Meet the Mormons (2014): Mormon Movie Review

 

(Grade A)

   I didn’t intend on seeing the Church’s new film, Meet the Mormons right away. I wanted to see it, but didn’t see the need to view it in the theatre. Who wants to pay nearly $20 for you and your date to see a 70 minute I’m a Mormon commercial? Then I saw the invitation from Jeffrey R Holland.

Read the Full Review…

Review: 1776 is a Jovial and Musical Tribute to How Our Nation was Founded

(Grade: B-)

I love musicals and I love America! As we approach Independence Day I was hard pressed to find a film that tells they story or the signing of the Declaration of Independence, let alone the Revolutionary War. After much data mining I excavated this gem from 1972…

For the full movie review along with a content guide and spiritual messages to discuss visit the Mormons at the Megaplex.

Frozen (2013): Mormon Movie Review

Quality:

 

   Fearless optimist Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven in an epic journey to find Anna's sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom.

   During the 2nd Golden Age of Disney that was ushered in with The Little Mermaid we were treated to movies that had beautiful visuals, compelling stories, and moving music. I'm convinced this age died with Tarzan for one reason, music! Disney movies were basically animated musicals, but without that piece we were given films like Bolt, Meet the Robinsons, and Atlantis. They aren't bad movies, but they can't hold a candle to Beauty and the Beast or The Lion King, which have both been turned into Stage Musicals.

   When Tangled came out in 2010 we saw a reemergence of this era. Frozen continues this pattern of beautiful visuals, compelling stories, and moving music.

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!

Epic (2013): Mormon Movie Review

Quality:
   My wife is an awesome hair stylist and so she usually works on Saturdays.  That means me and the boys usually have Saturdays to have fun (barring a ward movie or service project).  This Saturday we went to see Epic!  I was a bit nervous after my experience with Wreck-It Ralph, but it was a real great time!

   In Epic a teenager named Mary Katherine (Amanda Seyfriend) finds herself transported to a deep forest setting where a battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil is taking place. She bands together with a rag-tag group characters in order to save their world, and ours.

Life of Pi (2012): Mormon Movie Review

Quality: 
   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.

 

Rise of the Guardians (2012): Mormon Movie Review

Quality: 

 I believe in Santa Claus.  I always have, I always will.  I still get giddy waiting in line for my kids to get their picture taken.  Elf is one of my favorite Christmas Movies.   I can't quite explain it.  My suspension of disbelief is indisputable.  Perhaps it is because growing up the rule was; "if you don't believe, you don't get gifts" or maybe it is just because of everything he represents.  This is one of the major themes of Rise of the Guardians. (now available on Amazon)

   Every holiday is exemplified in some sort of being, St. Patrick's Day has a leprechaun, Valentine's Day has Cupid, and even Groundhog Day has Puxatawny Phil!  The most elite of these immortal beings are chosen to be Guardians. 

 Santa referred to as North (Alec Baldwin) in one scene says, "It is our job to protect the children of the world. For as long as they believe in us, we will guard them with our lives..."  Not only do these Guardians represent their respective holidays, they also represent what they call their "Center."  It is a child like trait that they are tasked preserving in the children of the world.  When an Pitch Black (Jude Law) comes to instill fear in these children a new Guardian is called to support them in the fight.

   It might be my love of Santa, but Baldwin's North was the highlight of the film.  He was Santa with an edge.  His thick Russian accent and dual wielding swords is a bit of a twist on the jolly old Saint Nick we are used to.  It is explained marvelously though when he presents Jack Frost (Chris Pine) with a Santa set of Russian nesting dolls.  Each one representing an aspect of his character.  He is a fierce protector, but is also loving and kind.    

  The rest of the cast is well rounded and creates a type of synergy where as a whole they become greater than the sum of their parts.  Each Guardian also has a bit of a twist, to them.  The Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman) is a tough talking Aussie.  The Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher) is a bit of a ditz and looks like a cross between a fairy and a humming bird.  The Sandman is a mute.  And Jack Frost is a young and irresponsible teenager with a knack for mischief.

 After our outing to Wreck-It Ralph I decided I would leave my oldest home and take my super talented friend Tyler (who does artwork for Yo Gabba Gabba and the Aquabats Super Show) and his son with my 4 year old.  The boys had a great time! There is a lot of humor and the plot is constantly moving and keeps you engaged.  The preview screening we went to was in 3D, which I am not personally a fan of.  Rise of the Guardians was a real exception to the rule.  There were a few rough patches, but that might have just been because we were seated very close to the screen.  The theme of Guardians protecting the innocence of children is such a tender topic.  We even got to experience a bit of that innocence while in line.  The animation was done very well, but some of the characters were a little under done, as well as some of the scenery.  I hope if a sequel is made they can incorporate much more of the legends in the story.  Even if it were just for a big climax scene at the end like in Disney's Hercules.  Deamworks isn't Pixar yet, but they are hot on their heels.

