Christmas Music: Rockapella Christmas, 2000

Rockapella is the A Capella group that sings Carmen San Diego
This is an enjoyable Christmas Album for the most part.  I do not like their "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch" but otherwise it is very nice.  'Christmas Without You" is especially nice.  "Lonely are the days, lonely are the nights without you."  "Glow Worm" is also very nice, the worm who would like to be Rudolph.  "I Heard the Bells" also has a sweet peaceful feeling.  "Silver Bells" is just delightful.  For this song alone this C.D. is worth it.  "Hold on till Christmas" is also  very nice.

Book Review: The Sneetches And Other Stories

The Sneetches and Other Stories, Dr. Seuss, Random House, New York, 1961.
In this book are several stories about personalities.  In the story of the Sneetches, we have two groups of the same people, different only by one little star on their bellies, who are manipulated until they have no more money.  Sometimes it takes something like this for us to wise up.  In this case the Sneetches finally learned their lesson.
The Zax are prone to pride, and when the North-Going Zax and the South-Going Zax meet, neither is willing to step aside.  And so they are stuck even today.
I can relate to "Too Many Daves" about the Mrs. McCave who named her twenty-three sons Dave.  My brothers and I, father and grandfather all carry the name James, and sometimes it is a pain.  At the dental office I sit in my seat while they call for James, until I realize that is me.  Well they have similar problems at the McCave home, because when she calls for Dave they all come running and run her over.
The fourth story is "What Was I Scared Of?'  which I reviewed previously.  This is a story about tolerance for those who are different.  even though it may be fearful, if we can get past the fear we might discover a friend.  Click here for an animated version.

Movie Short: What Was I Scared Of? by Dr. Seuss

This is a good reading of the story, using the original pictures of Dr. Seuss for animation.

Picture Book Review: Great Day for Up

Great Day for UP, Dr. Seuss, pictures by Quentin Blake, Random House, New York, 1974.
In this book Dr. Seuss comments on the many, many reasons to get up, baseballs, kites, footballs.  Everything should be up, feet, hands, roosters, hens, worms, boys and girls.  There are many things to go up ladders, stairs, hills, mountains, giraffes and roller coasters.

Christmas Music Review: The Three Tenors Christmas

The three Tenors are well known, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.  They each have advanced opera in a big way.  However, there type of singing is not necessarily best for Christmas music.  It all seems to sound the same after a time.  Pavarotti of course is no longer with us.  This CD was recorded with the Vienna Orchestra in 2000.
Songs of note include "Silent Night.  In this song they sing in the original German.  Pavarotti takes the lead on "Adeste Fideles" (O come All Ye faithful), and "Cantique Noel" (O Holy Night)  They conclude with "Feliz Navidad." "White Christmas" is also nice.

Book Review: The BFG, Roald Dahl

The BFGm Roald Dahl, illustrations Quentin Blake, Puffin Books, London, 1982.
This is a fascinating tale, and in many ways better than the movie.  What is a giant to do when spied by a child; take her with him of course and never let her leave.  Of course even though you are a vegetarian giant, all those around you are not, and the girl will eventually get eaten by one of the other giants.  But what alternative is there.  One of the cutest parts of this book is the language of the BFG (Big Friendly Giant) and how he confuses words, (like human bean for human being) but you can still understand what he is saying.  Also the play on words in the selecting of their lunch, but you just have to read the book to understand this one.  Meeting the Queen is also interesting.  I think I like the movie with this regards, and the effect of the fizzy frobscottle is much more funny in the movie.

Christmas Book Review: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

How the grinch Stole Christmas, Dr. Seuss, Random House, New York, 1957, renewed 1985.
This is a classic.  I watch the movie annually, but neglect the original story.  I was surprised at some of the differences.  In the book the Grinch talks of the singing but does not provide lyrics.  I like the lyrics.  However in the book we have the classic word, "Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store, Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little more."  The book actually moves aster than the animated version as it is right to the point.  However Little Cindy-Lou Who is in the book, although she looks so much more little.  This book is worthy of being read many times.

