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Cache Magazine WAPITI WORLD Hardware Ranch hosts its annual Elk Festival

The Herald Journal

DECEMBER 16-22, 2016

contents

December 16-22, 2016

COVER 6 Hardware Ranch plays host to annual Elk Festival up Blacksmith Fork Canyon

THE ARTS 4 Old Barn Community

Theatre presents ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’

4 Conservice brings

comedian Brian Regan back to Cache Valley

5 Bar J Wranglers coming

to the Eccles Theatre for annual Christmas show

5 Christmas concerts now

near the end at Tabernacle

MOVIES 3 Three stars: ‘Rogue One’ director Gareth Edwards ‘does most things right’

Dolly Parton talks with Kenny Alphin, center, and John Rich of Big & Rich during tapings for her Smoky Mountain Rise Telethon Tuesday in Nashville. Parton lined up an all-star list of performers to raise money for people whose homes were damaged or destroyed in Tennessee wildfires. (AP Photo) On the cover: Elk gather in the meadow at Hardware Ranch on Saturday. (Eli Lucero/Herald Journal)

8 ‘Moana’ remains on top

FROM THE EDITOR

of box office; ‘La La Land’ fares well in limited release

9 Musical ‘La La Land’

lives up to its early buzz

TV 10 NBC scores big with football and ‘This Is Us’

CALENDAR 11 See what’s happening this week in Cache Valley

Did you know that even though it’s been 37 years since the Jazz basketball team relocated from New Orleans to the Beehive State that some people still think it was stupid for the franchise to retain the Jazz name?

It’s true. And I know because I am one of those people.

However, my once solid foundation for thinking that it made no sense to retain a nickname that conjures up visions of

Bourbon Street and Lousiana after a team has moved to the Intermountain West, might actually be getting a little bit shaky Earlier this week, Utah Public Radio announced that beginning this month, each Sunday it will air “Jazz Time with Steve Williams.”

Hosted live by Williams from the KCPW Public Radio studios in Salt Lake City, the Utah State University-based radio station will air “Jazz Time” from 6 to 10 p.m. Williams will offer jazz music from “along the historical timeline — Havana to Paris, Billie Holiday to saxophonist Joe Lovano. Among the musicians he plays are Duke Ellington, Diana

Krall, Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis and Joe McQueen. ... Williams’ jazz show was heard on University of Utah-based KUER for 31 years before he retired in 2015 when he was praised by KUER as ‘the voice of jazz music in Utah.’”

“We know that many of our listeners love jazz and have missed having jazz available statewide,” said UPR program director Tom Williams. “We think our audience will really enjoy spending Sunday nights with Steve Williams.”

Unless, of course, the Utah Jazz have a game that night.

— Jeff Hunter

New movie tells story of rebels stealing plans for Death Star

By Aaron Peck Cache movie critic

The opening scene of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” offers up a tantalizing idea of what we can expect from Gareth Edwards’ midquel. A small spaceship cruises by a ringed planet, only a speck in the grand scheme of space. The ship lands on a beautifully stark planet.

A blanket of fog hangs over obsidian ground, which is dotted with lush greenery.

This is what Edwards does so well. He offers up tangible visuals. Striking images that resonate. George Lucas, especially in the prequels, gave into merchandising mayhem.

Each scene was packed with so much “Star Wars” stuff that it detracted from whatever story was going on. Here Edwards provides a much cleaner — but grittier — “Star Wars” picture. A story that’s been hewn down to its bare essentials. A “Star Wars” movie that actually deals with the effects of war.

“Rogue One” spans a time period between “Revenge of the Sith” and “A New Hope.” Here we learn how Princess Leia actually came into possession of the Death Star plans. The strength of this story is its nostalgic effect. Its weakness is that it’s tied to its fate no matter what. On one hand, it’s a movie about a group of

AP Photo

Felicity Jones, left, and Diego Luna share a scene in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”

★★★ ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ Director // Gareth Edwards Starring // Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk, Mads Mikkelsen, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Forest Whitaker, Riz Ahmed, Wen Jiang, Jimmy Smits, James Earl Jones Rated // PG-13 for extended sequences of sci-fi violence and action

characters who sacrifice for the greater good. But on the other hand, it’s a lengthy explanation as to why the Death Star had such a glaring architectural flaw.

Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen) is a reluctant Empire scientist, tasked with creating a weapon of mass destruc-

tion. His only reasoning for creating such a horrific device is to save his daughter Jyn (Felicity Jones) from falling into the grasp of the Empire. While he’s created a working Death Star for Lord Vader, he’s also seen fit to compromise its integrity.

The villain Orson Kren-

nic (Ben Mendelsohn) is the man in charge of making everything work, and here is where the movie takes a nose dive. Mendelsohn is so great, but his character is figuratively neutered by a strange choice. (Warning: Very mild spoilers the next few sentences) While Edwards is sees fit to make this movie his own, some of Lucas’ spirit of too-much bleeds over. A CGI Peter Cushing returning as Grand Moff Tarkin completely renders Krennic useless and impotent as a real threat.

Cushing’s face is a creepy hike through the Uncanny Valley; an ungainly blemish on an otherwise beautiful blockbuster.

Why the filmmakers felt

tied to a nostalgic secondary character enough to compromise the story and its main villain, is a good question I don’t know the answer to.

