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Reviews
Mobsters and Mormons (2005)
Good Movie That Appeals to Everyone
I'll admit that the title might incline people to place it in the category of those other Mormon movies that are kind of preachy and just for Mormons. But as the saying goes: "Don't judge a book by its cover" and all that jazz.
I went into this film with some of my family from Utah and with a dreading attitude. I was expecting there to be 2,000 jokes I wouldn't get and that only those involved deeply in the Mormon church would get...I was wrong.
As the movie starts we're introduced to Carmine, an ambitious Italian-American mobster who is climbing the crime ladder of success until the Feds finally get some dirt on him and bring him in. In the process, he cuts a deal with them, rats a few people out, and him, his wife and teenage son are put in the Witness Protection Program and sent to a model Mormon Utah neighborhood as the "Cheesemans."
And with this culture some enjoyable comedy follows as Carmine's family adjusts to the way things are run: Carmine can't get a decent cup of coffee or grasp the fact that Mormons don't drink or "have fun"; his son steals a Mormon minister's satellite dish, and goes out for wrestling, thinking that it's mandatory to whack the other guy in the face; and his wife makes the mistake of ordering a pizza with pineapple which results in Carmine leaving to go eat somewhere else and her downing an entire bottle of wine and passing out.
I found myself laughing at a lot of the jokes, even though they played on Mormon, Christian, and Italian-American stereotypes. This movie doesn't just appeal to Mormons or Christians, it can be enjoyed by almost anyone.
So overall, a good comedy for the whole family. A little cheesy at times, but very enjoyable and comes out on top with a good message. If it comes to a theater near you, check it out. *** out of *****
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
A just O.K. disaster movie
I just got back from the movie theaters and thought the movie was just entertaining. There isn't much to say about the movie other than it was entertaining and that there were many plot holes and some unnecessary suspense sequences. It was nothing special, but I would not call it a waste of my time because the special effects were absolutely stunning.
I would have to say the movie does have an effect on you when you see it on the big screen as opposed to watching it on video and/or DVD. I would recommend this movie to action-lovers and thrill-seekers.
Overall, the movie was just an O.K. disaster movie. If you do not see it, you will not be missing much.
Pleasantville (1998)
All is well in Pleasantville
What I liked about this film is how Tobey Maguire's and Reese Witherspoon's characters introduced change in the perfect little town of Pleasantville. I like all of the references that it made to real life; about accepting change, overcoming hard times and prejudice against a certain group of people. The way the black and white people tried to hold back the people in color and the things that caused it really stood out for me.
I thought Tobey Maguire's character, David Wagner/Bud Parker, was the coolest. He knew so much about the show `Pleasantville,' loved the idea of living in the show and yet he when things started to change from black and white to color, he embraced the idea of things changing in a perfect world.
The scene that left an image in my mind was the scene where the black and white people trashed Bill Johnson, Jeff Daniels character's, diner because of the color art on the window. There was so much hatred and violence in that scene that it left an image in my mind.
I would definitely recommend this movie to people who are fans of Reese Witherspoon, Tobey Maguire, Jeff Daniels, or William Macy.