Index To Analysis By Date
April 2000 - June 2000 Listings:
Whatever It takes (PG-13) -- even it's title says it all.
April 2000;
Keeping
the Faith (PG-13) -- but not in Jesus. April 2000;
The Road
to El Dorado - (PG) -- a sort of dull romp, ostensibly for the kids
with a clear sexual presence. April 2000;
The Price
of Glory (PG-13) -- abusive parental authority over a loving family
-- until they can't take it any more. April 2000;
Who
Gets the House (G) -- it finally happened. Please read
on...... April 2000;
Ready to
Rumble (PG-13) -- shoulda been R. April 2000;
Rules
of Engagement (R) -- a very well made movie with high quality
acting made bad by gore and language. April 2000;
Black & White (An R-rated movie
"reduced" from NC-17), *extreme* vulgarity
- 320 uses of foul language -- ALL manner of foul language -- in 96
minutes. The movie certainly had a way with word (yes, "word", not
"words"). April 2000;
Where
the Heart Is (PG-13) -- by the magnitude of the ignominy
envelope, should have been R. April 2000;
U-571
(PG-13) -- another R-13. - Due mostly to language and violence... April
2000;
Love and
Basketball (PG-13) -- alas, another
R-13. April 2000;
Ghost Dog: The
Way of the Samurai (R) -- a murderer saved
by a murderer from being murdered devoting his life to murdering for the
murderer. April 2000;
The
Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (PG) --
was not really a kid's show. May 2000;
American
Psycho (R) -- THE FIRST CAP ZERO
(YES I SAID ZERO!)
OF MORE THAN 320 ANALYSES!!!. May 2000;
Gladiator
(R) -- no lions and no Christians May 2000;
I
Dreamed of Africa (PG-13) -- a "PG"
with nudity. May 2000;
The Basket
(PG) -- two more points and it could have been a
low-end CAP "G." May 2000;
Battlefield Earth: A Saga of the Year
3000 (PG-13) --
"I think I just saw a movie." May
2000;
Dinosaur
(PG) -- breath-taking scenery & stunning artistry, both technical and
natural - but sometimes brutal. May 2000;
Jan. 2000 - March 2000 Listings:
The
Talented Mr. Ripley (R) -- if there was talent, I could not find it.
Jan. 2000; MAGNOLIA (R) -- very definitely an R. - which
put *South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut* "to shame."
Jan. 2000;
The
Cider House Rules (PG-13) -- the male version of *Titanic* (1997) -
There is indeed male genitalia presented in this
movie the MPAA says is okay for your 13-year old sons and daughters. And
there is intercourse and other nudity... Jan. 2000;
Snow
Falling on Cedars (PG-13) -- and clothing falling on ground.
This movie is little, if any, more than portrayal
of a sexual relationship between two teens -- early teens, very early
teens. Jan. 2000;
SUPER NOVA
(PG-13) -- NOT a PG-13; a 'skin flick' targeted at adolescents.
Full nudity fully engaged in sexual intercourse.
That's the bill for your 13 year old with *Super Nova*, and it is
entirely acceptable according to the Motion Picture Association of
America (MPAA). Jan. 2000;
Girl,
Interrupted (R) -- every bit "R" Jan. 2000;
Play it
to the Bone (R) -- or to the skin. And play it to the hilt in
mockery of Jesus and the Scriptures. Jan. 2000;
Down to You
(PG-13) -- down to R. *Down to You* had some moments of tenderness and
mature responsibility in a boy-girl relationship.
But soon the maturity and responsibility were lost
-- in spades. Jan. 2000;
Cradle
Will Rock (R) -- an unusual proof. Boring!, Intercourse with nudity,
nude dancing, sex talk, and adults in underwear were the main fare of
the observed portion. Jan. 2000;
Isn't She
Great (R) -- No! Bette Midler used to be great. Not only a
very fine singer but a decent actress -- until *Isn't She Great. Feb.
2000; Scream 3
(R) -- "shhhing" Feb. 2000;
Simpatico
(R) -- a play - turned - film story. Feb. 2000;
Eye of
the Beholder (R) -- even the 6 or 7 year old eye. Feb. 2000;
The
Hurricane (1999) -- the perfect example. Yes,
the perfect example of needless use of gratuitous sexual programming and
foul language. Feb. 2000;
Grizzly
Falls (PG) -- only in the movies. Feb. 2000;
Gun Shy (R)
-- if they say so. Feb. 2000;
The Beach
(R) -- an uncomfortable movie indeed. Feb. 2000;
The
Whole Nine Yards (R) Some light-hearted comedy and ingenious
one-liners plus the fame of Willis and the genius of Duncan were
somewhat successful at masking much of the trouble with this movie.
While some issues which were not in accordance with God's wish for the
things we feed to our minds, some were out-and-out vulgarity and filth.
Feb. 2000;
Snow Day
(PG) -- a hard PG or a very light PG-13 Feb. 2000;
The Tigger
Movie (G) -- Hooo, hoo, Hoooo! A Real Family Movie! Feb.
