Natl Film Title                Weekend Gross  %B.O. Theatrs
Rank LDS/Mormon Filmmaker/Star   Total Gross  Chnge  $/Thtr  Days
--- ---------------------------  -----------  ----- -------  ----
10  Home on the Range              1,253,738  -46%   1,356     38
    Roseanne Barr (actress)       47,260,250          $925
      (1st billed star)

36  Bugs!                            127,184  -10%      25    423
    stars Papilio,                 7,703,145        $5,087
      a Great Mormon butterfly

89  The Best Two Years                14,852  -26%      16     80
    Scott S. Anderson                778,873          $928
      (writer/producer/director)
    Michael Flynn (producer)
    Fred C. Danneman (executive producer)
    Gordon Lonsdale (cinematographer)
    Wynn Hougaard (editor)
    Michael McLean (songwriter, music supervisor)
    Dave Sapp
      (line producer/1st A.D./unit production manager)
    Darin Anderson (production manager)
    Michael L. McDonough (sound editor)
    Rebecca Nibley (costume designer)
    Actors: K.C. Clyde, Kirby Heyborne,
      David Nibley, Cameron Hopkin,
      Scott Christopher, Michael Flynn

93  Latter Days                       13,610   +2%      12    101
    C. Jay Cox (writer/director)     724,741        $1,134
    LDS main characters

103 The Young Black Stallion           9,458  -15%       9    137
    Reed Smoot (cinematographer)   6,322,851        $1,051

114 Pride and Prejudice                5,911  -76%      12    157
    Andrew Black (director)          362,271          $493
    Jason Faller (producer)
    Kynan Griffin (co-producer)
    Anne K. Black
      (screenplay/produc. designer)
    Jason Faller; Katherine Swigert (screenplay)
    Travis Cline (cinematographer)
    Ben Carson (composer)
    Alexander Vance (editor)
    Actors: Ben Gourley, Hubbel Palmer,
      Amber Hamilton, Carmen Rasmusen

119 The Book of Mormon Movie Vol. 1    5,139  -52%       6    241
    Gary Rogers                    1,672,730          $856
      (writer/producer/director)
    Craig Clyde (screenplay)
    David Hales (co-producer, editor)
    Ira Baker (editor)
    Robert C. Bowden (composer)
    Actors: Bryce Chamberlain,
      Mark Gollaher, Jan Broberg Felt,
      Cragun Foulger, Jacque Gray,
      Kirby Heyborne, Michael Flynn

124 The United States of Leland        4,297  -48%      19     38
    Ryan Gosling (actor)             327,409          $226
      (2nd billed star)

129 China: The Panda Adventure         3,501            18   1018
    Reed Smoot (cinematographer)   3,703,538          $195

THE LEGEND OF JOHNNY LINGO OUT ON DVD - The hot topic this week has seemed to be movie-editing technologies like ClearPlay or movie editing services like CleanFlix. However, in the midst of the controversy, don't forget that this week a film was released that ClearPlay and CleanFlix wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole. They wouldn't have to. It's about as G-rated as a film can get. "The Legend of Johnny Lingo" is out on video and DVD this week. If you and your family haven't seen it yet, all we can say is "What's up with that?" Don't wait another day to see the film that is trying to put movie editing companies out of business for good.

SPECIAL EDITION OF THE LEGEND OF JOHNNY LINGO AVAILABLE FOR LDS - From a press release from Ensign Public Relations:

"THE LEGEND OF JOHNNY LINGO" LDS COLLECTOR'S EDITION RELEASES MAY 11 1969 Mormon Pop-culture Icon Restored for DVD Bonus Footage

SALT LAKE CITY -- April 28, 2004 -- "Mahana, you ugly," and "Johnny Lingo! Johnny Lingo!" are Mormon pop-culture phrases symbolizing an unforgettable story of love and individual worth. They are known to generations of Latter-day Saints for whom the classic 1969 BYU film "Johnny Lingo" was a staple of Sunday School and Seminary classes.

On May 11, Deseret Book Distributors, a division of Deseret Book Company, will release "The Legend of Johnny Lingo" on DVD in a special LDS classic two-disc collector's edition. The standard version will be simultaneously released nationwide by MGM Home Entertainment on video and DVD.

