Dragons on the brain

There is a very good reason why I'm obsessed with dragons right now. My English thesis (that's right, I'm writing a second thesis; it comes with the territory of double majoring) is on dragons. Specifically it deals with Germanic dragons, the dragons most people are familiar with in Western literature, and how modern good dragons are not really Germanic dragons but rather are a new type of dragon, an American dragon.

Yes, I took the name from the show on Disney channel.

So anyway, I have dragons on the brain. I even turned the word into a verb.

Dragon: v. To hoard or hog something, such as gold or books. I can't believe Matt Rose dragoned all the books on dragons. That jerk.

So now you can dragon.

I also took pictures of my dragon Ol' Blue Eyes. I got Ol' Blue Eyes for Kris Kringle this past Christmas. Here they are:


As you can see, Ol' Blue Eyes is dragoning my thesis books.



Dragoning again.

So Ol' Blue Eyes seemed so interested in my thesis topic that I decided to put him to good use.


So those are the dragon pics. I can almost guarantee that I will post on my thesis again.

"On that you can rely."

On Cheese

I wrote this for my Poetry and Poetics class at the College. It is crap, I will admit, but I'll put it up here anyway. I'm sure someone out there will want to read it.

"The poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese." - G. K. Chesterton

"On Cheese"

Of all the songs and poems read by men,
Have none composed or sung of one like thee?
Of you there is no equal dish, why then
Have they who sing and write and croon for me,
Forgotten how you taste and warm the sea
That is my heart, or how you give my life
Complete control of all my faults, and be
What all the saints desire for their strife?
(No wonder Ham is seen as your fair wife)
Though none have sung about your grace and pride,
Your smell when you are found to be too ripe,
I take my queue and turn about inside.
A verse is sung, for you do give and please,
And thus a rhyme about my love, my cheese.

My last semester

Well folks, its time for my last semester here at the College. I've got a nice workload: 3 classes, a thesis, and the teaching practicum. I've got a whole bunch of movie things I want to do too. I'm working on another story, as well as tweeking one of my older ones. I haven't actually had my first class yet (its at 1) but I'm anxious to start. Its like a new adventure starting, a new day dawning.

Yesterday The Good Doctor, the college president, gave an amazingly awesome speech to rouse the student body to do their best this semester, the second in our 30th Anniversary celebration. he encouraged us to live Christian lives by first and foremost doing our school work (for you can not serve Christ if you cannot do your daily duties). He also expressed his disgust of recent incidents of students who were kicked out of the school after this past semester because of behavior. Its the kind of skeletons that no college likes to have in their closet, yet they all do. it is our job, The Good Doctor urged us, to tell our friends when they are doing something bad that what they are doing might not be a good thing, or that it might be a danger to themselves or others. One essential thing one must remember, however, is that we cannot be preachy. We must approach them as our friends, or better yet, as our brothers and sisters in Christ. That is our mission as students of the College. We are to Restore all things in Christ, even our daily lives, no matter how hard that may be.

Therefore, we march. A week from today is another anniversary, one less joyful than that of the college's founding. It is the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the Supreme Court case that legalized abortion. It is never a good sign of a society when immorality is legalized. Such was the case in the legalization of abortion. The arguments against abortion will not be presented here. This is not the reason for my mentioning it in this post. Rather, I mention the March for Life, what people call the organized protest to the ruling that occurs every year on January 22, because it is another avenue that we as members of the College, indeed as Catholics throughout this nation and the world, may use to restore the world to Christ. What better way to evangelize the faith than to live it? The March provides an opportunity for just that. Men and women of all faiths, even no faith at all, descend upon capital hill to protest the inhumanity that is abortion. There are Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Atheists, Agnostics, Muslims, Mormons, and everything in between. We overcome our religious differences to stand up for life, to protest something that needs to be stopped. In doing so we provide to those who do not know us, those who may be unfamiliar with the Catholic life, a clear portrait of what John Paul II, of happy memory, called "ordinary Christian living." Race, Creed, etc do not stop us from marching with each other. Maybe this year a young (or even not so young) Protestant or Atheist might see the Christendom banner and the chilled students underneath and behind it marching to the sound of the rosary, and think "hey, they seem to know what they're doing" and be inspired to investigate the faith. How many unknown converts are won each year by the witness in defense of life? We may never know, but the One who is greater than all of this, who gave life at the beginning of time, will know.

