Movies Bayou

Fight Club

2010-01-13T10:48:00.002-06:00

My Angle: After years of being told, "you should watch this", "this movie is about the current generation". etc. I finally caved in. It's a mixed bag.

Spiritual Issues: This movie tries to grapple with the sense of hopelessness in our postmodern society. It captures, in many ways the, in many ways the premise behind the book "Generation me: Why Today's Young Americans are More Donfident, Assertive, Entitled - and More Miserable Than Ever." (one of the several sources of recommendations to watch this movie). So yes there are spiritual issues in the movie - unfortunately the movie itself becomes a spiritual issue.

Kid Friendly: No. This movie may not be adult friendly. Although it glorifies none of them it is full of violence, sexuality, and disturbing images. It's fatalism is in many ways unhealthy. At the same time it provides serious food for thought. Why is our socieity so disfunctional? Do we live dual lives? Are we willing to turn to incredibly destructive behaviors because of our sense of Ennui?

Rating: a very conditional 3 out of 5 stars. Just so much garbage with the message - even though the garbage is part of the message - I can't give it a higher ranking.

UP

2009-12-22T15:21:00.002-06:00

My Angle:

I love kids movies - this is one of the best to come out in years.

Spiritual Issues:

The most conservative view of love and marriage to come out in a long time. This movie deals with the destruction wrought by our new views of marriage while not condemning those who go through it.

Kid Friendly:

The movie isn't perfect. The Frist 5 minutes takes you through the love story of the main character and his wife through her death and his mourning (yes in about 5 minutes - its beautiful). That may seem a little intense for younger children but I've had some interesting conversations with all three of my little ones about, life, love, marriage, and death.

There are some action sequences and some scary parts but in large they are kept so silly that even my sensitive child could bear it and enjoy the movie.

Not often I rate this high:
4 to 5 out of 5 stars.

Battlestar Galactica (2003)

2009-12-22T15:18:00.002-06:00

Ok this isn't a movie -but is important to review because of its appeal to some.

Spiritual Issues:

Yes and they are profound and serious. This is the most popular anti-Christian TV show ever. And this is important it is not merely atheistic but rather it is anti-montheism. It is actually pushing neo-paganism.

Child Friendly:

No. Violent, hypersexualized, and although using the word "Frak" is not specifically bad language since that one word covers all of our four letter words - is it really any different - again no.

My Angle:

I remember likeing the 1980's version of this series. I had for years meant to watch the remake but have not had time nor the cable channels necessary until recently. I was surprised to find the new show so anti-Christian with the bad guys (Cylons) being the monotheistic tyrants and the human beings being polytheistic - blending mostly Greek, and Roman mythology together. I went back and watched a few of the old series (1970's and 1980's) and realized they were very "new Agey" and that these mixed the mythology of several pagan religions together with a heavy dose of Egyptology in there. In a manner it is interesting viewing only in that it shows an extreme worldview that is helpful to analyze and study for refutation. Hardly something you would want to expose your children (of any age) to.

Recommendation:
Don't watch unless you want to learn about those who hate monotheism.

The Family That Preys

2009-10-07T11:40:00.004-05:00

The best of the Tyler Perry movies (so far)

My Angle: Shows a clear message that wealth does not lead to happiness. Honest portrayal of the "deals" we make in life that turn on us.

Kid Friendly: No - none of the Perry movies are kid friendly.

Spirituality: Like most Tyler Perry productions spirituality is highly on display. Unfortunately this is not the Bible's Christianity but something a little closer to self help or Oprah's new age gospel.

The closing line of the movie is the most dissapointing. I was so excited by the movie up to this point (well with the exception of the total abuse of the sacrament of Baptism). The main character relates how she spent her life serving others but now it was time for her to take care of herself....

Self sacrifice has taken a toll on the main character but the end result has been her becoming a millionaire. Now all that wealth and all her spare time will go into self fulfilment. This is not the good news.

Rather Jesus says: No greater love is there than this, that a man lay down his life for another....

Tyler Perry

2009-10-07T11:33:00.005-05:00

Tyler Perry is not a movie but a producer of movies.

