Little Miracles - Proof We Really Are Our Father's Children

This post has nothing to do with movies and everything to do with REAL life. (I did warn you this might happen.)

Yesterday I was once again - and many times over - reminded that we are children of a Heavenly Father. He loves us in a similar, yet even better way, than our parents. Not only loves us, but knows us intimately, and He works in ways to help us in every aspect of our lives.

I was taught how true are President Spencer W. Kimball's words that, “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs." Sometimes that person walks here on earth - our coworker, our neighbor, our friend. Sometimes that person is the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God that touches us so subtly that we consider the thoughts that come from Him as our own.

Let me `splain...

I recently got a new job. With new hires, they usually restrict time off, so I was really nervous at the prospect of telling them I need to take off two weeks. With the demands and restrictions of my job, when was I to find time to speak with my supervisors? I’d have to find someone to cover me just to tell them I need someone to cover me! Then out of nowhere, my boss came up to ask if I needed any time off. "Actually... I do!" Coincidence? Well, since I’m not known to project my thoughts into others’ heads, I think not. Shortly after, my new work friend came up to see if I needed a break. “In fact, yes I do! Then I can talk to my other supervisors.” It was amazing.

That evening at home, I decided on a whim that I was going to finish installing that new food storage rotation system. It’s just a simple little one I can fit in our closet pantry. No big deal. But wait. Why is the carpet wet here? Oh. Well. It just so happens one container was recently punctured and we’d lost 2/3rds of a gallon of water. Into the now-soaked-through carpet. Had I not been inspired to retreat to the pantry, we wouldn’t have discovered that little gem until the carpet was moldy and smelly and needed replacing (which we certainly can't afford to do!).

Even later that night, our friend dropped by and asked to take an exam online. He has a computer at his own home, but decided to do it our place. He and I are in the same class, and I NEVER would’ve remembered that I had an assignment due in that class by the end of the night! If he hadn’t taken his test at our house, I would’ve gone to bed, not submitted an assignment, and probably failed the class. But he didn’t. And so I didn’t. (At least not by missing an assignment!)

Sure, these things seem small, but that’s the beauty of it. God knows that, to me, these things are important. And He knows enough and cares enough about me to help me with them as needed. I guarantee that on your worst days, if you look for it, you’ll see that He knows and loves you just as much. He will help us as much as we allow.

"...I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day." - Alma 38:5

Going the Way of the Dodo

Like its more widely known predecessors (CleanFlicks and CleanFilms), today CleanPlayDVDs.com is closing its virtual doors. I don’t know if it’s because the Hollywood bullies are threatening to defend their “art” again, or if the owners are just tired of peddling their edited wares.

I’m guessing the latter, since most people have never even heard of CleanPlayDVDs.com. Personally, of all the companies that have sold edited films, they are my least favorite. Their website is terribly user-unfriendly, the prices are ridiculously high (though perhaps more reasonable today), and they only offer one expensive shipping option.

Even after all the trouble, it takes a long time to be processed and ship to you; and when you do receive your dvd, it’s not in a proper movie case as Clean Flicks’ were, but in a little white paper sleeve.

Oh well. It’s what we have to put up with to NOT put up with filth. It’s what we have to pay from our pocket to NOT pay from our soul. And it’s only something we have through midnight tonight.

Two Weeks Notice

*imdb.com

This film pairs two of today’s best romantic comedy stars – Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant. I don’t know what it is about Hugh Grant. I personally don’t think he’s that attractive, but he’s so dang charming you can’t help but love him! Like many of his other films, in this one he plays a rich spoiled irresponsible 30-something, this time a big businessman. Sandra Bullock, the quintessential girl-next-door, plays a down-to-earth, tree-hugging, underdog lawyer who somehow ends up working for her arch nemesis.

As with most romantic comedies, the plot gets pretty predictable, especially near the end. But it doesn’t matter because it’s a story we all like to see. On the whole, I remember really enjoying this film. I thought it was very cute, and very funny. The two main leads are so good at comedy! And it’s got some great music by Michael Buble and Nora Jones.

However - as usual - Hollywood can’t resist putting in a few suggestive lines and situations, particularly one scene that shows a girl in her underwear. I hate that part! It always makes me feel so awkward. I mean, wouldn’t it be just as effective for her to catch them just kissing or something? Skip that scene and you’ve got a pretty decent movie. I don’t remember too much profanity, though I’m sure it’s in there.

Overall, this is a cute “rom-com” with great stars. Just don’t let your kids watch it, or you might have some `splaining to do.

The Proposal

*imdb.com

The other day my sister-in-law requested I review a few romantic comedies she was thinking of adding to her collection. This particular movie falls under the classic “It’s great! …except for that one part” category. Which is a shame. Because it really is great… except for that one part. (Ok, maybe even a few parts...)

The Proposal stars Sandra Bullock – one of my personal favorites! – and Ryan Reynolds. She plays Margaret, a no-nonsense, needs nothing, not a nice person boss to Andrew, a funny, easy-going, loves his family kind of guy. It’s like a “Two Weeks Notice” role-reversal, only without the granola Save-the-World overtones.

Suddenly, she finds herself on the verge of being deported to Canada, so she cons him into marrying her so she can stay in the U.S. As ridiculous as the plot sounds (and is), this movie is hilarious! Reynolds and Bullock have great chemistry and great comedic timing; it helps that the script is full of witty one-liners, and has a great supporting cast, too. It really is one of the funniest romantic comedies I’ve seen in a long time!

BUT!

Unfortunately, Hollywood writers feel that quick wit and talent isn’t enough. Naturally, the two main leads are forced to share a room – mistakenly, no one thinks people can be morally clean before marriage – and if that’s not enough, they end up naked at the same time (for whatever reasons they invented). The bare backsides and close-to-full-monty’s are completely gratuitous. This, and the scene where she’s taken to a club for her bachelorette party totally ruined the film for me! Actually, that one was almost worse! Though it’s intended to be awkwardly funny, it’s more take-me-to-my-happy-place uncomfortable. I closed my eyes through this one, and have tried really hard to disassociate the song they played from the scene they played it in.

So, as much as I loved this film, I can only recommend it if viewed on a Clearplay or purchased through CleanPlayDVDs.com. Hurry on that last one though - it looks like they'll be shut down on the Ides of March... "Beware the Ides!"

Redbox Killed the Video Store

I’ve decided that I don’t like redbox (or Netflix, etc.). It’s like the video that killed the radio star. All those forlorn looking buildings with jagged mountains or blue ticket stubs being the only remnants of former video stores… It’s all so… so depressing.

And on a Friday night, when the sudden craving to watch, oh, I don’t know… “Multiplicity” or something like that hits you, how do you satisfy it? There’s no redbox in town that holds movies that old. Naturally, Netflix isn’t ‘instant streaming’ it either, and who wants to wait three days or more? By the time it arrives in the post the craving has passed and you’re wishing you put “Step Up” in your que instead.

Makes me glad I live in a town small enough to still have a little local video store!

Am I the only one that feels this way?