Celtic Woman - Home For Christmas (Live From Dublin 2013)

Here is another Christmas music concert.  With Celtic Women the women change, but the quality of the music is not comprised.  I have my personal favorites, but some of them have moved on from Celtic Women years ago.  The high light of this concert is a fantastic version of "What Child Is This?"  Listening to this is wonderful.  In this concert there are three singers, and the violin player who has been with them through out.  There are four bonus songs at the end which seem to take place at the conductor's studio and is not part of the concert.  I really like the focus on spiritual songs with a few secular songs thrown in.

Movie Review: Star Wars: Rogue One

This is the hot movie of the Christmas season this year, and so we ventured.  I had a great time, although there were some poorly written scenes.  The story line is great, telling the story of the spies who retrieved the plans for the Death Star.  In the first Star Wars we get a hit of this movie, when the general says, "Many died to retrieve these plans."  So this movie gives us the heroic stories of those many dying.  Jyn (Felicity Jones) is the daughter of the man (Mads Mikkelsen) developing the plans for the death star.  He was forced to by the empire, particularly Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn).  However he has deliberately put a flaw into the design.  Getting the idea of that design flaw to others however is difficult.  His daughter, in the meantime has been in hiding since she was a girl.  However, the Alliance contacts her by breaking her our of prison where she was under a different name.  She agrees to go with a small crew, because it will mean seeing her father, and proving he is not the terrible man everyone makes him out to be.  However the Captain of the mission, Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) has special orders to kill her father if they can reach him.  In the meantime the death star is operational, and used on a target where it is feared there is an imperial pilot turned against the empire.  He was sent with a message from Jyn's father.  So the adventure goes.  they go to an Imperial communications hub to retrieve the death star plans, which are needed to know how to destroy it.  however Krennic is also headed there.  Soon the death star follows.  A raging battle follows, with our heroes trying to get the plans out of the communications base.  Now for the pieces I felt were contrived.  They had to retrieve the actual plans from a tall tower, and they have to climb up this when the power goes out.  Then Jyn has to reset the satellite dish, and has to go out on the eat of the tower to do this, where she is vulnerable to laser fire.  Why couldn't the control be some place convenient?  However I must say this is a movie I will see again.   Also interesting characters were Chirrut Umwe (Donnie Yen) and Baze Malbus (Wen Jiang) both Rogue Warriors.  A new droid, K2SO (Alan Tudyk) is an imperial protocol droid now helping the Alliance.
At the end of this story, the first Star Wars story (episode IV) is set up.

Music Review: "Messiah" Highlights

"Messiah" Highlights, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Chorus, John Pritchard conductor, Sony Music 1988.
This C.D. has a good combination of solos and choir numbers, and hits on many of the best.  It of course has "For Unto Us a Child Is Born" and "Hallelujah (Chorus),"  For solo numbers there are "Comfort Ye My People, "Every Valley Shall Be Exalted," "I Know that My Redeemer Liveth" and "The Trumpet Shall Sound."  These are well performed, although some the notes aren't quite the way I remember them.  The orchestra does "Pastoral Symphony."  My favorite are those we sang in high school.  However another favorite is "Behold the Lamb of God."  "Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world."  These words from Revelations resonate in my soul.

The King's Singers - Christmas (HD 1080p)

This is the best of music.  The King's Singers is a group from England.  They have a way of making every song unique.  In this C.D. they sing  familiar songs, as well as those not familiar.  They make them all their own.  They sing in several different languages.  They sing very high, and they sing low.  I love this music.  They make precise harmonies.  The cords often resonate within me with pleasure.  This group is generally a sextet.  However at least one song they conquer with a quartet.  They have a really high tenor.  His style of singing is very enjoyable.  There is a baritone and 2nd tenor who often take solos and do a terrific job.  "Rise Up Shepherd and Follow" is very well done.  the slid note at the end to resolve the cord is splendid.  'There Is a Flower" is also very nice.  Noel Nouvelet has both tenors and basses taking turns at percussion type sounds.  Their German "Silent Night" is beautiful.