I just want to make a general comment as I am about to review 3 of his movies. Madea's Family Reunion, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, The Family that Preys.

Tyler Perry, I think, would admit that his movies are both realism, and caricature.

Caricature because many of the characters are played "over the top" but based upon real life people that we all know (e.g. Madea may resemble many of our relatives but she's way beyond any of them). Realism is present because the movies often deal with the dark sides of families, harsh realities of life, and practical wisdom that real people share.

Tyler Perry would also, I think, admit that he is intentionally planting one or a few good Christians in the mix of each movie to show that among these desperate lives there are people who live grace filled lives.

My continuing disappointment after 3 movies that each of the "christian" characters end up giving advice at the end of the movie that contradicts the final message of the Gospel. Clearly displayed in each movie is that God makes demands upon us and if we obey we are rewarded but then the ending message repeatedly seems to be - do what is best for you which is not the Gospel at all.

I recommend the movies for adults, who want to grapple with the issues of real life but I caution them that the truth is in the Bible not in movies.

Saving God

2009-10-07T11:08:00.003-05:00

My Angle - Movie about a Pastor trying to revive an old church. Sounds familiar to me.

Kid Friendly - no this is an adult movie with spiritual content.

Spiritual issues - very much present. This movie includes some powerful scenes of redemption. The author/director has some clear issues with the established church many of which are valid. Some of the actions of the Pastor in the movie are flat out dangerous, stuborn, and desperate. However the idea that Christians are supposed to take the command to lay down their lives for others seriously is a well deserved critique.

3 out of 5 stars

Content is great but the movie has some flaws. Ving Rhames plays the role well - perfect casting.

Marley and Me

2009-05-12T11:29:00.003-05:00

My Angle: I love dogs - nuff said.

Kid Friendly: Not really - several trusted sites had this listed as a good "family movie". I can't figure out how they thought so. The couple is skinny dipping once, trying to have sex often, and dealing with very adult subjects. Teens not kids.

Spiritual Issues: This movie (although not religious) is very pro life, and amazingly pro marriage. The Main characters grapple with tremendous issues but refuse to back away from the value of life and marriage. A refreshing poduction.

I liked this movie. I cried my eyes out but I liked it.

Bill Crawford

The Wrestler

2009-05-12T11:28:00.002-05:00

No, no, no

Why did this movie get awards? Was it the graphic nudity or the incredibly, painfully, slow plotline? not sure.

I actually turned this movie off and went to bed. What was I thinking?

Bill Crawford

City of Ember

2009-02-10T11:48:00.003-06:00

My Angle: This movie was recommended by a member of my church.

Kid Friendly: Sort of (over 10). But how soon do we want to introduce the idea of the "end of the world" to children? The movie is incredibly clean. My wife and I enjoyed it.

Spiritual Issues: They are legion. The movie has a humanist bent to it. There seems to be the view that neither Goverment nor Religion can solve your problems - you have to solve them. However, the idea of being trapped in a death cycle that only an outside source can provide a way out from - sounds like a parable about faith.

This movie is based on a book for teens. The main characters are teens. The movie is faced paced and has some scenes of intense peril. The City of Ember is founded at the "end of the world" a place for a few survivors to live while humanity waits for the earth to become inhabitable again. The date is set for 200 years and a plan is set in place - unfortunately the plan is lost and needs to be figured out.

Like I said my wife and I enjoyed this movie, your children over 10 should be able to enjoy it but I'm not sure how much you want your 10 year old worried about the end of the world (we're not told if it is due to war, ecological issues, disease, only that it is the end.

The movie has some very complex themes. Desperation, gluttony, greed, deception and others are all on display.

31/2 stars out of 5

Bill Crawford the Bayou Christian

Journey to the Center of the Earth

2009-02-05T14:13:00.002-06:00

My Angle: Why not?

Kid Friendly: Yes for kids over 10

Spiritual Issues: Not really just interesting and fun. I enjoyed the movie. It doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t have great meaning. Just good fun. Mostly clean, at times some scary scenes but nothing so violent that it should be avoided. Might be some language but I didn’t catch it.