Content:

 Rise of the Guardians is rated PG and is appropriate for all audiences.  Some scenes may be a bit scary for younger children, but facing and overcoming those fears is a major theme of the movie.  Although I love Santa's style, I was a little disappointed in his forearm tattoos of "Naughty" and "Nice."  They are never mentions or given attention to, but they are visible.  There isn't much mention of the religious meanings behind the holidays of Christmas and Easter, but for a children's movie I don't really expect it.  But each one of the Guardian's "Centers" can easily be denoted as a Christlike attribute as well.

If you have small children this will be a great film for Thanksgiving weekend.  If you do not, you will likely still enjoy it and it is sure to put you in the Holiday Mood. It is in theatres now and there are a few methods you can use to see it free, or pretty cheap!

This post is sponsored by Amazon.com. If want to add a great family friendly movie to your DVD library, get your copy at Amazon today! If you already have it; here are some other ways you can help support us and keep the reviews coming!

Wreck-It Ralph (2012): Mormon Movie Review

Quality:

   "I'm gonna Wreck-It!"  The phrase has been echoing around our home (mostly by me) ever since we saw the trailer.  I took my two older boys Garren (7) and Greyson (4) to see Wreck-It Ralph this past weekend. (now available at Amazon)  It was truly a joy.

   Wreck-It Ralph longs to be as beloved as his game's perfect Good Guy, Fix-It Felix Jr.. Problem is, nobody loves a Bad Guy. But they do love heroes... so when a modern, first-person shooter game arrives in the arcade they live in featuring tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun, Ralph sees it as his ticket to heroism and happiness. He sneaks into the game with a simple plan -- win a medal -- but soon wrecks everything, and accidentally unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens every game in the arcade. Ralph's only hope? Vanellope von Schweetz, a young troublemaking "glitch" from a candy-coated cart racing game who might just be the one to teach Ralph what it means to be a Good Guy. But will he realize he is good enough to become a hero before it's "Game Over" for the entire arcade?

   If you were born any time from 1975 to 1990 you are going to love Wreck-It Ralph for pure nostalgia alone.  Ralph attends a regular Bad Guys Anonymous meeting where he learns to cope with his role as the villain in the game.  There are so many popular video game bad guys of my youth in his group; M. Bison and Zangeif from Street Fighter II, Bowser of Super Mario Bros, and Clyde from Pac-Man among others.  

   One of the major themes that is carried through is that of bullying and the effects it has on our self esteem.  Although Ralph plays the role of a Bad Guy in his game, once the arcade closes he is a gentle giant.  But the citizens of his game exclude him from their community and treat him poorly.  At this point in the movie my oldest son Garren really started having a hard time emotionally.  He is pretty sensitive to these sorts of things.  You can learn a little more about why he is so perceptive when it comes to being bullied and feeling eluded here.

   Wreck-It Ralph is smartly written, well acted, and beautifully animated.  The world is truly an original idea where game characters travel through subway like surge protectors.  John C. Riley's Ralph is endearing and lovable.  He surrounded with other great character voices that really fit well.  There are 3 main games the movie takes place in, and each one if stylized slightly different, yet all are amazing and immersive.

Content:

   Wreck-It Ralph is a kids movie and is appropriate for all.  Some scenes might be a little intense for younger kids.  When Ralph goes to the game Hero's Duty it is pretty extreme.  When imitating a soldier in this first person shooter Ralph even comments, "When did video games get so violent? It's scary out here!"  There is also a bit of irreverent humor when Hero's Duty is referred to as Hero's "Doodie."

   Wreck-It Ralph is great fun for the whole family.  It teaches us that to have good friends, we need to be god friends.  It is in theatres now and you can check show times on Fandango.com. 

This post is sponsored by Amazon.com. If want to add a great family friendly movie to your DVD library, get your copy at Amazon today! If you already have it; here are some other ways you can help support us and keep the reviews coming!

Here Comes the Boom (2012): Mormon Movie Review

   It's Mormon Movie Guy Monday! He writes a great blog similar to ours reviewing movies from a Latter-day Saint Perspective. The review was written by him, but the star ratings were applied based on my interpretation of his review. We got invited to a screening of Here Comes the Boom, but we couldn't get there in time and missed it. Now I am not as bummed about it. I didn't love Paul Blart: Mall Cop, but I respected that it was PG. Here Comes the Boom seems to follow that same vein. It is in Theatres now, but you might want to wait for the DVD or Dollar Theatre. 

