 RED does not mean "stop." GREEN does not mean "go." Click on the CAPCon Alert image for explanation |
Reel World Reality 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 MAR2011.153  (2011), PG-13 [PG(13)*] (99.7min) 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 1300 analyses for parents, grandparents, pastors, youth leaders and more. |
|
  (a PayPal account is NOT required). The CAP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian ministry. Donations are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. |
on what Hollywood feeds your kids. SUBSCRIBE (or unsubscribe) to our FREE 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): IDG Chine Media, IDG China Creative Media Limited and Big Feet Productions LLC, Fox Searchlight Pictures Distribution (US): Fox Searchlight Pictures Director(s): Wayne Wang Producer(s): Jessinta Liu, Andrew Loo, Wendi Murdoch, Ted Perkins, Craig Shilowich, Hugo Shong, Florence Sloan Screenplay by: Angela Workman, Ronald Bass, Michael Ray Novel by: Lisa See Cinematography/Camera: Richard Wong Music: Rachel Portman Film Editing: Deirdre Slevin Art Direction: Molly Page Viewed on Fox Home Entertainment DVD Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, based on the best-selling book by Lisa See, is a rather flighty artsy (if I am using that term correctly) flick with a lot of emotional and relational exploration, or maybe longing without gratification. I did not like it but some might. In the 1800s seven year old Snow Flower (Gianna Jun) and Lily (Bingbing Li), both born on the same day in the same year, are united symbolically as forever sisters in heart by laotong, a bonding covenant to remain forever together. Family friction and tension leads to the girls communicating secretly in a women's language called nu shu by writing their messages on the folds of a silk fan, thus the title of this story. The present day descendants of the girls, Sophia (Gianna Jun) and Nina (Bingbing Li) emulate the laotong for themselves, starting it as an act of defiance toward their caregivers. In Shanghai these two modern laotongs fight to keep their deep friendship alive amidst busy careers, the fast-moving lifestyle of Shanghai and shaky love lives. Sophia is tormented about a promotion by her company to move to New York to start a branch of the company there. During the festivities surrounding the promotion offer, Sophia's laotong sister Nina is hit by a taxi and is comatose in the Hong Kong Hospital. Deeply bothered by Nina being in a coma, Sophie calls off the New York assignment. This causes ripples that might be not repairable. But while waiting for Nina to awaken from the coma Sophia discovers a book Nina has been writing which tells the story of Snow Flower and Lily. Sophia and Nina had been separated by life for quite some time so Sophia explores Nina's life to find out what had developed in her life during their separation. This film is rated PG-13 by the MPAA but it earned a PG(13)* final score by the CAP analysis model. The CAP term "PG(13)" means a film that earned a PG-equivalent CAP final score but was rated PG-13 by the MPAA. The final score of 70 of this film places it only two points out of 18 above the top of the scoring range earned by PG-13 movies in the comparative baseline database (68 to 86 out of 100). That means it is a "hardcore" PG. 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) - 70 out of 100 There is no violence typical of PG-13s in this film but a number of matters of the violent nature which merit your pre-viewing attention are portrayed. Nina is hit by a taxi though the impact is not seen. Foot binding to make a female child's feet small at adulthood is displayed graphically. The horrors of typhoid are displayed and a toddler dies due to exposure to the elements. Impudence/Hate (I) - 57 out of 100 While no profanity was noted teen defiance, disrespect, sneaking and cheating on a college exam were noted as were spousal abuse, lying and an adult encouraging teen dissension. [Rev. 21:8, Rom. 12:18, Prov. 6:16 - 19] Sexual Immorality (S) - 80 out of 100 The footage of Snow Flower and her husband having sexual intercourse was completely unnecessary. While all the viewer sees of that scene was his undulating bare back with she under him as seen from above them, it was still public portrayal of intercourse and it was performed by two unmarried performers [Hebr. 13:4]. Even if the performers were married in real life it is still inappropriate to display husband-wife bedroom privacy for thousands of viewers. There is strong love portrayed between the laotong sisters of both centuries but there is nothing sexual portrayed about their love for each other. Their love is thankfully portrayed as platonic but in today's culture of forced acceptance of homosexual/lesbian behaviors, the relationship of the girls could be inferred as lesbian because the actresses are effective at communicating the hunger of physical attraction beyond that which is typical of a friendship. Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 57 out of 100 In addition to display of alcoholic beverages and drinking of them and one case of smoking tobacco, this story presents addiction to opium and consumption of it. This is not a good combination for a film for 13 year olds., so sayeth the American College of Physicians (ACP). A 2002 study by the American College of Physicians (ACP) revealed that adolescent exposure to drinking in and as entertainment undeniably leads to abuse of alcohol among underage viewers. 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% 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 Offense to God (O) - 73 out of 100 That a movie portrays a foreign culture does not excuse rejection of Jesus or God's Word. It is the job of us Bible-thumpers to relate this to our "congregation." That worship of false gods was fully acceptable and routinely practiced by the Chinese culture of the day does not make it acceptable to God. [1 Tim. 2:5] God's name was abused three times and each time without the four letter expletive. Note that without the expletive does not absolve the one who abuses His name of accountability to His Word. [Deut. 5:11] Note also that any use of His name in any way other than with respect, reverence or in responsible discussion and in praise and prayer is in vain, which includes using His name in the popular three-syllable sentence with His name trialing it. Murder/Suicide (M) - 83 out of 100 No murders were found but what appears to be suicide was noted twice. [Ex. 20:13] 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 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. |
 |
(The objective heart of the CAP Analysis Model, independent of and insulated from the Summary / Commentary section.)   Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - 70 out of 100 Impudence/Hate (I) - 57 out of 100 Sexual Immorality (S) - 80 out of 100 Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 57 out of 100 Offense to God (O) - 73 out of 100 Murder/Suicide (M) - 83 out of 100 |
| 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. |
|
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. In the name of Jesus: Lord, Master, Teacher, Savior, God. Tom Carder Chaplain and 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. |
| 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 PG equivalence: PG(13) PG-13 equivalence: PG-13 R equivalence: R-13 | For R rated Films with G equivalence: G-R PG equivalence: PG-R PG-13 equivalence: 13-R R equivalence: R | For NR rated Films with G equivalence: G-NR PG equivalence: PG-NR PG-13 equivalence: 13-NR R equivalence: R-NR |
