Start Over Again

Alright, well, I think it is official. I hate everything. As of late, 99.9% of things have either annoyed me, bored me or have just been lame. Am I to blame, or have entertainment standards really taken a fall?

Last night we went to see 'Fred Claus' as a whole ward for FHE. I am definitely appreciative of all the people who organized such an event. And in all, I think people had an enjoyable time.

The movie was okay enough. I did enjoy Vince Vaughn’s role in the movie. Every time I see something that Vince Vaughn is in, I remember how much I like him. He seems like a cool guy to have as a friend, and just like Hugh Grant, usually plays the exact same characters in all of his movies. That kind of consistency makes the movie more believable.

But seriously, and I am wracking my brain to think of something else good to say, but Vince Vaughn was really the only good thing about the movie.

In my mind, I never really had this movie pegged as a kids’ or family movie. But that is kinda what it turned out to be. And what made it a kids’ movie more than anything were the weird sound effects that accompanied every move that any of the characters made. There were fart noises, and weird slide whistles, and other cartoon like sounds. It was noticeable and unnecessary.

During the heart-warming ending of the movie, everyone is watching kids open the presents that Santa has brought, and over the top of the scene was an already ugly rendition of Silent Night. But the dumbest part is that that they changed the words. Here is an example:

Silent Night, Holy Night
All is Calm, All is Bright
See the stars twinkle in the sky
See the snow around us lie
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Can you spot the errors in this song? Now I understand that maybe you don’t want to put a Christian overtone on your movie about a Christian holiday, but to go as far as to change the words, just so non-Christians wouldn’t be offended?

Was there no other song that you didn’t have to alter to play there instead of Silent Night? Think about how extra time you had to take just to change the words? Plus how bad does Josef Mohr feel because you changed his lyrics?

After the movie, I heard one person make the comment to her friends, “If that didn’t put you in the Christmas Spirit, nothing will.” And I realized that maybe I was too much of a Christmas lost soul. And that even Scrooge and the Grinch had a Christmas change of heart.

Hear me now, believe me later, I am by no means still pleased with all aspects of Christmas, nor am I moving Christmas up to top holiday. I do still find Santa unnecessary, nutcrackers creep me out, and fruitcake really isn’t that good.

But I do enjoy the time spent with family and friends and the idea that none of us will have to go to work for at least a couple of days. Things really could be worse, so there is no need to complain about a holiday that is suppose to be full of wonder and magic.

Thanks to all of you for your love.
God bless us, everyone.