From: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com (aml-list-digest) To: aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: aml-list-digest V1 #567 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 Wednesday, January 9 2002 Volume 01 : Number 567 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2002 21:08:28 -0800 From: jltyner@postoffice.pacbell.net Subject: Re:[AML] Harry Potter and Christians It seems I may have jumped to conclusions thinking Tracie was directing her comments at my remarks when she was referring to another list. So I owe her an apology. I was just being thin-skinned when I thought I was being accused of broad brushing when I went out of my way not to. I was driving by the local Christian church where one of my brothers got married today and saw something interesting on the marquee. It read: "Harry Potter and Your Child, Part 1". The controversy goes on. Kathy Tyner, Orange County, CA - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2002 22:24:30 -0700 From: Thom Duncan Subject: Re: [AML] De-Christianizing of C.S. Lewis? Jacob Proffitt wrote: > ---Original Message From: Scott > >>> detested Mormons. What's the source of that? I"d like to know, >>> because if it's true it has to be one of the biggest cosmic >> >> jokes out >> >>> there! >> > > The quote I remember (whose reference I have long forgotten) is that > C.S. Lewis disliked Mormons particularly because we are so anti-vice. > C.S. Lewis claimed that all men needed a "mellowing" vice. He had no > patience with teetotalers and we are some of the greater teetotalers > there are. Which is why we have other vices. I remember when Johnny Miller the golfer was interviewed by Johnny Carson. When asked why he had so many kids, Miller said, "We Mormons can't drink or smoke. We need some vices, after all." Thom - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2002 22:29:41 -0700 From: Thom Duncan Subject: Re: [AML] Fw: MN New Boy Band Has What It Takes, Plus Faith: Deseret Book Press Release 29Dec01 US UT SLC A2 Debra Brown wrote: > New Boy Band Has What It Takes, Plus Faith > > SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- The phenomenal group known as Jericho Road > has audiences screaming for more. Abe Mills, Bret Bryce, Dave > Kimball, and Justin Smith make up Jericho Road and have burst into > the music world as a new boy band with a twist -- the twist being a > Christian message mixed in with teen idol good looks, great smiles, > and smooth vocal harmonies. They come from different locations across > the United States, but all four have one set of Christian values. I wish the members of Jericho Road all the best but I can't shake the feeling that they are selling themselves short by being labeled as a "Christian" band. Like D. Mike, I think Mormonism (the religion, not the culture) is vibrant, intellectually exciting, and inspirational. As a convert from "Christianity," I find my former faith banal, bland, and boring. We could make religious music, art, theatre, and movies so much more exciting than any non-Mormon Christian could ever do so. We shouldn't settle for less. Kudos to guys like Richard Dutcher who is taking the road less traveled, making a mark in cinematic history that is distinctively ours. Thom Duncan - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 00:30:34 -0500 From: "Debra Brown" Subject: [AML] Fw: MN Bestselling Author of Christian Fiction Does It Again: Deseret Book Press Release 5Jan02 US UT SLC A2 Bestselling Author of Christian Fiction Does It Again SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- Gerald Lund takes the crown for his contribution to Christian fiction, which is the number one selling category in the Christian book world, according to Publishers Weekly. Lund, who became a bestselling author with his series "The Work and the Glory," a nine-volume epic chronicallying the historical trek of the Mormon pioneers, has doen it again with "The Kingdom and the Crown. In his new series, Lund celebrates the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Lund, who was able to masterfully capture the minds of his readers with his interpretation of the pioneers crossing the plain in "The Work and the Glory" series, is now doing the same thing with the life of Jesus. He follows the fictional family of David ben Joseph through the streets of Jerusalem and the plains of Galilee as they learn of Jesus and accept him as the Messiah. "The Kingdom and the Crown" series currently includes "Fishers of Men" and "Come unto Me" with a third book scheduled for next fall and more to come. "Fishers of Men" has sold over 160,000 copies to date and "Come unto Me" is projected to sell more than 100,000 copies in its first three months. Melanie Stone, a book reviewer from California, said, "I finished this book in two days. It was the most captivating book about Jesus and his ministry that I have ever read. The author has obviously taken great efforts to research his material to ensure the reader understands the subject. I wept through the entire book right to the end." A recent study, conducted by Publishers Weekly and Parable, a Christian book marketing group, revealed that the highest percentage of books sold in the Christian book market were fiction. The study also revealed that 73 percent of the people surveyed listed the leading motivational factor for buying a book as prior experience with the author. Is it any surprise then that Gerald N. Lund has found such remarkable success in the religious fiction market? Lund is the author of nineteen books and has won several honors, including twice winning the Independent Booksellers' "Book of the Year" award. Historical Novels Review said, "Lund beautifully displays that one's profession, religion