There’s no beginning crawl, so at least we know they weren’t afraid to kill some darlings. (End of mild spoilers) So much of “Rogue One” takes place on the ground as Jyn, and her band of Rebel misfits, attempt to infiltrate an Empire stronghold and steal the Death Star blueprints. Edwards shoots these action scenes with an expert eye, and even when he’s performing handheld shots, we still understand the geography of the scene.

Jyn is the antithesis of Rey in “The Force Awakens.” Rey is spunky, full of hope. Jyn is consigned to a life of abandonment, which makes her bitter and hard. Her evolution from uncaring bystander to full-throated resistance fighter is the film’s worth.

“Rogue One” does contain some of the best action sequences in the whole “Star Wars” franchise. Edwards knows how to shoot action well. He knows how to frame and compose shots.

He understands that there’s beauty in backing away and drinking in a scene.

There’s a moment, during the beach battle, where AT-ATs slowly appear out of the fog of war. A sequence that reminded of Edwards’ “Godzilla,” where he used smoke and dust to obscure the monster to great effect.

Doing most things right makes “Rogue One” a competent and exhilarating blockbuster, just not a lifechanging one.

The Herald Journal, Logan, Utah, Friday, December 16, 2016

‘Rogue One’ fills in ‘Star Wars’ gap

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ALL MIXED UP

The Herald Journal, Logan, Utah, Friday, December 16, 2016

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all mixed up ‘Best Christmas Pagaent’ comes to Old Barn The Old Barn Community Theatre in Collinston will present “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays Dec. 2-17.

Evening shows begin at 7:30 p.m. with Saturday matinees starting at 2:30 p.m.

Directed by Marc Jensen, “Christmas Pageant” tickets may be purchased by going to ww.oldbarn.org or by calling (435) 458-2276.

The Herdmans were the worst kids in the whole history of the world.

They lied and stole and smoked

cigars — even the girls — and they talked dirty and hit little kids and cussed their teachers and took the name of the Lord in vain and set fire to Fred Shoemaker’s old brokendown tool house.

Grace Bradley finds herself unexpectedly directing the Christmas pageant for the first time in her life, and the Herdmans, who have never been in church before and have never even heard the Christmas story, somehow have become her pageant’s main characters. It is

a disaster waiting to happen ... or is it? The church will never be the same and not just because of “the fire.” The congregation’s concept of Christmas will never quite be the same, either, after witnessing the well-known story through the fresh eyes of the Herdmans.

Somehow, “the worst kids in the whole history of the world”, the first time director, and all the other kids survive all the mishaps and missteps and pull off “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”

‘Journey through Time’ in B.C. The Brigham City Museum of Art and History exists to acquire and to treasure important works of art. The museum’s current exhibit “An Art Journey through Time” features masterworks from its extensive, permanent collection on show Nov. 12 through Jan. 21.

The museum is located at 24 N. 300 West in Brigham City. Admission is free.

Hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. For further information, please phone (435) 226-1439 or brighamcitymuseum.org.

J. T. Harwood, Lee K. Parkinson, Minerva Teichert, E. J. Bird, Theodore M. Wassmer and other premier artists have created “1,000word stories” that will enable viewers to experience joy or grief or courage as they vicariously travel as far away as Saint-Tropez, France, and as near as North Ogden, Utah.

The imagination of many of the painters and draftsmen encircles Utah with such themes as old Frisco mine; thorn-apple tree east of Murray; desert sentinel; Mill-

This untitled painting by E.J. Bird and many other paintings are part of “An Art Journey through Time” exhibit currently on display at the Brigham City Museum.

creek autumn; City Creek, Salt Lake; and home of the brave (Native American scene).

Placed throughout the exhibit is some of the artwork from the Hinckley Collection owned by the Box

Elder County School District and stored at the museum.

“Art’s sweet relationship with the brain and the body will make a trip to the museum worthwhile,” museum director Kaia Landon says.

“Particularly engaging are

the portraits ‘Dance Family,’ ‘Helen,’ ‘Fleur de Blu,’ ‘At the Market’ and ‘Contemplation,’ all by Wassmer,” The media in the exhibit include watercolors, drawings, etchings, paintings and photographs.

Celebrate the New Year at the Elite Hall Ring in the New Year New Yorkstyle this year at the historic Elite Hall in Hyrum.

The party will start at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, with dinner, music and dancing on the legendary spring dance floor.

Games, movies and popcorn will start at 8 p.m. along with live music and dance demonstrations.

Then we will celebrate the arrival of 2017 by watching a live stream of the ball drop in New York City on the big screen at 10 p.m. MST. Dinner will be catered by Firehouse Pizzeria and music, dancing, dessert and beverages will be available all night.

Tickets are $10 per person or $40 for a family of five — additional children in the same household are only $5 and children 3 years and younger are free.

If you’d like to join the party after dinner, “party-only” tickets are available starting at 8 p.m. and are $5 each or $15 for a family.

Tickets can be pre-purchased by visiting hyrumcitymuseum.org or at the door.

This event is a fundraiser for the restoration Elite Hall, which is located at 83 W. Main St. in Hyrum.

