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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 MAR2011.086  (2011), PG-13 [R-13*] (1hr 45.75min) 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): Warner Bros.; Morra, Brezner, Steinberg and Tenenbaum Entertainment (MBST); BenderSpink; Langley Park Productions Distribution (US): Warner Brothers Pictures Director(s): Jason Winer Producer(s): Chris Bender, Russell Brand, Larry Brezner, Scott Kroopf, Nik Linnen, Kevin McCormick, J.C. Spink, Michael Tadross Screenplay: Peter Baynham Story: Steve Gordon Cinematography/Camera: Uta Briesewitz Music: Theodore Shapiro Film Editing: Brent White Casting: Kathleen Chopin Production Design: Sarah Knowles Art Direction: Doug Huszti Viewed on Warner Brothers Home Entertainment DVD  The video store manager brought this DVD to me with news that he has the original in stock as well in case I wanted to do a "time capsule" comparative: a "before and after" comparative. I said to myself "Self, it might be interesting to get more evidence of 30 years of moral decay in entertainment." But after seeing this 2011 version I am not so sure. If anyone asks for a comparative of this 2011 with the 1981 PG version I'll do it. If no one asks, I doubt I will. Rich spoiled brat and womanizer Arthur Bach (Russell Brand), son of a dead billionaire, must marry Susan Johnson (Jennifer Garner) or lose millions. Arthur is about as frivolous and licentious as any rich guy can be. And he is a happy drunk. Arthur's mother, Vivienne (Geraldine James) has had enough and gives Arthur an ultimatum: marry Susan -- "she can shape you up" -- or be totally cut off from the family fortune. Hmmm? Not too bad a prospect since Arthur and Susan had already gotten to know each other ... intimately ... a few months earlier. And Susan is already rich so it is not for his money. As was revealed Susan wants to marry into the family just to get the name. She is tired of being an unknown rich chick. She wants to have the Bach name so people will take notice of her. Doesn't matter whether love ever comes into play. But along comes a complication. Well, one more at least. To add to the misery of having to marry Susan and not wanting to, Naomi Quinn (Greta Gerwig) comes along, too. Spritely and perky "short dress" Naomi is an unofficial tour guide to New York City aspiring to be a writer of children's books. Arthur has become quite smitten with Naomi. And she with him But if Arthur does not marry Susan he will lose $950,000,000. Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - 81 out of 100 The only violence/crime content to speak of includes the failure to stop for police, reckless driving with property damage and reckless endangerment, a long sequence of bravado stupidity, a hit in the face (by Susan of Arthur) and some nailgun impalement injuries. Impudence/Hate (I) - 37 out of 100 Profanity is used six times by adults and twice by adolescents. [Col. 3:8] The most foul of the foul words was not noted. While the profanity is bad enough, lies peppered the script. And marrying for gain smells of violating Hab. 2:9. Sexual Immorality (S) - Zero out of 100 "PG-13 for alcohol use throughout, sexual content, language and some drug references." Yessir, there was "sexual content." Vulgar sexual content. One scene is of Arthur in a kilt, legs spread apart and wearing no underwear with just a thin out-of-focus masking bar that almost hides his genitalia. And that is not all. It is a rather lengthy list to try and summarize it here so please look to the listing in the Findings section for a full accounting of the sexually immoral content. [1 Thess. 4:1 - 7] Drugs/Alcohol (D) - Zero out of 100 Yessir, there was "alcohol use throughout." At least 32 examples of booze, drinking and drunkenness in the 105.75 minutes of the film. And all of it presented in light-hearted humor with hints of scoldings for it but no honest consequences. If the American College of Physicians (ACP) is correct, this film is pure risk for the adolescent population at which it is targeted by the "PG-13" label. Remember mom/dad, to your 13 year old kids "PG-13" means it is okay for them, dontchaknow? Do you believe that? Neither do I. And neither does the ACP. By the way, whether a film is fit for your kids is not up to the dissonance-causing MPAA. It is up to you and you alone. 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 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 There is nothing to say that smoking in and as entertainment does not carry the same danger of influence. Offense to God (O) - 53 out of 100 Eleven times someone utters God's name in vain without the four letter expletive and once with it. [Deut. 5:11] Murder/Suicide (M) - 100 out of 100 There were no murders or suicides found. 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) - 81 out of 100 Impudence/Hate (I) - 37 out of 100 Sexual Immorality (S) - Zero out of 100 Drugs/Alcohol (D) - Zero out of 100 Offense to God (O) - 53 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 |