Book Review; The Immortal Nicholas: A Novel

The Immortal Nicholas, by Glenn Beck, Threshold Editions, New York, 2015.
Glenn Beck has written a fascinating story.  Agios had been embittered after the deaths of his wife and stillborn son.  But when his other young son passes away he is even more bitter.  He attempts to loss himself in drink, and is found by one of the wisemen, Caspar.  He by trade in an frankincense harvester, and has enough on her person, that Caspar is interested in hiring them to help them find more.  By circumstance, Agios is at the birth of Jesus, he hears the shepherd's story, and is hired, along with a new friend, who he adopts as his son, the deformed Krampus, who had been in a Roman galley ship.  They receive the assignment to follow Jesus, Joseph and Mary and keep them safe from a distance.  they accept, but in handling the job Agios causes the death of one of Herod's men searching for Jesus.  He buts the man in front of the sword of a younger guard, who kills him trying to kill Agios.
The return with Joseph and Jesus after Herod's death, but then lose track of Jesus.  However Agios encounters him at the well, in which Jesus promises living water.  He believes him in a way, and Agios drinks water from the well.  Krampus is in love with Jesus, and he and Agios begin following him again.  Agios hopes Jesus will heal Krampus as he has a heart condition.  Agios is there the night Jesus is crucified, he doesn't understand,  He is even more bitter, as he had sworn to protect Jesus; and failed.  Krampus passes away, and Agios decides to go with him, committing suicide.  However Agios drank the living water, and he has become immortal.  Now he needs to figure out what to do with his immortality.  He does not become Saint Nicholas for hundreds of years, after taking the name of a priest who brings Agios to the resurrected Christ, and also leads him to service to others.
I love the stories of Christmas, and this book retells this story in a very intriguing way.  It is very well done.  My only complaint are the few typos I cam across.

BYUTV Audio-Files: 12 Bands of Christmas

 These Christmas audiofiles feature Provo area bands singing holiday songs.  These are bands or singers with ties to Provo.  It includes some popular Youtube artists as well as some I had never heard of.  Ryan Innes, the former Vocal Point member sings "What Child is This."  In the same vane the group Quiet House sings "Come O Come Emmanuel."  These songs are both personal favorites and bring the Christmas Spirit.  Elaine Bradley (Neon Trees' drummer) sings a new Christmas song proclaiming Christ and his atonement.  Of special note is "When Jesus Was Little" sung by The Strike.  This song has an excellent message as Mary and Jesus, "Kept these things in their hearts."  Joshua Jones sings "Go Tell It on the Mountain" with a blue grass flavor which is very nice.  The National Parks sing a new song ""It's Christmas."  This song tells of the joy of the season.  Book on Tape Worm sing a very good New Years song.  The Brocks sing "The First Noel."  Also included are Mindy Gledhill, the group The Moth and the Flame, the Fictionists and The Blue Aces.

Ryan Innes

Movie Review: ***^Pete's Christmas (2013)

This is a made for TV movie.  This is really a very clever take on "The Ground Hog Day" theme, but with Christmas that keeps repeating.  I actually prefer this version.  Of course this version has young people, and no suicides, and just comes off better, as Pete (Zachary Gordon) tries to heal the relationship between his father (Rick Roberts) and his grandfather (Bruce Dern.)  At the same time he goes from losing to winning the football game, and courts the new girl (Bailee Madison) who moved in next door.  His mother (Molly Parker) is the busy doctor  who doesn't have enough time to finish dinner.  During the repeating day, Pete teaches himself to play guitar, cook, play football, and catch the girl, and convinces the family to go caroling throughout the community.

Christmas Music Review: Jordan Smith: "'Tis the Season"

To me Jordan Smith is a new singer.  However he is also a very beautiful singer.  His "O Holy Night" is fantastic.  He sings this song with the Mormon tabernacle Choir.  It comes off beautifully.  I prefer the spiritual Christmas songs to the secular, and this set has both, but leans to the spiritual.  In addition to "O Holy Night" there is "Grown-up Christmas List,"  "What Child is This,""Silent Night" and "Ave Maria."  His "Ave Maria" is spectacular, and very moving.  On the secular side, he records, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."  I thought I would not enjoy a tenor related song, as this is noted for being a bass type of song.  He did sing this as a high tenor, but does an admirable job.  "The Christmas Song" is just lovely; as is "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."  The Bass playing with "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" has to be recommended.  He really makes this piece move.  The Bass starts the number, and just keeps going.  More instruments join, but the steady bass is mesmerizing.