Friday, Dec. 16 — Westminster Bell Choir The Logan Tabernacle will sparkle with the sounds of English handbells on Friday night when the Westminster Bell Choir and Belles of Westminster present their annual Christmas concert.

The choirs are proud to welcome Dr. Craig Jessop, dean of Utah State University’s Caine College of the Arts and music director and founder of the American Festival Chorus & Orchestra, as guest conduc-

tor. Other guests will include Elisabeth (Buffy) Evans on piano prelude, and Mary Beck on an organ/bell arrangement of Vivaldi’s “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.” The Westminster Bells Choir concert will include such favorites as “O Come, All Ye Faithful” rung on chimes, “Angels We Have Heard on High” for combined bell and chime choirs and a particularly funky arrangement of “We Three Kings” for malleted bells. The concert

will also feature a 29-bell arrangement of “The Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah” for bell quartet.

The bell choirs are interfaith groups sponsored by Logan’s First Presbyterian Church.

They ring five octaves of English handbells and five octaves of handchimes and have been known to sing or hum while ringing.

Saturday, Dec. 17 — Christmas Sing-Along Come and enjoy singing some of your favorite seasonal

Wranglers ready to play The ever-popular December tradition at the Ellen Eccles Theatre returns! The Bar J Wranglers — the worldfamous singing cowboys from Jackson Hole — will be in Cache Calley for the 17th year in a row to perform at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17.

The Bar J Wranglers entertain the entire family with Western harmonies straight from the range, cowboy stories and jokes that will have you laughing in the aisles, and an evening of inspiration that will continue to lift your spirits long after the show.

Tickets are available at cachearts.org, at the CacheARTS ticket office at 43 S. Main St. or by calling 752-0026.

Over 30 years ago, Babe Humphrey founded the Bar J Wranglers.

Now his sons, Scott and Bryan, continue the family tradition, along with Tim Hodgson, Donnie Cook and Danny Rogers. The Bar J Wranglers perform in Jackson Hole seven nights per week during the summer

songs sung with your friends from Cache Valley. It will be a fun evening for the entire family.

Sunday, Dec. 18 — North Logan LDS Stake This performance begins at 6 p.m., so come early to get a seat and hear Handel’s classic “Messiah” performed by neighbors in North Logan. A choir and orchestra will present selected sections. This is always a professional, wonderful addition to the Christmas season.

COMING UP Classic Christmas films

Classic Christmas movies will continue at the Utah Theatre this week in downtown Logan.

Films will be shown on Wednesday (“Miracle on 34th Street” at 7 p.m., “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” at 9:30 p.m.); Thursday (“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at 7 p.m., “The Polar Express” at 9:30 p.m.); and Friday (“Elf” at 7 p.m., “A Christmas Carol” at 9:30 p.m.).

Admission is $8 for adults; $5 under 12 years of age. Tickets are $5 on Wednesdays.

Call 750-0300 or visit theutahtheatre.org for more information.

Parade of Gingerbread

With the holiday season here, it’s time again for the annual Parade of Gingerbread Homes in Downtown Logan.

Starting on Saturday, Dec. 3 and continuing through December 31, everyone is invited to stroll downtown to vote on their favorite gingerbread creations.

The event has grown into a much loved local tradition, not only for the architects who design gingerbread creations but for everyone who participates by voting on their favorite edible wonderland.

This year, each architect will have a chance to win one of three $100 Grand Prizes for the “Best of Show.”

Visit logandowntown.org for more information.

New Year’s Eve Dance

The New Year’s Eve Program and Dance for all Cache Valley singles 46 year old and older will be held Saturday, Dec. 31, at the LDS Logan South Stake Center at 350 W. 700 South. Musical entertainment featuring Kate Francis & Friends will begin at 7 p.m., followed by games and refreshBryan Humphrey and the rest of the Bar J Wranglers will perform two shows on Saturday, ments. Dancing will take place from 9 p.m. to midnight. Admission is free.

See PLAY on Page 10 Dec. 17, at the Ellen Eccles Theatre.

The Herald Journal, Logan, Utah, Friday, December 16, 2016

The Logan Tabernacle Christmas Concert Series comes to an end this weekend with three more performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Entitled “Tidings of Comfort & Joy,” this year’s Christmas concert series is free and open to the public. Concerts begin each evening at 7 p.m. at the Logan Tabernacle, 50 N. Main St., with the exception of Sunday’s “Messiah” concert which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

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Concerts wrap up at the Logan Tabernacle

Above, Andrew, Hayden and Patrick Williamson count during the Elk Festival on Saturday. The three were w and were helping with the elk count as part of a serv the meadow that morning. Left, Skylee Buchanan make Jaren Hutchinson looks at the animals through a scope

Hardware R

Hundreds of elk placidly chowed down on th

last Saturday morning at Hardware Ranch Wild as the snowfall and freezing rain poured aroun musk to permeate their feeding grounds, the h ly on maintaining their average of eating 10 po

They paid little mind to the Clydesdale horses as they passed, nor did they show much interest in the humans aboard the sleigh the horses were pulling. The elk may not have cared about their visitors, but just as the elk migrated several miles to Blacksmith Fork Canyon east of Hyrum, the humans taking their photographs had traveled several miles to celebrate the elk’s return during Hardware Ranch’s annual Elk Festival.

