Monday, September 25, 2023 | 
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Jim Bennett

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Opinion
If Republicans want fair elections, they should open their primaries
By Jim Bennett
Jim Bennett, executive director, talks as a citizens’ group announces the formation of the United Utah Party — a new political party in Utah that aims to appeal to moderate Republicans, Democrats and independents who are dissatisfied with the current two-
Opinion
Jim Bennett: Update on United Utah Party and my 2017 special election campaign
The United Utah Party’s lawsuit against the Lieutenant Governor’s Office to get me on the ballot for the special election to fill Jason Chaffetz’ seat had its first hearing on June 26, and it went far, far better than I could have possibly imagined.
By Jim Bennett
The Articles of Faith.
Entertainment
Jim Bennett: Seek after good things
Cursing the darkness can only accomplish so much. Lighting candles can accomplish so much more. Writing this column for the past five years has been my attempt to light as many candles as I can.
By Jim Bennett
Bob Odenkirk stars in "Better Call Saul," a prequel to "Breaking Bad."
Entertainment
‘Better Call Saul’ has some prequel problems
The “Breaking Bad” prequel is very well done, but the audience knows too much of how this story is going to end.
By Jim Bennett
"Mystery Science Theater 3000" starring Jonah Ray is on Netflix.
Entertainment
Welcome back, ‘Mystery Science Theater 3000'
The Netflix revival of “Mystery Science Theater 3000" takes some getting used to, but it’s still a whole lot of fun.
By Jim Bennett
Alec Baldwin hosts "Match Game" on ABC.
Entertainment
The new, vulgar ‘Match Game’ is kind of a bore
ABC’s revival of “Match Game” is vulgar and, therefore, not interesting.
By Jim Bennett
David M. Lutken stars as Will Rogers in PTC's newest musical.
Media & Books
‘Let’s go flying, Will!': The role of Wiley Post in ‘Will Rogers Follies’
David M. Lutken, the star of the Pioneer Theatre Company production of “The Will Rogers Follies,” has some fascinating stories of his time coaching celebrities in the original Broadway production who performed cameos as Wiley Post.
By Jim Bennett
"The Book of Mormon" musical billboard.
Media & Books
The Jim Bennett guide to Broadway musicals
I thought it would be fun to share my responses to Facebook questions about Broadway musicals.
By Jim Bennett
Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia and Harrison Ford as Han Solo escape from the Death Star in “Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.”
Family
Jim Bennett: Why Disney shouldn’t repurpose footage of Carrie Fisher to finish the new Star Wars trilogy
Disney has decided to use repurposed footage of Carrie Fisher to finish the new Star Wars trilogy. This, I believe, is a very bad idea.
By Jim Bennett
Madalyn Murray O'Hair, of Austin, Texas, and head of the Society of Separationists and the American Atheist Corp., appears on a radio talk show in Dallas on Feb. 1, 1975.
Media & Books
‘The Most Hated Woman in America’ has no love for religion
It seems that the people who produced the Netflix film “The Most Hated Woman in America” really like their ostensibly hated subject. What they really hate is people of faith.
By Jim Bennett
President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington March 24.
Media & Books
Jim Bennett: Finding common ground on the National Endowment for the Arts
Allies and critics of the National Endowment for the Arts are talking past each other and missing the possibility of a common-sense solution.
By Jim Bennett
Finn Jones from "Game of Thrones" plays Danny Rand in Marvel's "Iron Fist."
Media & Books
Jim Bennett: Why does Marvel’s ‘Iron Fist’ divide audiences and critics?
Audiences seemed to like Marvel’s “Iron Fist,” and critics didn’t. I’m with the critics on this one.
By Jim Bennett
The Church of Scientology in director Alex Gibney’s Sundance documentary, “Going Clear."
Media & Books
Some documentaries, movies and shows about Scientology are better than others
When watching any interpretation of someone else’s belief system, try to imagine what they would be saying if it was your church being put under the microscope.
By Jim Bennett
Luke Evans is Gaston and Josh Gad is LeFou, in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," a live-action adaptation of the studio's animated classic, directed by Bill Condon.
Media & Books
Jim Bennett: Did the commenters taking issue with my last column actually read it?
I have no problem with people criticizing my article about the gay character in “Beauty and the Beast.” My problem is that many of the complaints have little or nothing to do with what I actually wrote.
By Jim Bennett
Luke Evans is Gaston and Josh Gad is LeFou, in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," a live-action adaptation of the studio's animated classic, directed by Bill Condon.
Media & Books
Jim Bennett: Put the so-called gay moment in ‘Beauty in the Beast’ in perspective
Some are upset about a gay character in the live-action remake of “Beauty and the Beast,” but understanding the context can help diffuse the controversy.
