Natl Film Title                Weekend Gross % B.O. Theatrs
Rank LDS/Mormon Filmmaker/Star   Total Gross Change  $/Thtr   Days
--- ---------------------------  ----------- ------ -------  ----
13  Napoleon Dynamite                883,817  -16%     619    129
    Jared Hess (writer/director)  40,371,730        $1,730
    Jerusha Hess
      (writer/costume designer)
    Jon Heder (1st billed star)
    Aaron Ruell (3rd billed star)
    Jeremy Coon (producer/editor)
    Sean Covel (producer)
    Chris Wyatt (producer)
    Munn Powell (cinematographer)
    Cory Lorenzen
      (production designer)
    Curt Jensen (art director)
    Tim Skousen, Brian Petersen
      (assistant directors)

38  The Notebook                      79,673  -20%     144    115
    Ryan Gosling                  80,640,867          $553
      (1st billed star)

40  Saints and Soldiers               58,357 +136%      37     73
    Ryan Little                      879,222        $1,577
     (director/producer/cinematographer)
    Adam Abel (producer)
    Brian Brough
     (assoc. producer/produc. manager)
    Wynn Hougaard (editor)
    J Bateman (composer)
    Matt Whitaker (screenwriter)
    Jennifer Buster (casting)
    Actors: Corbin Allred, Larry Bagby III,
      Kirby Heyborne, Lincoln Hoppe,
      Curt Dousett, Ben Gourley,
      Ethan Vincent, etc.

44  Bugs!                             53,501  N/A       28    584
    stars Papilio,                13,278,313        $1,910
      a Great Mormon butterfly

57  Benji: Off the Leash!             27,777 +361%     106     59
    Actors: Nick Whitaker,         3,785,401          $262
      Chris Kendrick, Duane Stephens,
      Neal Barth, Christy Summerhays,
      Lincoln Hoppe, Scott Wilkinson

58  Suspect Zero                      27,680 +1,363%    56     52
    Aaron Eckhart                  8,712,564          $494
      (1st billed star)

66  Baptists at Our Barbecue          21,645  -26%      13     10
    Christian Vuissa                  65,444        $1,665
     (director/producer/co-screenwriter)
    Matt Smith (producer)
    Robert Farrell Smith
     (producer/co-screenwriter/book)
    Brandon Christensen (cinematographer)
    Actors: Dan Merkley, Heather Beers,
      Frank Gerrish, Jan Broberg Felt,
      Duane Stephens, Steve Anderson

81  Galapagos                          9,601             2   1697
    Reed Smoot (cinematographer)  14,516,740        $4,800

90  Mean Creek                         8,609  -27%      23     59
    LDS lead character               579,112          $374

93  Riding Giants (documentary)        7,143  -13%      10    101
    Jeff Clark                     2,216,249          $459
      (featured LDS surfer)

95  Spin (NEW)                         9,858             9      3
    James Redford (writer/director)    9,858        $1,095

98  The Young Black Stallion           4,691 +115%       1    297
    Reed Smoot (cinematographer)   6,534,392        $4,691

108 The Best Two Years                 1,601  -37%       3    241
    Scott S. Anderson              1,163,450          $534
      (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

111 China: The Panda Adventure         1,030  +43%       1   1179
    Reed Smoot (cinematographer)   3,867,141        $1,030

LAS VEGAS MERCURY: 4 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR LDS CINEMA "SAINTS AND SOLDIERS" - See http://www.lasvegasmercury.com/2004/MERC-Oct-14-Thu-2004/24962254.html

ARIZONA REPUBLIC REVIEW: 3 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR "SAINTS AND SOLDIER", A GREAT FILM ABOUT RELIGIOUS QUESTIONS - See http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/preview/articles/1015saints15.html

REGIONALIZED MAILING LISTS A HIT - There had already been plenty of interest in LDSfilm.com's Regionalized Mailing Lists. Members, especially outside of the state of Utah, seem to agree that these mailing lists are a long-overdue way for those interested in LDS-made films to find out when such films will be playing in their area with plenty of warning so they can actually make it to the theaters. But having one of LDSfilm.com's webmasters as film reviewer for Meridian Magazine didn't hurt either. Thomas mentioned the regionalized mailing lists at the end of his review posted today (Oct 22nd - see http://www.meridianmagazine.com/arts/041022best2years.html) and the response has been overwhelming. The jubilant film composer/critic/LDS film proponent was heard to say, "It's great to see that there were many others who felt the same as I did, that there needed to be a more effective way to get the word out to members outside of Utah about these films. If I were an LDS filmmaker trying to get an audience for my film, I would make it my number one priority to see that these films are announced on the appropriate LDSfilm.com Regionalized Mailing List a month before the film opened in any theater anywhere. This can be a very effective tool for increasing the size of audiences for LDS-made films. And the best part is - we don't charge anything to announce your film. How can you beat that? If you open in an area and the word hasn't been spread via the regional mailing lists, you've really dropped the ball."

