By Henry Ferreyra Trek (rent or buy it here) is another in a long line of LDS movies that have now been released to the masses. The movie features the tag line “a Mormon thing” which made me want to prepare myself for cheesy moments. Although the movie started out weak and a bit contrived, it had a strong finish that surprised me. LDS cinema started off with some great movies like God’s Army and T ...[Read More]
TREK Family Movie Review
LOVE, KENNEDY Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) WHAT’S LOVE, KENNEDY ABOUT? A terminally-ill teen inspires a community with her love and faith in this new film by T.C. Christensen (17 Miracles, Ephraim’s Rescue, The Cokeville Miracle). Based on a true story. Available on Bluray and DVD. IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: A-) To see a T.C. Christensen film in a crowded theater is to experience surround-sou ...[Read More]
LDS Film Festival Prepares to Inspire
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) For 16 years the LDS Film Festival has been a showcase for uplifting, powerful cinema from both Latter-day Saint filmmakers and others with shared values. There’s a truly phenomenal lineup for this year’s festival (March 1-4 at the Scera Theater in Orem) including a Studio C documentary, a film in which Donny Osmond plays a terrorist, a 24-hour fi ...[Read More]
Director Mitch Davis Talks THE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) This week marks 15 years since the theatrical release of The Other Side of Heaven, the lush and engaging Latter-day Saint missionary biopic which launched the careers of megastar Anne Hathaway and TV favorite Christopher Gorham. The film tells the love story of Elder John H. Groberg and his future wife Jean, exchanging letters as he serves the peo ...[Read More]
SATURDAY’S WARRIOR Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) WHAT'S SATURDAY'S WARRIOR ABOUT? Several siblings leave heaven for Earth, experiencing together the struggles of mortal life in this musical interpretation of Latter-day Saint doctrine. IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: B) Mainstream audiences are likely unfamiliar with Saturday's Warrior, but for lifelong Mormons the musical is a staple of their culture. P ...[Read More]
SINGING WITH ANGELS Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) WHAT’S SINGING WITH ANGELS ABOUT? A woman finds renewed faith and strength singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir while facing several personal and family struggles. IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: B) With gorgeous music and beautiful cinematography, Singing With Angels is in many ways a delight for both the eyes and ears. When the choir sings, the movi ...[Read More]
ONCE I WAS A BEEHIVE Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) WHAT'S ONCE I WAS A BEEHIVE ABOUT? Still mourning her father's death, a teenager from a Protestant family gets roped into attending a Mormon summer camp. IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: B+) Faith-based comedies often fall terribly flat. Wholesome doesn't always equal funny, and good intentions don't necessarily lead to polished screenplays (or performanc ...[Read More]
Michael Flynn Talks MIDWAY TO HEAVEN, BEST TWO YEARS, LAMB OF GOD
By Jonathan Decker (family therapist, film critic) Note: This interview originally ran in Meridian Magazine in 2011 and is written from a Latter-day Saint perspective. President Spencer W. Kimball famously predicted that Mormon artists, including filmmakers, would tell the story of the Savior, the Restoration, and the Latter-day Saints with vigor, talent, and inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Though ...[Read More]
NOBODY KNOWS: THE UNTOLD STORY OF BLACK MORMONS Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) Rent or buy Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons here. A thoughtful, faithful and informative treatment on the controversial and misunderstood subject of African-American Mormons, Nobody Knows is long overdue and a most welcome gift for anyone seeking clarification on this matter. With interviews from black Latter-day Saints, both prom ...[Read More]
STORIES FROM THE LIFE OF PORTER ROCKWELL Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) Stories from the Life of Porter Rockwell is available on DVD from Amazon. Much like the man it reveals, Covenant Communications’ new documentary Stories From the Life of Porter Rockwell emerges with glaring imperfections but ultimately redeemed by things done right. Featuring insights and commentary by a variety of well-respected Latter-day Saint ...[Read More]