From: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com (aml-list-digest) To: aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: aml-list-digest V1 #876 Reply-To: aml-list Sender: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk aml-list-digest Tuesday, October 29 2002 Volume 01 : Number 876 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 25 Oct 2002 20:36:22 -0600 From: Kellene Adams Subject: Re: [AML] Johnny Lingo > From: "Eric R. Samuelsen" > > We don't really question the underlying cultural assumptions of this film, > because in LDS culture, we continue to put a premium on female physical > attractiveness, and we tend to accept unquestioningly the values of our > (American, western) society. Eric, please don't take offense at this statement; I don't even know you. But it is statements like this that bother me exceedingly when they come from individuals in a group of people who claim to be past close-minded judgment. I understand that there really may be real people in this "we" that you mention above. Maybe the "we" that you mention above is exclusively male; maybe not. What I do know is that the "we" that I know does not continue to "accept unquestioningly the values of our (American, western) society." In fact, the we that I know (and work hard to be part of and who happens to be the majority of people I know) is working hard to consistently, carefully, painstakingly, and thoughtfully send messages, both subtle and unsubtle, that there is much more to beauty than what meets the eye--for both male and female--that each one of us, young and old, but especially our youth, our children, our young men and women, are absolutely beautiful, absolutely divine, absolutely special. Now, I am not naive enough to think that our voices are louder than those of the current culture, but I am hopeful and faithful enough to think that occasionally our voices are heard. And I am absolutely determined that, despite the volume of our voices, I not be included in the "we" you describe above. Kellene Adams - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 25 Oct 2002 22:09:59 -0400 From: "robert lauer" Subject: Re: [AML] Getting Started with LDS Screenwriting I think that in the posting below, Richard Dutcher has said all that needs to be said about writing Mormon literature or creating Mormon art. Amen, Richard, and Amen!!!! ROB.LAUER > >First of all, stay away from thinking about writing something in the "LDS >genre." If you go about it with that mindset, you're going to find yourself >writing down to your audience. You're not some guy behind the counter at >Burger King filling somebody's order. > [snip] - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2002 00:51:02 -0400 From: "Tracie Laulusa" Subject: Re: [AML] Johnny Lingo I haven't watched Johnny Lingo for years, I'm one of the people who take some pleasure in mocking the film. It comes off too pat and cheesy for my tastes. But in my memory it was not a question of outward beauty. He saw her inner worth, and because he did, and treated her that way, it was reflected in her outward appearance. Her outside came to reflect what he knew was on the inside already. I've seen this happen in real life. Someone who is not what is the current society's idea of beautiful, by any stretch of the imagination, meets someone that truly values them. And they glow. It may be that they start taking a little more care over their appearance, but not always. Some how that confidence--that knowing that someone loves them warts and all--shines through in their eyes, in their walk, in the way they then believe in someone else. It's not always in a romantic relationship. It can be with the unpromising kid who meets that teacher who absolutely sees them and not the punk image. It could be a co-worker, a neighbor, a friend from church. Or it could be a spouse. Someone who looks at you and says "you're beautiful" and you feel like telling them to get their glasses checked. But they really mean it. Eric, you had a character in Singled Out who, I think, did not really think herself outwardly beautiful, yet wanted her potential partner to be able to see her as beautiful. And he did. If I remember right, in the end he told her she was beautiful. What was he seeing? Physically she wasn't "beautiful". But he came to love her insides, and that lent beauty to her whole being. If the story had gone on, what effect would that have had on her? She had been in a tough relationship, been on her own, come to a realization that she was of worth......But what would that mean to her to have this male person be able to honestly look at her and say to her "You're beautiful." Don't you think it would have an effect? I think it is important that she felt a sense of self-worth before he said it. And