Trina Boice

Fun

Latter-day Saint Movie Review: What Families Need To Know Before Seeing the Movie "Finding Grace"

By Trina Boice

April 30, 2020 10:13 PM MDT

Editor's note: Latter-day Saint Movie Reviews are intended as a helpful service for those who want to know about upcoming movies. However, the views expressed in reviews reflect the thoughts and the opinions of the contributor and do not represent an LDS Living endorsement of the film. Parents should still use discretion based on their own family’s decisions about what is or is not appropriate for their children to see.

4 Min Read

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Latter-day Saint Movie Review: What Families Need to Know Before Seeing the Movie: "Trolls World Tour"

By Trina Boice

April 03, 2020 05:55 PM MDT

3 Min Read

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Latter-day Saint Movie Review: What Families Need to Know Before Seeing "The Call of the Wild," "Emma," and "First Lady"

By Trina Boice

February 21, 2020 12:02 PM MST

The Call of the WildWHAT’S IT ABOUT?

10 Min Read

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Latter-day Saint Movie Review: What Families Need to Know Before Seeing “Sonic the Hedgehog”

By Trina Boice

February 14, 2020 12:45 PM MST

What’s it about?

4 Min Read

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Latter-day Saint Movie Review: What Families Need To Know Before Seeing "Little Women"

By Trina Boice

January 02, 2020 03:50 PM MST

What's it about?

6 Min Read

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Latter-day Saint Movie Review: What Families Need to Know Before Seeing "Frozen 2"

By Trina Boice

November 26, 2019 03:10 PM MST

This sequel to the hugely popular Frozen (2013) has been highly anticipated by squealing fans—and me. When the first trailer was released, it had 116,400,000 views within the first 24 hours, making it the most viewed animated trailer of all time.

4 Min Read

Fun

Latter-day Saint Movie Review: What Families Need to Know Before Seeing "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood"

By Trina Boice

November 25, 2019 04:49 PM MST

Directed by Marielle Heller, this dramatic and touching film is inspired by the life of Fred Rogers and his friendship with journalist Tom Junod. Before seeing the movie, I thought it was going to be a biopic, but it’s not at all. Mr. Rogers wouldn’t have wanted a movie to be about him anyway. It’s actually based on an award-winning article in Esquire magazine in 1998 entitled “Can You Say . . . Hero?”

3 Min Read

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Latter-day Saint Movie Review: What Families Need to Know Before Seeing "JoJo Rabbit"

By Trina Boice

October 25, 2019 12:01 PM MDT

Disclaimer: The following trailer contains profanity.

4 Min Read

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Latter-day Saint Movie Review: What Families Need to Know Before Seeing "The Addams Family"

By Trina Boice

October 24, 2019 01:31 PM MDT

Children will be introduced to the macabre Addams family in this dark animated version. If you watched the popular 1960s TV show of the same name, you might get a kick out of The Addams Family. I never liked the TV show or previous movies, so I wasn’t very excited about a children’s version hitting theaters. The timing for this creepy cartoon, directed by Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon, is perfect for Halloween, but it may not be the perfect fit for your family. Hotel Transylvania is funnier and less dark for young kids.

3 Min Read

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Latter-day Saint Movie Review: What Families Need to Know Before Seeing "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil"

By Trina Boice

October 22, 2019 03:33 PM MDT

Once upon a time, or twice upon a time in this case. Maleficent: Mistress of Evil brings back the magic and fantasy that Disney built its foundation upon. The visual effects and fantastical creatures are outstanding, and this film is absolutely gorgeous to look at. There is something here for almost everyone: magical worlds, beautiful landscapes, creative creatures, impressive set designs, exciting battle scenes, regal costumes, romance with a Romeo and Juliet vibe, comedy, good vs. evil.

3 Min Read

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Latter-day Saint Movie Review: What Families Need to Know Before Seeing "Gemini Man"

By Trina Boice

October 10, 2019 04:05 PM MDT

This movie spent a very long time in production—20 years! Disney was going to produce it years ago but computer effects at the time weren’t quite up to the task. The technical innovations were worth the wait, but the story could have used some more time to work out. As the name Gemini Man suggests, an assassin is cloned.

2 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Latter-day Saint Movie Review: What Families Need to Know Before Seeing "Abominable"

By Trina Boice

October 08, 2019 07:47 PM MDT

DreamWorks presents a beautiful and sweet animated film that features a magical yeti who takes some new human friends on a journey to his home on Mount Everest. Originally, the movie was going to be called Everest. The abominable yeti looks like a mix between a fluffy, giant dog and a huggable bear. He hums to music, conveniently understands English, and has a few magical powers. In case you’re wondering if the yeti is a boy or a girl, the protagonist asked the same question. When the creature belched loudly, she said, “You’re definitely a boy.” He’s definitely cute enough that kids will want one to snuggle with, so merchandising looks pretty promising already.

2 Min Read

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Latter-day Movie Review of "Dora," "Racing in the Rain," "Peanut Butter Falcon"

By Trina Boice

August 13, 2019 06:42 PM MDT

A loveable dog and Milo Ventimiglia—now THAT'S a winning formula for a tearjerker movie, right? If you’re a fan of This Is Us, you’ve probably been anticipating this movie and are prepared to go to the theater with tissues to wipe your inevitable tears. Good plan.

