remay1 Reviews

The Cokeville Miracle (2015)

Very Accessible Telling of this Faith Promoting Story

[9/10 · 19 June 2015]

This film does a very good job of laying out the case for Divine intervention.... At least for these kids and their teachers. There is a very important screen near the end of the film which declares words to the effect that: "-There are hostage situations that don't result in any miraculous events, and don't work out well for the victims. We don't know why."

This clearly states the editorial view of the producers of the movie. In effect, they are saying: "In this school hostage situation we had miracles. At Sandy Hook, not so much." I very much appreciated the effort not to try and make a case for inevitable Divine intervention. It doesn't always happen. Instead, they were content to let the events, and testimony of the children, speak for themselves without any ham-fisted preaching.

The movies is compelling, well-shot, well-acted and gripping in its portrayal of lunacy run rampant in the persons of the villain and his equally mentally challenged wife. It states the facts as they occurred and then let's you draw your own conclusions as to the very small chance that all the factors that seemingly came together were the result of mere happenstance, or as the title implies... A miracle! After watching the movie, it's hard not to go with the latter. Well worth watching. Deserves a much wider screening. Hopefully it will get it.

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Sherlock Holmes - Kung Fu Fighter

[7/10 · 3 January 2010]

About three minutes in, I had to run out in the Lobby to check what movie I was seeing. I thought I had purchased ticket for a Sherlock Holmes movie. You know. Sherlock Holmes - the genius detective who used his superior brain power to outwit villains of every stripe? But what I was seeing was Sam Spade. Somehow he got transported back to 19th century London and was persuading the bad guys with an astonishing array of knuckle sandwiches, knives and pistols. And the movie just continued in this vein - with Holmes punching it out with assorted thugs, including, I kid you not, Irish toughs who gather in cattle pens at the stockyard and stage fights for a purse. Who was this Holmes impersonator I wondered? I immediately riffled though my A Conan Doyle Complete Serlock Holmes books, and, much to my surprise, was able to find at least two episodes where Holmes talks about using the martial arts to subdue nefarious foes. He is also portrayed in the books as an expert swordsman. However, scenes with Holmes actually deploying fisticuffs apparently don't occur in the books at all.

So the movie producers and writers have modernized the current Holmes to make him more appealing to the "cage fighter" generation. I guess I can forgive them for that. It did make the movie more exciting than the "snail's-pace" action we got in all of the Basil Rathbone oeuvres from the thirties. In those, Holmes relied almost exclusively on his wits. However this movie used the violence as a plot vehicle too much in my opinion. I do miss Basil, even though his stereotyped version of Holmes also doesn't appear in the books. No deerstalker hat for example. It's not in the book. This movie also captures the tortured, opium-addicted, nature of Holmes quite well. That is mostly missing from the Rathbone movies.

Okay, overall this was a good movie, albeit a bit too rough, too little polish, too much bare-knuckles for my tastes. Go see it though. Holmes with wit - and grit to spare.

Avatar (2009)

The Noble Savage - Done in Blue

[6/10 · 3 January 2010]

Ah yes, the notion of the Noble Savage. It is a very romantic notion. One that has been portrayed over and over again for centuries and has become the virtual gospel truth for all leftists: The indigenous culture is always superior.

While this is a gratuitous assertion, it none-the-less seems to find immediate acceptance in otherwise rational people, such as college professors, philosophers, and now - movie audiences. Like most gratuitous assertions, under the rules of logic, it could be equally gratuitously dismissed: The native culture is almost never superior to the conquering culture. The American and Australian Aborigines, the stone-age peoples of Borneo or Africa were not superior to the prevailing European, Asian or even Middle Eastern cultures that overtook them, in any measurable way, except in the non-quantifiable asserted "quality" of their inter-personal relationships within their own society, and, to any objective observer, their primitive cultures were vastly inferior. The truth is - they lived short, brutal, disease-ridden, hunger-plagued lives.

Anyway, the movie was swell: Lots of gee whiz computer generated special effects, animations, loud (My daughter sums it up correctly. We pay the extra to feel our seats shake.) battle scenes, the obligatory oh-so-evil corporate and military types facing off with the unbelievably noble, loin-cloth-wearing, practitioners of a tree dwelling culture. The blatant anti-capitalist, anti-military bias of the movie wasn't so swell, and nearly ruined the experience.

