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By Mormon News Film Editor
Film: Feature Films by LDS/Mormon Filmmakers and Actors
DALLAS, TEXAS -- The big news in film this week was once again "Harry
Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", in 1st place at the box office in
its second week of release. The opening weekend for "Harry Potter"
set a new box office record, breaking the old single-weekend box
office record previously held by LDS producer Jerry Molen's "Lost
World: The Jurassic Park."
The relatively low-budget "Out Cold," with Canadian-born LDS actress
A. J. Cook as female lead, opened in sixth place nationwide. Cook,
who now lives in Utah, is actively seeking a more serious, dramatic
role for her next film.
Also notable in the Top 10 this weekend was Pixar's "Monsters, Inc"
in 2nd place and Mark Andrus' "Life as a House" in 9th place
nationwide.
The big news in the next weekend report is "Behind Enemy Lines."
Co-written by Mormon writer David Veloz, the early reports show that
this war pic set in the former Yugoslavia opened in 2nd place, behind
Harry Potter. In addition to Veloz as writer, it's worth noting that
this film was inspired by the real-life experiences of Utah pilot
Scott O'Grady, who was shot down in Bosnia.
December 7th brings "Oceans Eleven," with no major LDS filmmakers or
actors, but with two major Mormon characters (played by Scott Caan
and Casey Affleck). And December 14th is, of course, when the
long-awaited John H. Groberg/Mitch Davis/Jerry Molen film "The Other
Side of Heaven" premieres.
New on DVD this week: The acclaimed Criterion Collection version of
Alfred Hitchcock's "Notorious" (1946). Starring with Cary Grant and
Ingrid Bergman is Mormon film star Moroni Olsen, playing Walter
Beardsley. Along with "The Long, Long Trailer" (1954) and "Father of
the Bride" (1950), Hitchcock's "Notorious" is one of Olsen's best
remembered films.
Also arriving in stores this week is a new video release of "Snow
White and the Seven Dwarfs," whose Magic Mirror was voiced by none
other than Moroni Olsen. But LDS film fans remember "Snow White" best
for its Academy Award-nominated musical score by Utah native Leigh
Harline. The recipient of 2 Academy Awards (for "Pinocchio") and a
total of 8 nominations, Harline is considered one of the greatest
composers in Mormon history.
Weekend Box Office Report (U.S. Domestic Box Office Gross)
Weekend of November 23, 2001
Natl
Rank | Film Title
LDS/Mormon Filmmaker(s) or Actor(s) | Weekend Gross
Total Gross | Screens | Days |
| 6 | Out Cold (NEW)
A. J. Cook (2nd billed star) | $4,531,665
6,700,687 | 2,011 | 5 |
| 22 | Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure
Scott Swofford (producer)
Reed Smoot (cinematographer) | 238,790
5,405,381 | 18 | 290 |
| 28 | Mulholland Drive
Joyce Eliason (producer/writer) | 176,695
4,980,763 | 95 | 49 |
| 43 | Joy Ride
Paul Walker (2nd billed star) | 60,847
21,760,992 | 122 | 52 |
| 47 | China: The Panda Adventure
Reed Smoot (cinematographer) | 39,991
1,523,396 | 21 | 122 |
| 58 | Galapagos
Reed Smoot (cinematographer) | 24,049
11,882,077 | 10 | 759 |
| 68 | Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man
Reed Smoot (cinematographer) | 16,271
12,876,333 | 9 | 570 |
| 73 | All Access
Reed Smoot (cinematographer) | 11,772
947,789 | 4 | 234 |
| 78 | Island of the Sharks
Alan Williams (composer) | 9,206
10,514,823 | 6 | 941 |
See also:
More about Alfred Hitchcock's "Notorious" - Criterion Collection (1946) at Amazon.com
More about Walt Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937) at Amazon.com
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