The LDS edition includes the new full-length feature film "The Legend of Johnny Lingo," as well as special bonus footage of a restored and digitally mastered version of the 1969 "Johnny Lingo" and a behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the BYU film, entitled "8 Cows--Millions of Hearts." "The Legend of Johnny Lingo" is from the makers of "The Other Side of Heaven" and produced by Academy Award-winner Gerald Molen.

In speaking of the new feature-length film, Deseret Book Chief Marketing Officer Don Stirling said, "The movie puts a new twist on a beloved classic that is sure to continue feeding the next generation of youth with this icon of our culture. Deseret Book saw an opportunity to bring an enriched version of the story to LDS homes in this collector's edition--it's the legend of the 'Legend.'"

Additional elements of the collector's edition include: * "The Making of a Legend" behind-the-scenes view of Academy Award-winning producer Gerald Molen and team as they travel the South Pacific to make "The Legend of Johnny Lingo"
* Title song "Tamahana" music video by award-winning 11-member New Zealand group Te Vaka
* Widescreen Format (2:35 aspect ratio)
* English, Spanish, French, Italian and German language tracks

Renewed "Johnny Lingo"
In speaking of the restored and digitally mastered version of the 35-year old BYU film classic "Johnny Lingo," producer John Garbett said, "The original never looked this good. I'm thrilled we were able to restore the original 'Johnny Lingo' movie and also take the story we all fell in love with and make a great feature film that families all over the world can enjoy."

Both "Johnny Lingo" and "The Legend of Johnny Lingo" are based on Patricia McGerr's short story Johnny Lingo and the Eight-cow Wife. Initially published in 1962, the story has been translated into dozens of languages and reprinted in hundreds of publications that have reached millions of people the world over.

While working in the Pacific on "The Other Side of Heaven," Garbett broached the idea of a Johnny Lingo re-make with Molen.

"John (Garbett) has always loved the Johnny Lingo story due to a fondness of the Polynesian culture and his connections to the Whitaker family [original filmmakers] through marriage," said Molen. "We had such a good experience working in the Pacific and I'm committed to making family films, so a re-make of the story seemed a logical and natural next project."

Molen, Garbett and director Steven Ramirez took the best of the best--filming in Auckland and the Cooke Islands; using an all-Polynesian cast with familiar actors such as Rawiri Parantene from "Whale Rider" and Joe Falou from "The Other Side of Heaven;" authentic music from the New Zealand group Te Vaka (second-place winners of the BBC World Music Award and famous for original contemporary Pacific music); and an uncompromising screenplay by Riwia Brown, writer of the screenplay "Once Were Warriors," a New Zealand-made movie that has become the most successful film about Polynesian people to date. Additional resources, such as crewmembers primarily from "The Lord of the Rings" production crew, all came together to create a successful and broadly appealing re-make of the Johnny Lingo story.

On Making the Legend
The 25-minute documentary "8 Cows -- Millions of Hearts" is specially produced for the Deseret Book collector's edition and reveals a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the original BYU film production "Johnny Lingo." From working with "Hawaii Five-O" producers for help in finding actors to an explanation for the film's bad wigs, rarely heard stories will entertain Johnny Lingo fans. Additionally, humorous anecdotes of cow-themed marriage proposals, baby announcements and birthday parties relate just how ubiquitous Johnny Lingo is in Mormon culture.

Additionally, to celebrate the Johnny Lingo revival, a series of cow-themed greeting cards by cartoonist Pat Bagley touts greetings such as "You're an eight cow mom!" "You're not just one of the herd," and "Sometimes, don't you look in the mirror and think "Ten cows, definitely ten cows." Cards are available at Deseret Book and wherever the LDS-version DVD is sold.

The DVD went on sale May 11.

USA TODAY ARTICLE: EDITING MOVIES FOR MORAL/ETHICAL CONTENT "HONESTLY COMES DOWN TO MORMON CULTURE" - See http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2004-05-05-clearplay-main_x.htm

THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY OF CONTROVERSIAL CLEARPLAY - See http://www.sltrib.com/2004/May/05102004/monday/monday.asp

PRESTON ON CLEAR PLAY AND LDSFILM.COM - Time for a brief common-sense discussion... We pass along many articles about ClearPlay and other movie-editing technologies and services, such as CleanFlix. We do this because these companies are founded and run by Latter-day Saints, not just because the results of their efforts can be seen as coinciding with LDS values (a proposition that not everybody would agree with).