Outside of the ham-fisted political message, it was a good ride; well worth the price of admission.

August Rush (2007)

I Used to Like Music!

[1/10 · 26 April 2008]

A relative (whom I knew to be a very accurate reverse barometer of movie quality) recommended this stinker to me. She raved and raved, on and on. I know, I should have known better, but in a weak moment I watched it. My family, who have a working knowledge of good music and good movies, spotted the fraud in moments and quickly wandered away. But I, like some pathetic boob, watched it to the dreadful conclusion. By the end I was laughing out loud at the painful, unintentionally hilarious clichés. There are too many illogical, vapid, um ..... cheesy (it really is best descriptive adjective for this tripe) scenes, which crowded in on each other like rats trying to escape a flooded sewer. Speaking of sewer -- Oh the smell! Oh the humanity!

Never mind all the schmaltzy lost child and quixotic Fagin references. However, I ask myself in retrospective incredulity, could a movie about music be so utterly devoid of musical quality? Didn't any of the producers or directors even have a modicum of knowledge or appreciation for music? They had to all had to have totally tin ears to allow such musical trash to permeate nearly the whole misguided effort. And what of the classical musicians who were forced by some demonic overlord to perform this wretched stuff? They must have been wearing ear plugs under their long hair. Awful, awful, awful!

Do yourself a favor, stay away at all costs. I will never regain the brain cells destroyed by this menace! I will live the remainder of my life haunted by images of o-so pathetic street urchins, gospel choirs (who never sing about God or Jesus?), faux Irish bands with fake accents, and beautiful cello ingenues, who seem to have masted the instrument without knowing any bowing or fingering technique, only to play the most insipid music ever to despoil a sheet of manuscript paper. The small Elgar snippet near the end was fine, but even Elgar couldn't save this movie. Arrg, arrg, gurgle!

The Queen (2006)

The Real Star -- Diana

[9/10 · 19 February 2007]

Helen Mirren will certainly deserve her Oscar next month. (Do you think the members of the Acadamy would dare snub the queen?) However without a doubt the real star of this fine movie is Diana Spencer. After wining the princess role by marrying Prince Charles, she never failed to upstage the royals at every turn and she manages to pull it off again in this movie. The whole point of the movie is to show how they agonize and struggle to deal with her -- even in death. It is truly a fascinating glimpse into the workings of the royal family.

For a thousand years, we (And let's not kid ourselves, Elizabeth is as much our queen as England's in spite of two hundred and thirty years official separation since the American Revolution.) have, in turns, revered and disliked the monarchy. We don't really understand them. The English don't understand them, and, in realty, they scarcely understand themselves. The one thing they have proved to be, over the many centuries they have been in place, is resilient. They are capable of evolving, be it at an ever so glacial pace. We leave the movie with a slightly better understanding of what it means to be Queen. The queen will overcome and survive without a doubt!

This movie captures exquisitely one of those evolution episodes. Excellently scripted, filmed, staged, conceived and produced. Kudos to all involved. Truly deserving of "best picture" they will surely get if the Acadamy can, for once, leave political correctness out of it.

The Illusionist (2006)

Movie Magic Redux

[9/10 · 24 December 2006]

The reason you go to movies is to be entertained, period, end of story. After seeing this movie you'll realize that reason is undoubtedly your true motivation more than ever. In this day and age, when every movie seems to be bent on clubbing you over the head with some overt political message, or to nag and goad you into going along with some heavy-handed social arm twisting, what a pleasure it is to discover a movie that returns to the roots of what movie making is, or at least what it truly should be: Escape, imagination, mental challenge, enjoyment, fun... you get the idea. If that is what you look for in a movie, search no further. This movie will whisk you away for two hours of pure fun and escape from your everyday worries and cares. Go, have fun, enjoy. It's worth it.

This year we have been treated to no fewer that two turn-of-the-century movies about magic. this one and The Prestige. While they are both good, this movie wins in the "entertainment" category merely due to its much more likable characters and plot. We can identify the good guys and villains and feel good about the first, while loathing the second. In The Prestige, there aren't any heroes.