Something you watch when you don’t plan on thinking too hard.

2.5 of 5 stars.

Bill Crawford

Ultimate Avengers 1 and 1

2009-02-05T14:07:00.002-06:00

Ultimate Avengers 1 and 2

My Angle: I’m a long time comic book junkie.

Kid Friendly: No. Very suggestive content, hyper violent, scenes of drinking, sexuality, language. When is a comic no longer a comic?

Spiritual Issues: Comic books these days are ultimately (no pun intended pushing a pluralistic worldview).The first in the series is a little better than the second.

2 of 5 stars.

Bill Crawford

21

2009-02-05T14:04:00.002-06:00

21
My Angle: Just looking for something entertaining – supposedly a real life story.
Kid Friendly: No way. Scenes in a strip club occur repeatedly. Why are strip clubs always inserted into movies? Might make you think also about that family vacation to Vegas – Why?
Spiritual Issues: When we make our own course we often make tragic errors.Just not a very Good movie. Several times I fast forwarded scenes that were not important to the plot that were sexually explicit. I also stepped out of the scene during one premarital sex scene so I don’t know how far it went.

Let’s see MIT student can’t afford Harvard so he takes his math skills to Vegas, makes hundreds of thousands of dollars and then loses them but is rewarded with a full scholarship. Totally untrue and let’s face it a horrible message.

2 of 5 stars.

Bill Crawford the Bayou Christian

Inkheart

2009-02-04T10:45:00.002-06:00

Inkheart

My Angle: My love of literature was the starting place. As a Preacher of God’s Word I considered the exploration of the power of words a worthwhile subject.

Kid Friendly: I would say yes for over 9 years old. Some of the villains are just a little too much. One in particular likes to slash his victims with a knife and the big villain at the end is a little too nightmarish.

Spiritual Issues: What we speak does have power. Our language affects our lives and the lives of others. “It is not what goes into a man that corrupts him but what comes out…”

I have not read the books by Cornelia Funke (Trilogy that begins with Inkheart) so I cannot confirm how the book is in relation to the movie. The movie however fails to live up to its own expectations. We start out with a very powerful scene that introduces us to the “Silver Tongue” a character whose spoken, read word becomes reality. This concept is powerfully reminiscent of the Creation story, but the movie fails to consistently develop the theme and its inconsistencies become a distraction by the end of the movie.

I suspect most “tweens” who watch this movie won’t even notice.

Another important issue is that in the end the villains are completely and totally destroyed. This is an important part of the old Fairy Tale model. Children are comforted in stories where evil is utterly and totally destroyed. Modern sensibilities are often surprised by the scary elements of Grimm’s Fairy Tales for example but these tales do two things for children: they admit the reality of evil and they comfort by showing evil being overcome.

2 of 5 stars.

Bill Crawford

The Day after Tomorrow

2009-01-20T10:29:00.003-06:00

Angle: Well it was on tv

Kid friendly: if you want your kid terrified of the future go ahead

Spiritual Angle: For millenia humanity has turned to worship nature/ the earth; the modern ecological movement is just a secular nature cult.

I watched about 10 minutes the other night because it was on TV. I was amused and upset. This movie is innacurate to the point of being harmful. Even the "weatherunderground" nails it. The whole premise of global warming leading to an instand Ice Age is impossible.

Even the simple plot is full of falsities. I've been through tidal surge, the idea that a person can see a wall of water coming and outrun it is silly. The idea that people can survive a 100 foot tidal surge in a 3 story building is dangerously false.

Global change is a very complex topic. Movies and politicians that act like we have just a few years to do anything are making short term "hay" and long term "havoc".

0 stars

Bill Crawford the Bayou Christian

The Assassination of Jesse James: By the Coward Robert Ford

2009-01-20T08:48:00.002-06:00

My Angle: I like westerns.

Kid Friendly: No its violent among other things.

Spiritual Issues: Preacher’s Kids gone bad? Original sin.