Actually, LDSFilm.com has had many requests to post paid advertisement for services and technologies such as these. We do not accept any paid advertising, but even if we did, we would probably not advertise for these services.

On a personal level, I very much appreciate and understand what the Latter-day Saints behind these companies are trying to accomplish. Personally, I have no objections on moral or legal grounds to what these companies do. But we try to make LDSFilm.com an informational website, not a bully pulpit for any particular position, so we don't comment much on these technologies.

Also, what ClearPlay and CleanFlix and similar companies do is OBVIOUSLY a conflict with what LDSFilm.com is all about. Our website has NEVER been a "movies positive values" or "movies with no swearing" website. It is, as its name implies, about films made by Latter-day Saints. If you find that most of the movies made by Latter-day Saints coincide with your values and beliefs, it is NOT because we are selectively choosing what to pass on information about. It is because most Latter-day Saint filmmakers are making films that reflect their values, and yours.

Now, what ClearPlay and CleanFlix and other companies do is edit movies made by NON-Latter-day Saints. This makes it even easier for Latter-day Saint and other ethical/moral film choosers to find movies without the objectionable content that they wish to avoid. This means that these companies are actually undermining LDS filmmakers, whose works already conform to the desires of this audience.

Once again, this doesn't mean that I object to what these companies are doing. But from the standpoint of this website, or from the standpoint of any store that focuses on marketing LDS-made products, these companies represent an additional source of competition for the same dollars. Presumably if ever Hollywood studio film opened with a title card that said, "If you are a believing Christian, please leave the theater now. The makers of this film hate you and don't want your patronage," it would drive increased demand for movies made by the people being excluded. Hollywood movies do NOT do this explicitly, but many audiences feel that this is essentially what is done by the inclusion of objectionable content. When the exclusionary title card (or objectionable content) is removed, demand for the films which never had it in the first place are theoretically undermined.

For the record, I do not believe that the filmmakers behind most R-rated or morally objectionable movies hate all Christians in general and Latter-day Saint Christians in particular. This is audience-based perception I am talking about.

Anyway, the film-editing-for-consumers industry is LDS-driven, and continues to be a topic of serious and important discussion within the film industry as a whole. We will continue to report on it when interesting stories pop up (although we certainly don't forward all of the often redundant stories we encounter). But there are clear reasons why we don't act as enthusiastic "cheerleaders" for the movement in the same way that we sometimes do for films made by LDS filmmakers (such as with banner ads).

LDS FILMMAKER STARLING: MOVIE-EDITING TECHNOLOGY NOT UNDERMINING LDS FILMS - Bro. Robert Starling has responded to the previous article, and has given us permission to forward his comments.

From: Robert Starling
Sent: Monday, May 10, 2004 10:35 AM
To: LDSFilm.com
Subject: Re: Movie-editing technology NOT undermining LDS films

I appreciate your comments "on a personal level" re: Clearplay, etc.

It brings to mind a few thoughts of my own, that I'll share on that same personal level, and hopefully make a useful contribution to the "common sense discussion".

1. Although LDS are now in the forefront of the "clean movie" effort, the Dove Foundation (non LDS) was campaigning 14 years ago for studios to put out "family safe" versions of films on VHS at the rental stores.

As the Electronic Media Specialist for the Southern California Area LDS Public Affairs Council, I participated in meetings in L.A. of the Dove Foundation. They did some test marketing that proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that the availability of "family safe" versions of films (with the Dove symbol attached as a sticker to the VHS cassette) could be a big boon to Hollywood by increasing the number of films that families could watch together.

Unfortunately, as Michael Medved points out in his excellent book "Hollywood vs. America", for many of the creative elite in Tinsel Town, their motives (despite their protestations to the contrary) are not about entertaining the greatest number of people (and making the most money) or "giving them what they want" but about justifying their own sick lifestyles by trying to force-feed them into the mainstream. Sadly, they often succeed.

