Friday, September 16, 2016

The Last Descent - Movie Review

The Last Descent
16 September 2016 (USA)
Drama
1 hr 45 min
Rated: PG For disturbing content that could be traumatic or frightening for children and even some adults.

Grade: A-
Director: Isaac Halasima
Writer: Isaac Halasima
Stars: Chadwick Hopson, Alexis Johnson, Landon Henneman

In November 2009, 26 year old John Jones explored an un-mapped section of the notorious Nutty Putty Cave. After becoming stuck upside down in a hole 18 inches wide by 10 inches high, 150 feet under ground, rescue crews worked frantically and heroically to free him. This

story is inspired by not only the incident at Nutty Putty, but by the way John lived his entire life. The Last Descent is inspired by the true story of love and loss at Nutty Putty cave.

The gripping tragedy led to the cave being sealed, with Jones inside. Though it has been nearly seven years since Jones' death, his story hasn't been forgotten. The Last Descent retells his story, brought to life on the big screen. Although the end of this story is no mystery, you'll find yourself anticipating his rescue. Praying that they will find a way to save him.

The gripping tragedy led to the cave being permanently sealed, with Jones' body left inside. Though it has been nearly seven years since Jones' death, his story hasn't been forgotten.

The Last Descent retells his story, brought to life on the big screen. Although the end of this story is no mystery, you'll find yourself anticipating his rescue.e him. This film was very hard for me to sit through, it made me so claustrophobic as they entered the cave that I felt on the verge of a panic attack. I caught myself vocalizing, "I can't do this." Why did I choose to watch this movie?

I was so thankful for the flashbacks, back above ground. In the end I was glad I saw it. It's well worth the time. There is more to the heart-wrenching story than John Jones' death. The Last Descent takes us on an tense, emotional ride. It is a story about love, life, and human connection. Ultimately it reveals how clearly one can see what truly matters most when you are teetering on the edge of life and death.

When John Jones entered Nutty Putty Cave with his brother Josh, his fate was sealed. What happened next has been an topic of much discussion and controversy ever since. Each of the 127 rescuers, who responded to the call for aid, has their own take on the events.

For a few brief hours during this ordeal, rescuers were able to free Jones using a rope-pulley system. He was given an IV, food, and water. But the most touching moments came when he was able to talk to his wife over a police radio. However, the rescue equipment soon experienced a sudden failure, causing Jones to drop back into the same narrow gap.

Despite heroic efforts of rescue crews, they were not able to free Jones from the tunnel before he died.

The Story:

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, as most Utah County residents prepared for their turkey feasts, one family learned their son, husband and father who was trapped in a cave could not be rescued.
John Edward Jones, 26, had been trapped in Nutty Putty Cave for nearly 30 hours as search and rescue crews worked frantically to free him.

Rescuers were close enough to monitor his vital signs and even managed to move Jones, but could not free him from an area that was only 18 inches by 10 inches, 150 feet below the earth. His condition deteriorated, and he died early Thanksgiving morning, leaving behind a pregnant wife and young daughter.

New Movie Shares the Surprisingly Spiritual Story of LDS Dad Stuck in Nutty Putty Cave

byLDS Living Staff

When Latter-day Saint father and husband John Edward Jones descended into the Nutty Putty cave with his brothers and friends in 2009, he had no idea it was the last time he would see his family.

Back home in Utah from medical school with his wife and 2-year-old daughter, Jones's Thanksgiving break started out like many others, but it ended with him stuck in an almost unreachable crevice 150 feet underground. For 28 hours. Hanging upside down

For a few brief hours during this ordeal, rescuers were able to free Jones using a rope-pulley system. He was given an IV, food, and water. But the most touching moments came when he was able to talk to his wife over a police radio. However, the rescue equipment soon experienced a sudden failure, causing Jones to drop back into the same narrow gap.

Despite heroic efforts of rescue crews, they were not able to free Jones from the tunnel before he died.

But a new movie being released in theaters across Utah on September 16 demonstrates even though Jones didn't survive that doesn't mean that those involved in this tragedy weren't saved in a real sense that day. Based on a true story, TheLast Descent proves that the power of love and family can overcome anything—even death.

Get more details on the movie's facebook page or at LastDescent.com.
During the film, viewers are reminded that tragedies can unite people, they can bring out the best in each of us, and they give us space to turn outward, toward others and God.

After Jones' death, his family proved just that. After doing all they could to help Jones, including singing Primary songs to help him through the night, they reached out to others around them.

"We'll never fully understand how or why it was John's time to leave us. But we find comfort knowing that he fulfilled his purpose here on Earth, and that we will be reunited with him again," the family stated after his death, adding, "Thank you, and God bless all of you on this Thanksgiving Day."

Taking inspiration from this remarkable family, The Last Descent demonstrates how the bonds of love and family in this life transcend mortality.

Behind the scenes with director Isacc Halasima

Born in Provo, Utah. Isaac known mainly for his music videos "Demons" and "Gold" (Demons was nominated for the 2014 MTV/VMA for Rock Video of the Year), he continues to travel around the world working with different bands. He was one of the directors of the Music Documentary series Audio-Files. Isaac is also an award winning editor in documentaries and film, who gives credit to his 20+ years of dance, both

competitively and professionally, for his unique style and pacing in his editing and directing. He still teaches dance in Orem Utah when he gets free time.