Movie Review: ****Hail Caesar! (2016)

I found this movie totally entertaining.  I really loved the allusions to Jesus and Christianity.  The discussion of the religious person, a Catholic priest, protestant pries, Orthodox priest and rabbi was hilarious, but in the conversation was the importance of faith in Jesus Christ.  This is also a movie about the production of movies, which is always interesting.  Eddie Mannix, the movie studio president is played by Josh Brolin.  His job is to keep his actors out of trouble.  So when one actor comes up missing (kidnapped) his major task is to keep it from the papers.  Baird Whitlock (George Clooney) is that actor, playing a Roman Centurion in the times of Christ.  At the same time he is covering the pregnancy of DeeAnna Moran (Scarlett Johansson).  Another actor, Hobie Doyle (Alden Ehrenreich is a western actor, who is thrown into a period romance, along with all the nuance that gender offers.  It is the communists (mostly movie writers) who have stolen Whitlock, seeking compensation as the feel they have been underpaid for many years.  Whitlock actually goes for the communist spiel.  However when a major actor leaves the scene, with the money, boarding a Soviet submarine, he loses the money catching his dog.  It sinks into the ocean.  Doyle discovers the plot, and rescues Whitlock.  Moran finds a love and they become engaged, resolving the pregnancy issue.  They had thought she might adopt her own baby; but that would have been messy.
Underscoring the drama around the president, is an offer from Lockhead Martin, to go into management where he can really do some good.

Movie Review: *^The Pilgrimage Play (1949)

This is a movie about the life of Christ.  However, both Sheri and I found it very difficult to watch and listen to.  I don't think Jesus sounded like that at all.  Nelson Leigh played him with a very pious, masculine sounding voice.  It was just too much.  Peter, the narrator also had a very similar sounding voice.  That was even more too much.  I love the story of Jesus, but this movie does not present the story in a very good light.  This movie was an early color film.

Christmas Theatrical Review: The Savior of the World

We went to see this Thursday, and I wrote of our experience, but wanted to add a review.  You knew this was going to be something special walking into the room and seeing the set. 

It never ceases to amaze me the way a good stage painter can make plywood look like marble.  You can see the balcony on either side in the pictures.  There was also a balcony in the back.  It was very interesting the way the balcony was used for the chorus, aka angels.  It was very effective.  The play did an adequate job of telling the story of Jesus from the New Testament perspective, but also giving the Book of Mormon point of view.  They presented up through the birth of Jesus.
As mentioned in my thoughts on the evening, sometimes the music drowned out the vocals.  But the spirit of the songs was tremendous, especially when they sand familiar sacrament hymns, "Jesus, Once of Humble Birth."  It was a tremendous production.  I recommend watching this if you ever get the chance.  This same production was presented at the conference center for several years.
http://billywardlefamily.blogspot.com/2013/12/savior-of-world-musical-theater-turlock.html

Christmas Dance Concert Review: Behold the Gift

This is a delightful music and dance presentation presented every year at the Oakland Temple Hill.  It is free of charge, but donations are requested.
I enjoy the lines, and the expression of emotion through dance. I told Tony to watch for the dancer looking like the picture, and we actually saw several.

 The presentation starts with Old Testament predictions of a Messiah, and then we see Joseph and Mary, and the anguish they both have of her being betrothed, yet with child through the Holy Ghost.  The nativity is well done, with she shepherds coming to see the Lord.  The atonement was also well done, showing the angel who supported Jesus in Gethsemane, and the woman at the tomb.

The mood of the second portion is much different, with the lighting and the dancing being of a different nature.  Samuel must have been skilled at gymnastics with the handstands and the tumbling incorporated into his dance.   The believers and those who threatened to put them to death if the sign were not fulfilled is very well done.  The darkness, and then the people restoring their town, followed by them reacting to the Savior coming were also well done. 

I also enjoyed the finale, with dancers from both continents dancing for joy at the atonement of the Savior.
This show is less than 50 minutes, with no intermission.  It is beautiful to behold.  I love the lines that were presented.  I find it beautiful.
There is one more presentation this year, Sunday at7.