2. Speaking as an LDS filmmaker myself, I don't understand the "scarcity mentality" that says if a family-safe version of "The Patriot" is available, that it's going to hurt the B.O. or DVD rentals of "Saints and Soldiers" or "Jack Weyland's Charly". Aren't we (LDS and conservative Christians, etc.) always complaining that there are many more movie nights for families available (and dollars to spend at the multiplex) than there are good films to watch? Whether the film is one that is originally made family-safe such as "A Walk To Remember" or "The Rookie", or one that is edited to be family-safe such as "The Matrix" or "Conspiracy Theory", I don't see it as "competition" that will "undermine" a well-made LDS-oriented film. In reality I think we as LDS _should_ be "cheerleaders" for any development that makes more good entertainment available that is "family-friendly".

3. As for the "legal and moral" aspects, the point that many of the ("pro-Choice"?) Hollywood folks miss entirely (duh) is that no one is calling for censorship, but merely (as Robin Williams used to shout in his cultural arts PSA's) a _choice_. Whether it's on the video store shelves or the Clearplay/ MovieMask menu, the original version of a film is always available if that's what the viewer wants to see. The elite Hollywood "artists" always cite their mantra that "if you don't like it, you can always change the channel or fast forward past what you don't like." The technology has now simply arrived that makes it easier for viewers to mute or skip over objectionable parts of films in a more efficient manner than trying to do it manually. As the old lady in the TV commercial used to say, "Where's the beef?" It seems like a win-win situation to me.

Robert Starling
Riverton, Utah

LDS ACTIVIST LAUNCHES "CLEAN TV" WEBSITE - See http://movieweb.com/news/news.php?id=2680

UPCOMING THEATRICAL RELEASES OF FILMS BY LDS FILMMAKERS - In this write-up of movies being released to theaters this summer, a few LDS-made movies are mentioned: the LDS Cinema WWII movie "Saints and Soldiers" (dir. by Bro. Ryan Little, made by an almost entirely LDS cast and crew), "Napoleon Dynamite" (dir. by Bro. Jared Hess, made by an almost entirely LDS crew and many LDS actors), and the new "Benji" movie (non-LDS director, but predominantly LDS cast).

See http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595061287,00.html

BOOK OF MORMON MOVIE, VOL. 2 DETAILS RELEASED - On the new "Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1: The Journey", in a brief sit-down talk delivered to the camera, director Gary Rogers talks about details about Vol. 2.

Rogers says that Vol. 2 begins 250 years after the end of Vol. 1, focusing on Mosiah the 1st leading some followers to flee the city of Nephi, into the wilderness, after which they find a mysterious lost city - Zarahemla, and a people who don't speak their language. But everybody is excited, and Mosiah ends up becoming king. Then there's a magnificent address given by King Benjamin, and then there's the story of Limhi.

All in one movie. Craig Clyde is writing the screenplay.

Sounds like, how shall we put it?, a real challenge from a narrative perspective.

SISTER OLIVE OSMOND, MATRIARCH OF UTAH'S MOST FAMOUS FAMILY, PASSES - Sister Olive Osmond is the author of a family biography which was made into the TV movie "Side by Side." She has appeared on television numerous times, and is best known as the matriarch of the most famous LDS entertainment family in the world.

See http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595062174,00.html

PHOTOS FROM BRO. KIETH MERRILL'S NEW MOVIE: 12 DOGS OF CHRISTMAS - Here's an article with 5 pages of photos from Bro. Kieth Merrill's new movie "The 12 Dogs of Christmas."

Kieth Merrill has been twice nominated for Academy Awards, with one win for his documentary "The Great American Cowboy." He has directed numerous IMAX films, Church films, theatrically released dramas, and more. "The 12 Dogs of Christmas" is his first canine-centric Christmas movie.

See http://www.meridianmagazine.com/arts/040507dogs1.html

SPEAKING OF CRITTERS, MORMON BUTTERFLY STARS IN IMAX FILM - See http://www.vaildaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040509/AE/105090007

BRO. SAM CARDON ON MERIDIAN RADIO - Here is an interview with Sam Cardon, talking about his new Book of Mormon project, 'By the Hand of Mormon,' a live stage musical, and about writing the film score for the LDS Cinema movie "The Work and the Story." Bro. Cardon is one of the most sought-after Latter-day Saint film composers working today.