or culture should not be a barrier preventing one from being the friend ... of Jesus. Lund's writing should be pleasing, as it will introduce, without preaching, the culture, times, and lessons of Jesus the teacher to new readers -- or renew the strength of them." # # # Source: Bestselling Author of Christian Fiction Does It Again Deseret Book Press Release 5Jan02 A2 >From Mormon-News: Mormon News and Events Forwarding is permitted as long as this footer is included Mormon News items may not be posted to the World Wide Web sites without permission. Please link to our pages instead. For more information see http://www.MormonsToday.com/ - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 08 Jan 2002 06:59:45 -0800 From: jltyner@postoffice.pacbell.net Subject: Re:[AML] Annual Movie Tabulation BEST OF THE YEAR I have no idea GLAD I SAW Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of The Ring Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone The Princess Diaries Monsters Inc. Shrek (We go to movies as a family lately, looking forward to more date night movies.) AMBIVALENT Pearl Harbor (Too long, but made me cry-my dad served in the Pacific in WWII and his best friend is a Pearl Harbor survivor.) GOOD MINDLESS FUN The Mummy Returns See Spot Run MADE TO SEE AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGMENT Josie and The Pussycats Dr. Dolittle 2 REFUSED TO WASTE MY MONEY ON Moulin Rouge Planet of the Apes Vanilla Sky Jurassic Park III COULDN'T PAY ME TO SEE Glitter Corky Romano GOING TO SEE A Beautiful Mind Kate and Leopold CAN WAIT UNTIL VIDEO Oceans Eleven Plus a whole lot more... Kathy Tyner, Orange County, CA - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 08 Jan 2002 07:05:46 -0800 From: jltyner@postoffice.pacbell.net Subject: Re:[AML] Annual Movie Tabulation Whoops! I forgot to include Brigham City in THE GLAD I SAW category. Shame on me. Kathy Tyner, Orange County, CA - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 08:29:34 -0700 From: "K.D. Enos" Subject: Re: [AML] Life in Mormon Culture I was raised Lutheran (and attended alot of different Christian churchs) but I desided to stop going to church altogether when I was 12 or 13 because I had questions that no one could answer. Their answers simply didn't make any sence. Any way, when I was 16 I finally took the discussions and was very surprised to find all the answers to my questions. Needless to say I go to church now. (It should be noted that I was born under the covenant and that my father has remained active in the church even after the divorce. I went to live with him when I was 15 and he was more then pleased when I desided to join the church.) Kathy, I think you're right, kids raised in the church don't realize what they've got. Konnie Enos - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 08:57:54 -0700 From: "Brown" Subject: Re: [AML] Mormon Culture This looks like a call to action--a clarion trumpet sounding out and about like the voice of an angel! (And I think Marvin has been one once or twice?) All right! Here is a challenge! Are we willing to take up Marvin Payne's gauntlet that he has just thrust into the ring? (I know, I keep mixing metaphors and cliches!) I think the recent movies are proof that it can be done! In fact, I feel a surge of new excitement about including the actual true-to-life spiritual experiences (like VIRTUAL REALITY) in our art. Can we unblushingly make the Mormon experience as alive as it really is? Hoorah and cheers. Marilyn Brown - ----- Original Message ----- > Of course Mormonism is not boring. It is the most exciting adventure > imaginable. But it is perceived by children as boring. Chronically. And they > leave the church in heartbreaking numbers. Chris' story of coming back is the > story of an exception to the pattern. We can write. The Lord has given us > tools--weapons, if you will. What are we going to do about this migration > from light? > > Marvin Payne - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 09:20:10 -0700 From: "Brown" Subject: Re: [AML] Life in Mormon Culture This is SUCH A GOOD post. It epitomizes the kinds of experiences our culture is ripe with--and I love to see these kinds of stories told in artistic ways. One could say, "Oh, it's boring about a member of the church who stays committed and does well," but no--a novel about this woman and the bishop's wife who died, and her two boys? Dramatic! And the conflicts of some of the people--the "nasty little creeps" she talks about! Wow. And the death of the little child? I can see all kinds of powerful stories in here, and the outcome with the children who know that their lives in the Church have saved them immeasurable anguish--all of these stories are exceptional! Wow! Thank you for sharing this with us, Kathy. Marilyn Brown - ----- Original Message ----- > As I have reread and contemplated what Chris and D. Michael have said > in their obviously heartfelt posts about their experience and life in > Mormon Culture I keep coming back to what I often think about those > born into the Church, you folks don't know what you've got. > [rest of post snipped] > > Kathy Tyner, Orange County, CA - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2002 10:56:29 -0700 From: "Steve" Subject: Re: [AML] Fw: MN New Boy Band; _The Great Gatsby_ on 1/7/02 4:27 PM, Ed Snow at edgarsnow@yahoo.com wrote: > 1. Steve Perry notes that he doesn't get Gatsby. I don't either, but it's > written very well--the style of the book is a wonder. For that reason I > like it. Ed, Would you put in a line or two about style specifics? Steve - -- skperry@mac.com http://stevenkappperry.com - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 13:19:19 -0500 From: "Debra Brown" Subject: [AML] Fw: MN Internet: Business Websites Abound: Kent Larsen 7Jan02 US NY NYC I4 Business Websites Abound NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- The number of business websites oriented to LDS Church members and selling a wide variety of products and services continues to grow rapidly. The sites below sell everything from clothing and ctr rings to music, art and homeschooling resources. And surprisingly, many of the sites are very attractive and fairly well designed. The best of the group are the dating websites, LDSplanet and Saints2Saints, and the most disappointing is LDSArt.com LDS dating services themselves have exploded, with more than a dozen available providing very similar services. Saints2Saints tries to break out of this mold by not only offering unique features, but also by offering free websites to organizations and links to a variety of LDS resources. Of the websites reviewed this week, LDSArt.com is probably the most disappointing, mainly for its incompatibility. While the site, when you can see it, is very attractive, and fairly well organized, it crashed my version of Netscape repeatedly, yet doesn't indicate anywhere on the site that it requires anything different. And when it did display, there were sometimes problems with scrolling and with seeing the entire page. Newly Listed Mormon Websites: Celestial Creations http://www.ldscreations.com/ Florida-based LDS clothing and accessories manufacturer. Sells wedding dresses, temple clothing and accessories, LDS theme neckware and LDS theme accessories. Site features e-commerce ordering. CTRRing.com http://www.ctrring.com/ CTR Ring-only online store using the 1on1.net store engine. While includes e-commerce ordering, the site is difficult to navigate. Includes many designs and related products. Emerald Bay Records http://www.emeraldbayrecords.com/ Nascent record label which is apparently looking for artists. Includes information on recording contracts, suggesting that mainstream labels don't support musicians as they should. Latter-day Family Resources http://www.ldfr.com/ Extensive site featuring crafts and products for LDS Homeschoolers. In addition to the store's catalog, site includes discussion boards, a curriculum guide and articles on homeschooling topics. LDS Art Online Art Gallery http://www.ldsart.com/ Attractive site for the Repartee Art Gallery featuring the work of 24 LDS painters. Heavily marred by its incompatibility with Netscape Navigator. LDSplanet http://www.ldsplanet.com/ Nicely-designed LDS dating service website that includes event listings, video and audio greetings, picture personals, eCards and "whispering." MissionaryMall.com http://www.missionarymall.com/ All-in-one site for missionary goods and services. Includes clothing, accessories, and services presented in a nicely-designed but bare-bones website. Notable Personal History & Journal Software http://www.startmyjournal.com/ Nicely designed website for journal software, including an LDS edition. Includes reviews, on-line ordering (including ability to download the software), FAQs and technical support. Saints2Saints http://www.saints2saints.com/ More than another dating site, Saints2Saints tries to help individuals and groups connect with each other. Includes links to LDS resources, personal websites for singles, free organization websites, Calendars, tours, workshops, and newsletters. Threads of Joy http://www.threadsofjoy.org/ Manufacturer of handmade children's clothing. Allows electronic ordering. >From Mormon-News: Mormon News and Events Forwarding is permitted as long as this footer is included Mormon News items may not be posted to the World Wide Web sites without permission. Please link to our pages instead. For more information see http://www.MormonsToday.com/ - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 08 Jan 2002 12:07:21 -0600 From: Major Productions Subject: [AML] TOLKIEN, _The Lord of the Rings_ Maybe you all are tired--or BORED--of the RINGS by now, but I just finished rereading the trilogy this morning for the first time since high school. (More years than I care to count...) I remember that I read it with passion back then, and more than once, but I have to confess that when I started it this time around (shortly after seeing the movie) I found it hard going. Still, I plugged along like the old gray mare I have so closely come to resemble. About halfway through THE RETURN OF THE KING, I couldn't put it down. I read as I walked my daily laps. I read in the bathroom. I read before Church on Sunday and as soon as I could get my kids off to school this morning. (I should have been working...) I know Tolkien says flat out that he loathes "allegory"--but I couldn't help but think of the prophet Joseph Smith at the end of THE RETURN OF THE KING. And when Sam is so sad at the thought that Frodo will not be staying in the Shire to enjoy the fruits of all his sacrifice, and Frodo says, "I have been too deeply hurt, Sam. I tried to save the Shire, and it has been saved, but not for me. It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: some one has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them."