“We have elk who have come from as far as Montpelier (Idaho), and then we have people who have come to see them who have come from all the way down in Utah County to celebrate them,” said Nicaela Haig, an education coordinator with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in her third year of helping at

the Hard ment Ar event of Every region m fall and grounds the sprin Over Hardwa ment ar with fee effort to the wint DWR a the elk, their mi behavio “By f

S

elk in the meadow at Hardware Ranch with Boy Scout Troop 344 from Layton vice project. The group counted 406 in es a fish print at the Elk Festival. Right, e at the visitors center.

Ranch celebrates return of the elk

heir respective stacks of hay dlife Management Area. Even nd them and caused their herd’s focus remained entireounds of food per day.

dware Ranch Wildlife Managerea. “This is easily our biggest f the year.” y winter, elk from around the migrate to lower altitudes in the d winter, away from their breeding s they use at higher altitudes in ng.

70 years ago, the DWR opened are Ranch as a wildlife managerea, providing the migrating elk ed the ranch has grown itself in an o prevent the elk from feeding on ter hay reserves of farmers. The also uses the opportunity to study tagging a select few to research igratory patterns among other ors. feeding them here, we can prevent

them from wandering into Cache Valley and keep them safe from too much human activity,” Haig said.

Although the ranch has been open for close to three-quarters of a century, the ranch’s development into one of Utah’s premier winter traditions did not fully take off until the mid ’70s. Starting in 1976, an independent contractor began offering sleigh rides through the ranch to allow visitors to observe the elk as they grazed.

Now operated by the DWR itself, the practice has become synonymous with the ranch, and has been named as one of the items on the Salt Lake Tribune’s Utah Bucket List.

“We have sleigh ride hours throughout the winter, but the Elk Festival is when we see the most people coming in,” Haig said. “I’ve seen lines wrap around the welcome lodge just to purchase tickets before the sleigh rides officially open.”

Brad Hunt, manager of the Hardware Ranch WMA, said the Elk Festival itself came about in the 1990s as an official start to the elk-viewing season. The

event reliably brought between 500-700 individual visitors in the beginning, but as word of mouth has spread and as their own advertising efforts have increased, the festival has drawn record numbers.

“Last year we hit a record with over 1,700 people in one day,” Hunt said.

“We’re always prepared for the big numbers. Between the sleigh rides and the other activities we have at the lodge, we generally keep the crowds split up well enough so everyone is comfortable and having fun.”

While some come solely for the sleigh rides, the Elk Festival regularly offers other family friendly activities, including educational panels from the DWR and Bridgerland Audubon Society, fish printing and decorating new Christmas ornaments using discarded shotgun shells.

The festival also featured a visit from local mountain men, who had come to display their various furs, show their traditional tools and artifacts to visitors, and share their stories as they pose for pictures.

STORY BY CLAYTON GEFRE — PHOTOGRAPHS BY ELI LUCERO

“I really love everything about the festival, but the educational aspect is my favorite,” Haig said. “Families can come up and no matter what age they are, they can learn more about the natural world.

It’s fun to think that kids can pick up their interest in the outdoors and in natural life by visiting us here.”

For Hunt, who spent his undergraduate years at Utah State University volunteering as one of the sleigh drivers each season, said seeing the elk up close is still a thrill for him after all this time.

“I start getting excited for the season to get started again all the way in June,” Hunt said. “Seeing this many people here excited about the elk, seeing all the kids enjoying the activities, it’s something I think everyone should take the chance to experience.”

———

Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area will continue offering sleigh rides throughout the winter on Fridays through Mondays. For full hours and ticket prices, visit wildlife.utah.gov/hardwareranch.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Disney’s “Moana” has continued to sit pretty atop the box office for its third consecutive weekend, but Damien Chazelle’s musical “La La Land” was what really had audiences singing this weekend.

Playing in only five theaters, the lively and well-

reviewed “La La Land” grossed a staggering $855,000 for Lionsgate, according to studio estimates Sunday. Its $171,000 per theater average is an all-time high for a fivetheater release and for 2016 in general.

According to exit polls, 52 percent of audiences were

female and 53 percent were over age 30.

“We felt like we were going to have a strong opening, but I don’t think anyone would have predicted a result this big,” said David Spitz, Lionsgate’s president of domestic theatrical distribution.

The film cost a reported

$30 million to make and has been gaining buzz throughout the fall since it premiered at the Venice Film Festival and continued wowing critics and audiences at various other festivals. It recently picked up the best picture award from the New York Film Critics Circle and is expected to be a

major awards contender this year.

Starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, “La La Land” expands to 200 locations next week.

Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for box See MOANA on Page 9

Politics dominated pop culture in 2016

By Jocelyn Noveck AP National Writer

Our politics is often reflected in our popular culture, and vice versa — especially in an election year. That relationship seemed closer than ever in 2016, when a TV personality was elected president, reality shows and beauty contests were referenced in presiden-

tial debates, and even a Broadway show ignited partisan sparring.

At times, it seemed like the election overshadowed everything, but of course there was more. The diversity issue again roiled Hollywood.

The old-style musical made a glamorous comeback. One of Hollywood’s most scrutinized couples called it quits.