"And that has made all the difference."

New Years

HAPPY NEW YEAR, from the writer here at IBID's Freaking Awesome Blog. May your new year be a blessed one, full of abundent blessings, and such.

God Bless,

Ibid

On Huckabee

So I've been kinda out of the election thing, since I'm a registered independent (Less concerned about parties, more concerned about topics). I've been reading about the Republican race, since I'll probably vote for one of them, if I don't vote third party, and I don't really care for the Democrats. So I'll probably vote for a Republican, but only if they support what I support.

My Older sister has told me that she is currently supporting Mike Huckabee, one of the Pro-life, pro-family Republicans fighting for the Republican seat. However, he recently ran into some controversy with the Catholic Church (of which most of my readers belong, to quote Chesterton, as well as myself) for, "courting his evangelical base at the church of a controversial preacher accused of disparaging Catholics." The preacher was one John Hagee, who is a well known anti-Catholic. When I mean Anti-Catholic, I mean all out Whore of Babylon/Evil Crusader and Inquisition/"Most readers will be shocked by the clear record of history linking Adolf Hitler and the Roman Catholic Church in a conspiracy to exterminate the Jews" kind of stuff. The same stuff that has been going around since the Reformation.

So what does a Catholic do? Does he support someone who supports his political views, even if that candidate gains support from people who see your religion as the actualization of the Book of Revelation?

I say you can. It's what Catholics have been doing throughout this country's history. For most of our history, Catholics have faced hostilities, and yet have come to political agreements. It is the same sort of thing that happens at the Right to Life March in January on the anniversery of Roe vs. Wade. People of all religions come together to stand up for life.

Such could be the same in this up coming election.

A desperate need

Oh man, I have so much to post on. Only one problem: no time. No time to sit here and write up my deep thoughts, no time to fill a post with some sort of wit.

I need to post on Christmas. I finally went to a Midnight Mass (I haven't gotten to go to one in years), I got a whole bunch of stuff under the tree, and I did have fun.

I need to post on some news I just noticed about Republican candidate Mike Huckabee, and the possibility of his Anti-Catholicism.

I also need to report on an event that has not happened yet: I'm getting my wisdom teeth removed tomorrow.

. . . . . .

I know. I'm not really excited about it either.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Christmas Post

Its Christmas time. It is a time of love, peace, and life. We remember the birth of Jesus, the only man born to die, and the mystery of our salvation. Yet the season has been scarred by things like commercialism and fighting over whether one should say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays." The most tv specials will admit is that it is not all about getting presents, but giving. The whole Jesus aspect has been forgotten. One of the only references to the Nativity of Christ as the reason for Christmas I have seen recently, oddly enough, is in the Christmas special for the cartoon Ed, Edd, and Eddy (which I think is a pretty funny show). Talk to me later and I'll describe the scene. The point is that we have lost what the season is about.

My mom sent me this email thing which she probably got from her homeschooling emailing group. It may not be 100% on target, but it makes some good points. I'll leave you with the text of the "Letter from Jesus." "God bless us, everyone," and Merry Christmas.

Letter from Jesus about Christmas --

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks aretaking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn'tactually born during this time of the year and that it was some of yourpredecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually atime of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easilyunderstood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, justGET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in whichyou live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of acouple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your ownfront lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for sucha scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday treeinstead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can rememberMe anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actuallyspoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you andwhat each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wishlist. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday isbeing celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home.They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally.They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards hisstaff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why Icame to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don'tknow who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smileand a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary--especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret thatyou wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do whatI have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom youlove and remember : I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

Break time

Hey guess what.

That's right its break time. I somehow managed to survive the papers (A- on at least two of them) and the thesis, and the finals.

One more semester.

The downside is that there is only one more semester. One more semester to hang out with my friends, one more semester to live on that beautiful campus, one more semester to live as a student before becoming an adult. Everyone keeps commenting that they don't know what they'll do without me. I don't like to let it on, but I have no freaking clue what I'm gonna do without them. My friends have become part of who I am. I am not just Ibid. I'm Propter Quid, Quia, WP, CO, Carducci, PBJ Girl, Ry, Jerico, John, Shelia, and all the others whose blog names I can't think of off the top of my head. They are part of me, and parting with them is gonna be like loosing part of myself.

