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A ministry of the ChildCare Action Project: Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP Ministry) A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Christian Ministry. www.capalert.com/ Entertainment Media Analysis Report A service to His little ones through you in His name by His Word MAR24086  (2004), PG [PG]The #1 Christian entertainment media analysis service on the Internet. We give you OBJECTIVE tools NO ONE ELSE CAN to help YOU make an informed decision for yourself whether a film is fit for your family. More than 900 analyses for parents, grandparents, pastors, youth leaders and more. |
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(This section may be and sometimes is somewhat subjective.)
 (2004), PG [PG] -- This is the fourth time now in fewer years...  Cast/Crew Details Courtesy Internet Movie Database Production (US): New Regency Pictures, Karz Entertainment, Regency Enterprises Distribution (US): Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Director(s): Forest Whitaker Producer(s): John Davis, Jeffrey Downer, Wyck Godfrey, Mike Karz, Arnon Milchan, Jerry O'Connell, Forest Whitaker Story: Jessica Bendinger, Jerry O'Connell Screenplay: Jessica Bendinger, Kate Kondell Cinematography/Camera: Toyomichi Kurita Music: Michael Kamen, Blake Neely, Smack Film Editing: Richard Chew Casting: Denise Chamian Production Design: Alec Hammond Art Direction: Keith Neely Viewed At: Driftwood Theater 6 Please note that we have started a new manner of including how a film compares to those in the comparative baseline database with a like rating. For example, it is is PG [PG] for First Daughter. The first "PG" is the Motion Picture Association of America's (MPAA's) rating. The "PG" in the brackets ([ ]) means the film indeed earned a CAP final score which placed the film in the range of scores earned by PG movies (86 to 68 out of 100) in the comparative baseline database. You may have by now seen another example of this nomenclature such as "PG-13 [R-13]" which indicates the MPAA rated the film PG-13 but the CAP final score earned by the content of the film placed it in the scoring range earned previously by only R-rated movies (54 and below out of 100) in the comparative baseline database. First Daughter earned investigation area (W, I, S, D,O, M) scores equivalent to G- or PG-rated programming in five of the six CAP investigation areas (in W, I, D, O, M) but earned a "softcore R" score in Sexual Immorality (S). However, rather than the severity of any of the many issues of sexual immorality in First Daughter, the sheer number of "lesser" issues of sexual immorality (see the CAP Rule of 1000) evaporated 62 of the starting 100 points in Sexual Immorality, giving that investigation area a score of less than 54, the threshold for the scoring range earned by R-rated movies. Note that, as always, under the CAP analysis model even talk of sexually immoral behaviors or desires will cause the film to lose points. Though the MPAA evidently does not incorporate such matters into their rating system, even talk of sexually immoral things is incorporated into the CAP analysis model because such talk can be influential in emboldening sexually immoral behavior as has just been corroborated by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This is the fourth time now in fewer years that the "experts" have finally published reports which agree with and support the CAP ministry investigation standards we have used for ten years: agree with and support what we have been telling you for ten years; agree with and support what God has had as standards since the Beginning [1 Cor. 15:33 and others]. Overall, the film earned a CAP final score of 76 which places it comfortably in the scoring range earned by PG movies (86 to 68 out of 100) in the comparative baseline database. But that First Daughter is equivalent to the PG movies in the comparative baseline database does not mean it is fit for you or your family. Only you, mom/dad, are qualified to make that distinction for your kids. And the best way to become informed about the content of the film without seeing it for yourself is to inspect the scoring and the listing of findings in the Findings/Scoring section (the heart of the CAP analysis model) in this report. Where we as a people seem to have gone regarding morality as reflected in our entertainment choices is disturbing. [Ps. 12:8 ] It appears that among the professional film critics if a film does not contain hard, bitter and even vulgar content it is not a good film. This film, in spite of the obligatory inclusions of some crudeness and other matters of assault on morality (mostly sexual, of course), is a warm and likable variation from all the vulgarity and extremes common nowadays to the film making industry. But of the reviews I've read First Daughter is belittled and trashed as empty and a waist of time. This makes me appreciate that I am not a professional film critic else I might not be able to appreciate the "tame and gentle" films. If you don't think it true that the film industry lauds moral filth and condemns wholesomeness, itemize the films that have earned an Oscar® award in the recent ten years and see how many of them are rated R. There have been a number of stories told on film about the President's daughter, but this one may be the closest one to the actual misery a young teen might have to suffer being the President's daughter. And his misery as well. And mom's misery, too, who, always standing there in the