that the movie isn't about Rooster Cogburn's grit, it's about hers.
"Well," you ask, "which one? The original with John Wayne? Or the new one with Jeff Bridges?"
"Both," I answer.
And I can honestly say this, having just watched the original Sunday night, and the new version on Monday. Both are very good.
The original is excellent, the cast is strong, and the writing is absolutely brilliant, especially for a John Wayne western. There are several scenes of dialogue that have wit worthy of a Shakespeare play. And John Wayne is at his best.The new adaptation is also excellent. It survives by staying very true to the original; many of the lines are still the same, and the plot is changed very little. It excels by its more artistic delivery. The cinematography is excellent, and the composition of some of the scenes is really quite beautiful. The cast in this one is also excellent. Jeff Bridges takes the role played by John Wayne and gives it a grittier feel.
In short, go watch True Grit. It doesn't matter which one.
Oh, I guess I should do a story synopsis. Here you go: The father of a 14-year-old girl is killed by the coward Tom Cheney. When she discovers that the law is doing little to pursue the killer, the girl, Maddy Ross, takes matters into her own hands by hiring a US marshal, Rooster Cogburn (John Wayne/Jeff Bridges), to track down the killer. She hires him because she is told that he has "true grit." Naturally she insists on accompanying the Marshal in the hunt. As the story progresses, we discover that the movie isn't about Rooster Cogburn's grit, it's about hers.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Jake Heaps
Here's our star quarterback discussing the football off-season and BYU basketball. Watch till the end, because he demonstrates why he's so good.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Jimmer
This is why I love BYU basketball.
Jimmer is absolutely unconscious. He easily could have had more points in this game. He had 45 points when he was pulled from the game with almost 6 minutes to go (he was put back in for about a minute to stop a Utah run). Jimmer did make two mistakes. The first was a missed dunk that he took at a bad angle, and the second was a missed three, which was the only wide open shot he took all night. Go figure.
Video Courtesy of KSL.com
Jimmer is absolutely unconscious. He easily could have had more points in this game. He had 45 points when he was pulled from the game with almost 6 minutes to go (he was put back in for about a minute to stop a Utah run). Jimmer did make two mistakes. The first was a missed dunk that he took at a bad angle, and the second was a missed three, which was the only wide open shot he took all night. Go figure.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
New Year!!!
I for one am not sorry to see 2010 go. It was a year that started with promise, but quickly plummeted into something much less wonderful. Not that it was horrible, it just didn't deliver according to my hopes and desires.
Highs and Lows of 2010:
High:Girls?
High: I graduated from college!
Low: Girls.
High: Working for the Park Service in Alaska.
Low: I did not finish a novel for publication.
High: Working out and gaining muscle. Being more healthy/fit than I have been in a long time.
Low: Girls.
Low: Entering my "adult" life (post-graduation) with no real long term career plan other than the wild hope that I can become successful as an author.
Low: Girls.
Low: Girls.
Low: Girls.
Low: Girls.
As you can see, there are a few more lows on this list than highs. That's why I'm looking forward to 2011.
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