Sundance

Today was our first day to view films. But before I even mention anything like films, I would like to say how out of place I feel sometimes. Sundance at times feels so superficial, so much like a time to impress. I also get the feeling of a lot of lost people searching for meaning in the films they flock to, yet coming up empty. Maybe I feel out of place because I feel that I am more attracted to the Church and media, rather than the whole movie side of mass comm.


I wonder if a more religious film could make it to Sundance, let alone do well? From my short time here, Sundance seems to be obsessed sex, nudity, spirituality, and a search for something more. Sometimes I feel like they are hurting and trying to find their answers in these movies.






























Our first movie today was "Nowhere Boy", a story about the early life of John Lennon. The link is http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1266029/ or http://sundance.bside.com/2010/films/nowhereboy_sundance2010. I don't want to give anything away, but it is a film you must definitely see.






Our second movie was, "Lovers of Hate", a story of two brothers in love with the same woman, which happens to be one of the brothers' wife. http://sundance.bside.com/2010/films/loversofhate_sundance2010 or http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1436560/. This really isn't a film I would recommend to my friends, just because I don't think any of them would really like it. However, some might like it, but for me it was hard to like it.

The basic plot of the movie is one couple is breaking up and Rudy doesn't want his brother Paul to know, so Rudy ask his soon to be ex to visit his brother who is in town. She reluctantly agrees to but regrets her decision after the dinner. Paul suspects something is up and figures out his brother and his wife are splitting up. Basically, the short story is Rudy ends up in his brothers condo when his brother and his wife come back. He can't escape without them knowing he's there so he has to endure several sexual encounters that his ex-wife or soon to be ex-wife has with his brother.

So during Rudy's time there he spies on his family and pulls small pranks and tries to ruin both of their lives. Definitely a different type of film that borders on creepy. Has a few funny parts, but those are outweighed by some poor camera work, and a story that falls flat.

So those are the two movies we watched today. I'll try to keep you updated on our events tomorrow.

Generation Lost

How does it feel to lose a generation? How does it feel to see them fall to death one by one. Wives, sons and daughters left behind. We don't remember them and what they did until it's too late. When we thank them they can no longer hear us. The generation we are losing is a generation that sacrificed their lives for us.

Lizzy's grandpa Elwyn D. Gaines passed away earlier this week. We all knew it was happening, yet it doesn't take away the pain. For the most part good byes were said, yet we wished to say hello again. I think the pain our society feels is one we have learned. We try to hold in our sadness as long as possible, to be as strong as we can.

We should not fear to really show our pain for that person on the day of their death. Mourn them, then be glad for them. This isn't to say we need to mourn and move on, but if we stay in the grieving process, we will no longer have a fulfilling life. I never really knew Lizzy's father or her grandpa, however, I was at both of their funerals. I too cried, even though I didn't know them. However, what really hit me was at "grandpa's" funeral when the Idaho National Guard was there.

There was a flag draped over the casket, colors of bright red, blue and white, the never failing flag. I find myself to be patriotic, especially when it comes to honoring the military. When the guardsmen were folding the flag, every movement was slow and deliberate, they were truly honoring this veteran. When they had finished folding the flag into the traditional triangle, one of the guardsmen held it close to his chest and squeezed it. Almost to show he was giving Elwyn a hug, thanking him for his sacrifice.

But what really hit me, was the lone veteran that was in front of the line to view the body of the old soldiers body. He saluted the man proudly, then came over and said he was sorry but he had to go to another funeral. Here is a generation watching each other die. They fought the wars and we selfishly live. We criticize their ways, we criticize everything about them, yet we never criticize their bravery, their dedication, their service, their sacrifice, their patriotism.

It still hits me to think about the solute from one old soldier to the next. Their bodies failing them. Given a chance they would still fight for us and our freedom. My generation doesn't have that attitude. We are takers, not makers. We take freedom but don't want to make it.

Elwyn, my time with you was short, but thank you for your dedication to our great country. Thank you for that time together watching golf in your kitchen on that summer day. From what I saw you were man in love with your country and your family. Thank you again for your dedication and making freedom for us to enjoy. We really do enjoy it and we really do appreciate your generation and all you have done for us. We may not realize it, but without your generation, we would be nothing.

The generation is slowly dwindling, they are going one by one. What will our generation be remembered for?