And we said a series of painful goodbyes: to legendary rock stars, cinema and TV greats, and The Greatest himself. Our annual, highly selective journey down pop culture memory lane: JANUARY Ground Control to Major Tom: We shall miss you. The death of DAVID BOWIE casts a pall over the pop culture AP Photo

Prince, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 57, performs at Super Bowl XLI in 2007 in this file photo.

Called, the Great American Novel series, all 5 books are now in paperback at Amazon.com!

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The Herald Journal, Logan, Utah, Friday, December 16, 2016

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‘Moana’s still reigns, while ‘La La Land’ sings

scene as the year begins.

The elegant rock star succumbs to cancer — an illness he fought in secret — just a few days after his 69th birthday and the release of his final music video, “Lazarus,” which begins with the line: “Look up here, I’m in heaven.”

FEBRUARY A year after #Oscars SoWhite in 2015, the Oscars are ... #SoWhiteAgain! For the second year, all 20 nominated actors are white. The lack of diversity leads to some sweeping membership changes at the Academy. Meanwhile, the Super Bowl halftime show is allegedly headlined by Coldplay. But it’s BEYONCE who rules with a commanding performance of her new song, “Formation,” proving that Queen Bey is still very

much among our royalty.

MARCH The ROLLING STONES perform in Cuba, a once-unthinkable event that happens a week after President Obama visits the island nation.

Speaking of Obama, he hosts a White House concert performance of “HAMILTON,” part of a remarkable 2016 for LINMANUEL MIRANDA and his rap-infused Broadway musical about founding father Alexander Hamilton. We say goodbye to GARRY SHANDLING. APRIL HAMILTON wins the Pulitzer for drama (to add to a Grammy and, soon, 11 Tonys), and current Treasury Secretary Jack Lew reverses a plan to bump Hamilton from the $10 bill after fans kick up a fuss — undoubtedly the first time a Broadway show

influences currency policy.

And April showers bring Purple Rain: Rock legend PRINCE dies a shocking death at 57 of an accidental opioid overdose, launching countless poignant tributes.

MAY “It’s not over ‘til I say it’s over,” says BERNIE SANDERS to HILLARY CLINTON, of the fight for the Democratic nomination. Actually, that’s LARRY DAVID talking to KATE MCKINNON on “Saturday Night Live.”

As MCKINNON hones her acclaimed, manically ambitious portrayal of Clinton — one of nine actresses to portray her in SNL history — DONALD TRUMP (in real life) clinches the Republican nomination. We’ll have to wait a few months to see who plays him on SNL....

JUNE The greatest is gone: MUHAMMAD ALI dies at 74 after a three-decade battle with Parkinson’s disease. It’s CLINTON’s turn to clinch her party’s nomination, becoming the first woman in U.S. history to lead a major party ticket. At the Tony awards, host JAMES CORDEN opens with a tribute to the Orlando nightclub shooting victims, and MIRANDA does the same with a tearful sonnet, declaring that “love is love is love is love.”

See POP on Page 11

Some other girl and guy Would love this swirling sky But there’s only you and I And we’ve got no shot.

It’s a great little tune

an instant classic. One that people will be watching in perpetuity, and one that will sell millions of soundtracks because the music is that good and AP Photo insanely catchy. It’s an ambitious project to say Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling dance during a scene in “La La Land.” the least. stay relatively the same, There’s a moment in we can’t help but laugh.

“La La Land” where Mia It’s a comment on how and Sebastian visit the Hollywood — and show Griffith Observatory north business — are constantly of Hollywood. It’s a sweet Director // Damien Chazelle cruel, but sunny. moment that pays homStarring // Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, John It is a momentous age to “Rebel Without a Legend, J.K. Simmons, Rosemarie DeWitt, Tom achievement that ChaCause” as Sebastian drives Everett Scott, Finn Wittrock, Sonoya Mizuno zelle has written a movie his car up on the sidewalk Rated // PG-13 for some language with so many memorable and right up to the stairs. original songs. Songs that Inside the observatory One of the best jokes that harkens back to the the two of them dance people will be humming golden days of Hollywood of the whole film is that each section of the movie for years to come. It’s one and then lift off, up into musicals. One that forethe starry heavens. It’s a thing to make a musical, is titled by the season it shadows their inevitable magical scene that works supposedly takes place in. but it’s another thing to relationship, but hints at perfectly in this Chazelle’s Since the seasons in L.A. rocky times ahead. make one that feels like

★★★★

‘La La Land’

Moana Continued from Page 8 office tracker comScore, called the “La La Land” showing “astounding.”

“This is the hottest ticket in town, and now people want to be able to talk about the movie.

The availability is quite limited, but that will result in a crescendo,” he said. “This is a movie that is tailor made for that platform release ... (it) is a real breath of fresh

air, and I think it’s going to take off for many reasons.”

It was mostly business as usual among wide releases, with “Moana” in first with $18.8 million, followed by the Jennifer Aniston comedy “Office Christmas Party,” which debuted to $17.5 million — a quiet moment before “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” opens next weekend.

The rest of the top five looked similar to the past few weeks, with the Harry Potter spinoff

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” in third with $10.8 million, bringing its domestic grosses to $199.3 million. The Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner sci-fi pic “Arrival” held on in fourth with $5.6 million, while Disney and Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” added $4.6 million to take fifth place.

