Positively MFV March 11, 2022

Mar 11

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!

It’s that time of year again when movie lovers like myself are abuzz with the latest news and releases, and as studios and indies vie for their shot at recognition. That's right, it’s award season folks. More specifically, it’s Oscar season. ‘Hollywood’s Biggest Night’ is slated for March 27th so there's still some time to squeeze in a movie or two if you get the itch.

Now, you may be thinking, “Hunter, aren’t the Oscars all political at this point, and the winners and nominees almost never reflect what people actually liked that year?” And you’d be very much correct. The Oscars are, despite some efforts to modernize the last few years, prehistoric at best. That said, the chance of winning a major award is one of the only things that motivate studios to make adult dramas anymore. I like my comic book and action movies as much as the next guy, but for every No Way Home, I love to see a movie like CODA make its way in there. So while yes, they don’t really matter, every year there are some gems out there worth seeing. And I took it upon myself, strictly out of the kindness of my heart, to go through most of them to tell you what those are.

I'm going to discuss the nominees for the three major categories, what will probably win, and what should win in my opinion (why those two aren't the same thing every time I will never know).

Best Picture Nominees

Belfast

CODA

Don’t Look Up

Drive My Car

Dune

King Richard

Licorice Pizza

Nightmare Alley

The Power of the Dog

West Side Story

What will win: Power of the Dog

What should win: Power of the Dog

They are actually going to get this one right this year. Jane Campion's old west tale is a very moving story that almost feels tangled and messy during the initial viewing. However, during the final 15 minutes the movie unravels itself and becomes like a beautiful braided rope (if you’ve seen the movie and get it, feel free to compliment me on that analogy). I am intentionally not going to discuss any of the specifics here because this movie deserved to be seen blind. Most years I have a hard time recommending the best picture to people who aren't movie nerds. They can get a little lost in their own sauce. Not this one, it's worth the watch and it’s on Netflix. Check it out.

Best Actress Nominees

Jessica Chastain - The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Olivia Coleman - The Lost Daughter

Penelope Cruz - Parallel Mothers

Nicole Kidman - Being the Richards

Kristen Stewart - Spencer

Who will win: Olivia Coleman - The Lost Daughter

Who should win: Kristen Stewart - Spencer

I don’t think we live in a world brave enough to give Kristen Stewart the Oscar, but we should. People have short memories for most things but for some reason her and Robert Pattison have taken way too long to shake the Twilight stink. Pattinson has recently got there and with Spencer, I think Stewart has firmly arrived as a serious actor (despite me defending her for years anyway). Plus being able to shove, “The girl from Twilight just won an Oscar” in the face of all the haters will be a vindicating experience.

I say Olivia Coleman will likely win just because she’s won before, and it feels like one of those times where voters will say, “I don’t know… that name sounds familiar”. Olivia Coleman is fine in The Lost Daughter, however, I found it to be a pretty thankless role with nothing to do. Contrary to that, Kristen Stewart absolutely disappeared into the role of Princess Diana. Despite the movie being all over the place from a storytelling standpoint, she is undeniably compelling. I have my fingers crossed for her.

Best Actor Nominees

Javier Bardem - Being the Ricardos

Benedict Cumberbatch - The Power of the Dog

Andrew Garfield - tick, tick… BOOM!

Will Smith - King Richard

Denzel Washington - The Tragedy of Macbeth

Who will win: Will Smith - King Richard

Who should win: Andrew Garfield - tick, tick… BOOM!

I saved this for last because it’s the one I’m most passionate about. I don’t dislike Will Smith. In fact, I like him. But this isn't the year to give him a ‘Legacy Oscar’. Will Smith has had a great career as both a dramatic leading man and an action star. And it’s not his fault Pursuit of Happiness came out the same year as Forrest Whitaker and The Last King of Scotland. But something the Oscars like to do is award someone a career Oscar even if the movie isn’t someone’s best work. Cough cough Leonardo Dicaprio. King Richard is a fine movie, but Will Smith isn't even the most compelling performance. That nod belongs to Saniyya Sidney, who blew everyone off the screen as Venus Williams. If I can say that about one of your co-stars, I don’t think you should get the golden little man. On the other side of the aisle sits the man, the myth, the legend Andrew Garfield. I have been a fan of his for a very long time and in my opinion the time to give him his flowers has come. Tick, tick… BOOM! is one of my favorite musicals of the last several years and Garfield kills every scene he is in portraying the late Rent playwright Jonathan Larson. Garfield, who had never sang professionally before this, did his own singing and dancing for the film. He conveyed the emotion of someone struggling with giving up on their dreams as well as anyone who has ever conveyed any emotion. Am I speaking in immense hyperbole? Yes, of course. But give him the Oscar anyway!

I know it is very unlikely that anyone cares about movies or a dumb awards show as much as I do. It is also unlikely that many people will have gotten this far. If you have, however, please check out some of these movies. As much as people love to lament about the death of movie theaters and the lack of originality in Hollywood, this was a great year for cinema. So even if it’s not on this list, support films and filmmakers. Grab some popcorn and watch something!

Albermarle Boats Visits Miami, Florida

Our team from Albermarle Boats recently went down to Miami, Florida for the 2022 Miami Boat Show, and their booth was a hit! Thank you to our Albermarle team for sharing our love of boating. We couldn’t do it without you!