A good idea is a good idea, and we guess this was a good idea, because no sooner had we announced our regionalized mailing list than (within about a week) HaleStorm had put out an ad through Meridian Magazine LISTING THE CITIES AND THEATERS "THE BEST TWO YEARS" WOULD BE PLAYING IN FOR THE NEXT MONTH (or basically until the end of its theatrical run). Taking this further, less than 24 hours after Thomas's article appeared in Meridian Magazine this weekend, Excel Entertainment sent out an ad to its mailing list that also LISTED THE UPCOMING CITIES AND THEATERS WHERE "SAINTS AND SOLDIERS" WILL BE PLAYING FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. Of course, these early announcements are precisely the concept behind the regionalized mailing lists. So why stick with LDSfilm.com? Because from us you will get any released information about upcoming theaters from BOTH HaleStorm and Excel, PLUS any other films made by LDS filmmakers that might be distributed through a different channel. HaleStorm and Excel are both going to stick with just the films each of them distributes. (Perish the thought that they should help EACH OTHER out!)

BAGGALEY REVIEWS B2Y, "SOMEONE WAS WATCHING" AND LYDE FILMS - The mention of the regionalized mailing lists came at the end of a rather lengthy article in which Thomas touched on several recent video/DVD releases, including "The Best Two Years." See http://www.meridianmagazine.com/arts/041022best2years.html

NAPOLEON DYNAMITE BREAKS THE $40 MILLION MARK - Playing in "only" 619 theaters 129 days into its theatrical run, Napoleon Dynamite (that fantastic film made for mere pennies - relatively speaking - by a team of mostly BYU grads) is still a solid #13 nationally in the weekend box office totals. We say "only" because at its height, it was playing in a whole lot more theaters, but this is still an incredible run that doesn't show many signs of slowing down. For comparison, the other fall release independent "wonder film" that some thought might even outperform ND (we're referring now to "Garden State") has dropped off considerably, playing in only 301 theaters and falling to the #17 spot having "only" grossed just over $25 million - and "Garden State" was released 47 days AFTER "Napoleon Dynamite." ND obviously has better legs than about any film out there, a testament to its ability to bring fans back again and again to see it (kind of reminiscent of "The Singles Ward" but on a much larger scale). The film's cultural influence continues to astound observers as teens and 20-somethings have not only picked up the title character's Mormon-influenced speech patterns, but students are referencing the film in campaigns for student body offices and homecoming and other assemblies across the country. Of course, LDSfilm.com readers heard about this film LONG before the rest of the nation did as we were trumpeting its virtues before "Napoleon Dynamite" was ever produced.

LDS CINEMA FILM "BAPTISTS AT OUR BARBECUE" AT FORT LAUDERDALE FILM FEST, OCT. 21-24 - From Oct. 21-24, the action shifts to the west. The Weston 8 Cinemas will screen films including the surprisingly touching and clever romantic comedy 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, the Mormon-themed comedy Baptists at Our Barbecue and Terrorists, the directorial debut of frequent Michael Moore collaborator Jay Martel.

EXCERPT FROM http://www.southflorida.com/movies/sfl-lifilmfest13oct13,0,3030806.story?coll=sfe-movies-headlines

"ENDER'S GAME" MOVIE NEWS - FAUX NEWS FLASH: Because of the long wait for an "Ender's Game" movie, LDSFilm.com will be moving ahead with a feature-length independent film adaptation of the popular book by Orson Scott Card. LDS auteur wunderkind Geoffrey Card has signed on to helm, and his talent will mean that the film's $4,000 budget will be all that is needed to bring Card's classic novel to life. This is a un-authorized production, but the DVD will be sold online. We are certain Orson Scott Card would approve, particularly with the extraordinary Nick Whitaker (Brigham City, Message in a Cell Phone, Benji: Off the Leash!) in the title role, and LDS cinema superstar Kirby Heyborne co-starring as Mazer Rakham. Caitlin E.J. Meyer will co-star as Petra.

We jest, of course. Bro. Card is the world's most zealous defender of his own copyrights and intellectual property. I'd like to see a $4,000 version of "Ender's Game" as much as the next guy, but were I to even hint at really attempting such a project I would be instantly overcome by flesh-devouring rodents swarming out of Greensboro.

The actual news story is below. Not much is said about "Ender's Game," but at least it is still on the radar. Is Wolfgang Petersen going to make a Poseidon Adventure remake BEFORE directing "Ender's Game"?? Arrr... I'd almost let McG take over rather than suffer these interminable delays.

The 63-year-old German filmmaker [Wolfgang Petersen] is already attached as a producer for 2005 to a remake of The Poseidon Adventure and the Reese Witherspoon project Whiteout, in which the actress plays a U.S. Marshal tracking down a criminal in Antarctica as the sun gets ready to set for six months, and has plans to direct for 2006 the long-awaited adaptation of the Scott Orson Card's sci-fi novel Ender's Game. In that tale, a six-year-old boy leaves his family and planet behind when the Earth comes under attack by aliens.