Except now I'm sounding mushy. Maybe I'll post something more happy next time.

Oh, and go see Evlyn. It is a great movie. Not often do you have a film that is a moving story, artistically beautiful, sympathetic to the Catholic Church, and made only 5 years ago. Go rent it.

Now. Do it. Don't be shy.

Paper Time

One of the key reasons i started up this blog was to share pictures of my adventures in Rome with my mom. That reason, in cause you haven't actually been reading this thing, has come and gone. Now its more of a venue for me to vent my stress at everything, be it school work or how stupid the world is, as well as give you guys a taste of my creative mind.
So I come to you again, fair readers, to say that I am stressed again. This time it is not my thesis (I got an A- on the rough draft, by the by) which I have almost perfected. Rather, what makes my adrenaline rise are the papers I must write.

And Write

And Write

And did I mention Write?

Writing and reading are basically what I'm majoring in. English and History do not lend themselves to light intellectual discussions and that sort of cramming for tests. Rather, the heavy weight is how well you can write a paper. Its like a mini thesis, or a thesis is like a huge paper.

Except this time I have 5 papers in two weeks.

This Tuesday, before we start Thanksgiving break, I have my English Novel paper (10-12 pages) and my Immigrant Church paper (also 10-12 pages). The week we return from break, I have my English Renaissances Literature paper due on Tuesday, my Communist Revolution paper due on Wednesday, my thesis' final draft due on Thursday, and my Literary Criticism paper due on Friday.

Holy Hand Cramp Batman!

So yeah, I've got my work cut out for me. Oh, and I must stay caught up in my reading for the classes. Don't worry though, its only 100 pages or so to read every other night. While juggling papers. Add on that that I have to remain alive, and I'm in an interesting situation.


I blame society.

Updated life

Alright, the rough draft to the thesis is turned in. Now all I have left to do are the papers for all the classes I'm taking. Its pretty intense. I mean, the amount of pages minimally required of for each paper is more than the length of the rough draft I turned in for the thesis.

Somethings crazy about all this.

Sheesh.

Thesis and high blood pressure

You know, with the history of high blood pressure and heart problems in my family, one would think I would avoid such things that could endanger my heart's wellbeing or raise my blood pressure, that is, stress me out. Yet I love fattening foods, and I decided to double major.

Ah double majoring. It probably wouldn't be as bad if I had not picked History and English as my majors, the two majors notorious for their excessive amount of reading required even to pass.

And to make matters worse, its thesis time. That's right, I decided (somehow) that I would write my thesis in a week and a half, coming back from fall break. That is, I would write 35 pages or so next week.

Unfortunately, I forgot to factor in a major speaker, Medieval Fest, and generally struggling to keep up with work and the thesis. I have been working on reading ahead in my books for school. This week I've finished two books and started another one.

I'm not in the fall plays, but its time for my HELL WEEK!!!!!!!!!!

Fratres, Orare pro me.

Film History Lesson

Time for a lesson in Film History. I know you all must be dying to hear about it, but, well, here you go. Its another article I wrote for the Rambler.

Rating Films: A History
By Matthew Rose

When one goes to the movies, one of the first things looked at is the movie’s rating, not merely the star rating (scaled 1 to 4), but rather the MPAA, the Motion Picture Association of America, and its rating system. You are all familiar with it: G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17. What many people do not know is that the current rating system is a recent development. The history of movie ratings, however, traces back to the early years of film.

The first major films, appearing in the early twentieth century, were different than the movies we watch today. For one thing they lacked sound. The technology for recording sound, such as music and dialogue, along with picture would not come about until later. There was also a difference in content. Many of the old silent films are rather racy, and graphic nudity is frequent. It was not until the 1920s or so that the movie industry cracked down on film content. Scattered protests of particularly immoral films were often held, but nothing universal.

Then came the Legion of Decency. The Legion was founded in 1933, when “talkies,” the name given to talking movies, had already become popular. It was a Catholic response to immorality found in movies, as well as an organized support for the recently founded Production Code (aka the Hays Code) put out by Hollywood in response to complaints of the immorality in movies. These two reactions led to the original rating system. Movies were labeled A) “Morally unobjectionable,” B) “Morally objectionable in part”, or C) “Condemned” by the Legion of Decency. During the ‘30s and ‘40s, many films that received a C rating were either not released or, if they were released, did poorly in theaters.

