Movie Review: ****A Fish Story (2013)

This is a brilliant find from Netflix Instant.  It is presented from Lumberjack Films, and appears to be of Canadian origin; the actors are American or Canadian.  This movie is as intriguing as "Ghost," without the sexualized mumbo jumbo.  Nick (Sam Roberts) has put his family life on hold, building a cabin by a lake.  It is finally done, and he wants to introduce it to his family.  Just a few more touches, and he is going to take them fishing like he promised.  His best friend in the community is the chief of police.  He mentions someone his burglarizing many in the neighborhood, so as Nick drives to the cabin, this person jumps in front of him.  Avoiding the collision, Nick rolls the truck, and dies.  The chief comes upon him, and seeing someone fleeing from the scene, calls for backup, and pursues him, leaving Nick alone as he dies.
Turn of fate, the individual, Eddie (Eddie McClintock) who walked in front of him steals a boat, and crashes, and also passes away.  Nick is there to meet him in spirit.  However his body stirs.  Eddie doesn't want to return to his body, and allows Nick to do so.  This is an interesting twist, because Nick is given time with his family to keep his promise and say goodbye, but in the body of the many who caused his accident.  Nick's children have discovered the body, and take the injured many home.
This movie is a good presentation of a family in crisis.  Can they accept this man into their life; and how can he and they move on?
Very entertaining and engaging.  This is a good family film.  there is some drinking as part of the coping, but this is confronted in the movie.
Nick's wife is portrayed by Jayne Heitmeyer.  His children by Jordyn Negri, Jamie Spilchuk and Steven Yaffee.  Eddie McClintock has a very difficult role as he portrays two men in the same body, and has to convince us that he has changed.  Roberts has a double roll in production as he is also credited with writing the story.

Book Review: Mother Goose in Prose

Mother Goose in Prose by: L Frank Baum
This is L Frank Baum's first children's book, but showed the promise of what was to come.  In this book, he takes several Mother Goose nursery rhymes, and then tells the rest of the story.  There are 22 different stories. If you ever wanted to know the rest of the story with regards to Mother Goose then here it is.  I found the background story, or the beginning story very amusing, and sometimes humorous.  It makes some of those stories have a new meaning.

Movie Review: ***Eloise at the Plaza

This is a 2003 Disney movie based on a children's book by Kay Thompson.  This is the story of a six year old girl, Eloise (Sophia Vassilieva) who lives in a hotel along Central Park in New York, because her mother is off doing what rich mothers do.  She does have a nanny (Julie Andrews).  Even so, Eloise manages to get into plenty of trouble.
The boss at the hotel is Mr. Salomone (Jeffrey Tambor).  He warns everyone to be on the look out for the Prince coming to visit them, but shows his father's picture.  As a result, no one recognizing him when he arrives.  He is dealing with the death of his mother, and alienation from his father who wants to send hi to boarding school.  He befriends Eloise, who takes him in and shows him the hotel, not knowing he is the prince.
A cute scene is where she is looking through her telescope at Central Park looking for the prince.  She wants to dance with him at the upcoming ball to be held at the hotel.  And there he is right next to her.  Of course she does not find him.  Later she is even part of the search for him, but she still doesn't realize who he is.  It is much later that she puts things together.
With all of her bumbling, Eloise is able to effect others in a positive light, giving them knew courage with her own, and her own directness. 
This movie is cute, albeit a bit canned with the precocious child.

Musical Review: Tangled Soundtrack

This is the music from the Disney Musical Tangled.  The music was written by Alan Menken with lyrics by Glen Slater.  The story is based on the tale of Rapunzel by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm.  I must admit, the song "I see the Light" I play over and over.  I find this song as enjoyable as the songs from "Frozen." 

