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MAR2012.073

(2010), NR [PG-NR*] (81.5min)

Final Score
Analysis Date
Date Posted
Influence Density
MinMax
September 20, 2012
September 22, 2012
69
0.56
-78

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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.



(2010), NR [PG-NR*] ... changes their plans. And their lives.


Production (US): Hallmark Channel, A Daneil I. Paulsen Production In Association With Bright World LLC, Habor Productions, Granada America
Distribution (US): Questar
Director(s): Dan Paulson
Producer(s): Dan Paulson, Marta M. Mobley, Kyle Clark, Norton Wright, Josef Anderson, Jerry Jameson
Written by: Josef Anderson
Cinematography/Camera: Dane Peterson
Music: Bruce Broughton
Film Editing: George W. Brooks
Casting: Maureen A. Arata
Production Design: John Zachary
Viewed on Questar Home Video DVD


From "low income housing" under a dock as a runaway teen to a self-made millionaire, Doug Smith (Treat Williams) is readying his boat to sail to Tahiti with his child psychologist wife of ten years, Robbie (Nancy Travis) ... until Judge Jack (Orson Bean) comes along and changes their plans. And their lives. And the lives of teen boys through the Smiths.

Due to overcrowding in the juvenile hall teen offenders were being sent to adult lockup. Judge Jack ordered the boys to juvenile hall and would not tolerate mixing these young offenders with hardened adult criminals. After letting some boys sleep in his office, Judge Jack decided to try to "call in a favor" from Doug. One day, Judge Jack shows up at Doug and Robbie's boat asking how many it sleeps.

Several years ago Judge Jack had done Doug a favor and kept him out of jail. The judge knew Doug and Robbie could not say 'no' to the two young boys the Judge had waiting in his car. Waiting for what?

I will not spoil any more of this warm and moving story based on the real lives of Doug and Robbie Smith. Suffice it to say the Safe Harbor Boys Home was born the day Judge Jack dropped off Luke (Reiley McClendon), David (Charlie McDermott) and later Billy (Sam Jones III) -- and later yet Larry (Cameron Monaghan) for a short time -- with the Smith's who committed everything they are made of to foster and care for lads who have made choices that conflict with what society expects of us and needs from us.

While Williams and Travis are perfect for the parts they portrayed, Bean does a stellar job of portraying the fast-talking, mental-wheels-always-turning opportunist with a huge and dedicated heart for the young offenders. Among the cast is Myra Turley as Linda Rawlings who wields her authority as a child services worker as a weapon.

With a final score of 69 out of 100, the overall content of this film makes it equivalent to films in the comparative baseline database which earned PG equivalence (68 to 86 out of 100); a hard PG-equivalent score but a PG-equivalent score nonetheless. While the Wanton Violence/Crime (W) and the Impudence/Hate (I) content investigation areas found content to be equivalent in magnitude to some R-rated films in the comparative baseline database, the perfect scores of 100 out of 100 in Offense to God (O) and Murder/Suicide (M) brought the final score up. The Sexual Immorality (S) content is equivalent to G-rated films while the Drugs/Alcohol content is equivalent to many PG-13 rated films in the comparative baseline database.

I will let you know that the film sanitizes the reality one can expect in caring for teens who, for whatever reason, have collided with or have been thrown into the 'system.' My wife and I have been called mom/dad by 42 children: two biological and 40 foster children. From the foster children we adopted eight. I tell you this to hopefully impart to you a modicum of credibility to say that while the film does a good job within the bounds of "acceptable content", one might expect things in the alternative home environment to sometimes be a little, er, different. At least in Texas. Particularly in youthful combat with authority. McClendon did a fair job of portraying animosity toward authority within the confines of performance limitations desired by the filmmakers, but if your heart is touched by this film enough to consider becoming "alternative parents" understand that things can and may get a little bit uglier at times.

The Safe Harbor Boys Home in Jacksonville, Florida (now the Safe Harbor Maritime Academy founded in 1984) is run by Doug and Robbie Smith and is a residential education program that uses the waterfront as a residential and educational facility for teenage boys. Providing a safe, stable, structured alternative home environment, boys live aboard vessels, learning seamanship and maritime skills as well as studying for a high school diploma. If you would like to help the Safe Harbor Boys Home call (904) 757-7918 or visit Safe Harbor Boys Home.

