From: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com (aml-list-digest) To: aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: aml-list-digest V2 #213 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 Friday, October 31 2003 Volume 02 : Number 213 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2003 23:28:08 -0700 From: Melissa Proffitt Subject: Re: [AML] Harry Potter On Tue, 28 Oct 2003 10:49:16 -0700, Eugene Woodbury wrote: >Melissa Proffitt wrote: > >>While I respect your right to have opinions about what you like, I most >>strenuously disagree that any of what you have cited above is wrong > >I didn't say it was "wrong." I wasn't making some kind of moral judgement. Did I use the word "moral" at any point in my response? Does something= have to be morally incorrect to be wrong? "He are too good at swimming" is= wrong because of its grammar, not because of any moral failing on the part of being too good at swimming. >I said it "bothered me." Which it did. It irritated me. It pulled me out= of >the story. That it bothers you is not a problem. You can be bothered all you like by anything that pulls you out of the story. But phrases like "parentheticals that don't belong in even pedestrian prose" and "two unnecessary words in that phrase, maybe three" are not, to my eye, expressions of taste; they= are statements about rules of writing. That is what I was responding to. You seem to misunderstand what I am trying to say. This has nothing to do with personal taste or preferences. It's not about how you should worship at J.K. Rowling's feet because you are wrong, WRONG, to hate her literary style. What I am questioning is your definition of what the rules of writing, of artistic expression, actually are. To me it sounds as though you hold to a strict definition of style that is not universally supported by literary texts. If it defines what's enjoyable to you, I can't argue with that--in fact, I would be a hypocrite to do so. But so far, what you have said seems to argue not just that you are bothered by it, but that you believe it to be representative of what Rowling has done wrong--not just= for your enjoyment, but in the absolute sense of her literary quality. And= that is what I am taking issue with. If I'm misreading your words, if you just haven't been as clear as you could have been, I am sorry for the misunderstanding. But if you make statements about what good style ought= to be, you should be prepared for disagreement. Melissa Proffitt - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 08:09:23 -0500 From: Rose Green Subject: Re: [AML] L'Engle YA fiction I can only second Jana's enthusiasm for Madeleine L'Engle and her writing. When I was in 9th grade, we had one of those class assignments to= write to two people working in the field we wanted to go into when we "grew= up." I wrote to her and to Gordon Korman (Canadian YA author), but never dreamed she would actually write back! I got a very nice handwritten reply= from her. Aside from her YA science fiction, I particularly enjoyed her autobiography of her marriage (Two-Part Invention). Not YA, but a very good book on the family life of two artists. Rose Green back on the list after a brief hiatus, and now in Charleston, SC - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 06:53:11 -0700 From: "Annette Lyon" Subject: Re: [AML] The envious critic I just reread Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and this thread keeps reminding me about the concept of Quality in that book. *Zen* insists that Quality is exists outside of opinion, and that we all can recognize= it. But then why do we all disagree so much about it? I have found many of the posts defending Rowling interesting, but I can't agree. I may be way off base, but I don't think she wrote book five as deliberately and carefully as her others. This list is the only place I= have heard anyone say they thought the last book was as good as the rest--and like almost everyone on the planet, I know lots of Harry Potter fans (and= am one myself). The consensus among those I've talked to is that Rowling doesn't have to be as careful crafting her work anymore; she'll sell millions of copies no matter what and we who already love her stories, her world, and her characters, will forgive any sloppiness and read it anyway (my criticisms of the book won't prevent me from preordering the next two= in the series. I love Harry Potter). That it's still a good book, but it= wasn't GREAT. I know I presonally felt let down by it; book five simply didn't= live up to the others. In my opinion, it wasn't tailored to the same core audience. There IS a difference in the writing of book five from the others in the series. If= you love that difference, fine. But I think it's a pretty big jump to say the author has just found what works for her readers and is doing it. If that were true, I think the book would be shorter and many other reader complaints would not exist. Instead, I get the impression that Rowling is ever so slightly resting on her laurels, like so many successful writers= do. Annette Lyon - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 09:16:56 -0500 From: "Thom Duncan" Subject: Re: [AML] The envious critic - --- Original Message --- From: "D. Michael Martindale" To: aml-list@lists.xmission.com Subject: Re: [AML] The envious critic >Jacob Proffitt wrote: > >> Ah, but I think you've missed what we're really saying when we object to >> this evaluation. Most of the criticism of Rowling makes an absolute >> judgment that her sentences are poor. By all known writing rules in play today, her sentences are poor. That's hardly something that can be put in the "opinion" box. But, as Eric Samuelsen has said, does it really matter to the enjoyment of the piece. Well, to some people it does, others's don't care. I am a Stephen King fanatic and have read everything he ever wrote. He has broken every known rule of creative writing I've ever been taught, but I don't care. His story content is so rich, his characterizations so real, that I'm willing to overlook those gaffs. There is truth and there is opinion. Let's not confuse the two. - -- Thom Duncan - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 10:18:11 -0500 From: "Thom Duncan" Subject: RE: [AML] in favor of vitriol (vaguely Harry Potter and the art=3D= thread) - --- Original Message --- From: Margaret Young YOU GET TO SEE RAVI SHANKUR?! - -- Thom Duncan - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 08:34:51 -0700 (MST) From: ben@parkinsonfamily.org Subject: [AML] List Archive (was delete button) Richard Johnson wrote: > The List has an archive which I find only somewhat usable because of the > parameters of the archive. I have kept a personal archive of list > messages since the days on the list when there were only a very few of > us here. It is archived by name, I save messages of certain of the > people on the list. I have pretty full archive of Rex Goode, Jacob > Proffit (actually all the Proffits), the Parkins, the bard of Monday (I > miss that a lot), Richard Rust, Bill Willson, Ben Parkinson, Clark > Goble, Hollow Cluck and Jon Enos as well as many others who have > impressed me. I also have saved, by category, files on theatre and > playwriting (full of stuff from Eric, even though I disagree with many > of the things he has said, I think "his thinking" is important to me). I sure wish there was a way to make the archive include the first five years