The Jessica Chastain lobbying thriller “Miss Sloane,” meanwhile, fizzled in its wide expansion, earning $1.9 million from 1,648 locations.

surreal Los Angeles.

Chazelle’s direction is beyond reproach.

So many of the songand-dance numbers consist of extended single-takes that must have taken a small eternity to choreograph and perform.

Much like last year’s “The Revenant,” the camera here floats around scenes in an almost impossible manner. Notice the opening number where, seemingly, it never cuts to a different shot. Imagine the work that went into everyone being in the right place at the right time for nearly four minutes of continuous footage on a freeway off ramp.

There have been many profound films this year that tackle serious, important subjects. Yet, none of those films affected me quite the way “La La Land” did. Perhaps it’s the novelty of seeing a modern musical, or maybe it’s just because it’s great.

Because it is. It’s really, really great.

Action!

2297 N. Main MOVIE HOTLINE

753-6444

FOr sHOw TIMEs aNd HOurs, pLEasE VIsIT Our wEbsITE: www.waLKErCINEMas.NET

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The Herald Journal, Logan, Utah, Friday, December 16, 2016

The Reel Place Aaron Peck

There I was, a big dumb grin spreading across my face. I was lost in Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land.” A rich film-going experience that reminds us what movies can be — ought to be. Pure, utter escapism.

Chazelle has crafted a big-screen version of a Broadway musical. “La La Land” features a bold, beautiful soundtrack full of original songs. Yes, “La La Land” is a fullthroated musical, and it’s mesmerizing, intoxicating.

Providing a unique mix of modern-day melancholy and yesteryear optimism, “La La Land” takes us on a journey of love in Los Angeles. Mia (Emma Stone) is a budding actress working as a barista and hoping for her big break. Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) is an oldschool jazz pianist who laments the state of modern music.

They’re perfect for each other. Or maybe not.

Serendipity plays its part. Like so many musicals, Chazelle plays fast and loose with coincidence. However, the rules of fate seem inescapable. There’s a sequence where Mia and Sebastian dance together, overlooking the valley.

They seem like a perfect match, but the song they’re singing — “A Lovely Night” — is all about how they’d rather be with someone else.

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Musical ‘La La Land’ is ‘really great’

NEW YORK (AP) — Another week of football meant another winning week for NBC, according to the Nielsen company. A pair of NFL face-offs handed NBC the week’s most-watched and third-ranked programs,

Nielsen said Tuesday.

But NBC had more in its playbook: a solid new hit drama. Although “This Is Us” isn’t the fall’s biggest new hit —CBS’s “Bull” took the No. 7 slot last week — this gentle family drama continued to

make NBC proud, landing in the No. 9 position with nearly 11 million viewers.

Also contributing to the cause, though not as much as NBC might have hoped, was its annual live musical. “Hairspray Live!” sung-and-danced

its way to an 18th place showing with 9 million viewers.

To no one’s surprise, the half-season finale of “The Walking Dead” was a ratings highlight for AMC, taking 11th place with more than 10 million viewers.

Play Continued from Page 5 months, entertaining 700 people nightly at the acclaimed Bar J Chuckwagon.

“As much as we enjoy playing on our home stage, we love taking the show on the road,” says Scott Humphrey.

His brother, Bryan, con-

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660 S Main St, Logan • (435) 213-3586 M-T 11AM–9PM • F-S 11AM-10PM • S 11AM-9PM

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The Herald Journal, Logan, Utah, Friday, December 16, 2016

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‘This Is Us’ helps NBC to another Nielsen win In prime time for the week, NBC averaged 10.61 million viewers. CBS was second with 7.76 million viewers, Fox and ABC were tied with 4.49 million, Univision had 1.78 million and Telemundo had 1.53 million.

curs, “It gives us another opportunity to meet with the fans, and it gives them the opportunity to share the fun of the Bar J Wranglers with their families and friends.”

Babe Humphrey, who has been known to make a surprise appearance from time to time while the Wranglers are on tour, adds, “We so enjoy giving folks the opportunity to experience our authentic

western show in their own home town.”

The Bar J Wranglers have performed with many Western music legends such as Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Randy Travis and have been featured on numerous television and radio programs.

Leave your cares behind, sit back and unwind while spending time with the Bar J Wranglers.

USU’s Swing Club is sponsoring a dance on Friday, Dec. 16 at Elite Hall in Hyrum. The dance will feature the jazzy tunes of the Cache Community Big Band. It starts at 8 p.m. with both beginner and intermediate dance instruction from professional dancers offered at 7 p.m.

Entrance to the dance is $8, and instruction is only $2 more. Light refreshments will be served and all proceeds support the restoration of Elite Hall.

The Logan Tabernacle Christmas Concert Series continues with the Westminster Bell Choir at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at the Logan Tabernacle, 50 N. Main St. Admission is free.

