Doesn’t this populist attitude seem to undermine the very core of what drives an LDS vision of truth? What about those six men who at one point comprised all of the priesthood? What about Lehi and his family in comparison to the heavily populated great and spacious building. Some of the greatest achievements in all of film history are still unavailable on DVD anywhere in the world. Some are still unavailable on video in any format. Let us not be so reductionist, so smug, so simple, as to assume that because something is popular it is right or of great worth.

Partially, we might do well to remember that it is also by small and simple things that great things come to pass. I don’t believe that Brother Starling’s use of the word “small” is in opposition to “epic” solely, but the implication might be so construed by inclusion of films like “Ben Hur” rather than smaller, more artistic films either by William Wyler, or touched on Christian themes in more subtle ways. Might I just say that the Fit For the Kingdom series seems far more concerned with Christianity than any part of Ben Hur. However, from this treatise we might be inclined to disregard such ’small’ and therefore more subtle efforts. Such efforts cannot ever be popular or ‘play for months’ at any theatre, let alone a multiplex.

I’m frightened that our criteria might get twisted from what actually matters. David Cronenberg’s last two features have rightfully been described as “B-movies” but each has more on its mind than anything that has more “multiplex staying power.” Though both are very much ‘adult’ films (not meaning pornographic in any way, but definitely not for children) they are both more concerned with morality than almost anything I’ve seen billed at a multiplex in over a year.

Let us just be careful what we really mean when we discuss the “best art.”

I’m glad Robert Starling brought up the Kimball quote, and I liked his emphasis on taken advantage of the time we have to do really good things. I think the same principle can be applied to _consuming_ art. We only have a limited time on this earth to refine our minds and spirits. How much time do we honestly want to waste on _watching_ bland sitcoms and B-movies?Why on earth are we lining our shelves with chick flicks and cheap action thrillers rather than with the best of the best? This is a trend I’ve noticed since coming to college that bothers me. Fortunately BYU International Cinema is become increasingly well-attended since I’ve been here, from what I’ve observed, so I think some students are catching the spirit. But I think we should feel more urgency about it. With the responsibility we have to prepare the earth for the Second Coming, as Robert Starling mentions, I wonder how we can feel comfortable passively watching reruns of “Friends” and bad movie sequels? They may not be bad necessarily, but I’m pretty sure there are better things out there. We can’t afford to waste the time we could be spend seeking out and producing the _best_ art. I appreciate Robert’s call to repentance, so to speak, because I know I certainly could be doing better. :-)