Category: Bulletin

Gladiator II is a serviceable historical epic. If you loved Gladiator, you’ll like Gladiator II. Gladiator II opens as Rome is about to siege the “last free city in Africa.” Our nameless hero loses valiantly with his wife dying in the battle, and he is brought to be a slave in Rome. But if our hero can perform well enough as a gladiator, he can buy his own freedom. And with that, we’re off. The beats of this film will be familiar, with a massive twist only halfway through that changes the stakes for everyone. Our hero is really the son of our hero from the last movie! Which means he has a legitimate claim to the throne of Rome. The movie tries to follow three different stories. Our hero (Paul Mescal) is trying to win his freedom and avenge his wife’s death. Acacius (Pedro Pascal), the general of the armies, wants respite and time with his wife; he also wants to lead a coup against the emperors. Macrinus (Denzel Washington) wants to work his way up in Roman power through political scheming. And then on top of all of that, we are told that our hero must deal with his father’s legacy and discover who he truly is.  It’s a lot, even for an epic, and the screenplay is not nearly tight enough to keep all the storylines coherent and moving. We are led to believe that Macrinus is successful in maneuvering to the top of Roman society because of his exceptional political skill, and Denzel Washington’s delicious performance makes that believable, but all we actually see him do is win a bet and carry out an assassination. Pedro Pascal’s excellent work as the weary general does some of the work in helping reconcile the contradictions in his character, but a look on his face here or there has to carry a lot that a simple conversation could have fleshed out.  Perhaps the reason the script doesn’t have time to breathe is also its biggest contradiction. There is something grotesque about watching audiences cheer on the brutal violence taking place in the film. And yet, the entire film is centered on having us, the audience, watch one set piece of over-the-top violence after another. We don’t get to see Macrinus manipulate the Roman senate because, instead, we need to see our hero fighting with CGI rhinos or CGI sharks. There is a place for violence in a moral movie. It can be helpful to attune our senses to recoil from violence or recognize the rare places it is justified. But the violence on display in Gladiator II is so relentless and gratuitous that it dulls the senses instead.  This is not to diminish the craftsmanship that has been used to bring this world and its many battle scenes to light. Rome feels broad and alive in true epic fashion, and it’s easy to get swept away into its world—with the exception of a few uncharacteristic pieces of clunky CGI work. The opening battle sequence is perhaps the best ever put to screen.  The best part of Gladiator II was its opening. A 1950s style opening credits are shown over a lavish dreamy animated retelling of the first film. Everything about it screams that something epic is about to be shown. But throughout the movie I stayed fixated on what it could have been. What if it had been more focused on the characters I cared about? What if it didn’t try to connect so much plot to the previous film and let this story stand on its own merits? What if they had expanded it to a TV miniseries so that its many plot points had space to breathe? In the end, despite some good acting and a beautiful setting, the movie just left so much to be wanted.  Gladiator II is R-rated. It is not appropriate for children or, in my estimation, most adults. At its core, this film has a moral message: life is hard, but it’s worth fighting for. But the way it’s presented on screen does more to drag down the spirit than to lift it up. Two and a half out of five stars. Gladiator II opens nationwide November 22, 2024.