I’m a western buff. I read every book by Louis L’amour by the time I was 18 (that’s a lot of books). So I like to check out a few westerns from time to time. I’m not even sure this movie should be called a western. First of all it’s slow (I watched the movie in three sittings); second of all it’s more of a psychological portrait of two sick men. I have to say I spent most of the movie wondering “is any of this true to the real historical record?” For instance both James and Ford were preachers kids - Jesse James was a church going Presbyterian! How decent and in order is that (that's an inside joke)?

None of the characters in this movie are very likeable. They’re all outlaws and even the “good guys” are met through the lenses of the outlaw’s worldview so they are suspect at best. Some of the lessons to be learned are that: life in the “good ol’ days” wasn’t all that good; people, without a ordered society, are prone to evil; history isn’t always that kind or that accurate.

At the end of the movie, I don’t think I was enriched by anything in it. I find movies of this nature to be unrewarding navel gazing. Since it was the tale of an outlaw then it is likely true that everyone in the environment was evil, but what did I learn that I needed to know?
Nothing and I learned it slowly.

1 of 5 stars.

Bill Crawford The Bayou Christian

Run Fat Boy Run

2009-01-20T08:35:00.001-06:00

My Angle: Interesting title and British humor sometimes is a refreshing change of pace. I was curious to study the views of marriage presented here.

Kid Friendly: Not at all. British movies are almost universally full of foul language. There is some male rear nudity as well (this movie actually is an American/British movie).

Spiritual issues: Life is full of second chances but real change is harder to find.

This movie is pretty crude. A good bit of mild language is present throughout, lots of sexual innuendo and humor. It presents a pregnant bride and husband without any direct criticism (although the plot unfolds because of the consequences of this situation). However, the movie is also somewhat engaging and has a certain charm to it.

It is great to see a dad (even a secular one) whose devotion to his son includes: meeting him to walk to school each day; spending days together (albeit scaring people from a tree); and generally being engaged in his life. It also presents a man whose regrets about his past lead him to make redemptive changes to be a better person.

However, the idea that any single lifestyle change can change who we are is naïve. The movie includes absolutely no sense of spirituality. The implication is that the right relationship with a person can make us better and fulfill our needs. This is untrue and leads us into unhealthy relationships. There is only one relationship that can fulfill our needs – that’s with Jesus Christ. From the redemption in that relationship springs our happiness and fulfillment in all of life.

3 out of 5 stars

Bill Crawford the Bayou Christian

Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo

2009-01-20T08:16:00.001-06:00

My angle: I have three kids that’s my angle.

Kid Friendly: Yes

Spiritual Issues: The singularly most secular view of Easter humanly possible

Let’s be honest – I fell asleep in the first 15 minutes but the whole family was together in one room to watch this DVD. It was a typical Winnie the Pooh fest but this one focused on Roo and Rabbit. Roo’s bounding positive nature, and Rabbits Neurotic worries.

This movie is fine to view with small children but needs to be a warning to us all. As Christians if we allow “the Ester Bunny” and “Santa Clause” to supplant the life saving message of Jesus Christ shame on us. We do so to the harm of our children and our society.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars (it couldn’t keep me awake).

Bill Crawford the Bayou Christian

Yes Man

2009-01-20T08:07:00.002-06:00

My Angle: Jim Carrey is a guilty pleasure. The title alone captured my attention – sounded like a great sermon illustration.

Kid Friendly: Are you kidding? PG-13 almost always means “adults only” in my mind. Very crude humor, bad language, premarital sex , including one night stands, very mild nudity (see below).

Spiritual issues: a negative attitude does lead to a negative life, saying yes has powerful spiritual connotations as does saying no.

Right out the gates the movie is funny, funny because in some ways it is all too true. Jim Carrey; in avoiding his friends, resembles all too many people who avoid God – even though God sees everything. I don’t want to spoil the movie so I won’t go too far into its plot. It is enjoyable, laughable, and all too true for many people.

A few things I wish hadn’t happened: Jim Carrey having a sexual event with an elderly neighbor (this scene alone makes it inappropriate for teens); later the same woman and one of his friends are implied to do the same; Premarital sex with Carrey’s love interest (all of these are not visually explicit but they are clearly implied; severally sexually explicit comments occur throughout; the closing scene although funny did not require the flashing vision of several hundred naked people (they could have been in their underwear and it would have been just as funny).

