bkoganbing
It was one big old culture shock for Mark DeCarlo and his family in Mobsters and Mormons. The cheerful hit-man who has run afoul of his former associates is now in witness protection. But what a place they've relocated him to. A small town in Utah where 98% of the populace is of the LDS church. The man just can't relate to those folks although at least one neighboring family headed by Scott Christopher does their best to make him feel at home.These folks operate on a whole set of different values than DeCarlo's been brought up to believe. And poor DeCarlo can't get a decent pizza and his craving for real coffee nearly gets him and his family killed.It's an interesting idea for a comedy, but sadly lacking verisimilitude. Witness protection has had almost as many failures as successes. The most notable example of that was Sammy 'the Bull' Gravano who while in witness protection got involved in a few local rackets of his own creation. Those folks don't think like most of us relatively normal gentiles let alone those of the LDS faith. It's a gulf of the minds I think is almost impossible to cross.Still Mobsters And Mormons has a few good moments, my favorite is DeCarlo giving some young kids the gangland New Jersey version of the Three Little Pigs. I wish the film had more moments like those.
lschase1
Mark DeCarlo was excellent as Carmine "The Beans" Pasquale. My whole family loved this humorous movie, from my 9 year old on up. We laughed throughout the whole film. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone in need of a good laugh. The rest of the cast was delightful. Jeanette Puhich, in her role as Mrs. Pasquale , reminded me of "Guys and Dolls". She and Mark did an excellent job of poking fun of at the stereotype of the mob. It's also good to see that the Latter Day Saint population can also poke fun at themselves. Speaking as a member of the church, this movie probably appeals more to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints because we can see how silly we are sometimes. There was a similar movie made earlier with Steve Martin as a mobster in the witness protection program. I love Steve Martin, but Mobsters and Mormons did a much better job. This movie was great!
movies-510
I think the mark of a good film is it's ability to create strong emotion one way or the other. Clearly this film does that. I think from several perspectives. First off, it's clear to see who the pro-LDS people and the anti-LDS people are, then there are the uptight LDS people and the not so uptight LDS people. This film sends a strong message about communities and people doing what's right by others. It's packaged brilliantly within a clever story line and bright comedy. This is an LDS film for everybody. And I think those who are upset by it are probably the ones who need to hear the message about judgmental Mormons the most!
pwrightken
Solid acting, a creative story line, and sharp comedy move this latest addition to the LDS film genre right along. Lead actor DeCarlo couldn't have done a better job as an obnoxious, yet fun to like mafia soldier. Hale Storm Entertainment has had mostly hits for members of the LDS faith, but this film soars passed their previous efforts and delivers a film that appeals to one and all and does not limit itself to members of the LDS church. That is what is so wonderful about this particular installment. The story is about the outside folks, looking in on a very peculiar community. It's a message about getting along and living together as neighborhood and community, not a dogma based preachy film.
AD