2000; Hanging Up (PG-13) -- "The Meg Ryan Story..." (should have been
rated R!) Feb. 2000;
The Third
Miracle (PG-13) Feb. 2000;
Pitch Black
(R) -- black, indeed. Feb. 2000;
Knock Out
(PG-13) -- not Rocky, but boxing. Feb. 2000;
Wonder Boys
(R) -- LOTS of drug use. Feb. 20000;
Reindeer
Games (R) -- a slippery tale indeed - slid right down to near the
bottom. March 2000;
The Next
Best Thing (PG-13 ) -- I am NOT politically correct... The Next best
Thing is a massive collection of sexual issues, the great majority of
them homosexual issues, each portrayed as acceptable as wearing white
socks or gray. March 2000;
What Planet
Are Your From (R) -- what planet is the writer from. An entirely
sexual movie. Nearly very manner of drawing attention to sexual
matters and sexuality was included. March 2000;
Drowning
Mona (PG-13) -- not even close to PG-13. March 2000;
My Dog Skip
(PG) --a good story but with hard language. March 2000;
Erin
Brockovich (R) -- Julia has become potty-mouthed. March 2000;
Mission
to Mars (PG) -- a new age discussion of the origin of life and
evolution. March 2000;
The Ninth
Gate (R) -- an unholy mumbo-jumbo and Satanic worship movie. March
2000; Sweet and Lowdown (PG-13) -- smoking and drinking and women and
money. March 2000;
Final
Destination (R) -- perpetuating the stealing of childhood from
children. March 2000;
Return to Me
(PG) -- and return it does. March 2000;
Here On
Earth (PG-13) -- an odd PG-13. - Some really fine family values
presentation in this one. Some courage. Some sincerity.
And even some respect, even for parents!!! HMMMM!!! March 2000;
Oct.
99 - Dec. 99 Listings:
Dive Me
Crazy (PG-13) -- another teen autonomy movie. Oct. 99;
American
Beauty (R) -- Rose? Not likely. Oct. 99;
Three Kings
(R) -- not at all like the Magi. Oct. 99;
The Omega
Code (PG-13) -- Much violence but NO sex an NO foul language.
Oct. 99;
Fight Club
(R) -- a bizarre fantasy about the "repressed self" Oct. 99;
Double
Jeopardy (R) -- Can't try her for murder again Oct. 99;
The Story of
Us (R) -- But not a story of us. Oct. 99;
Crazy in
Alabama (PG-13) -- an example of a good boy embedded in 108 minutes
of PG-13 Oct. 99;
Bats (PG-13)
-- Scientists create a special breed of bats -- bred to kill. Oct. 99;
Three to
Tango (PG-13) but I purely do not know how. Oct. 99;
Bringing Out the Dead (R) -- stuff that tests my patience.
Oct. 99;
Music
of the Heart (PG) -- I liked it, a lot. But it is a PG movie;
House on Haunted Hill (R) -- a horror flick with modern ethics and
morality. Nov. 99;
Random
Hearts (R) Nov. 99;
Bone
Collector (R) -- shades of *Ironsides*, but not nearly as
wholesome.;
Dogma (R) --
38 minutes of useless celluloid. Nov. 99;
The
Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (R) -- very violent yet
nondescript movie. Nov. 99;
The Last
of the Mohicans (R) -- a violent, sometimes boring movie. Nov.
99;
The
World Is Not Enough: 007 (PG-13) -- this analysis is going to sound
"holier - than - thou". Nov. 99 Please try to read this
analysis from a WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) perspective.;
The
Bachelor (PG-13) -- lots of language and sexual matters but little
else. Nov. 99;
Toy Story 2
(G) -- a true G movie Nov. 99;
Pokemon:
The Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back (G) -- was NOT "G" Nov. 99;
Flawless
(R) -- a partner of *Three to Tango* Nov. 99;
Sleepy
Hollow (R) -- Icabod Crane was NOT a school master. Dec. 99;
Anywhere But Here (PG-13) -- I certainly lost respect for Natalie
Portman. Dec. 99;
The
Straight Story (G) -- another PG movie rated G Dec. 99;
End of Days
(R) -- presents some of the slickest counterfeitings of the
Scriptures I have *ever* seen: some of
the smoothest-sounding lies ever produced! Dec. 99;
Bicentennial Man (PG) -- a romp into the world of Kevorkianism and
Clintonics. Dec. 99;
The Green
Mile (R) I am uncomfortable about saying this but *The Green
Mile* was quite probably the best movie I have seen in a very long time
-- but it was truly a R movie. None of the stuff that made it R
needed to be there. Dec. 99;
Stuart
Little (PG) -- but not really PG. As I watched *Stuart Little*
I found myself wondering why it was rated PG and not G. There were
some issues of ignominy in it but not nearly as much as the vast
majority of PG movies nowadays. Dec. 99;
Anna and
the King (PG-13) -- a remake of the classic *The King and I*
Dec. 99;
Any
Given Sunday (R) -- should have been NC-17? Dec. 99;
Man on the
Moon (R) -- a movie FROM the moon. Dec. 99;
Galaxy
Quest (PG) -- with lots of c-l-e-a-v-a-g-e. Dec. 99
July
99 - Sept 99 Listings:
South Park
Movie Review July 99;
American
Pie July 99;
Eyes Wide
Shut July 99;
The
Haunting July 99;
Inspector Gadget (PG) July 99;
Runaway
Bride (PG) July 99;
The Blair
Witch Project (R) July 99;
Iron Giant
(PG) August 99;
Mystery Man
(PG-13) August 99;
A Dog of
Flanders
(PG) August 99;
Dudley
Do-right (PG) Sept. 99;
The 13th
Warrior (R) Sept. 99;
Quest for
Fire (1981) (R) by Special Request Sept 99;
Outside Providence (R) - also outside reality Sept. 99;
Stigmata
(R) Sept. 99;
The
Prince of Egypt (1998) PG - Revisited - Since Home video edition is
now out.;
Love Stinks
(R) Sept. 99;
Blue Streak
(PG-13) Sept. 99 This is not a PG-13 Movie!;
Astronaut's Wife (R) Sept. 99;
Jakob, the
Liar (PG-13) -- a gentle hero liar Sept. 99;
Mumford (R)
-- a good fake Sept. 99
Violence and the entertainment media:
Following the closure below for
your information is the official position of four major community health
organizations on the influence of violence in entertainment. This
position statement is verbatim of the release statement faxed to the CAP
ministry by Pat McGrath of Morality in Media in NYC. The fax from
which this was typed presents the signatures of the four representatives
named at the end of the release.
One of the position statements
is "Viewing violence may lead to real life violence."