The movie also possesses one of the best surprise endings seen recently. The magician in the movie keeps you so mesmerized, you don't even notice his true sleight of hand until it is revealed to you at the end. It is truly ingenious, remarkable, satisfying.

Unfortunately, the movie doesn't seem to be getting as much press as some others. Perhaps it is a result of the lack of politically correct content, or, more likely, because it was made by independent film makers, but it deserves much more notice, and audience. If you see it, you see why.

The Prestige (2006)

Well put together -- but not your happy place!

[8/10 · 24 November 2006]

Utterly gripping turn of the century English theater tale. Excellent period feel, costumes, sets, engaging interplay between all the characters, pacing, cinematography, all first rate. The audience is mesmerized by the magic acts, the romantic entanglements, but at the same time, is left utterly cold by the complete lack of warmth and humanity. This is not a movie for someone looking for a uplifting, positive two hours. This movie is devoid of any warmth. There are no heroes, no good guys, no role models.

Scientist/inventor Nikola Tesla, whose work all movie goers have seen, even though they may not know it, figures prominently in this movie. Among other things, he invented the Tesla Coil, which is frequently featured in science fiction movies. The coil generates impressive electric displays, like controlled lightning, arcing between electrodes. The main plot of this movie revolves around the use of this electric "magic". The movie is not, however, a scientific documentary, and the leaps of logic from Tesla's scientific experimentation, to magic tricks shown in the movie, requires accepting highly implausible events requiring much suspended disbelief, but that fact doesn't detract too much from the movie's allure. The magic is well enough performed to be engaging and plausible. You want to believe it. It works.

The movie doesn't entirely satisfy however. The main thing that does diminish the movie's appeal is the unlikable nature of all the principle characters. You just can't "like" them, any of them.

The movie well worth seeing however. Just don't go when you're in a bad mood already. This movie will only make it worse.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Shallowness Taken to New Depths

[2/10 · 6 September 2006]

About ten minutes into this movie, I was hoping against hope that one of them would strike up a conversation with... maybe a sanitation worker, or a street vendor, or bag lady, anybody with some depth of character -- somebody interesting, real, human!!! What a waste of film!

The only character in the movie with any semblance to a real human being was Andy's father -- at least he expressed some genuine love and interest for somebody!? All others were unbelievably shallow, fake, vain, cruel, indifferent, snarkey, smarmy, etc., etc., etc., ... They tried all too hard to impress everybody, and wound up impressing nobody. Real Hollywood types!

Why the moguls in Hollywood would think the average movie patron would be interested in such despicable people is a total mystery? Why would they think the main character would be even remotely sympathetic to us all when she displayed her disdain for the "evil, vain" fashion publishing industry buy quitting to get away from all the phonies, only to take a job with a phony left-wing fraudulent "newspaper" where she supposed she could "do real work?" and shack up with a phony, shallow "sous chef" boyfriend. Don't any of these people have real lives, children, families? In a way, it's kind of sad.

What a waste of time. Uhggggg!

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Veni, Vidi, Mendacia

[4/10 · 17 August 2006]

From a cinema production point of view, this is a fine effort. Good acting, editing, lighting, sound, cinematography, etc. No quibbles there. It was a riveting suspense tale with all the elements of the genre thrown in: False leads, red herrings, -- As a movie, I enjoyed it.

As a valid representation of two thousand years of religious history, the movie falls short. While, over the centuries, there has been no shortage of persecutions, killings, banishments, etc. done in the name of Jesus, or the Pope, when you boil them all down, most were really the result of envy, greed, and good old fashioned political rivalry. They were mostly after gain, territory, plunder and glory. To ascribe most if not all malfeasance done during 2000 years to the central motivation laid out in this movie --Jesus was (gulp!)married to Mary Magdalene-- is just silly. Would people really kill each other because some think he was married, and others not? Most people would shrug their shoulders and say "so what?" Being married would have not been unusual for a Rabbi at the time. What of it? Also, the idea that if he was married, he couldn't have been divine, merits another "say what, why not?" Many believe that the very reason he alone could atone for all humanity was because, as a divine mortal, he was uniquely qualified to give his life for us. It was his free will gift. He could, of his own free will, sacrifice himself for our sins.