maybe if the story of Johnny Lingo would have gone on Mahanna would have come to that, too. Poor Johnny, lost at sea, rescuing the young guy out in the storm where he had no place being. And suddenly he's not there to give Mahanna her boost in esteem. But by then she already had a growing feeling of eternal worth and, as she relied on her Heavenly Father through the crises of losing Johnny, she came to know even more clearly how much she was valued as a child of God. But it started with Johnny seeing past the tangled hair, knocked knees, and family disdain. He always knew she was beautiful. Tracie Laulusa - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 25 Oct 2002 23:19:07 -0600 From: "Nan McCulloch" Subject: Re: [AML] Sealings [MOD: I will go ahead and post this, but I really, really don't plan to let us get into a discussion of the doctrinal pros and cons of plural marriage. Just not. Literary dimensions, yes; cultural dimensions, okay; doctrinal dimensions, no.] Barbara, read what Eugene England has to say on this subject in Dialogue in the Spring 2002 issue _On Fidelity, Polygamy, and Celestial Marriage_. This is compelling stuff. It will surprise some of you. England doesn't believe that celestial marriage will be polygamous. I consider this a very important essay. Nan McCulloch - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 25 Oct 2002 23:46:37 -0600 From: "D. Michael Martindale" Subject: Re: [AML] The Bridge Richard Johnson wrote: > > But this story is so inaccurate in its symbolism. Christ was not > trapped by his life, mission and crucifiction, he volunteered. Whatever shortcomings this film or story may have, to complain about the inaccuracy of its symbolism is to misunderstand symbolism. I believe the phrase is "pushing an analogy too far." The point of "The Bridge" is to help us understand the sacrifice the Father made. How the son came to be in peril is incidental and irrelevant to the point the analogy is trying to make. And if you disagree with me and think analogies need to be accurate in every particular, then you'd better take up your beef with Jesus, because his parables were just as inaccurate. Consider the parable of the unjust king in particular. A widow who was wronged petitioned the king to give her justice. The king, neither regarding God nor man, didn't care and did nothing. But the widow continued to petition him until he got sick of it and granted her petition, not because he cared, but because he was fed up with her bothering him. The point of this parable was to teach us to keep praying for that which we desire. In other words, the merciless king represented God. So Jesus taught us to keep praying for what we want, because God doesn't care about us, but will nonetheless grant our petition because he grows weary of our prayers. Now that's what I call inaccurate symbolism. Either that, or pushing the analogy too far. Symbolism is meant to address one point, and going beyond that is forcing the symbolism to do work it was never intended to do. If you use a hammer to install a screw, you really shouldn't complain if the results are not to your liking. - -- D. Michael Martindale dmichael@wwno.com ================================== Check out Worldsmiths, the new online LDS writers group, at http://www.wwno.com/worldsmiths Sponsored by Worlds Without Number http://www.wwno.com ================================== - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2002 02:18:17 -0700 From: Robert Slaven Subject: Re: [AML] Sealings From: Cathy Wilson > You know, of course, that when two previously temple-married and then civilly > divorced people want to be sealed, the wife's former sealing is cancelled > while the husband's remains intact and he is given a clearance for the > subsequent sealing. I guess there are good reasons for that, and definitely > there will always be free agency. Still it makes me think that despite our > protestations we Mormons remain ambiguous about polygamy. > Actually, I believe that policy has been changed. I divorced civilly in 1988, and married my current wife in the temple in 1992, and as you say, I didn't have to have my first sealing annulled. However, I recall hearing some time in the last decade that the policy had changed, and if I was marrying after a divorce now, I *would* have to get my first sealing annulled. I'm afraid I don't have a reference here; maybe Larry can crack open his CHI vol.1 and fill us in. ObLiteraryTie-In: A sequel to Charly and Sam taking place in the spirit world as Charly and (what's Sam's second wife's name again? haven't read the books for over a decade) have to learn to get along with each other.... Robert ********************************************************************** Robert & Linn-Marie Slaven www.robertslaven.ca ...with Stuart, Rebecca, Mariann, Kristina, Elizabeth, and Robin too 'Man is that he might have joy--not guilt trips.' (Russell M. Nelson) - --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.394 / Virus Database: 224 - Release Date: 2002/10/03 - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2002 09:13:03 -0400 From: lwilkins@fas.harvard.edu Subject: Re: [AML] Johnny Lingo One of the other dangers about the message of _Johnny Lingo_ is what it teaches men about love. Being a rescuer for someone who's been abused all her life is likely to result in a relationship that's fraught with trouble. It would be interesting to do a "20 years later" version. Perhaps Johnny's good looks and character would be overtaken by his troubled sense of identity that had led him to love a young woman who is so needy. But I can see ways to redeem the message of the film. Johnny seems to recognize that it is a cultural norm for women in the village to brag about the price their husbands paid for them. He recognizes that practice as a cultural reality that can't be ignored. He has known Mahana since she was a child, knows her soul. Not many cultures these days seem to exist in which people marry those whom they've known since childhood. One might also see Johnny as a sort of divine Christ-figure, the one who sees the soul and is able to redeem the person from the pain inflicted by a callous social order. But those potentially redeeming aspects of Johnny's character and the story don't get explored. I think a remake is definitely in order... Laraine Wilkins - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2002 11:30:36 -0500 From: "Kumiko" Subject: [AML] Critical Response to Christian Market Feature Films (incl. LDS) Critical Response to Christian market feature films RottenTomatoes.com ratings, based on reviews from reviewers nationwide. List of Christian niche market films from: http://boxofficemojo.com/genres/christian.htm LDS Film Title Director Pos Neg % Positive - ---------- -------- --- --- ----- Brigham City Richard Dutcher 16 5 76.2 God's Army Richard Dutcher 5 4 55.6 The Singles Ward Kurt Hale 4 4 50.0 Jack Weyland's Charly Adam Thomas Anderegg 2 3 40.0 The Other Side of Heaven Mitch Davis 9 27 25.0 ["Out of Step" and "Handcart" are not listed on RT.c] Non-LDS Film Title Director Pos Neg % Positive - ---------- -------- --- --- ----- Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie Nawrocki/Vischer 35 16 68.6 Carman: The Champion Lee Stanley 3 6 33.3 Mercy Streets Jon Gunn 2 4 33.3 Joshua Jon Purdy 4 16 20.0 Left Behind Victor Sarin 6 32 15.8 Megiddo: Omega Code 2 Brian Trenchard-Smith 2 11 15.4 Extreme Days Eric Hannah 1 6 14.3 Omega Code Robert Marcarelli 2 18 10.0 Road to Redemption Robert Vernon 0 1 0.0 The Judas Project James H. Barden 0 1 0.0 Revelation Andre Van Heerden 0 1 0.0 ["China Cry: A True Story" and "The Ride" are not listed on RT.c] COMBINED Film Title Director Pos Neg % Positive - ---------- -------- --- --- ----- Brigham City Richard Dutcher 16 5 76.2 Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie Nawrocki/Vischer 35 16 68.6 God's Army Richard Dutcher 5 4 55.6 The Singles Ward Kurt Hale 4 4 50.0 Jack Weyland's Charly Adam Thomas Anderegg 2 3 40.0 Carman: The Champion Lee Stanley 3 6 33.3 Mercy Streets Jon Gunn 2 4 33.3 The Other Side of Heaven Mitch Davis 9 27 25.0 Joshua Jon Purdy 4 16 20.0 Left Behind Victor Sarin 6 32 15.8 Megiddo: Omega Code 2 Brian Trenchard-Smith 2 11 15.4 Extreme Days Eric Hannah 1 6 14.3 Omega Code Robert Marcarelli 2 18 10.0 Road to Redemption Robert Vernon 0 1 0.0 The Judas Project James H. Barden 0 1 0.0 Revelation Andre Van Heerden 0 1 0.0 - - Preston Hunter - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 10:46:51 -0700 From: "Jim/Laurel Brady" Subject: [AML] AML Conference Update (Moderator: Would you mind posting this to the list - the AML Conference schedule that is online is a bit deceptive and I don't want there to be any misunderstandings. Thanks.) ******* I need to update/clarify a portion of the AML Conference schedule that is posted online. At 3 p.m., I am (last time I checked anyway) listed as a presenter for a two hour block on screenwriting - lest there be any confusion, please note, the actual presenters will be other (and much more talented) people and I will only be making introductions and moderating a Q&A session. Since it's not on the schedule yet, I'd like to announce presenters for the first hour will be Mike Schaertl and Pepper Gregory, who will speak on selling film rights, screenplays and teleplays to producers, directors, actors, etc. The second hour will be a Q&A session where Mike and Pepper will be joined by Colleen K. Whitley and Sue Bergin, who have both written scripts, some of which have been optioned and produced. For