The 11th Hour

The 11^th Hour tells the freaky story of our Earth’s natural resources and how they are being abused.  The Conners, co-directors, made a very educated and qualified argument with loads and loads of qualified interviewed professionals.

The directors were effective in their approach, using various cinematic techniques to accompany the argument of the content itself.  Dramatic music and cutaways were constantly played between interview pieces. These shots and the score created a sense of urgency, fear, and high stakes.

The elements mentioned above created such an atmosphere that viewers are inclined to be engaged heavily in the matter.

I didn’t feel too manipulated because most of the arguments mentioned were factual. There were also representatives from numerous agencies. If there were only interviews conducted with one organization, one university, or one agency, then their argument wouldn’t have felt as valid or accredited.

Unfortunately, I worry this film even with it’s great message of warning is not much use to the consumer world. This that could be of much better use among the industry changers. The government, oil companies, factories, etc.

Fit for the Kingdom

Fit for the Kingdom is a beautiful series of autobiographical and observational short documentaries about members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here are some thoughts about 5 of these films.

MIKE

            Mike is made instantly relatable as we follow him through the grocery store. We hear about what he eats, what he thinks about as he shops, and we become instant friends. The filmmaker used such mundane tasks to help us see his character as one that could be any of us. As he continues to walk through the store, he tells of his difficult family life. Hearing about his parents disgust with his choice to join the church is a much stronger emotional experience because of our investment in his character so far. I found myself really caring more about the expressions he shared because of the setting and style of the film.

KANJANA

            Even though Kanjana’s life is probably one of the most unique and difficult stories you will find in the Fit for the Kingdom series, her film gets a little long and I don’t find myself as interested. I would have cut some pieces out and tried to heighten the stakes by asking some more interview questions. It sounds more like a list of experiences in her life which we might find hard here in the states, but for them, that’s a completely normal life. I would have loved to hear about a difficult situation where she transcended.

BECKY

            Becky’s story is intense and engaging. It was full of great visuals to help us get a feel for the space we were in and her life. I didn’t feel like any parts of it were ineffective. The headstone leaves a lot of questions about his involvement in the marines and the effects of his service on his addiction to alcohol, which is cool! Throughout the film we think “what a terrible father!” but perhaps we don’t know what he’s been through.

PRIMARY

            The South London Primary. What an awesome film! Such interesting characters and such interesting development of the story. I didn’t feel manipulated but it was interesting to see how we teach the gospel in the church to those at such a young age. Im a big fan of the new youth teaching program. The ending to this is spectacular because we see the rowdy kid praying and it’s a nice way to bring all the crziness together into something tender and beautiful and makes it all worth it.

LISA

          Lisa’s story is beautifully told through the filmmaker’s use of about 70% action and 30% interview. The action says so much more and flows so nicely. We don’t have to just hear about Lisa and her baby girl, but we get to SEE it. I love the filmmaker’s decision to praise women who choose to be mothers.

Alma 17-24, Jacob 4:13, D&C 50:22-25

The account sons of Mosiah and their missionary efforts found in chapters 17-24 of the Book of Alma are rich with saving doctrines and unsurpassable storytelling. The scriptures found in Jacob 4:13 and Doctrine and Covenants 50:22-25 provide extra thoughts and further doctrine about the role of the Holy Ghost in our lives.

Ammon walks straight into enemy territory, is bound and brought before the king Lamoni, only to offer himself up a servant. Even if that was it, the whole story of Ammon, it would be insanely interesting. He would have a deep character. But that’s only the beginning. He is King Lamoni’s best servant he’s ever had. He even manages to bring a platter of arms to the king of men who tried to scatter his livestock.

If that doesn’t get interesting enough, he attributes all his success and power to his God and teaches Lamoni by the power of the Holy Ghost about simple truths resulting in the conversion of the King and ultimately the entire kingdom.

Through the telling of their experiences over 2,000 years ago, the sons of Mosiah relate to us testaments of eternal truths and doctrines. For example, Aaron preaches the most basic doctrine of Christ’s atonement and ability to grant us freedom from the sting of sin and grief of the grave. Ammon teaches the creation and helps illustrate how we can communicate with the spirit. When his time to leave the land of Middoni comes, he is warned that King Lamoni’s father would try to kill him.

Jacob 4:13 and D&C 50:22-25 are incredible passages of scripture that teach us about the importance and power of the Spirit. The spirit will never lead us astray. It only speaks truth. Anything else would go against the laws of heaven.  It gives us light, and the more we adhere to that light, the brighter our lives will become.