Positively MFV June 2022

Jun 10

Written By Murphy Family Ventures

MFV in the Community

Hunter’s Movie Corner

Hunter Johnson in Hospitality Human Resources brings you a monthly spoiler-free movie discussion!

Just hearing “Robert Eggers is directing a $60 million dollar viking epic starring Alexander Skarsgard” was all I needed to hear to know I was going to love this movie before I even saw a trailer.

Robert Eggers is one of my favorite working directors and in the last 7 years he has turned in 3 of the best films in recent history. In his first two theatrical releases, The Witch (2015) and The Lighthouse (2019), Eggers had already established himself as one of the most unique filmmakers of our time. As a true writer-director Eggers is able to tell a story that is uniquely his and deliver visions that we don't get in today's film industry. With relatively modest budgets of $4 million and $11 million respectively, Eggers was able to weave immersive atmospheres and beautiful stories that leave viewers unsettled in the best of ways.

The Northman is no different in this regard. Masterfully shot and directed, we follow a young viking prince on a quest to avenge the killing of his father. Amleth, played painfully real by Alexander Skarsgard, grows up to be a man with only one thing in his heart: vengeance. Much like the movies I mentioned before, Eggers transports the viewers to a world that keeps one toe in drab realism and the other in stunning mysticism. Whether it be the vast shots of the barren Icelandic landscape or more intimate and beautifully lit shots of caves and dwellings, Eggers never gives the viewer a chance to be anywhere but captivated. From action to romance this viking epic spun multiple genres into one and for me, personally, it works. It works and then some.

The key difference in the movie and Eggers previous two outings is the amount of money he was given to play with. $60 million dollars is not a budget to scoff at in today's industry and Eggers had proved he could turn in films both audiences and critics would love. Only one question remained; would the box office show love in return? As I am writing this the answer to that question is a resounding, albeit disappointing, no.

The Northman opened April 22nd at the box offices to a disheartening $16.496 million. In his previous outings, that would have been an impressive start for a low budget indie flick. Unfortunately for Eggers, he was playing with big bucks this time around. So while the movie has over the month recouped its budget, they are not seeing the booming success expected to be seen with this kind of money on the screen. To paint that picture even further. This movie has only been released for a month and is already available for early rent and purchase on most digital platforms. A move that can only be described as “panicky” by the studio in hopes to squeeze a little more money from it. To put it simply, if a movie is performing well in theaters, they will do everything they can to keep it exclusively in theaters. The Northman was not meeting those expectations and by all accounts will be considered a box office failure.

The question I am left with is why? Why did a movie that most audiences seem to enjoy and most critics have high praise for perform so poorly? The simple answer is because it's not one of the following things: an established franchise, a comic book movie, an animated kids movie, or a family action/comedy.

The Northman got its lunch eaten every single week at the box office last month. If I'm honest with myself it isn't surprising at all. Its opening release it went up against: The Bad Guys, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. What do we have there? An animated movie for kids, a sequel to a widely popular family comedy, and the latest film from the box office phenoms that reside within The Harry Potter Universe.

As if those alone weren’t enough to bury my sweet viking prince, one more challenger approaches the arena during its 3rd week of release. A man they call Doctor Stephen Strange. To use my analogy from before about getting your lunch eaten, if those 3 movies were the middle school bullys, Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness was the high school bully that took everyone's lunch. Right down to the tater tot. Doctor Strange strolled through those cafeteria doors and dropped a $230.8 million opening weekend on their heads. It was game over for everyone else.

Now, this is not going to be me saying that all of those movies are bad or that Marvel has single handedly killed the film industry. I’m still working on that blog. This is just to say that a lot of movies, not just masterpieces like The Northman, get the raw end of the stick at the box office more often than not. And you can’t really blame people. They are not interested in gambling their movie going experience on what ifs. If you are going to get a babysitter or heaven forbid pack all of the youngins into the car and go to the movies, you want to know it will be a good experience with little to no downside.