All those days, watching from the windows
All those years, outside looking in
All that time, never even knowing
Just how blind I've been

Now I'm here, blinking in the starlight
Now I'm here, suddenly I see
Standing here, it's, oh, so clear
I'm where I'm meant to be

And at last, I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last, I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted

All at once, everything looks different
Now that I see you

All those days, chasing down a daydream
All those years, living in a blur
All that time, never truly seeing
Things the way they were

Now she's here, shining in the starlight
Now she's here, suddenly I know
If she's here, it's crystal clear
I'm where I'm meant to go

And at last, I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last, I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted

All at once, everything is different
Now that I see you

Now that I see you
This is the song that the main characters, Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) and Flynn Rider (Zachary Levi), sing while the are floating on the lake watching the floating lanterns.  I really don't care for the music of the old witch, (Donna Murphy) but Moore sings a couple other nice songs,
"When WIll My Life Begin" with a couple reprises and "The Tear Heals" which is very emotional. 

Music Review: David Archuleta: Begin

David Archuleta: Begin: 2012.
This a song of easy listening selections that is just  beautiful to listen to.  I very much prefer his rendition of Beautiful to that of Cristina Aguilera.  He he has different lyrics:
Every day is so wonderful
Then suddenly, it's hard to breathe
Now and then, I get insecure
From all the pain, I'm so ashamed

You are beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring you down
You are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring you down, oh, no
So don't you bring me down today...

He sings several other familiar tunes, including "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "Pride (In the Name of Love)" and "True Colors" which are classic songs and David does a good job with them. 
However the highlight of this CD is the final song, "Be Still My Soul:"

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

This is a beautiful rendition.  Between the second and third verses David just sings "Be Still my Soul" several times and it is just beautiful. 

Music Review: Carrie Underwood: Carnival Ride

Carrie Underwood: Carnival Ride, 2007

“Sometimes even crazy dreams come true.”   That quote, from the song “Crazy Dreams” makes this whole C.D. worthwhile, although it has other things to recommend it.  Underwood is quite the singer, and her powerful voice dominates this entire selection of music.  Underwood sings of love; mostly have men who have fallen away from her, and how she is getting over them.  However in “I Told You SO” she sings from the other perspective, of what if she went back to a guy she left, but she won’t bug him anymore because she has finally found someone else.  This song has a really good feel and it brings me back to listen again.  Other songs I liked where “Just a Dream” where she sings the pain of a woman who has lost her love in war; “All-American Girl” where she sings of a father’s and then a husbands love; and “So Small, where she points out that sometimes we make our troubles seem like mountains, when in fact they are so small when we figure that love is the thing that really matters: 

'Cause sometimes that mountain you've been climbing is just a grain of sand
What you've been up there searching for
forever is in your hands
When you figure out love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else
seem so small

They final number is where we get the title of the C.D., “Wheel of the World: reminds us that life is like a carnival ride, where some are getting off and some are getting on:

God put us here on this carnival ride
We close our eyes
Never knowing where it will take us next
Babies are born and at the same time, someone's taking their last breath

This is good stuff and very enjoyable.  Maybe “country” is my thing.  When Underwood sings with more perspective, reflecting on life, and babies and death, her songs carry a deeper meaning than those dealing superficially with relationships. 

Music Review: Jim Brinkman: Grace

Jim Brinkman: Grace, 2005.

Jim Brinkman plays piano.  For the most part this is his piano version of several gospel songs, but on a couple of songs he has guest artists providing vocals.  For example Michael Bolton sing “Hear Me (Tear into Wine) in which he asks God to help turn his troubles into blessings.  Ginny Owens sings “Amazing Grace.”  Mario Frangoulis sings “Ave Maria.”  He sings with a group, Selah, for “Be Thou Near to Me.”  “How Great Thou Art” is a favorite, and with the piano the melody comes out clearly and you remember the words and this song is beautiful.  However the two songs I like the best are strictly piano.  The first is called “Joyful” and is a version of “Ode to Joy.”  I love this music.  The second he calls “Jesu” which is a version of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”  I think these two are a couple of my favorite songs of all time, and his version are very nice.  However in Jesu, he wonders with his fancy playing a couple of times, so I actually prefer Joyful.