See http://www.ldsmag.com/radio/040506.html

TV SHOW "TRADING SPACES" COMES TO MORMON HOMES - See http://www.sltrib.com/2004/May/05092004/utah/164789.asp

RECENT LDS CINEMA ARTICLES FROM UTAH COUNTY'S DAILY HERALD NEWSPAPER - Here are some recent LDS Cinema-related articles from the Daily Herald:

"Work and the Glory" (two articles)

http://www.harktheherald.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=20316&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

http://www.harktheherald.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=20317&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

"Saints and Soldiers" (two articles)

http://www.harktheherald.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=20394&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

http://www.harktheherald.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=20399&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

Preston's editorial comment: If "The Work and the Glory" turns out half as good as Ryan Little's "Saints and Soldiers," then the people behind it should count themselves very fortunate indeed.

OPPORTUNITIES STILL OPEN FOR INVESTORS FOR HEIMERDINGER MOVIE "PASSAGE TO ZARAHEMLA" - From Chris Heimerdinger's Monthly Newsletter:

I'm proud that several of our investors have actually come from the ranks of cheimerdinger.com website guests. Sometimes for just a unit or two, but every bit helps. However we still need some "big fish" to jump aboard before production will officially begin. Soon, we hope. We're actually very patient about it . . . NOT! If anyone else out there has an interest, please read the Business Overview stuff and let us know. Go to: http://www.cheimerdinger.com/other/books.asp?BOOKID=9

In the meantime, keep all your acting resumes at home for now. (I'm still getting about 20 inquiries on this subject every week! That probably equals the total number of parts in the entire story!) We will not be casting until the $$ is raised.

By the way, I'll be giving a presentation this Thursday, May 6, at the invitation of of my hometown of Riverton, Utah at 7:00 PM. The location is the Crane House Museum at 1640 West 13200 South. I'll probably talk about the movie, Book of Mormon geography, writing--whatever folks wanna discuss. Maybe I'll even show the 7 minute clip of "Passage to Zarahemla" if they get a DVD player. Anyone is welcome.

* "ZARAHEMLA" SONGS ON KZION.COM

For those who haven't visited KZION radio, I encourage you to do so. All LDS music all day long! Great stuff! And now it also includes the three songs from the "Passage to Zarahemla" Mini-Album. KZION is the only place I've had the nerve to offer a CD as yet. So you can finally hear the entire songs if you so desire, though I think to make actual requests you must be a KZION member, which costs a couple bucks a month. Anyway, if you think you can endure my pitiful voice, you're welcome to check it out at: http://www.kzion.com/index_high.php

RELEASE DATE FOR "SUITS ON THE LOOSE" SET - The made-in-California LDS Cinema movie "Suits on the Loose," from HaleStorm Entertainment, has been scheduled for Jan. 2005 release. It is in post production at Sony right now. The comedy was filmed in February and is nearly done being edited. More information to follow.

SCREENWRITING SEMINAR W/LDS CINEMA MEGASTAR JOHN E. MOYER - John Moyer, the screenwriter of The Singles Ward and The RM will be holding a one-day screenwriting seminar Saturday June 5th at The Hale Center Theater in West Valley, Utah from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

John's classes and workshops have received a huge response with overwhelming requests for more events. As a result John has decided to host this one-day seminar before his busy summer schedule begins with the production of his next film, Mobsters and Mormons, which he will also be producing and directing.

If you are a screenwriter or someone looking to begin your screenwriting journey, please join us for this fun and informative one-day event.

John will cover such aspects as:
* Developing your ideas
* Story Structure
* Designing your characters
* Dialogue
* Your script as a good read
* Formatting
* Software
* Agents
* Query Letters
* Breaking in
* The independent film market in Utah

Cost of the seminar is $69 if paid before May 29, $79 after May 29. Because seating is limited, registration and prepayment is required.

To register please log onto: http://www.johnmoyer.com/seminar
Questions please email workshops@johnmoyer.net

AMERICAN FORK COMPANY MADE "VAN HELSING" GAME, WHICH IS MUCH BETTER THAN THE LAME MOVIE - See http://www.sltrib.com/2004/May/05072004/friday/164009.asp