Arrival

Last night I went to see the new sci-fi thriller Arrival and, upon reflection, I think it is absolutely brilliant.  The movie begins with flashbacks to a woman and the birth, life, and early death of her daughter.  We learn that this woman is Louise Banks (Amy Adams), an eminent professor of linguistics, and we learn that twelve unidentified flying objects have landed in various parts of the world (the depiction of the world's response to the alien invasion seemed more realistic to me than any other alien movie I've seen).  Banks is eventually recruited, along with a theoretical physicist (Jeremy Renner), by a military officer (Forest Whittaker, using a bizarre accent) to find a way to communicate with the beings inside the pod that landed in Montana.  The scenes in which they make first contact are incredibly intense, with just a hint of menace, and the unsettling atmospheric musical cues had me on the edge of my seat.  As Banks begins the slow process of learning the language of the Heptapods, as the aliens are known, she continues to have perplexing flashbacks to scenes with her daughter.  When the governments of China and Russia deem the aliens to be hostile, Banks learns why the aliens have come, what they want from Earth, and why.  It is an interesting premise but it involves a huge plot twist which still has me shaking my head.  I really enjoyed Adams' performance and the scenes where she interacts with the Heptapods are actually quite magical.  I also found the philosophical exploration of the complexities of language to be fascinating.  However, I am still trying to wrap my brain around the ending.  I am sure that I will be thinking about it and questions of time, predestination, language, and global cooperation for quite a while.  You should definitely go see Arrival because movies that make you think are always the best kind.

Brahms & Tchaikovsky

It has been a tumultuous week, to say the least.  With a surprising (and disappointing) result in the national election and a massive project with my student body officers (more about that later), by the end of the day on Friday I was physically and emotionally exhausted.  I decided that a performance of Tchaikovsky's amazing Piano Concerto No.1 by the Utah Symphony was just the thing to soothe my troubled soul.  Just like last week, I went to this concert expecting to love one of the pieces and ended up really enjoying the other pieces, as well.  The orchestra began with Symphony No. 3 (also known as The Camp Meeting) by Charles Ives.  It evokes memories of the composer's childhood spent in fields listening to preachers and singing hymns and includes snippets of nineteenth century hymns, war songs, and children's games.  I loved it, especially the chimes at the end which are meant to mimic church bells.  Next, the orchestra played Symphony No. 3 by Johannes Brahms.  To be honest, this piece seemed rather bland and my mind started wandering until I was completely blown away by the third movement.  I thought the recurring melody played by the strings was incredibly romantic and I also loved when this theme was played by the horn and then echoed by the clarinet.  All through the intermission I was eagerly anticipating Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 and I was thrilled to hear those instantly recognizable opening notes played by the brass!  It is an explosive burst of energy to begin an incredibly passionate piece!  Soloist Alexander Gavrylyuk played it brilliantly with such feeling and expression!  I absolutely loved watching his fingers fly up and down the keyboard!  He received an instantaneous standing ovation which prompted an encore featuring a rather theatrical version of Mendelssohn's Wedding March!  As I was leaving Abravanel Hall, two adorable little old ladies walking near me commented on what a wonderful evening it had been.  I wholeheartedly agree!  If you need a wonderful evening after a difficult week, go here for ticket's to tonight's performance of the same program.

Doctor Strange

I find Benedict Cumberbatch to be strangely appealing so when I heard that he had been cast in the title role of the forthcoming adaptation of Doctor Strange I couldn't wait to see it.  Ironically, I didn't have a chance to see it until last night but it was worth the wait.  Dr. Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch) is a gifted but arrogant neurosurgeon.  The nerves in his hands are damaged beyond repair after he is involved in a horrific car crash and, when Western medicine fails him, he turns to Eastern mysticism to heal himself.  He begins training with the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) and learns how to manipulate the astral plane.  He must eventually set aside his desire to heal himself in order to battle a former disciple, Keacillus (Mads Mikkelsen), who has stolen a forbidden ritual for immortality.  I loved this movie!  The special effects are incredible because manipulating the astral plane involves some trippy visuals but the story is also very compelling because it involves Dr. Strange's journey to self-discovery not just to power.  Cumberbatch is a brilliant actor and he is perfect as the thinking man's superhero (his portrayal reminded me a bit of Sherlock, which I love).  I also loved Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo, a disciple who becomes disillusioned with Strange's use of power as the movie progresses (stay for an end-of-credits scene setting him up as the villian in the next movie), and Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, Strange's colleague and former lover.  I think this movie is thoroughly entertaining and those who are experiencing superhero fatigue may find this entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to be refreshingly different.  I highly recommend it!

Note:  This movie is quite funny and two scenes made me laugh out loud.  The first is when Mordo shows Strange to his quarters at Kamar-Taj and hands him a slip of paper.  Strange asks if it is his mantra and Mordo says it is the wi-fi password.  The second is when Strange refers to Wong (Benedict Wong) as Beyonce because he only has one name and then we hear Wong listening to "Single Ladies."

State Champions

My niece Tashena has been on the Bountiful High School volleyball team this year.  She has played on the sophomore team and they had an undefeated season, dominating every opponent.  The varsity team had an amazing season as well and this weekend they made made a run for the state championship at Utah Valley University.  Throughout the tournament they defeated every opponent in three straight sets to make it to the championship game against Corner Canyon on Saturday night and my family was there for this game.  Tashena didn't get to play but she was introduced on the court with the team and it was so exciting.  The Braves came out strong and easily defeated the Chargers in the first two sets but the Chargers refused to go down without a fight and gave them some competition in the third set.  They had a sizable lead until the Braves powered through to tie it up.  It was really exciting to watch as the score went back and forth (I no longer have any fingernails) and just when it seemed that Bountiful had the win with 24 points, Corner Canyon scored twice to bring the score to 24-22.  I was a little bit tense at that point but an amazing block by Bountiful won the set to give them the 4A state championship!  It was so much fun to watch the team celebrate and I love that Tashena got to be a part of it!  Great job Braves!

Go here to read about the game in the Deseret News.

Dvorak's New World Symphony

I spent a lovely evening at Abravanel Hall last night listening to the Utah Symphony.  I selected this particular concert for Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 because I really love it but, as is often the case, I also enjoyed the other selections on the program immensely.  The orchestra began with Haydn's Symphony No. 9 and I thought it was incredibly beautiful and stirring.  I especially loved the theme played by the solo oboe and I also loved the theme played by a solo violin and solo cello.  Next the orchestra played Symphony No. 1 by Charles Ives.  I was particularly struck by the opening notes, which were almost unobtrusive.  I found this piece to be very moving and there were several times when I closed my eyes and let the music wash over me.  After the intermission the orchestra played Dvorak's New World Symphony (as it is known).  There are a handful of pieces that I recognize by name and always try to see when performed (Mozart's Requiem, Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky,  Symphonie fantastique by Berlioz, and Bolero by Ravel, to name a few) and this is near the top of that list.  I have been looking forward to this performance for weeks and I was not disappointed.  There are many things that I love about this piece, but the themes played and then echoed between the various sections of the orchestra are so dramatic!  It was performed brilliantly with an enthusiastic standing ovation at its conclusion.  The same concert will be performed tonight (tickets may be purchased here) and I recommend it highly!

Note:  I have always been a fan of Thierry Fischer (especially after I saw him at a Jazz game with his two sons).  Last night I sat a little closer to the stage than I usually do and it was fun to watch him in action!