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Entertainment Media Analysis Report
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MAR2011.076

(2011), PG-13 [Hard R-13*] (1hr 38.2min)

Final Score
Analysis Date
Date Posted
Influence Density
MinMax
June 25, 2011
June 25, 2011
41
1.40
-100

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Christian Long Distance

SUMMARY / COMMENTARY:
(While the Scriptural references are certainly not subjective, my commentary may be and sometimes is somewhat subjective.)

If Scriptural references appear, the full text appears at the end of the Summary / Commentary.



(2011), PG-13 [Hard R-13*] ... a mockery and counterfeiting of God and His angels


Cast/Crew Details Courtesy Internet Movie Database
Production (US): Universal Pictures, Media Rights Capital, Gambit Pictures, Electric Shepherd Productions
Distribution (US): Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Director(s): George Nolfi
Producer(s): Michael Bederman, Bill Carraro, Isa Dick Hackett, Jonathan Gordon, Michael Hackett, Eric Kripke, Chris Moore, George Nolfi, Joel Viertel
Screenplay by: George Nolfi
Short Story: Philip K. Dick
Cinematography/Camera: John Toll
Music: Thomas Newman
Film Editing: Jay Rabinowitz
Casting: Cathy Sandrich
Production Design: Kevin Thompson
Art Direction: Stephen H. Carter
Viewed on Universal Studios Home Entertainment DVD



I could almost see Mr. Steward (Frank Langella) of The Box every time Mr. Thompson (Terence Stamp) appeared on the screen. The shadows cast against the buildings in the poster are those of Mr. Thompson.

Contender and past member of Congress and the senate of New York David Norris (Matt Damon) becomes aware he is entangled in a web of control by a race of all-knowing immortal beings who have been here since the beginning of time to ensure everything goes as planned by the Chairman. Minions of the Chairman scurry about every day arranging things to happen that guide people on their paths through life to ensure the people do or get done whatever it is their plan requires.

On occasion in the past the beings had let man have a free will and atrocities like the Dark Ages happened. Now the beings are back in control of all people on Earth under the watchful eye of the Chairman who can be anybody at any time. Based on the short story Adjustment Team by Philip K. Dick, this story is definitely a mockery and counterfeiting of God and His angels.

Norris, by chance not control, meets Elise D. Sellas (Emily Blunt), a contemporary ballet dancer destined to be the best in the world and even the best ballet choreographer in the world ... unless she chooses to live her life with Norris. And Norris is destined to become President of the United States ... unless he chooses to stay with Elise. At lest, that is the plan. The film spends about two-thirds of the film with the beings trying their best to separate Norris and Elise and keep them apart ... unless the Chairman decides otherwise.

Now is as good a time as any to discuss with you the idea of freedom of choice, of freedom of will. In the movie the beings claim they give people the freedom of choice, for example, of which toothpaste to use or which socks to wear but disaster has happened in the past when people had full freedom of choice. This is clearly a mockery of God's gift to us of the freedom of choice. Let me tell a little story with questions to discuss God's gift to us of the freedom of choice.

A drunk driver kills a little girl. Is it God's Will? No, it is not God's Will. The little girl's death was by the choice of the driver to drink then drive. Could God have stopped it? Yes but to do so He would have to have taken away the driver's freedom of choice though he exercised it by choosing to drink then drive. We are accountable for our choices, not God. And God will not take away our freedom of choice -- our free will -- for any reason else our choice to believe in Him and love Him might be "forced." Yes, He could make automatons of each of us but won't. He wants us to love Him as He loves us but wants us to do so of our own free will, by our own choice. This movie is an example of the skillful ways, whether intentional, many try so eloquently to counterfeit God's Word that some might choose against God because of their counterfeitings. Satan is less interested in people believing in him than in people not believing in God. So, if someone can get people to not believe in God even if it means not believing in him, Satan is happy.

And I wonder why one of the production companies is called Electric Shepherd Productions?

This movie also seemed to equate God's love for us and His Word with oppressive control. The beings metered out only so much freedom of choice, how much is decided by a superior being. So many people seem to erroneously think that obeying God's Word is the same as kneeling to the oppression of a dictator. End of sermon.

Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - 56 out of 100
While there was no violence of any seriously graphic nature, there was enough violence of the lesser kind to cause loss of nearly half of the starting 100 points in this investigation area. Examples of violence include a pedestrian being hit by a car, kidnapping and many assaults of varying degrees of severity. The beings used assault to control Norris which is what made the connection with making obedience to God's Word seem like oppressive control.