In a world marked by ever-evolving societal norms and nuanced perspectives, these podcasts continue to navigate the intricate intersections of culture and faith. This month, the featured podcast episodes present thought-provoking discussions in a quartet of episodes, each tackling distinct aspects of some of our latest or upcoming articles. Family Bro Evening: “Ex-Brother Bundy and the Gift of Discernment” In this thought-provoking episode, the hosts of Family Bro Evening dive deep into one of the Church’s most notorious members, Ted Bundy, and the circumstances surrounding his time in Utah. The discussion extends to the role of the gift of discernment in our lives, both in the context of Bundy’s rampage and as a broader concept in faith and personal growth. It’s a gripping exploration of the intersection between faith, discernment, and the darkest aspects of human behavior. For consideration as a companion discussion to the article “Moving Toward Zion in an Age of Chaos” Sit Down With Sky & Amanda: “Please Don’t Be My Ally – Allies vs. Advocates for Christ” In this compelling episode, our hosts delve into the multifaceted challenges surrounding LGBTQ+ issues within religious communities. The spotlight is on the limitations of moral relativism and the tendency for church members to adopt this approach. They explore vital questions, such as how church members should ideally handle LGBTQ+ issues and whether there’s an alternative to the term “ally”. Moreover, the episode dissects why so many individuals lean toward a relativistic approach to morality in these contexts and suggests ways to combat it. Consider alongside the article “The Illusion of Neutrality” The Raising Family Podcast: “Resilience, Family, and Identity with Jenet Erickson” This enlightening episode welcomes guest Jenet Erickson, a Fellow at the Wheatley Institute and Associate Professor of Religious Education at BYU. Jenet’s research specializes in maternal and child wellbeing, and in this discussion, she illuminates the sacred roles of both mothers and fathers in child development. She explores how children’s emotional and physical growth is deeply influenced by bonding with both parents and delves into the development of identity within these familial bonds. Jenet also touches on the concept of resilience in children and how it can be both a strength and a challenge. The episode concludes with insights on finding joy and happiness in life by nurturing strong relationships within families and society. Accompanying the article “When Loving Ourself Meets Loving our Neighbor” Pop Culture on the Apricot Tree:  “Redemption Through Rituals: The Mandalorian’s Religious Parallels” Joining hosts Liz and Carl are special guests Jacob Hess and Jared Esselman to explore the significance of religious community and rituals in Season 3 of Disney’s The Mandalorian. This Star Wars spin-off show intriguingly employs a Jewish template for Mandalorian culture, emphasizing the importance of ordinances and community in Din Djarin’s quest for redemption from apostasy. Don’t miss Jared sharing profound parallels between The Mandalorian’s narrative and his personal journey of excommunication and rebaptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For consideration as a companion discussion to the article “A Deeper Look Into The Power of Latter-day Saint Temples”

Welcome to this month’s lineup of Public Square Media episodes. We hope this month’s curated episodes inform your thinking, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire civil discourse. Family Bro Evening In this month’s podcast trio from Family Bro Evening, hosts Scott and JC explore the little-understood Law of Consecration with Dr. Steven C. Harper, and tackle BYU’s dating culture in an insightful two-part discussion. Steven C. Harper on the Law of Consecration Two-part series on toxic dating culture:  Toxic Dating Culture Part-1 Toxic Dating Culture Part 2   Pop Culture on the Apricot Tree Dive into the eerie world of Black Mirror in this episode, as Liz and Carl team up with Radical Civility for a captivating crossover. Unpacking the chilling “Hated in the Nation” episode, they dissect how social media’s hashtags can take a lethal turn. Explore with them the grip of online cruelty while discovering strategies to resist negativity and promote civil discourse. Black Mirror: Hated in the Nation #deathtosocialmedia   Raising Family Step into a world of transformation as hosts David and Linda chat with guest Jeff Carney, who teaches “7 Habits” to inmates, helping them uncover their divinity. Inspired by The Family Proclamation, Jeff shares his inmate interactions, unwavering belief in individual worth, and insights on shedding self-limitation. His perspective reveals how viewing ourselves as God does ignites profound change. Jeff’s wisdom culminates in the notion that purpose is discovered, not created. Prepare to be inspired to embrace your own potential through a divine lens and riveting conversation. Inmates, Divine Potential, and Pepper   Sit Down with Sky and Amanda In this episode, Sky and Amanda confront the controversial question: “What is a woman?” Delving into the contrasting perspectives of societal norms and divine definitions, they explore the disparities that arise. Their exploration extends to the intricate balance between valuing motherhood and the modern pursuit of equity, uncovering how societal shifts have sometimes led to the devaluation of this essential role. Join them for an enlightening journey. The Redefinition of Woman: Reclaiming Womanhood