Tuesdays with Muerte

The Martian by Andy Weir My rating: 4 of 5 stars Basically, The Martian = Apollo 13 + Cast Away. What a page turner!  I enjoyed reading it even after watching the movie.  (Now I want them to write a play so I can go see that!)  I didn't give it 5 stars was because—despite the realistic scenarios and elaborate math validating every action taken throughout the story—my disbelief was never fully suspended.  When I give 5 stars, it's because I was able to lose myself in the story; when I have become one with the narration.  Perhaps Weir's style of writing was too fast paced for me.  Perhaps my mind didn't have time to struggle with the problem before the solution presented itself.  I think due to this and other factors I never fully became Mark Watney, the protagonist. Re: Language — Weir's use of swearing didn't bother me because I recognized that Watney was from Chicago, not Provo. Personal lessons learned: I had hoped that by r...

Reaction Two years after its theatrical release, I finally got around to watching Jonny Depp in  Transcendence . Waiting for the new-release excitement to die down was a good decision.  Transcendence  is one of those films that causes you to leave the theater disappointed. But as time goes by, the ideas from the film burrow deeper and deeper under your skin (in a good way). Immediately after my viewing of the film, I jumped online, eager to see what conversations were going on relating to the themes and questions addressed by the film. I opened the first three discussion groups I could find, read the first few review titles, and felt instantly dejected. Overwhelmingly, critics ranted about how the film failed to meet their entertainment expectations. With the all-star cast and killer trailer building up anticipation since 2012, these film buffs wanted a blockbuster—a Hollywood  sci-fi—not what they got—a true sci-fi (which happened to have expen...

"What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart." — In the bleak midwinter  BY CHRISTINA ROSSETTI WOW! These videos are incredible! For the past 12 days, these amazing, LDS YouTubers have inspired us with their respective gifts for the King of kings. I invite you, as you watch a few (or all) of these meaning-filled videos, to think about what it is they all have in common. Consider what makes a gift a  good one. Then, after coming up with a few ideas, ponder on what you could do  to add your gift to theirs. Then do it. Without further ado, I proudly present 2015's 12 Days of Social #ASaviorIsBorn! O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL - Jenny Oaks Baker (DEC 1) UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER DANCE PARTY! -  Ellie and Jared  (DEC 2) THE FIRST NOEL  - Gardiner Sisters  (DEC 3) AVE MARIA - Lexi Walker & Lyceum Phi...

Synopsis The six-person crew of a derelict spaceship awakens from stasis in the farthest reaches of space. Their memories wiped clean, they have no recollection of who they are or how they got on board. The only clue to their identities is a cargo bay full of weaponry and a destination: a remote mining colony that is about to become a war zone. With no idea whose side they are on, they face a deadly decision. Will these amnesiacs turn their backs on history, or will their pasts catch up with them? ( IMDB ) Backstory Produced in Canada,  DARK MATTER was  syndicated by the U.S. Syfy channel, June 15th, 2015, and was made available on Netflix just 2 days ago. September 28. The show has quickly accrued more than a cult following. Wikipedia reports 1.28 million views of the pilot, just in the U.S. Its popularity is no surprise since the script was written by the same folks who did Stargate. Personal Review While lacking the blockbuster budget, effects, and drama of Ba...

 VERSE 1  There are loved ones in the glory Whose dear forms you often miss. When you close your earthly story, Will you join them in their bliss?  CHORUS:  Will the circle be unbroken By and by, by and by? Is a better home awaiting In the sky, in the sky?  VERSE 2  In the joyous days of childhood Oft they told of wondrous love Pointed to the dying Saviour; Now they dwell with Him above.  (Chorus)   VERSE 3  You remember songs of heaven Which you sang with childish voice. Do you love the hymns they taught you, Or are songs of earth your choice?  (Chorus)   VERSE 4  You can picture happy gath'rings Round the fireside long ago, And you think of tearful partings When they left you here below.  (Chorus)   VERSE 5  One by one their seats were emptied. One by one they went away. Now the family is parted. Will it be complete one day?  (Chorus)  Three Arrangements of the Hymn A beauti...

Soundtrack Cover Art Book Summary [Spoilers] Paul A treides  embarks on his hero's journey as a   royal manling . He's then stranded on a harsh planet, surrounded by treachery, with nothing but his mother, his training, and fate to aid him. He ultimately faces off against the universe—and wins! There's no wrong age to visit the pages of Dune, but I'd say the ideal reading age for young men is 12-20 years. Why? It consoles young men who perceive themselves as  misunderstood; it serves as a guide. By co-experiencing Maud'dib's adventure, adolescents can believe that  their coming of age can be survived. Additionally, it teaches parents how to communicate with their omniscient sons. These actors were so cool in 1984 Book Review Dune  by  Frank Herbert My rating:  5 of 5 stars Desiring to appear literate, like my college friends, I lied about having read Frank Herbert's Dune. Sure, I had read the Cliff's Notes in high school....

Personal Experience I first discovered this beautiful melody while watching Christian Bale salute a squadron of Japanese Kamikaze pilots of the Zero-sen in Spielberg's 1987 cinematic masterpiece,  Empire of the Sun . Spielberg adapted this WWII story with such beauty and sadness, it was incomparable to anything else I have ever seen. Bale's performance brought me to tears. I had never witnessed anyone his age give a truer performance. For me, Bale's singing of this song was the central moment of this entire 2.5 hour, coming-of-age film. It perfectly captured the juxtaposition of boyhood innocence, and the horrors of war depicted throughout the flim. In a prison camp—infused with the hate of the Allies for their captors, sedated by Bales's youthful view of humanity, and countered by the extreme honor felt by the Japanese Zeros—Bale's character, Jim, exhibited great reverence and empathy for his fellow human beings, despite them being his enemies. After view...