those of you who don't recognize the featured speakers' names: Mike's credits as writer, producer, director, and/or cinematographer include: "Christmas Mission" (1999), "High School Spirits" (1988), "Once Upon a Time", "Just Kids", "Beware! Ghosts!!" (1986, with Neil LaBute), "Saturday's Warrior" (1989), "Perilous Journey" (1984), as well as work on numerous TV series including: 20/20 Downtown; 20/20; Touched by an Angel; Dateline NBC; Rescue 911; Primetime Live; Runaway with the Rich and Famous; Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. He's also worked as camera operator or second unit director of photography on numerous feature films and TV movies, including: Just a Dream (2001); Before He Wakes (1998); Zack and Reba (1998); Legion of Fire: Killer Ants! (1998); Meet the Deedles (1998); Dumb & Dumber (1994); Neon City (1992); Windwalker (1980). (He also a musician and toured as a drummer, but that's a different story and don't tell him that I told you that...) Mike is a great guy and you'll all want to meet him and get to know him. Pepper Gregory is also fascinating - she has written music, books, screenplays, documentarys, commercials, and scripts for television shows. Pepper has worked with Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival, judged over 10,000 scripts for the New Century Writer's and Writer's at Work screenwriting contests, has been on many panels representing the film industry and taught screenwriting workshops. As the marketing/PR director for Redman Movies & Stories, she has worked on such programs as "Touched By An Angel," "Promised Land" and feature films shot in Utah. Pepper has written scripts for "The New Love Boat," "Touched By An Angel," Disney, Saban, Showtime, Lifetime, and is an advocate for family films without violence. In 1998, she started Gregory Media Group. Her motto is "Movies Change Lives." She is a certified grief counselor and working toward a Ph.D. in psychology. Mike and Pepper have a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable for anyone hoping to market any of their work to film and/or TV. They're great people and you'll definitely want to at least say 'Hi' to them. Oh, and did I mention there will be a drawing for a screenwriting software package that is, I'm told, worth $300!!! Hope to see you all there, Laurel S. Brady - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2002 13:06:04 -0400 From: "Jim Cobabe" Subject: [AML] Re: Single Bishops Plain talk about matters of sexuality seems to be a closed subject in the=20 church, even amongst supposedly open-minded and tolerant "liberal" groups. = =20 No wonder--particularly with those of us who are supposed to be happily=20 humming "families can be together forever" it's so often a glaringly=20 irrational and inconsistent issue. Airing out the truth is plainly very=20 uncomfortable. It must be particularly embarrassing for bishops to confront their own=20 marital problems, particular those stemming from marital sexual relations. = =20 In my personal conversation with men in this circumstance, I have observed= =20 that bishops and their wives frequently seem to have serious problems of=20 this nature. In part the problems appear result from the emotional trauma= =20 inflicted on bishops when they are exposed to the sometimes horrific=20 personal revelations of those who confide in them for counsel. Many of them= =20 seem to have their protective shell of naivte ripped away in such=20 experiences. Not surprising that men of compassion would be troubled to=20 share such confidences. One of my former bishops described the experience= =20 as like looking on the peaceful scene of a placid pond, then for the first= =20 time being plunged beneath the surface to see the scum and pollution, the=20 lurking corruption and filth harbored there. - --- Jim Cobabe jcobabe@hotmail.com http://members.tripod.com/~jcobabe When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean--neither more nor= =20 less. _________________________________________________________________ Unlimited Internet access -- and 2 months free!=A0 Try MSN.