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Following are brief discussions of the content per individual content investigation area. As always the Findings section of this report, the heart of the CAP Analysis Model, is the best source for discovering the full accounting of the content of this film.

Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - 22 out of 100
The violence content of this film is where the heaviest concentration of content lies. While none of the examples of content applicable to this investigation area were nearly as graphic or extreme as one might see in R-rated films, there were enough examples of "lesser" violence and crime to present a magnitude of content equivalent to that of some of the lighter R-rated films. Fighting between the boys and with Doug, illegal flight from custodial care, teen arson, rescue peril at sea and attempted suicide by hanging are a few of the examples of violence/crime content. Each was indeed integral and necessary to tell the story but they are still violence/crime. Please look to the listing in the Wanton Violence/Crime Findings Section section for a full accounting of the content applicable to this content investigation area.

I suspect it might be advisable to share with you God's position regarding violence. God warns of the influence and expense of violence in more than 50 verses from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Proverb 16:29 summarizes the matter rather succinctly. In Proverb 16:29 God warns that violence is "catching:" that violence is enticing and can lead the observer into a path that is not good. Further, four professional public health agencies published findings which warn that the viewer of violence in and as entertainment can, among other things lead the viewer, especially the young to real life violence or lead the youthful viewer to believe violence is an effective means of settling conflict.

Impudence/Hate (I) - 39 out of 100
There is one conversational snippet of profanity spoken by Orson Bean. Williams slyly masks a use of profanity. [Eph. 4:29] But the most of the content applicable to this content investigation area was in the form of arrogance and disrespect toward fair authority [Prov. 8:13] and lying [Rev. 21:8, Exod. 20:16]. David said once "I hate her so much" about his mother. There is insufferable exercise of authority by a government official to the point of threats of extortion. [Matt. 23:25]

Sexual Immorality (S) - 92 out of 100
The only content found that applies to this investigation area were the two teen girls in scant swim wear and Luke's innuendo about one of the girls "with her clothes on." Scant swim wear may be typical of some or even many, but that "everyone does it" does not excuse it. [1 Tim. 2:9]

Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 59 out of 100
Several instances of [celebratory] alcoholic beverages were noted but only one instance of drinking. A toast was made with alcoholic beverage was noted and an invitation to "have a drink" was heard. In addition, David's mother is seen drunk in a couple views. This content investigation area found enough instances of alcoholic beverages to be equivalent to the same findings in some films rated PG-13.

While the alcoholic beverages seen were all in social settings and while David's mother being drunk is certainly a key element of the story being told, the American College of Physicians (ACP) has found a direct link between alcohol in and as entertainment and youthful abuse of it.

A 2002 study by the ACP revealed that adolescent exposure to drinking in and as entertainment undeniably leads to abuse of alcohol among underage viewers. The report 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% of the youths were under fourteen years old) only 16% were completely restricted in their entertainment diets. Within the ACP study population, the prevalence of having tried alcohol without parental knowledge was

  • 46% for those with no viewing restrictions
  • 16% for those with partial viewing restrictions
  • four percent for those with complete viewing restrictions. [Eph. 5:18]

    Now comes the matter of the film's content, the portraying alcohol being present a number of times but being drank only once, whether the film's content meets the criteria of the finding by the ACP that adolescent exposure to drinking in and as entertainment bears the same danger of influence as simply seeing alcoholic beverages present. I am not prepared to bandy the issue and will tend toward conservative in this report by saying, for all intents and purposes, that simply viewing booze in and as entertainment possesses some potential to influence youthful viewers.

    There were no instances of smoking, no instances of possession or consumption of illegal drugs nor any instances of abuse of prescription drugs nor any reference to any of these matters.

    Offense to God (O) - 100 out of 100
    Not once was blasphemy noted nor were witchcraft, sorcery, occultism or any other such unholy practice noted.

    Murder/Suicide (M) - 100 out of 100
    There are no portrayals of murder or suicide in the film. Larry tries unsuccessfully to kill himself by hanging but the operating procedures of the CAP Analysis Model do not permit incorporating attempts at murder or suicide by this investigation area. Portrayals of attempts at murder and suicide are incorporated by the Wanton Violence/Crime (W) content investigation area.