From our five-year 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, licensed child psychologist and certified
school psychologist concurs. For example, "Viewing arrogance
against fair authority may lead to youth screaming obscenities at
parents in real life." Or "Viewing sex may lead to sex in real life."
I further contend that any *positive* character trait 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.
It's official now. That
which right-wing fanatics like you and I and Jesus have been shouting in
the gap for years has been bought into by the professional health
community. Geniuses they are, huh? I applaud them for
figuring out
1 Cor. 15:33 all by themselves: [KJV] "Be not deceived: evil
communications corrupt good manners. [NIV] "Do not be misled: 'Bad
company corrupts good character."
An exceptionally accurate
statement in the release that deserves true respect is "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."
[emphasis is mine]
Eventually, the joint statement
on the impact of entertainment violence on children will be posted to
the CAP website with a link on our home page. In this way, should
you lose this email and need the statement, it will be available to you
there.
Always in Jesus' name.
Thomas A. Carder
ChildCare Action Project (CAP):
Christian Analysis of American Culture
P. O. Box 177, Granbury, TX
76048-0177
A nonprofit Christian Ministry.
Donations are tax deductible
Email:
mailto:cap@capalert.com
Website Address:
http://www.capalert.com/
-------
Dedicated to investigating and
reporting on the impact of the American culture on the integrity, self
respect, and coping skills of youth, and inherently on family values and
unity, using the teachings of Jesus as Investigation Standards.
<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>
Joint Statement on the Impact of
Entertainment Violence on Children
Congressional Public Health Summit
July 26, 2000
We, the undersigned represent
the public health community. As with any community, there exists a
diversity of viewpoints - but with many matters, there is also
consensus. Although a wide variety of viewpoints on the import and
impact of entertainment violence on children may exist outside the
public health community, within it, there is a strong consensus on many
of the effects on children's health, well-being and development.
Television, movies, music, and
interactive games are powerful learning tools, and highly influential
media. The average American child spends as much as 28 hours a
week watching television, and typically at least an hour a day playing
video games or surfing the Internet. Several more hours each week
are spent watching movies and videos, and listening to music.
These media can, and often are, used to instruct, encourage, and
even inspire. But when these entertainment media showcase violence
- and particularly in a context which glamorizes or trivializes it -m
the lessons learned can be destructive.
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.
At this time, well over 1000
studies - including reports from the Surgeon General's office, the
National Institute of Mental Health, and numerous studies conducted by
leading figures within our medical and public health organizations --
our own members - point overwhelmingly to a causal connection between
media violence and aggressive behavior in some children. The
conclusion of the public health community, based on over 30 years of
research, is that viewing entertainment violence can lead to increases
in aggressive attitudes, values and behavior, particularly in children.
Its effects are measurable and
long-lasting. Moreover, prolonged viewing of media violence can
lead to emotional desensitization toward violence in real life.
The effect of entertainment
violence on children is complex and variable. Some children will be
affected more than others. But while duration, intensity, and
extent of the impact may vary, there are several measurable negative
effects of children's exposure to violent entertainment. These
effects take several forms.
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. Although less
research has been done on the impact of violent interactive
entertainment (video games and other interactive media) on young people,
preliminary studies indicate that the negative impact may be
significantly more severe than that wrought by television, movies, or
music. More study is needed in this area, and we urge that
resources and attention be directed to this field.
We in no way mean to imply that
entertainment violence is the sole, or even necessarily the most
important factor contributing to youth aggression, anti-social
attitudes, and violence., Family breakdown, peer influences, the
availability of weapons, and numerous other factors may all contribute
to these problems. Nor are we advocating restrictions on creative
activity. The purpose of this document is descriptive, not
prescriptive; we seek to lay out a clear picture of the pathological
effects of entertainment violence. But we do hope that by
articulating and releasing the consensus of the public health community,
we may encourage greater public and parental awareness of the harms of
violent entertainment, and encourage a more honest dialogue about what
can be done to enhance the health and well-being of America's children.
Signed by:
Donald E. Cook, MD
President
American Academy of Pediatrics
Clarice Kestenbaum, MC
President
American Academy of Child &
Adolescent Psychiatry
L. Michael Honaker, Ph.D
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
American Psychological Association
Dr. E. Ratcliffe Anderson, Jr.
MD
Executive Vice President
American Medical Association
_____________________________________________________
Note: In accordance with
Title 17, U.S.C., section 107, this material is distributed
without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior
interest in receiving it. This material may not be copied or
quoted, placed on any web site or other open forum or otherwise provided
to anyone other than the one(s) to whom it is addressed without express
consent of the owner of the intellectual rights.
MINISTRY NOTES
See Short Message from Thomas Carder
Another Short Message from Thomas Carder
Praise God 12/09/2001
FYI, visitation to the CAP website
has hit 1,000,000! Today, the tracker revealed 1,000,131 total hits with
the maximum one-day visitation of 23,802. Recently, visitation has idled
between 1,000 and 2,500 per day which is up from 800 to 1,200 evidently
due to the efforts of Christian Banner eXchange <http://www.cbx2.net>.
Their webmaster, Gary has graciously bent over backwards to get exposure
for this ministry to as many of the Christian community as possible --
and he ain't done yet. We are on our way to a goal of 10,000 visits per
day and more. Not bad for a Christian internet ministry, huh? Thank you,
Jesus! At least 1,000,000 seeds have been planted. Even those who visit
us and hate us will at least know of the Light. May you nourish and make
grow those seeds you have planted through the CAP ministry. And may you
plant millions more through us.
If those visitation numbers are not
significant to fund givers and grant makers, there is much, much more to
this service causing trembling in the wake of eight years of ultra
liberalism than even we can see. And I have our first ever meeting with
a grant writer Monday, February 12 at 10:00 AM. PLEASE consider
earnestly lifting that meeting up in prayer. Even consider asking your
Sunday school classes to lift it up.
