Latest LDS Branded Movie: Midway to Heaven

[Katy Lied]

I watched the trailer and two things jump out at me:

1. Nobody plays the male ingenue like Kirby Heybourne, all blinky eyes and a faint gaspy catch to his voice when he talks, but he is way too old. Scenes with him and his girlfriend's dad are uncomfortable because they are too similar in age.

2. I just can't buy Michelle Money as the redeeming gentle character in the movie. I know her too well as the vixen that broke up Carlos Boozer's marriage, and the crazy schemer on The Bachelor.

I'm sure someone here has ties to the movie. What's the buzz on it?

[MarkGrace]

Michelle Money? Dang, this chick is getting around.

[MarkGrace]

Watched the trailer. That looks fantastic.

[DrumNFeather]

Watched the trailer. That looks fantastic.

I fully expect songs from the sound track to make their way on to you best of 2011 at the end of the year.

If Michelle acted like this on the bachelor, she might have a chance to win Brad's heart.

Kirby Heyborn...I mean, there have to be other LDS guys out there that don't want a real job that these lds-esk films could cast right? right? Kirby can't be the only one.

[RC Vikings]

Kirby Heyborn...I mean, there have to be other LDS guys out there that don't want a real job that these lds-esk films could cast right? right? Kirby can't be the only one.

Kirby generated some controversy in the Mormon world in 2008 after deciding to appear in a Miller Lite beer commercial.[1] Kirby stated that the opportunity was an answer to prayer, and a way to feed his family.[2] He was later denied the chance to play at BYU, where he had often played in the past, due to his involvement with the commercial.

So does anybody know the whole story behind this? Was Miller Lite looking for somebody that had previously played an RM in a Mormon film.

[UtahDan]

I was just looking online at Deseret Book and you can't even buy God's Army anymore. Guess enthusiasm for it wained over time.

[Green Lantern]

I was just looking online at Deseret Book and you can't even buy God's Army anymore. Guess enthusiasm for it wained over time.

I think enthusiasm waned when director Richard Dutcher printed an open letter in the Provo Daily Herald explaining that he was leaving the church.

[pellegrino]

This film looks kind of lame. The casting seems horrible, forget about Kirby being to old, the Dad is way too young. The plot seems very contrived and derivative. I think the best of Mormon cinema is behind us.

[TripletDaddy]

Do people here watch Mormon genre movies? That surprises me.

My in laws love these flicks. They have all sorts of DVDs...Mormons and the mafia, singles ward, etc. I have no interest. Am I missing out?

[Jeff Lebowski]

Do people here watch Mormon genre movies? That surprises me.

My in laws love these flicks. They have all sorts of DVDs...Mormons and the mafia, singles ward, etc. I have no interest. Am I missing out?

Nope.

[Portland Ute]

So does anybody know the whole story behind this? Was Miller Lite looking for somebody that had previously played an RM in a Mormon film.

He was denied the chance to play at BYU?

This is so inconsistent.

[Non Sequitur]

I have only laughed once while watching a Mormon movie. It was in Singles Ward when the guy comes home to find his wife drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette. She tells she no longer believes the Church is true. He looks confused and finally says, "But tonight is ward temple night."

[pellegrino]

Do people here watch Mormon genre movies? That surprises me.

My in laws love these flicks. They have all sorts of DVDs...Mormons and the mafia, singles ward, etc. I have no interest. Am I missing out?

I do as a matter of cultural an intellectual curiosity. I have a dream of one day teaching a course on Mormon culture. All but a handful have been horrible. Most are interesting statements on Mormon culture and values.

[UtahDan]

I think enthusiasm waned when director Richard Dutcher printed an open letter in the Provo Daily Herald explaining that he was leaving the church.

Is that the reason they don't carry it any more? Interesting.

[San Juan Sun]

Is that the reason they don't carry it any more? Interesting.

That, plus God's Army sucked.