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A ministry of the ChildCare Action Project: Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP Ministry) A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Christian Ministry. www.capalert.com/ Entertainment Media Analysis Report A service to His little ones through you in His name by His Word MAR2011.076  (2011), PG-13 [Hard R-13*] (1hr 38.2min) 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. |
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(While the Scriptural references are certainly not subjective, my commentary may be and sometimes is somewhat subjective.)
 Cast/Crew Details Courtesy Internet Movie Database Production (US): Universal Pictures, Media Rights Capital, Gambit Pictures, Electric Shepherd Productions Distribution (US): Universal Studios Home Entertainment Director(s): George Nolfi Producer(s): Michael Bederman, Bill Carraro, Isa Dick Hackett, Jonathan Gordon, Michael Hackett, Eric Kripke, Chris Moore, George Nolfi, Joel Viertel Screenplay by: George Nolfi Short Story: Philip K. Dick Cinematography/Camera: John Toll Music: Thomas Newman Film Editing: Jay Rabinowitz Casting: Cathy Sandrich Production Design: Kevin Thompson Art Direction: Stephen H. Carter Viewed on Universal Studios Home Entertainment DVD  I could almost see Mr. Steward (Frank Langella) of The Box every time Mr. Thompson (Terence Stamp) appeared on the screen. The shadows cast against the buildings in the poster are those of Mr. Thompson. Contender and past member of Congress and the senate of New York David Norris (Matt Damon) becomes aware he is entangled in a web of control by a race of all-knowing immortal beings who have been here since the beginning of time to ensure everything goes as planned by the Chairman. Minions of the Chairman scurry about every day arranging things to happen that guide people on their paths through life to ensure the people do or get done whatever it is their plan requires. On occasion in the past the beings had let man have a free will and atrocities like the Dark Ages happened. Now the beings are back in control of all people on Earth under the watchful eye of the Chairman who can be anybody at any time. Based on the short story Adjustment Team by Philip K. Dick, this story is definitely a mockery and counterfeiting of God and His angels. Norris, by chance not control, meets Elise D. Sellas (Emily Blunt), a contemporary ballet dancer destined to be the best in the world and even the best ballet choreographer in the world ... unless she chooses to live her life with Norris. And Norris is destined to become President of the United States ... unless he chooses to stay with Elise. At lest, that is the plan. The film spends about two-thirds of the film with the beings trying their best to separate Norris and Elise and keep them apart ... unless the Chairman decides otherwise. Now is as good a time as any to discuss with you the idea of freedom of choice, of freedom of will. In the movie the beings claim they give people the freedom of choice, for example, of which toothpaste to use or which socks to wear but disaster has happened in the past when people had full freedom of choice. This is clearly a mockery of God's gift to us of the freedom of choice. Let me tell a little story with questions to discuss God's gift to us of the freedom of choice. A drunk driver kills a little girl. Is it God's Will? No, it is not God's Will. The little girl's death was by the choice of the driver to drink then drive. Could God have stopped it? Yes but to do so He would have to have taken away the driver's freedom of choice though he exercised it by choosing to drink then drive. We are accountable for our choices, not God. And God will not take away our freedom of choice -- our free will -- for any reason else our choice to believe in Him and love Him might be "forced." Yes, He could make automatons of each of us but won't. He wants us to love Him as He loves us but wants us to do so of our own free will, by our own choice. This movie is an example of the skillful ways, whether intentional, many try so eloquently to counterfeit God's Word that some might choose against God because of their counterfeitings. Satan is less interested in people believing in him than in people not believing in God. So, if someone can get people to not believe in God even if it means not believing in him, Satan is happy. And I wonder why one of the production companies is called Electric Shepherd Productions? This movie also seemed to equate God's love for us and His Word with oppressive control. The beings metered out only so much freedom of choice, how much is decided by a superior being. So many people seem to erroneously think that obeying God's Word is the same as kneeling to the oppression of a dictator. End of sermon. Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - 56 out of 100 While there was no violence of any seriously graphic nature, there was enough violence of the lesser kind to cause loss of nearly half of the starting 100 points in this investigation area. Examples of violence include a pedestrian being hit by a car, kidnapping and many assaults of varying degrees of severity. The beings used assault to control Norris which is what made the connection with making obedience to God's Word seem like oppressive control. Any violence in and as entertainment can have an influence on the viewer. It can be "catching" and may lead the viewer in a "way that is not good." I did not come up with that. God did. [Prov. 16:29] And four professional public health agencies did after unwittingly deciding God is right, two thousand years after, by saying "viewing violence may lead to real life violence." Impudence/Hate (I) - Zero out of 100 Thirty one times someone utters some form of profanity. [Col. 3:8, Eph. 4:29] That is enough to steal all the starting 100 points in this investigation area but other matters of impudence and/or hatred included inappropriate entry into restrooms, a rude descriptive and hiring a cab driver to break traffic laws. [2 Tim. 2:5] Sexual Immorality (S) - Zero out of 100 As is typical in most PG-13 films someone gets in bed with someone else. There is intercourse in this film. [Hebr. 13:4, Col. 3:5 - 10] Nudity was obvious in the shadows but no genitals were seen but anyone old enough to be in middle school - the PG-13 crowd -- can tell what the couple were doing. And, as usual for such sexual immorality in and as entertainment, the couple end up cohabitating. In addition, Elise always wears something that challenges wholesome sexual humility, either a very short dress/skirt or excessive cleavage ... or both, frequently. [1 Tim. 2:9] Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 90 out of 100 Only one case of drinking and one bar were found. The content of the film applicable to this investigation area is G-equivalent. Offense to God (O) - Zero out of 100 Much of my concerns about the influence of this film on our youth has already been discussed in the Summary/Commentary body above. But it might be advisable to discuss briefly here additional unholy matters in the content of the film. Throughout the most of the later two-thirds of the show were many instances of unholy transport to completely inappropriate locations after opening a door such as a sports arena immediately on the other side of a door in a business district building. In addition, unholy control was portrayed over people in making them automatons or "resetting" their brains. Also, "magic" was exercised such as opening a large overhead door with the pointing of a finger at it. Murder/Suicide (M) - 100 out of 100 There were no murders or suicides noted throughout the entire 98.2 minutes of the show. SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S) If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ] or bold. If you wish to have full context available, the Blue Letter Bible is a convenient source. If you use the Blue Letter Bible, a new window will open. Close it to return here or use "Window" in your browser's menu bar to alternate between the CAP page and the Blue Letter Bible page. CHAPTER/VERSE ***Selected Scriptures of Armour against the influence of the entertainment industry*** As always, it is best to refer to the Findings/Scoring section -- the heart of the CAP analysis model -- for the most complete assessment possible of this movie. |
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(The objective heart of the CAP Analysis Model, independent of and insulated from the Summary / Commentary section.)  Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - 56 out of 100 Impudence/Hate (I) - Zero out of 100 Sexual Immorality (S) - Zero out of 100 Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 90 out of 100 Offense to God (O) - Zero out of 100 Murder/Suicide (M) - 100 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. |
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| 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 |