"meet The Mormons"

[Tacenda]

Stargazer: I gather it looked like Stake Conference because it was Family Night, wonder what it will be like tomorrow or the next day? I was even tempted to go tonight for "Family Night".

Silhouette: The reason I asked rhe price of the ticket is becauae I assumed you paid a matinee price.

I have heard really good things about the film, and think the church was smart by having it go to theatres nationally, therefore ending up at Netflix & Amazon. But was a little peeved that the new Bill Murray movie called "St. Vincent" was no where to be found.

[EllenMaksoud]

I recently heard someone else express this theory and it makes a lot of sense.  In fact, I welcome such a message of inclusiveness in the Church.  In some areas, I think we tend to confuse traditional Mormon protocol (e.g., Eagle Scout before driver's license, Disney movie date nights, etc.) with strict Gospel commandments.  And for those who don't fit the mold, there can be a feeling of not fitting in.  Although I've found that this is separation is more imagined than real as most members are either too compassionate (or busy) to be judgmental about the little things.  Needless to say, another reminder never hurts.

 

However, if the point was to simply preach to the converted, then why use a theatrical release to do so.  Isn't that the point of General Conference, The Ensign, the Twilight series of books, etc.?  Seriously, with all of the forms of messaging available, it would be odd for the Church to use motion pictures to communicate with the saints.  But hey, I'm always hearing that things are supposed to get weird in these latter-days, so why not?

If your picture is correct, you are Black. I spent 8 years in Muslim culture where a white girl like me was odd. They included Arabs, Africans, Persians and I don't know who. So, when I came to the Mormons, it felt like, real or not, that I had come back to the white club. This film helped me to remember that North European White people are in a minority in the world. The film also was pretty clear about not abandoning our cultural differences. It has been terribly hard to abandon Hijab. I felt naked. I returned to it a while back but am Mormon as much as any one.

[Scott Lloyd]

A friend of mine made the astute point that in a way most all movies, and documentaries in particular, may be considered as propaganda pieces, sales pitches, and ad campaigns. So, I am not sure that referring to "Meet the Mormons" in such terms is meaningful as a criticism, particularly in light of what is being comparatively offered up across the cinematic and TV spectrum. "Meet the Mormons" is peddling six inspiring stories of charity and love and growth and laudable achievements in the face of challenges. Oh, the horror! Compare that with the fear mongering of "An Inconvenient Truth" offered up by the religion of extreme environmentalism, or the dysfunction of the Jerry Springer Show .pandered to the cult of nosey neighbors, etc.

 

Having said this, and having watched and enjoyed the show, it should also be understood that "Meet the Mormons" is, ironically, an attempt to counter propaganda and false perceptions purported about Mormons. The intent is to dispel the distortions and give a more accurate depiction of members of the Church. So, in a way it isn't so much selling as it is correcting. 

 

Whatever the case, there is really little about the movie that is deserving of harsh criticism or sweeping dismissal, and much to be admired, though there will always be those whose ill sentiments towards the Church will motivate them to find the least pretense for negativity. So be it. 

 

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

One of the harsher criticisms I saw referenced read like an anti-Mormon screed. Several of the standard talking points were there: homophobia, blacks and the priesthood, polygamy.

 

So one has to wonder whether at least some of the reviews are, in themselves, agenda-driven. That is to say, anything from the Church that doesn't take on the anti-Mormon talking points is bound to be panned. Especially those that come out of Hollywood, where as a community, they are still angry over Prop 8.

Edited October 14, 2014 by Scott Lloyd

[sethpayne]

 they are still angry over Prop 8.

 

I'm not so sure.

 

Prop 8 turned out to be the catalyst for many states to legalize gay marriage (through initiatives, legislative action,and some court cases).  Ironically, those states that followed suit by banniing gay marriage have, through their ban, made gay marriage legal.  Now that the US SC has essentially legalized gay marriage nationally -- or opened the door for all bans to be challenged -- it's only a matter of time until gay marriage will be legal in all 50 states.  As I've mentioned before, the legalization of gay marriage here in WA has caused complete social and economic breakdown.  I don't know how much longer my heterosexual marriage can hold out.  Not to mention all of the kids being "converted" to homosexuality.  We see the same massive social and economic breakdown in all states where this type of marriage is legal.  Especially MA where it has been legal for 10 years.  You can hardly walk the streets of Boston these days and getting a heterosexual marriage license is nearly impossible.  

 

I think gay marriage supporters are ready to send the Church a gift basket at this point.  The LDS Church's push for prop 8 has done more, arguably, than anything else to accelerate the legalization of gay marriage and thus, the entire breakdown of heterosexual relationships and culture in the US.  

Edited October 14, 2014 by sethpayne

[Scott Lloyd]

I'm not so sure.

