 RED does not mean "stop." GREEN does not mean "go." Click on the CAPCon Alert image for explanation |
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 MAR27046  (2007), PG [PG*] (1hr 39min) 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 1100 analyses for parents, grandparents, pastors, youth leaders and more. |
"http://www.capalert.com/ now_playing.htm" Target="_Blank"  Click it to try it! |
  (a PayPal account is NOT required) OR (preferred) by Check or Money Order. The CAP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian ministry. Donations to us are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE |
on what Hollywood feeds your kids. SUBSCRIBE (or unsubscribe) to our FREE text-only email version of these reports and our COMING SOON notices. |
 Christian Long Distance |
(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): Castle Rock Entertainment, Storefront Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution (US): Warner Bros. Pictures Director(s): Scott Hicks Producer(s): Sergio Aguero, Bruce Berman, Susan Cartsonis, Kerry Heysen, Mari-Jo Winkler Screenplay by: Carol Fuchs, Sandra Nettelbeck Cinematography/Camera: Stuart Dryburgh Music: Philip Glass Film Editing: Pip Karmel Casting: Ronna Kress Production Design: Barbara Ling Art Direction: W. Steven Graham Viewed At: Driftwood Theater 6 I can't wait until we get the funding to enable us to compile and trend the massive data we have accumulated over 13 years. What has clearly been seeping up from the R stratum into the PG-13 stratum (see R-13) is now oozing up into PG. It is now acceptable to include the use of God's name in vain with the four letter expletive in the PG stratum as evidenced by the PG-rated No Reservations ... plus eight uses without the four letter expletive plus a sprinkling of other profanity. So sayest the MPAA. What say you? What does God say? He tells us in Deuteronomy 5:11. In no uncertain terms. He further warns us that to teach and/or cause our little ones to sin that it would be better for the one teaching/causing the child to sin to have a millstone tied about his/her neck then cast into the sea. [Luke 17:2] This sort of puts a different light on entertainment, doesn't it? Sort of drains the fun right out of it, huh? Well, maybe such "fun" shouldn't be had. I didn't write the Rules, folks. And I didn't spend three days in Hell so we would not have to spend one moment there. He did. If I had my way this film would have been smacked with an R rating because of the casting of God's name in vain with the four letter expletive before a young crowd. But I have no control over the results of the analysis model calculations. The content, not me decides the scores earned. I guess this film is a good revealing of the objectivity of the CAP analysis model. Though it contains some content particularly offensive to me, it did earn a final score of 76 which places it squarely within the scoring range earned by PG films in the comparative baseline database. The content did earn a PG-13 equivalent score (60) in the Offense to God investigation area, however, and completely because of the uses of God's name in vain. Now that R content has oozed up into the PG stratum, is R content going to ooze all the way up to the G stratum? It is just a matter of time ... and our "head in the sand" attitude about it. Remember folks. The MPAA classifications are not law. You do not have to, for example, let your 15 year old at-home teens see a PG-13 film just because the MPAA thinks the content is acceptable for a 13 year old child. They are your kids. The MPAA does not answer to God for their management. You do. Master chef Kate Armstrong (Catherine Zeta-Jones) has a promising career at 23 Bleecker Street - a restaurant owned by Paula (Patricia Clarkson). Kate fell into emotional meltdown as her unmarried sister, Christine (Arija Bareikis) was killed in a car crash, leaving little Zoe (Abigail Breslin) all alone. Kate, being the nearest and only relative, could have given Zoe up to foster care but opted to honor Christine's wishes for Zoe and take care of her. In the days off Kate was granted to settle matters and deal with the loss, Paula hired another chef, Nick Palmer (Aaron Eckhart). This would not be so bad but Kate ended up perceiving Nick as trying to steal her job. But as things turn out, though neither of them realize it at first, Nick is out to steal Kate's heart. And does. He chases her and chases her until she finally catches him. Not without speed bumps and potholes, mind you. I feel one of the best positive features of this report is that you now know about the use of God's name in vain with the four letter expletive in the PG-rated No Reservations which you likely would not have known about