Aside from the theological arguments, perhaps the most disturbing aspect of this movie was the depiction of all religiously orthodox and devoted Catholics as despicable monsters capable of killing without a hint of conscience. This goes right along with the trend in Hollywood these days: Christianity = evil. Only those who somehow held out the secular ideal of Jesus as just a "great teacher" but not divine were depicted as good and honorable. This is a hurtful stereotype, and is deeply resented by religiously oriented people, yet it seems to be the stock-in-trade of filmdom these days. For falling into this trap, the movie is cheapened and is almost laughable at times in its excessively evil portrayal of all clergy. Maybe some day, an honest depiction of the overwhelmingly good priests, monks, friars, cardinals, etc. will be made, but it's not this movie.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

Jack Sparrow on Meth?

[6/10 · 31 July 2006]

After the notable success of the first movie ever made from an amusement park ride, the writers and directors were trapped. They had to make a sequel -- and probably another sequel, and another, and another. You get the idea. What to do about a plot? After all, the first movie didn't have a story to draw from, no novel, no play, nothing. So they hired some writers and concocted a tale involving lots of pirates, British soldiers, a beautiful damsel in distress, -- a piece of cake. Voila, huge success beyond their wildest dreams. We were ready to forgive the cookie cutter plot drawn from all the pirate movies since Erroll Flynn plied the trade, because, ...well the girl was soooo beautiful, and Jack Sparrow so quirky in a charming sort of way, and everybody else was so earnest, the monsters so scary, etc. We just bought it, big time! Enter the second installment. What to do now? No problem, just bring back Jack Sparrow, only make him ten, no twelve times more annoyingly quirky (I swear he was on drugs through the whole movie) and throw in lots of pirates, the same beautiful girl, and lots of British soldiers, corrupt politicians, monsters from the dead, etc. Another piece of cake.

And, judging from the box office, I guess it really is just that easy. Another huge success for a movie... based on an amusement park ride. Who needs an engaging story, or clever plot devices, or great acting? Hey we have scary monsters and lots of computer animation! I have to admit I did enjoy the ride. I just wanted more. I wanted Daniel Defoe. I got Billy Silly Bones instead.

It isn't a terrible movie. It is, in fact, the 2nd best movie based on an amusement park ride ever made. It just confirms what everybody already knows: It takes more than lots of sword fights, swashbuckling, sea monsters, cannibals, and pretty heroines in peril to make a really good pirate movie; but if you have enough computer graphics, it won't really matter -- you'll still make a ton of money.

United 93 (2006)

If You're Not Afraid, You Should Be....

[9/10 · 21 June 2006]

This nonjudgmental portrayal of the events abroad United flight 93 probably didn't set out to send any sort of a political message. In fact the director went to extraordinary lengths to avoid appearing to have a political point of view. The message came through nonetheless. The message is simple: There are many, many, Islamic Fundamentalists out there who want only one thing out of life -- they want you dead. And they think nothing of killing you for no other reason than being American, or Jewish, or Christian... or anything other than a Radical Muslim. These people are not bearded, turban-wearing, wild-eyed screaming lunatics. They are far too sophisticated and savvy for that. No, they masquerade as students, computer specialists, engineers, clean cut young men you would probably not even notice in a crowd. They are the kind that could call their wife on the phone and say sweetly to her "I love you," then get on a plane and kill thousands of innocent civilian strangers, in the name of God. They could be anybody, living anywhere, doing anything... and that's what makes this movie truly frightening.

The fact that the story is told without and typical Hollywood hype, corny dramatic devices, or other distractions only serves to point out how terrifying the modern world really is. It is made so as a result of this fanatical terrorist ideology. Regardless of your political position, you are forced by this movie to see the fruits of radical Islam. You are forced to see raw evil. You have no choice. There is no way to sugar coat it. These people are evil and must be eliminated, by what ever means are necessary. As the movie makes clear, it comes down to one thing -- it really is them or us. It really is just that simple. You're either for them or you're against them. Our country's very survival depends on it.

