Due to my faith, which would be the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, me and my family and friends have knowledge of one of the bigger branches of American independent filmmaking: Mollywood. Yes, Mollywood, that small little frontier of film production by the Mormon community. No matter you're opinion, these are not just tolerable but actually great films made by dedicated LDS filmmmakers. And these are the cream of the Utah crop...
The Best Two Years (2003)
I'm putting the best on first, which I know you're supposed to do last but I just want to get it out of the way. This is probably the "Citizen Kane" of Mor-vies. While other films are either all comedy or all drama, this has even doses of both, making for a very satisfying and realistic movie. Filmed on location in the Netherlands, the tale follows two pairs of Mormon missionaries as one of them, Elder Rogers, deals with his lack of faith and a new "greenie" mission-mate Elder Calhoun. Highly recommended, especially if you find missionaries annoying.
Baptists at our Barbecue (2004)
Think "Deliverance", without all the perverted stuff. That's the kind of small town our main character, Clark Bender, finds himself in after getting a transfer in order to escape Provo. It's also where he tries to end a nasty feud between the equally-large Mormon and Baptist communities, all while trying to get close to a beautiful blonde girl named Charity. Has some laugh-out-loud moments, and provides a nice and quirky look at religion that you can't get anywhere else.
The R.M. (2004)
Undoubtedly one of the best Mo-comedies ever, The R.M. has the ability to always be funny, no matter how many times you watch it. Missionary Jared Phelps finds a completely different world from the one he remembers when he returns home from Wyoming. When one thing after the other goes horribly wrong, Jared wonders why serving the Lord for two whole years has gotten him into this mess, and how he will ever get back up. Weird Mormons at their best.
One Good Man (2009)
"Minimalist masterpiece" might sound a bit much, but that's the kind of filmmaking being done here to give a modern-day fable about a LDS dad trying to stay strong during a tough time a good , charming atmosphere. This movie also proves that you don't need to be gross or mean-spirited to make a great family drama (ahem, "American Beauty").
The Singles Ward/The Singles 2nd Ward (2002/2007)
Both these films have a great and funny look at Mormon dating and marriage, but I enjoyed "The 2nd Ward" better. Fluffy, romantic, and not without soul, and if you like those things, this is good stuff.
The Home Teachers (2004)
Despite being a box office and critical bomb, this is still a pretty funny Mormon version of "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles", with a good message at the end just like the latter film. Greg Blazer and Nelson Parker are two very different peas in a pod: Greg doesn't take his religion seriously, and Nelson takes it too seriously. Fortunately, the two both learn valuable lessons when they partner up for a disastrous and hilarious afternoon of Home Teaching. Still a good film.
Sons of Provo (2004)
One of the funniest of the funny, this is one comedy every Mormon has to see, and that has enough slapstick and boy-band mockery to appeal somewhat to non-members. A "This Is Spinal Tap"-style mockumentary, the movie follows the gut-busting misadventures of the boy-band Everclean as they try to survive the Utah pop-music scene (or lack thereof). Songs are both funny and unintentionally funky.
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