Thank you again for over five years
of your trust of this ministry. And thank you in advance for your prayer
support.
Always in Jesus' name.
Thomas A. Carder
President
ChildCare Action Project (CAP):
Christian Analysis of American Culture
P. O. Box 177, Granbury, TX
76048-0177
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian
Ministry
Email: mailto:cap@capalert.com
Website Address:
http://www.capalert.com/
May 21,2000:
It is evident that the less than one percent of our
"family" of thousands who have been providing donations are just not
able to (and should not) provide enough support to make this a fulltime
ministry. Just to make everyone aware, I will likely stop
conducting media analyses or at least reduce them dramatically for a
time to spend weekday evening hours to try to find funding to operate
this ministry fulltime. It is also evident, after three years of
trying to find a secular job to support this ministry and getting only
three interviews and four temporary minimum wage jobs, that Jesus wants
me to do this ministry fulltime. I am taking a leap of faith and
will need all the prayer support we can get. In addition, if
anyone wishes to assist us with locating funding sources, who can share
knowledge of the procedures for writing a "business" plan and writing of
other documents required (NO LOANS), such support would be greatly,
greatly appreciated. If you decide to help, I will be happy to do
all the legwork and writing.
Please join me at the foot of the Cross:
Mighty and gracious Lord Jesus. I stand with
thousands at the foot of your Cross asking for your financial help.
It is clear this, your CAP ministry is your Will and is to your glory
and praise by ministering your teachings and expectations -- your Truth
-- to your little ones through their parents and grandparents. By
your longsuffering of my weaknesses and by your Wisdom and Love, this
ministry has become the tool you wanted: a tool to help parents and
grandparents exercise the authority with which you ordained them to
discern what is and is not acceptable for their kids by YOUR standards.
But I am, by myself, woefully inadequate to obtain and maintain funding.
Let me not be the cause of the death of this, your ministry to your
little ones. Your bounty is deeply needed to continue this
ministry as you intend. I ask that you put Fire upon the hearts of
those you choose to be lieutenants in service to you through this
ministry. Through them and their assistance, help me to find the
funding you have already set aside to operate this ministry fulltime for
many years. And I commit myself to be a good steward of the
resources you send us by our faith in your grace and by your promises.
Above all, Jesus we love you. And we ask forgiveness of our sins
that we may be heard clean and white.
--
Always in thy holy Name.
--
Thomas A. Carder
ChildCare Action Project: Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP)
P. O. Box 177, Granbury, TX 76048-0177
A nonprofit Christian Ministry
Donations are tax deductible
Sponsor inquiries are welcome
Email:
mailto:cap@capalert.com
Website Address:
http://www.capalert.com/
More proof of the ratio of movie ratings. Not
one new releases at the four theaters I use in the Fort Worth, Texas
area is above R.
If someone has school age kids who
would like to conduct a extra-credit project that a teacher or teachers
would accept, I will be happy to "grade" a numeric analysis of all the
movie analyses we have in our archives for the ratios of ratings.
The results should be credible since I conduct analysis of
whatever is playing (except NC-17/X). I have, when the occasion
presents itself, favored conducting analysis of PG or PG-13 over R when
the higher rating movies were available, but this has happened only two
or three times in the nearly five years of this ministry.
Reliability of randomness should be at or above 95%.
Always in Jesus' name. -- Thomas
A. Carder
Where's the G!?*:
Which is why I have not been doing
many G and PG-rated movies. And I have not seen any evidence of
the above ratios improving since 1995. Indeed, I suspect there are now
even fewer G and PG movies generally available.
Also, today I was able to again
observe a sampling of the entertainment diet of contemporary America.
After three R-rated movies which nearly packed the auditoriums, there
were about ten attendees to the PG movie -- and I was one of the ten.
Another sampling of America's
entertainment diet was noted as a little girl about six or seven years
old was tripping over my feet to get back to her seat in *Eye of the
Beholder*. While this was certainly NOT an offense to me, that
there was intercourse being repeatedly shown on the screen -- AND SHE
WAS WATCHING IT -- *was* an offense to me. I wonder what Child
Protective Services would do if I showed pictures of intercourse to my
kids at home? How about if I showed the pictures in the lobby of
the theater showing the movie with intercourse AFTER the kids left the
movie? It took all my control to NOT say something to her parents
who were _with_ her. Maybe the first time the little girl saw that
offense was innocent on the part of the parents who might not have
realized that an R-rated movie just might contain vulgar programming,
but when stills of the the intercourse kept being repeated along with
other material typically associated with R-rated programming, the
innocence was lost.
Please consider sharing with all you
know who practice this form "entertainment"
Matthew 25:40 "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I
say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto [or for] one of the least
of these my brethren, ye have done it unto [or for] me" and
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." Hard and sobering Truths, but Truths
nonetheless.
The battle is getting exceptionally
ugly and our kids need fervent prayer and bold warriors to reduce the
offenses to them. If you are not called to be a bold warrior with
me, please, please go to the foot of the Cross for the kids AND their
parents.
Always in Jesus' name.
Thomas A. Carder
ChildCare Action Project: Christian Analysis of
American Culture (CAP)
P. O. Box 177, Granbury, TX 76048-0177
A nonprofit Christian Ministry
Donations are tax deductible
Sponsor inquiries are welcome
Email: mailto:cap@capalert.com
Website Address:
http://www.capalert.com/
Parents: Arbiters of
entertainment content - Jon E. Dougherty WorldNetDaily Exclusive
Commentary 09/13/2000 © 2000
WorldNetDaily.com
A new Federal Trade Commission report
says what most parents concerned about the bombardment on their children
of filth, smut, and gore (no pun intended) by the entertainment industry
have known for years: the stuff is harming our kids.