The implications of saying “Yes” are powerfully evocative; however, learning how to say "yes" to the right things and to say "no" to the rest would be an even better lesson. This movie seems to be saying “we live in a world of “no” let’s move into a life of “yes”. I think what is most true is that we say “yes” to all the wrong things, and “no” to all the wrong things! The movie touches on that truth but simply runs out of time and energy and does not deepen the thought.

As usual I do not expect Hollywood to expound the good news.

I do believe that our freedom in Christ is the freedom to try new things, it is a freedom to fail, and try again.

Rating 3 out of 5 stars.

Bill Crawford the Bayou Christian

Indiana Jones: The Crystal Skull

2009-01-07T14:18:00.003-06:00

My angle: Watched this without much expectation.

Kid Friendly: Teenagers. Indiana Jones as a franchise is generally violent, gross, and full of innuendo. This installment is no exception.

Spiritual Issues: Pluralistic – Indiana Jones has always implied that each culture’s gods are equivalent this movie comes right out and says so.

This movie gets back to the franchise’s roots by being funny, yet serious. The movies between the original and this one take the moments of campy humor and build the whole movies on them. I enjoyed the movie but it is merely enjoyable at a surface level.

I did find the whole alliens as gods thing amusing. I will have to do a review on the movie Expelled where it points out that many evolutionary theorists have found themselves backed into the corner that life on earth came from space.

There is a God and that one God made the heavens and the earth.

Bill Crawford the Bayou Christian

Rating: 3 stars

2009-01-07T14:18:00.000-06:00

Despereaux

2008-12-23T10:51:00.001-06:00

My angle: Is this the animated movie actually written for kids that I have been waiting for? Yes.

Kid appropriate: Yes – although a weighty entry, this is a movie that grapples with big issues in a manner that a child can understand.

Spiritual Issues: Ultimately a story about, "How hurt shapes lives, and how forgiveness has the power to reshape lives." Forget the unfortunate reference to "luck" as the driving force behind the change in this movie. It is very easy for a parent to talk to kids about the power of God's redeeming grace and the grace that we give after watching this movie.

I truly enjoyed this movie. The movie begins with a series of events that result in: the death of a queen; the illegalizing of rats; the tragic lives of those who become centered on death; and revenge. Heavy meat indeed for a children's movie but into this "stew" is introduced a child of unique qualities who begins to change things almost at birth – "the little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes".

The movie moves through some pretty dark and grim story lines but resolves them all in a magnificent crescendo of light, and forgiveness that transforms the darkness into light. I don't want to spoil the movie by revealing much more. It takes a few odd "rabbit trails" in the narrator's comments (example "Making illegal that which is natural" seems to be a "shot" at something but is never developed) but they are easily ignored and not truly fleshed out into any truly problematic issues.

Several other notes – the animation is rich. The themes of friendship, honor, courage, and honesty woven throughout are wonderful. There's a delightful emphasis on encouraging literary pursuits. Kids and parents alike will enjoy this movie. I watched it with all three of my kids aged 7, 5, and 3. They were all fascinated at their age levels (the three year old was on his first movie voyage and spent much of his time figuring out how the picture "got up there" and playing with those very cool theater seats). As a parent I had a blast watching the movie and watching them. Can't wait to read the book!

4 out of 5 stars (a few loose threads in the story should have been pulled together).

Prince Caspian

2008-12-16T09:45:00.002-06:00

My angle: A movie version of the classic book by C.S. Lewis by the same name. Would the movie retain the Christian themes of the book?

Kid Friendly: Teen friendly – I keep learning that many books that are kid friendly do not translate into the same on the big screen.

Spiritual Issues: Many fans of the literature are disappointed in this movie, however, it is a good movie that grapples with human hubris, forgiveness, and the need to follow God’s plans (which are often mysterious to us).

First a confession, I have not read the books! I know shocking but I have listened to the very captivating performance version put out by Focus on the Family. My wife admits that this was the least favorite of the books for her. She also had a hard time with the movie since it does stray significantly from the book. How so?