=20 http://resourcecenter.msn.com/access/plans/2monthsfree.asp - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2002 13:11:48 -0600 From: "Jacob Proffitt" Subject: RE: [AML] The Bridge - ---Original Message From: Richard Johnson > > I never saw (or even heard of) the movie, but the story > therein is one of my pet peeves. I have heard it from the > pulpit many times. Now, I am much less antagonistic to > speeches in Sacrament meeting than most of you who have > commented. I ENJOY Sacrament meeting generally speaking and > an deeply fed spiritually. (I am of an age when I do doze > once in a while-- but > rarely) But this story is so inaccurate in its symbolism. > Christ was not trapped by his life, mission and crucifiction, > he volunteered. My second son was sitting next to me last > Sunday when one of the missionaries began that talk. He > stood, harrumphed, and stomped out of the place, to return > after the change of speakers. I am embarrassed to say that I > didn't follow him. I followed Scott's admonition and read a > book. (so okay, it was the priesthood manual, but I don't > carry other books- its just the way I am.) Melissa, bless her for her patience with me, has helped me through my disdain for this story and others like it (shudder: Footprints in the Sand). She pointed out that the context of the story is (supposed to be) an effort for understanding the position of the Father. It is wildly inappropriate for understanding the Son, but is much more reasonable if you try to identify with the Dad. It doesn't fully redeem the story, IMO, but it makes it tolerable for me to sit through and catch the point the speaker is trying to make. Jacob Proffitt - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2002 13:22:21 -0600 From: "Jacob Proffitt" Subject: RE: [AML] Single Bishops - ---Original Message From: Janelle Higbee > > -----Original Message----- > Jacob Proffitt: > "the married person...has a wider opportunity to challenge > pre-conceived notions--is forced into uncomfortable > consideration and self-examination that can be avoided by > non-married people. A married person confronts a truly alien > perspective as a matter of course." > > > As a single woman over the age of 30, I submit (and testify) > that an unmarried Mormon confronts an alien perspective when > dealing with married people every day. Especially when > dealing with married Mormons. Believe you me, there is no > shortage of my opportunity to challenge pre-conceived > notions. It is such stuff as dramatic conflicts are made on. Ah. A great point. Frankly, I hadn't considered single women when I wrote the above (not because I'm irretrievably sexist--which may also be true--so much as that the topic was Bishops) and my statements are mainly concerned with single men. Frankly, I don't think my comments apply to women at all. Most women are used to considering the alien/other as something they do every day. It has to do with community, sociality, and other stereotypical "discourse" tendencies found common among women. One of the powerful things about the gospel is that it encourages men to become more like women (and women to become more like men). Men need to overcome their natural tendencies to develop love, compassion, and community. That's why I say it is beneficial for a Bishop to be married because one benefit of marriage for men is forcing them to compromise and work together with someone who makes decisions based on criteria he would never think of. Marriage is something else entirely for women and perhaps a good topic for an off-shoot discussion. Jacob Proffitt - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2002 14:24:29 -0600 From: Cathy Wilson Subject: Re: [AML] Marvin PAYNE, _One Man_ (Review) Ah, this review from Michael brings back memories for me, too. As a college student, I felt very connected to Marvin Payne listening to his songs. His voice has that personal connective quality -- and I've always loved the folksong quality of his music. And then much later of course with Scripture Scouts, my kids and I enjoyed him together. On the very rare occasion in Scripture Scouts, Marvin sings in his own voice; we particularly loved a piece on Zion. Most of the time, though, you get Marvin as Boo Dog. I remember going into a guitar store with one of my boys then age eight or so. "Look, Avi, there's Boo Dog!" I said. "Hi, Avi, how are ya?" Marvin said in Boo Dog voice. Avi could hardly hold himself in his skin :). He's a college freshman himself these days, and he still remembers that. Cathy Wilson - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2002 21:09:54 -0500 From: lajackson@juno.com Subject: [AML] Re: Membership Records Richard Johnson: ... my wife's grandmother ... showed up at the temple to find out that she had received her endowments by proxy almost ten years before. If you think hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, you should see the fury of a woman who was counted out dead. _______________ One of my more memorable funerals as a bishop was for a man I did not know. The neighbors said he had recently been talking to "the Mormon boys on bicycles", so I was contacted, given his name and date of birth, and asked if the Church could locate any relatives. I spoke with a most wonderful sister in the membership department (who probably stretched a few rules), and located an aunt and a nephew in distant parts of the state by way of their bishops. And since she had the membership