Mobsters and Mormons

This movie is great fun! The actors are great, the points for both Mormons and non-Mormons are great (and not preachy, except maybe to some uppity Mormons, who are given a great picture of themselves), and the story is just hilarious.

I was glad to see some new actors in this one. Yeah, some of the same-old recycled typical Mo-actors were there, but there were some great new faces to enjoy, and not at all bad actors.

My only complaint: the filming was WAYYYyyy uneven. In the beginning and sprinkled throughout some of the scenes seem to have been shot on a hand-held standard (i.e. not movie-quality) video camera, and it shows.

Yeah, it's cheesy - but it's good clean fun. I gave it a 7 because it's definitely a good movie, family-safe, though not a great classic.

I've seen this movie three times and can't wait for the DVD. I've seen John Moyer do stand up and I'll bet the commentary will be a riot.

I would say this is the best movie he's done. . . yet. I expect they'll only continue to get better. The only problem I can foresee with the DVD would be my kids wearing it out and driving me nuts repeating dialogue. (Of course quoting Mobsters would bet the heck out of them quoting Ed, Edd and Eddy.)

I think the best thing about this movie (other than the comedy) would be that it takes an outsiders view. The main complaint I've heard about Singles Ward and the R.M. is that they have too many inside jokes just for LDS members (or even "Utah Mormons.") Using a displaced mafioso as the main character allowed the movie to explain things to the audience without turning it into a missionary discussion.

I think the other nice thing it did was to point out that we are all human and we all have flaws and thinking you are better than someone else for any reason is one of the biggest flaws we can have.

and it did all this while making us laugh. . . and without any swearing or sex or violence (well, there was a paint-ball killing.)

This movie was not just entertaining and funny; it had a surprisingly good message around the theme of not judging others. The soundtrack and opening sequence were surprisingly of a professional quality. And Mark DeCarlo's rendition/version of the kids' story "The Three Little Pigs" was completely hilarious. Jan Broberg Felt, who plays a stuck on herself Mormon gossip, is a great actress. Mark DeCarlo by far carries the acting and humor, but the other supporting actors complement him well. I was especially impressed by Clayton Taylor and the girl (cannot remember her name) who plays his "love" interest. They play their parts convincingly.

My only complaint for the movie was that the pacing in the storyline seemed off at times. Other than that, it was very well done.

I think someone has found a happy medium in the LDS genre--a movie that's not over-cooked or under-done; it's just about right.

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 *****

Mobsters and Mormons. HaleStorm Entertainment.

Clearly for what this filmed for the makers hit a home run. The cast, especially lead mafioso Mark DeCarlo were spot on hysterical. An over all funny story - while not exactly original, is still fresh within the context of LDS cinema. And nobody ever said Hollywood was original either. But also with very funny individual scenes and some very sharp dialog make this film an entertaining experience. Some here have complained that the film is not edgy enough, but those people clearly have tastes that are outside the standards anyone LDS or with a family aspire to for their viewing habits. Kudos to the makers for making a very funny, smart, and entertaining film that didn't have to rely on gratuitous violence, profanity, or crude humor!!!!