 

Prop 8 turned out to be the catalyst for many states to legalize gay marriage (through initiatives, legislative action,and some court cases).  Ironically, those states that followed suit by banniing gay marriage have, through their ban, made gay marriage legal.  Now that the US SC has essentially legalized gay marriage nationally -- or opened the door for all bans to be challenged -- it's only a matter of time until gay marriage will be legal in all 50 states.  As I've mentioned before, the legalization of gay marriage here in WA has caused complete social and economic breakdown.  I don't know how much longer my heterosexual marriage can hold out.  Not to mention all of the kids being "converted" to homosexuality.  We see the same massive social and economic breakdown in all states where this type of marriage is legal.  Especially MA where it has been legal for 10 years.  You can hardly walk the streets of Boston these days and getting a heterosexual marriage license is nearly impossible.  

 

I think gay marriage supporters are ready to send the Church a gift basket at this point.  The LDS Church's push for prop 8 has done more, arguably, than anything else to accelerate the legalization of gay marriage and thus, the entire breakdown of heterosexual relationships and culture in the US.  

My my. Waxing sarcastic.

 

I'm afraid tonie would not like it.

 

Then again, she never would respond to my question about whether she objects to any and all uses of irony or only if it's by people she dislikes or whose opinions she disapproves of.

Edited October 14, 2014 by Scott Lloyd

[mfbukowski]

It worked.

 

I went to the theater and met a bunch of Mormons.

 

Oh yeah, I watched the movie too.

[sethpayne]

My my. Waxing sarcastic.

 

I'm afraid tonie would not like it.

 

Then again, she never would respond to my question about whether she objects to any and all uses of irony or only if its by people she dislikes or whose opinions she disapproves of.

 

Indeed.    I'm with you when you say that sarcasm, irony, and satire can be effective ways to express or criticize a viewpoint.  In fact, I would say that sometimes it adds levity to an otherwise overly-serious/heated exchange.

 

Some people have simply lost faith in Al Gore because his dire predictions have failed to come to pass.  Some -- and I would include myself to be in this camp -- have similar feelings about the predictions made by some SSM opponents.  But I'll stop my obnoxious derail.

[sethpayne]

It worked.

 

I went to the theater and met a bunch of Mormons.

 

Oh yeah, I watched the movie too.

 

What did you think?  Worth 10 bucks?  Would a non-Mormon enjoy it, in your opinion?

[wenglund]

I'm not so sure.

 

Prop 8 turned out to be the catalyst for many states to legalize gay marriage (through initiatives, legislative action,and some court cases).  Ironically, those states that followed suit by banniing gay marriage have, through their ban, made gay marriage legal.  Now that the US SC has essentially legalized gay marriage nationally -- or opened the door for all bans to be challenged -- it's only a matter of time until gay marriage will be legal in all 50 states.  As I've mentioned before, the legalization of gay marriage here in WA has caused complete social and economic breakdown.  I don't know how much longer my heterosexual marriage can hold out.  Not to mention all of the kids being "converted" to homosexuality.  We see the same massive social and economic breakdown in all states where this type of marriage is legal.  Especially MA where it has been legal for 10 years.  You can hardly walk the streets of Boston these days and getting a heterosexual marriage license is nearly impossible.  

 

I think gay marriage supporters are ready to send the Church a gift basket at this point.  The LDS Church's push for prop 8 has done more, arguably, than anything else to accelerate the legalization of gay marriage and thus, the entire breakdown of heterosexual relationships and culture in the US.  

 

Which explains why several months back the CEO of Mozilla, Brendan Eich, was forced out of office when it was learned that he had donated $1000.00 in support of Prop 8. (See HERE)

 

And, as this article explains, Before Brendan Eich, They Came For the Mormons.

 

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[sethpayne]

Which explains why several months back the CEO of Mozilla, Brendan Eich, was forced out of office when it was learned that he had donated $1000.00 in support of Prop 8. (See HERE)

 

And, as this article explains, Before Brendan Eich, They Came For the Mormons.

 

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

 

You will get no disagreement from me here, Wade.  The treatment of Mormons after Prop 8 -- especially the publishing of addresses and info for the sole purpose of harrassment -- was despicable.  Likewise the witchhunt to remove someone from a position because of a political disagreement.  Such behavior and fascist-lite bullying tactics have no place in our civil society.

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

 

I think gay marriage supporters are ready to send the Church a gift basket at this point.  The LDS Church's push for prop 8 has done more, arguably, than anything else to accelerate the legalization of gay marriage and thus, the entire breakdown of heterosexual relationships and culture in the US.  

We should all celebrate now. I mean I wonder what else activist judges could over turn?

[sethpayne]

We should all celebrate now. I mean I wonder what else activist judges could over turn?

 

There are certainly activist judges out there.

 

But there are also activist legislatures.  Not to mention state referendums/props where the people have the most direct influence possible.

[mfbukowski]

Just as a businessman, if I were a theater owner who had the ability to decide whether or not to screen movies for a given group, I would want some solid numbers for MY theater, in my city, or part of the city, to see how many people of that group would be likely to  lay down $10 a head to see it.