Quality:

Here Comes the Boom, the just-released inspirational romantic sports dramedy (got that?) asks audiences to believe two preposterous notions. The first is that Kevin James, the portly fellow who amused us in Hitchand TV's King of Queens, could be competitive in mixed martial arts. The second is that Kevin James could have a chance with Salma Hayek. Does it succeed? Not quite, though it comes surprisingly close on both counts. 

First of all, James shed a lot of fat and put on a good deal of muscle, training for 14 months to play a biology teacher who takes up UFC fighting to save his friend's job (a music teacher played by Henry Winkler). Despite James' physical transformation, it's still tough to believe that he could compete against seasoned fighters, no matter what his determination level. The far-superior Warrior (one of 2011's very best movies) had a similar storyline; that film barely got away with it, and actor Joel Edgerton was in phenomenal shape. I must admit, however, that James surprised me with his athleticism here, both as a "fighter" and as a physical comedian. As for the romance, James and Hayek have far more sparks between them comedically than chemically. Their scenes together provide some of the film's funniest dialogue.

Speaking of humor, Here Comes the Boom never quite decides whether it wants to be a comedy or an inspirational sports drama. It veers unevenly, back and forth, between the two. As a drama, it pales in comparison to the superior films it imitates (the aforementioned Warrior and the Rocky series, most obviously). Nearly every plot point is wholly predictable, as sports film cliches are trotted out one after the other. A school principal comes across as a one-note villain whose inevitable change of heart feels inauthentic and unearned.

As a comedy, however, it fares much better. There are quite a few belly laughs here, including one moment that had me chuckling until my sides hurt and tears streamed down my cheeks. There's quite a few great one-liners, as well as some expertly-played physical comedy. The supporting characters are mostly solid; retired UFC Heavyweight Champion Bas Rutten is particularly likable in a warm and funny role. On top of that, it's PG and clean (see content overview below). Despite its flaws, Here Comes the Boom is a worthwhile excursion for those looking for inoffensive fun. It also portrays Christianity positively, which is always a nice bonus. 

Content:

 Here Comes the Boom is rated PG. It has plentiful mixed martial arts fighting and a pair of mild obscenities. A woman reveals some cleavage in a tank top and men fight shirtless.

Messages to Discuss: The story of Jacob wrestling a messenger of the Lord and earning a blessing, as referenced in the film, is found in Genesis 32: 24-30. With  hard work, faith, and unity we can restore atrophied things, people, communities, and systems to their former lustre and beyond (Words of Mormon 1:16-18). 

Brave (2012): Mormon Movie Review

  Guest Post from the Mormon Movie Guy.  He writes a great blog similar to ours reviewing movies from a Latter-day Saint Perspective. The review was written by him, but the star ratings were applied based on my interpretation of his review.


Quality: 
 There is only one thing that keeps Brave, the new film from Disney-Pixar, from being a "grade-A" movie: it copies its main narrative device wholesale from another recent Disney movie (click here only if you want to know). This lack of originality distracts from Brave's quality and bogs down its second act a bit, but the film is ultimately redeemed by taking its cue from that other film and doing it better, with stunning animation, a gorgeous musical score, excellent characters, rough-and-tumble Scottish humor, and an undeniably powerful emotional core (I'm not ashamed to say that I teared up towards the end). 


With Merida, the strong-willed tomboy princess, Pixar has finally given us a female lead character (as I displayed in my master's thesis, they've portrayed women well, but females have never been front and center), and she was worth the wait. As voiced by actress Kelly Macdonald, she's a fiesty firecracker with a very satisfying character arch. All of the vocal work is superb, in fact, especially by Billy Connoly and Emma Thompson as Merida's royal parents. Though this is essentially a mother-daughter story (a surprising rarity in animated films), there are plenty of amusing male characters for boys and fathers to relate to.Brave's got fun and heart for the whole family, more than enough to make up for its overly-familiar story.

Content:

 Disney-Pixar's Brave is rated PG. It contains some fairly intense scenes of peril that could frighten children, comedic brawling and fisticuffs, and humorous animated rear nudity of adult males and toddlers. A heavyset female character is portrayed with ample cleavage, again for comedic effect.

