Movies: King's Speech vs. Inception

Recently, I had the opportunity to finally catch The King's Speech (in the dollar - boom). The movie prompted a new theory I have regarding movies.

I think it's easy to quickly categorize movies into certain types. Some of the types I can list off the top of my head would include vulgar, sex-filled nonsense comedies, violent/gorey action movies, high school horror, animated comedies, chick flicks, etc. Notice, from this short list I have generated, you will RARELY (if ever) see a movie from one of these types up for Movie of the Year honors (imagine if Dude, Where's My Car? or The World Is Not Enough were ever nominated!).

Certainly, directors are aware, when they embark on a movie, that they are NOT going to be granted any awards, a knowledge they must have even prior to filming. They are filming these movies for a very particular reason, and it's not based on creating art (although I will admit you can argue this as the primary motive behind EVERY SINGLE movie, despite its artistic qualities): $$$. Sex, violence, horror, vulgarity, explosions, and terrific wall-to-wall action that is seemingly plotless SELLS. I admit, I sometimes love a good flick with no real storyline (see: Fast 5, Terminator Salvation).

Here's my point: I have left out two types of movies that seem to avoid the common traps of the above list, movies that can actually be considered for awards, movies that directors embark on in an EFFORT to be noticed as artistic. Some of these movies fail miserably, some of them perform admirably. I wish to talk about the two types of movies that perform admirably.

1 - Unreflective Virtuosos. You could compare the music of Mozart to these movies. These movies seem to challenge traditional cinematographic methods while maintaining a flavor of simplicity that is refreshing. Case-In-Point: The King's Speech. Simple plot, basic, easy-to-grasp characters, and fantastic dialogue characterize this movie, as you meander from scene to scene, not really ever waiting for anything to happen, but at the same time not checking your watch to wonder when it will end. The movie, simply, was simple. This has become quite a winnable way in recent cinema. Other movies I would add to this list of simplicity include The Social Network (very simple story, but an unbelievably fabulous Plot carries you through the movie), and Little Miss Sunshine, to name a few. Although complexity exists in these movies, it is not mind-bending, but it is thought-provoking, and refreshingly basic.

2 - Cerebral Structurer. Here is the other type of movie that seems to do well in the eyes of critics. Beethoven's symphonies were complex, deep in meaning, layered, and full of comprehension and understanding of the passion and feeling humans were capable of. His music is SUPPOSED to evoke those emotions (as compared with Mozart's, where a very different feeling, if any besides relaxation, is often felt). As for movies... Inception, anyone? A movie riddled with layers, forcing you to think, think, think, think! Success in cinema can be accomplished by more of a grand spectacle, so to speak, a movie that you wait in line for hours just to be the first to see. These include the Matrix, the LOTR's, the Gladiators, the Slumdogs, the Saving Private Ryans. Directors really pull out the stops, as they give you what you came for: epic entertainment that isn't sold as Cheap or Pastiche.

So there you have it. I would love to hear movies that have been Cream of the Crop and have avoided one of these two areas, because I really don't think it's possible. It seems that 95% of what Hollywood produces can be stuffed inbetween, as directors give way to apathy, writers succumb to lack of creativity and genius, and producers decide cost is not worth the product.

Hopefully, movies will be more like The King's Speech and Inception.

The Honesty Question

Today in church, we discussed the topic of honesty. I would say that of all the commandments that are the easiest to fudge and to fail to repent of, it would be honesty. How easy is it to tell a lie?

I have a few observations about honesty.

1 - Honesty is terribly undervalued, even in a society that "values" it. Abraham Lincoln is one of the most well-respected historical figures you will ever come across. One of his defining characteristics is that he was honest. Americans know the stories, and they value the stories. But are these values translated? Such hypocritical acts are reflected in politics, in the news, in sports, and in the everyday life of an American citizen and Christian. Clearly, there is a disconnect between learning about Lincoln and living like Lincoln? Why the disconnect? I would argue that the disconnect is a result of the success gained by living the alternative method while preaching pro-honesty. Simply put, society rewards the dishonest who pretend they are honest (until, like Nixon or Tiger, they are caught). There is no reward from being straight up dishonest or honest. You have to blend the two cleverly.

2 - This brings me to my second point. I have long wondered why many of my peers (myself included) would never even be tempted by the prospect of stealing a Charleston Chew from a grocery store, yet would freely pirate music. In my own personal experience, I used to justify my pirating ways by imagining the companies and the bands who were raking in the money anyways and thus it didn't matter if I didn't pay for their tunes. After all, I deserved the music! I didn't have money to buy it, and it was simple and easy to do.

There is, however, another reason why I pirated music. I never pirated music thinking to myself that I could get caught. This brings me back to my first point. Why would I never steal a mere 25 cent candy bar from the grocery store? Obviously, I knew it to be wrong, but I also was afraid of being caught and punished. Why do we not act like Lincoln? Because when we lie, we usually lie without fear of losing a person's trust, being punished, or getting hit with a backlash.

In this case, it is clear we have failed to internalize the principle of honesty. Interestingly enough, this problem doesn't seem to be as prevalent with other principles of the gospel. I don't think twice about paying my tithing, fasting, going to church, reading my scriptures, being of service to others, etc. Honesty lingers in the back as a "forgotten principle," a principle easily set aside and labeled as "malleable."

We must learn how to internalize honesty. "What would Jesus Do?" can become for us something more than a cliched phrase, if we let it govern our lives, include our everyday dealings with others. I think the Lord cares a lot about honesty (temple recommend, anyone?).