Music Review: The Music Man (2003)

The Wonderful World of Disney: The Music Man (2003)

Happiness is listening to Kristen Chenoweth sing, and she plays Marian in this version.  She has a beautiful voice, and Mathew Broderick who played Harry Hill also does well.  However, you have to wonder if he wasn’t a bit self conscious singing opposite Chenoweth. 

This is the C.D. of the music which was very well done.  The energy between Hill and Marian is evident even without they video or the entire performance.  I really like “Goodnight, My Someone” which is beautiful in its simplicity.  Chenoweth sings this beautifully.  Also Broderick singing “You Got Trouble” is very pleasurable, and the story and con comes over so plainly.  “Till There was You” is the climax of this show, and it is so well done it gives me chills. 

This was an excellent listen, and I plan on enjoying it for a while.

Music Review: Mormon Tabernacle Choir: Called to Serve

Called to Serve: Craig Jessop and Mack Willberg conductors, 2008.  Miranda bought this as part of a four-pack from the distribution center of music for missionaries.  This set has some very exciting music.  I love "Redeemer of Israel" with its brass fanfare.  It is just so exciting.  The Mack Wallberg arrangement of "I Believe in Christ" is also fantastic the way the cords change and the choir gets broader in the last couple verses.  It creates a real emotional reaction to the music.  The men sing, "Ye Elders of Israel."  "High on a Mountain Top" also has the brass fanfare.  "Come, Come Ye Saints" has always been one of my favorite, and this version has lots of energy.  "The Spirit of God Like  Fire Is Burning" is the final number of this set.  This song is also very well done.  This C.D. is very moving and uplifting.  A god C.D. for any missionary.  

Music Review: Carlos Maceiras: Guitarra Latinoamericana

Carlos Maceiras: Guitarra Latinoamericana

This C.D. of guitar music is much more enjoyable than that the previous instrumental I listened too from Chet Atkins.  I have always enjoyed Latin guitar.  However there are a couple of pieces which didn’t work for me.  There are a couple of waltzes, but I always thought that would be dance music.  I have a hard time hearing the beat, and if I had the beat right the music is much to fast to dance to, without physically causing an injury. 

However a couple of the pieces were very nice.  “Terasca I and II” had a very nice feel, and the rhythm kept me entertained.  Also “Sons of Carrilhoes” had a nice feel.  There was one song called “Tango” which started very nicely, but then got bogged down with trying to be artistic, with stops in the music a couple of times.  This song didn’t work for me other than the beginning and the end.  “Guarania” was also a nice song and very relaxing.  This music would be great at playing as a background to relax, like in a store or someplace.  Plenty to like in this album. 

Music Review: Neil Sedaka: Waking Up is Hard to Do

Neil Sedaka: Waking Up is Hard to Do  This is Neil Sedaka, singing different lyrics to some of his most popular songs, and giving them a children’s twist.  “Waking UP is Hard to Do” puts a health twist on his popular song.  It even starts with an alarm clock.  Many of the songs have children singing or laughing in the background.  One of those is “Laughter in the rain.”  IN this case it is a song about dressing appropriately in inclement weather.  A song he wrote, “Love Will Keep Us Together” has a different message and it is “Lunch Will Keep Us Together.”  However the wong I liked most from this set is “Baby’s First Christmas Lullabye.”  It has a very nice melody and feel, as he sings of a father’s love for a baby.  Papa sings a Christmas song
And it's so sweet that Nana sings along
The music notes fall from the sky
It's Baby's First Christmas Lullaby

The angels smile and spread their wings
And if you listen you can hear them sing
And through the room reindeers dance and fly
That's Baby's First Christmas Lullaby

Charlotte wakes when she hears the croons
Of candy canes and singing spoons
Hush, Amanda, now don't you weep
Your dolls will sing you back to sleep
Then
Santa comes with Rudolph too
And here's a special gift they bring to you
And you can sing it if you try
That's Baby's First Christmas Lullaby

