Entropy

The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that the universe is in a constant state of entropy, moving from more order to less.  If we accept that the universe is about 14 billion years old, and that it started with a Big Bang, physicists can only conclude that the universe must have been very orderly at its inception.  There is no good cosmological explanation for how this could happen, as each theory is controversial and poses its own set of unsolved problems.

I love a good mystery.

The Great War

We visited a travelling World War I exhibit at the Fort Douglas Museum this afternoon.  It was a small, but interesting series of displays, including a recreation of a trench, all assembled in a semi trailer.  A few things I learned about WWI, in no particular order:

1. The U.S. was hoping to stay out of the war, which the public regarded as a European conflict.  But when we discovered documents showing that Germany was trying to enlist Mexico to attack the U.S., Pres. Wilson asked Congress for the right to declare war.  Public opinion was divided on the matter, but when the vote came, Congress chose a near-united front.   War, when it is perceived as just, brings a country together, partly out of necessity, but also out of a patriotism that goes cold during times of internecine peace.

2. The U.S. had very little modern warfare experience and had to be trained by the French and the British.  What progress we have made!  We now know so much about the art of war that we are obliged to train the world.

3. There was a school of thought that Darwinism applied to nations as well as species--that war was part of the natural selection process and the the fittest would rightly survive for the benefit of the planet.  The German author Thomas Mann referred to the coming war as a potential blessing and a cleansing, demonstrating once again that ideas, like women's make-up, are often misused to cover an unattractive truth.

4. Pres. Wilson chose John "Black Jack" Pershing over several other more senior generals to lead the efforts in Europe.  Pershing had most recently led troops tracking Pancho Villa in Mexico, and once had commanded a regiment of "buffalo soldiers" in the Spanish American War (hence his nickname).  An interesting tidbit: After the war, as Chief of Staff for the Army, he created the Pershing Map, which later, under Eisenhower, served as the vision for our Interstate highway system.

5. As in all wars up to that time, the most common causes of death were disease and infection.  Diseases spread rapidly in the close quarters of the trenches.  When the battles moved to the heavily-manured fields of France and Belgium the trenches became particularly deadly.  This is like a Greek tragedy, with the horses and farmers playing an unwitting role.

6. Italy at first stayed on the sidelines, with Mussolini opposing the war.  However, midway he saw an opportunity, as the Allies promised Italy territory on the Adriatic Sea as part of the secretive Treaty of London.  Unfortunately, Italy's military performance was almost completely ineffectual, which proved to be a national embarrassment, and when the Treaty of Versailles was signed, they got nothing for their efforts.  Interesting quote from Mussolini, urging the nation to war: "Do you want to be spectators in this great drama, or do you want to be fighters?"  I'm reminded of Shakespeare's observation: "All the world's a stage.  And all the men and women merely players ..."

7. The war was a defining moment for America, which was largely a nation of immigrants.  The country pulled together to support the effort, with extraordinary volunteerism not just in the military, but in supporting services back home.   There was partly the result of an intense propaganda effort by Wilson, including hiring writers to create anti-German pamphlets and hiring "four-minute men" to deliver patriotic messages at schools, movie theaters, etc.  Most interesting was the encouragement of people to grow backyard "victory gardens" (also called "war gardens" and "food gardens for defense") to reduce the demand on the food supply in support of the war.  It is extraordinary what sacrifices people will make when fueled by hate for a villain, a well-known lesson today by those who cultivate gang-bangers and suicide bombers.

We also visited the Fort Douglas Museum, which covers the military history of Utah.  The most interesting thing I learned: President Lincoln recommended the fort be named after Stephen Douglas, his historical political adversary.  The more I learn about Lincoln the more impressed I am by his greatness of character.  I keep searching in vain for a politician of similar ilk today.