I urge everybody to see this fine movie. If you have seen it once, I urge you to see it again. In seeing this movie you will see the truth, and the truth will make you mad.

Just Like Heaven (2005)

Under Promoted, Under Valued

[9/10 · 21 February 2006]

How did we miss this movie? Released in the Fall of 2005, it came and passed on without any buzz whatsoever! Why? It's at least as good as 90% of what Hollywood cranks out, and in my opinion far better than most. Why didn't it get any promotion? -- Politics, pure and simple.

This movie doesn't have any politics. It doesn't have anything to recommend it to the Hollywood elites. It doesn't have any F words. It doesn't have any "gay agenda" promotion. It doesn't have any "drug culture" references. It doesn't pander to the counter culture, or make excuses for criminals. It doesn't utilize race baiting. It doesn't bash President Bush. It doesn't have any evil corporate moguls oppressing the benighted poor or befouling the environment. It doesn't even try to save the whales, ...or the porpoises.

It doesn't have any politically correct elements at all! No wonder it was rejected by the Hollywood intelligentsia. If a movie doesn't attempt to foment their left-wing agenda they pretty much ignore it. This movie currently ranks 912 on the Box Office totals at $48mm. What a shame! It should be far higher! Those who like beautiful heart-warming movies should do our part to make sure the investors who provide this type of movies don't get so discouraged they stop making family-friendly movies.

Just Lke Heaven doesn't deserve to be ignored because what the movie does provide is a well-written, well-acted, warm, funny, moving, loving, uplifting hour and a half of pure entertainment!! Isn't that what we really go to the movies for? It's the kind of feel-good movie that come along all too infrequently. As the movie going public, we'd better support movies like this, or they will disappear entirely. And that would be a great tragedy. Rent or buy this movie! You'll be glad you did. Your family will be glad you did.

The Work and the Glory II: American Zion (2005)

Brutal History, True History

[9/10 · 16 January 2006]

The riveting depiction of the history of the Mormon church continues via these screen adaptations of Gerald Lund's novels. The founding of the Mormon church clearly fomented intense, irrational hatred from the very beginning, especially vividly exposed in this episode. Some have wondered why? Because they were different? Because they banded together? Sometimes there is no rationale or justification for hatred -- it's just there.

The Mormons apparently wanted nothing more that to be left to themselves and their beliefs. Yet the raw emotion of fear and loathing caused men to perpetrate unspeakable acts of depravity. More so than against any other religious movement in America -- The Amanas, the Quakers, the Mennonites weren't driven out, pillaged, murdered and burned out by the mob! Hang your head in shame America!

This movie portrays this horrendous American period vividly, without exploiting the violence for the sake of shock-value. (We know what happens when hot tar is painted on bare skin without having to actually see it.) The fact that it happened, with the complicity of the government, (Missouri Lieutenant Governor Lilburn W. Boggs) is shocking enough. (The State of Missouri has only just recently apologized to the Mormon Church for the outrages committed against it.) This episode takes the Steed family from New York, to Ohio, then to Missouri, driven out each time because intolerant Americans refused to allow them their constitutionally guaranteed religious freedom and the government refused to do anything about it.

The first movie was dream-like, ethereal, almost idyllic. This movie is not any of those things. This move is gritty. Oh the movie is still very well filmed, acted, scripted and produced. But it is utterly gripping from the first frame to the closing credits. Not a bit preachy or condescending, just good. Much better than most of what Hollywood is cranking out these days. If you are a patriotic American, prepare to be angry that such things happened in our history -- shame on us. Let us resolve that such things will never be allowed to happen again.