EXCERPT FROM: http://www.filmstew.com/Content/Article.asp?ContentID=9867&Pg=1

DESNEWS LETTER WRITER: 'BAPTISTS AT OUR BARBECUE' UNDERRATED: FUNNIEST MOVIE I HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME! - See http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595098285,00.html

BYU DAILY UNIVERSE: BAPTISTS AT OUR BARBECUE JOINS RANKS OF LDS CINEMA FLICKS - See http://newsnet.byu.edu/story.cfm/52846

LDS FILM "BAPTISTS AT OUR BARBECUE" AT FT. LAUDERDALE INT'L FILM FEST IN FLORIDA: REVIEW OF "BAPTISTS" - This article contains two reviews, one for LDS Cinema film "Baptists at Our Barbecue" and one for another movie I know nothing about, and it has nothing to do with LDS filmmakers.

See http://www.southflorida.com/movies/sfl-shfliff22oct22,0,388603.story?coll=sfe-movies-headlines

OREGON VISITOR SURPRISED TO LEARN OF BAPTISTS AT OUR BARBECUE PLUS OTHER LDS FILMS (IS HEATHER BAPTIST??) - This is an entertaining article, from an Oregon newspaper. What I especially thought was funny was where the writer states that "Tartan" in "Baptists at Our Barbecue" meets a pretty Baptist girl (Heather Beers). Of course... if you're familiar with the book or the movie, you know that Heather Beers character "Charity" is NOT a Baptist, she is a Latter-day Saint. This is one of the best things about this movie. If it had been made in Hollywood, it would have followed the same formula that has been followed by 99 PERCENT OF ALL MOVIES ABOUT TWO CULTURES IN CONFLICT: The cross-cultural romance. But this was FAR more interesting simply because it was different, and more believable. The Tartan/Charity romance is wonderful to watch, and it avoids the tortuous, worn-out sentiments and cliches that it would have subjected viewers to if Charity had been a Baptist.

But all, in all, the following is a very good article, and one has to forgive the writer for not realizing that "Baptists" has an original story apart from the almost inescapable Hollywood formula. This article also mentions other upcoming LDS Cinema flicks. It's an interesting truly outsider perspective.

See http://www.dailyvanguard.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/10/21/41778175bfd24

PROLIFIC, AMAZINGLY SUCCESSFUL LDS FILMMAKER JOHN LYDE BEGINS FILMING YOUTH OF ZION - John "The Little Engine That Could" Lyde has begin principle photography on yet another film, just one of many that is already budgeted and planned right now.

This "Youth of Zion" series features multiple episodes, each focusing on values from the "For the Strength of the Youth" manual.

The first episode is about "Honesty". The story a young man and woman who go on a rock climbing trip. The young man falls and he and the young woman he is with are trapped in a canyon. No one knows where they are and we learn that the young woman lied to her parents about where she went.

Rachel Emmers stars in this new Lyde film. (Sister Emmers is the star of Richard Dutcher's upcoming "God's Army 2", and also had roles in "Out of Step" and "Sons of Provo"). Co-starring with Emmers is veteran actor Michael Flynn (WB's "Everwood", Laban in "The Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1", mission president in "The Best Two Years") and Sally Hale (Will Swenson's mom, she's been in HaleStorm movies).

Lyde has tapped two of Utah's top young film crewmen - Paul Green and Dave Skousen -- to be his key crew guys on this film. You can be sure it will hit LDS Christian bookstores and general Christian bookstores before long.

Lyde was doing much of his casting through LDSFilm.com, so some of you reading may be in this one.

John Lyde's previous films are too numerous to list here, but they include "The Collectors", "Hoops", "Mariah's Prayer", "Dear John", "The Field is White", "In the Service of God" and "Missionary: Impossible."

Lyde kind of looks like "X-Men" director Bryan Singer, but Lyde is much younger and more talented.

FILMMAKER/COMIC BOOK ARTIST MIKE ALLRED'S BOOK OF MORMON COMIC BOOK TO HIT SHELVES - Guys, you in the film world who do NOT know who Mike Allred is... Let me just point out that he is a VERY hot, VERY popular artist, known for his critically acclaimed and best-selling work on series such as "Madman" and "X-Static." He's also a Latter-day Saint, and his "Golden Plates" comic book has been much talked about in the comic book world. He's also working with Robert Rodriguez ("Spy Kids") on a big budget "Madman" film. Allred has already appeared in films and made smaller-budgeted science fiction/comic book adaptation films.

See http://tv.ksl.com/index.php?nid=5&sid=127769

OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN DIRECTOR JOINS THE DIALOGUE: INTERVIEW W/BRO. DAVIS ABOUT STATE OF LDS FILMS - Be sure to read this article on the Meridian Magazine website. Bro. Davis has the distinction of having directed the top-grossing LDS Cinema film of all time. For you youngsters out there, "The Other Side of Heaven" is NOT about a CDC rapid response epidemiologist who falls in love with a free-spirited, sometimes clumsy European princess. It IS about Elder John H. Groberg's real-life adventures as a missionary in Tonga.