The Mountain Crest High School Music Department presents “Christmas Fantasy” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, and 2 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 17, at the MCHS Auditorium. Will the magical toy shop help Johnny and Lissy find the perfect gift in time for Christmas? Come find out at “Christmas Fantasy,” a band/orchestra performance of Christmas music set to an imaginative story for

Pop Continued from Page 8 JULY Hollywood always turns out for Democrats, and the Democratic National Convention is no exception. Performers include KATY PERRY, ALICIA KEYS, CAROLE KING, DEMI LOVATO, BOYZ II MEN and PAUL SIMON, among many others. In media news, ROGER AILES is out at Fox News Channel, following allegations of sexual harassment. And the retired JON STEWART — missed by many fans in an election year — returns to late night, bearded and in a bathrobe, for an appearance with STEPHEN

children. Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 students/children/senior citizens; immediate family tickets are $20. “Christmas Fantasy” is a great first-time introduction of instrumental music which will delight all children, young and old.

A Christmas Craft Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Cache County Fairgrounds, 450 S. 500 West. A benefit event for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, admission is free and includes visits from Santa Claus and Buddy, the giant St. Bernard dog.

SATURDAY The Den Chief Conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at 675 W. 200 North in Smithfield.

For den chiefs and Boy Scouts interested in becoming a den chief; youth from all districts are welcome. To pre-register, call the Boy Scout office or Dale Bright at 258-2908.

Salduro and Beard of Bees will perform beginning at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 17, at Why Sound, 30 Federal Ave. Admission is $6. Visit whysound.com for more information.

COLBERT. AUGUST SCOTT BAIO is the biggest celebrity at the Republican National Convention. And some sports news: In Rio, MICHAEL PHELPS ends his historic Olympic career (or so he says) with a mind-boggling 23rd career gold. But the U.S. swim team’s achievements are overshadowed by RYAN LOCHTE’s drunken night and evolving explanation. Goodbye, Willy Wonka and Leo Bloom: Actor GENE WILDER — whose name could easily describe his famous eyes and untamed hair — dies at 83 of complications of Alzheimer’s.

SEPTEMBER The first CLINTONTRUMP debate draws 84 million viewers, the most

Loaves and Fishes Community Meal will hold its annual holiday dinner on Saturday, Dec. 17. Served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Fellowship Hall at the First Presbyterian Church, the meal is open to all at no cost. If you are hungry for community, for roast beef, for entertainment or for a chance to see Santa, please come join us. Call (435) 535-5296 for more information about our organization, which serves meals every first and third Saturday year round.

The Logan Tabernacle Christmas Concert Series continues with the Christmas Sing-Along at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Logan Tabernacle, 50 N. Main St. Admission is free.

The Light of the World Living Nativity will be on display from 6 to 8:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the River Heights LDS Stake Center, 800 S. 600 East. The story of Christ’s birth acted out by people and animals. Free admission; refreshments will be served.

There will also be an exhibit of nativity sets.

Come and enjoy the zoo decked out with lights for the holidays.

Admission is $2 for person or $10 for a family.

SUNDAY

The Post-Mormon Community is a non-sectarian organization of individuals and families who have left Mormonism. The Cache Valley chapter meets for dinner and socializing at a local restaurant at 6:30 p.m. every Sunday evening.

Newcomers welcome. For more information, call Jeff at 770-4263 or visit postmormon.org/logan.

The Logan Tabernacle Christmas Concert Series continues with the North Logan LDS Stake’s performance of Handel’s “Messiah” at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Logan Tabernacle, 50 N. Main St. Admission is free.

MONDAY

Bridger Room. This week’s movie is “Far From the Madding Crowd,” which is rated PG-13. Popcorn and admission is free.

Zoo Lights will begin at 6 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 19, at the Willow Park Zoo, 419 W. 700 South.

Come and enjoy the zoo decked out with lights for the holidays.

Admission is $2 for person or $10 for a family.

TUESDAY The Ridgeline High School Band will host “Santa’s World Tour — A Holiday Spectacular” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, and Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the RHS Auditorium. Admission is $5 for adults; $3 for seniors, students and children over 3 years of age.

Come enjoy an evening of holiday music from around the world with the Ridgeline High School Band.

Zoo Lights will begin at 6 p.m.

Satuday, Dec. 17, at the Willow Park Zoo, 419 W. 700 South.

The Logan Library Monday Movie will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 19, in the Jim

Are you resuming life after a stroke? Join others in learning how to adjust and thrive in life at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Aquaworx at 209 W. 300 North.

Supported by Logan Regional and Sunshine Terrace, Soup ‘n Stroke is open to individuals, spouses and families. Call 5355296 for more information.

ever for a U.S. presidential matchup, and yields at least one catchy meme: The “Hillary Shimmy.” Clinton tries her hand at comedy with ZACH GALIFIANAKIS on “Between Two Ferns.” JIMMY FALLON famously musses TRUMP’s hair, and is criticized for the friendly encounter. Bye Bye, BRANGELINA: One of the most high-profile couplings in Hollywood is over.

OCTOBER Hello, NASTY WOMAN: Trump’s frustrated comment about Clinton in their third, extremely contentious debate becomes one of the more famous exchanges of the season, launching “nasty woman” merchandise like the “Madam President If You’re Nasty” T-shirt. We meet

ALEC BALDWIN’S Trump on SNL. TRUMP — the real one — tweets: “Alec Baldwin portrayal stinks.” And the candidate’s “grab ‘em” comments on “Access Hollywood” emerge, sending his campaign into damage control.