The implied romance between Susan and Prince Caspian is nowhere to be found in the book
The hubris of High King Peter is also not the point of the Book

However, these themes do not derail the main point. We cannot expect Hollywood to do evangelism but we can hope that they do not mask the primary themes of Christian books and in Caspian they do not. It is clear that Aslan is the Christ figure. It is also clear that for our plans to succeed they must be based upon seeking God’s will not our own.

I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars. Not as great as the first movie but how many are?

Bill Crawford the Bayou Christian

Bolt

2008-12-16T08:26:00.004-06:00

My Angle: Always love animated movies - hoped to send my kids with a friend.

Kid Friendly: Surprisingly - NO - plot seems to be written for adults, or at the very least, for young teens.

Spiritual Issues: Tough one here - not so much spiritual issues as some thoughts on character; courage, life choices, calling are all touched upon.

Warning spoiler review:

This movie is about a dog and a girl who are part of a TV show. The dog believes the show is reality (ala The Truman Show). Meanwhile the little girl knows that it is not. During the first twenty minutes of the movie the viewer is immersed in the show, which is so action packed and intense that it reminded me of the movie True Lies. I can't believe a 3-8 year old that will understand this action scene and so they will be confused for the rest of the show.

I can just hear my youngest, "Daddy why did the little girl leave the doggy? Why did the doggy blow up the helicopters? Why is that bad man hurting the little girl's daddy?"

So after the 20 minutes of total destruction we find that the poor dog is locked up in a trailer at night and the cats (who play the bad guy's pets in the show) torment the dog.

Cut to the chase the dog escapes the stage to try and save the girl, only to land in the real world where he does not possess super powers, and has to learn how to be a real dog - from a cat!

When did the makers of children's movies stop trying to write movies for the kids? This movie is clearly written for adults, who are grappling with their sense of calling in life. How many kids are grappling with ennui?

Even the highlights in the movie are over the top. One of the most laughable moments is provided by the hamster when he says of the gaurd in their way, "I'll go and break his neck."

Just what I want my 3-8 year old playing at home!

Bottom line - wait for it to come out on video - watch it at home when the kids are asleep! Your kids will not thank you but will have fewer nightmares about abandonment.

Blade Runner

2008-12-16T08:18:00.003-06:00

My angle: Watched because a number of people pointed to it as a Sci-Fi classic. A very dark and violent movie with one big question and several small points.

Kid Friendly: This movie is rated R for a reason - adults only.

Spiritual Issues: Does artificial intelligence, no matter how developed, make a machine a "person". The main character's identification with the androids could be used as an illustration of Christ's identification with us human beings.

My rating 2 out of 5

I guess it's just not my kind of movie. Too dark, too nasty, too long. For it's time the special effects are high grade. It is interesting to see the stars in the movie at much younger ages than we see them today (Rutger Haur, Harrison Ford, Daryl Hannah, Edward James Olmos).

I think the other part that is there is that this genre has been beat to death. There are so many books that grapple with the issues and those have since been made into movies as well.

I know Sci-Fi fans will be upset with me but I'm not going to recommend this movie.

Hancock

2008-12-10T14:47:00.003-06:00

My Rating: 3 stars

My Angle: A really poor advertizing job makes this movie an unpleasant experience for many. As is often the case with comic book based movies lots of pagan references. However, it opens an interesting discussion on immortality.

Kid friendly: absolutely not!

Spiritual issues: What if we are all immortal? This movie delves into the human problem of immortality but fails to understand that the human soul is immortal.

This movie only barely gets its 3 star rating because I thought I was sitting down to a fun, "super hero is drunk, gets sober, and does good plot". What I got was very complex, dark, at times upsetting, and the ending was 30 minutes of gut wrenching emotion.

The movie explores a lot of super hero "what ifs": what if he was a drunk, what if he was unpopular, not nice, etc. Early in the movie it gets into super hero sex (part of what makes this movie so completely not child friendly).