See http://www.meridianmagazine.com/arts/041015Mitch.html and http://www.meridianmagazine.com/arts/041018Mitch2.html

KEN HARRIS' NEW MERIDIAN ARTICLE: OUR DUTY AS FILMMAKERS TO WORK FROM WITHIN - See http://www.ldsmag.com/arts/041021filmmakers.html

WSU EDITORIAL: NON-LDS PEOPLE ARE TOO STUPID TO UNDERSTAND THE HUMOR IN OUR MOVIES - See http://www.wsusignpost.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/02/27/403ec7a6b841c

POWERFUL FILM: TICKETS SOLD OUT TO BRITISH LDS FILMMAKERS' NEW THRILLER FILM POWERLESS - Festival organizers were forced to move the World Premiere of Powerless to a bigger venue when tickets for the 20th November showing sold out in the first week! "We are totally over the moon!" said Bethany Wilkins, who stars in the film "To sell out in the first week is astounding, thank goodness there is a larger venue to move the film to!".

Director Matt Daniels has praised festival organisers for their prompt action, "The festival team have been fantastic! As soon as the film sold out they switched to the larger venue to make sure no one was disappointed."

Powerless is set to be a big event at the festival attracting attention from all over the UK and abroad.

NOW FILMING: MADE-IN-U.K. LDS ROMANTIC COMEDY STARRING LDS CINEMA'S SIMMERING SUPERSTAR JAELAN PETRIE - We are pleased to announce that we begin production for 'Mind the Gap' (Working Title) on Monday, September 27th here in London, England. We would like you to make the announcement on Monday the 27th on your internet service 'LDSfilm'. I've included the press release from our website, and would like you to highlight the 3 LDS people who are working on the film.

Tyler Ford - Producer/Director Tyler is a London Film School graduate with a MA in Film-making, this is his first feature film. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Utah. He is a native of Sandy, UT.

Jaelan Petrie - Producer/Carson Wells Jaelan studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood, CA. This will be his 5th feature film as an actor, and first feature film as producer. He received his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University. He is a native of Cardston, Alberta, Canada.

Alan Hawkshaw - Film Composer Alan is well known for working with Cliff Richard, Dusty Springfield, Barbra Streisand, Tom Jones, and Olivia Newton John. Alan has composed a string of classic television themes including Grange Hill, The New Statesman, Channel Four News, the award-winning series Love Hurts (BAFTA Nominee) and the famous theme for Countdown, the first program shown on Channel 4 (BBC). He achieved the Ivor Novello award for Best Film Score for The Silent Witness in 1979, and was awarded Best Arrangement by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for Olivia Newton-John's 'I Honestly Love You'.

Principle photography will be Sept. 27th - Oct. 30th, 2004 on location in London and the Scottish Highlands.

Press Release:

Ford Films is currently in pre-production planning for Mind The Gap, an LDS feature film, being made at 3 Mills Studios in London, England.

For immediate release:

London, England, September 27th, 2004

Ford Films is pleased to announce the feature film debut of London-based film-maker Tyler Ford. The feature film, MIND THE GAP (working title), is a light-hearted romance about a Mormon Montana cowboy who, while living and working abroad, discovers himself and true love halfway around the world.

The film is about Carson Wells, a Montana cowboy who is 30, unmarried and living abroad in London. A fish out of water, he works for a high powered beef company and is dating a beautiful, British girl named Lucy. Everything seems to be going well for him there in the Big Smoke. When Carson decides to settle for their relationship and ask her grandfather, Mr. Armstrong, for her hand in marriage, the reply from grandfather is that Carson must first find a husband for Lucy's older sister. Whilst finding the older sister, Gemma, a potential mate, his life changes forever as he discovers true love and resolves issues in his own personal life.

Pre-production on the film is already well in full swing with production offices located at 3 Mills Studios (Tim Burton's new film The Corpse Bride, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, 28 Days Later, Topsy Turvy) in east London. Principle photography is anticipated to begin September 27th in London, continuing through October, and finishing on location in the Scottish Highlands.

Ford has already assembled a production team for the film, which includes Line Producer Peter Manoogian (The Midas Kid - Paramount Pictures, National Lampoon - Showtime Network, The Howling, Fool's Gold), Director of Photography Gareth Pritchard (Experiment, In a Day, The Monkey Painter) and Casting Director Lucy Jenkins, a member of the C.D.G. (Casting Director's Guild). Award winning British composer Alan Hawkshaw (Best Arrangement - I Honestly Love You sung by Olivia Newton-John) has agreed to compose the musical score.

Ford is a new-comer to the film industry but not to film-making. A graduate of the London Film School (which boasts the likes of Michael Mann, Mike Leigh, and Roger Pratt, BSC) with a Masters in Film-making, he has made a number of shorts and documentaries and believes he has surrounded himself with the right people to help this project succeed. With the talent he has on board already, it seems he's headed in that direction.

