She Likes to Watch

Flower children of all ages will bloom while watching the new musical film, “Across the Universe.” And for those of you who are looking to take yourselves back to the’60s, this movie will serve as your time machine. There is hardly a band of the times that challenges The Beatles, and their music permeates the film.

My friends and I walked into the theater humming some Beatles songs. By the end, we were singing to them, along with the rest of the audience. Spectators were cheering for the protagonists and booing the antagonists — everyone was totally into it. The beautiful story and powerful camera angles drew me in within the first scene. Throughout the movie, bold and brilliant messages were presented through dance, psychedelic images, captivating special effects, and plain old hippies.

Choreographed by Julie Taymor (who is famous for the Broadway production of “The Lion King”), the film leads the viewer through a world of magic buses and blooming artists, and the actors and actresses sweep you away.

The interpretations of the Beatles’ songs are amazing, and beautifully portrayed. From the bombs of Vietnam to the protests against them, the spontaneous-feeling scenes will make you feel like you’re surrounded with the epic grandeur of the 1960s.

The movie portrays a realistic view of the revolution of the era, presenting even the dark side of it. Yearning for the war in Vietnam to end and the draft to disappear, some revolutionaries even became violent for peace, an irony offered in the movie.

The audience was taken into the characters’ individual lives to see how the war affected them, such as being moved to burn draft cards or “see God” through hallucinogens. Elements like this symbolize the efforts that the people were so passionate about, including the willingness to risk their lives in riots and protests.

Though the film has powerful and depressing elements, it is filled with hilarious and mind-blowing scenes and, overall, will make you really believe, “All You Need Is Love.”

— Anya Rossa-Quade

Anya Rossa-Quade, a junior at Arroyo Grande High School, loves to write and watch films with her friends.

Ever since I interviewed Chris Hillman, the former bassist for the Byrds, I’ve been thinking about funerals.

Not that it was a morbid interview. It’s just that “Turn! Turn! Turn!” — one of the Byrds’s most famous songs — tends to be a popular burial primer. And it got me thinking about other songs that would be appropriate for a final send-off.

To be a good funeral song — and we’re talking about contemporary songs here — a tune basically has to be about death, the passing of time, spirituality or something that makes you reflect. The best might even have a lugubrious feel to it.

Or you can be like Dave Barry and vow to have “Louie Louie” be your swan song.

That said, here are my top ten Songs to Be Buried By:

10.) Turn! Turn! Turn!, The Byrds. Pete Seeger’s song quoted the Bible: “There’s a time to be born, a time to die.” Doesn’t get more clear than that.

9.) Remember, Harry Nilsson. There wouldn’t be a dry eye in the house with this one (also recommended: Randy Newman’s cover). Other good Nilsson funeral songs: “Don’t Forget Me” and “Turn on the Radio,” which implores, “Now that I am gone, I hope the wind that’s blowing helps me carry on.” Sniff, sniff — anyone have a hanky?

8.) Tears in Heaven, Eric Clapton. Written after Clapton’s 4-year-old son tragically fell from a high-rise apartment window, the lyrics are general enough to apply to others who have passed on.

7.) Knocking on Heaven’s Door, Warren Zevon. I know — it’s a Dylan song. But it was most dramatically sung by Zevon when he knew he was dying.

6.) I Wish You Peace, Eagles. A good going-away gesture, Bernie Leadon’s song, co-written by girlfriend (and daughter of Ronald Reagan) Patti Davis, caused strife with some of the other band members, who said it didn’t sound like an Eagles tune.

5.) There Will Be a Light, Ben Harper. A great gospel song performed with the Blind Boys of Alabama, it starts, “I wish we could live forever …” Amen to that.

4.) Yesterday, Ray Charles. Pretty much anything sung by Ray Charles is beautiful, but I especially like his cover of the Beatles classic, which makes you yearn for a bygone era.

3.) My Sweet Lord, George Harrison. Combining Hindu prayers, with “Hallelujah” and Hare Krishna chants, Harrison made this a spiritual song for many. And if you’re going to get spiritual, this would probably be the time to do it.

2.) My Way, Frank Sinatra. According to The (London) Guardian, this is the most popular contemporary song played at British funerals. Told from the view of an old man facing “the final curtain,” it expresses a satisfaction with a life lived well. Ironically, Elvis’ version became a hit shortly after The King died.

1.) Dust in the Wind, Kansas. It’s said that writer Kerry Livgren, despite all of Kansas’ success, was still humbled by what would happen in the end, which explains the line, “All your money won’t another minute buy.”

— Pat P.