Christmas Movie Review: Winter Thaw

This movie is currently playing on BYUTV.org.  It is really spectacular with John Rhys-Davies playing an old man, who lost his wife when she was young, and raised their only son alone.  He is a poor cobbler.  His wife appears to him in a dream, and says He will come today, let Him in.  He takes this to mean the Lord.  That day the cobbler has four visitors.  The first a man of means, needing a shoe repair.  This man talks to him about his family, and he admits he is estranged from his son.  The man says "it is never too late."  He then receives a neighbor, who is in the cold sweeping the sidewalk.  He comes in and warms himself, and the cobbler gives him a new pair of boots as the cobbler notices the need.  He asks the man to come and make sure he is not dead, as he expects the Lord is coming to take him.  The man agrees, if he will let him know what the Lord said if he is not dead.  Next a woman and her baby appear on her door step.  He takes them in and feeds the woman, while holding the baby.  This is the food he intended for the Lord.  He arranges board for her, until her position starts in a week.  Next a young man is taken in the act of stealing.  He has been stealing from many merchants.  He is hungry.  The man intercedes for him, pays off what he has stole, and talks to the boy about working for food, not stealing.  It seems he has changed.  While the man was out, he figures the Lord visited, and marked his scriptures.  He realizes the message given him is that it is not too late, even though now he has nothing but himself to give to his son.  He makes the journey to his son's farm, and tears are shed.  The man returns in the morning, and does not find the cobbler in his home.  On the table is carved, "It is not too late."
This movie has a similar theme to "A Christmas Carol." that of redemption.  The man had made mistakes during his life, which alienated his son.  However his son still needed him.

Music Review: Christmas Under the Stars, Amy Grant and Michael W Smith with Jordan Smith

Amy Grant and Michael Smith are very professional, and have a lot of Christmas songs under the belts, but the high light of this concert is being able to hear Jordan Smith, winner of The Voice.  The BYU Chamber Orchestra joins them.  This presentation is currently available at BYUTV.ORG  Amy Grant's version of Jingle Bells is unique with her changing of tempos.  It made it fun.  She and Jordan Smith sing "Grown-up Christmas List" beautifully.  Josh Smith has a soprano voice higher than that of Amy grant it seems, and he uses his voice to good effect.  The trio does an excellent job with "Silent Night."  They go back and forth between a more relaxed setting, in a home setting, and in front of an audience.  Amy Grant also sings "Breath of Heaven" taking on the roll of Mary to good effect.  Michael Smith sings a medley of familiar songs, with a more rock feel.   He calls it "Gloria."  He sings what I have in my heart at this time of year.  Jordan Smith sings "Oh Holy Night" beautifully, hitting all the soprano notes.  They sing together a song "All is Well" which is very fitting, as it describes the peace that can be found at Christmas.

Christmas Movie Review: Vocal Point: Christmas Under the Stars

Vocal point is an a capella men's group at BYU.  It is made up of nine students.  Among those is a mouth percussionist, who gives a percussion solo.  This was presented on BYUTV this year.  I don't know how long they keep this things available, but this is one I am glad I did not miss.  This is some great Christmas music.  One of my favorites in "One Bell" which they sing with One Voice Children's Choir.  It really comes off as one bell piercing the night, bringing a new day.  Ryan Innes joins them of "Hallelujah" which is also lovely.  Madilyn Paige joins for "Winter Wonderland," and Peter Hollens for "Infant Holy."  They are also joined by BYU Noteworthy (women's a capella) for "Oh Come All Ye Faithful."  Their concluding number (except for the encore) is Silent Night which is very beautifully done.  Thy also show a clip from the t.v. show "Random Acts" which is very touching and a good example of compassion.  The encore number, "Joy to the World" they are joined by all the performers.  They say their primary focus is to sing of the Savior, and that joy and message comes through in their music.