--well, that got to me and I surprised the heck out of myself by crying. The passing of the Elves into the West, accompanied by the Three, is on one hand so sad that cry babies like me can't help but head for the Kleenex. But on the other hand, it's like an LDS perspective of death--In mortality, we are Sam, blessed by mortal rewards for worthy labors performed, but heart-broken because our dearest companion is gone away from us. But in eternity, we are Frodo, healed of hurts, relieved of burdens, and surrounded by many who love us and understand all we've been through. I had a friend ask me the other day why Tolkien was so highly regarded as the first true writer of fantasy. Epic fantasy, maybe. I was halfway through THE TWO TOWERS then, and I kind of thought out loud and came up with a less-than-satisfying answer. But maybe it's because, with all he wrote, and with all we bring with us when we read him, he speaks to that part in us that remembers a King, and looks forward to His return. Great literature does that kind of thing. And, with apologies to Douglas Thayer, who said in a creative writing class at BYU many many moons ago that there was nothing great about Tolkien's trilogy, I think THE LORD OF THE RINGS is great. (Completely subjective, of course!) And, while I knew there would be many who either loved or hated the first movie, I am of the "loved it" camp--and doff my Elvish helm to the filmmakers, who captured how I felt--and still feel, after all these years--about the story. Robbin Major (list lurker....) - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 11:49:04 -0700 From: Christopher Bigelow Subject: [AML] Brian Evenson Reading Feb. 13 Brian Evenson will be doing a reading at noon on February 13 in room BU 121 at UVSC in Orem, Utah. For more info, contact Lee Ann Mortensen at mortenle@uvsc.edu or 801-222-8785. Chris Bigelow - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 12:29:08 -0700 From: katie@aros.net Subject: Re: [AML] Joann JOLLEY, _Secrets of the Heart_ (Review) Andrew Hall wrote: > I wonder if I wasn't a little hard on the book. It wasn't a bad book, I'm > sure the author meant well, it was her first novel (as far as I can tell), > and it took on some tough themes. More than anything the style of writing > put me off. But Barbara Hume gave it a very positive review a few years > ago. Another indication that there is not only one true way to write upon > the face of the earth. > I read half of this book a few years ago. I remember mostly wanting to slap the alleged protagonist upside the head for paying so little attention to her kids and spending so much time with work. It made it difficult for me to care about her at all. By the time I got about halfway through, though, the protagonist seemed to mellow a little and I finally noticed that many things about the book were actually handled pretty well. But then the library wanted it back, and I returned it planning to get it again sometime and finish it. That was a few years ago. Maybe someday I'll get around to checking it out again. - --Katie Parker Salt Lake City, UT - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 12:38:11 -0700 From: "Nan McCulloch" Subject: Re: [AML] Fw: MN Film: Mulholland Drive's LDS Connection,The Other Side of Heaven Starts Strong: Mor Reed Smoot's grandmother was my Aunt Anita Smoot. I used to spend time at the old Smoot home when I was a student at BYU in the 50's. What a great lady she was and what a good cook. Small world. Good memories. Nan McCulloch - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 15:17:13 -0500 From: "Debra Brown" Subject: [AML] Fw: MN Covenant Launches Newly-Designed Website: Covenant Communications Press Release 7Jan02 US UT Prov I4 Covenant Launches Newly-Designed Website AMERICAN FORK, UTAH -- Independent LDS publisher, Covenant Communications, recently launched its newly designed website, http://www.covenant-lds.com to better meet the changing needs of its customers. Visitors to the website will immediately notice the new look of the site. "The visual look of the website is more aesthetically pleasing," said Gary Christensen, Multi Media Specialist at Covenant Communications. "The redesigned look is only the beginning, however, the site is filled with a wealth of new information and a greater usability overall." The exciting features that can be found on http://www.covenant-lds.com include increased software support, an expanded catalog, greater information for potential authors on manuscript submission, and news releases and stories about new products. "The News section allows us to see the public impact our publications are having," said Christensen. "It also allows bookstores to know what information the public is receiving about the products and to better meet the needs of their customers." Christensen said there will be many exciting additions to the website in the future as Covenant seeks to anticipate and meet the changing and growing needs of customers, authors, and bookstore owners. Founded in 1958, Covenant Communications publishes more than 100 book, audio, and software titles annually, and is the largest independent publisher in the LDS market. ### Source: Covenant Launches Newly-Designed Website Covenant Communications Press Release 7Jan02 I4 >From Mormon-News: Mormon News and Events Forwarding is permitted as long as this footer is included Mormon News items may not be posted to the World Wide Web sites without permission. Please link to our pages instead. For more information see http://www.MormonsToday.com/ - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 13:08:36 -0700 From: "Nan McCulloch" Subject: Re: [AML] Must-Read Lists I agree that the translation is critical. I have the complete works of Tolstoi. The copyright is 1899. What a treasure. I love everything he wrote. Alexander Pushkin, Russia's greatest poet was probably the direct cause of Tolstoi's writing _Anna Karenina_. After reading his work Tolstoi said, "Here is something charming! This is the way to write! Pushkin goes to the heart of the matter." I agree that Tolstoi loves and respects his characters, as do I. Nan McCulloch - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 13:40:45 -0700 From: "Annette Lyon" Subject: Re: [AML] Conversion of C.S. Lewis I have heard over and over about Tolkien's influence on Lewis's conversion