of AML-List. We had some great conversations. Not only that, there was a period when we had AML-Mag up and running as a full-fledged online magazine, with one or two columists running columns every weekday. We'd coordinate our topics, and when it went well, two or three of the columns would each spawn a related thread, and those would twine around each other and finally braid and merge toward Friday. It was just plain artful and taught me a lot about what you could achieve with an online publiation. I'd love to see an archive of columns we sponsored also. At least two went on to be published books, but I thought the others were excellent too. Ben Parkinson ben@parkinsonfamily.org Former AML-List Moderator Speaking for myself, and I hope others on the list! - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 08:43:49 -0800 From: Jeff Needle Subject: Re: [AML] Big fire We're out of danger now, but you need to take care! The prayers continue all around. Thanks. - ---------------- Jeff Needle jeff.needle@general.com jeffneedle@tns.net - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Oct 03 11:19:37 -0700 From: "Eugene Woodbury" Subject: Re: [AML] Harry Potter Jacob Proffitt [Most of the criticism of Rowling makes an absolute judgment that her sentences are poor.] Dang right it does. Of what possible use would any other kind of criticism be? "Absolute judgement" is, of course, in this respect, an oxymoron. Any "judgement" is essentially a subjective opinion. It can only be as absolute as the person offering it. That is why "appeal to authority" is a logical fallacy. (One would have thought that was implicitly understood.) When authority is cited in debate (as when a judge cites precedent), the point is to qualify the reasons for making the argument, not to posit the argument as ipso facto settled by "authority" (unless we're talking about physical law, such as the speed of light). Nevertheless, at the end of the day, the resulting dialectic will only be as rewarding as the strength of conviction on either side. Presuming that the dialectic sticks to the original point and doesn't go cantering off into the high grass. The original thesis (or one of them), to remind everybody, is that Rowling often uses adverbials poorly. One argument against this thesis is that rather than being evidence of poor writing (and/or bad editing), it was done deliberately to serve purposes of prosody. Good point, sez I, and it would be interesting to look at foot and meter and see if this assertion can be objectively established. Though I am yet unconvinced. (If brilliant argument were always convincing, then Plato would have a happy ending.) The counter-argument then evolved into whether or not one has the "right" to criticize Rowling's use of adverbials, or anything about her writing at all, and whether such criticism might existentially damage the spirits of young minds enamored of her prose. This is a complete non sequitur. Jacob Proffitt [That's fine, but again, you clearly described the "failings" of JK Rowling.] And, again, you make it sound like I think she writes poorly (at times) because she has a drinking problem or something. What I wrote was, "Her way with WORDS is too often lacking. Or her editors are too forgiving, too cautious, or just plain lazy. I haven't decided who's to blame. By the forth installment, Rowling's skills [as a writer--isn't the antecedent clear?] had fallen sufficiently short to make obvious these and other failings [as a writer]." Hardly a "universal" characterization. For all I know, she makes a great chocolate cake and she brakes for animals. Hey, I'm just as willing to believe it's her editor's failings. But if you can't talk about a writer's failings, then what in the world do you talk about? Bad books are written, bad movies are made, bad actors get parts based on something other than their talent. Did mischievous gremlins do it? Or are you saying that "All artists are perfect, but some are more perfect than others (i.e., the ones we happen to like)"? My biggest beefs with Rowling are obviously with her use of adverbials and with the plotting of book IV (which MAKES NO SENSE). Writing poorly (at times; I have insisted again and again that Rowling does not write poorly ALL of the time; so far she seems to be writing well about 75 percent of the time, a passing grade) is a problem easily remedied. Again I refer to Stephen King, who noted that great writers probably have to be born that way, but a good writer can always become better. Which is why in his book, On Writing, he includes a section on how to improve as a writer. I'm really hoping that Rowling improves as a writer. I've been hoping for decades that George Lucas would improve as a director, but I've pretty much given up on that. Jacob Proffitt [What rules? Who made these rules?] Good question! Like ending sentences with periods. Like spelling "right" with that unnecessary "gh" in the middle. Why not make periods little round circles like in Japanese? Why not "rite"? You know, like the drug store? (Think of all the paper and ink cumulatively saved!) Who makes up these rules? Who enforces them? Who goes to jail when they are broken? Wasn't James Joyce once banned because of his sentence construction? (Well . . . no.) While we're at it, what's with this "rule" in film direction about "crossing the line"? Says who? Can't a director do whatever the heck he wants to with his camera? Here's a definition of "crossing the line" (not mine). Note the language used: The right way: the 'line' rule says that when you are choosing shots for this scene, you must shoot from one side of the line only. It doesn't matter which side, but it does matter that you stick to it. The wrong way: if you put the camera on opposite sides of the line, you are crossing the line, something to be avoided. Crossing the line confuses the audience and looks odd. I like that last line. If it confuses me and looks odd to me, well, there oughta be a law, and when I'm made Artistic Dictator of the Universe . . . . In the meantime, I do have to wonder what those poor professors of English are supposed to do with their careers, as there are no rules, no objective standards according to which they may fairly judge the work of their students. Run-on sentences? Who knows, maybe it scans better that way. A's for everybody! (If you were to do a meta study on all the books ever written about writing, including King's, you could, in fact, easily distill down a dozen or so "rules" that talented writers across the board believed made writing better. Read enough bad student fiction, and you'll be pasting those rules to their foreheads.) Melissa Proffitt [What should never be forgotten is that these books are written for people who are not nearly as capable at reading as most everyone here is.] Jacob Proffitt [And is it a rule that should apply to books for young readers? . . . And liberal use of adverbs just might be a helpful addition to works written for young readers and/or those that wish to flow well when read aloud.] Wow, here's to damning with faint praise, and propagating the condescending canard that young adult and juvenile literature is a stunted version of "real literature," you know, for all those semi-literate young'uns, not to be subjected to the same standards and expectations as "grown-up" books. (Is E.B. White spinning in his grave, yet?) Bad prose should not be confused with simple prose, and Rowling never struck me