Across the Universe

Last Saturday I went to see "Across the Universe," a film based upon the music of the Beatles. As a huge Fab Four fan (nice alliteration, huh?), I was eagerly anticipating the film, and I walked into the theater with a couple of expectations. Obviously, I expected to hear most if not all of my favorite Beatles tunes. The film did not disappoint. With one or two exceptions, all of my favorite songs made it into the movie; I was particularly impressed with the inclusion of some lesser-known songs, such as "Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite." Also, I expected the film to be very strange. Once again, it didn't disappoint, serving up a healthy portion of psychedelia and hallucinogenic imagery. As far as plots go, "Across the Universe" isn't a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, but it's fun, artistic, and - dare I say it - groovy. If nothing else, it's a good excuse to pack a two hour movie with Beatles music.

The Parking Lot

I stood in the deserted parking lot and thought of my brothers. Having spent the entirety of my life with one and sixteen years with the other, it's hard to be away from them. College is new and thrilling and life-changing, but sometimes I don't want new or thrilling and least of all life-changing; sometimes I just want to drive to Wal-Mart with my brothers for no reason at all, cracking wise all the way there. There, in that deserted parking lot, as my girlfriend offered whispers of comfort, I cried. And the world was still beautiful.