to Christianity, but I saw no evidence of it in Lewis's own account of his conversion, _Suprised by Joy_. I know they were dear friends and had a lot of influence on each other, but to my recollection, SBJ didn't mention Tolkein at all. Did I miss something? Or does anyone know how Lewis's expression of his conversion and his friendship with Tolkien go together? Annette Lyon [MOD: I'll save a post and put in my own reply (as succinct as I can make it) here. The clearest account with which I'm familiar appears in Humphrey Carpenter's biography, _Tolkien_, on pp. 162-165 of the paperback version. In particular, a conversation is cited between Tolkien, Lewis, and their mutual friend Hugo Dyson, on September 19, 1931. Lewis by then "had come to accept a simple faith in God" but "could not yet understand the function of Christ in Christianity." Tolkien and Dyson argued for a parallel between Christ and sacrifice-myths like that of Balder, which Lewis loved--arguing essentially that the story of Christ was a myth, but a *true* one. Carpenter's account is based on a poem written by Tolkien about their conversation; Lewis also referred to the conversation in a letter to a friend 12 days later, in which he said, "I have just passed on from believing in God to definitely believing in Christ--in Christianity... My long night talk with Dyson and Tolkien had a great deal to do with it."] - ---------------------------------------------------- Sign Up for NetZero Platinum Today Only $9.95 per month! http://my.netzero.net/s/signup?r=platinum&refcd=PT97 - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 08 Jan 2002 20:19:11 -0600 From: "Kumiko" Subject: [AML] Orson Scott CARD, _Shadow of the Hegemon_ (Review) Author: Orson Scott Card >Title: Shadow of the Hegemon Publisher: Tor Date of publication: 2001 Hardcover Number of pages: 365 pages (including 6 page Afterword) ISBN: 0-312-87651-3 Cost in US dollars: $25.95 Reviewed by Preston Hunter, www.adherents.com By way of full disclosure, I've read eleven of Orson Scott Card's novels, including all books in the "Ender" series. Eleven books accounts for about one-third of the novels he has written, which I suppose marks me as a definite fan, but not one fanatical enough to have read _everything_ yet. Not only have I enjoyed the other books in the "Ender" series immensely, these books have truly _changed_ me in identifiable, positive ways. My first reading of _Ender's Game_ as a young person had an indelible effect on me, and a recent re-reading of it moved me in different, but equally powerful ways. _Speaker for the Dead; Xenocide_ and _Children of the Mind_ are very different from _Ender's Game_, but also very wonderful. I loved _Ender's Shadow_ and felt emotionally caught up in Bean's story. So, when I say that I liked _Shadow of the Hegemon_ the least of the six (so far) books in this series, I'm not saying it's a bad book. It's an excellent novel, and I think nothing less of Card for having written it. I enjoyed reading it, could hardly put it down except for the demands of work, family, etc. But it just didn't have that much impact on me. Most people reading this _already_ know what happened in _Ender's Game_ and _Ender's Shadow_. If you don't, I strongly suggest you read those two books before reading _Shadow of the Hegemon._ You can enjoy this novel on it's own, but your experience will be greatly enhanced having read the background events in those books. Actually, just reading _Ender's Shadow_ is probably enough, because it tells the story of Bean, who is the main character in _Hegemon_, but I don't think _anyone_ should miss out on reading _Ender's Game_. (_Speaker for the Dead; Xenocide_ and _Children of the Mind_ are completely unrelated to the events in _Shadow of the Hegemon._) _Ender's Game_ and _Ender's Shadow_, the two parallel books that take place immediately before _Shadow of the Hegemon_, tell of a not-so-distant future in which insect-like aliens have already attacked Earth twice. Each time they were narrowly deflected by Earth defenses. Seventy years after the first attack, Earth has acquired starship technology from the defeated alien ships which it hopes will allow them to survive an expected third attack by the alien race. To fly Earth's fighters and lead battles, the International Fleet (I.F.) recruits and trains children from around the world who exhibit the brightest intellects and greatest potential for military leadership. _Ender's Game_ and _Ender's Shadow_ detail the childhood and Battle School training of Ender and Bean (Ender's right-hand man) and end at the end of the war with the aliens. With the end of the alien threat, the nations of the Earth return immediately to the conflicts they had been engaged in before being united by a common enemy. Ender has left Earth permanently, becoming a colonist on a planet previously inhabited by the aliens. The other Battle School graduates who led Earth's forces to victory return to Earth immensely popular because of their role in saving humanity. They are still only young teenagers, yet they are the greatest, best-trained military minds on the planet. And in the opening chapters of _Shadow of the Hegemon_, they find themselves kidnapped to be used as pawns by nations in an sophisticated campaign of international conquest. Among the kidnapped Battle Schoolers is Petra Arkanian, an Armenian tomboy who was the first older student that befriended Ender and recognized his innate skill for military tactics. Petra is one of the main characters in the novel, second in importance only to Bean, her former classmate. Bean was the only student from Ender's final command staff who was _not_ kidnapped. This is because the one responsible for the kidnappings is Achilles, Bean's