as a writer of simple prose. Did Hemingway write for "people who are not nearly as capable at reading as most everyone here is"? At any rate, a major part of Rowling's "crossover" appeal is that she is read as much by adults as by children. Those adults should cut it out. She wasn't writing for them, after all. Melissa Proffitt [It is far too easy to make the leap from "This is what I like" to "This is what's objectively good and right," and to make that leap without considering what the point of making such an objective judgment would be.] Umm, and what exactly would it be, again? The language police aren't going to be knocking down anybody's door, insisting on mending the split infinitive on page 241 and doing something about the character development in chapter five. Even a literary powerhouse like Harold Bloom I do not think has the power to warp space and time and cause the text in every Harry Potter book to transmute itself to his liking, nor can he mind-meld with Rowling and cause her to start composing stirring monographs of blank verse. She's a big girl. I think she can even handle Harold Bloom. And while I could write a dozen more reviews trashing Evans's "The Last Promise" (it really, absolutely, was a bad book), alas, his books will keep on rolling off the presses. Where are those literary critic superpowers when you need them? Maybe if I concentrate really, really hard . . . . . . I'll be able to wedge tongue out of cheek. Good heavens, the things we choose to take seriously. Eugene Woodbury - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 14:47:14 -0600 From: "Angela Hallstrom" Subject: Re: [AML] Story vs words (was The envious critic) I want to thank D. Michael Martindale for so eloquently saying what I, rather inelegantly, tried to say in my last post. When he said, "Breaking rules of art is where artistic genius germinates, but breaking rules ignorantly is a fool's errand," I realized that this one punchy sentence encapsulated exactly what I was trying to say in my own little ramble. He brought up some other issues regarding story and language and authorial success that have got me thinking even more about what makes good fiction. He wrote: > There are two possible scenarios for how a story can succeed, even with writing that breaks rules: either the author was an accomplished author who knew what he was doing when he broke the rules, or the author told a story so compelling, it overcame the weaknesses of the writing. For readers, it's an interesting but ultimately irrelevant exercise in trying to determine which is true. But for aspiring authors, the question is absolutely essential. Everyone will have weaknesses in their writing, no matter how ingenious, educated, talented, and inspired they are. That's the unfortunate consequence of being human. The greatness of a piece of writing must transcend the weaknesses for the writing to succeed. The question for the aspiring author is, does my writing do that? > I have a nice, juicy jumble of weaknesses as a writer, some of which are language-based and some of which are story-based. I would like to comment, though, on the idea that being a "good storyteller" is somehow a lesser or more common gift than the ability to use language beautifully or skillfully. Although our best writers are excellent in both counts, there's a certain snobbery that crops up when I hear people say, "Certainly he's a good storyteller, but . . . " Now I'm not saying this is D. Micheal's argument (is it "D"? "Micheal?" "D. Micheal?" Forgive me if I choose the wrong one!). I'm saying that, in general, the impression I get from many readers is that writers are born with "a story to tell," and the good ones then set about to hone their language skills to tell that story in an aesthetically pleasing way. My experience in my MFA program has been precisely the opposite. Right now I'm in a workshop where I read three or four manuscripts a week, and although many of my fellow students use language beautifully, a good portion of them can't tell a well-plotted, compelling story to save their lives (well, at least not in the first few drafts). I'm sure this particular quirk is highlighted in the MFA setting because it attracts people like me, folks who moon over metaphors and call up friends on the phone to say, "You have got to hear this sentence!" as opposed to, "You have got to hear this story!" But now that I'm in an MFA program and surrounded, daily, by really cool sentences marching along the page toward no discernible destination, I find myself almost worshipful of people who can spin a good story. It's a skill. It's a rarity. Maybe this is why we call certain writers (like Stephen King) "gifted" storytellers, because at times it can seem as rare a talent as the ability to make a slam-dunk from the foul line or understand string theory. If anything, the rules I've learned governing storytelling have been even more helpful, and more difficult to master, than the rules governing language. I meet very few people in my writing program who still write dialogue like this- "I'm just so sad!" she sad mournfully. - -because it's an easy rule to master. Take out the "mournfully." There you go. Done. But a compelling plot? An identifiable central conflict? A stable and satisfying point of view? An overriding theme tying everything together? Fuggedaboutit. These issues often take draft upon draft to resolve. Sometimes, for me, they're completely unresolveable and the draft goes in the trash. Of course, it probably doesn't help that I usually start writing about a *character* and hope against hope that if I write about her long enough a story will pop up : - -). Maybe this is why there are so many books published where the plot is strong and the writing is weak; perhaps it's harder to find writers who can actually tell a story than to find writers who can string together lovely sentences. And, in general, we as a population hunger more for a well-told story than a well-turned phrase. I look at the trouble I can get myself into, structurally, in a 17-page short story and marvel at Stephen King. Not just, "How can he think up all those stories?" which is a gift unto itself, but how can he *plot* them all? All the transitions, the flashbacks, the point-of-view switches, the balance of summary and scene, the foreshadowing, the satisfying endings. I mean, truly, that's tricky stuff. And like I said before, I've never read the Harry Potter books (but I have seen the movies! And my second-grade son is on BOOK FIVE and stays up waaaaaaaaay too late reading them. He has bags under his eyes, and he's seven) and I'm sure her gift is similar to King's. This is why they're both bazillionaires. It doesn't happen very often. So here's to storytelling. It's an art. And if any of you have a kick-butt story idea all nicely plotted out just lying around, email me. I could use one. ;- ) Angela Hallstrom - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 15:41:28 -0800 (PST) From: Dallas Robbins Subject: Re: [AML] Dialogue needs fiction By the way, who are the new editors? Dallas Robbins cloudhill@yahoo.com - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 17:30:34 -0800 From: Jeff Needle Subject: [AML] Book Sale Announcement I just received my University of Oklahoma Press catalog. It's a special Holiday Book Sale catalog, filled with amazing bargains. Of possible= interest: Bringhurst, "Fawn McKay Brodie - A Biographer's Life" List - $39.95 Sale - $11.95 Hardback 0-8061-3181-0 Michael S. Durham, "Desert Between the Mountains - Mormons, Miners, Padres,= Mountain Men, and the Opening of the Great Basin - 1772-1869) List - $19.95 Sale - $5.99 Paperback 0-8061-3186-1 Their phone number is 1-800-627-7377 oupress.com - ---------------- Jeff Needle jeff.needle@general.com jeffneedle@tns.net - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 23:00:46 -0700 From: "Jongiorgi Enos" Subject: Re: [AML] in favor of vitriol THE DOCTOR IS IN THE HOUSE! Luv it. Jongiorgi Enos - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sam Brown" ...But when that is recognized, I personally vote for rich, animated, impassioned > statements of opinion and taste. > The maxim, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at > all" applies to people, not art, where I would reword it, "If you > can't say anything nice, say something passionate." - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2003 15:12:58 +0000 From: "Elizabeth Petty Bentley" Subject: Re: [AML] another book query >From: Clark Goble > I'm curious as to how they handled poetry and > parallelism. My two favorite Bible translations, The > Jerusalem Bible and the NAB, both eschew the verse > format our scriptures use. They also break out poetrya > into a form where the structure is more obvious. > >Clark Goble One of my favorite translations is The Five Books of Moses (The Schocken Bible, Volume 1) by Everett Fox. It can make even Leviticus sing. Here's a= sample. I assume, since this is something of a review, that I can quote a snippet without infringing on copyright. And, honestly, I just opened the book to Leviticus 26. 3 If by my laws you walk, and my commands you keep, and observe them, 4 then I will give-forth your rains in their set-time so that the earth gives-forth its yield and the trees of the field give-forth their fruit. 5 Threshing will overtake vintage for you, and vintage will overtake sowing; you shall eat your food to being-satisfied, and be settled in security in your land. 6 I will give peace throughout the land, so that you will lie down with none to make you tremble, I will cause-to-cease wild beasts from the land, and a sword shall not cross through your land. 7 You shall pursue your enemies, and they will fall before you to the sword; 8 five of you will pursue a hundred, and a hundred of you, a myriad= pursue, your enemies falling before you to the sword. 9 I will turn-my-face toward you, making-you-fruitful and making-you-many, and I will establish my covenant with you. 10 You will eat old-grain, the oldest-stored, and the old for the new you will have to clear out. 11 I will place my Dwelling in your midst, and I will not repel you. 12 I will walk about in your midst, I will be for you as a God, and you yourselves will be for me as a people. (I certainly like Fox's rendering of ga'al as "repel" better than the KJV's= "abhor.") Also, does anyone have anything to say about Glen Beck's best seller, THE REAL AMERICA? On his talk show he sounds LDS, mentioning food storage and fasting and such. Beth Bentley - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2003 12:10:47 -0700 From: "Eugene Woodbury" Subject: Re: [AML] Stylistic choices Or, no grammatical horse is so dead that it can't take another beating . . . It's been a while since I read On Writing, so using Amazon's new groovy all-text search engine, I looked up "adverb." Here's what Stephen King has to say on the subject: 1. on Page 117: The adverb is not your friend. 2. on Page 118: Adverbs, like the passive voice, seem to have been created with the timid writer in mind. 3. on Page 119: I can be a good sport about adverbs, though. Yes I can. With one exception: dialogue attribution. 4. on Page 120: When debating whether or not to make some pernicious dandelion of an adverb part of your dialogue attribution, I suggest you ask yourself if you really want to write the sort of prose . . . . 5. on Page 121: I've been pretty good about avoiding the passive tense, but I've spilled out my share of adverbs in my time, including some (it shames me to say it) in dialogue attribution. 6. on Page 122: All I ask is that you do as well as you can, and remember that, while to write adverbs is human, to write he said or she said is divine. 7. on Page 135: Some have scribbled their way to homes in the Caribbean, leaving a trail of pulsing adverbs, wooden characters, and vile passive-voice constructions behind them. 8. on Page 172: This sort of thing is bad technique and lazy writing, the equivalent of all those tiresome adverbs. 9. on Page 195: . . . and then transcribing what you see or hear with equal clarity (and without using a lot of tiresome, unnecessary adverbs). 10. on Page 215: . . . adding clarifying phrases where they seem necessary, and of course, deleting all the adverbs I can bear to part with (never all of them; never enough). 11. on Page 227: . . . doing a favor for a beautiful woman who keeps looking sexily back over her shoulder (did you note the awful adverb in this sentence which I could not bring myself to kill?). 12. on Page 291: And look! See that wretched adverb, that "shortly"? Stomped it, didn't I? No mercy! [copied and pasted by Eugene Woodbury] - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2003 09:44:51 -0700 From: "Brown" Subject: Re: [AML] Marilyn Brown Novel Award None, dear Barbara! Cheers! Enter in 2005! Win! Marilyn [Brown] - ----- Original Message ----- From: Barbara Hume To: Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 12:19 PM Subject: Re: [AML] Marilyn Brown Novel Award > Any word count requirements on the entries? > > barbara hume > > - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2003 08:09:52 -0600 From: "Thomas C. Baggaley" Subject: [AML] Box Office Report Feature Films by LDS/Mormon Filmmakers and Actors Weekend of October 24, 2003 Weekend Box Office Report (U.S. Domestic Box Office Gross) Report compiled by: LDSFilm.com [If table below doesn't line up properly, try looking at them with a mono-spaced font, such as courier - Ed.] Natl Film Title Weekend Gross % B.O. Theatrs Rank LDS/Mormon Filmmaker/Actor Total Gross Change $/Thtr Days - --- --------------------------- ----------- ------ ------- ---- 31 S.W.A.T. 128,266 -23.9% 188 80 LDS character 116,521,858 $682 40 The Book of Mormon Movie Vol. 1 60,263 + 9.9% 34 45 Gary Rogers 838,823 $1,772 (writer/producer/director) Craig Clyde (screenplay) David Hales (co-producer, editor) Ira Baker (editor) Robert C. Bowden (composer) Actors: Bryce Chamberlain, Mark Gollaher, Jan Broberg Felt, Cragun Foulger, Jacque Gray, Kirby Heyborne, Michael Flynn 45 The Legend of Johnny Lingo 39,560 +93.6% 27 59 Gerald Molen (producer) 550,036 $1,465 John Garbett (producer) 67 Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure 11,700 -61.2% 7 990 Scott Swofford (producer) 15,384,352 $1,671 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) Sam Cardon (composer) Stephen L. Johnson (editor) 68 Le Divorce 11,249 +14.9% 9 80 Matthew Modine (actor) 9,074,550 $1,250 70 Galapagos 8,727 -10.3% 3 1459 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) 14,167,953 $2,909 82 Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man 3,113 -20.4% 2 1263 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) 15,570,153 $1,556 87 China: The Panda Adventure 2,212 - 1.1% 2 822 Reed Smoot (cinematographer) 3,533,954 $1,106 100 Cremaster 3 882 -60.1% 2 185 Mathew Barney 480,438 $441 (writer/producer/director/actor) BOOK OF MORMON MOVIE MOVES UP THE RANKINGS/STILL GOING STRONG - Over last weekend the cumulative box office gross for Gary Rogers' "The Book of= Mormon Movie, Vol. 1: The Journey" rose to $838,823, meaning that after only 45 days in theaters, it surpassed the total box office gross of "Jack= Weyland's Charly," which was directed by Adam Anderegg. This makes "The Book of Mormon Movie" the 6th highest-grossing LDS Cinema movie, out of 11 such movies thus far which have had a traditional theatrical release in Utah theaters. At this rate "The Book of Mormon Movie," which actually grossed 9.9% more than it had the previous weekend, and in fact did better last weekend than it had since its second weekend in theaters, should easily surpass the box office total of "Brigham City" ($905,073), which is currently ranked 5th, and which is the most critically acclaimed film in the "genre." It should also pass the $1 million mark within the next few weeks, which would make= it the third fastest LDS-themed film to reach $1 million. "The Other Side of Heaven" reached the $1 million mark by the 38th day of its run and "God's Army" had passed $1 million by its 45th day in theaters. The next fastest film was "The R.M." which didn't reach $1 million until the 150th day of= its run. "The Book of Mormon Movie" also surpassed the $832,238 box office total of Mormon filmmaker Hal Ashby's "Lookin' to Get Out" (1982), but you probably care less about that. U.K. INTERVIEW WITH NEIL LABUTE - [This article, which identifies Bro. LaBute as a practicing Latter-day Saint, has considerable detail about LaBute's membership in the Church -- towards the middle of the article. It includes discussion of the trouble LaBute ran into over his play "bash"] See http://www.telegraph.co.uk/a= rts/main.jhtml?xml=3D3D/arts/2003/10/25/btlab25.xml&sSheet=3D3D/arts/2003/10/25/= ixtop.html FIRST "LIKEN THE SCRIPTURES" VIDEO IN STORES NOV 1ST - Here's a sneak peak of the main menu screen for "Liken the Scriptures" on DVD: http://www.= ldsfilm.com/pm/LikenTheScripturesDVDMenu.jpg The musical live action adaptation of 1st Nephi will be in stores= everywhere beginning November 1st. Clearly one of the most exciting aspects of this project is that it stars Joy Gardner, in her first major film role since she starred in the 70mm feature "The Testaments of one Shepherd and One Fold" (2000), which is= shown at the Joseph Smith Building. The lovely and talented Sister Gardner had a cameo role in "The Singles Ward," but this is her first lead role in far= too long. Of course, "Liken" also stars Larry Bagby, who is a hot commodity right now with his starring role in "Saints and Soldiers" drawing award-winning attention at the nation's top film festivals. Lehi is played by Merrill Dodge, who stars as the dad in "The R.M.", recently released on DVD. Starring Joy Gardner ("Testaments"), Larry Bagby ("Saints and Soldiers," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), Merrill Dodge ("The R.M."), Garrett Summers, Jared Young (as "Nephi"), Michael DuBois (as "Sam"), Matt Dobson (as "Lemuel"); also featuring Tyla Ward, Jen Jolley, Abby Karr, Anna Karr, Ken Fowler, Ken Eklof, Teresa Richardson; Director of Photography: Rod= Santiano; 1st Cam: Mike Schaertl The DVD is complete with 3D motion menus, individual chapter selections, and some exciting bonus features. One bonus feature found only on the DVD, is a "Liken the Scriptures: Seeker Game," in which a pop-up appears on screen to challenge the viewer to find specific scripture references. Once all the references are found, the viewer can sign up online to the "Master Seekers List" Three Coin Productions worked with Liken the Scriptures' producers to develop content for the DVD and Video, as well as an Animated Motion Logo for the company. LDS CINEMA MOVIE "PRIDE AND PREJUDICE" OPENS DECEMBER 5TH - From a press release: Excel Entertainment will begin the nationwide release of "Pride & Prejudice - a latter-day comedy" on December 5th in theaters throughout Utah. Elizabeth Bennet is determined to ignore the frenzied dating scene in her college town. But when she meets Jack Wickham, a charming womanizer, and Darcy, a wealthy businessman, her resolve is put to the test. Will her first impressions cloud her judgment, or will she uncover their true intentions? Go see this modern retelling of everyone's favorite Jane Austen novel! Love meets its match December 5th! ARTICLE: LDS FILM ON WWII MASSACRE WINS $50,000 PRIZE ("SAINTS AND= SOLDIERS" TAKES TOP AWARD AT HEARTLAND) - See http://dese= retnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,520033177,00.html. See also the Daily Universe article on the same subject at http://newsnet.byu.edu/story= cfm/46254 WINNERS AND NOMINEES AT PRESTIGIOUS GLORIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL -= See http:/= /www.gloriafilmfest.org/01_festival/b_films/index.html NEWEST EXCEL RELEASE: CONTEMPORARY ADAPTATION OF CONTROVERSIAL BRITISH= NOVEL - - Here's the link to the website "Pride & Prejudice" the newest theatrical release from Excel Entertainment Group: http://www.prideprejudi= ce.com/splash_f.html PRIDE PREJUDICE WEBSITE IS LAUNCHED - The official website for the upcoming LDS Cinema movie "Pride and Prejudice" is now online at: http://www.prideprejudice.com What has been up there previously just had the trailer. Now essentially the whole site is up, although a few pieces have yet to be added. This is a simply amazing movie website. Very stylish and hip and entertaining. Probably won't work on older computers. But if you can view it, it's impressive. "WHERE RIVERS MEET" PRESS RELEASE - From a press release by Rand Tyson/Anthony B. Howard: Miracle Movie Produced In North Central Idaho This is a story about dedication, effort and great sacrifice. It is exciting! It is an effort from the heart of America. It stands out= in the greatest traditions of the example of what America represents in= effort, sacrifice and success in their truest forms. It emerges from the hidden depths and loins of this great country. Another major phase in the production of "Where Rivers Meet", the final editing, has been completed here in Grangeville, Idaho. The full-length feature film, filmed and developed right here on the Camas Prairie and= areas around it, is now ready for the final processes of color correction,= musical score and orchestration. It is here, in these final stages, the film will= be transferred, printed and made ready for the theater. What a process to get it to this point. The spring and summer of 2003 were a blur of equipment and computer failures. There were hours and hours of seemingly never ending editing of exquisite and choice shots within scenes. The Shira families remained committed throughout an oppressively difficult schedule, including youth, teenagers, young adults, adults and especially William Shira, Director and screenwriter. There were demanding deadlines= to meet target dates on minimal budgets and financing. Many others in the= local community have joined in on this special effort and in many ways supplied unconditional effort and support. The rendering into a perfected story! The trials have been many but the final projection is exhilarating and exciting and matches or exceeds all expectations of any feature film produced in Hollywood. The Shira family has plunged forward with determination and a never impeded pace of effort and dedication to complete this project. The film is projected to