The first film to be made in England about Mormons was, Trapped by the Mormons, a silent, black-and-white film made in 1922, about a missionary who hypnotizes and lures the young maidens of a small English village back to Salt Lake City. Banned in the U.S. on its original release, the film was followed by the sequel Married to a Mormon. "I think the title really says it all, and not surprisingly, 82 years later people still believe strange things about Mormons, such as we practice polygamy... which we don't", Ford observes. "It's time to improve the image of the Latter-Day Saint Church in Europe, and I believe this film has the potential to start that process."

Ford, who is originally from Sandy, Utah, USA (which is just south of Salt Lake City) is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and feels his film has some distinct differences from other LDS films that have been (and will be) made. For example, the film will be made entirely in England and the UK. "Hollywood looks to England for great acting talent, stunning cinematography, beautiful scenery, and well made films. There is no reason why Mormon film-makers shouldn't either." Secondly, all of the principle cast is from or lives in the UK. "English actors are very disciplined and talented - they come from a rich background of tradition and artistry."

"Making a film for LDS audiences has been a dream of mine for quite some time. Hopefully, this film has enough universal ideas, characters, and situations that it also transcends to all other audiences. Film is the most powerful medium for story telling, and to have MIND THE GAP being filmed in London - is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. Everyone working on the project is from a different country and brings their country's film strengths with them - sound is from Germany, cinematographer from Wales, actors from England, focus puller from Scotland, producers from Canada, the US, and India. It's exciting to bring them all together for the production." Ford plans to premier the film in London and then release it in the United States in an area referred to as the Inter-Mountain West (Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada).

For more information on this feature production, please visit the website www.fordfilms.com or www.mindthegapmovie.com , the official websites for Ford Films.

UTAH STATE GRANT: MONEY FOR MOYER'S "MOBSTERS AND MORMONS" - See http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_2429174

SUITS ON THE LOOSE COMING TO THEATERS IN 2005: MOST DANGEROUS LDS CINEMA MOVIE EVER MADE! - See http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0405357/plotsummary

NAUVOO TURNED INTO MOVIE SET: JOSEPH SMITH BIOPIC FILMED FOR LEGACY THEATER - See http://www.dailygate.com/articles/2004/10/19/news/news3.txt

PROFILE OF ALEXANDER CARROLL, STAR OF LDS CINEMA PERIOD ROMANCE "THE WORK AND THE GLORY" - See http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13191143&BRD=2053&PAG=461&dept_id=398174&rfi=6

MOVIE TRAILER FOR BRO. TUCKER DANSIE'S NEW FILM NOW ONLINE - Bro. Dansie did casting partially through LDSFilm.com, so some of you may be IN this film.

The all-star cast includes Bro. Levi Larsen, who was one of the stars of Christian Vuissa's "Unfolding," T.C. Christensen's "A Pioneer Miracle" and the new Church "First Vision" remake: "The Restoration." Dansie's new film also stars Lisa Higbee from "The Singles Ward" and Bro. Joshua Tenney, who I'm assuming is the same actor that starred in the family film "Solo" (1984) and Disney's "The Velveteen Rabbit" with Marie Osmond, not to mention the new Alma & Abish musical from the "Liken the Scriptures" folks.

The trailer for the short film "Quitters" is now available to view on-line along with some other supplemental materials about the cast, crew and some behind the scenes photos/info from the shoot. If you have a minute, jump on-line and take a look!

http://www.9by9projects.com/quitters

-Tucker T Dansie
Writer/director "Quitters"

LDS SHORT FILM AT 2004 PALM SPRINGS INT'L FEST: 'SAINT DOG' (TO MISH OR NOT TO MISH, WHITHER THE GIRL) - See http://www.thedesertsun.com/events/short_film_fest/2004/longprogram.shtml

HEIMERDINGER'S "PASSAGE TO ZARAHEMLA" LOOKING AT WINTER 2006 RELEASE - Passage to Zarahemla: Popular author Chris Heimerdinger is planning a feature film about contemporary characters mingling with Book of Mormon characters in a southern Utah setting. He has completed filming the opening scene of the movie on 35mm and is presently using it to promote the movie to investors; his website sells the screenplay for the full-length movie and the novel version of the story was released in LDS bookstores in Oct. '03. At present (Oct. '04) fundraising is nearing completion. Heimerdinger plans to direct the movie himself, and also compose at least some of the pop tunes for the musical soundtrack; he will also have a supporting role on screen; proposed budget: $625,000; plans are for the movie to go into production in the spring of 2005 and be released in theatres in the winter of '06.

