Blog Tour: Passage to Zarhemla, the movie

Blurb from the Passage to Zarahemla website:

Orphans on the run — Kerra McConnell (Summer Naomi Smart) and her younger brother, Brock (Brian Kary) — embark upon an extraordinary time travel adventure between their modern world and ancient America. Aided by relatives that she hasn’t seen since she was five, Kerra learns of a secret passageway to a tropical world in 19 A.D. Intensified by an earthquake, this time vortex threatens to draw all modern characters into a massive battle between a tribe called the Nephites and ancient sorcerers known as the robbers of Gadianton. Their only hope may reside with an alert, intense young Nephite warrior named Kiddoni (Moronai Kanekoa), who understands what it takes to forestall certain destruction, and keep it from descending upon Kerra’s family, and their small western town of Leeds, Utah.


And the trailer . . . (just in case, here's the link to the trailer)




QOTC Thoughts on Passage to Zarahemla, the movie:

I haven't read this book. In fact, I haven't read any of Chris Heimerdinger's books. But now I'm going to have to because . . . this movie was INCREDIBLE!

The storyline was fantastic. I was very impressed with the quality of the acting. Everyone - from the good guys to the bad guys - were incredible in their roles. After you watch the movie, I highly recommend watching the Making Of Documentary. You learn a lot about the actors and actresses, Chris Heimerdinger, the film crew, and special effects. It's fascinating stuff. After watching the movie, I wasn't surprised to find out all the key players (Summer Naomi Smart as Kerra & Moronai Kanekoa as Kiddoni, as well as others) were well seasoned in the acting world.

The special effects were very cool. My kids kept oohing and aahing every time there was a portal to Zarahemla.

The bonus features were fascinating. As soon as I finished the movie, I watched the deleted scenes. The Family Home Evening scene is super funny - but totally cheesy. I'm glad they cut it out. I loved watching the documentary (as I said above). Some of the totally cool bonus features included with the DVD - there's an iPod version of the movie AND three original MP3 songs downloadable for your iPod!!! Is that not totally awesome or what? I'm so excited for my hubby to come home and download it all onto my iPod!

I loved the movie soundtrack. I very rarely purchase soundtracks, but this one is a must have! I love the beat and rhythm, the enchanting lyrics.

I'm not making any of this up people. It's seriously good stuff!

One of the really cool features on the DVD, is the option to watch a "less intense" version of the movie. If you have young children, I highly recommend using it. When I sat down to watch Passage to Zarahemla, I had my 8, 7, & 3 year olds with me. My thought was, "It's an LDS movie. How intense could it get?" Don't make the same mistake I did! There are two or three scenes with guns that I had to pause the movie and send the kiddos upstairs until the scene was over. It was just a little too intense and realistic for their young eyes. But I love knowing that the next time we sit down to watch it, there's a family friendly version we can all enjoy - no more pausing!

Passage to Zarahemla is not at all like the other low-budget LDS films on the market. You can tell that high-quality professionals put a lot of time and effort into the production of this movie. And it totally paid off. I will definitely be purchasing any future movies made by Heimerdinger Entertainment.

QOTC Rating: Five Shiny Stars!

Would you like to comment?

Three Coin Productions said...

Danyelle,

Great review of "Passage" DVD. Glad to see the hard work is well received.

Keep supporting LDS Cinema!

-Three Coin Productions

Danyelle Ferguson said...

TCP - Thank you. I'm so happy to see such a great video out.

ali cross said...

Wow. Thanks Danyelle!

I had no plan to see this movie, but your review has changed my mind. I thought the whole thing would be cheesy and not very well put together because I wasn't too impressed with the trailer.

While I'm LDS, I don't see a lot of LDS movies. Mostly because the topics don't interest me, but this sort of 'fantasy' type movie was right up my alley. BUT the trailer seemed of poor quality and I questioned the things they chose to show in it. So ... I chose not to go.

My boys would love to see an exciting movie though and I would love to see something with them that was good in more ways than one.

So, thanks again Danyelle!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this wonderful review, Danyelle. So much hard work, time, sweat, creativity, and talent expended by so many people. And it's always heartwarming when someone notices. :)

Chris Heimerdinger

Danyelle Ferguson said...

Ali

Your boys would love this movie! And knowing how much you like fantasy, I really do think this movie right up your alley. :)

Danyelle Ferguson said...

Chris

Thanks for stopping by! I'm looking forward to reading your books. :) And thanks again for such a fun movie.

Anonymous said...

Dear blogger,
Thank you for your positive review of Passage to Zarahemla. You have been wonderful! I just wanted to let you know that there is a Passage to Zarahemla widget, and we would love for you to host it on your blog if you are interested. The widget contains the trailer, the making of the movie (great behind the scenes info), a link to the blog, a little about the movie, music that is downloadable, and a buy now option. A widget is a portable web application that you can very easily install on your blog. Do you think you would be interested in having this widget on your blog? Let me know and I will send you the link so that you can easily embed it. Thanks again for your review and hope to hear from you soon. (Please email me your response)

Cheers!
Alayna Ferrin
Public Relations
Cobalt Communications Group

E. alaynaf@cobaltcg.com

Web: http://www.Cobaltcg.com
Blog: http://www.CobaltSocialMedia.com