Book Review: The Truth About Santa

The Truth About Santa: Wormholes, Robots, and What Really Happens on Christmas Eve, by Gregory Mone, Bloomsbury, New York, 2009.
The author is a contributing editor to Popular Science magazine.  He uses this knowledge, and his imagination, to paint a picture of Santa Clause as a man using alien technology and also the use of wormholes and time machine, and substitute Santas, and hibernation to explain how Santa is able to deliver so many presents Christmas Eve.  The author goes to far, insinuating that Mrs Clause is less than faithful "because she is hot." and that the elves protest having to change the diapers of Santa Clause and the substitute Santas when the hibernate.  My younger brother wrote a better story about Santa's use of technology.

Christmas Music Review: Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas

Nothing but spiritual songs here, and Ella Fitzgerald can really sing.  This compilation CD was released in 2007.  She sings several songs with a choir, and in a few the choir is too loud.  Fitzgerald's voice is calm and peaceful, and her solo numbers a truly fantastic.  "The First Noel" is one of these.  Her voice is so crisp and pure.  I like her version of "Away in a Manger."  "Silent Night" also falls in one her voice is allowed to shine.  However she may have a bit too much movement on some of the notes.  "Sleep, My Little Jesus" is a song with which I wasn't familiar.  However it tells a good story.   I usually don't care for "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" but she sings it so well. She does "We Three Kings" and "God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen" with the back up choir, and in these cases they don't dominate but compliment.  These songs really carry a catchy beat.  In a couple songs her voice sounds just a bit too much like Doris Day, but for the most part this is not evident.
I love Christmas, especially the spiritual aspect, and this CD hits that aspect.

Christmas Music Review: The 4 Seasons' Christmas Album

I must admit,  I don't much care for the 4 Seasons' brand of Christmas music.  There are lots of songs her, without about half of the numbers being medleys with three or four songs.  They sing with their really high falsetto, but the slide note changes and it is really obnoxious.  However, they do sing "What Child is This?" with a cello that is really gratifying.   Frankie Valli is their lead singer, and he sings high than a female soprano.  The try a couple new songs and they both fail.  "Christmas Tears" has the premise that I am crying as you are not here this Christmas, and "Jungle Bells" is a take on "Jingle Bells" for animals.  I guess it is a kid's song.  "White Christmas" had nice vocals, but a tambourine was played throughout and it just became obnoxious.  I enjoyed them less on the secular numbers than the spiritual numbers.

Movie Review: ***^The Light Between Oceans

I have been a long time writing a review about this movie.  This is a movie about love, and love tested.  Sometimes it is amazing what a love can survive.  After WWI Tom Sherbourne (Michael Fassbender) takes a job at a remote light house.  This job takes him to a beautiful island, but away from society.  The prospects become more tolerable when he falls in love with the woman, Isabel Graysmark (Alicia Vikander) and the marry.  However they are not as lucky in having babies.  Living away from others, there is no medical care other than what they give each other.  The first pregnancy is miscarried, and the second stillborn.  (This reminded me so much of my marriage to Sheri, after the same results with our first two pregnancies.  In our case this was followed by six beautiful babies and one beautiful adopted baby.)  While they are still grieving, a boat washes up to shore.  In the boat the discover a deceased man, with a baby, maybe six months.  Just a bit older than theirs.  Isabel still has milk and nurses the baby, and quickly falls in love.  A plan is hatched to adopt the baby, first by Isabel, who convinces her husband to go along.  Her husband is the employee, and falsifies his daily log, and removes the marker from their own baby's grave.  There baby is now this new baby.  And this has the makings of a really bad adoption story.  A couple things do them in in their plot, but mostly Tom's conscious.  When he meets the mother (Rachel Weisz) of their child, he is at a crisis.  He reveals enough to give himself away, and he does everything he can to absolve his wife of any guilt.  His wife is angry at him for giving their "child" away.  this is where the testing of their love takes place.  Can love last such a struggle?
This movie gives many beautiful scenes, with a troubling plot.  It had to end badly.