background, just might be the staple holding all things together. But isn't that the case in most families, dad? Not having been the first daughter I could not say for sure whether this film is accurate but some assumptions and conjecture will inevitably be correct. First Daughter is expectedly compared to Chasing Liberty, another film about a president's daughter having no freedom but even more of wanting sexual freedom. While a plethora of issues of sexual immorality were included (in addition to some language, drinking and child rebellion), First Daughter is more comfortable and welcome than Chasing Liberty. It is even likely more accurate about the behind-closed-doors in-home matters than Chasing Liberty. Samantha Mackenzie (Katie Holmes) is the president's daughter. President Robert Mackenzie (Michael Keaton) and the First Lady Melanie (Margaret Colin) see Sam off to Redmond University - 3000 miles away from mom and dad. Sam doesn't have to carry her own baggage. A full motorcade of secret service police plus two that never leave her immediate vicinity, motor-mouth Agent Dylan (Dwayne Adway) and Agent Bock (Michael Milhoan) who would be better named "Bruno", delivered Samantha to Redmond. Once at Redmond, all the "rules are made to be broken" advice bombarded Sam's ethics. And yes, she weakened and did a no-nudity strip tease dance on a barroom stage. That did not set well with daddy's campaign to get reelected to the presidency. Neither did Sam's adventure at a fraternity party. Leading Sam into all the "it's not fun unless it pushes the rules" escapades was street-smart Mia Thompson (Amerie Rogers). Mia had many ideas and all of them seemed to involve breaking the rules or at least pushing them to selfish interests. Sam was not supposed to be Mia's roommate. The two were thrown together at the last minute. Mia resented that at first but Sam was quite the diplomat about the frictional distress. After a couple incidents of embarrassing her father's reelection campaign, mom showed up and provided motherly expectations of Samantha's public behavior. Sam then indignantly said to her mother "Then you are asking me to join in on the campaign?" Mother then said "I'm not asking." !?!? At that point no one would likely have been able to predict Sam's reaction to her mothers demands. I suspect at that moment all, including me, were expecting the predictable modern entertainment device of screaming vulgarities at a parent or something like it. Director Whitaker's move at that point was most atypical of the trend of Hollywood nowadays. If this were a real situation, Sam's reaction to mom's control would have earned a great deal of my respect for and helped me to admire Katie Holmes that she could portray such a reaction typically unheard of in entertainment of today targeted at youth. Sam did throw a bit of a tantrum once by storming into a meeting her father was holding with some dignitaries of some kind -- while wearing a skimpy bathing suit. Sam's battle plan was to demand her father lighten up on the protective security measures and give her some breathing room. Papa did. Or did he? Amidst all the flexing of Sam's freedom muscles, the Dormitory RA was replaced with actuarial science major James Lansome (Marc Blucas). Soon the two become a pair. James was instrumental in helping Sam avoid the plethora of secret service goons who were only trying to protect her. As daddy told her, he received no less than half a dozen threats on her life every day. How rude of the secret agents! That is enough of the story spoiling. Aside from the many issues of sexually immoral behaviors and talk [Gal. 5:19, 1Ths. 4:1-5], First Daughter was rather bold in presenting abuse of alcoholic beverages to the PG crowd. This would be a good point at which to remind everyone of the findings of the American College of Physicians which revealed that among 4,544 fifth to eight grade students (90% under 14 years old), presentation of alcoholic beverages in and as entertainment indeed led to experimentation which can lead to abuse and addiction. [Luke 17:2] Of the students who had no restrictions in viewing of alcohol-related programming, 46% of them had tried alcohol without parental knowledge. Of those with total restrictions, only 4% had done so. Facts are rather sobering. Regarding language, First Daughter presented only three uses of the three/four letter word vocabulary [Prov. 22:11] plus six uses of God's name in vain but each without the four letter expletive [Deut. 5:11]. Please inspect the listing in the Findings/Scoring section, hopefully before you experiment with this film to determine its suitability for your family. 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 ***Selected Scriptures of Armour against the influence of the entertainment industry*** 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. |
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(The heart of the CAP Analysis Model)  Wanton Violence/Crime (W) Impudence/Hate (I) Sexual Immorality (S) Drugs/Alcohol (D): Offense to God (O) Murder/Suicide (M) |
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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 more than eight 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. |
| In the name of Jesus: Lord, Master, Teacher, Savior, God. Tom Carder President ChildCare Action Project (CAP): Christian Analysis of American Culture 100% dependent on your tax-deductible financial support |  |
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ChristianStats Counter TEST Unique. Posted 5/24/04 |
