Reader comments: Passage to Zarahemla
| Nov. 9, 2008
My 13 year-old boy just got done watching this movie for the umpteenth time with his dad and I. We absolutely love this movie and think it is so much fun. I may not be as jaded and sophisticated as Jeff Vice or Andino (thank heavens!) but I didn't notice any slow spots and we were never bored. It's a great way to spark some conversations about the Book of Mormon. I think those people who are being negative about this movie are probably the ones who are negative about anything to do with the LDS Church. Don't listen to them. And don't tell me that a plot revolving around Nephites and Lamanites fighting in modern-day Utah is farfetched when we have to put up with the likes of "Spiderman" and "Pirates"! Just watch it for fun!
| Jul. 20, 2008
First of all, shame on all of you for downing this show, being his first movie and having a very low budget id say you gotta give Chris more credit. Id like to see you make a better movie under those same circumstances he had. I loved the book and i thoaght that being a book made into movie it was done extremely well compared to some other books made into movies ive seen. I hope that Chris will continue to make enjoyable and fun storylined films. WELL DONE CHRIS KEEP IT UP!! oh, and i suggest to all of you to read his books to, they are soooooooooooooooo good!!
DCR | Nov. 13, 2007
I went to the movies in A.F. on Nov 9 and found the theater
almost full. Pretty good for the 4th week. My wife and I
took my mother-in-law and we all fully enjoyed the movie.
On my way out of the theater, I overheard the person in
front of me telling his wife, "That's the first LDS movie
that I've liked". Well, I have liked other LDS moview
(some of them), but this one was the first to feel like
a 'real movie'.
Thanks Chris, for giving us some quality entertainment. I
had about given up on LDS cinema.
PAMESTER | Nov. 3, 2007
This movie is not the best I've seen all year. I would
probably not watch it again, but I think it deserves more
than one star. The story is far-fetched, but so are a lot of
movies out there. I thought the director did an excellent
job on a low budget and local actors. I thought the movie
moved pretty slowly until the guys with the tattoos show up
(Lamanites). Probably the best part of the movie was when
Grandpa saved the day weilding guns like a geriatric Rambo.
c'mon Jeff, how about another star? Two stars. That's about
right.
ANDINO | Oct. 29, 2007
It looks like those of you who found this movie "very
enjoyable" are few in number. So few in fact that, dang it,
I can't find the movie playing anywhere in the Salt Lake Valley.
You folks must be easily entertained. I guess that's why LDS
filmmakers continue to dish out low-quality films--because
they know you'll go.
I can't wait for the next film.
HEATHER ARMSTRONG | Oct. 27, 2007
I saw the movie with my husband yesterday. We thought it
was enjoyable. We didn't feel like we had wasted our money
or time. The special effects were we'll done. The first
10-20 minutes was a little rough but the storyline and
acting improved as the movie progressed.
ROY WILKINSON | Oct. 25, 2007
I found the movie very enjoyable and would recommend it to
anyone. A handful of Nephites and Lamanites fighting in
modern day Utah is probably about as ridiculous as a
wardrobe being a passage to another world or taking a
special train to a Wizard's school. Some people have no
imagination. As for this who seem to live to make fun of
Mormon movies, I say, "Get a life."
TENNISSHOEDUDE | Oct. 24, 2007
Way to go, Chris! I loved this movie. I was surprised how much.
SKEPTIC | Oct. 22, 2007
As much as I distrust Jeff Vice's reviews on ANY movie, a
number of these reviews smack of vested interest. How 'bout
a full-disclosure call for all the previous reviewers? Are
you honest enough to come clean?
ABBIEKNORRMAL | Oct. 19, 2007
I loved the movie. No, it doesn't compare with major movie
productions with huge budgets from Hollywood, but for what
it was, it was very well made, an imaginative story line and
good clean fun. I'd recommend it to anyone. I'll give it 3
1/2 stars.
ANDINO | Oct. 18, 2007
Given all the positive comments (including Leedians, who has
apparently camped out at the theater), this movie must
really be the best movie since Return With Honor.
I guess it doesn't take a whole lot to entertain you. Just
get a bunch of people running around on film, and you're
there with a bucket of popcorn.
FLOOPSTER | Oct. 18, 2007
Having seen this movie 8 times already, I am just as excited
as the first time I saw it. I haven't seen a movie this many
times since Return With Honor. Those two flicks have to be
two of the best movies of all times.
What a banner year for LDS films! And here I didn't think we
could improve any more after seeing Beauty and the Beast: A
Latter Day Tale. Wow...I was wrong.
Anyone else looking forward to the Book of Mormon: Volume 2?
Wow, me too.
The LDS film genre is on fire. The box office returns are proof!
CLAUDIA | Oct. 18, 2007
My husband and I took our 15 year old grandson to see this
movie and all three of us really enjoied the movie. Goes to
show that not all people like the same thing. I really hope
Chris creates more movies.
LEEDIANS | Oct. 16, 2007
Having seen this movie a few times I find it just as
enjoyable as the first time. To me, this movie didn't drag
at all. In fact it was very visually and mentally
stimulating and kept me on the edge of my seat at times.
Chris has a beautiful imagination and it is apparent how
much he truly cared for this film (Unlike most hollywood
films that are thrown out there). It was a low budget movie
but WELL DONE. It takes a lot of spirit and drive to be able
to create this movie from nothing. As Chris's first effort
into the directing/acting realm he did a fantastic job
putting himself out there.
BGOODY | Oct. 16, 2007
The film does start out slowly and has a 80's look to it at
the start, but I felt that once the main theme of the movie
got going, it was enjoyable and I was able to overlook (and
sometimes even enjoy) minor flaws. There were some funny
moments mingled with the action which helps offset some of
the violence that has been mentioned. I guess I am more
generous than some with locally produced movies because of
the limited budget that most of them have to work with and I
like to encourage local artist to keep going. Hats off to
Chris H. for producing, writing, directing and doing the
music for this film. Great first effort.
BRIGHAM SMOOT | Oct. 15, 2007
This was the best LDS themed movie since Return With Honor.
Return With Honor was the best LDS themed movie since Beauty
and the Beast. By the way, have you seen that direct-to-dvd
movie, Turn Around? That was the best direct-to-dvd release
since the last movie from Liken.
I've had more interesting bowel movements.
GLITTER | Oct. 13, 2007
As a fan of Chris's books I was very nervous that the movie
would be a disappointment. I was more than pleasantly
surprised at how well the movie followed the exact story of
the book, not leaving anything out. I loved the movie and
would recommend all PTZ fans to see it, if you liked the
book I think that you will love the movie!!!!!
CHUCK | Oct. 13, 2007
Regardless of what Jeff Vice and Andino may say, I go to the
movies to be entertained, and I thought this movie was
definitely entertaining. It had an interesting plot and kept
moving. I especially liked the way it brought an episode
from the Book of Mormon to life. There are many recent LDS
films I haven't liked, but I enjoyed this one and would
recommend it.
ANDINO | Oct. 12, 2007
Let's see, we have an inexperienced, novice director and
(seriously) inexperienced actors following a silly story
with a shoe string budget. That's a recipe for
disaster--just like other recent LDS film flops: Return With
Honor, Beauty and the Beast, etc.
I'm not at all surprised with the review--and I believe Mr.
Vice is being very generous. A handful of Nephites and
Lamanites fighting in modern-day Utah? Ugh!
Look for comments by insiders that "this is the best LDS
film ever" or "the best LDS film since Brigham City."
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