The Christmas tree begins to sway
And all the toy balloons just seem to say
Don't let the music pass you by
It's Baby's First Christmas Lullaby
Then
Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee
Are harmonizing 'neath the tree
The mistletoes let out a sigh
They're telling you, you must not cry
So
Join with me in this Christmas song
And you'll feel good if you can sing along
So sing it loud and don't be shy
That's Baby's First Christmas Lullaby

(I Love You, Papa Neil)

Music Review: The Americus Brass Band: Music of the Civil War

The Americus Brass Band: Music of the Civil War: Original Instruments, Summit Records, 1991.

This is a brass band using original instruments and playing Civil War era music.  It is very moving.  There are 18 melodies in all.  The “”Fireman’s Polka” included some vocals.  “Tenting on the Old Camp Ground” had such a haunting and melancholy fell is was very nice.  Of course “Dixie’s Land Medley and “Battle Cry of Freedom” are favorites although they are a bit different arrangements, they sound more period.  There are many lively tunes, and then “Amazing Graze” is slow and soft.  It is extremely effective.  I think it starts with a lone trumpet; at least some instrument and then builds.  “Glory Hallelujah” is also very well done and is very lively.  “Kazzodie Ko Whirl” is very long, but it includes a medley of popular songs including “Wait for the wagon” and “Pop, goes the weasel.”  Others of my favorites are “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.”  I love this song and they do a good job.  I also like the “Civil War Folk Song Medley.”  There is lots to enjoy here including “Old Susannah.” 

This CD has a good sound overall.  It is instrumental, but manages not to put me to sleep.  It also has some very pleasant tunes, and gives an idea of what a military band of the Civil War era may have played.

TV Review: Lucy Must Be Traded, Charlie Brown (2003)

Lucy Must Be Traded, Charlie Brown (2003) This is another Charlie Brown look at baseball created by Charles Schultz.  It has some very cute vignettes, which leads to a good presentation.  Tony and I like Charlie Brown.  For opening day the have Woodstock instead of 100 pigeons.  Lucy is Charlie Brown’s worse fear.  There she is in right field, and she cannot catch.  Lucy doesn’t have a clue some times.    He wants to trade Lucy, but Peppermint Patty only wants Snoopy.  The trade is made for four good players, Charlie Browns trades his own dog.  He then has buyer’s remorse, and luckily none of the four will change teams, so Peppermint Patty calls the deal off.  However the trade right fielders, Lucy for Violet—but neither of them our happy so they trade back.  Everyone is where they belong.  Charlie Brown’s team loses every game, as it should be.

TV Review: Granite Flats Season 2

This is the second year the BYUtv has sponsored this series.  It just keeps getting better and better, with more and more spies involved.  This year we have CIA vs FBI vs KGB vs out trio of young people, and perhaps even more intrigue.  Arthur Milligan (Jonathan Morgan Heit) goes off on his own with his investigation of the local spy ring, because Madeline (Malia Tyler) and Tim Sanders (Charlie Plummer) develop a romance, and seem less interested.  They become more interested in a different mystery, the real story of Madeline's adoption.  Mrs. Milligan (Annie Tedesco) is working with a behavior experiment on people using drugs and hypnosis.  She works with Madeline's parents.  Tim's father (Richard Gunn) is the chief of police, and active in the hunt for the spies.
There are two new characters this year, teacher Professor Hargraves (Christopher Lloyd) and CIA spy Ashmeade (Cary Elwes)

This is a good time with this series.  It keeps you entertained and has enough suspense.  It seems every episode there is a new problem to solve; and sometimes old issues are resolved.  I also like it because it reminds me of my youth.  Great fun.  You can still see seasons 1 and 2 through BYUtv.  Season 3 has been announced.
http://www.byutv.org/show/0aea4804-47dc-470f-b80a-35c8f23d0f27/granite-flats