No fooling. It doesn't take a genius
-- or a government agency -- to figure that one out. Nevertheless, the
information is valuable because at least it supports what many parents
have known or suspected about the entertainment industry for some time.
Now, what's to be done about it? And
who should do it? As most of us realize, actually doing something
about a problem takes more energy than complaining about it.
However, as my priest tells me time
and again, it is the action of a parent that has more influence
than anything else over children. You can "talk" about the "evils" of
today's post-modern entertainment industry, but if you keep letting kids
buy, watch, or play the crap that passes out of the industry into the
mainstream, there isn't much our kids are going to "learn" from that.
Except that it's OK to buy, watch or
play the crap we parents are merely complaining about.
On the heels of this new FTC report,
however, come the presidential candidates to tell us what we long knew
-- that Hollywood and its co-conspirators in the music and video game
industries -- are corrupting our kids and that we "ought to do something
about it." Bolstered by the FTC report, both Bush and Gore have already
begun to use the new data to stump for votes and to show parents that
they "care about our kids."
For his part, Democratic presidential
nominee Al Gore has already said he would support new laws and
regulations that would "force" entertainment industry moguls to stop
targeting our children and produce content that is more family-friendly,
amenable to traditional moral conduct, and less likely to make grandma
puke when she sees it.
That's all well and good, but
constitutionally speaking, it is illegal as hell. There are no
constitutional mandates that give presidents, Congress, and leviathan
federal agencies the power to tell media and entertainment moguls what
they can and cannot produce, or who they can and cannot market their
products to.
In fact, the whole Gore position on
this so far reminds me of the government-sponsored attacks on tobacco
and guns -- legal businesses that some group of faceless federal
activists have "deemed" harmful to our health and thus, within the
parameters of big government regulatory authority. The thinking is,
those of us out here in "flyover country" don't have a clue as to how
best to take care of ourselves, so some federal agency must do it for
us.
Bull feathers. That's what wrong with
this country -- too many federal goofballs who, thanks to an errant
Congress, believe they have the power to control our lives. This isn't
China or the Soviet Union -- is it?
If America is going to do anything
about this "problem" that we've all known about for years, then it must
come from us -- not Uncle Sam. We -- and not the Federal Trade
Commission -- should have the ultimate power of decision over whether we
will or will not condone such material that is definitely being targeted
at our teens.
It should be up to mom and dad, not
the Justice Department, as to what little Sally or Johnny read, play,
watch, or listen to when in the privacy of their rooms in our homes.
The mere mention by Gore that he wants
to use the increasingly burdensome and oppressive power of the federal
government to force morality on a society that can dictate its own
morals is scary and dangerous. Who decides what is "bad" and what is
"good"? Now you get the picture.
As a parent, most MTV programs are
off-limits to my kids. I monitor their computer chat room sessions. If I
hear one cuss word in a music CD, I own it -- and then the city waste
department gets it. And as for content in movies, if it won't pass
parental muster, they aren't watching it.
Such parental control takes time and
effort, to be sure, but that's what parents are supposed to do.
Our kids are our responsibility -- not Gore's, Bush's, or the
Federal Trade Commission's.
Make no mistake -- most of what the
entertainment industry produces these days is, in no uncertain terms, garbage. It lacks creativity, it lacks morality (as do those who
produce it), and it lacks decency. But some of it is good, and it
is all protected by the First Amendment -- as it should be.
Gore, as a parent and presidential
candidate, has every right to voice his opinion about the kind of stuff
put out these days by the entertainment industry. He has no right,
however, to "mandate" compliance using unauthorized and un-delegated
powers to get his point of view accepted.
As president, either Gore or GOP
nominee George W. Bush could and probably should use the bully pulpit of
the White House to call for better and more family-friendly content from
these warped and deranged individuals in the "entertainment" industry.
The "policy," however, should be
enacted by the power of the purse strings, pulled only by parents and
consumers who, with their dollars, will send a clearer message that
"enough is enough."
Jon E.
Dougherty is a staff writer for WorldNetDaily.
The Parents Television Council (PTC)
recently unveiled its annual picks for the 10 best and 10 worst shows on
television. PTC monitors primetime network television shows for
violence, foul language and sexual situations.
The Good ...
1) Touched By an Angel (CBS/ranked #2
last season) 2) 7th Heaven (WB/ranked #1 last season) 3) Who Wants to Be
a Millionaire? (ABC/first season) 4) Sabrina, The Teenage Witch
(ABC/ranked #7 last season) 5) Early Edition (CBS/ranked #4 last season)
6) Moesha (UPN/ranked #8 last season) 7) Boy Meets World (ABC/ranked #10
last season) 8) Safe Harbor (WB/first season) 9) Roswell (WB/first
season) 10) Cosby (CBS/ranked #6 last season)
... and the Bad.
1) WWF Smackdown! (UPN/first season)
2) Family Guy (Fox/not ranked last season) 3) Action (Fox/first season)
4) Buffy the Vampire Slayer (WB/not ranked last season) 5) The Beat (UPN/first
season) 6) Ally McBeal (Fox/ranked #4 last season) 7) Norm (ABC/not
ranked last season) 8) The Drew Carey Show (ABC/ranked #6 last season)
9) Will & Grace (NBC/ranked #3 last season) 10) Popular (WB/first
season)
To learn more about the Parent's
Television Council, visit their website at
www.parentstv.org.
Television Reviews and Resources:
Parents Television Council:
Reviews of Current TV programming and shows. |
The
mission of the PTC is to bring America’s demand for positive,
family-oriented television programming to the entertainment
industry.
The Parents Television Council (PTC)
was established in 1995 as the Hollywood project of the
Media Research Center.