nemesis from before he went to Battle School. Achilles' hatred for Bean prompted him to bomb the home where Bean and his family were staying rather than trying to kidnap him, and Bean narrowly escaped these assassination attempts. The novel follows Bean as he attempts to stay alive despite Achilles' attempts to kill him, while at the same time trying to rescue his friends from being held captive and forced to develop battle strategies for Achilles. Bean enlists the help of Peter Wiggin, who is Ender's older brother and, unknown to all but Bean and a few highly placed I.F. leaders, Locke, the highly-respected political commentator whose columns are widely read on the worldwide Net. Peter, as Locke, has carved out enormous influence on the world scene, and now desires to become the Hegemon, an office roughly analogous to head of the United Nations. But Peter wants to imbue the office with real power and use it to unite the world permanently and reshape it as he desires. With Peter's assistance, Bean is granted a highly placed position in the Thai military, and from there he attempts to prevent Achilles from taking over the world by manipulating various countries (including India, Pakistan, and China) into waging war against each other. _Shadow of the Hegemon_ is a masterpiece of military and political strategy. The strategic, political and psychological maneuvering displayed by the book's main characters Bean, Peter, Achilles and Petra are breathtakingly ingenious. But the characters, ideas and other emotionally potent content that made the other books so unforgettable get short shrift here. I found myself impressed by the intellect of the author and his characters, but I didn't really connect with them. After all the strategy, what time was left over for the characters was split between fairly evenly between three different characters (Bean, Achilles, and Petra), with considerable attention given to Peter, Sister Carlotta and Suriyawong as well. So, while main characters such as Ender and Bean (or Wang Mu) were no less brilliant in the other novels, it was easier to care about them and relate to them because the novels stayed closer to their stories and revealed more of what made them tick. I believe there will be many people for whom _Shadow of the Hegemon_ is a favorite in the series. These are people who are enthusiastic fans of military/political fiction. There are probably many people who will like this volume better than the heavily philosophical _Xenocide_ and _Children of the Mind_. So I may not be the "perfect reader" for _Hegemon_: I have nothing against military and political strategy as literary subjects, but nor do I have a particular interest in these topics. Although I found it less compelling than its predecessors, _Shadow of the Hegemon_ was nevertheless full of highlights for me. Bean's character experienced relatively little development, but Petra really came alive. Hers was the best-written character in the novel, full of believable complexity as she faced the novel's most mentally and psychologically demanding situations. Petra's scene with an ill-fated Russian psychologist, in which she gains the upper hand by dismantling his profession is particularly enjoyable. This is a worthy addition to science fiction's long tradition of dismissing Freudianism and related pseudo-sciences. (Calling him a witch doctor is one of Petra's many delightful observations.) The scene in which Achilles and Petra face off against each other in a depressurized airplane was thrilling and cinematic, and was one of the most memorable individual scenes I've read in a Card novel. _Hegemon_ is also notable for its extended use of Thai characters and Thailand as a setting. Having lived in Thailand, I thought Card's portrayal of this land and its people was very accurate and always interesting. I would love to see Card return to this distinctive culture, perhaps in a historical novel or alternative history. Finally, one of my favorite aspects of this novel was the brief but illuminating scenes with Ender's parents, particularly his mother. The ethnic/religious background of this character is only mentioned in passing in other books in the series. But this woman's strength and beliefs are very apparent here during her conversation with Bean. _Shadow of the Hegemon_ clears up many questions lingering from previous books, such as the nature of the repression experienced by Ender's family, and how two apparently witless parents could have been the parents of three genius children. (Hint: The parents of Ender, Peter, and Valentine aren't as witless as their children may have thought.) One thing you can definitely say about _Shadow of the Hegemon_, it's very different from the other books in the series, and very different from anything Card has written before. This book is an all-out, Earth-bound military-and-political strategy novel. The novel seems like something Card has wanted to write for a long time: a novel about how to take over the world. In the book's afterword Card describes how as a child he would spend long hours with a globe contemplating just this topic. (Well, who doesn't?) _Shadow of the Hegemon_ is Card's wish-fulfillment. I found the process by which Achilles gained power and re-drew the world map absolutely fascinating. Also, the novel relieved me, at least temporarily, of an inexplicably disappointing notion I'd had that the era of conquest was over and done with in the modern world. Card's novel made me believe that a bold campaign of conquest, reminiscent of Alexander or Napoleon, could happen even in modern times. Yet, the whole exercise left me, as a reader, feeling emotionally empty. Maybe that just means taking over the world wouldn't really make me