The Great Gatsby (2013): Mormon Movie Review

Quality:
   A few months back we talked about The Great Gatsby on our Podcast that we do with the Mormon Movie Guy.  I hadn’t seen it yet, so I got to pick his brain a bit.  Most of what I feared was true, but my mom recently purchased the Blu-Ray (even though we advised not to in our most recent episode) so I went over to watch it as a double date with my wife and parents.  I always have an open mind when seeing a movie, contrary to a comment we will read in the next podcast episode.

Mormons and Hollywood: 5 Fun Facts

Source: LDS Living
The history of Mormons and Hollywood is more exciting and far-reaching than most people realize. Check out these five ways Church members have left their mark in television and on the silver screen.
 
1. Battlestar Galactica, a television series that aired in 1978 and 1979, was created by Church member Glen A. Larson and includes several references to Mormon doctrine.
For example, in the show, the colonies originated from the planet Kobol (thought to be an anagram of Kolob) and were governed by a "council" or "quorum" of twelve. And in the episode War of the Gods, Part 2, angels (or advanced beings) explain, "As you are now, we once were; as we are now, we may become." Sound familiar? Compare it to Lorenzo Snow's famous couplet, "As man is now, God once was; as God is now, man may become." Even marriages were referred to as sealings that lasted "not only for now, but for all eternity."
Larson also worked on other popular television shows such as The Six Million Dollar Man, The Fall Guy, Magnum P.I., and Knight Rider.

Photo from imdb.com

Turbo (2013): Mormon Movie Review

Quality:

   Turbo is the story of a snail who loves speed, but as a snail doesn’t have much of it.  Then a freak accident involving a street racer and Turbo is born!  Turbo has big dreams of becoming a race car driver like his hero, Guy Gagné, but his brother Chet doesn’t understand his need for speed. Turbo believes that no dreams are too big and no dreamer too small.I took my boys to see it and they loved it!

The Church Releases a New Version of the Temple Film

Author’s Note: I have a pronounced respect and love for the Temple.  It is a place where I have received inspiration and made promises that draw me closer to my Family, my Savior, and my Heavenly Father.  All the information shared is available through official church public sources. I have taken great care to be respectful to the sacred nature of the Temple and I hope that you would show the same respect in comments.

 
   Today I went to the Newport Beach Temple; being inspired to see the new Temple Film after talking with Mormon Movie Guy, Jono Decker, during the recording of our last Podcast.  I had first heard about it while listening to the This Week in Mormons Podcast.

 
   The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a section on their public news site giving an explanation of the Temple.  It gives the history of Temples stating: 

Mormon Men: We Don't Want Unrighteous Dominion

 

Inside the Mind of the Mormon Man

Source: LDS Living
KAELA WORTHEN AND JAMIE LAWSON - AUGUST 02, 2013
“Men are from Mars; women are from Venus.” Books and discourses abound on the differences between men and women. So we set out to understand the enigma that is the Mormon man, surveying 500 men, conducting focus groups, and interviewing experts in the process. This study was not a scientific one, and the results will not accurately represent every single LDS man, but we’re confident that we now have a good grasp on what goes on inside the mind of a Mormon man.
This is the fourth article in our five-part series. To get the other three parts, click here.
"Lately in the media it seems that there is growing attention being given to the movements for the so-called Mormon feminist movement," said one man. And that's true. In the recent past, women have worn pants in Church, agitated to pray in general conference, and even started a movement to allow women to be ordained to the priesthood. And right or wrong, they've been making a big splash and stirring up controversy both within the Church membership and without. "I don’t think I’m wise enough to really say much about how right or wrong these people are," he continued, "but the one thing they seem to attack the most is the idea of priesthood leadership. It hurts to think that women find our leadership so distasteful."

Unexpected Ballers: Mormons In The Hood Schooling These Dudes In A Basketball Game

   That is the official video title, not my words.  But man, talk about PR.  I think it is so awesome that these missionaries took an opportunity to interact with these guys. 

   I remember as a missionary going to a home to teach a family.  We would spend the first 10-15 minutes just plating football in the front yard the the neighborhood kids.  When we drove up the dirt road to the property kids would pop up out of no where and start running beside the car.  I will always remember the day I heard the them shout as they ran,

“It’s the Elders!”

“What’s that?” said a little kid behind him.

“C’mon, its fun!”