The Interpreter (2005)

Slick Thriller -- Little Depth

[6/10 · 26 June 2005]

The Interpreter is a pretty good flick. It has loads of action, very well-known and competent actors, a big name director, excellent production values, etc. but somehow I still left the theater feeling hollow. I wasn't moved, inspired and even that impressed. The movie didn't speak to me, as an average American, that much. I thought about this for a few days, and then it finally hit me: I don't care about this fictional country, or its fictional problems. Somehow, one gang of African despots plotting to kill the president of another gang of despicables doesn't matter to me. They certainly don't present a threat of violence against me or my family or the United States, so why should we care? Naive idealism? And the fact that the United Nations and the World Court in the Hague are held up as the solutions for all the world's injustices struck me as ridiculous. The fact is, the United Nations, as demonstrated by its despicable behavior in the oil for food scandal, and most especially by its depravity and toothlessness in the real genocide occurring by radical Islamists against African Christians, is very much part of the problem not part of the solution. The United Nations is not the ideal of world unity and justice as this movie pretends. Quite the opposite. The UN is an anti-US, left-wing debating club. The idea of the UN as savior is all Hollywood political nonsense.

But to get back to the movie. To me it would have been much more riveting if the threat had been posed against the US by a real danger to world peace like Al Qaida. That would have sucked me right in. I would have cheered right out loud when those plotters were foiled. But sending the villain to the World court? Weak! People should still see this movie however if only for the quality acting and directing. It is very effectively done. I was just not convinced by the message.

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

C'mon guys -they're not going for an Oscar!

[10/10 · 21 January 2005]

Sweet! After all of the terrible "nerd" movies inflicted on us for decades, finally one that works. (Those who don't get the humor, -can't be helped and should be locked away for their own safety.) The movie moves seamlessly from one vignette to another and has only one goal: let Napoleon be Napoleon. ("Is Napoleon there?" "yes" -pause- "can I speak to him?" -another pause- "You already are.") There never has been anything like it, and never will be again I suspect. The true essence of nerdiness distilled to a fine elixir to be enjoyed by all.

This movie is not to be missed. It has already has gained "cult" status with the teen to generation x crowd, but can be equally enjoyed by anyone with a bit of an open mind. It is also proof positive that you don't have to descend into the gutter for laughs. Go see it.

Saints and Soldiers (2003)

Powerful war movie gem.

[10/10 · 21 January 2005]

Every once in a while a little movie will come along totally unheralded, unexpected, under budget, under promoted, but which really shouldn't be missed.

Saints and Soldiers is such a movie. If you like lots of big budget special effect -loud explosions, -crashing airplanes, -panoramic scenes with thousands of extras slogging through the mud, -if that's what you want in a war movie, skip this one. It doesn't have any of those things.

What it does have, however, is a very effective ensemble cast telling a very compelling story, -a true story, of the Battle of the Bulge. From the utter confusion and tragic consequences of the "Malmedy Masacre", depicted in this movie as more an accident of the fog of war rather than a cold calculated act, to the final climactic battle scenes, this movie shows world war II as it most likely really was. A very personal war for each soldier involved.

My uncle was a soldier who lost a leg in Europe during that time and as he related experiences of battle, he always made it perfectly clear that war was always a very personal thing. You were doing everything to survive. Your enemy was doing the same thing, and somehow battles were eventually won or lost. The average G.I. didn't know, or much care what was going on over the hill, or on a grand scale. He only knew he and a few of his buddies were being shot at by a few of the enemy and they had to shoot back or perish. It's all about living another day.

This movie conveys those sentiments very clearly. It is about daily survival without the grandiose trappings. You really wind up caring about each of these characters. It is well worth seeing. Especially if you were a soldier -or know a soldier, -or just want to know more about being a soldier. In my opinion it will go down in history as one of the more realistic war movies ever made.

The Work and the Glory (2004)

Mormon History Made Accessible

[9/10 · 26 November 2004]

Religion as a subject for movies can be very tricky. On the one hand, some people often dismiss out of hand any movie that has a religious theme. They think of them as nothing more that an effort at proselytizing and preaching. Many people avoid these movies like the plague. However, on the other hand, over the years many movies with religious elements have been made which won wide acceptance. The epics such as The Ten Commandments come to mind, but also along the way there have been historical little movies that manage to be appealing to a wide audience in spite of their religious themes. Movies like Boys Town, The Bells of St. Mary and The Song of Bernadette come to mind. These are movies that inspire and uplift us, but also entertain us at the same time. The Work and the Glory is a worthy new entrant into this category.

