Rating: Summary: Nice movie Review: I am not LDS, but was recommended this movie by some LDS friends. I found it to be laugh-out-loud funny. The cast really made this movie. Unlike most religious films I've downed over the years, this one was not preachy. I find that, regardless of the religion sponsoring a film, religious films have a tendency to be excessively preachy, hence the reason they don't sell, even to members of their own beliefs. This movie hits all the stereotypes regarding LDS people, from Jell-O to LDS dating. While I did find the ending to be a little weird, I did enjoy the film as a whole, and found myself laughing throughout. The film follows Jonathan, a devout Mormon and graduate of BYU, as he copes with his wife leaving him. The movie flashes to several attempts by members of his ward to include him in events, of which even the non-LDS person will laugh at. This film does have its serious elements, however, including the end. It does owe up to the religion of the majority of the characters. But expect it to be funny--it is a comedy after all. I give this film four stars because while it is funny, it does have its sappy moments. And in order to get many of the comments, you have to be LDS or someone who knows many LDS people. A nice effort, however, in a religious film.
Rating: Summary: SO I didn't like it--find out why!!! Review: I didn't like this film, but please read why I didn't like it, and don't assume I didn't like for other reasons than what I say. First, gags drove this film. There wasn't hume, but a series of small, short "joke sound-bites." But there was no extended humor in this film. It was moving from one funny situation to the next funny situation for about two hours, with a little romance thrown in. Second, cameos drove this film. Therefore, it was not a film about an idea or a character, but more like seeing a moving version of "Where's Waldo," or "I spy a Nephite." But was there any real point o having all of the famous people in the movie? Did Gordon Jump have any real purpose, except for delivering lines. The only cameo that made sense was Richard Dutcher's cameo, and probably the only real funny part of the film. Possibly Jimmy Chunga's cameo as the "Phat Cop" made some sense, since he wanted to be a copy a while ago. But what about the other appearances? Thirdly, this film was driven by stereotypes. The jokes about jello, all arguments ending in a NiCMO, the happy marriage with church serive at the end, etc, etc, etc was painful to watch. Dutcher already hit the stereotypes in "God's Army," and "Saturday's Warrior" is its own stereotype. But did any member of the locval word seem interesting to you? Aside from the Bungee roommate? Lastly, this film missed the essence of Mormonism. The fundamental doctrine of Mormonism is Christ's Atonement, which was never mentioned in the film. They missed the Messiah, and therefore missed the message of Mormonism. Frankly any ward, stake, or mission that is Christless is not worth attending, so I sympathize with the lead character. Another point that was missed was the date scene at the miniature golf. If a girl who I've been chasing finally accepts then says she's going on a mission, I would be absolutely frosted. She only accepted the date because I could not go anywhere with the relationship. It would basically be a watered down NiCMO. The one good point that was brought up in the film I the aspect of social pressure to marry. The saints tend to rely on peer-pressure and sociological arguments for marriage, but ignore the theological reason for why they marry. So, let's try doing something like this again, and remember what our Prophet Joseph Smith taught, that "The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it."
Rating: Summary: Great LDS Entertainment Review: I didn't think I would laugh as much as I did when I picked up Singles Ward... but I found myself laughing throughout most of this movie. It really does pick on the the funny quirks of the LDS religion, but doesn't enter the realm of being sacriligious or completely rude to the LDS faith.
The stereotypical characters are a real hoot!!! You find nearly every type of Mormon and even non-Mormons living in Provo.
There were a coupe of scenes that were a little bit unrealistic. Like when the police want to see the main character's ID when he is hiding from the Bishop with his laundry. Or the fact that a group of people can drive from the hills of Provo, somehow drive through American Fork (jumping the railroad tracks), and make it to Salt Lake International in just 20 minutes. But other than annoying things like this, it was a lot of fun.
If you aren't LDS, I don't think you'll get a lot of the humor. If you are, then the humor is fantastic. It is nice to sit back and laugh at ourselves now and then.
The soundtrack to this movie is AMAZING. I have got to buy it!! Sure, the tempo of church favorites has been increased (with added percussion), but it is still wonderful to listen to.
The only other thing that didn't sit right with me about this movie with the main character's conversion at the end. I just didn't buy it. Though, I've got to hand it to the director... it is not an easy thing to pull off.
Fun, fun, fun... most definately a 5 star movie. I would recommend watching this with a bunch of people as I'm sure there will be a lot of finger pointing: "Hey!!! That's you!!"
Rating: Summary: It's good to laugh at yourself Review: I found Singles Ward to be very funny. However, if you don't speak Mormon it might be a bit hard to catch all of the humor. In California we love to see our fellow Utah Mormons in all of their glory. It was great fun. Being the Primary President in my ward I could really identify with the nursery leader thing. Really identify........