The average person goes to the movies about 5 times a year. (Someone please notify my mother that I am finally above average in something.) With only 5 bullets in the clip those people are going for what they know. And as I've already said: they know Marvel and they know kids movies. The Northman, as wonderful as I may think it is, just can't compete with the market share that those movies take up.

So it leaves me thinking. How many more chances are studios going to take on films like The Northman before we have nothing but comic books and animated kids movies on the big screen? So if you enjoy these kinds of movies the way I do I implore you to seek them out and watch them. If a streaming service is making good original content, watch it. Do what you must because before too long I fear we won't have the option. And if you need a movie to kickstart that interest in the atypical releases I can't suggest The Northman enough. Skål!

Wilma Dash

Our marketing and River Landing sales teams participated in the Wilma Dash 5k as a sponsor! The Wilma Dash is a fundraiser that raises money to support Going Beyond the Pink, a break cancer awareness organization.

Educational Opportunities

Upcoming Classes

The Buzz

In the News!

We were recently highlighted in the news! Check out these two news stories posted in The Duplin Times!

During National Agriculture Week Congressman Greg Murphy visited our MFV main office to meet with our company heads to learn more about the manure-to-energy renewable gas (RNG) project.

Read the Story

River Landing Builders has been working on a residential housing expansion in Teachey, and builder Courtney Pierre has been attending Teachey Town Hall meetings to discuss the project.

Read the Story

1st UMO Tap Program Recipient

Jenna Thornton is the first of our employees to participate in our scholarship program in partnership with Mount Olive University. The program allows MFV employees to receive 10-30% off their tuition! Jenna works at the River Landing Clubhouse. Best of luck in your program, Jenna!

March & April Scorecard Winners

Each month our sow farms participate in healthy competition in an effort to reward the highest levels of productivity. This is measured in two areas, conception rate and pigs weaned. Each of the winning teams receives a catered dinner of their choice.

North Carolina

March Weaned

1st Place: Riverfront 1

2nd Place: Wolf

3rd Place: Pender 1

4th Place: Riverfront 2

5th Place: Mag 2

6th Place: Hairr 2

March Conception

1st Place: Riverfront 1

2nd Place: Boykin Lake

3rd Place: Mag 1

4th Place: Pender 1

5th Place: Taylors Bridge

6th Place: Peters Creek

April Weaned

1st Place: Riverfront 1

2nd Place: Pender 1

3rd Place: Wolf

4th Place: Hairr 2

5th Place: Riverfront 2

6th Place: Peters Creek

April Conception

1st Place: Boykin Lake

2nd Place: Riverfront 1

3rd Place: Pender 1

4th Place: Stantonsburg

5th Place: Pack

6th Place: Triumph

Missouri

March Weaned

1st Place: Eaglesnest

2nd Place: Hawkeye

3rd Place: Sweet Springs

4th Place: Ozark East

5th Place: Wheat Run

6th Place: Quailridge

March Conception

1st Place: Hawkeye

2nd Place: Ten Mile

3rd Place: Arrowhead

4th Place: Dover

5th Place: Twister Hill

6th Place: Quailridge

April Weaned

1st Place: Eaglesnest

2nd Place: Forest Oak

3rd Place: Wolfpack

4th Place: Bearbreek

5th Place: Chestnut

6th Place: Springview

April Conception

1st Place: Quailridge

2nd Place: Driftwood

3rd Place: Dover

4th Place: Chestnut

5th Place: Springview

6th Place: Hawkeye

Who will be our next scorecard winners for May

Celebrating Employee Anniversaries

**Juanita Padgett -** Murphy Milling Administration, 45 Years

Congratulations to Juanita Padgett on her 45th anniversary! Murphy Family Farms Founder Wendell Murphy reflects on how she has been a great asset to the company.
"Juanita has been an associate of the Murphy family since 1963 (59 years), but she has been a Murphy Family Ventures employee for 45 years. I congratulate her for her service and especially her loyalty. She is an outstanding Christian woman who has always represented the Murphys well. We love her and appreciate her dearly. On behalf of our entire family, thank you!"

