Sunday, June 22, 2008

An artistic post (for a change?...)

Okay, after the uber-athleticism of the last two posts, I thought I would balance it out by posting two unrelated artistic items in addition.

Last night I watched Crash with my dear friend Liza. I had seen it years ago, but I told her I would only loan Love Actually to her if she watched Crash too, so I decided to join her to make sure she did. In some ways I think Crash is like an equally beautiful, complete opposite to Love Actually, hardly about the different types of love. In fact, I like to call it Hate Actually. But I had forgotten what a powerful, affecting movie it is. I hate when movies with a message are heavy-handed and obvious, so Crash is a refreshing moral movie. For those who are unfamiliar with it, it's a 2004 film (that won the Best Picture Oscar, thankfully beating out Brokeback Mountain) with an ensemble cast that features several characters with interweaving storylines. Set in L.A. in December, it's sort of a series of events that teach about hate and racial prejudice, etc., which, like I said, could be really contrived if not handled carefully, but Crash is so poignant and moving, about humanity and trying to eventually do the right thing. If you haven't seen it, do. Quite good, quite good (though, if you're like me, you might want to find an edited copy... I have it, you can borrow mine). I know movies are primarily to entertain, but the ones that really stay with you, the ones that really mean a lot are the ones that make you feel something, the ones that teach you something about yourself or your faith or the world. Personally, I feel it's a totally wasted opportunity to just sit in front of the screen and learn nothing (even a seemingly mindless comedy can still teach you something). "It's the sense of touch. In any real city, you walk, you know? You brush past people, people bump into you. In L.A., nobody touches you. We're always behind this metal and glass. I think we miss that touch so much, that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something."

Secondly, I've been meaning to post this for a while, though I'm not sure why. Just because I think it's cool that I'm totally on youtube now. This was an experiment, trying to upload material from DVD onto youtube. Apparently it worked, and the subject of said experiment is me on vocals, Jared Johns on violin and Andrew Wilson on piano at the Missionary Training Center, May 2006.



My, don't I feel well-rounded now!

8 comments:

  1. I have never seen crash. Why didn't we add it to the list of a million movies I watched while in Utah? Well, next time.

    Did I tell you I made my CTR class watch your performance. They were a little confused. Being their age and what they usually watch they though there would be more to it. I actually made them watch it for me.

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  2. I also love Crash. I was hesitant the first time that you told me how good it was before you left on your mission. Then I watched it and I agree with all that was said in your post.
    I can also say that I loved your video. It was as good the first time I saw it, as it was this time. You really do have a lot of talent. And Johns wasn't that bad either! ;)

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  3. I love Crash. I recall Megan and I watching it a few times here and there. It is so brilliantly played out.

    And of course, bravo to your lovely singing. Your hair is short.

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  4. I love Crash. It's such a great show. I will make Emily come over and watch it on my ClearPlay.

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  5. Oh, I would like to borrow it. I saw it years ago with you, I believe. Time to watch it again, it sounds like.

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  6. Well the song was mah-ve-lous. hard to believe that was only two years ago you look young :) and little jared on the violin cute! haha. well i watched Crash in my government class in 12th grade, we were on the topic of racism and the movie of course showed alot about it. As intense as it was, i enojoyed it. You can learn a great deal from that film.

    Britney

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  7. Ok, so I finally have watched the video! Very nice! I am quite surprised you remembered that whole arrangement without music! Nice job.

    Also, Jake just occasionally blogs on MY blog, so he just had a post--that's what I was talking about. No need to worry.

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  8. Well, we did practice for weeks, so I suppose that's why I could remember it. Johns had the music on hand, but my part was relatively easy, mostly melody and the tradish lyrics. Anyway, thanks ever so.

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