The Goon Holler Guide Book (2012): Mormon Book Review

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   When it comes it kids entertainment, I think it is essential for families that the entertainment appeals to parents as well.  I think it is the same with romantic movies.  Usually the husband is giving up something they want, (to be entertained) for something their spouse wants, (to be entertained.)  Thus the genius of the Romantic Comedy.  Romance for the Ladies and Comedy for the Guys.  I haven't figured out what to call entertainment that caters to kids and adults equally yet, but when I do I'm going to trademark it and every time you say it Mormon Media Reviews will get paid 15 cents!  For now, I will just call it Goon Holler.

GlassesUSA: Mormon Product Review

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   My maternal grandfather was supposed to be a fighter pilot during World War II until he started eliminating the wrong targets during training.  Turns out that although he had excellent vision, he was color blind and could not distinguish between red targets and green friendlies!  I was lucky enough it get his keen eyesight, yet also his colorblindness.  I really don’t need glasses except for at night to enhance my depth perception, but they aren't requisite.

   My son Garren on the other hand got my fraternal grandfather’s vision and he is blind as a bad we learned a few years ago.  We took him to the optometrist and got his first pair of glasses.  He looked pretty good.  About this same time we learned that Garren also has Asperger’s Syndrome.  We wrote a little more about that here.  Part of the behaviors associated with Asperger’s is difficulty in certain social or environmental situations.  When Garren was having a hard time he would cope by pulling his glasses frames.  

Zero Dark Thirty (2012): Mormon Movie Reviews

Quality:
   The trailer makes it seem like the movie is all about the exploits of Seal Team 6.  Instead 80% of the movie is the search for Bin Laden, and it is slow going.  I would suggest brushing up on your Al Qaeda MVP's because I was pretty lost as they gloss over names and places of the middle east like they are common knowledge.  Things pick up a bit about 45 minutes in as the lead analyst, Maya, gets closer.  Then instead of interrogations we watch red tape bureaucracy with what appear to be popular high level officials, but I can't figure out who they are supposed to be.  

Safe Haven (2013): Mormon Movie Reivew

Quality:
 We got an invite to see a test screening of a movie called Safe Haven.  I decided to go see it on my own and saw one of my friends in line.  So I line hopped in next to her and she asks me, "So, are you a big Nicholas Sparks fan?"  I had no idea who he was and she laughed as she told me he writes he writes books that get made into chick flicks.  I was about ready to just turn around and go home, but I love Free Movies, so I stayed.

   I have only seen one Nicholas Sparks movie and it was The Notebook. (If you are a fan, Amazon has 4 of his best movies on DVD for a little under 10 bucks!) I hated the flashback story line, but I loved watching the James Garner read it.  If they would have taken any other romantic film and re-cut it to be the story he was reading, it would have been awesome.

Argo (2012): Mormon Movie Review

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Next in our Best Picture Series is Argo.  One of our Facebook fans asked for this review back in September.  Sorry for the delay Felicity, but here you go!



   I wasn't even born when these events began, In fact I think my birthday newspaper cover story had to do with the hostage crisis.  Luckily the film starts us with a brief history on Iran.  It is very informative.   To tweak a quote from Wreck-It Ralph, Just because we were the good guys, doesn't mean that we were good guys.  The US started a coup to depose the current Shah and install our own.  Turns out the person who was put in was not that greatest person. 

Life of Pi (2012): Mormon Movie Review

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   One thing about reviewing all of the Best Picture Nominations is that I am seeing films I would have never seen otherwise.  In the case of Beasts of the Southern Wild it was unfortunate.  In the case of Life of Pi (now available on Amazon) it is most fortunate!  Forcing yourself to see movies not usually in your viewing habits is a great way to expand your horizons and get new insights into the human experience.  I was speaking to a friend of another faith who said that seeing Life of Pi was a Spiritual experience for her, so I knew it had to be the next movie we review for you.