Any violence in and as entertainment can have an influence on the viewer. It can be "catching" and may lead the viewer in a "way that is not good." I did not come up with that. God did. [Prov. 16:29] And four professional public health agencies did after unwittingly deciding God is right, two thousand years after, by saying "viewing violence may lead to real life violence."

Impudence/Hate (I) - Zero out of 100
Thirty one times someone utters some form of profanity. [Col. 3:8, Eph. 4:29] That is enough to steal all the starting 100 points in this investigation area but other matters of impudence and/or hatred included inappropriate entry into restrooms, a rude descriptive and hiring a cab driver to break traffic laws. [2 Tim. 2:5]

Sexual Immorality (S) - Zero out of 100
As is typical in most PG-13 films someone gets in bed with someone else. There is intercourse in this film. [Hebr. 13:4, Col. 3:5 - 10] Nudity was obvious in the shadows but no genitals were seen but anyone old enough to be in middle school - the PG-13 crowd -- can tell what the couple were doing. And, as usual for such sexual immorality in and as entertainment, the couple end up cohabitating. In addition, Elise always wears something that challenges wholesome sexual humility, either a very short dress/skirt or excessive cleavage ... or both, frequently. [1 Tim. 2:9]

Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 90 out of 100
Only one case of drinking and one bar were found. The content of the film applicable to this investigation area is G-equivalent.

Offense to God (O) - Zero out of 100
Much of my concerns about the influence of this film on our youth has already been discussed in the Summary/Commentary body above. But it might be advisable to discuss briefly here additional unholy matters in the content of the film.

Throughout the most of the later two-thirds of the show were many instances of unholy transport to completely inappropriate locations after opening a door such as a sports arena immediately on the other side of a door in a business district building. In addition, unholy control was portrayed over people in making them automatons or "resetting" their brains. Also, "magic" was exercised such as opening a large overhead door with the pointing of a finger at it.

Murder/Suicide (M) - 100 out of 100
There were no murders or suicides noted throughout the entire 98.2 minutes of the show.


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SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S)
If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ] or bold. If you wish to have full context available, the Blue Letter Bible is a convenient source. If you use the Blue Letter Bible, a new window will open. Close it to return here or use "Window" in your browser's menu bar to alternate between the CAP page and the Blue Letter Bible page.

CHAPTER/VERSE

  • Prov. 16:29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. [The issue is the violence, the 'way that is not good' no matter how "small" or "justified" the violence might seem, and its "leading" effect on the observer. "A violent man" can be any character of any age, any gender, human or not in the act of committing (demonstrating in the case of entertainment) violent behavior/action whether for good or evil OR the violent behaviors/actions themselves. Such exposure can and does embolden the viewer into aggression, especially youth. It took years for the American professional health community to finally affirm, probably without knowing it, that which God told us in 1 Cor. 15:33 below. See also Joint Statement on the Impact of Entertainment Violence on Children: Congressional Public Health Summit for more information. Further, God speaks darkly of violence 56 times in the Old and New Testament of the KJV.]
  • Col. 3:8 But now ye also put off [rid yourself of] all these; anger, wrath, malice [kakia: ill-will, desire to injure, wickedness, depravity, evil, trouble, not ashamed to break laws, etc.], blasphemy [blasphemia: impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty], filthy communication [aischrologia:foul speaking, low and obscene speech] out of your mouth.
  • Eph. 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
  • 2 Tim. 2:5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
  • Hebr. 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure [which includes before AND during marriage AND gender], for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. [Whether we believe it or not. Whether we like it or not. Whether we care or not.]
  • Col. 3:5 - 10 Mortify [nekraa: deprive of strength, make dead, destroy the strength of] therefore your members [melos: parts of the body given up to immoral intercourse] which are upon the earth; fornication [parneia: adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals, relatives, etc.], uncleanness [akatharsia: lustful living, impure motives], inordinate affection [pathos: depraved, vile passions], evil concupiscence [apithumia: lusting after, desire for what is forbidden], and covetousness [pleonexia: greedy desire to have more, avarice], which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice [kakia: ill-will, desire to injure, wickedness, depravity, evil, trouble, not ashamed to break laws, etc.], blasphemy [blashpemia: slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another's good name or impious and reproachful speech injurious to God], filthy communication [aischrologia: foul speaking, low and obscene speech] out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
  • 1 Tim. 2:9 I also want women to dress modestly, ...