record on her computer screen, I asked if she could record the death date on the record. She paused a moment, chuckled, and then said she would update the death date shown on the record. I was surprised, but she said she had seen it happen a time or two before, and even told me the original date and the name of the ward and stake where he had been reported dead about ten years earlier. I decided it would serve no purpose ever to reveal the location. I am certain the bishop and clerk have long since been released, and I didn't think I would like it there, even if I ever wanted to hide from the Church. Larry Jackson lajackson@juno.com ________________________________________________________________ Sign Up for Juno Platinum Internet Access Today Only $9.95 per month! Visit www.juno.com - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2002 22:28:53 -0400 From: Richard Johnson Subject: [AML] Fate As fate would have it, I was asked last Sunday to teach the priesthood lesson in the High Priest's group tomorrow. I accepted with some pleasure since it is "open sunday" and Harlow Clark had written a post which I had wanted, for some time, to share as a basis for discussion. When I printed up the article, I realized that it was so full of Hollow Cluckisms that I would spend more time explaining the language than we would spend discussing the content. Okay, sez I, I really would like to use Jeff Needle's last review (the 30 year Institute Director who was rethinking the history he had taught.) I went to my Jeff Needle file and it was not there. Could I have transferred it to the wrong file? My little search engine couldn't find it. The AML archive. Not posted yet. That's what I get for trying to use material not published by--- those others. Richard B. Johnson, (djdick@PuppenRich.com) Husband, Father, Grandfather, Puppeteer, Playwright, Writer, Director, Actor, Thingmaker, Mormon, Person, Fool. I sometimes think that the last persona is the most important http://www.PuppenRich.com - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002 12:43:40 -0700 (MST) From: Fred C Pinnegar Subject: RE: [AML] Teaching at BYU I think Thom and I are actually in agreement on this issue. I didn't say that BYU was open. My point was that the concept of academic freedom is an illusion. The state school serves the interests of the state, and the church school serves the interests of the church. There is also a big difference between teaching a concept as a theory and making a theory the keystone of your personal religion. My point was also that greater freedom exists at BYU to explore a variety of perspectives. The list of literary theories I taught iin my English 252 class is clear evidence of that, and I don't have any trouble talking about any of the concepts you suggested--they are all interesting alternative perspectives. I especially don't have any objections to Juanita Brooks. She is, after all, my great aunt (by marriage), and one of my colleagues in Honors 200 is using her book as a course text this semester. However, why would I, personally, want to advocate as true either on of those twin darlings of the apostates and disaffected--that Brigham Young ordered the MMM and that the Book of Mormon is anything less that what it claims to be? I don't think there is any place at BYu for someone who would make those claims; nor would the state school long tolerate the teacher who insisted on opening his class with prayer each day. As you said, "BYU and the State School both have their own orthodoxies," and neither is "open minded in its curricula." So, now, remind me: when was the last time the Book of Mormon (as either a literary or literal construct) was used as a course text at a state sponsored school? As Eric S indicated, in contrast to other institutions, BYU is a great place, and we can work on the problems. Fred Pinnegar GE and Honors, BYU - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002 22:56:31 -0700 From: "Nan McCulloch" Subject: [AML] SAMUELSEN,_Peculiarities_ Barbara Hume and I saw _Peculiarities_ on closing night and we were very = glad we didn't miss the opportunity. What a thoughtful piece. In fact = I can't stop thinking about it. I can think of few other cultures where = these kinds of situations would play out. The 8 characters in this play = have something in common. They are all lonely and they are all sexually = frustrated. So they all seek to satisfy these basic needs in different = ways. This becomes an exercise in rationalization about the letter of = the law, so that technically they won't sin and have to confess to their = bishops and others. Because these characters are all so self-absorbed, = they choose paths that are destined to leave them more lonely, empty, = unfulfilled and guilt-ridden. None of