The PTC offers private sector solutions to restore television to its
roots as an independent and socially responsible entertainment
medium. Much of the PTC’s success stems
from motivating the public to voice its support of family-friendly
programming to network executives, advertisers, public policy
leaders, and the creative community in Hollywood. The PTC has
employed these efforts to help save values-driven shows such as
CBS’s Touched By An Angel and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. |
Television Show
God,
the Devil and Bob submitted by Vern Weimer
VWEIMER@aol.com 04/02/2000
American Family Association today
asked NBC to end the controversy over a blasphemous TV show by canceling
it, even as reports have surfaced that the network is considering the
step already. NBC's midseason offering
God, the Devil and Bob was pummeled
by people of faith. The animated prime-time show is about a bet
between God and the devil that would decide the fate of humanity-both
choose a Detroit autoworker named Bob as the man whose actions prove
whether or not mankind is worth saving.
AFA President Don Wildmon
watched the show's premiere episode before it aired. He said, " A
show like God, the Devil and Bob
is insulting to Christians and other people of faith because it strips
away God'd majesty and turns Him into a buffoon."
The show portrays God drinking beer
buddy-buddy style with the devil; Bob is depicted as the potential
Savior of man if he cleans up his act; Elizabeth Taylor voices a
character who is to be God's girlfriend; and Bob frequently chastises
God for his failures, even calling Him a "deadbeat dad."
At least one person connected with the
show became defensive when challenged about its content.
Responding to an AFA Action Alert, Michael Rice, president of Humanity
for Accurate and Responsible Media, emailed NBC about
God, the Devil and Bob saying
simply, "Just when you thought you had seen it all, another load of junk
comes along. If this show were 'irreverent' toward gays, black or
liberals it never would have made."
F. Fierelli, associate producer for
the program replied to Rice, "I'm assuming you're straight, white
and conservative." Also erroneously assuming that Rice had not seen the
show, Firellii said it seemed "to be too much to ask our criticizers" to
give the show "a chance to be evaluated."
After AFA offered to publicize
Firelli's arrogance, he quickly emailed back with an apology, claiming
that NBC has been getting "about a hundred or two hundred messages" a
day just like Rice's. The show has attracted so much scorn from
indignant viewers that at least 18 NBC affiliates never aired or have
already dropped the show. NBC spokeswoman Leslie Reed told
Charisma News Service that God, the
Devil and Bob would be canceled sometime in April, after
the network aired about half of its 13 episodes.
ACTION NEEDED
Contact the NBC network along with
Producer Firelli and politely ask them to quickly bring the mockery to
an end by canceling the show. NBC Network Address:
NBC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10122
Phone (212) 664-2333
Email: progamming@nbc.com
Email address for the show "God, the
Devil and Bob"
godsmail@godthedevilandbob.com
Subject: Review and Ordering Information on
"The Jesus Film":
HISTORY:
Since 1950, Dr. Bill Bright, founder and president of Campus Crusade for
Christ, dreamed of developing an appealing biblically accurate film
about the life of Christ. He saw how the life-changing message of Jesus
Christ could reach the world's millions--especially the illiterate--with
greater impact through the medium of film. A film utilizing both sight
and sound to deliver the message of Christ could provide a powerful
evangelistic tool that would bring the gospel message alive.
 Done accurately, adhering
faithfully to Scriptures--Dr. Bright foresaw a film
that could be translated and re-recorded into the languages of the
world.
A team of 500 scholars and leaders
from a variety of secular and Christian organizations began a five-year
program in the mid-1970s to determine how to best portray Jesus on the
motion picture screen. The team agreed that the film must meet five
important criteria:
The film must be as
archaeologically, historically and theologically accurate as humanly
possible.
The presentation must be unbiased, acceptable to
all as a true depiction of Christ's life.
The film story must appeal to all ages.
The script must be easily translatable into
virtually any language on earth.
The film must be of theater-viewing quality, and
effective with both urban and rural audiences worldwide.
In 1978, "JESUS" was produced at a
cost of $6 million, primarily funded by a businessman and long-time
friend of Campus Crusade for Christ International.
John Heyman, a film producer and
financier with more than 30 films to his credit, provided the driving
force behind the production of "JESUS".
If you opened the Bible on your
shelf to the Book of Luke right now, you would encounter the script of
the film. The action and most of the words spoken by actors and narrator
alike were recorded in Scripture. In the film, virtually every word
spoken by Jesus is taken directly from the Gospel according to Luke.
After a six-month search and 263
screen tests, the lead role was awarded to English Shakespearean actor
Brian Deacon. His portrayal of Jesus was so convincing that bystanders
often broke into applause at the end of his speeches.
Before its release, the film
changed the lives of many who were involved. A college dropout who
worked with props on the film received Christ as Savior and Lord. A
Warner Bros executive also asked Christ to come into his life after a
distribution planning meeting.
Warner Brothers distributed the
completed film, and "JESUS" opened in U.S. theaters in late 1979.
Within a year, millions of
Americans in 2,000 theaters had seen the "JESUS" film, inspiring many
decisions by viewers across the country to accept Christ into their
lives.
But, as already stated, from it's
inception the "JESUS" film was envisioned as an evangelistic tool to be
used worldwide. The film was produced to fully support that vision. The
simple narrative taken straight from the Gospel of Luke made it easily
adaptable for translation into any language.
To make this vision a reality, the
film project needed a strong and capable leader. Dr. Bright asked Paul
Eshleman, who had been involved with the film from the start, to head
The JESUS Film Project. And thus, this worldwide evangelistic film
ministry was born.
We hope you have enjoyed this brief
history. Be sure to examine the World Reports, which report scores of
incidents and even miracles associated with the "JESUS" film. Also,
check out the Video Sales page. Here you can easily order your own video
of "JESUS" in a variety of languages.
**********************************************************************
How many movies have you seen lately
that profoundly affected you? How many movies do you know of that have
the potential to alter the course of a viewers life? The "JESUS" film is
such a movie. God has repeatedly used this straightforward presentation
of the life of Christ to literally change lives. With the script taken
straight from the Gospel of Luke, "JESUS" is recognized as the most
accurate depiction of the life of Christ ever put on film.
