DrGandolfo Reviews

States of Grace (2005)

Truly Moving

[10/10 · 5 November 2005]

It's a movie about strugglers (some Mormon, most not) and the grace of God; it is beautiful, and even though from a Mormon perspective, it is not an in-your-face Mormon flick.

If you liked the ending to "Brigham City" (sacrament scene) you'll like this even better - less Mormon, more universal, and absolutely moving.

I wish there were more movies like this - that cause me to think about my relationships with others, my commitment to Christ, and how happy I am to live in a land where I am free to worship as I choose.

I hope people will see this movie and not worry about whether it's just a bunch of "Mormon propaganda" - because it is not. The Mormons are not the good guys and the non-Mormons are not the bad guys. There's plenty of good, bad and in-between for all.

Good job to all involved!!!

Sons of Provo (2004)

Is This All Provo Has To Offer?

[9 February 2005]

If so I'm GLAD I live in Lindon (two towns to the North).

I saw the movie at a 9:40 showing in the Provo mall. My friends and I sat behind two other dudes. A couple came in and sat on our right during the previews. Another guy came in and sat to our left. That was all that were in the theater. During the first 10 minutes of the movie the couple walked out, and a minute later the guy to our left walked out. One of my friends was happily snoring next to me, so my other friend and I amused ourselves by throwing popcorn on him.

I read the other reviews of this movie and cannot believe people are praising it so much. This movie is not very funny (it does have a couple of fun lines, but it's not worth the effort).

I give it a 3 out of 10 (not a 0 because it at least is not dirty).

The Book of Mormon Movie, Volume 1: The Journey (2003)

Misses the Mark; see Work & the Glory instead

[4/10 · 5 December 2004]

I really wanted to like this movie; I love The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. But the movie was like watching a low-budget play. The musical score, which I heard prior to seeing the movie, seemed moving, dramatic and even beautiful. But the movie missed the mark.

ON THE OTHER HAND: those interested in celebrating (or even investigating) Mormonism would be FAR BETTER SERVED watching "The Work and the Glory" - which, while not as doctrinally "heavy" as the Book of Mormon Movie intended to be (and failed), is at least beautifully filmed, well-acted and is simply not painful to watch.

BTW I enjoy the Genesis Project effort to put OT & NT stories on film, sticking to the text. I'm not just against putting scriptural stories on film per se. But this "project" needs more work, and especially more thought.

Saw (2004)

This Movie Grossed Me Out But Kept My Interest

[3 December 2004]

(MILD spoilers) I don't know what to think of movies like this. Movies like this? Well, I guess I don't know of another movie "like" this one. The opening mystery - two guys who don't know each other discovering they are chained in the same room together with a dead man lying on the floor between them - made me want to leave. But then the mysteries started to unfold - how did they get there? Was there a connection between them? Why were a doctor and a freelance photographer paired together for this? Who did this to them? From the first discoveries each of the chained men make to the end of the movie I was GROSSED OUT by the blood and sick acts depicted. But the underlying moral dilemmas were delicious - kill a stranger or let my wife & daughter die (for example).

At the end I felt like I'd been on a roller coaster too long, physically, but mentally I was enthralled. Maybe the sign of a good movie?

The Book of Mormon Movie, Volume 1: The Journey (2003)

What Planet Am I On??

[4/10 · 3 December 2004]

Ouch, this movie was painful to watch. A friend told me about it (he got the video) and I watched it. The acting is hokey. The story line is confusing. The special effects are dreadful. The movie makes me hope Mormons will NOT be judged by some of ridiculous films people make about sacred things. I would not wish this movie on anyone except people I want to torture. There's no gore in the movie, and no cursing, either, but the only good thing about the movie, besides the fact that it's over, is the musical score. I think people might just learn more about how the Mormons feel about the book of Mormon by listening to the soundtrack and not even watching the film. Oh, ouch, bad bad bad! Let's hope they don't make more.

Please. For the love of zion. At least not these same people.