Music Review: 2014 Mormon Tabernacle Choir Pioneer Day Concert

The Momon Tabernacle Choir Pioneer Day Concert this year was not your typical year of singing pioneer songs, except for the first couple numbers, but was a year of Broadway show tunes.  This included the choir singing "Heigh Ho" and "Whistle While You Work" from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "When You Wish Upon a Star" from "Pinochio."  It also included man Broadway tunes such as the choir singing "Tonight" and "Some Where" and guest singer Santino Fantana singing "Something's Coming" from "West Side Story."  Fantana then sang "Ten Minutes Ago" from Cinderalla for which he was nominated for a Tony.  Fantana then gives advise to the men with singing "How to Handle a Woman" from "Camelot."  Another relationship song, "She Likes Basketball" from "Promises, Promises," followed.  After an orchestral organ piece, Fantina than pleased the crowd with "Never Land" from "Peter Pan."  The concluding number was actually a medley of songs about "Happy."  This was an arrangement by Sam Cardon and Ben Stillman.  This lead to a reprise which brought down the house and closed the show. 

Music Review: Bread - The Best of Bread (1973)

This album is the album you would give someone who asked you to define "easy listening."  easy listening must be my style, because in this songs I see hit after hit. This version has the additional tracks from the 2001 version.  Side one is all hits with such songs as "If" "Everything I Own" "Everything I Own"  "Diary" "Baby I'm a Want You" and "It' Don't Matter to Me."  That set I could listen to over and over.  If is one of my favorite songs ever.  I had the sheet music growing up and would try to play on the piano and sing.  I actually presented this once in seminary devotional:
"If"

If a picture paints a thousand words
Then why can't I paint you?
The words will never show
The you I've come to know

If a face could launch a thousand ships
Then where am I to go?
There's no one home but you
You're all that's left me too
And when my love for life is running dry
You come and pour yourself on me

If a man could be two places at one time
I'd be with you
Tomorrow and today
Beside you all the way

If the world should stop revolving
Spinning slowly down to die
I'd spend the end with you
And when the world was through
Then one by one the stars would all go out
Then you and I would simply fly away
Side two is a bit harder, but includes "Mother Freedom" and "Down on my Knees.  With the extra music we have "Guitar Man" and "Aubrey."

Musical Movie Review: ****Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

This is a classic Dick Van Dyke musical.   Van Dyke portrays Caractacus Potts, a down-on-his luck inventor; father of two children, Jermina and Jeremy (Heather Ripley and Adrian Hall)  who have their hearts set on an older motor car which is going to be sold from the junk yard, and Potts doesn't have money to purchase it.  He first tries to sell his tooting candy invention to Lord Scrumptious (James Robertson Justice), an old gentleman, but rather stodgy, and the father of Truly (Sally Ann Howes), a woman he offended the day before.  When this fails, Potts sings to his children:

"A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain
Softly blows o'er lullaby bay.
It fills the sails of boats that are waiting--
Waiting to sail your worries away.
It isn't far to Hushabye Mountain
And your boat waits down by the quay.
The winds of night so softly are sighing--
Soon they will fly your troubles to sea.
So close your eyes on Hushabye Mountain.
Wave good-bye to cares of the day.
And watch your boat from Hushabye Mountain
Sail far away from lullaby bay."
Potts then tries an automatic hair cutting machine at the carnival, but he destroys his customer's hair.  Fleeing his customer, he becomes part of a bamboo dance, "Me'ol Bamboo."  This is cool, the way they dance with the bamboo sticks.   The company gives him the most of the money that is tossed at them, as he brought them success; and there is enough for the old car.
He then goes into a work period where he restores the car, and adds a few extra gadgets and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is born.
Potts gets the car working, and the go to picnic with Truly Scrumptious.  "Truly Scrumptious" is another favorite song.  Then it's time for a story, and off to the land of Baron and Baroness Bomburst (Gert Frobe and Anna Quayle.)  They sing a clever duet, "Chu-chu Face."  In this story, the Baron and Baroness hate children, and have banished them to the sewers.  Only the efforts toy make (Benny Hill) and Truly and Potts dancing "Doll on a Music Box and Truly Scrumptious."  The children are rescued, and the end of the story sees the group flying away in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
This is a classic, with beautiful songs, great dancing and a plot that is a bit contrived, having to add this story and such things.  However, it works.

