By Jonathan Decker WHAT’S OUT OF LIBERTY ABOUT? Weary jailer Samuel Tillery is tasked with protecting Joseph Smith and other Latter-day Saint prisoners in Liberty Jail until they can get a fair trial, a job made difficult by angry mobs who want the men dead. IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: A) Between Out of Liberty, The Fighting Preacher, The Other Side of Heaven 2, and last year’s Jane and Emma, Latter-d ...[Read More]
Family Review: OUT OF LIBERTY is a Gritty, Inspiring True-Story Western
Interview: Director Mitch Davis on the Interfaith Appeal of THE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN 2
By Jonathan Decker With The Other Side of Heaven 2, director Mitch Davis has crafted a powerful interfaith epic meant to unite Catholics, Evangelicals, and Latter-day Saints. Telling the true story of Elder John Groberg's return to Tonga with his wife and children over a decade after first serving there as a missionary on his own, there is so much to be inspired by here. Recently Mitch was kind en ...[Read More]
Family Review: THE FIGHTING PREACHER Promotes Kindness in the Face of Intolerance
By Jonathan Decker WHAT'S THE FIGHTING PREACHER ABOUT? A Latter-day Saint boxer and his wife are called to take care of the farm of church prophet Joseph Smith, 80 years after the faith left Palmyra, New York. Met with aggressive persecution and bigotry by the locals, he tries to change things with his fists, but his wife sees that the hand of friendship and kindness is what is needed. IS IT ANY G ...[Read More]
Family Review: THE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN 2 Largely Surpasses The Original
By Trina Boice Reprinted with permission from Movie Review Mom. WHAT'S THE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN 2 ABOUT? Brought to you by BYU TV and Kolipoki Pictures, this Two Roads film is based on a true story and the missionary efforts of Elder John H. Groberg. If you saw the first movie, The Other Side of Heaven, you will remember the sweet spirit of the storytelling and the heart of the beautiful Tongan p ...[Read More]
TREK Family Movie Review
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]
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]
10 Latter-day Saint Movies That Anyone Could Love
By Jonathan Decker You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy Fiddler on the Roof, Catholic to love Rudy, Hindu to appreciate Ghandi, or an evangelical Christian to be a fan of The Blind Side. Similarly, there are films about Latter-day Saints that are simply good movies. They entertain and tell compelling stories without trying to convert the audience. Here are ten films that have won over mainstream c ...[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]