"The Dance" and "Singles 2nd Ward." Buy the DVDs!

I recently purchased and watched these two movies. Money and time well spent. (I previously described "The Dance" movie here.)

"The Dance" is about three couples going to a church dance: two single college students, two single thirty-somethings (one a single mom), and a 60-ish couple whose marriage has gone stale.

The "single-isms" spoken by the 30-something guy really cut me to the quick. I thought "What a jerk that guy is" and in the very next moment I thought "Ouch! That's me."

It's one of the better Mormon movies. It could have used some professional polishing in a few parts, but the dialogue, directing, and cinematography have really improved from past LDS-themed movies. I think it's by the same people who produced "Best 2 Years."

I think women will like it, but guys won't necessarily think it's a chick flick. Heartwarming. Not campy.

Links: Main website. Trailer. Trailer #2. IMDB. Plot summary. Buy at HolyMovies.com.

Very worth the $16.22 plus shipping.

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"Singles 2nd Ward" has most of the same principal actors from "Singles Ward". But it's a much better movie. More professional in its writing, acting, directing and cinematography than the first installment.

This one is more from the girl's standpoint, as she's the one occasionally talking to the camera, but still staying in character. I think that's kind of what Bob Hope used to do in his movies.

There are still some Mormon in-jokes. One cute moment is when a hungry non-member buys food from a kid in sacrament meeting.

This one is campy and humorous, so I didn't mind some of the unpolished parts. Some of the weak parts could have been cast better with more professional actors. But the repeat principal actors from the first installment were good. Also worth the $17.99 plus shipping.

Movie Review: States of Grace.

I finally got around to watching States of Grace. I bought a legitimate copy on eBay. I liked it so much I bought another 14 copies from the producer, Richard Dutcher's company, Main Street Movie Company, 287 East 100 North, Provo, UT 84606.

It is a good movie. It's a great Mormon movie. Some of the secondary characters are weak, but you'd expect that in a non-Hollywood film. The only negative that sticks out is the final scene, which I thought was protracted, and perhaps a bit forced.

This is not a kids' movie. It's rated PG-13. It's not something that would have been rated R a few years ago, so I'd say PG-13 is an accurate rating. There are three murders in the movie that are essential to the plot. Except for one guy getting wounded in the second scene, the violence is like Hitchcock's "Psycho" (and Rogers' "Book of Mormon Movie") you see the blood and the aftermath but you don't see the actual knife entry or bullet entry. The second scene from the start is a drive-by shooting and is pretty-intense, but still falls within PG-13.

I recommend this movie to adults. But I think parents should watch it before allowing their children under 16 to see it.

This movie is not for someone who wants their spiritual movies to be all "sweetness and light". But yes, it is a spiritual movie.

And this is not for someone who wants to think of all LDS missionaries as totally Ned Flanders and Dudley Do-Right.

You do not have to be LDS to enjoy this movie. I think people of all faiths will "get it."

Nationally syndicated film critic Michael Medved gave it 3-1/2 stars. Eric Snider gave it an "A-".

Running time is 128 minutes.

You can buy the States of Grace movie here, for $19.59, plus $3.50 shipping.
Or a two-pack of States of Grace and the original God's Army, for $25.59.
Or a three-pack of States of Grace, the original God's Army, and Brigham City, for $39.99.

You can also get States of Grace on eBay for as low as $17.00 including shipping, from seller "brentscard". I've bought from that seller before, and have always got a good deal.

Movie Review: Suits on the Loose.

I just watched the "Suits on the Loose" DVD.

It's one of the better Mormon movies. There are four big names playing in the Movie. Character actors Robert Prosky as a bishop, Charles Napier, and Reginald VelJohnson. Also appearing is actor Fred Dryer as a senator.

Also features character actor Shaun Weiss, known for his role as the goalie in Mighty Ducks (Hat tip to Brett) as one of the hapless missionaries who gets their car stolen by the boot-camp escapees. His interpretation of a missionary is a bit over-the-top, but he and Jason Winer, the other "real" missionary, must have had some good coaching from the director.

There's some corny parts, some maudlin parts, and some good "trading places" kind of humor. There's no church-bashing. Some of the funniest parts are where the two "boot camp" escapees are trying to pretend to be Mormon missionaries. It does borrow the theme of mistaken identity from other movies. The writers/director did a good job of melding that theme into a Mormon missionary setting.

Seeing the one escapee whose character had a Southern Baptist background try to adapt what he thinks about church people into the Mormon paradigm provided some good belly laughs.

You don't have to be LDS to appreciate this movie. Fred Dryer had some really good praise for the movie in one of the DVD extras. But LDS members, especially pre-raise-the-bar returned missionares, will get the full humor effects and some of the inside humor.

The movie can be appreciated on several levels. It's rated PG, but I'd think it would be suitable for all but the smallest children. There is a bar scene with pool playing and drinking, and one fist-fight scene. As is predictable, the good guys win, and the "bad guys" get converted.

See it with your non-member friends and explain the inside humor.