Non-Mormon Movies About Religion for Mormons

Last time I discussed secular movies that had themes that could be interpreted with spiritual values. Some of those were intentional and others perhaps part of the natural evolution of the story. This post is about movies that were written specifically about religion. Of course, not every movie...

Former Cougar Video owner stunned by edited 'King's Speech' with PG-13 rating

"I can't believe it." That's what Kirt Merrill said when he heard producers planned to edit "The King's Speech" and put it on the market in a PG-13 format. Five years ago, Hollywood studios threatened to sue Merrill, former owner of Cougar Video in Provo, for doing just that. As a result, his —...

In the Studio of LDS Artist J. Kirk Richards

Seek My Face: artwork on scriptural themes

The LDS Church History Museum will be opening a new exhibit entitled “Seek My Face: Recent Artwork on Scriptural Themes.” The exhibit will feature twenty-nine American professional artists, all from various backgrounds, but sharing a common religious orientation. All the artists have been...

The 5 Browns return to Utah with triumphant concert

Immediately after The 5 Browns finished performing their first piece of the evening, oldest brother Gregory Brown walked up to a microphone near the lip of the stage. Brown addressed the 1,100 silent patrons inside the majestic Ellen Eccles Theatre, the first time the Utah family has performed in...

Secular Movies with Spiritual Value

Inspired by discussions of Randy Astle’s presentation on how film criticism can help improve Mormon film making, and reading the interesting Notes of a Mormon Filmmaker blog, I decided to write about movies that have touched me spiritually. These are not particularly religious films and some were...

LDS prodigy: Invitation extended to play at Carnegie Hall

Most 12 year olds like to sleep in, text message and go shopping; but not Aubree Oliverson. She spends her time preparing to perform at Carnegie Hall on March 6. Aubree, a Young Women Beehive class member from Orem, Utah, recently placed first in the American Protégé International Strings...

David Archuleta and Brad Paisley to perform at Stadium of Fire

MR says: You can also join in the talent with the first-ever talent search. Elementary age school girls couldn’t contain their squeals when Brad Paisley and David Archuleta were announced as the performers for this year’s Stadium of Fire. Carl Bacon, senior executive producer of Stadium of Fire,...

Review of new 'Book of Mormon' musical: How offensive is it?

There were no protesters to be found outside NYC’s Eugene O’Neill Theatre on 49th St. yesterday evening. Ordinarily, that information wouldn’t be news, but last night wasn’t quite an ordinary occasion: It was the first preview performance of The Book of Mormon, the new musical by South Park...

'Jeopardy!' winners: First Ken Jennings, now the Deseret News

It was a "Jeopardy!" answer to which BYU graduate and former Utah resident Ken Jennings would have known the question in a heartbeat. But there it was on the show Monday night, not last week during the man vs. computer grudge match that pitted Jennings and another contestant against the IBM...

USA Today: Mormons may have last laugh at 'Book of Mormon' musical

South Park meets the Mormons in a new Broadway musical that's now in previews. Will this be a night of unholy humor at the expense of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints? Or might the faithful get the last laugh? One could imagine the creative team behind the potty-mouth cartoon...

Popular 'Pickles' captures humanity of humans

MR says: I love reading Pickles! Ever since he was a little boy reading the newspaper, Brian Crane has been fascinated by comics. His favorite was Al Capp's "Li'l Abner," followed by Walt Kelly's "Pogo." "The political and social commentary were over my head, but the characters were so well-drawn and...