Then came the 1960s. Looking at a list of movies condemned by the Legion of Decency in the ‘60s, one recognizes several titles: Kiss Me Stupid; From Russia With Love; Torn Curtain; and others. Movies were not passing the Legion of Decency, yet were popular at the box office. The rating system was about to undergo another change, separating itself from the Legion. The Legion, however, did not disappear; it became the USCCB movie rating office.

The year was 1968. The head honchos at the MPAA decided a new rating system should be created. They created the following four-pronged rating system: G (general audiences); M (mature audiences, parental guidance suggested for children); R (children under 16, later 17, not admitted without an adult); and X (no one under 17 admitted). These ratings soon changed slightly when the M became GP (later PG). The ratings remained unchanged until the 1980s, when the PG-13 rating appeared, courtesy of Steven Spielberg, his film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and another film, Gremlins. Spielberg pushed for a separate rating for films like Gremlins which were too intense for little children, but not bad for older ones. Because of this, the PG-13 rating is nicknamed the “Spielberg rating.”

The ratings would undergo another change in 1990. To quote the MPAA website, “the X rating over the years appeared to have taken on a surly meaning in the minds of many people, something that was never intended when the system was created.” In order to distinguish their rating of X from certain other “surly” films, the MPAA created the NC-17 rating.

The rating system has come a long way from its early beginnings. As we proceed into the new millennium, one wonders what could be in store for cinema and the film rating system. Whatever comes, at least we will know the rating system’s history.

Weddings

There are a sick mess of weddings in 2008. I actually know some of the people getting married this time too.

In February, my cousin is getting married. I'm gonna be going home from there. I don't have any special part in the wedding party or anything with the after party. But thats only the first one.

In March, Nick is getting married. He asked me to be one of the groomsmen, which is really cool. I said yes, of course.
What kind of person do you take me for.

Sometime later Jen and Joe are getting married. I'm the DJ for their after party (I'm getting paid $25 in food).

There are a couple other ones, but those are the three I'm most concerned with.

Makes me want to get a girlfriend.

"To Medusa"

A message to writers:
When you are in class, do not feel as if you should pay attention. If you feel inspiration, write it down. It could be gold like this. Think of it. You too could be writing Haiku sequences to Medusa.
How romantic!

"To Medusa" by Matthew Rose

Gorgon, my Gorgon

I gaze on that sweetest face.

Stone, my own face turns.

O Medusa, dear,

Let us talk a while here,

Make our wedding plans.

Shall it be had here,

Or closer to your own Greece,

Under olive trees?

Who should we invite?

Who can stand to see your grace?

Who can witness love?

My love, they will bide

While we promise each other

Our entire life.

"I do, I, I do."

I say it with gleeful pride.

And she says it too.

And I raise her veil.

I gaze into her eyes; and

There I stand today.

Apologia sua Novus Ordo Missae part 1

At long last I am posting it. Now that the Motu Proprio has come into effect, there has already been discussion throughout the country (I've seen the blogs) of how stupid and bad the Novus Ordo ( I mean, the Ordinary form of the Roman rite, to use Benedict's terms) is, etc. I don't have any exact links, but trust me, they are out there. So now is an opportune time to post my defense of the Novus Ordo. It will be in parts, obviously, since it is a large project. I'm posting first the introduction, providing a little scriptural meditation and general explanation of the project. The entire series is adapted from my Apologetics presentation from my Junior year at the College. Hopefully it is lucid and understandable.


Apologia pro Novus Ordo Missae

One of the most popular parables in the Gospel accounts is the story of the Prodigal Son. The story is so influential that Pope Benedict XVI, in his book Jesus of Nazareth, uses the parable as one of seven that best summarize Jesus’ teaching ministry. The story is universal in message, delving into the depths of God’s forgiveness, the great gift of salvation. Often a homily on this Gospel will reflect on just that, that no matter what the prodigal son did, the forgiving Father welcomes him back.

So what, you may be wondering, does this have to do with defending the Novus Ordo Missae, now referred to as the Ordinary form of the Roman Rite? The reality is that the parable has a lot to do with Ultra-traditionals, against whom this defense is argued. The parable does not end with the Father embracing the son, and Jesus saying “isn’t that nice; that’s how God loves everyone.” The resolution involves another son. The other son is a good boy. He never left his Father’s side, has never deviated from what his father has set forth, etc. Now his brother, his sinful, stupid brother who had told his father to drop dead, comes home; the Father receives him with open arms. A celebration, the Father cries, for my returned son, and the other son watches in envy. Why, he asks his Father. Why have you never rewarded me for my devotion to you? Should I not be rewarded for my love?