Sundance 2012

Since I am no longer participating in my old Sundance blog, I thought I'd post a quick update here.  It was another light year for Sundance--and by that I mean I only saw seven films.   That may seem like a lot over eight days, but in the past I would see 25, so the reduced participation makes me feel like an outsider.  I had hoped to buy  more tickets and see a few additional international and documentary films, which are usually available when the single tickets are sold, but due to a scheduling mix-up I missed my window.  Anyway, here's a quick recap of the movies:

Red Lights
Written and directed by Rodrigo Cortes, who also directed Buried.   This has all the feel of a paranormal thriller, but there is surprisingly little to find frightening, and I'm an easy mark.  In fact, because of that the tone of the movie seemed inconsistent.  Starring Robert DeNiro, Sigourney Weaver, Cillian Murphy and Elizabeth Olsen.  All but DeNiro were there, and Sigourney Weaver sat right in front of me.  She is quite tall, which gave me the unusual experience of having Sigourney Weaver's head block my view of Signourney Weaver on screen.   The script was weak, finishing with a painfully long soliloquy that left many in the audience dazed and confused. This will make the rounds in theaters, but not for very long.

Arbitrage
Richard Gere, Tim Roth and Susan Sarandon.  (Gere was there, looking like a modern-day Richard Cory.  I hope when my hair turns all grey I'll get slender and taller and better-looking like him.)  I had to see this movie to learn that capitalists are bad and that money corrupts.  Now I'm really glad I'm not a billionaire.  Actually, a lot of people will like this movie.  I didn't, not because it picks on rich people, but because it was predictable and cliched.  It will play the theaters, probably to mixed reviews.

Celeste and Jesse Forever
Andy Samberg (SNL), Rashida Jones (Parks & Recreation, The Office, I Love You Man), Elijah Wood and Eric Olsen--all were there but none said anything particularly brilliant, which isn't unusual for actors at Sundance.  Most of the Q&A's are terribly awkward, with the stars standing on the stage with very little to do or say, while the director prattles on in his/her glory.)  Anyway, while the premise of a post-romantic friendship is anything but new, this film pushes the notion to the extreme.  It's filled with crude humor, which is, admittedly, pretty funny at times.  The script gets a bit tedious and the acting is acceptable, but not inspired.  This will find its audience as a date movie that guys who saw The Hangover three times will agree to.

Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare
This is a documentary that we managed to get into at the last minute.  (We even had to talk ourselves into the parking lot.)  The title is self-explanatory and the film interesting and, like so many documentaries on social issues, incredibly frustrating.  Although I must admit to being surprised and encouraged by the military's use of acupuncture as an effective substitute for drugs to treat returning soldiers.  If you weren't disgusted by Big Pharma before this movie, you surely will be afterwards.  It's worth seeing, even though it's a small-budget movie.

Lay the Favorite
Directed by Stephen Frears (The Grifters, High Fidelity), and starring Bruce Willis, Rebecca Hall and Cathrine Zeta-Jones (Willis and Hall were there).  Based on a true story by Beth Raymer about her experience moving to Las Vegas and working for a small-time bookie.   Both Hall and Willis bring a lot to the movie and a lively, fast-moving script keeps it interesting.  Plus, there's a cameo by Vince Vaughn (I sat next to his dad the night before, and you can see where Vince gets it from!).  This is by no means great cinema, but more than mildly entertaining.  Writer Beth Raymer was there and on-stage and it was amazing to see her every bit as ditzy as how Rebecca Hall portrayed her in the movie.

The Word

Director/Actress Nadine Labaki

First-time director (but veteran actor) Brian Klugman with Bradley Cooper, Olivia Wilde and Jeremy Irons (all there).  Sort of an interesting premise about a writer who publishes a work that isn't his.  Unfortunately, the script doesn't do enough with the idea.  However, it held my attention because I was genuinely interested in how it would end.   Cooper is pretty good, and Irons is, as always, excellent.   If nothing else, the movie gave me hope that I still might publish a great novel--although perhaps not one that I personally wrote.


Where Do We Go Now?
A Lebanese film directed by Nadine Labaki, who has become something of a rock star in Lebanon, which is not known for its cinematic excellence.  (What is it known for?  Uh ... cedars?)   But this is a terrific film, absolutely my favorite from this year's movies.  It's the story of how a group of Lebanese women try to save their town (well, their unwitting menfolk) from civil war.  It's both inspiring and funny, and well worth living through the sub-titles.   Strongly recommended when it comes to your local arthouse this year.