Every two seconds - sometimes in the
midst of global chaos and conflict - someone indicates a decision to
receive Christ as personal Savior as a result of seeing the "JESUS"
film. It may have taken you longer than that just to download this page!
Through use by The JESUS Film Project,
and more than 821 Christian agencies, this powerful film has been seen
by more than 2 billion people worldwide. On top of that, the great
majority of those heard the story of "JESUS" in a language they easily
understand.
As a result, 87 million people have
indicated decisions to accept Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.
The JESUS Film Project seeks to give
everyone in the world one chance to hear the gospel in their own
language. So whether a person speaks Swahili, French, or a language
whose name is extremely difficult for most to pronounce, he or she will
encounter the life and message of Jesus in a language "of the heart."
Many mission experts have acclaimed
the "JESUS" film as one of the greatest evangelistic success stories of
all time. The ultimate success of this project won't be measured by how
many people have already seen it, but by how many will follow Him after
seeing this film.
Order the
"Jesus Film" Online.
View the Movie
Online with Real Player.
Find out more about the
Jesus Film Project
Journeymen's film translation to touch lives
in Last Frontier
By Tobin Perry
NORTHERN AFRICA (BP) -- Lyndon Shelby
and Stella Sims had just finished their last bite of "brik," a
traditional North African dish. Their host, Mustafa Mamoud, served them
each a cup of Arabic tea, which is customary for after-dinner
discussions in the countries of northern Africa.
As Shelby and Sims sipped at their tea
and talked with their host, they talked about what had led them to help
translate the "Jesus" film into the languages spoken by millions of
people across northern Africa and the Middle East who have heard little
or nothing about salvation in Jesus Christ.
Mustafa asked the women, who are
serving as journeymen with the Southern Baptist International Mission
Board, what it felt like to do something that was making such an impact.
"I came to Christ after watching the
'Jesus' film," he said with a smile.
As Mustafa shared how he had accepted
Christ while watching the "Jesus" film in classical Arabic, Shelby and
Sims began to realize just how much of an impact their work would have
on the Kingdom of God.
"That's not even his heart language,"
said Sims, a member of a Southern Baptist church in Texas. "Our whole
program was built around the fact that we would dub the 'Jesus' film in
a people group's heart language -- not their trade language, but the
language they use to communicate with their family.
"It amazed me that God was using
classical Arabic to touch this people group when the Arabic dialect of
his people group had not been completed yet."
The dialect was the first film the two
journeymen had completed on their own in this historic partnership
between the IMB and Campus Crusade for Christ International.
Although much of the film already had
been produced by the time Shelby and Sims went into the country, there
were portions of the translation that needed to be re-recorded in order
to make the film more appropriate for the people group.
"The recording went very well," Sims
said. "We were able to make the corrections in a day and have the review
committee the next. That was all God."
The partnership began on Valentine's
Day 1997, when the two prominent missions agencies signed an agreement
to produce the "Jesus" film. The IMB provided the personnel and language
expertise and Campus Crusade provided the equipment.
The original "Jesus" film was produced
by Campus Crusade in 1979 as a way to share the gospel worldwide. Soon
after they created the English version, they began the difficult process
of translating it into the languages of the world. Now they are
partnering with other Christian organizations, such as the IMB, to help
translate, produce and distribute the film.
Recently the "Jesus" film was
translated into its 500th language -- Karamojong, the language of an
unreached people group in eastern Africa. Once every eight days
translation of the film into another language is completed, making it
possible to take the good news of Jesus Christ to a new people group for
the first time.
More than 2 billion people have viewed
the feature-length film since its premiere in 1979. More than 87 million
have made decisions to follow Christ as a result.
"This partnership has gone wonderful
so far," said Mike Smith, an IMB missionary who oversees the work of
Shelby and Sims. "Most of the strategy plans for our teams (in northern
Africa and the Middle East) have the creation of the 'Jesus' film in the
language of their people as a top priority. It's great to be a part of
something with such a strong people-group focus."
The new film translation will be used
this summer to tell the gospel story. Volunteers will distribute the
video to North Africans visiting Europe.
There are more than 9.3 million
speakers of this particular Arabic dialect around the world. Most are
Muslims and know Jesus Christ only as a prophet. Both Campus Crusade for
Christ and IMB missionaries hope that showing the gospel story in this
people group's own heart language will let them know Him as their
Savior.
"I'm not called to a specific people
group, but my work is just as important as someone who does work with a
specific people group," said Shelby, a member of a Southern Baptist
church in Missouri. "My task is to help people who don't know about
Jesus hear the gospel in their own heart language."
---
Editor's note: Because of intense
security concerns throughout northern Africa and the Middle East, the
names of the people group, country and Christians in this article could
not be used. Pseudonyms are used instead of real names.
Subject: Review Of NBC's Mini Series: Noah's
Ark
Hutchison / Reemeyer <briatt@uniserve.com>
I am disgusted by the NBC production of the TV
movie Noah's Ark. There is nothing in it that is accurate or true. It is
a complete mockery of God and His Holy Word the Bible. It seems to be
made as a comedy, claiming to be based on the Biblical account, yet
constantly misleading viewers and mocking God. Please join me in writing
NBC and share your feelings in regards to this movie.
Write NBC at:
nbc@rsideup.com or
boardmaster@talkcity.com
From: Matt Byers
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 1999 9:43 AM
To: Raymond Zoeller
Subject:
HOMOSEXUAL ADVERTISING
Also See Below:
Fawells Note!
Anheuser Busch has developed an
advertising campaign that presents two "Bud"-drinking homosexual men in
a hand-holding posture. A-B opened a toll-free number for people to call
in and register their support of this ground-breaking "gay" campaign.