Christmas Music Review: The Joy of Christmas

This is an anthology of Christmas music with several performers.  This is volume 2.  It looks to have been produced in 1995.
For me the crowning number is Julie Andrews singing "Deck the Halls."  Her's is a voice that is very appealing and I enjoy listening to her.  It makes me smile to listen to her.  Other noteworthy numbers include Harry Belafonte and "Silent Night." His rendition is very spiritual and very simple with guitar  and violin accompaniment.  His voicePerry Como sings "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and John Gary "The Christmas Song."  There is also "Feliz Navidad" by Jose Feliciano and "Jingle Bells" with Glen Miller and his Orchestra.  These two songs really pick up the pace.

The Wexford Carol (Music Video) - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

This a telling of the prodigal son with this beautiful song providing the only words.  This is beautiful.

Book Review: Merry Christmas From...

Merry Christmas From...: !50 Christmas Cards You Wish You'd Receive, by Karen Robert, William Morrow an Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers, New York, 2008.

This book shares, as it says 150 home made cards.  Some home made card makers are very clever, and some not so much so.  I would say about 20 of the cars are really noteworthy; and the rest are sort of boring.  I like the present on the pregnant belly.  That was cute.  The naked children butts I didn't really care for.  However there some farm interpretations that are really cute.  I especially like the family with the tractor.  It looks really rural.  There were way too many dog cards, but the dogs coaxing the cat into the oven was cute.  Ginger bread triplets, and giant baby were also really clever.  I think the best is the winter wonderland card, with the winter wonderland scene painted on several feet.  Well done.
This book is good for ideas, but I don't think I would ever go to the length of actually making Christmas cards that way.  however we have put family portraits on a card at Costco before.

Theatrical Review: Scrooge: The Musical, Temple Hill (2016)

Let me start by saying that this is not my favorite musical of "A Christmas Carol."  However I enjoyed it more than the movie.  Second, it was obvious this was presented by amateur actors, with busy lives outside of acting.  However it has lots to recommend it.  The dancing was superb, and the sets were fantastic.  Greg Casper, who direct Pageant they year we were in it, portrayed Christmas Present.  Dwight Long from our Stake Broadway Review played Fezziwig, and did a marvelous job, leading the song, "December the 25th."  However, most of the music here was forgettable; that is just the way it was written.
The love songs just weren't quite love songs, as they talked about happiness rather than love.  There is some emotion in the song Scrooge sings, looking back at his failed opportunity for love.  You...you were my only love.  It is touching.  The other song I like is the redemption son "I'll Begin Again" and Scrooge did.  His life is remarkable changed, that is why I so much enjoy this story. 

Movie Review: ***^King Arthur (2004)

This is a different take on the King Arthur story.  I presents King Arthur (Clive Owen) and his knights as persons beholden to the Romans for military service.  They spend their time defending the Romans from their own people who are fighting off tyranny.  Guinevere (Keira Knightly) and Merlin are the rebels they fight against.  However the Romans are leaving the area, and forces from the north are coming to rape the countryside.  It is after King Arthur and his men are free from further service that they must decide if they will stay and defend the people, and help them fight for freedom.
Some great action scenes, and I sort of like the different spin on the story.

Movie Review: Daredevil

This is a movie based on a Marvel Comics character.  Ben Affleck plays Daredevil (aka Matt Murdock), who as a boy was blinded by toxic waste.  However the waste enhanced his other senses.  His sense of sound gives him radar like abilities.  He also has increased sense of smell.  He in fact becomes a Spider Man like character defending the city.  He falls for Elektra (Jennifer Garner), who is a master of martial arts.  She is the daughter of a criminal boss; who wants his daughter to be prepared.  Both Elektra's mother and Daredevil's father were killed by the same man.  Now that man is coming for Elektra and her father.  Her father wants to leave the crime business.  Elektra and Daredevil spar a few times, and Elektra is every bit his equal.  The assassin Bullseye (Collin Ferrell) and the crime boss Kingpin (Michael Clarke Duncan) make formidable opponents.  In fact Bullseye does manage to kill the father, and Daredevil is blamed as he uses his special cane.  This sets the movie on a spiral that is very unexpected.
This movie touches the theme of whether or not a super hero can have a normal life.  Can they have people they love?