The Work and the Glory can't avoid the subject of Mormonism. That is what it's about. So they just present the Mormon facts honestly and sincerely, without preaching, or excuses, or embarrassment. The movie is about the founding of the church by Joseph Smith as seen through the eyes of the fictional Steed Family. Their introduction to Mormonism and Joseph Smith causes family rifts and tensions that provide the dramatic action for the movie.

The movie is beautiful; with wondrous cinematography, a glorious soundtrack, solid acting by a professional cast and exquisite attention to period detail. (This period in US history is sandwiched between the American Revolution and the Civil War and hardy ever gets any attention. This movie transports you back to that age and time splendidly and effortlessly.)

The love triangle between the two Steed brothers and the wealthy merchant's daughter are genuinely and tastefully portrayed, but the real genius of the movie lies in its depiction of the almost reluctant person of Joseph Smith. The boy who saw the vision, and almost against his own will and at great personal peril, was selected to be the vessel for the founding of Mormonism.

He has a very human spirit and an accessible warmth that is very appealing.

There is nothing of the austere and pompous personality you would expect in a religious icon.

Anyone, Mormon or not, who wants to be enthralled by a beautifully staged, historically significant slice of Americana would do well to see this movie.

You shouldn't let your prejudices, pro-Mormon or anti-Mormon color your experience. Just let the movie wash over you and take your breath away. It's worth it.

The Village (2004)

Good, old fashioned, spooky tale.

[4 August 2004]

A pox on all the so-called "serious" movie critics who are panning this fine effort... they are missing the point. The reason some films are made is simple: entertainment. We have become so enthralled with the idea that popular film culture should have a sole mission to bash us over the head with politically correct messages, we are unable to enjoy a good film that only has as its motive to give us a good two hours of fun.

This movie is very well crafted, and while it is deliberately slow paced, it satisfies. The 19th century Gothic novels it was paying tribute to are also slow paced. It's all part of the mood the director is trying to set up. The acting is very good, the script is very well written, the camera work effective.

If you are looking for a movie with lots of car crashes and political messages, go see something else. Heaven knows you'll have plenty to choose from. If you just want to be immersed in a different time, a different feeling, a different ambiance, go see this movie. You'll be glad you did.

The Best Two Years (2004)

Best of the genre...

[9/10 · 26 February 2004]

From a production values point of view, this is by far the best of the "Mormon Cinema". The acting, writing, camera work and even the soundtrack are all first rate. The scenery in Holland is very beautiful as well.

The story, superbly acted by an ensemble cast, is familiar. Essentially, a newbie missionary shows up and attempts to fit in with more established, more cynical veterans. The results: After the expected bumps and false starts, they all wind up growing, and benefiting from his presence, spirit and enthusiasm... much to their own surprise. This could have been a movie about a new salesman joining the firm.... a new athlete joining the team... a new peace corps volunteer experiencing a foreign country... etc. It works because the experience is universal enough that we all can relate. But this movie still manages to give this plot vehicle a fresh face.

The humor was all genuine and very sympathetic, but nonetheless satisfying and effective. There was very little of the slapstick, low humor that is usually relied on in this kind of effort. Also, the movie conveys a sense of the actors' faith and mission, without ever being heavy-handed or preachy. They let you see what they do and why they do it, without bashing you over the head with it.

An additional bonus: They managed to make a movie, set in Holland, without a single reference or use of that country's proclivity for loose or kinky sexual mores. Holland was simply where the missionaries were stationed... nothing more. That must be some kind of a modern-day first.

I would encourage anyone, Mormon or not, to see this movie, if the goal is a pleasant, feel good, warm-hearted and funny two hours. That's what the movie promises, and that's what it delivers.

God's Army (2000)

God's Army is already successful beyond the producers wildest dreams.

[10/10 · 10 July 2000]

If only those people who hate Mormons can put their bigotry aside for a couple of hours, they may find they enjoy this movie. It's hard to explain, but I really liked the movie. I suggest Michael Medved's review as an example of a non-mormon perspective. Those reviewers who hated it because it "didn't have any drugs" or "didn't mention gays" just have problems with anyone who doesn't think the same way they do. See the movie. It's good!