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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 MAR26047  (2006), PG [13-PG*] (1hr 33min) 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. Over 1000 analyses for parents, grandparents, pastors, youth leaders and more. |
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(While the Scriptural references are certainly not subjective, my commentary may be and sometimes is somewhat subjective.)
 Cast/Crew Details Courtesy Internet Movie Database Production (US): Warner Bros. Pictures, Vertigo Entertainment, Village Roadshow Pictures Distribution (US): Warner Bros. Pictures Director(s): Alejandro Agresti Producer(s): Bruce Berman, Doug Davison, Robert Kirby, Roy Lee, Sonny Mahli, Sonny Mallhi, Mary McLaglen, Geoff Shaevitz, Greg Silverman, Erwin Stoff Written by: Eun-Jeong Kim, Ji-na Yeo (motion picture "Siworae") Screenplay: David Auburn Cinematography/Camera: Alar Kivilo Music: Rachel Portman, Prince, Paul M. van Brugge Film Editing: Alejandro Brodersohn, Lynzee Klingman Casting: Denise Chamian, Claire Simon Production Design: Nathan Crowley Art Direction: Kevin Kavanaugh, Shane Valentino Viewed At: Driftwood Theater 6 The Lake House is an odd sort of work where application of logic will likely be fruitless. It is choppy. But yet it is somewhat interesting. At least for the adult. And it has some beautiful photography using foliage (and music) to conjure emotion. But the typical "PG kid" will not likely be able to make much sense of it. The Lake House also is, according to a lobby interview of a few ladies after they watched the show, a "chick flick" that dads might enjoy less than mowing the yard. In July. But of intense significance, on which I wish to focus first and for a few paragraphs, is the repeated drinking and display of alcoholic beverages and bars. This film lost every one of the starting 100 points in the Drugs/Alcohol (D) investigation area due to the frequency of drinking alcoholic beverages. The reason for the intense significance of and first focus on the drinking in The Lake House is because ... A study by the American College of Physicians (ACP) revealed that adolescent exposure to drinking in and as entertainment leads to an undeniable increase in alcohol abuse among underage kids. The finding, entitled Relation Between Parental Restrictions on Movies and Adolescent Use of Tobacco and Alcohol, reports that of 4544 youths from grades 5 through 8 of fifteen Vermont and New Hampshire middle schools (90% were under fourteen years old) only 16% were completely restricted from viewing R-rated movies. The prevalence of having tried alcohol without parental knowledge was 46% for those with no restrictions, 16% for those with partial restrictions and four percent for those with complete restrictions. Rather revealing of the influences of the entertainment industry wouldn't you say? The ACP study selected R-rated movies because the study assumed R-rated movies typically present more drinking than movies of other classifications. The Lake House defies that assumption. With a Drugs/Alcohol investigation area score of zero this film clearly presents as much or more drinking and display of alcoholic beverages as in most R-rated films. Though there was no smoking noted in The Lake House, the report by the ACP finds also a like influence by smoking in and as entertainment. Whether the movie is rated R or not, the focus is the influence of adolescent exposure to drinking in and as entertainment. And influencing children to sin screams of violating Luke 17:2. Though it is not a sin to drink wine and beverages with similar alcoholic content, it is a sin to get drunk [Eph. 5:18]. And to influence children to get drunk or to drink in defiance is sinful. [again Luke 17:2] I suspect we had best listen to Jesus who warned us that whatever we do to His little ones we do to Him. [Matt. 25:40] And how about the one where Jesus tells us that every child has an angel ... who reports directly to God? [Matt. 18:10] While the ACP study claims R-rated films typically present more drinking than other film ratings, our studies are leading to the rating of a film being relatively insignificant: that it is the attitude(s) portrayed that cause more influence than objects and substances (ref: ATTITUDE: In Perspective). Let me take a few more moments to discuss a little further God's Word about drinking alcoholic beverages. This is a serious issue for our youth who are inundated with such influences daily. The Bible speak darkly of "strong drink" in many places in both the Old Testament and the New testament. The wine of Jesus' day might be equated in alcoholic content with our "near beer." Beverages of Jesus' day with a higher alcoholic content is "strong drink." Since God speaks darkly of drinking "strong drink", what do you suppose He thinks about our whiskey, rum and other liquors? How about Bacardi 151 with 75.5% alcohol? Yes, Jesus drank wine. He even created wine from water. But He never got drunk. And He never suggested or required anyone to get drunk. If alcoholic beverages in and as entertainment were not a problem for our young, why is there and why has there been such a push to get and keep booze commercials off prime time broadcast TV? Even the University of Connecticut corroborates the ACP finding. End of sermon. Simon L. Wyler (Christopher Plummer) built a lakefront house as a gift for his wife, Mary who fell ill and died. The house is made of glass. Simon's son, Alex (Keanu Reeves) rented the house for a time around 2004. Moving up to 2006 Dr. Kate Forster (Sandra Bullock) is a new doctor for the Chicago City Hospital. While sitting in front of the hospital with her new mentor and boss, Dr. Anna Klyczynski (Shohreh Aghdashloo) the pair witness a pedestrian get hit by a city bus. Kate's best medical skills are not enough. The victim is dead. Kate becomes torn by the event and is advised by Anna to get as far away from her work as possible on her days off. Kate does precisely that. She rents the now vacant lakefront glass house. Both Kate and Alex are lonely and are seeking comfort. But Alex lives in 2004 while Kate lives in 2006. Not to worry. A mailbox provides a vehicle for a relationship to develop over the span of two years. In some cases overnight, in some cases within seconds. I am not going to try to describe the story or plot any further since 1) it was confusing from the beginning and 2) I am not a film critic. So, let me get to the information for which this ministry is becoming known, that for which increasing numbers of parents understand what we do for them. Such information is briefly discussed below and is itemized in the Findings/Scoring section. The Lake House earned a final score of 64 out of 100 which places it in the scoring range earned by PG-13 movies (55 to 67 out of 100) in the comparative baseline database. The Wanton Violence/Crime (W) investigation area found only one instance of violent programming -- the pedestrian being hit by the bus. The Impudence/Hate (I) investigation area found animosity between a father and his adult son and language not typical of PG films. There are at least seven uses of the three/four letter word vocabulary. [Col. 3:8] The Sexual Immorality (S) investigation area found only talk of sexually immoral deeds and cohabitation. [1 Cor. 7:1-2, 1 John 2:26] The programming revealed by the Drugs/Alcohol (D) investigation area is noted above. The Offense to God (O) investigation area found this film not only uses God's name in vain both with and without the four letter expletive [Deut. 5:11], it violates His admonition that no one may know the future. [Eccl. 7:14, Eccl. 8:7] There were no examples of murder or suicide found by the Murder/Suicide (M) investigation area. Yes, I've unloaded the whole flatbed of hay when you maybe only wanted a couple bales, but this film has a high potential for being seen by a lot of children (which includes at-home teens). And our kids are important to you and I. And Jesus. 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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 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: Thank you for visiting us and may God bless you. Prayerfully, we will provide you with some of the most revealing commentary and investigative reporting you have ever read. 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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