John Hancock is the main character. Up to a point in his life he has no memory (that was 80 years ago), he's bitter, angry, drunk, and at times stupid. He helps people but often his help is as bad as or worse than the problem.

One day he meets a PR guy and saves his life and the plot starts predictably from there before it goes way off into a very complex and dark place.

The movie has a depth that is done a disservice by its unpredictability (resulting from its surprise ending). This is further exacerbated by poor marketing.

Bill Crawford, The Bayou Christian

Twilight

2008-12-09T13:43:00.007-06:00

My ratings: 2 stars

My Angle: Raises troubling issues about romance a tough call for parents

Kid Appropriate: Thirteen and over with an adult (maybe)

Spiritual Issues: Plenty - but also can be used to talk about many possitive issues - here is a sermon using the movie as an illustration

Of much interest these days (especially to teen girls and their Dads) is the Movie Twilight - which I have actually seen. The following review is a bit of a "spoiler review" but for you parents out there well worth it.

What makes Twilight of especial interest to me is that it also crosses into another of my hobbies which is reading. This book series is being read by millions of teens (mostly early teen girls) and the movie should not be considered apart from its literature background. I share with you this week while I am "in process" I've watched the movie but I have not yet read the book.

First my review of the Movie and then I would love to hear your thoughts:

The movie is geared towards the 9-16 year old set. I think it is a horrible crime for us to continue to let our very little girls grow up too quickly. So I would say - "do not let your pre-teen watch this movie about a teenager's romance".

Song of Solomon 2:7 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.

Then I would say, "don't let your teenager watch this movie alone".

I'm of the belief that Jesus is to be the center of your child's heart and that the primary male relationship in a girl's life should be her Dad. Boys are coming on strong in the teen years, and that can't be helped, but Dad if you stay engaged then you might be able to reason with her a little longer. If you choose to permit your daughter to see this movie, then go to the movie with your daughter and find out what about it appeals to her. Use it as a tool to communicate with her.

But before you do that here are some of the specifics:

Pros-The movie is not overly violent by today's standards, it contains themes of self sacrifice, original sin, redemption, good works, abstinance, etc. It is hard to ignore many of the good aspects of the movie.

So wha'ts the beef?

Cons-I think the romaticizing of the "dark brooding male" gets way too much help already and this movie only piles on it. I find it disturbing thatBella falls immediately in love with the one boy who seemingly rejects her when all others seem infatuated with her. The importance on popularity in this movie is muddled. Is the main character rejecting her popularity or is her confidence a result of her instant popularity?

There is a message in the movie that seems to be saying, "if a boy is attacted to you in such a way that he stalks you night and day- well that is good". Througout the movie romance is very superficially dealt with and I think only feeds into common misconceptions.

Life lessons learned the wrong way in this movie:

Stupid behavior -Daughter is out of town with her two friends (all around 16) the kids split up, the main character nearly gets assualted by 4 drunken men, her friends allow her to ride home with the "dark brooding guy" - stupid - girls never let your friend ride home with someone else and never let them walk off alone in the city! Simply put the heroine was just subjected to one near gang rape and could have been subjected to another because her Dad let her drive out of town with two girls that let her walk off alone and then drive home with the school weirdo.

Stupid behavior 2 - Guy stalks girl in her bedroom, they kiss, he jumps away saying - "I'm not as strong as I thought" so they spend the night clothed in her bed. Stupid - 9 times out of 10 it just doesn't work like that what happens is much different and often results in teen pregnancy.

Back to some possitives (although after those you may reject the movie outright) Intimacy is limited to steamy looks, and an all night clothes on cuddle. I don't like it but on the other hand this is likely pretty close to where many of your daughters are in their mid teens.

So do we reject the movie outright? What May be most troubling about the movie is the books - but I haven't read them yet.... try this link. For further study:

An Academic Paper

A youth group leader

Bill Crawford - The Bayou Christian

Hellboy 1 &2

2008-12-07T09:22:00.001-06:00

What can I say about a movie with the title "HellBoy"?