MESSAGES TO DISCUSS: "Mothers, take time to be a real friend to your children. Listen to your children, really listen. Talk with them, laugh and joke with them, sing with them, play with them, cry with them, hug them, honestly praise them" (President Ezra Taft Benson). "Arguments, fights...generation gaps...all fall into this category of pride. Contention in our families drives the Spirit of the Lord away. It also drives many of our family members away...Pride adversely affects all our relationships...God will have a humble people. We can either choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble...Let us choose to be humble. We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering emnity between ourselves and our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are. We can choose to humble ourselves by receiving counsel and chastisement. We can choose to humble ourselves by forgiving those who have offended us" (President Ezra Taft Benson, "Beware of Pride"). 

The Pirates- Band of Misfits (2012): Mormon Movie Review-

   Guest Post from the Mormon Movie Guy.  He writes a great blog similar to ours reviewing movies from a Latter-day Saint Perspective. The review was written by him, but the star ratings were applied based on my interpretation of his review.



Quality:  

There's a moment in Peter Pan, Disney's classic 1953 animated feature, in which Captain Hook shoots a fellow pirate whose singing annoys him. Though the actual death occurs off-screen, it's moment of dark humor of the kind that pops up occasionally in The Pirates- Band of Misfits, the delightfully rowdy new offering from Aardman Studios, the animation team that brought us Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, and Flushed Away. That type of dark humor, along with the glamorization of a plundering lifestyle, may be a concern to some parents while others will find it all to be harmless fun. After all, children have dressed as pirates for Halloween and enjoyed the Disneyland ride for decades without losing their sense of right and wrong. Whether this movie is appropriate for your kids is a choice I leave with you. As for the film's entertainment value, in approaching pirates as if they were the rock stars of the seas it displays a delightful wit and an infectious silliness. 

The impressive vocal cast of Hugh Grant, Salma Hayek, Jeremy Piven, David Tennant, Martin Freeman, and Imelda Staunton bring real personality to their characters (including a Charles Darwin plagued with romantic insecurity and Queen Victoria portrayed here with an explosive temper). Most impressive is the stop-motion animation. Taking years to realize, shot one-frame at a time, there is a texture to the sets and models that pops out nicely in 3D. The story isn't especially strong, but that matters little when there's so much fun to be had. Well-paced, frequently hilarious, and supported by a toe-tapping rock soundtrack, this Pirates film is far more enjoyable than any in the Johnny Depp series (except the first one [Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest], which remains the gold standard of pirate movies). 

Content:

   The Pirates- Band of Misfits is rated PG. There is one comical use of the "a-word" as well as some swordplay, punching, and gunfire. A pirate captain is shown drunk. A female pirate with an exposed abdomen swivels her hips seductively while walking, with male pirates ogling her. The only other concern parents may have is that the heroes are thieving pirates, and thus not very good role models. 

MESSAGES TO DISCUSS: We ought not to put the love of riches (Jacob 2:12-13) or the vain seeking of praise (Helaman 7:21) above loyalty to our friends.

Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace (1999): Mormon Movie Review

Quality:

As a loyal fan of Star Wars, I of course think "The Phantom Menace" is the worst one.  And as loyal fan I could't give it anything less than 4 stars.  Even "How I Met Your Mother" has a gag about this when Marshall proves his friends will agree with everything he says.

   I could go on and on about what is wrong with this movie and some of it's redeeming qualities, but that can be found all over the net.  I instead want to focus on the aspect of the re-release being in 3D.  I took a focus group of 2 of my sons and thier buddy.

   The 3D effects were more mild than I was expecting.  I was expecting a Pod Racer to blow up and parts fly into my face or a lightsaber to singe my nose hairs.  Instead the 3D was more subtle.  Instead of pulling the foreground closer, the background seems to get pushed back.  I actually perfered this, it seemed less like a gimick and more like a picture enhancement.     

Edit: A Featurette explaining this tactic found after original posting.

   One thing that caused me to get distracted was the images still were blurred at times if they moved too fast.  I don't quite know if I perfer 3D to normal HD, but it was certianly worth seeing.

   The boys loved the movie!  Watching them crack up at Jar Jar Binks helped me realize that Star Wars is a kids movie.  Even though I have grown up and my standards have changed I can't expect Star Wars to always change with me.

   If you like Star Wars you will not want to miss the experience to see it in theatres, especially if you have kids.  There is no scheduled date for the release of subsequent episodes so if you don't have kids yet, consider it an investment to motivate LucasFilm to release future episodes. 

Content:

Like I said above Star Wars is meant for kids.  As far as content goes; the worst word said is "poodoo."  It is not overly violent and there really is no adult content.  This movie is safe for all ages and you wouldn't bat an eye at seeing your Stake President there in the row behing you.