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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 "fantasy" 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. Their findings include:
    --> Children who see a lot of violence are more likely to view violence as an effective way of settling conflicts. Children exposed to violence are more likely to assume the acts of violence are acceptable behavior.
    --> Viewing violence can lead to emotional desensitization towards violence in real life. It can decease the likelihood that one will take action on behalf of a victim when violence occurs.
    --> Entertainment violence feeds a perception that the world is a violent and mean place. Viewing violence increases fear of becoming a victim of violence, with a resultant increase in self-protective behavior and a mistrust of others.
    --> Viewing violence may lead to real life violence. Children exposed to violent programming at a young age have a higher tendency for violent and aggressive behavior later in life than children who are not so exposed.
    Further, God speaks darkly of violence 56 times in the Old and New Testament of the KJV.]
  • 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.
  • Prov. 8:13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
  • Rev. 21:8 But the [unforgiven] fearful [cowardly], and unbelieving, and the abominable [vile], and murderers, and whoremongers [sexually immoral], and sorcerers [which includes witches, warlocks, spiritists, diviners, necromancers, those who practice the magic arts, etc.], and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
  • Exod. 20:16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. [This is the 9th of the Ten Commandments.]
  • Matt. 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
  • 1 Tim. 2:9 - I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, ... [Note that what is fair for the goose is fair for the gander. This verse applies to men as well.]
  • Eph. 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. [Since "drunk" is methusko {meth-oos'-ko}: to intoxicate; make drunk; to get drunk; become intoxicated, "wine" can be any intoxicating substance including illegal drugs or abuse of prescription drugs. The issue is do not abuse the body by intoxicating it [1 Cor. 6:19]. Though it is not a sin to drink, it is a sin to get drunk OR to influence to get drunk OR to drink in defiance such as underage drinking.]

    Selected Scriptures of Armour against the influence of the entertainment industry

  • Jer. 37:9 - 10 This is what the LORD says: Do not deceive yourselves, thinking, 'The Babylonians [the destroyers from within] will surely leave us.' They will not! Even if you were to defeat the entire Babylonian army that is attacking you and only wounded men were left in their tents, they would come out and burn this city down. [The "destroyers form within" do not have to be army warriors. They can be the ones who destroy through corruption of moral standards as well, such as filmmakers who perpetuate desensitization against wholesome standards. They aren't going anywhere, folks. Not until Jesus comes again.]
  • Ps. 12:8 The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men [when enough people continue to defend what is vile, embrace it, enjoy it, want it, submit to it.]
  • 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. And remember, mom/dad, "little ones" is mikros, meaning less by birth; younger. All of your children are younger than you and less by birth than you. So, "little ones" includes at-home teens.]
  • 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.)

    Safe Harbor (2010) CAP Thermometers

    Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - 22 out of 100
  • long sequence of peril at sea with implied doom
  • "testosterone" disputes, multiple
  • illegal flight, twice
  • graphic tale of familial dysfunction and crime
  • teen tantrum with property damage
  • physical assault of caregiver by teen boy
  • physical assault of teen boy by caregiver
  • firefighting action violence
  • attempted suicide by hanging
  • fighting
  • arson by teen boy
  • repeat of peril at sea with implied doom

    Impudence/Hate (I) - 39 out of 100
  • masked profanity, one
  • one use of profanity
  • teen disrespect toward fair authority, multiple
  • lying, repeatedly
  • scars of physical abuse
  • altercation between teen son and mother with disrespect toward mother
  • "I hater her so much" by teen boy about his mother
  • crude comment
  • lying, repeatedly
  • insufferable exercise of authority, repeatedly
  • threats to extort

    Sexual Immorality (S) - 92 out of 100
  • scant swim wear
  • teen innuendo about girl not dressed

    Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 59 out of 100
  • booze (celebratory), repeatedly
  • a toast with booze
  • invitation to "have a drink"
  • drunkenness

    Offense to God (O) - 100 out of 100
  • none noted

    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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    * CAP Equivalence to MPAA Rating Scale:
    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.

    The current CAP to MPAA** nomenclature is:

    For G rated Films with
    G equivalence: G
    PG equivalence: PG-G
    PG-13 equivalence: 13-G
    R equivalence: R-G<
    For PG rated Films with
    G equivalence: G-PG
    PG equivalence: PG
    PG-13 equivalence: 13-PG
    R equivalence: R-PG
    For PG-13 rated Films with
    G equivalence: G-13
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    PG-13 equivalence: PG-13
    R equivalence: R-13
    For R rated Films with
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    PG-13 equivalence: 13-R
    R equivalence: R
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    PG-13 equivalence: 13-NR
    R equivalence: R-NR
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