My Ratings: 1 = 3 stars 2= 1star

My Angle: First movie ends on a very interesting note - even a Hellboy needs Jesus! Unfortunately the second movie falls into a mismash of pluralism that reminds me that comic books will use anything to be interesting.

Kid Appropriate? NO

Spiritual Issues: Why is it that without understanding the Spiritual Warfare of Christianity we find the spirituality of all other religions so interesting? If we made a movie about Christian views on these matters it would be pretty exciting. Think of the books by Perittee "This Present Darkness", and "Piercing the Darkness"

I am a sucker for comic book movies. The Hellboy series offers "it" (action, interesting cultural and philosophical commentary, etc.) However, most comics turned into movies are just too graphic and crude for kids. Spiritually these particular movies are a mish mash. They are both without any good rooting in the real theology of Spiritual Warfare, therefore, they will confuse kids and adults.

The first movie uses Egyptian mythology beside the Christian theology of Demons, and Hell with some Christian faith playing an important role. The Second movie not only mixes traditional elements of heaven and hell and the Apocalypse. Then it tries to cram in Celtic mythology, and a critique of modern, industrialized, human society.

The last bit is a play to the teen angst of "being different than everyone else" - although a real emotion (alienation) and an important part of individuation the hyping of it by comics and movies often work to prevent youth from moving past their alienation issues back towards integration with society.

The second movie seems to imply that humanity deserves to be destroyed because of what it has done to harm the elves (and all other outsiders). The movie forgets that 1) even in celtic myth the Elves are very capricious and even cruel, and 2) the earth, and humanity will be redeemed and out of the apocalypse will come a New Heaven and a New Earth, and 3) that society and social order most often works to push back evil.

A good healthy older teen would likely have fun watching this movie but should do so with their parents. An unhealthy person will likely focus on the nihilism and the cool special effects.

You may be catching a theme here - engage the world with your kids as part of your responsibility to raise them In Christ!

Bill Crawford - The Bayou Christian

Kung Fu Panda

2008-11-30T15:24:00.001-06:00

My Rating: 3 stars

My Angle: Kid's movie that appeals to my "Black Belt Theatre" days.

Kid Appropriate: yes with some concern about "kung fu" violence

Spiritual Issues: yes - mild references to the "universe" as if it was a god

I have to admit I loved the movie in large part due to my own childhood. In fact every Sunday for years my mom had to chase me away from "Black Belt Theatre" to go to church so it was almost religous for me.

Seriously though, for young viewers this movie does have some serious kung fu fighting but it is also so outrageous that my kids were not very frightened by it.

The mild eastern mysticism was very easily confronted with my kids and dismissed.

There was pleasantly almost none of the other unfortunate add ins to animation these days like:
Sexual inuendo - none
Double Meanings - none
Iffy words - none

The worst parts of the movie was a rabbit looking at the Panda and saying he was attactive and the Panda's butt landing on the bad guy's head in super slow motion (which I made worse by wondering if he passed gas).

A fun movie to be watched with the kids. You can use it to talk about faith and laugh your head off at the same time.

Bill Crawford - The Bayou Christian

The Golden Compass

2008-11-01T14:02:00.002-05:00

My rating: zero

My Angle: haven't seen it won't provide the author the income

Kid appropriate: no way (see next)

Spiritual Issues: Author of books is an avowed atheists and wants to destroy the "foundations of faith" (his words not mine).

Now out on DVD the Golden Compass is a movie that is subject to scrutiny not so much because of the movie itself but the author of the original books that it comes from.

When taking your children to movies based upon literature it is important to find out about the orinal author first. This movie is one I did not watch - even to review it - because of its authors anti Christian purpose. The author Phillip Pullman himself states, "I wrote these books to undermine the basis for Christian belief." In the final book in the series the main characters kill god...

Nuff said.

What is so important about this movie for parents to think about is the total merchandizing process that is at work with all movies these days. First there are the trailers, then the Happy Meal toys, then the toys in the store, then the movie is released, then the comic books, and books and so on and on....

As a parent you should consider carefully how this will impact your child's worldview.

As a christian you should wonder, "Is there room for this kind of fascination with anything besides God?"

Bill Crawford - The Bayou Christian