**Chris Humphrey -** River Landing Golf Course Maintenance, 45 Years

Happy 25th anniversary to River Landing's Golf Course Superintendent Chris Humphrey!
Senior Vice President & Director of Operations Terry Tate said, "He has been an integral part of our drive for quality and value. Beginning with the family 25 years ago, his contributions to our success have consistently been shown. Chris is yet another example of the fact that we have the BEST people!"

**Pamela Hurt -** River Landing Clubhouse Food & Beverage, 20 Years

Congratulations to Pamela Hurt in River Landing Clubhouse Hospitality for 20 years with MFV!
Pictured with Pam is Larry George, Director of Golf and Hospitality.
"Pam’s 20 years of service is displayed in her dedication to serving the Members & Guests on a daily basis. She is dependable, honest, and caring. Over the 20 years of growth here at River Landing I’m not sure you could find her more comfortable than in her post in the beverage cart beside the green at #9 River or making her last round of the day to ensure everyone has what they need. Be it rain or shine, hot or cold, busy or slow, she is one of our many lights here at River Landing," says Larry.

5 Year Anniversaries

Chris Lewis

Maintenance NC

May 9

Robert Brown

JM Wings

May 10

Christopher Spearman

Heavy Equipment NC

May 11

Davis Bryant

RL Builders

May 12

Krystal Armstrong

Ozark East

May 17

Hunter Johnson

DLD Administration

May 25

John West

Mad Boar

May 28

1 Year Anniversaries

Elmer Perdomo

Quail Ridge

May 8

Jonathan Kennedy

Clubhouse Food and Beverage

May 11

Eleanor Harrell

May 12

Denis Figueroa Vivas

Hairr 2

May 12

Chelsey Benitez

Mad Boar

May 17

Wesley Rowlands

Mad Boar

May 17

Mark Spell

Chicken Bone Farm

May 18

Raymond Garcia

Turner

May 18

Brady Taylor

Mako Chicken Farm

May 23

Garin Miller

Wheat Run

May 24

Westan Wyrick

Forest Oak Sow Farm

May 24

Tanner Wait

Maintenance MO

May 28

Safety First

Safety Awards

April

Turkey Run - 14 years

RL Club Cottages - 7 years

Enviro Tech 3 Sow - 6 years

RL Clubhouse Banquets - 6 years

EBW Administration - 6 years

EBW Auxiliary Dept. - 6 years

The Inn at River Landing - 5 years

Blue Stem Sow - 1 year

Chestnut Sow - 1 year

EBW Assembly (line 3) - 1 year

EBW Assembly (line 4) - 1 year

May

Wheat Run Sow - 8 years

Eaglesnest Sow - 8 years

Sawgrass Sow - 7 years

EBW-Assembly Line 1 - 6 years

EBW-Assembly Line 2 - 6 years

RL Village Store - 5 years

Chicken Bone Poultry - 4 years

Ozark East Sow - 3 years

MO Waste Removal - 1 year

Safety Tips

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and high cholesterol is one of the leading symptoms of heart disease. The lower your cholesterol, the less likely it is that you will develop it. Lowering your cholesterol level does not have to be complicated.

Simple, everyday changes in your behavior can bring cholesterol to a normal range. Here are a few tips:

Get a blood test to determine your cholesterol level.
Read nutritional labels.
Avoid ingredients like trans fats, which are present in foods such as margarine, shortening, cookies, crackers, cakes, doughnuts, and French fries.
Consult a registered dietitian for more help.
Limit total calories from fat to no more than 30, and no more than 10% of that from saturated fats. Consume healthier fats like olive oil, peanut oil, and canola oil.
Find a substitute for high saturated fats like sour cream, mayonnaise, heavy cream, butter, or shortening. Instead use low fat or fat-free mayonnaise, half-and-half or low-fat milk, egg substitutes, or plain yogurt.
Add soluble fiber to your diet. Grains such as oat bran and oatmeal, fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, apples, or pears, dry beans, peas, nuts, and almonds are all great sources of fiber.
Add moderate exercise to your routine, at least exercise 30-60 minutes each day.
Don’t smoke!