be released soon with local screenings and= premiers scheduled in near by areas giving residents a feeling of pride and participation in the first preview and an opportunity to mingle with the actors and film makers involved. It was thought the summer of 2002 when all this started was an obstacle course for the Shira family. It is one that they will never forget. Yet through the obstacles that they had to face, their expectations of a film that seemed small and simple turned out to be much more. The production of William Shira=3DBCs internationally award winning script " Where Rivers= Meet", to some it may have seemed to just happen, and to others it was a miracle. The summer of 2002 began by hiring crewmembers, a decision alone that was complicated. "We planned to start with a crew that was a smaller, more inexperienced crew, with talent that needed to blossom", says writer/director William Shira, "but as we started going deeper into production, things started to change." And it happened just like that. William Shira along with his family's company, Apple River Productions, ended up with accomplished veterans such as Gaffer Garlan Wilde, who worked on movies such as Jungle Book and Pinocchio, both Disney productions, and Cinematographer George Griner who= is nationally recognized as one of the best in the business. Garlan often stated, "Willy would run into obstacles that seemed unsurpassable, like falling into a sewer and he would come out smelling= like a rose." Along these same lines, William Shira and Apple River Productions have gone through a ride that at times seemed unbearable, at times hopeless and yet came out on top. The film explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life. And it has= done that in an amazing and magical manner. The film contains its own uniqueness. Unlike many films, it has maintained the core family values while still capturing all the essence and suspense= of any cherished feature film. The film contains a Stienbeckish feel in the character development, with an uplifting ending that seems to capture you and stay with you for days after viewing the movie. It has beaten the unexpected and come out on top a winner. Even the story of the efforts and struggles of the Shira family in a small town in remote Idaho to assemble, preserver and produce this film is a tribute to what good represents. Theirs is a story in itself. Idaho and Grangeville will reflect for years to come the association, special character and likeness to it=3DBCs own genre this movie represents. If you want to know more about this family, this effort and review the film story go to whereriversmeet.net and explore the depth of this story. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SLC MAYORAL CANDIDATES ANSWER OUR LDSFILM.COM QUESTIONNAIRE - LDSFilm.com sent the two candidates for mayor of Salt Lake City a brief set of questions. Both the current mayor Rocky Anderson his opponent in the mayoral race, Frank Pignanelli, were gracious enough to respond promptly. Here are their answers to our questions: ** Frank Pignanelli ** 1. What are one or a few of your favorite movies of all time? Patton And, now that I have kids, The Sound of Music 2. What are one or a few of your favorite made-in-Utah film? Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade 3. Who are one or a few of your favorite Utah filmmakers? Robert Redford - - - - - - - - ** Rocky Anderson ** 1. What are one or a few of your favorite movies of all time? To Kill a Mockingbird Mr. Holland's Opus Z The Ruling Class 2. What are one or a few of your favorite made-in-Utah films? Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Thelma and Louise 2001: A Space Odyssey Jeremiah Johnson Rubin and Ed Forrest Gump The Time Machine 3. Who are one or a few of your favorite Utah filmmakers? Robert Redford Trent Harris Tim Nelson Andrew Levine ("The Day My God Died") - - - - I doubt that any of our readers who live in Salt Lake City will decide who to vote for in the upcoming election based on a candidate's favorite= movies, but we appreciate their taking the time to respond. It was interesting to note that Frank Pignanelli, a Catholic, cited as his favorite movie "The Sound of Music," a movie about a Catholic woman from a Catholic nunnery who marries a Catholic man and becomes the stepmother to a large family of Catholic children. And his favorite Utah-made movie, "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" is the story about a quest for a Catholic icon, which takes place partially in a Catholic holy site. Rocky Anderson, a lapsed Mormon, mentioned a few favorite made-in-Utah movies. Topping the list was "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," a movie about real-life lapsed Mormon outlaw Butch Cassidy. He also mentioned "Jeremiah Johnson," the big screen adaptation of a novel by lapsed Mormon novelist Vardis Fisher. He also listed "Rubin and Ed," which was written= and directed by lapsed Mormon filmmaker Trent Harris. We don't think this means anything... We just thought it was interesting to note. Also interesting to note, but even LESS significant is Pignanelli's choice of "Patton" as one of his favorite movies. While it is possible that Pignanelli did his homework and was trying to win over one of LDSfilm.com's webmasters (sorry, Frank, neither of us lives within Salt Lake City boundaries) it is most likely only a coincidence that "Patton" happens to have been scored by LDSfilm.com co-webmaster and film composer Thomas C. Baggaley's former film scoring mentor Jerry Goldsmith, and in fact, Thomas has actually written a rather lengthy paper examining the psychological aspects of this extremely well-designed score, which we feel DEFINITELY should have won the Oscar for Best Original Score that year (1970). * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "WHERE RIVERS MEET" WEBSITE DISAPPOINTS ... FOR NOW - There was a fairly nice website for the feature film "Where Rivers Meet" online at http:// www.whereriversmeet.net But now the site has been replaced by placeholder garbage and popup ad windows - there's nothing left about the movie, which was directed by Latter-day Saint filmmaker Bill Shira and stars such LDS actors as Tayva Patch ("Brigham City", "Little Secrets"), Jaelan Petrie ("Handcart", "Missy"), Bruce Newbold ("Moroni" from Rogers' "Book of Mormon Movie"), Marvin Payne ("Saturday's Warrior", "The Road to Riches"), Jan Broberg Felt ("Little Secrets", "Book of Mormon Movie", TV's "Everwood"). There was a movie poster, cast photos, and some other things. There was a plot description. Something about two young kids, a boy and a girl, growing up in a depressing Idaho setting and the boy is from a wealthy background and the girl or somebody has some dark secret and is probably abused by bankers or something. I can't remember exactly. I remember the running time listed on the website was 3 or 4 hours long. "SIGNING TIME" GETS LOTS OF ATTENTION - The "Signing Time" video/DVD= series, created by Sister Rachel de Azevedo Coleman et al, with music by Lex de Azevedo has gotten a lot of attention in the press lately. Reports about the series have shown up in the Ladies Home Journal, the Arizona Republic, CBS News, and Utah Business Magazine. If you are interested in reading any of these articles, please contact the LDSfilm.com webmasters and we will be glad to forward the text to you. "AS BAD AS CAN BE" SCEENING AT ECLIPSE - Among the many films made by