 

I would want to see evidence that those kind of movies would be likely to pull x dollars on weekends, and on given days of the week.

 

A good way to do that would be to screen a movie virtually guaranteed to pull in all those in the group who had the $10 and the motivation to turn off the tv, and screen it for a week or two in my theater to get some real numbers.

 

Once I had those numbers I would be able to project whether or not a similar movie, maybe based on the life of Jesus or some other topic like that- a movie that actually MIGHT bring others into the theater (heck it could be a Napoleon Dyn-o-mite blockbuster!) would be worth screening.

 

So this all could be to establish a baseline of "Mormons who will pay $10 to see a movie".

 

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  

[mfbukowski]

We should all celebrate now. I mean I wonder what else activist judges could over turn?

I would be careful about asking that question.....  

[cursor]

One of them confessed to making out before marriage.

 

Sorry ... but who DOESN'T make out before marriage?

[The Nehor]

Sorry ... but who DOESN'T make out before marriage?

No matter how extreme I go someone always takes me seriously.

HEIL HITLER!!!!

[CA Steve]

No matter how extreme I go someone always takes me seriously.

HEIL HITLER!!!!

I think a feature length movie called "Meet The Nehor" would give posters here a better understanding of who you really are.

[wenglund]

 Before Brendan Eich, They Came For the Mormons.

 

I am surprised that none of the clever wits on this board picked up on the tie-in between "They Came For the Mormons" on a thread about "Meet The Mormons."

 

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[VideoGameJunkie]

I saw the movie tonight. I liked it. Wish it would've thrown in some doctrine and beliefs though.

[Stargazer]

I saw the movie tonight. I liked it. Wish it would've thrown in some doctrine and beliefs though.

There was doctrine flowing everywhere, I'm surprised you didn't see it! The doctrine was: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and salvation comes through Him and in no other way.

Those critics that panned the movie seemed to have missed it, too.

[The Nehor]

I think a feature length movie called "Meet The Nehor" would give posters here a better understanding of who you really are.

 

And probably be even more dull then "Atlas Shrugged".

[cinepro]

So this all could be to establish a baseline of "Mormons who will pay $10 to see a movie".

 

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  

The "Mormon Movie" movement is over 10 years old, with a couple dozen movies in its library. "Meet the Mormons" is different because it was produced by the Church, the Church has told the members that it paid to produce it, and Church leaders have asked the members to please go see it (using the official Church email list in my neck of the woods). This isn't the start of a trend, or even an indicator of any existing trend. It is an outlier, and unless the Church is readying a sequel ("Meet More Mormons"?), it's just an outlying data point in the overall scheme of things. Especially when it comes to the faith-based genre, since I doubt more than .01% of the audience was made up of non-LDS Christians.

[Stargazer]

The "Mormon Movie" movement is over 10 years old, with a couple dozen movies in its library. "Meet the Mormons" is different because it was produced by the Church, the Church has told the members that it paid to produce it, and Church leaders have asked the members to please go see it (using the official Church email list in my neck of the woods). This isn't the start of a trend, or even an indicator of any existing trend. It is an outlier, and unless the Church is readying a sequel ("Meet More Mormons"?), it's just an outlying data point in the overall scheme of things. Especially when it comes to the faith-based genre, since I doubt more than .01% of the audience was made up of non-LDS Christians.

That's what I am perplexed about. Virtually all viewers are likely to have been LDS, and not only LDS, but active LDS.

But it seems that the Church would know this in advance. Therefore, there is a consequence of having active members go to see this movie, and they're not telling us what it is.

I loved the movie, by the way, and would dearly love for more people, especially non-members, to see it.

Edited October 15, 2014 by Stargazer

[saemo]

That's what I am perplexed about. Virtually all viewers are likely to have been LDS, and not only LDS, but active LDS.But it seems that the Church would know this in advance. Therefore, there is a consequence of having active members go to see this movie, and they're not telling us what it is.I loved the movie, by the way, and would dearly love for more people, especially non-members, to see it.

In the scheme of theatre deals, if a movie doesn't do well on its first weekend, ie, make money for the theater in ticket sales and concessions, it will not screen at that theater ever again. Also, if the desire is to get it on more screens, it won't happen if it flops the first weekend. Could be the desire to keep it at theaters, and expand to more screens, for even just one more weekend, with the hope that word of mouth will get non-members to go see it, is the strategy. It has a good start thanks to a built in audience. It may last three weeks at national theaters, on the number of screens it is at now, rather than one.

It is a risk for the distributor. If the film has no audience this weekend, the jig will be up and the known built in audience that spiked the opening weekend, will be taken into account the next time around.

BTW, I work in the film industry.

[wenglund]

There was doctrine flowing everywhere, I'm surprised you didn't see it! The doctrine was: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and salvation comes through Him and in no other way.

Those critics that panned the movie seemed to have missed it, too.

 

The critics also seemed to have missed the primary point of the movie, which was to correct certain common misconceptions about what kind of people are Mormon..

 

Thanks, -Wade Englund-