THREE COIN PRODUCTIONS TO PRODUCE LDS MUSIC FEST DVD - December 4, 2004 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, 10 of the top LDS recording artists will join in one of the largest LDS music events ever. Three Coin Productions has been tapped to produce the DVD of the festival. The DVD will include performances from top LDS artists, such as Jericho Road, Ryan Shupe, and Julie DeAzevedo. Many of these artists have had significant contributions to recent LDS Cinema. For additional information about the DVD send an email to info@threecoinproductions.com.

Tickets and information for the event can be found at www.ldsfest.com

TABERNACLE CHOIR FILM AND INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AT WASHINGTON D.C. TEMPLE - See http://www.meridianmagazine.com/churchupdate/041018chiorfilm.html

LDS SISTERS STARRING IN UPCOMING SEASON OF TV'S "AMAZING RACE" - See http://www.sltrib.com/themix/ci_2427325

RETURNED MISSIONARY STARS ON BRAVO'S "SEARCH FOR AMERICA'S MOST GORGEOUS MALE MODEL" - See http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/19/arts/television/19heff.html

NEW GLOWING REVIEW OF "BRIGHAM CITY" FROM A NON-LDS REVIEWER WHO APPRECIATES ITS RELIGIOUS CONTENT - See http://www.badmovieplanet.com/unknownmovies/reviews/rev431.html

ELDER OSMOND IN U.K: I'M HERE TO PROMOTE MY HEAVENLY FATHER, NOT MY FATHER'S NEW CD - See http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=14775431&method=full&siteid=89488&headline=i-m-over-here-to-promote-my-heavenly-father---not-my-dad-s-new-cd-name_page.html

LABUTE SOUNDS OFF: DETAILED NEW INTERVIEW WITH LDS FILMMAKER NEIL LABUTE, INCL. RELATIONSHIP W/CHURCH, WIFE, KIDS - Well... Here is yet another interview with Bro. Neil LaBute. Do NOT read this interview if you don't want to read details of his status in the Church, his marriage, his relationship with his kids, etc. Because it's all there.

"This is an appropriate scene-setter for an interview with the bad boy of American letters. LaBute is, after all, the clean-living, church-going Mormon playwright whose dark, dangerous and often scabrously funny front-line dispatches from the tortuous depths of the male psyche have earned him...

...One reviewer accused LaBute of displaying "a failure of compassion that makes the flesh creep". Another alleged he had written the psychological equivalent of a snuff movie. And all this from a practising Mormon."

EXCERPT FROM http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/25964.html and http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/25964-print.shtml

JAMES REDFORD'S DIRECTORIAL DEBUT HITS THEATERS - James Redford is the son of Latter-day Saint scholar and documentarian Lola van Wagenen and non-LDS actor/director Robert Redford.

See http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595098247,00.html

DESNEWS REVIEW OF JAMES REDFORD'S FEATURE FILM DIRECTORIAL DEBUT "SPIN" - See http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595098257,00.html

SLTRIBUNE: 3 OUT OF 4 STARS FOR JAMES REDFORD'S "SPIN" - See http://www.sltrib.com/themix/ci_2427413

MOUNTAIN MEADOWS MASSACRE DOCU. AT HEARTLAND FILM FESTIVAL - See http://www.indystar.com/articles/7/186626-7277-062.html

DESNEWS' CHRIS HICKS EDITORIAL: CHRISTOPHER REEVE NOTED FOR LIFE, "SUPERMAN, "SOMEWHERE IN TIME" - Chris Hicks takes time to point out the now-departed non-LDS actor Christopher Reeve's most popular movie outside his "Superman" films: "Somewhere in Time," in which Reeves goes back in time to meet the Mormon-based actress he has fallen in love with. Jane Seymour's character was based entirely on real-life Mormon actress Maude Adams, one of the nation's most popular stage actresses during the first decades of the Twentieth Century.

Hicks also notes "Deathtrap," which I've seen as well, and it really is quite entertaining. Reeves and Michael Caine play a gay couple who plot to murder Reeve's wife and also plot to murder each other.

"There is one other film he'll be remembered for, however. "Somewhere in Time," a fantasy about a lovesick writer who literally wills himself into the past to woo Jane Seymour. The film was a box-office bomb, but it gained an enormous audience on video and developed a large following. Reeve and co-star Jane Seymour were both quite surprised at the film's afterlife and often commented in interviews that it was the biggest unacknowledged hit of their respective film careers. But despite the popularity of "Somewhere in Time" and the enormous success of "Superman," there seems to be little question that Reeve will be remembered for his non-show biz legacy, the tireless and inspiring work that came after his accident as a spokesman for spinal-cord research and the disabled. It's a legacy to be proud of."

EXCERPT FROM http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595098249,00.html

DESNEWS EDITORIAL: TURNING BACK THE CLOCK ON TELEVISION - See http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595098562,00.html

CLEARPLAY: LDS FILM CONTENT FILTERING COMPANY'S LEGISLATION BEFORE U.S. CONGRESS - See http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595098454,00.html

LDS FILM CONTENT-FILTERING COMPANY OFFERING CLEAN MUSIC ONLINE - Teraci, who also owns Family Flix, a DVD/VHS movie editing company that sells edited versions of popular movies, is also planning on launching another iTunes-type site, www.safemp3.com, that will allow users to download "clean" versions of popular songs.