Latter-day Saints which will be competing at the upcoming Eclipse Film Festival is "As Bad As Can Be." The director and producers are Latter-day Saints. All are students or faculty in BYU's animation program. As mentioned previously, other films made by Latter-day Saints competing at the festival include feature films such as "The Collectors" (John Lyde), "The Best Two Years" (Scott C. Anderson) and "Saints and Soldiers" (Ryan Little). This is believed to be the first time that "The Best Two Years" and "Saints and Soldiers" have gone up against each other in head to head competition. These two LDS Cinema movies both have already been widely described as= among the best LDS Cinema movies ever made, with many people saying they surpass previous critical favorites "Brigham City" and "God's Army." Only one movie can be named Best Feature Film at Eclipse? Will it be "Best Two Years" or "Saints and Soldiers"? Or dark horse feature "The= Collectors," which is not LDS-themed, although the people who made it are Church= members. Technically speaking, the winning film could be one of the other features= in competition -- Michael A. Picchiottino's "Clipping Adam" or Megan= Griffiths' vulgar and amateurish "First Aid For Choking" -- although we don't expect that to happen. For more information, see http://www.eclipsefil= mfest.com/animation.html ACKER'S "NIGHT AND DAY" - Latter-day Saint filmmaker Ricky Acker's new= film, "Night and Day" premieres in Birmingham, Alabama on November 14th. (In just 2 weeks!). You can check out a poster from the film at: http://www.ldsfilm.= com/pm/NightAndDayPoster.pdf COLORS LIVE! CD / DVD PRESS RELEASE - In February of 2003, after 10 years= of performing together, COLORS, best described as an acoustic-pop group, called it quits, with an unforgettable live concert at the Mackey Events Center at Utah Valley State College. With this CD / DVD release, fans can enjoy the live concert audio, as well as the concert in their own living room, on the supplement DVD. The DVD will also include the original documentary from 1999 entitled COLORS: Up Close & Personal, including commentary by director & producer. In addition, the DVD will include special performances from COLORS VERY FIRST concert held in the Kaysville Theater 10 years ago & many other bonus features. This will be a LOADED DVD with 2 hours of footage from behind the scenes and on the stage from 1998-2003! This was a massive project with 6 cameras filming the live concert. The DVD was directed & edited by Tucker T Dansie. Camera work was done by many well known up & coming filmmakers including, 2003 Gloria Film Festival winner Spencer Christensen, Jason Ball, Jacen Brewer, Lucas Mcgraw, Tucker Dansie & Scott Hall. "COLORS LIVE!" CD/ DVD will be distributed by Excel Entertainment and will be in stores November 18th, 2003. 9 by 9 Projects is hard at work= completing the final edits & DVD Authoring, while COLORS is hard at work completing= the final mix. This will be a release not to be missed & your final chance to hear & see the music of COLORS forever. A trailer for the DVD portion is now online at www.tuckertdansie.com/colorsFlash Player is required for viewing). POTTER/SU IN "INDIE SLATE" MAG - There is an article in "Indie Slate" magazine called "Feeding the Genre: Making Movies the Make (Financial) Sense" by Mark Bosko The article mentions Latter-day Saint film director Mark Potter and his low-budget film "Suddenly Unexpected." It also includes a picture from "Suddenly Unexpected." YOUR FAVORITE FFFF FLICKS NOW ON DVD - Feature Films For Families, the Latter-day Saint-led, Utah-based production company which has been a major producer of direct-to-video family films, has released some of its favorite movies on DVD. These movies, which feature predominantly LDS casts and crews, include "Rigoletto", "Seasons of the Heart" and "The ButterCream Gang." These new releases offer a high fidelity DVD version of some very professionally made movies. The new DVD covers are pretty awful compared to the recent great-looking video covers, but the what's inside is worth checking out. These DVDs can now be purchased at LDS bookstores and LDS video stores around the country. LDS WRITER'S CONFERENCE, W/"BEST TWO YEARS", KURT HALE, JOHN E. MOYER - Don't forget the 5th annual LDS writers conference this Saturday, Nov. 1,= at the Provo City Library! This is the world's only writers conference dedicated to LDS writing and publishing, including writing for the LDS market or telling LDS stories for a national audience. For complete, updated details about all aspects of the conference, visit http://aml.c.tep1.com/m= aabBdRaa1Duebbb36pb/ At-the-door registration begins at 8:30. Plan to be in your seat by 9:00= for the special advance screening of "The Best Two Years"! Preregistration is not required, but if you want to ensure yourself a luncheon ticket, you can preregister online by this Friday, Oct. 31 at http://aml.c.tep1.com/m= aabBdRaa1Dv3bbb36pb/ (It's too late to mail your preregistration= through the U.S. Postal Service.) If luncheon tickets happen to sell out, the admission price will be reduced accordingly. "PRIDE AND PREJUDICE" PRODUCER AT AML CONFERENCE - Press Release from Excel Entertainment, the distributor of the upcoming LDS Cinema feature film "Pride and Prejudice", based on the controversial Jane Austen novel of the same title: WHO: Jason Faller, producer, "Pride and Prejudice: a latter-day comedy"= Dean Hale, VP of Motion Picture Distribution, Excel Entertainment Group WHAT: AML Writers Conference (Association for Mormon Letters) Afternoon Sessions:"Choosing Stories for the Mainstream" Faller and Hale will discuss the process of choosing stories and= screenplays that appeal to both LDS and mainstream audiences. It is anticipated that they will also show clips from the upcoming movie "Pride and Prejudice: a latter-day comedy," due to hit theaters December 5. The film is a modern adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel. WHEN: Saturday, November 1 2 p.m. (conference begins at 8 a.m.) WHERE: Provo City Library at Academy Square 550 North University Avenue, Provo Contact: Mary Jane Jones mjjones@xelent.com MOVIEPICKS.ORG: A PLACE TO FIND UPLIFTING MOVIES - See http://www.me= ridianmagazine.com/arts/031023movie.html UPCOMING EVENTS ON THE UTAH FILMMAKERS ALLIANCE SCHEDULE - The following events are coming up in the next couple of months: =3DD6 ASSOCIATION OF MORMON LETTERS WRITERS CONFERENCE Saturday, November 1, Various Events All Day @ Provo City Library =3DD6 Saturday, November 8, UFA Double Feature: "Home For The Holidays" & "Avalon" 7:00 p.m. to 12 Midnight @ TBA Open to Members: RSVP (801) 694-0943 Recurring Event: Every Second Saturday =3DD6 Saturday, December 13, UFA Double Feature: "A Midnight Clear" & "Some Girls" 7:00 p.m. to 12 Midnight @ TBA Open to Members: RSVP (801) 694-0943 Recurring Event: Every Second Saturday Events which have yet to be scheduled include: =3DD6 Master Classes, Case Studies, Panel Discussions for final Quarter 2003 =3DD6 Celebrity Event in January =3DD6 Additional special events and screenings. Look for updates to come out regularly in local press and on soon to be built website. The Utah Filmmakers Alliance, a nonprofit corporation, may be contacted at 37 East Center Street, Suite 204, Provo, Utah 84606. Phone number is (801) 374-4UFA (4832). E-mail info@utahfilmalliance.org.