happy. - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 08 Jan 2002 20:14:10 -0600 From: "Kumiko" Subject: [AML] Weekly Box Office Report By Preston Hunter www.adherents.com Feature Films by LDS/Mormon Filmmakers and Actors Weekend Box Office Report=A0 (U.S. Domestic Box Office Gross) Weekend of December 21, 2001 "The Other Side of Heaven" opened wider this week, expanding from 2 to 15 theaters. This is a platform release, meaning the film opens in limited theaters before expanding or moving to other cities. But amazingly, it brok= e into the Top 30 nationwide list. This is a considerable accomplishment considering the fact that virtuall all of the other films in the Top 30 wer= e playing in far more theaters: The next lowest theater count was for "The Royal Tenenbaums," in 40 theaters. Six major studio films opened this weekend, so competition was intense: Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" opened in 1st place (of course). Other new films included Russell Crowe in Ron Howard's "A Beautiful Mind", the CGI-animated "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius" and "The Majestic" starring Jim Carrey. "Heaven's" climb to number 26 with only 15 theaters is nothing to scoff at. After two weeks in limited release= , "Heaven" has taken in $191,000 at the box office. Of course, far more moviegoers saw Mormon characters in this week's Number = 2 film at the box office. "Ocean's Eleven" brought in another $14.6 million i= n its third weekend. The Steven Soderbergh crime caper has now grossed over $100 million. This means that "Ocean's Eleven" has surpassed "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" as the top-earning film of all time to feature a Mormon outlaw. Of course, Paul Newman as the charismatic Mormon train robbe= r Butch Cassidy was a far more important character in that 1969 movie. Scott Caan and Casey Affleck as the Mormon Malloy twins are almost buried behind all their co-stars. We can only hope they get their own sequel. "Oceans's Eleven" has also become the top-grossing film ever to feature a main character explicitly identified as a Mormon. "Rain Man" ($173 million) and "Deep Impact" ($140 million) both earned more than "Ocean's Eleven" has so far. But Dustin Hoffman's title role as the "Rain Man" was only based on an actual Latter-day Saint -- the movie character was changed and was not identified as LDS in the film. The astronaut from Utah in "Deep Impact" is an LDS character, but in the movie his religion is not mentioned by name. Amidst all the major new releases, Mormon-authored "Behind Enemy Lines" dropped from 5th to 11th place, in its fourth weekend. "Out Cold" starring A.J. Cook finally dropped out of the Top 20 in its fifth week. The Golden Globes nominations were announced. Among the honored films includes a Best Dramatic Picture nominee, "Mulholland Drive", which was co-written and co-produced by Mormon writer/movie producer Joyce Eliason. One of the nominees for Best Comedy or Musical was "Shrek", on which Latter-day Saint filmmaker John Garbett was a producer. Garbett is better known to LDS audiences as the co-producer of "The Other Side of Heaven," bu= t more people nationwide have seen the computer-animated "Shrek", which has grossed over $267 million domestically. The 2001 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards were also announced this week. "Mulholland Drive" earned non-LDS filmmaker David Lynch the Best Director Award. "Shrek" won for Best Animation. Perhaps most significantly among the L.A. Film Critics Awards, the Independent/Experimental Film and Video Award went to "The Beaver Trilogy", directed by non-practicing Mormon filmmaker Trent Harris. "Beaver" refers t= o the town of Beaver, Utah, the setting for the film's story. It is an unusua= l self-contained "trilogy" in that the movie actually consists of three shorter films, each re-telling exactly the same story with different casts and different techniques. The film's stars include Crispin Glover and a young Sean Penn. LDS film fans may be more familiar with Harris' low-budget 1994 film, "Plan 10 from Outer Space", a science fiction comedy about a Utah Mormon who discovers the "Plaque of Kolob", which leads her to uncover an alien plot t= o use the Church to take over the world. Finally, the Ring Thing: As mentioned above, the Number One movie this week (the biggest movie of the month, in fact) is "The Lord of the Rings." Now, never mind the fact that director Peter Jackson's first big feature film wa= s "Heavenly Angels," a not-so-accurate re-telling of the Juliet Hulme story, = a story that happened years BEFORE Hulme became a Latter-day Saint. No, the "LDS Connection" to "The Lord of the Rings" is simply that this blockbuster film was inspired by the writings of a Latter-day Saint writer. We don't mean Tolkien, however. J. R. R. Tolkien, of course, deserves 99% o= f the credit in the Inspiring Writer department. But before Jackson ever read Tolkien's books, he first saw the "Lord of the Rings" movie: the 1978 animated version, which was written by LDS writer Chris Conkling. In a Barnes and Noble interview ("Explorations", October/November 2001, pg. 13), Jackson was asked if he had seen the animated "Lord of the Rings," which was directed by Ralph Bakshi. Jackson responded: "Yes, I have seen Bakshi's movie--in fact, it inspired me to read the book. I enjoyed it and wanted to know more. In 1978, an animated film was definitely the most sensible way to show the scope of the story. A live-action film back then would have been impossible." Nobody today will compare the 1978 animated film to the new 2001 live actio= n release. Conkling and Bakshi had only one film, no CGI technology, and limited resources, to tell a large story that Jackson is