9 Min Read

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Latter-day Saint Movie Review: What Families Need to Know Before Seeing "Angry Birds 2"

By Trina Boice

August 12, 2019 01:18 PM MDT

Does anyone play the Angry Birds Classic app game anymore? Sony Pictures is hoping so. They raked in $350 million in 2016 for the first The Angry Birds and would love a repeat for their sequel. Did you like the first one? If yes, then you might get a kick out of this one. If not, then skip it. Do you even remember anything about the first movie? Nope, neither do I. Audiences are mostly wondering why this movie exists. This sequel seems like an obvious cash grab and a desperate attempt to revive the app.

2 Min Read

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Latter-day Movie Review: What Families Need to Know Before Seeing "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw"

By Trina Boice

August 05, 2019 01:26 PM MDT

Disclaimer: The following trailer contains many violent scenes.

2 Min Read

Fun

Latter-day Saint Movie Review: Does "The Lion King" Live Up to the Classic?

By Trina Boice

July 23, 2019 12:37 PM MDT

It’s been 5 minutes, so that means it’s time for another Disney remake! If you’re like me, you’ve probably seen the 1994 original movie The Lion King at least a dozen times, right? My kids grew up watching it over and over. The story, in a nutshell, is that a lion prince is deceived by his evil uncle and exiled from the kingdom until he grows up and accepts his rightful place as king after his father is killed. Did that synopsis give too much away? Luckily for Disney, nostalgia sells.

4 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Latter-day Saint Movie Review of "The Other Side of Heaven 2"

By Trina Boice

July 08, 2019 07:39 PM MDT

Brought to you by BYU TV and Kolipoki Pictures, this Two Roads film is based on a true story and the missionary efforts of Elder John H. Groberg. If you saw the first movie, The Other Side of Heaven, you will remember the sweet spirit of the storytelling and the heart of the beautiful Tongan people. This sequel takes place 10 years after the original movie and is a heartwarming reunion with more inspiration and miracles. You don’t need to have seen the first movie, but it certainly helps in order to appreciate the history and significance of some of the relationships. Be sure to check out the Movie Review Mom YouTube channel for an interview with director Mitch Davis later this week!

5 Min Read

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Latter-day Saint Movie Review: What Families Should Know Before Seeing "Spider-Man: Far From Home"

By Trina Boice

June 27, 2019 05:43 PM MDT

F.O.S (Friends of Spider-Man) Unite! Welcome to the post-Avengers Endgame world. After the last two very dramatic Avengers movies, Spider-Man saves the day by giving us an easy, breezy, light, and fun summer popcorn movie. Spider-Man: Far From Home is the final movie in the third phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the sequel to the 2017 Spider-Man: Homecoming. You really need to have seen Spider-Man: Homecoming and the last two Avengers movies to truly understand the depth of what’s happening with some of the characters and the timeline. You especially need to be familiar with Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame because there is talk of the “blip” and what happened after “the snap.”

4 Min Read

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Latter-day Saint Movie Review: Does "Toy Story 4" Live Up to the Original?

By Trina Boice

June 24, 2019 02:02 PM MDT

Our favorite toys are back together again in Toy Story 4, 24 years after the original Toy Story hit theaters to instant, raving fans. How does this franchise consistently pump out one fantastic film after another? Disney and Pixar’s magical formula has done it again. Former Chief Creator Director of Disney John Lasseter has always said that Pixar wouldn’t make another Toy Story movie unless it was as good or better than previous versions. Mission accomplished. To infinity and beyond!

5 Min Read

Fun

Latter-day Saint Movie Review: Does "Aladdin" Live Up to the Hype or the Original?

By Trina Boice

May 24, 2019 12:40 PM MDT

It’s been about five minutes, so what does that mean? Time for another Disney live-action remake! (Wink.) This version of the 1992 animated musical Aladdin was directed by Guy Ritchie, who wanted to make a children’s film for his five kids. He admits he’s always been compelled by stories about street hustlers. Aladdin is a common thief who accidentally meets a princess and falls in love with her. He also meets a genie who magically allows him to appear as a prince to sweep the princess off her feet onto a flying carpet and show her the world. The evil Jafar grabs power and gets in the way of their happiness together. What’s a street rat to do?

3 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Movie Review: What Parents Should Know About "Captain Marvel" Before Seeing It with Family

By Trina Boice

March 21, 2019 01:45 PM MDT

For daily reviews and videos from a Latter-day Saint perspective, follow our critics on Facebook and Twitter. For film guaranteed to meet your standards, order a copy of 250 Great Movies for Latter-day Families.

3 Min Read

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4 Latter-day Saint Movie Reviews: What Parents Should Know About "Run the Race," "Fighting with My Family," "The Lego Movie 2," and "Alita"

By Trina Boice

March 08, 2019 06:10 PM MST

For daily faith-friendly movie reviews, follow us on Facebook and Twitter! For sure-fire picks that meet your standards, pick up 250 Great Movies for Latter-day Families.

12 Min Read

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Latter-day Saint Movie Review: What Parents Should Know About "The Upside" Before Seeing It with Family

By Trina Boice

January 25, 2019 04:15 PM MST

Jesus-Loving Movie Buffs search for gospel principles in Hollywood movies. They were founded by Jonathan Decker, author of 250 Great Movies for Latter-day Families. For daily reviews “like” us on Facebook!

2 Min Read

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CTR Movies Review: What Parents Should Know About "Mary Poppins Returns" Before Seeing It with Their Families

By Trina Boice

December 20, 2018 08:20 PM MST

CTR Movies reviews Hollywood films from a Latter-day Saint perspective. It was founded by Jonathan Decker, author of 250 Great Movies for Latter-day Families. For more join our Facebook group and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

4 Min Read