the characters seem to really = care about their partners. It seems to be a *what's in it for me* = exercise. All characters have some redeeming qualities, although you = have to really look hard to find out what they might be. My heart went = out to these people. They seemed so clueless. To me this is a sad = chronicle of the times. It would take another play to explain how we = got to this point. (I know this is only a cross-section of students, = not a blanket statement.) It is an end of innocence (but not an end of = naivet=E9). What happened to romance, to caring, to unselfishness? The = sexual frustration part has always been with us. We have all had to = deal with it, but I don't remember the hopelessness that I felt in this = play. Thank you, Eric, for being honest and for putting a face on these = tragic challenges facing our young people. I feel like the mother. I = want to understand and I want to make it all better, but I know that I = can't. This is a lonely journey each of us must take. Now I know why = my husband prays daily for the *youth of the church*. Heaven knows they = need our prayers. =20 Nan McCulloch - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002 22:28:38 -0800 From: "LauraMaery (Gold) Post" Subject: [AML] Re: Book of Mormon Movie Casting Call >CASTING SESSION ... >All actors must be ATTRACTIVE, in excellent physical >condition, ... Can we just write the review on this movie now and get it over with? I already hate it. - --lmg - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 12:10:11 +0000 From: "Andrew Hall" Subject: [AML] STEWART/JENSON, _Almost Perfect_ Desret News Sunday, October 27, 2002 "ALMOST PERFECT," written by Doug Stewart, with music by Merrill Jenson, will debut Nov. 1-9 in UVSC's Ragan Theatre. The school's theater department chair, James Arrington, is directing the new show. Unlike most of Stewart's scripts ("Saturday's Warrior," "A Day, a Night and a Day"), this is not a "Mormon musical." Arrington says the plot of "Almost Perfect" has no LDS characters. The story is set in 1941 in New York City, where con-man Jack Riley (Jeff McLean) is in the midst of his biggest con when he unexpectedly falls in love with Anna Caruso (Andrea Ingles). The production contains 20 new songs, written by Jenson, who is best-known for his film scores, ranging from Kieth Merrill's 1980 "Windwalker" to the LDS Church's big-screen "The Testaments" and "Legacy." The musical is being choreographed by Elaine Hansen. Performances will be 7:30 p.m., on Nov. 1, 2, 4, 7 and 9, with one matinee at 2 p.m. on Nov. 7. General admission ranges from $5-$9, with group rates available (863-8797). Copyright 2002 Deseret News Publishing Company _________________________________________________________________ Unlimited Internet access -- and 2 months free!=A0 Try MSN.=20 http://resourcecenter.msn.com/access/plans/2monthsfree.asp - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 12:13:13 +0000 From: "Andrew Hall" Subject: [AML] EVANS, _The Last Promise_ (DN) Deseret News Friday, October 25, 2002 Books: Leisure reading 'The Last Promise' By Richard Paul Evans Dutton, $22.95. Evans, a local ad executive who proved he was a master of self-promotion when his self-published book, "The Christmas Box" was picked up by a national publisher, has done it again. The subject of this one, set in the Tuscan countryside surrounding Evans' new home, is how to choose between the love of a child and romantic love. It focuses on Eliana, a talented artist who leaves America for Italy to marry her Italian suitor. But the marriage sours, and Eliana is left to herself to care for her young asthmatic son. When Ross Story, a handsome American, rents an apartment on the property, Eliana's marriage is thoroughly tested. She is drawn to the American, but she wants to be true to her marriage vows. Returning from a business trip, her Italian husband, Maurizio, discovers a partially finished portrait Eliana has been painting of Ross, causing the plot to thicken. The new locale provides Evans with new descriptive material to use, but his writing remains wooden and cliched. - Dennis Lythgoe Copyright 2002 Deseret News Publishing Company _________________________________________________________________ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 08:44:20 -0700 From: "Brown" Subject: Re: [AML] Book of Mormon Movie Casting Call > >All actors must be ATTRACTIVE, in excellent physical > >condition, with EXCEPTIONAL acting talent and ability. > >Please bring "head shots" if you have them. This is a > >non-union production. NO SAG ACTORS WILL BE ACCEPTED! We wondered about the definition of ATTRACTIVE. Marilyn Brown - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ End of aml-list-digest V1 #876 ******************************