You do not understand, the Father replies. I love you too. You have always been devoted to me, but your brother, while he did not show his love of me as you have, has returned. I love you both. Now rejoice, because you are both my sons.

The message was for the Pharisees, but can also be applied to the Ultra-traditionalist of today. While the Church at large may not see itself as the prodigal son, the Ultra-traditionalists certainly see it that way. What these Ultra-traditionalists do not realize is that they, in labeling the main Church as such, have labeled themselves the other son. They are waiting for their brother to return home and be punished, but are shocked and appalled when they see do not see that happening. What is God doing, they may wonder. Has God abandoned the Church, leaving them as the only surviving (to use their term) remnant of the true Church?

The simple answer is that God will never abandon his Church, that the Papacy will always have a pope on Peter’s chair either actually or potentially) until the end of the world, and that the Mass will never end, no matter what Satan may try, for he has already lost. This is not a reason to be prideful or envious of favor. It is a time of rejoicing. Yet the Ultra-traditionalists, particularly those who argue the invalidity of the Ordinary form of the Roman Rite, stand as firm as the other brother. They produce arguments that, on the surface, seem perfectly align with Church teaching, even more so than what the Church herself produces. There lies the classical danger of those who have stood against the Church and the Pope throughout history. The Ultra-traditionalists claim to come from the same lineage as the defenders of the Church. Unfortunately, they do not see how their reflection shines in the Church’s enemies.

It is against these enemies, the Ultra-traditionalists, that these arguments are aimed. It is in defense of the Church and the Mass, both the extraordinary (the “Traditional Mass,” as it is called) and ordinary (the “Novus Ordo Missae, or New Mass”) forms.

Apologia pro Novus Ordo Missae est.

September 14, 2007

Today is a busy day. It is the feat of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a great feast for the Church (although not high enough for us to eat meat today. Snff!). You want to know what this feast is about? Here, this is a good summery of the history behind the feast from the Catholic News Agency website:

The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross celebrates two historical events: the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, in 320, under the temple of Venus in Jerusalem and the dedication, in 335, of the basilica and shrine built on Calvary by Constantine which mark the site of the Crucifixion.

Today is also important because it is the 30th Anniversary of the College. For 30 years the College has been teaching students Truth. We have a busy weekend ahead of us. Later today is a special convocation honoring three founders of Catholic colleges that appeared around the 70s, here, TAC, and Franciscan. After that is Mass, offered by Archbishop Burke of St. Louis, an apparently very conservative bishop. He has been one of the loudest episcopal voices against Pro-Choice politicians receiving Holy Communion. I'm one of the servers. I'm trembling inside. After Mass will be some food, music, and then, if the rain holds off, some fireworks. Tomorrow there will be a sort of festive dinner and a dance that night.

Today is also the day that Motu Proprio Summorum pontificum (see my previous posts) goes into effect. That means priests can say the Traditional Mass on their own discretion, with out the explicit approval of the local bishop. This should be interesting to see how things play out in the next year or so.

So that's the abbreviated roundup. Hopefully nothing bad will happen.

Wow, that was dire.

Birthday

I would like to tell the blogger world that today is my little sister's birthday.

She's getting older,
and so am I.
She's getting more mature
and so should I.

So Happy Birthday, baby sister. May God shower blessings upon you. May you grow this year as never before (not in height though, because then you'll be too tall, taller even than me!).

If I had money enough to spend
And leisure time to sit a while
There is a fair maid in this town
That surely has my heart beguiled
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips
I own she has my heart in thrall
Then fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all.

Ratings

I finally got my blog rated. I must say, I'm kinda disappointed. I was hoping for a higher rating. Apparently my blog only rates a G.

G

Like kid movies.

So I need to make my blog edgier. So, shock the censors. . .

DEATH!!!!!!

