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notyourordinarymoviecritic
Reviews
Church Ball (2006)
Hoosiers Church Basketball Style, Sort of...
Here's a movie from these producers that's not Utah Mormon culture specific, but it is Utah specific just as Napoleon Dynamite was Idaho specific. I don't have a problem with that.
I saw the movie at a 12:10 matinée in Tooele, UT (the closest theatre to where I live). There were about a half dozen people in the theatre.
The POSITIVES: *Good message (despite the "misleading" taglines on the ads for it) that shows people matter more than sports or winning. *The acting was above par. *Jeremiah is the best character because he has the largest character arc. *The feel good sub story involving Moses Mahoney (Thurl Bailey) *The soundtrack I'd give a 7 out of 10. *The sub story romance between Thurman and Bertha was refreshing. *The cinematography had a more natural look instead of a bright clean look like previous Halestorm productions. *Seeing Gene (Clint Howard) wearing athletic shoes at church and the rest of him being dressed in a suit. *The opening "documentary" footage was excellent. *The location scout(s) did a pretty good job of finding a variety of locations. One of my little fears was that 90 % of the film would take place in a basketball gym. There was a good variety of locations. *The slow motions shots of opposing teams walking the halls. *The church restroom doubling as a locker room. *Dennis Buckstead's (Andrew Wilson) epiphany moment that has some humorous but realistic result. *The way the opening credits were presented was a lot of fun. *Some excellent laugh-out loud moments--it takes something really funny to get me to laugh out loud. *The fact that a good variety of ethnicities were represented--Polynesian, African-American, south-American, etc.--added because it didn't feel like a Caucasian movie made by Caucasian guys for a Caucasian audience.
The NEGATIVES:
-Some of the night shots looked grainy. -Some of the running jokes (like the fat guy eating doughnuts) were
repeated a tad too much, but not to the point of annoying. -The climax could have been ratcheted up a notch or two. -There was one subplot that seemed a little too ridiculous that didn't add much to the film. I won't give too much of it away only to say that it reminded me of the RM in the RM going door to door trying to sell knife sets.
Though the producers' hope is having this film reach a wider audience, I think that it's popularity will still be limited in some respects because it is Utah specific (Utah landscapes, Utah license plates, a BYU/Notre Dame reference, "Utah" celebrity cameos, Delta Center shots, etc.) I believe the producers' intentions are good in filming the movie entirely in Utah and paying tribute to it's charm/beauty/it being their native state or whatever you want to call it. However, I feel this will still limit its universal appeal.
Overall, I found the film funny, endearing (unexpectedly) and a great film for all ages. It's pretty clean language wise even for the most sensitive viewer. No swear words, just about 20 that are bleeped out, which is actually pretty funny considering who the character is. There's a "dang", "holy crap," "crap," a "that sucks," "freakin'," and one time the really heavy guy says "darn it" which almost sounded like "dammit". Then, another character asks, "Is this hell?" referring to the place.
Peace out...
States of Grace (2005)
"Fantastic Four" Revisited
The two elders in this movie, the street preacher, and the actress are the new "fantastic four". They are all great actors.
I'll be the first to say that this film is not perfect. What film is? But the craftsmanship is excellent.
I was only offended by a couple of parts and those were very minor. The brief images of the scantily clad bikini volleyball girls.
This is a powerful film. I will not give away the ending, but it definitely portrays the depth the Savior loves each one of us.
There is some very powerful symbolism in this movie I don't think this film is intended strictly for an LDS audience. I think Dutcher is trying to reach a larger audience.
Lastly, this movie was able (in my mind's eye) to take some bible stories and a Book of Mormon story or two and set a parallel in our modern day--the Good Samaritan, the fall of David, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies.
I'm signing off...
The Work and the Glory II: American Zion (2005)
Good For What Ails Mainstream Movie makers--Character Appeal and Depth
First, let me clear up a couple of things. No, I am not going to be 97% objective in my review. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have never read the novels the movie is based on. So, you aren't going to be hearing me harping on how it didn't live up to the book, etc. Neither are you going to hearing how the LDS filmmakers are using the movie to proselyte their religion.
First, the positives: The main actors do an excellent and convincing job. The actor who plays Brigham Young (Andrew Bowen) could rival Orlando Bloom in skills and screen-image appeal. Jonathan Scarfe, who plays Joseph Smith, does an excellent job. The special effects are done well. The cinematography is superbly done. It has a rough feel that matches its era. The relationships between parents and children (especially the babies) is especially endearing. Oh, yes, Eric Johnson pulls off his character (Joshua Steed) very well, too.
Second, the negatives: Some of the supporting actors, that only have one or two lines aren't very convincing or experienced and it weakens some of the drama.
Well, gotta run.
The movie made me cry, probably cause I'm a dad.
Day of Defense (2003)
Too many critical critics...
I have not seen Day of Defense. It must have not been very widely advertised. I have only seen the trailer via the movie's website. The acting did seem poor. Nevertheless, in the movie makers' defense (no pun intended), I applaud anyone that attempts to make a movie. That is extremely hard work to make a movie of any size, whether it's a short or full-length feature.
I get irritated by the responses of people who are highly critical of other filmmakers' efforts, even beginning filmmakers' efforts, when they themselves, in many cases, have never made a movie themselves, let alone been on a production team for one.
I liken them to people who are highly critical of pro basketball or football players, etc. when they themselves can barely dribble, pass or punt much less score in those respective games. For example, I would value John Stockton's or Jerry Rice's analyses of an athlete's skills before some guy "off the street" who had not been "in the trenches."
But, then again, I guess that is why these people are called movie "critics" and not movie "praisers", right?
Mobsters and Mormons (2005)
Genuinely Funny and Emotionally Endearing
This movie was not just entertaining and funny; it had a surprisingly good message around the theme of not judging others. The soundtrack and opening sequence were surprisingly of a professional quality. And Mark DeCarlo's rendition/version of the kids' story "The Three Little Pigs" was completely hilarious. Jan Broberg Felt, who plays a stuck on herself Mormon gossip, is a great actress. Mark DeCarlo by far carries the acting and humor, but the other supporting actors complement him well. I was especially impressed by Clayton Taylor and the girl (cannot remember her name) who plays his "love" interest. They play their parts convincingly.
My only complaint for the movie was that the pacing in the storyline seemed off at times. Other than that, it was very well done.
I think someone has found a happy medium in the LDS genre--a movie that's not over-cooked or under-done; it's just about right.
Sons of Provo (2004)
Funny
"Sons of Provo" intrigued me initially because I know some of the supporting actors--the ones who play Jill Kieth and the recording engineer along with the top-billed ones. It was funny the whole way through.
There were only a couple of things where my expectations weren't met. 1)I wasn't ready for the documentary feel it had which made it feel more cheaply made than it actually was. 2)I had listened to the CD several times prior to the movie and was somewhat let down that not any of the songs were played in their entirety.
I wouldn't mind seeing it again with my expectations tweaked a little. Yes, it will have a documentary cinematic feel and no, none of the songs will be performed all the way through.
My favorite scene would have to be when the band crashes the wedding reception and the bride goes running off crying.
That's all. I may write another review when I see it again.