By Jim Bennett
Jordan Horowitz, producer of "La La Land," shows the envelope revealing "Moonlight" as the true winner of best picture at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26. Presenter Warren Beatty and host Jimmy Kimmel look on from right.
Media & Books
I turned off the Oscars before the best part!
I was impressed by how graciously everyone handled the best picture confusion, which, by all accounts, appears to have been a simple and honest mistake.
By Jim Bennett
Stephen Amell is DC Comics' Green Arrow in the CW TV series "Arrow."
Media & Books
‘Arrow’ goes off the rails in a ‘very special episode’
“Arrow” is a terrible vehicle for debating the merits of gun control legislation.
By Jim Bennett
Alec Baldwin as President Donald Trump on “Saturday Night Live.”
Media & Books
Here’s why ‘Saturday Night Live’ can’t topple Trump
When it comes to President Donald Trump “Saturday Night Live” is preaching to the choir, and that’s not likely to persuade anyone on the other side of the political divide.
By Jim Bennett
Hugh Jackman stars as Logan/Wolverine in "Logan," which is set to release on March 3.
Arts & Entertainment
R-rated ‘Logan’ doesn’t look fun
Hugh Jackman wants to up the violence level in his last X-Men film to R-rated levels, and I’m not interested.
By Jim Bennett
Costumed fans dressed as Princess Leia, in honor of actress Carrie Fisher, who played Leia in the "Star Wars" movie series, gather for a memorial for actress Carrie Fisher in the forecourt at the TCL Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles
Arts & Entertainment
How should Star Wars cope with the loss of Carrie Fisher?
The tragic loss of Carrie Fisher doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to have seen the last of Princess Leia.
By Jim Bennett
Conan O'Brien had a short stint in 2009 as the host of NBC's "The Tonight Show."
Faith
Here’s a song I wrote for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
I once wrote a parody song for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to perform on “The Tonight Show” with Conan O’Brien, but, alas, it was not to be.
By Jim Bennett
Former Utah Senator Bob Bennett is visible third from the right in this photo taken on President Barack Obama's inauguration day in 2009.
Faith
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir celebrates America, not any one president
The choir’s performance should serve as a reminder to its current president that we are a nation built on principles that preceded President-elect Donald J. Trump and will — hopefully — endure long after he is gone.
By Jim Bennett
In 1965, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang for President Lyndon B. Johnson's inauguration.
Faith
Putting the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s performance at the presidential inauguration in perspective
The choir’s visit to Germany in 1955 provides a precedent for how their music can transcend politics and bring people together.
By Jim Bennett
Riz Ahmed, left, Diego Luna, Felicity Jones, Jiang Wen and Donnie Yen star in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story."
Arts & Entertainment
‘Rogue One’ is what the prequels should have been
“Rogue One” is the best Star Wars movie since “The Empire Strikes Back” because it’s the kind of prequel Star Wars fans have always wanted.
By Jim Bennett
President Barack Obama is often the subject of The Onion's parody news articles.
Media & Books
Some fake news is a lot of fun
Much has been said about “fake news” since the election last month, but, surprisingly, none of it has been positive.
By Jim Bennett
Eclipse 6 performs at a tree lighting ceremony at the Gateway mall in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015.
Utah
Utah’s Eclipse 6 brings ‘Hamildolph’ to life
A Utah-based a cappella singing group has combined the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with the Broadway smash “Hamilton,” and the delightful result is becoming a viral sensation.
By Jim Bennett
Dana Jo and JJ Malone.
Media & Books
J.J. Malone was right about ‘Christmas Shoes’
An old friend has taught me to see this Christmas favorite in a new light.
By Jim Bennett
In this Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, file photo, Leslie Odom Jr., left, Phillipa Soo, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Christopher Jackson appear at the curtain call following the opening night performance of "Hamilton" at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York. The pr
Media & Books
Here’s all you need to know about the Mike Pence ‘Hamilton’ kerfuffle
The vice president-elect’s treatment by the cast of “Hamilton” isn’t really that big a deal one way or the other.
By Jim Bennett
Britain's Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London.
Arts & Entertainment
Netflix’s ‘The Crown’ may well be the best anti-smoking ad ever filmed
The new Netflix series about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II pulls no punches when it comes to depicting the perils of cigarette smoking.
By Jim Bennett
Benedict Cumberbatch plays Doctor Stephen Strange in Marvel's new movie.
Arts & Entertainment
‘Doctor Strange’ could have learned some lessons from ‘Dune’
Like the 1986 flop “Dune,” Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” tries to cram too much information into a single movie.
By Jim Bennett
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