Of all my woes in life,
death is among the grimmest,
for even loosing one's very limbs,
does not appall in the slightest.
Only body soul seperation,
causes death and horrid constipation,
No wait, you don't need to worry
about those things that we all hurry
to avoid at all dire cost,
and kill ourselves when at a loss.

well, lets see what that does. I'll comment on the results.
as does

Chorus: the DVD review

As I said earlier, the DVD for Chorus, the first feature length film by Mirandum Pictures came out last week. I have been asked to write a review of the DVD for The Rambler, and you beloved readers (if there are any of you left) get to read it FIRST!

Chorus: The DVD
By. Matthew Rose

One year ago, Mirandum Pictures, the independent film company formed by Christendom alumni Colin Mason, Nick Mason, and Mike Powell with Dr. Keats, released their first full-length feature film, Chorus. On August 27th, the anniversary of the film’s premiere, the DVD for Chorus was made public. The two-disk set contains interesting goodies not only for fans of Mirandum Pictures, but also for fans of film in general.

Chorus, running at about two hours and twenty minutes, is the story of Mandy Holden (played by Laura Shrader), director of her college’s Shakespeare play. When disaster strikes the performance opening night, Mandy is left to wonder what has happened not only to the production, but to herself as well. The film weaves a tale featuring such characters as the mysterious Phil (played by Julian Ahlquist), the quirky Al (Joseph Powell), the friendly Katie (Annie Clark), and the reclusive Katrina (Anna Svendson). Chorus is their story, and begs the view as well as the characters what they consider a stranger.

The DVD is full of features to accompany this powerful movie. The first disk contains the 1:85:1 widescreen feature presentation of Chorus. The sound has been improved from the theatrical release, and the DVD even offers the choice of playing the movie in 2.0 stereo. English subtitles have been included for the hearing impaired. The first disk also contains a full-length commentary on the film, featuring Writer/Producer/Director Mike Powell, Director of Photography Colin Mason, Sound and visual designer Nick Mason, and actors Anna Svendson and Joseph Powell. The commentary answers many questions raised by one’s first viewing of the movie (such as where did so and so get that thing, or what is that character supposed to be thinking, or how did they get that shot). The commentary also draws out the message of the film and highlights spiritual themes, encouraging viewers to see at Chorus in a new light.

The second disk contains the bulk of the special features, including a fascinating documentary chronicling the production of Chorus, trailers for Chorus and Discretion (Mirandum Picture’s first film), deleted scenes with commentary by Mike Powell, bloopers, and a music video for the song “Accepted,” performed by Marie Miller. The documentary tells the film’s story, about people working to make a dream possible. Dr. Keats tells the story of the pre-production dinner where the movie’s plot first formed, as well as explaining the historical importance of the premiere (Chorus was the first movie to premiere in Front Royal in fifty years). Included in the documentary is behind-the-scenes footage filmed during production of the movie, providing viewers with a glimpse into the world of filmmaking. The deleted scenes, as Mike warns at the beginning of his commentary, may be boring, and were mostly cut to speed up the pace of the movie (the original cut of the film was three hours long). The bloopers are, well, bloopers. The “Accepted” music video cuts together clips of Marie Miller in concert with shots from the movie, making a moving song even more so. There is also a hidden treat, an “Easter Egg,” as it are called, on the Special Features disk. However, the viewer is left to find that on his or her own.

Overall this premiere release of Chorus on DVD is an interesting and fitting start to what will hopefully be the beginning of a blossoming career for Mirandum Pictures.

I'm back

Like a bad sickness, I am back from Ireland.
And Maryland

Ok, I'm back at school. Its the start of senior year. Time for the whole double majoring thing to start hitting me. I have two 40 page thesises due before I graduate: one this semester and another the next.

I should probably be doing reading for the English Reniassance Lit class, but Thomas More's Utopia is not the most exciting work I have ever read. Right up there with, dare I say it, Peers Plowman.

But on a completely different note. . .

CHORUS IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE NOW!!!!!!!! I bought my copy last night.

Hmm, maybe I should watch that with the commentary track turned on. . .

But anyway, a little more on Ireland:

Ireland, as I had said before, was awesome. It is a beautiful country dripping with a history and faith that I have not seen in other places. Unfortunately, it is being brushed away, though not completely. It is a more subtle brushing, a sort of semi-visible, semi-hidden picture of a world from long ago. The historical sites do not tell the whole story for fear of offending. I can see why, with all the more recent turmoil in the country, but still, ignoring or airbrushing history? Maybe its just the historian in me, but I don't think that's right.

I should put samples of my journal on the blog in the coming week. Hopefully.