"The site will have lyric offensive-free music available for downloading," Teraci said. "We will have thousands and thousands of songs and there won't be any language or offensiveness in it."

EXCERPT FROM http://www.macnewsworld.com/story/37390.html

Soderbergh's "Traffic" adapted for LDS audiences - See http://www.startupjournal.com/ideas/services/20020720-buckman.html

LDS OUTLAW, FILM CHARACTER BUTCH CASSIDY IN THE NEWS AGAIN - See http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13143666&BRD=2303&PAG=461&dept_id=478976&rfi=6

ROSWELL EPISODE SET IN UTAH: SOME LDS REFERENCES - Just for fun... not really news... Remember the TV series "Roswell" (which I SWEAR was significantly inspired by Mormon science fiction author Zenna Henderson's "People" stories)... Here's an entire episode set in Utah with some LDS references.

27. UTAH ROADSIDE-BILLBOARD

A billboard is illuminated: "Mormon Life: Family Values; A Family Valued." Michael stands under the billboard speaking into a cellphone and looking around for an alien key.

28. EXT. SHERIFF'S STATION

The Jetta screeches to a stop in a handicapped parking spot and Maria emerges and half walks/ half runs toward the entrance. Maria: Why can't these people ever get in trouble anywhere decent. Like Tahoe or New Orleans, or Graceland (Elvis alert ) No Utah, Mormons and mountains.

EXCERPT FROM: www.angelfire.com/super/gsroswell/spoilers.html

EPISODE OF "STARGATE-SG1" SET IN UTAH, PLUS OTHER - There's also an episode of "Stargate-SG1" that was set in Utah. There are lots of alien artifacts in Utah, you know. There were a few Utah episodes of "X-Files," not to mention an episode of Spielberg's miniseries "Taken"... I could go on. A lot of people think that aliens come to Utah because they are drawn to the spirituality of the Latter-day Saints and their emphasis on ethical living. That's true with some aliens. But many of them are simply hoping to meet Donny Osmond.

Adherents.com has a list of 299 science fiction films, novels and stories with LDS characters or references, and/or Utah settings or references: http://www.adherents.com/lit/sf_lds.html

MORE LDS REFERENCES IN THE MOVIES CATALOGUED - As always, none of our pages are to be considered a recommendation to watch the movie. Some of these movies are filled with violence and vulgar language, in case you are wondering. We catalog these occurrences for our research, but we sometimes don't even watch the whole movie ourselves. New pages:

The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996 - R) - http://www.ldsfilm.com/movies/LongKissGoodnight.html
Traffic (2000 - R) - http://www.ldsfilm.com/movies/Traffic.html
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983 - R) - http://www.ldsfilm.com/movies/MeaningOfLife.html
Donnie Brasco (1997 - R) - http://www.ldsfilm.com/movies/DonnieBrasco.html

LDS CHARACTERS NEW DIRECT-TO-VIDEO FEATURE: DANCING WITH GAIA - See http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0407713/plotsummary

PAUL GIAMATTI: LDS? - Actor Thomas Haden Church said of actor Paul Giamatti, his co-star in the newly released feature "Sideways": "Paul's engaging and he's a Mormon, which was incredibly appealing to me." See http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0442/musto.php [Yes, we know Thomas Haden Church is only joking here.]

WHILE LDS COLLEGE INVITES NON-LDS LIBERAL, A NON-LDS UNIVERSITY IN FLORIDA CANCELS LDS LIBERAL - There have been a number of articles in various newspapers about this topic, but I haven't been following it very closely because Sister Williams is not a filmmaker. But I find it interesting that now, at the very time an LDS college is inviting a controversial, liberal, non-LDS filmmaker (Michael Moore) to speak and withstanding pressure from those who disagree with him, a non-LDS university in Florida has CANCELLED the appearance of a liberal Latter-day Saint speaker. Sister Terry Tempest Williams is one of the most famous Latter-day Saint writers in the world, and has prominence and respect among U.S. and worldwide intelligentsia beyond anything that most Church members are even remotely aware of.

I also think she is a mild-mannered, reasoned, honest, non-confrontational speaker and writer. It just seems bizarre to me that Sis. Williams would stir up controversy and that there would be pressure to have her appearance cancelled. I'm sure if she was invited to at UVSC there wouldn't be any complaint at all. Partially that's because she is less prominently in the news than Michael Moore. Also, she wouldn't be met with protests because she is a Latter-day Saint (although not a completely conventional one, I realize that).

I also think Williams is harder to classify in purely partisan terms. In fact, I'm certain that when most people think of "Terry Tempest Williams," the word "liberal" is NOT one of the first things that comes to mind. It's like labeling Abraham Lincoln a "conservative Republican." Well, yes. But one thinks first of other phrases, like "freed the slaves", "civil war", "assassinated," "16th president." Sister Williams is not first and foremost a political pundit. She is a "naturalist writer", and an "environmentalist activist," but these aren't partisan issues, and Williams descriptions of Utah's wilderness doesn't fall into a Democrat or Republican camp.