Rating: Summary: Below-average movie Review: I kept on hearing that the LDS singles ward was a great movie. However, if you compare this movie to any big time movie, it really looks like someone just grabbed a camera and said, "Lets make a movie about all the things we hate about LDS singles wards." I wish they could have put just a little bit more thought into the plot. The movie really seemed like it was a bunch of disconnected parts. Sure, the movie had its moments. But, I thought most of the jokes were really subpar. Sure, if you like cute, "sunday school" jokes, then this is the movie you need to watch. This movie really goes to show how much anxiety really exists around LDS singles wards if so many people laugh like there is no tomorrow when they watch. The movie has some worth if you can get over the bad plot, poor jokes, and disconnected feel of the film. Give the movie credit--it's the only movie out there about LDS singles wards. The makers of the film certainly had a good idea. It's just too bad they couldn't have make it into something truly great.
Rating: Summary: Hilariously lighthearted Review: I loved this movie. It was extremely light-hearted and made great fun of nearly every social irregularity of the Mormon people. So many times I laughed out loud, thinking how much it annoys me to hear "Oh my heck" or "I want my friends to know *sniff* how much I love them" out here in Utah, and how right so much of the movie was. The movie did a great job of ridiculing and poking fun at Mormon culture without poking fun at or ridiculing Mormonism. This is an important distinction. Nothing doctrinal was made fun of or disregarded. (Except for the woman's sleeveless formal dress... hmmm... that got booed at by the audience I was in). Great job overall, definitely a DVD I will own. The acting was actually very good, beating out God's Army and Other Side of Heaven by far. ~BenDilts( void );
Rating: Summary: Hackneyed Humor, but Entertaining Nonetheless Review: I tried hard not to like this film, believing that my sense of humor was too refined to find anything funny in a comedy made specifically for Mormons about the plight of single church members who are trying to find eternal mates. However, despite the stereotypes, some of the older-than-the-hills humor, and the contrived cameo appearances by numerous LDS celebrities (Brother "Niner"? Brother "Angel"?), I couldn't help laughing at many of the farcical situations and characters that the film portrays, in which any long-term LDS church member can find a kernel of truth. Taken as satire, this film succeeds on various levels. Some of the funniest material is in the outtakes, particularly (a) when Will Swenson pulls out a bottle of "beer" and tells Connie Young, "Brigham, Schmigham! Want to make out?" and (b) when one of the hapless cops (played by Salt Lake City radio personality Jimmy Chunga) tells Connie Young (who is on the wall above him), "Ma'am, move away from the building...do you work out?" The cast obviously had a fun time making the movie, which is reflected in its lighthearted feel.
Rating: Summary: One of the best LDS Movies since God's Army! Review: I watched this since I am LDS and thought it was hilarious with all the jokes and stuff I especially love the part where they sing Popcorns Poppin on the Apricot tree that was hilarious I watched this yesterday after general conference at my grandma's and the day before too since my dad just bought it on dvd the music videos were awesome too like Jericho Road and Maren Ord. I recommend this to anyones who LDS you'll laugh out loud!:)
Rating: Summary: Non-members won't enjoy??? Review: I'm not a Mormon, and never have been, but I found this movie hilarious. For the non-Mormon, there is more than one level of humor: (1) the quality of writing & production is somewhat comical in itself, (2) this movie pokes fun at some elements of Utah Mormon culture, and (3) the non-Mormon viewer finds humor in ALL elements of Utah Mormon culture, even the ones this movie takes seriously. So whether you're a Mormon or not, if you think Mormons are funny, you will find this movie funny.
"The R.M." is even funnier, in some respects.
I do not recommend this movie to just any non-Mormon viewer, though. Without some knowledge of Mormon beliefs & culture (and the more the better), a lot of the humor will be lost on you, and you will probably just find the movie boring.
Rating: Summary: A FUNNY ROMANTIC COMIDY FOR MORMONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Review: If you are LDS you will love this movie. It is such a funny movie. And you will find yourself laughing out loud at most of the movie. Its about a devorcy who findes himself hateing his church and becoming an inactive member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. After he goes to his wards singles dance (which he finds lame and usless) he meats an beautiful outgoing girl who happens to be the woman he told off on the phone (so she obviously does not like him *at first*). He findes himself falling in love with her, and as he tries to win her heart while staying "cool and prideful" all of there worlds are turned up side down in the most hallarious way. This movie is romantic, absolutly funny, and as relistic as any movie you will find out there, see this movie.... it is worth your time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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