Originally they did not have a number whereby someone could express
opposition to it. However, so many called their toll-free customer
service number to object that within 24 hours they had established a
toll-free number for people to call if they
disapprove of this new Bud Light commercial featuring the two homosexual
men. The toll-free number to call is: (1-888-227- 8783)
We can let Anheuser Busch
understand that pro-family Americans are terribly concerned about
homosexual images coming into our homes through advertising campaigns.
Call today and have your friends and family call as well! Encourage
Email friends to call, too.
If A-B opens the way, we might well
see other advertising come into our homes via TV, magazines, etc. It is
important that we all take action.
You do not have to say anything.
When you reach the switch-board, a voice will say something like, "By
calling this number, you have registered your opposition to the A-B
advertising campaign." That's all you have to do.
Jerry Falwell:
Subject: Budweiser's Gay AD
BUDWEISER'S GAY AD: Anheuser Busch has developed an
advertisement that presents two Bud-drinking homosexual men in a
hand-holding posture. Anheuser Busch now has a special toll-free number
for people to call in support of this campaign. By dialing the number
(877-233-7725), callers automatically have their vote cast in favor of
the ground-breaking gay ad. However, the company has not opened a
special number for people to call in opposition to the campaign.
Therefore, I am encouraging all my "Falwell Confidential" friends to
call the toll-free Anheuser Busch customer service number (800-342-
5283) and personally register your opposition to this ad. Members of my
staff have already called and reported to me that the Anheuser Busch
representatives were very courteous and gracious, so I encourage you to
be correspondingly polite when you call. We are at a real disadvantage
on this campaign since there is not a specific automated number allowing
us to voice our opposition, so it is important that we get all of our
friends and loved ones to call Anheuser-Busch immediately. I will also
be encouraging my "National Liberty Journal" audience of over 300,000 to
get involved in this campaign during the next several days. Please join
me in opposing this advertisement as we work together to preserve the
Judeo-Christian standards on which this nation was founded. Call today:
800-342-5283.
"THE
JOY RIDERS"
The Following Commentary is provided by Charles W.
Colson of BreakPoint
BreakPoint Commentary - April 16, 1999
"The Joyriders" - A "Pre-evangelism" Tool
By Charles W. Colson
Is it possible to make a film with a biblical
worldview--without destroying its marketability?
Well, we're about to find out.
This weekend a film called
"The Joyriders" opens in theaters in Dallas and Fort Worth.
Starring Oscar- winning actor Martin Landau, "The
Joyriders" is about a 67-year-old Seattlite named Gordon Trout
who has come to the end of his rope. Ruined by a dishonest business
partner, Trout has not been able to regain either his confidence or his
joy of living. He heads for the mall to buy a gun and end it all.
But after he makes his deadly purchase, three
teenagers con Trout into giving them a ride home. What begins as a
joyride ends up as a kidnapping as the kids take over both the car and
the gun and head for Mexico.
Trout is initially enraged at the teens and tries
desperately to escape. But when he appears to be having a heart attack,
the kids try to get him help. They end up at a Christian retreat center
run by a pastor who knew these kids in Seattle.
Trout learns that all three teens have had
tremendous family problems. At the urging of the pastor, played by Kris
Kristofferson, he grudgingly agrees not to press charges.
I won't spoil the ending for you, but what happens
next is totally unexpected--and yet totally realistic. It's a powerful
story of redemption. And unlike many Hollywood films, this one makes
clear that if you make certain choices in life, you will someday have to
pay a penalty.
The plot reflects a Christian worldview, which is
no surprise given that it was Christians who made "The Joyriders". Norm Miller, a friend of mine and a successful
entrepreneur who heads Interstate Batteries, decided to stop griping
about the quality of Hollywood films and do something. So Norm and his
wife, Anne, formed their own film company. As Norm explains, "Movies are
enormously influential and we believe most filmmakers largely ignore the
God-given values of [most Americans.]"
But unlike some Christian films,
"The Joyriders" doesn't hit you over the
head with a gospel message. In fact, it's intended as much for unsaved
audiences as for churchgoers.
Ted Voltmer, co-producer of
"The Joyriders", says the film should be considered
"pre-evangelistic"--the kind you can take an unbelieving friend to and
then use it as a jumping off place to start a conversation about
Christianity.
"The Joyriders"
is rated PG-13 for its mature themes and a few four-letter words. If it
does well in Texas, its producers hope to see it playing in theaters all
over the country. And they're already planning to make more films.
That's great news. Christians spend a lot of time
complaining about the trash that comes out of Tinsel Town. Well,
"The Joyriders" is an example of how we can
move beyond criticism and boycotts and offer a positive alternative.
I hope you'll join me in praying that
"The Joyriders" will reach people all over
the country. If you live in Dallas or Fort Worth, why not make a point
of seeing this film? If you don't live close enough to see it, wait till
it comes to your town, and then take some unsaved friends to view it
with you. And don't forget to have a good discussion about it afterward.
Who knows? Hollywood may be largely in the hands of
pagans, but films like this that deal with Great Questions just might
bring our unsaved friends a little closer to God's eternal answers.
Copyright (c) 1999 Prison Fellowship Ministries
To more information about this movie, visit
"The Joyriders" website at
http://joyriders.com
"BreakPoint with Chuck Colson" ("BreakPoint") is a
daily commentary on news and trends from a Christian perspective. Heard
on more than 425 radio stations nationwide, BreakPoint transcripts are
also available on the Internet. If you know of others who would enjoy
receiving BreakPoint in their E-mail box each day, tell them they can
sign up on our Web site at www.breakpoint.org. If they do not have access to the World Wide
Web, please call 1-800-457-6125.
Copyright (c) 1999 Prison Fellowship Ministries.
Reprinted with permission. "BreakPoint with Chuck Colson" is a radio
ministry of Prison Fellowship Ministries. |
