Sunday, February 22, 2009

The Oscar Goes To...

Of course I watched the 81st Academy Awards, but I was really waiting for one specific award, Best Actor.
They read the names.... Mickey Rourke, Brad Pitt.... yeah yeah, lets get on with it! I was literally dying of anticipation, when finally, there it was... and the Oscar goes to...... Sean Penn!

Milk, by far one of the best films ever created, I'm a sucker for anything Van Sant, Sean Penn captured the very essence that was Harvey Milk, he, without any doubt, deserves that award. Congratulations.

Taking Chance


This film is based on the true story of Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl's journey returning, Lance Corporal Chance Phelps, home.
This is a war film, not about the fight, but about the untold story of what happens when you don't make it out. A truly inspiring look into the delicate, virtually silent, process of returning the fallen men and women that fight for us everyday, back home. I definitely recommend this movie, by far one of the best I've seen recently, it's moving, it's eye opening, and it leaves you with an incredible sense of honor.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Bill Maher and Religulous

Religulous is derived from both: Religion and Ridiculous.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I've been dying to see this movie since the very second I heard of its existence. I love Bill Maher, he's my sarcastic equal, we share a lot of the same views, if left alone in a room, we'd go crazy with our cynicism and worldly debates. If anything, we need more people like him, people who contradict based on facts, shaking things up with humor, someone who isn't afraid to fight against an idea just because its popular... who likes normal anyway?

This is a provocative documentary going against one of the most powerful ideas of all, religion. That's what Maher wants to get across through his film, and after all, it is his film... that it's just that, an idea, just a thought, no facts, no evidence, something that over the years has gained notoriety so it must be true, right? Maher considers religion and faith to be detrimental to the progress of humanity, a lot fantasy and nonsense, but he also prides himself on the fact that he doesn't know, he's selling the idea of doubt not certainty.

Religion is considered a never ending battle with large masses of passionate people involved. I grew up without religion in my life, a personal choice, a choice everyone should be allowed to make for themselves. However, when you live in a state like Utah, arguably one of the most controversial places concerning religion, the topic has the power to surround you. Something I found priceless during the film was when Bill Maher and his film crew are in Salt Lake City, on the grounds of the Mormon Temple, when they begin filming they are quickly thrown off the grounds by what they lovingly refer to as the "Mormon Fuzz" they believe that they didn't look Mormon enough, to be there.This film brings humor to a lot of hush-hush topics, but also an alarming realization. A women was being interviewed about Bush's second run for office, to where she said, and I quote "I don't know that much about politics, but I'll vote for President Bush because of his faith." So, where exactly do we draw that religious line? Perhaps I'm naive, but when is it that we accept that everyone has their own opinion, their own religion, their own view and it shouldn't always revolve around the general conscientious, as far as I'm concerned to many have died over certain beliefs... to much hate is spread in the name of... when do we realize that yeah, some of this, is pretty ridiculous.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Hannah Montana, How Could You?

Its been made fairly apparent, that Miley Cyrus can't actually take a picture without being offensive or pissing someone off, word of advice Miley.. stop doing stupid things when that little black box, you know, the thing with the lens... that flashes... is around.