NOVEMBER Something happens in early November ... what was it again? Meantime, let’s remember singer LEONARD COHEN, dead at 82. Many find themselves singing “Hallelujah,” his much-covered ballad — including a somber MCKINNON on “SNL,” a few days after the election. BALDWIN reprises Trump, the real TRUMP settles into meetings at Trump Tower, and his vice president-elect, MIKE PENCE, goes to HAMILTON, where

the production appeals to him directly from the stage to work on behalf of all Americans.

Pence says he doesn’t mind, but Trump tweets: “Apologize!”

DECEMBER It’s been quite a year for the musical, and not just on Broadway. “Hairspray Live!” continues the live TV musical fad. And movie audiences are enchanted by a candycolored, old-fashioned musical ode to Tinseltown itself, “La La Land,” by young director DAMIEN CHAZELLE. Finally, for those craving a little consistency in this turbulent year, it’s perhaps nice to know that December arrives bearing the same Christmas gift as it did last year: A new “STAR WARS” movie.

The North Logan Library Monday Movie will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 19. This week’s movie is “Elf” which is rated PG. Popcorn and admission is free.

The Herald Journal, Logan, Utah, Friday, December 16, 2016

FRIDAY

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calendar

The Herald Journal, Logan, Utah, Friday, December 16, 2016

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CrossworD

By Myles Mellor and Sally York Across 1. Receded 6. Refuse 11. Musical “G” 14. Cream additive 18. American astronaut 19. Seed scar 20. Axillary 22. Earring site 23. Mexico city famous for Spanish architecture 25. Beatles’ hometown 27. Legendary humanoid 28. Timeline divisions 29. “Do ___ others...”

31. English Channel feeder 32. Prophet-like 34. ID item 35. Attention ___ 36. Kelley product 39. Emit a glowing light 45. Swallow 46. Red ___ 47. Butter portion 48. Hammer type 49. Thaddeus, for short 50. Dashboard feature 52. Last word of a dead end road 53. Face-to-face exams 54. Top-rated 55. Virginia city which hosted two Presidents 60. City on the Rhine 61. Crow’s home 62. Summer month 63. Guru 64. Lack of faith 66. High spirits 67. Reproductive cells 70. Far East weight measure 71. Buffoon 72. Pizza ingredient 73. Blend together 74. City close to the Rockies 80. Golf targets 81. Exempting none 82. Powdery evidence

Deadlines

83. Mouthful 85. Alicia of “Falcon Crest” 86. Some offspring 87. Reliable craftsperson 88. Curious George, e.g.

91. Cry audibly 92. Rural retailer 96. Knee length trousers, to Dickens 98. Nefarious fiddler 99. Old operating system 100. Antsy 101. Appliance with a timer 103. In ___ of (instead) 105. “True ____” John Wayne film 106. Big sleep 110. Destination of many pilgrimages 112. Tanzania seaport 115. All excited 116. PBS science series 117. Pack carrier 118. Affect 119. Not just one 120. Training room 121. Aden’s land 122. Contents of some urns Down 1. Like an omelet, e.g.

2. Chip or Shield?

3. Vanquished 4. Salad green 5. Genetic code 6. Old two-wheeler 7. “Captain Phillips” described one 8. “Sad to say ...”

9. “Away” partner 10. Full of, with “with” 11. NaCI 12. Hodgepodge 13. Head, for short 14. Like Swiss peaks 15. “On Golden Pond” bird

16. “O” in old radio lingo 17. Slippery creature 21. Answer 24. Admit what you know 26. Backside 30. Liberal leader?

33. Lawyer’s org.

34. Quickly 35. Pretend company 36. Four-poster, e.g.

37. Secular 38. Great Salt Lake locale 40. Bit of parsley 41. Toll 42. Dummy 43. Film festival city 44. Place of bliss 47. Top of the head 51. Suds 52. Spoon handle 53. Reproductive cell 54. Letting up 56. Film unit 57. Pacific ring 58. They may be black 59. Goatlike antelope 63. Half 64. Adjust 65. Highly venomous snake 66. Be different 67. Long cut 68. Piz Bernina, e.g.

69. Disfigure 71. Most faulty 72. Just O.K. 73. Heroin (slang) 74. Surgical birth 75. Kind of molding 76. Microscope part 77. Takes a chance 78. Spew 79. Plum variety 84. Ken Burns collaborator 87. With self respect 88. Cabinet-maker, e.g.

89. Ancient people of Britain 90. Ending of the Bible

93. Alright already!

94. Ministers, abbr.

95. Lyric poem 96. Ancient galley 97. Repeating sequences 101. Bell-flowered plant or its root 102. Move along 103. Tax 104. Mosque V.I.P. 105. Fraction of a kilo 107. Sworn declaration 108. Pal 109. Old Testament book 110. Boxer’s punch 111. Piece of lumber 113. Pale ___ 114. Civil leader title (Turkey)

Cache Magazine calendar items are due Tuesday by 5 p.m. They will also run for free in The Herald Journal one to two days prior to the event. Calendar items can be submitted by email at hjhappen@hjnews.com. Any press releases or photos for events listed in the first half of Cache Magazine can be sent to jhunter@hjnews.com. Poems and photos can also be sent to jhunter@hjnews.com and run on a space-available basis if selected.

answers from last week

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