River Landing Builders Help Build New Airport Hangar

We recently completed an airpark hangar complex that will serve as the new NC Forestry Service Aviation Hub at the Duplin County Airport. The ribbon-cutting ceremony that took place on February 24th had elected officials, local dignitaries, and special guests in attendance. We are so proud of our River Landing Builders team and honored to have been chosen to be a part of this important project that will serve our community!

Check out this article by The Duplin Times to learn more.

The Buzz

Employee Appreciation Day

March 4th was one our favorite days of the year, National Employee Appreciation Day! We are truly grateful for each and every one of you. Your dedication and hard work each day are what make us stronger!

Thinking about earning a degree?

MFV has a new partnership with the University of Mount Olive (UMO) to offer a tuition scholarship program for all employees. This means that you can receive between 10-30% off of your tuition. Combine this with MFV’s current tuition reimbursement that is already offered, and this is an opportunity you will not want to pass up! This is just another way MFV provides value to our awesome employees in appreciation for all you do. You can continue your employment and personal responsibilities all while working towards your degree.

Scholarships apply to all of the undergraduate and graduate programs that are offered at UMO in both seated and online formats. Application fees will be waived.

scholarship options

How to Receive 10% Tuition Scholarships

Enroll at the main campus in a seated program
Enroll with the main campus in a 100% online program

How to Receive 30% Tuition Scholarships

Enroll in 12 credit hours per semester at the undergraduate level
Enroll in 9 credit hours at the graduate level

Learn More & Apply

Click here for degree options

Click here to apply

For questions, contact John Hairr at (910)-285-7036

Only available to English speaking students.

MFV Joins the Fight to Produce More Clean Energy

MFV employees training on the butt fushion machine that is used to mold together pipes. This machine is needed to complete the RNG process.

Our MFV farms are now participating in a renewable natural gas project (RNG) through a partnership with Align Renewable Natural Gas. RNG, sometimes referred to as biogas, is a pipeline-quality gas that is fully interchangeable with your everyday conventional natural gas. There are many benefits to using renewable natural gas such as the reduction of emissions, production of clean energy, and the ability to provide a new income source for farmers, employees, and their families. We are excited to be a part of such a great project.

Check out the full article

3000 Trees Planted at River Landing

The environment and sustainability are important to us at MFV, and we are constantly working to improve our community. To continue those efforts, we recently planted 3,000 pine trees around the property of River Landing. We love seeing our companies promote a better community.

Organizational Announcements

**Andrew Quinn -** information services department

Help us welcome Duplin County native Andrew Quinn to the MFV team. Andrew will serve as our new Network Engineer in the Information Services Department. He has more than a decade of experience in the technology field, and his responsibilities will include systems maintenance and development, network security, camera systems, wireless networks, and PC support. Welcome Andrew!

Celebrating Employee Anniversaries

**Hope Turnbull -** Accounting
25 years

Happy 25th anniversary to Hope Turnbull! She has been a great asset to MFV, working as the Vice President and Director of Accounting and IT Services.
“I'm extremely proud and thankful for Hope's loyalty to the Murphy family and our company. I always know she's going to take care of the details!”
-Dell Murphy, President & CEO

**Jeremy Russ -** Hairr 1 10 years

We want to recognize Jeremy Russ for 10 years with Murphy Family Ventures and Hairr 1! His manager, Chris Leary, says that he is capable of doing almost anything at Hairr 1, he does whatever is asked of him, and he is a great asset to both companies. Congratulations Jeremy!
Pictured with Jeremy is his manager, Chris Leary of Hairr 1.e way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

5 Year Anniversaries

Mayra Spafford

Albermarle Boats

February 27

Kenneth Williams

NC Garage

February 27

Marvin Portillo

Pender 2

February 28

1 Year Anniversaries

Ralph Jones

Maintenance NC

February 26

Hernesto Arredondo

Triumph

March 1

Joshua Byrum

Albermarle Boats

March 1

Erick Cervantes Carmona

Maintenance MO

March 1

Alberto Ramirez Castaneda

Maintenance MO

March 1

Joshua Wilson

Albermarle Boats

March 1

Frederick Rouse

Enviro Tech Broilers

March 4

Madison Clifton

Village Store

March 8

William McCallop

Mad Boar

March 8

David Hudson

Albermarle Boats

March 10

Safety First

Safety Awards

RL Builders - 9 years

EBW Lamination - 5 years

Mag 1 Sow - 5 years

NC Pack Sow - 3 years

RL Golf Maintenance - 3 years

NC Heavy Equipment/Garage - 2 years

Arrowhead Sow - 1 year

HCA Admin - 1 year

Britt Sow - 1 year

Safety Tips

We all have a natural tendency to want to be safe and avoid personal injury and loss, but many of us do little on our own to help avoid the accidents that cause them. Take a look at these tips that can be done on the job to help prevent painful incidents and to help ensure your safety.

Do not take safety for granted.
Always keep your guard up, and constantly observe your surroundings to attempt to identify hazards. Always call them to the attention of your supervisor.
Take the time to be safe
Don’t take shortcuts
Form good working habits, and always do your job the right way.
Remember accidents can happen to anyone.