    ***Selected Scriptures of Armour against the influence of the entertainment industry***
  • Jer. 37:9 This is what the LORD says: Do not deceive yourselves, thinking, 'The Babylonians [the destroyers from within] will surely leave us.' They will not!
  • Ps. 12:8 The wicked freely strut about [e.g., create progressively vile/offensive entertainment with impunity and no consequences and present it to younger and younger audiences every year] when what is vile is honored among men [when enough people continue to defend it, embrace it, enjoy it, want it, submit to it. I call attention to Ps. 12:8 to warn of the creeping desensitizing power of "entertainment."]
  • Col. 2:8 Beware lest any man [by his influence] spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
  • 1 Cor. 15:33 Be not deceived: evil [kakov: of a bad nature, not such as it ought to be] communications corrupt good manners.
  • Rom. 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
  • Jude 1:4 For there are certain men* crept in unawares [secretly slipped in among us], who were before of old ordained to this condemnation [whose condemnation was written about long ago], ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness [a license for immorality], and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. [*men: anthropos {anth'-ro-pos}, generic, a human being, whether male or female]
  • Matt. 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
  • Luke 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. [Offend: skandalizo {skan-dal-id'-zo} - scandalize; to entice to sin; to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey; to cause to fall away.]
  • Ps. 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me [let no sin rule over me].
  • John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
  • 1 Thess. 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. ["Evil" includes all things that are sinful.]


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    As always, it is best to refer to the Findings/Scoring section -- the heart of the CAP analysis model -- for the most complete assessment possible of this movie.
  • FINDINGS / SCORING:
    (The objective heart of the CAP Analysis Model, independent of and insulated from the Summary / Commentary section.)


    The Adjustment Bureau (2011) CAP Thermometers

    Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - 56 out of 100
  • car/pedestrian collision, graphic
  • pursuit to capture
  • assault, frequent
  • kidnapping, repeatedly
  • threat to harm, repeatedly
  • traffic collision

    Impudence/Hate (I) - Zero out of 100
  • 31 uses of profanity
  • one use of the most foul of the foul words
  • woman in man's restroom
  • man in woman's rest room
  • rude descriptive
  • vulgar gesture
  • hiring to break traffic laws
  • traffic rudeness, repeatedly

    Sexual Immorality (S) - Zero out of 100
  • excessive cleavage, frequent
  • story of mooning
  • rude gaze
  • very brief skirt/dress, repeatedly
  • nudity in shadows
  • intercourse
  • cohabitation
  • adult in underwear
  • inappropriate touch in dance, twice
  • pose and/or camera angle to force viewer on private parts

    Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 90 out of 100
  • drinking
  • bar

    Offense to God (O) - Zero out of 100
  • 6 abuses of God's name, once with the four letter expletive
  • inexplicable chase maneuvers
  • inexplicable control/manipulation of objects, repeatedly
  • making automatons of people and other mind control
  • inexplicable transporting through doors, frequent
  • false all knowing immortal race (counterfeiting of God and His angels
  • foretelling future, throughout
  • animated books throughout
  • appearance/disappearance throughout

    Murder/Suicide (M) - 100 out of 100
  • none noted















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    There are some in the entertainment industry who maintain that 1) violent programming is harmless because no studies exist that prove a connection between violent entertainment and aggressive behavior in children, and 2) young people know that television, movies, and video games are simply fantasy. Unfortunately, they are wrong on both accounts." And "Viewing violence may lead to real life violence." I applaud these associations for fortifying 1 Cor. 15:33. Read the rest of the story. From our years of study, I contend that other aberrant behaviors, attitudes, and expressions can be inserted in place of "violence" in that statement. Our Director - Child Psychology Support, a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist concurs. For example, "Viewing arrogance against fair authority may lead to your kids defying you in real life." Or "Viewing sex may lead to sex in real life." Likewise and especially with impudence, hate and foul language. I further contend that any positive behavior can be inserted in place of "violence" with the same chance or likelihood of being a behavior template for the observer; of being incorporated into the behavior mechanics and/or coping skills of the observer. In choosing your entertainment, please consider carefully the "rest of the story" and our findings.





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    Please note our new manner of indicating a film's Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating in comparison with the CAP equivalence such as "PG-13 [R-13]." The first term is the Motion Picture Association of America's (MPAA) rating. The second term [in brackets] indicates that which the film earned under the CAP analysis model. In the example, "PG-13 [R-13]" indicates the MPAA rated the film PG-13 but the film earned a CAP final score in the scoring range earned by R-rated movies in the comparative baseline database. Other comparative terms used might be "PG [13-PG]", "G [PG-G] or even 'PG-13 [PG]" as was the case for Alien vs Predator. I doubt there will ever be a "G [R]" used, but only time will tell. The CAP analysis model is Rock-solid. The MPAA is not.

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