It's Rated R... so I'm not gonna see it... I've seen the equivalent of this type of movie over and over again portraying Religion X and hollywood's fixation on how it can control another person's life. Hollywood is a religion in and of itself... so it's not surprising that it villifies its rivals...

--Ray

i knew a fellow who interpreted the arm chopping as disarming the enemy, rather than actually chopping off limbs...

that said, I don't begrudge you the right to watch rated R anything... I just know that I lack the spiritual maturity in so many things that I take a little comfort in the few things such as that one rule that I can mostly adhere to... Then again, I could be a little more discriminating about the PG-13 and PG films I watch too...

Clearly though, considering the topic of this movie, it's a pretty big nobrainer for me.

--Ray

I too find it interesting to contemplate how those people got to the place where they did what they did.

But no, I don't have any desire to see this particular depiction of it. I have a strong suspicion that this movie will portray the complex and intricate process of God fearing, peace loving people ending up participating in a massacre like this:

Step 1. Drink the Kool-aid.
The end.

I think I'll save my $7.50 for something more worthwhile.

"I don't have any desire to see this particular depiction of it."

See, how do any of us know what parts are true or not unless we've actually done some of our own study of the matter? That's why I think I'll have an advantage, because at least I know SOMETHING about what really happened...

It's like the kangaroo theory... You know there are certain motions a kangaroo will go through before attacking you? Most kangaroos are docile, but there are a few kangaroo attacks every year that injure people. However, if you know the "signs" you can always avoid this. The signs are- 1. The give you what looks like a big smile. This is in fact showing you their teeth. 2. They compulsively check their pouch, as they never attack with joeys in their pouch. 3. They glance behind them several times to secure their escape route.

Now, since I've told you these signs, you will never forget them... next week or decades from now you will still remember this. You know what the problem is?

THEY'RE ALL COMPLETELY MADE UP!!! Yes, they're total crap.

But if you don't know that or bother to check it out, you're stuck with total crap the rest of your life. Anyway, of course there is no "historical evidence" to support the idea that BY was involved. There's not much "historical evidence" of much at all. Nobody talked. There is testimony that "Do your duty!" was shouted at the beginning of the event and other declarations like, "For the kingdom of God!"

I don't know, I guess it doesn't "bother" me like it does other people, and I'd like to see how we are being portrayed so I can give some sort of answer to people if I'm asked about it. Same reason I saw Passion of the Christ. At least I steered the Sunday School class off some totally "out there" wrong premises, being the only one who'd seen it...

Personally I have no desire to see the movie simply because it boils my blood when I see things from church history or relating to church history that are taken out of context. And sometimes they are completely inaccurate. How often does Hollywood portray anything accurately? Particularly when it comes to the Church.
I agree with Jason though when he wanted to yell at Jon Voight through the t.v. as to why most mormons wouldn't want to see it. Hollywood and celebrities have no clue!
However, I did think this newspaper article was interesting. The guy who wrote it made some valid points. Hollywood does seem to avoid doing anything that would put a bad light on Muslims and even Hitler, but they have no problem putting mormons in a bad light. Hmmm. Wonder why that is? I think we can all guess.

Well you know Ray you are a sensitive soul. And you are right we are all at a point where we need to have the spirit around us all the time. It's just that alot of people are not in tune enough to realize it as much as you are. Maybe I should go and post on the "opinion of others" thread.
Because when you start letting other people's opinions sway you then you are putting yourself in a position to be lead down dangerous and difficult paths.

Oh alright Ray I'll start being mean and nasty to you you high-minded, insensitive clod!
Is that better?
Yeah, I too would like to know why so many bad ideas make it to the big screen! I got plenty of bad ideas myself to pass along!

I actually like John Voight. He is one of the few moderate to conservative Hollywood types. I think he is just clueless though here. Someone should have pointed out that the subjects of his movie probably won't go see it, not because of the subject matter but because you made a movie that has a rating that most Mormons won't go see. I don't blame him though. He was an actor playing a role. He probably was given some less than accurate historical material in his research for playing the role and believes it is accurate.

Hollywood and History have never really gotten along. Nearly every Hollywood production of a historical event gets it wrong. If you want entertainment watch a movie but if you want to learn about history then get some books. Even documentaries get it wrong with a good example being that PBS docushamery about Mormons that recently aired.

salesortonscom wrote:

---

I had seen an interview with John Voight a few weeks back who plays the part of Brigham Young in the film.

---

The thought that Mormons don't want to face this part of their history is demonstrably a false statement on Voight's part.  I am sure that ANY history book regarding the massacre, from whatever perspective, will sell best among Mormons.

And, FWIW, I think Voight portrays a fictional bishop, and not BY.  The Brigham character gets precious little screen time.

My mistake. The interview made it sound like he was portraying Brigham Young. Of course I don't think the interviewer had a clue either in this case.

Medved is calling it antimormon, and he's an observant jew. Somehow I think if HE can see the antimormonism in the portrayal of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, then it's kinda bad... But luckily you're going, so you can tell us if Medved's full of crapola.

--Ray

Yes, my precious ones, do not go out among the wolves... I will do it for you and return to let you all know about it. You can trust my judgment, since I'm just a hair less whacked than ray.

P.S. I may not be going opening weekend, cuz I'm going to a horse training clinic... but do not despair or think I have shirked my duty. (Oooh... there's that word again.)

Well you are certainly mine...

At least you are right after hubby, Son1, Daughter, Son2, my Lupus support group and the mailman... Sure... It's true, I accept everything you say as fact and then liberally hit it with the salt shaker...