Music Review: Hits of the 60s: Then He Kissed Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu6lwJxQ7Tg
This CD is an anthology of 20 hits from the 60s.  This is an interesting time in music.  Music was changing from a pop feel to a harder rock.  It was also a time when we were moving pass the segregation in music, but still there were songs recorded by both African-American singers and white singers.  Some of these songs are very catchy.  I particularly like "My Boyfriend's Back" by The Angels.  This is storytelling at its best.  "You better watch out because by boyfriend's back."  "Hats Off to Larry" by Del Shannon is a song about your girlfriend who left you for Larry, not getting hers when Larry leaves her.  "It's your tune to cry, cry, cry."  "Ferry Cross the Mercy" is a precursor to the British invasion.  This is Gerry and the Pacemakers making a statement for leaving the confines of your broken heart.  Marmalade hit a very nice melody in "Ob-la-di ob-la-da" but I can't say much for their lyrics except they do proclaim "life goes on."  "He's So Fine" by the Chiffons was written by their manager.  This song hits the mark with a doo-lang, doo-lang, doo-lang in the background.  This album has "If I Were a Carpenter" by Bobby Darin.  I prefer The Johnny Cash version.  "(Dance With) the Guitar Man" has some great guitar playing.  This song was recorded by Duane Eddy.  The Troggs hit "Love is All Around" is made by the guitar as well.  The base starts out with a very catchy low melody.  Marvin Gaye intones the classic "I Heard it Through the Grapevine."  This is a very energetic song and moves the blood. 

"Leader of the Pack" is performed by The Shangri-Las.  This is also very good story telling, with father saying you can't be with him.  Her breaking up, and then he crashing in the rain and killing himself.  This is classic story telling.
As an overall package, this album has plenty of dancing music and story telling music and classics.  I enjoyed it. 

Music Review: William Gutierrez: Calling the Eagle

This is a CD of native American Flute Music.  Native American flute sounds cool, and it has that haunting quality of the floating flute music with the stops that only an accomplished musician can do.

However in the case of this music, a little is better.  You hear it sometimes at the beginning of a movie, but only a minute or so.  With songs five or six minutes long, you spend most of the song hoping for it to be over.  And the music is almost always slow, which tends to be good going to sleep music, but not staying awake music.  “Children’s Song” is the only one that gets out of that mode and creates a more up tempo beat. 

All the songs are solo melodies, with the exception of Sandia Canyon which somehow has an echo, perhaps created by a second flute.  The love songs are much too slow, and become boring quickly to me.

Music Review: Kristy Starling: Kristy Starling (2003)

Christian music can be so relaxing, and the words can mean so much.  Kristy has a very nice singing voice, and brings lots of emotion.  I especially found the choruses appealing.  Singing of the Lord she says,

WATER

I don’t know what I’d do

I couldn’t go one day without You

You are like water to me. 

MUST HAVE BEEN ANGELS

It must have been angels who carried me

When I was too weak to lift my feet

When I was too blind to clearly see

Heavenly lights shined down for me

It must have been angels.

I NEED YOU 

I need You like water

like breath, like rain

I need you like mercy

From heaven’s gate

There’s a freedom in Your arms

That carries me through

I need you

The song I enjoyed the most was “Broken”  In this song Kristy puts her heart on display, and sings with incredible emotion.  “Cause I’m, I’m broken And I’m ready for You to pick up the pieces.”  Aren’t we all broken, and come short of the mark.  It is the Lord picking up the pieces, and carrying us home that feels us with joy, and gives of the hope of eternal life.