spreading over three big-budget films. But Conkling's "Lord of the Rings" was nominated fo= r a 1979 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation. (The Hugo Awards are like the Academy Awards for science fiction.) Conkling was named as a nominee fo= r the Hugo Award, along with co-writer Peter S. Beagle and original novelist J. R. Tolkien. (Alas, the Hugo that year went to the first "Superman" movie). Interestingly enough, fellow LDS writer Orson Scott Card was nominated for a Hugo that same year, for the novelette "Mikal's Songbird." Conkling, Beagle and Tolkien were also nominated for a Balrog Fantasy Film Hall of Fame award in 1981. (Although you have probably never heard of the now-defunct Balrog Awards.) Many Latter-day Saints who haven't seen the 1978 "Lord of the Rings" may be more familar with a 1979 film that Conkling wrote: "The Emmett Smith Story.= " The 35-minute video tells the story of Emmett Smith, who overcomes a debilitating brain tumor to become a long-distance runner again. This film was produced for the Church at Brigham Young University, can be found in many church libraries, and is available for purchase from BYU Creative Work= s as part of the BYU Film Classics series. Chris Conkling has also given presentations at a number of Sunstone Symposium meetings, and written a number of articles for the Ensign, including "The Gentle Power of Jacob" (February 1992) and "The Book that Built a Better World" (January 1998). For all you Ring fanatics: The famous book discussed in that last Ensign article was the Old Testament, NOT Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. So enjoy the new "Lord of the Rings" movie: It is based on a much-loved novel by a famous Catholic writer, filmed by a now-famous New Zealand director, who was inspired by the screenplay of a less-famous LDS writer. (And did I mention that the late Latter-day Saint actor Billy Barty was the animation model for the 1978 version's Frodo and Bilbo? Jackson's film has an LDS elf -- John Thocolich. But only the animated version has LDS Hobbits.) On the web: The official "Singles Ward" website is up and running. Steve Young is pictured there. [If table below doesn't line up properly, try looking at them with a mono-spaced font, such as courier - Ed.] Natl=A0 Film Title=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Weekend Gross=A0=A0 Rank=A0 LDS/Mormon Filmmaker or Actor=A0=A0=A0 Total Gross=A0=A0 Theaters Days - ----=A0 ------------------------------=A0=A0 -------=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 -----=A0=A0 ---- 2=A0=A0=A0=A0 Ocean's Eleven=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0$14,716,582=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 3,075=A0=A0=A0=A017 =A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 LDS characters: Malloy twins 102,011,604 11 Behind Enemy Lines 3,198,907 1,808 24 David Veloz (screenwriter) 45,127,954 26 =A0=A0 The Other Side of Heaven 95,000=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 15=A0=A0=A0 10 =A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Mitch Davis (screenwriter/director) 191,000 John G. Groberg (author/character) Gerald Molen, John Garbett (producers) 27=A0=A0=A0 Out Cold =A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 79,966=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 155=A0=A0=A0=A033 =A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 A. J. Cook (female lead)=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 16,515,735 33=A0=A0=A0 Mulholland Drive=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 64,485=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 60=A0=A0=A0 77 =A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Joyce Eliason (producer/writer)=A0=A0 5,493,838 48=A0=A0=A0 Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man=A0=A0=A0=A0 9,379=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 7=A0=A0 598 =A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Reed Smoot (cinematographer)=A0=A0=A0=A0 12,957,907 53=A0=A0=A0 Joy Ride=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 5,515=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 24=A0=A0=A0 80 =A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Paul Walker (2nd billed star)=A0=A0=A0 21,933,431 71=A0=A0 Mark Twain's America 3D 112=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 1=A0 1270 =A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Alan Williams (composer) =A0=A0=A0=A0 =A02,136,630 60=A0=A0=A0 China: The Panda Adventure=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 13,975=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 17=A0=A0 143 =A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Reed Smoot (cinematographer)=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 1,647,645 63=A0=A0=A0 Galapagos=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 11,385=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 7=A0=A0 598 =A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Reed Smoot (cinematographer)=A0=A0=A0=A0 12,957,907 73=A0=A0=A0 Island of the Sharks=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 6,243=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 5=A0=A0 962 =A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Alan Williams (composer)=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 10,554,048 75=A0=A0=A0 All Access=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 5,653=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 4=A0=A0 255 =A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Reed Smoot (cinematographer)=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 982,070 - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ End of aml-list-digest V1 #567 ******************************