had you not read this report first. That is one of the main reasons we do this -- to give you objective tools so YOU might be in a better position to make an informed moral decision whether a film is fit for your family. Now to the main reason most folks visit us. Wanton Violence/Crime (W) The only matter of violence and/or crime noted was a gunfire killing in an old movie on a background TV set Zoe was watching. Impudence/Hate (I) Three times the three/four letter word vocabulary was uttered in this PG film. [Col. 3:8] Lies did not help the area scoring either. [Is. 59:7] But probably of the most influential significance was the portrayal of Zoe running out into traffic during a desperation rebellion tantrum. In another time of the plot she ran away. [1 Sam. 15:23] There was, of course, as in many Hollywood romantic relationships an adult tantrum as well. In addition to these matters, punk/goth attire and facial piercing drained 40% of the starting 100 points in this investigation area. [Mal. 4:1] Sexual Immorality (S) While there was no nudity noted in the entire 99 minutes of the story, cohabitation for sex was acceptable and Jones and Eckhart engaged in open mouth kissing while making out, but not in bed. [1 Cor. 7:1-2] Drugs/Alcohol (D) Now to an exceptionally serious matter in films rated acceptable for kids. On several occasions drinking and/or alcoholic beverages were present. In addition, the bar section of the restaurant was seen. But of the most influential concern was the drunkenness of Kate and possibly Nick. These behaviors in and as entertainment are not to be taken lightly in view of the finding by the American College of Physicians. The American College of Physicians (ACP) has found that exposure to booze and drinking in and as entertainment emboldens the viewer, in particular the middle school age stratum: which includes the PG age stratum. Though the ACP study used R-rated films since it was believed R-rated films contained the most drinking, the focus is on the influence of exposure to alcohol in and as entertainment regardless of the film rating. Besides, the ACP researchers were not aware of R-13 which defeats the assumption that R-rated films present the most drinking and drunkenness. A finding by Harvard University agreed with the CAP R-13 finding, four years after our finding. As a sidebar note, consider this, too. The MPAA is apparently going to consider all films with smoking in them as R-rated, clearly announcing without trying that smoking in and as entertainment is indeed a negative influence. If so, why not make R-rated any films which present booze and/or drinking and/or drunkenness? [Eph. 5:18] We incorporated smoking into a film's scoring distribution long before the MPAA. Even other film rating websites have plagiarized our methodology. Might that imply others are following our lead? Within the ACP study population of 4544 middle school students (90% were under fourteen years old), the prevalence of having tried alcohol without parental knowledge was Rather revealing of the influences of the entertainment industry wouldn't you say? And emboldening children to sin with drink in and as entertainment screams of violating Luke 17:2. I can add to the ACP study that reveals films which present drinking and drunkenness contribute to underage substance abuse. I submit that it is not so much the presence of alcohol in films or the rating of the film(s) that embolden youth to abuse it, but is rather the attitude portrayed: the attitude of freedom from authority, freedom from accountability and freedom from consequences. PG-13 and R-rated films, sometimes lesser rated films, are typically heavy with attitude. Our report on this, ATTITUDE: In Perspective -- Investigation Area Scoring and Trend in CAP Entertainment Industry Investigations, Special Report-001 may provide more understanding of the point. Booze and drinking/drunkenness in and as entertainment are serious matters, mom/dad. Offense to God (O) As pointed out at the beginning of this Summary/Commentary section, No Reservations includes not only eight uses of God's name in vain without the four letter expletive, it includes one use of God's name in vain with the four letter expletive in this PG film, [Deut. 5:11] Murder/Suicide (M) No murders or suicides were noted. 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. |
 |
 Wanton Violence/Crime (W) Impudence/Hate (I) Sexual Immorality (S) Drugs/Alcohol (D): Offense to God (O) Murder/Suicide (M) |
| 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. |
| 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 |  |
Christian Long Distance |
|
We exist only by your tax-deductible donations. PLEASE  Features PayPal! You do NOT need an account to donate. |