Okay, most people I think would just say "Let Sister Williams speak, whatever her views. That's one of the functions of a university. If an LDS college can let Michael Moore speak, why can't a Florida university let Terry Tempest Williams speak?"

Fine. But here's the thing, even if you think that a university should NOT be inviting half-baked crackpots (not that I'm accusing anybody of being such), Sister Williams does NOT fall into that category. She isn't out stumping for any political candidate. She hasn't made a film that millions have watched. She's an author. How many of her books do you own? How many times have you seen them in the front window of a book store? Sadly, she has not one hundredth the voice that Michael Moore does. She's a talented writer, but she labors in a largely post-literate land.

Furthermore... you can check out what she wrote that is the cause of her cancellation: Pages 17 to 19 of her latest book, The Open Space of Democracy. This is a book being read by the Florida university's students as a common reader. It is not some sort of leftist political screed. I think that no matter who you are, no matter how conservative you are, if you actually read this you'll think to yourself, "She's getting cancelled for this? Why???" Most state universities don't hesitate to invite Bush-bashers to speak. But Williams isn't even that. Williams' books are available at your local library and book store. Take a look at them, read every word, and you'll be baffled that Williams has somehow been classified as a Bush-basher, too controversial to bring to university students.

MOST non-LDS state colleges, almost without exception, are relatively close-minded compared to LDS colleges (and, yes, UVSC is an LDS state college) because of their knee jerk slash-and-burn fear of conservative, spiritual and religious thought. But here's a rare and odd case of a state college somehow being more close-minded than an LDS college through bizarre, unfounded fear of a "liberal" speaker.

If all liberals in America were like Terry Tempest Williams this would be a far better country, indeed.]

See http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_2429380

SCALPED TICKETS TO FILMMAKER MICHAEL MOORE'S APPEARANCE AT LDS COLLEGE GO FOR $100+ - See http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595098735,00.html

LETTER TO EDITOR: SHOW UVSC BOTH LDS-MADE "FAHRENHYPE 9/11" AND MICHAEL MOORE'S "FAHRENHEIT 9/11" - See http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595098336,00.html

SALT LAKE CITY WEEKLY: TV/RADIO HOST SEAN HANNITY IS A FUTURE LDS APOSTLE - See http://www.slweekly.com/editorial/2004/priv_2004-10-14.cfm

DESNEWS OPED: $40,000 TOO MUCH TO PAY ANYBODY TO SPEAK AT UVSC - See http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595099306,00.html

UTAH REP. CHRIS CANNON SHOWS LDS-MADE "FAHRENHYPE 9/11" DOCUMENTARY - See http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595099307,00.html

AT UVSC: MICHAEL MOORE LIKENS HIMSELF TO LDS APOSTLE J. GOLDEN KIMBALL - "Can I say damn here?" he asked at one point. "Hey, I learned it from J. Golden Kimball."

Kimball was an LDS general authority around the turn of the century, known for his colorful language.

Although the Deseret News article about Michael Moore's visit to UVSC referred to Elder J. Golden Kimball as an "apostle," Elder Kimball was not actually an "Apostle" in the most commonly used sense of the word, i.e., a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. J. Golden Kimball was a member of the Presidency of the Quorum of the Seventy.

Excerpt from http://www.harktheherald.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=37896&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

MICHAEL MOORE PRAISES RETURNED MISSIONARIES (VOGEL, ET AL) WHO STOOD UP FOR HIM AND LET HIM SPEAK AT UVSC - See http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595099811,00.html

MOORE'S VISIT TO LDS COLLEGE MAKES HEADLINES NATIONWIDE: MOORE: "THE WHOLE COUNTRY LOVES THE MORMONS!" - Michael Moore told the audience at LDS state college UVSC "The whole country loves the Mormons!" Judging from their reaction, Mormons love Michael back.

Associated Press carried the story, which was published in newspapers around the nation.]

See http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/21/1098316763150.html?oneclick=true

MORMON-JEWISH ACTRESS ROSEANNE OPENS FOR MOORE; MINOR PROTESTS AT MICHAEL MOORE'S UVSC VISIT - See http://www.sltrib.com/ci_2428069

BRIEF NOTE FROM JOE PUENTE: THANK YOU FOR DISCUSSION; PLANNING FILM PROJECT ABOUT RATINGS SYSTEM - I would like to thank everyone who has contributed their comments in this discussion about the rating system and would be very interested to hear more of what you have to say. Particularly experiences and discussion you may have had with other members on the subject. I have decided to start a project (not sure what form it will take, as of yet) dealing with the system, how its used and how it's perceived.

Send your comments directly to me at ldsfilm@joepuente.net

Thanks again.

-Joe