= Web site: utahfilmalliance.org. All 501(c)(3) tax-deductible donations are acceptable. UFA Membership is $35 annually (students & volunteers) and $50 annually (general members). Membership includes access to all UFA general functions (some special= events will have extra entry fees or tuition), discounts on tuition and entry fees to special events, other ticket discounts to selected theaters, access to the Member Library, including media periodicals, and other benefits. FOR TIME AND ALL ETERNITY - "For Time and all Eternity" is a documentary by Trevor Hill et al The new link for the film web site is: http://f= ishbowlmediaarts.com/film/time_eternity/index.html Filming has been completed. First of 4 episodes has been edited. Screenings are planned for December in California and Utah. "DAY OF DEFENSE" SOUNDTRACK CD NOW IN STORES - See http://www.dayofdefense.com/cd.= aspx ARIZONA DAILY STAR GIVES "BOOK OF MORMON MOVIE" 3 OUT OF 4 STARS - See http://www.rottentomatoes= com/cli ck/movie-10003327/reviews.php?critic=3D3Dcolumns&sortby=3D3Ddefault&page=3D3D1&rid= =3D3D1210239 MORMON MOM IN OGDEN PICKED AS ONE OF 3 "SUPERSTAR SINGERS" TO COMPETE ON TODAY SHOW - Jodee Stott, a mother of three children, who lives in Ogden, Utah, was revealed just minutes ago as one of the 8 finalists picked to compete on the "Superstar Singers" competition on the Today Show. The competition, something like a "mini American Idol", will take place this Friday. The winner will give a concert on the Today Show, and will receive= a huge recording session. Sister Stott repeatedly said "Oh my gosh!" and was quite surprised when a reporter wakened her at her home early Wednesday morning on October 22, 2003. She exclaimed "Is this a freaking joke?!", and "Today Show" host Matt Lauer later said, "I'm glad you said 'freaking' and not something else." Portions of Jodee impressive audition tape were played, showing her singing that Whitney Houston song from "The Bodyguard" and something else. Jodee= has an impressive voice, and whether or not she wins in the competition, she is clearly the most talented singer and SHOULD win. SISTER STOTT ARTICLE ... 2 OF 8 COMPETITORS ON TODAY SHOW ARE LDS - Here's an article about Sister Stott. Note that Jenna, the competitor from Idaho is ALSO a Latter-day Saint. On the Today Show today she mentioned that her parents are currently serving a mission. Good luck to both! See http://dese= retnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,520033281,00.html SISTER JODEE STOTT AWESOME ON "TODAY SHOW" - See the article at http://= www.sltrib.com/2003/Oct/10292003/wednesda/106318.asp SISTER STOTT ON "TODAY SHOW" COMPETITION - See http://tv.ksl.com/= index.php?nid=3D3D39&sid=3D3D54558 SO WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK IN "TODAY SHOW COMPETITION? - The first of the eight competitors to be voted out of the Superstar singing competition on The Today Show was just announced this morning. Asia, a pre-law student who turned in a miserable performance on the previous competing episode, was voted off. Among the remaining competitors are Sister Jodee Stott, an Ogden, Utah mother of three. Stott, a Native American Latter-day Saint, wowed the audience and honestly was one of the very strongest performers. Sister Jenna, who is originally from Idaho but now lives in California is also still in the running. Jenna mentioned early in the competition that= her parents are serving a full-time mission for the Church. What can we say about Jenna's performance last time? Well, she is a stunningly beautiful young woman with a great figure. ARTICLE DISCUSSING SOCIAL RAMIFICATIONS OF "JOHNNY LINGO" - See http://newsnet.byu.edu/story= cfm/46266 ARTICLE ABOUT LARRY H. MILLER FUNDING "GOD'S ARMY II" - See http://newsnet.byu.edu/story= cfm/46419 S.L. TRIBUNE: IN OR OUT? KILMER NOW DOUBTFUL FOR SMITH ROLE IN 'THE= PROPHET' - - See the article at http://www.= sltrib.com/2003/Oct/10292003/utah/106451.asp Also: http://www.msnbc.com/news/9706= 08.asp ABINADI MUSICAL, "LIKEN THE SCRIPTURES" AND "THE BOOK OF MORMON MOVIE" -= See the article at http://www.harktheherald.com/modules.php?op=3D3Dmodlo= ad&name=3D3DNews&file=3D3Darticle&sid=3D3D4694 SL TRIBUNE TRASHES HARRIS' NEW CAMBODIA DOCUMENTARY - [Note: Trent Harris= is a non-churchgoing Latter-day Saint whose films include the LDS-themed science fiction spoof "Plan 10 From Outer Space," along with numerous other quirky films made in Utah with LDS and non-LDS characters and actors.] See http://= www.sltrib.com/2003/Oct/10292003/wednesda/106318.asp TRENT HARRIS' LDS-THEMED COMEDY SCREENING IN LAS VEGAS - "Plan 10 from= Outer Space" is about 10 years old now, but still getting a little screen time... See http://www.lasvegasmercury.com/2003/MERC-Oct-23-Thu-2003/22411372.html SISTER ELIZABETH SMART ON TV AND IN PRINT: TV MOVIE, OPRAH, KATIE, ETC. - See http://dese= retnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,515040353,00.html for a summary. MEDIA WAR EMBROILS THE SMARTS - See article at http://dese= retnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,520033334,00.html. Also: Will you be tuning= in? See http://dese= retnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,520033336,00.html DESNEWS REPORT ON ELIZABETH SMART TV SPECIAL W/KATIE COURIC - See http://dese= retnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,520033700,00.html COVERAGE OF ELIZABETH SMART STORY TOPS RATINGS WITH "SPECTACULAR" NUMBERS - See http://dese= retnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,520034113,00.html ELIZABETH SPEAKS, BUT IS IT SMART? - See http://dese= retnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,515040311,00.html CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR OP-ED PIECE ON ELIZABETH SMART MEDIA/MOVIE - See http://dese= retnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,520034504,00.html LITTLE NEWS EMERGES AS ELIZABETH SPEAKS WITH OPRAH - See the article at http://www.= sltrib.com/2003/Oct/10282003/utah/106136.asp MEDIA COVERAGE OF ELIZABETH SMART STORY DEBATED - See the article at http://dese= r=3D e tnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,520034424,00.html TRU CALLING - "Tru Calling" stars Latter-day Saint actress A.J. Cook and non-churchgoing LDS actress Eliza Dushku. See http://dese= r=3D e tnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,520034265,00.html DESERET NEWS REVIEW: LAVELL EDWARDS DOCUMENTARY DVD/VIDEO - See http://dese= r=3D e tnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,515040041,00.html MERIDIAN MAGAZINE OPINION PIECE: "IT'S A GOOD SHOW, EXCEPT ONE LITTLE PART" - - See http://www.m= e=3D r idianmagazine.com/arts/031024except.html RICHARD PAUL EVANS NEW ARTICLE, PLUS BOOK REVIEW - [Richard Paul Evans, one of the world's top-selling Latter-day Saint authors, is the author of The Christmas Box and The Timepiece, the TV movie adaptations of which were recently released nationally on DVD. This article discusses Brother Evans, The Christmas Box, how he is inspired to write, and other topics.] See http://dese= r=3D e tnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,520033446,00.html and http://dese= r=3D e tnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,520033448,00.html ORSON SCOTT CARD ON R-RATED MOVIES AND WHY "SCHOOL OF ROCK" IS BIGOTTED, PUTRID BILE - See http= :=3D / /www.hatrack.com/osc/reviews/everything/2003-08-24.shtml - -- AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature ------------------------------ End of aml-list-digest V2 #213 ******************************