Great Date Ideas: LDS Movie Night

Posted on 1 December 2009

Anyone who knows me knows that I am huge movie lover. And, while I don’t advocate movie night as an every date habit (it’s hard to get to know someone very well if all you do is watch movies), there is nothing wrong with taking the time to time enjoy a good movie or two. In keeping with the theme ideas generated from 101 Creative Dates For LDS Singles, I thought that I would put in a plug for a genre of film for which I have a strange affinity: LDS Films. Quite a few movies have been made in recent years highlighting the joys, trials, and oddities of being LDS. Singles have been an especially popular topic for LDS filmmakers (I think we are easier to poke fun at). So, grab a favorite someone, your favorite candy, get some soda (make mine a rootbeer!), and pop some popcorn and spend the night getting acquainted with Mormon Pop Culture and the interpretation thereof! Here’s a list of possible suspects:

The Singles Ward
This affable and heartwarming romantic comedy follows Mormon comedian Jonathan Jordan who, after a painful divorce, returns in a depressed and withdrawn state to his local community. Jonathan is determined not to be cheered up, and avoids all organized singles activities as best he can–until he meets the beautiful and sweet activities director, Cammie. The movie ultimately embraces Mormon values while poking gentle fun at its charming characters. This is the original LDS Singles romantic comedy.
Buy It Now from Amazon.com

Singles 2nd Ward
We all remember the gang from “The Singles Ward” – Jonathan, Cammie, DeVerl, Hyrum, Eldon, Dallen? Well, some years have gone by and Dallen is the only one who isn’t married. It’s the morning of Zak’s wedding and everyone has gathered at the temple for the big day. Before he can go in, he sees his bride come running out of the temple for all she’s worth, throwing an “I’m sorry” over her shoulder. He promptly goes into a blue funk and takes up his video games again, determined to never leave his chair again. Dallen in the meantime is feeling lonely. Most of the guys are married and have a bunch of children, but he’s all alone. He teaches a Mormon Mythology class at BYU, and a beautiful red-head named Christine has just moved in and wants to take his class. He asks her out, they start dating, and become engaged. The only difficulty-she wants a temple marriage and neither of her parents are members. They can’t understand why they can’t see their own daughter get married, and it causes a huge rift in the family.
Buy It now from Amazon.com OR Rent It from Blockbuster.com

Beauty and The Beast: A Latter-Day Tale
Eric Landry is a cold-hearted man that people have nicknamed “the Beast.” Years of anger and bitterness have consumed him, turning him into a selfish man. But, Belle Watson is the exact opposite. She’s caring and kind. She works hard to help her family, often sacrificing her own wants and desires to satisfy the needs of others. When her father accidentally breaks a valuable work of art at the Landry mansion, Belle is thrust into the life of Eric Landry. And she’s determined to not only prove her worth, but discover what it is that has caused Eric’s sour disposition. The process is a journey of self discovery for her and Eric.
Buy It now from Amazon.com OR Rent It from Blockbuster.com

Jack Weyland’s Charly
Sam Roberts thinks he has all the answers: the purpose of life, the meaning of love, the plan for a perfect future. Until Charly walks into his life. As different as Salt Lake City and New York City, Sam and Charly are thrown together by circumstance and repelled by differences. He’s scheduled and idealistic. She’s spontaneous and cynical. He’s guarded and practical. She’s open and mischevious. He’s a Mormon. She isn’t. Differences spark interest, though, as Charly finds depth in Sam’s idealism and Sam seeks the vibrance of Charly’s joie de vivre. But all is not smooth in the Rockies, as their relationship accelerates – cultural differences, family issues, former loves and life-altering challenges threaten to shake things up.
Buy It now from Amazon.com OR Rent It from Blockbuster.com

Baptists at our Barbecue
Frustrated by his mother’s attempts to set him up with all the “nice” girls she knows, Tartan, a 29-year old single Mormon, decides to leave Utah for the very first time. He accepts a forest services position in Longwinded, a small town (pop. 558) located somewhere deep in the Southwestern mountains. Upon arriving, Tartan is accosted by the county sheriff regarding his religious affiliation, which he soon learns is the determining factor of his social circle. Longwinded is a town made up of 262 Mormons and 262 Baptists — both groups completely biased against the other — and Tartan is the tiebreaker. Tartan is determined to find a solution to end the hostility between the two groups — especially since Charity, the beautiful visiting niece of a Longwinded resident, is less than eager to make her stay in such a religiously-prejudiced town permanent.
Buy It now from Amazon.com

Pride and Prejudice
Elizabeth Bennet is a hard-working, intelligent college student who won’t even think about marriage until she graduates. But when she meets Jack Wickham, a good-looking playboy, and Darcy, a sensible businessman, Elizabeth’s determination is put to the test. Will she see through their exteriors and discover their true intentions? Based on Jane Austen’s timeless tale Pride and Prejudice.
Buy It now from Amazon.com OR Rent It from Blockbuster.com