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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 MAR2011.081  (2011), PG-13 [R-13*] (1hr 21.5min) 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): CBS Films, Storefront Films Distribution (US): CBS Films Director(s): Daniel Barnz Producer(s): Susan Cartsonis, Michael Flynn, Roz Weisberg Screenplay by: Daniel Barnz Novel: Alex Flinn Cinematography/Camera: Mandy Walker Music: Marcelo Zarvos Film Editing: Thomas J. Nordberg Casting: Sarah Finn, Andrea Kenyon, Randi Wells Production Design: Rusty Smith Art Direction: Isabelle Guay, Jean-Pierre Paquet Viewed on CBS Films Home Entertainment DVD  Though this story depended on the portrayal of the evil magic of witchcraft and could not have been told without it, the matter is compounded in that the writers portrayed the use of evil magic to do good. [Isa. 5:20] Doing good with evil magic is still serving evil. I feel a sermon coming on! Before I go any further into the Summary/Commentary for the film and the story/plot, I am going to take a few moments to discuss doing good with evil magic. Is there such a thing as "good magic?" How do you think Jesus raised the dead [John 11:43], healed the sick [Matt. 8:15-16], made the lame walk and the blind see [Matt. 21:14] and cast out demons [Mark 1:34 as only one example of many]? It was Holy "magic", which may be better termed as Holy power, i.e., the power of God, by which Jesus did these things. Is there such a thing as "evil magic?" If not, why would God condemn it? [Gal. 5:19, Deut. 18:10, 2 Chr. 33:6, Rev. 21:8] How do you think Satan placed the demons in the two men in Gergesenes which Jesus cast out into the swine [Matt. 8:28-32]? How do you think Satan was able to display all the world and its riches to Jesus when he tempted Jesus [Matt. 4:8]? Evil magic is indeed real. Though to my knowledge and awareness I have not had any encounter with evil magic, I will not doubt its existence because God says it exists. But to use evil magic for good purposes is still serving evil since evil magic does not come from God. And if it does not come from God ....... Neither the user nor the use of magic determines whether magic is good or evil. The source of the magic does. A little background into the story first. SPOILER ALERT: The witch in the story, Kendra (Mary-Kate Olsen) reacted with hate at the rich, vain and handsome Kyle (Alex Pettyfer) insulting her and her looks. Kendra used her evil witch magic to cast a spell of ugliness on Kyle that would be on him forever unless he could find a girl to fall in love with him and say "I love you" to him within one year. After most of Kyle's year had passed and no girl had told him "I love you", Kyle went to Kendra begging for more time but after realizing Kendra would not give an inch he asked if she would at least help Will (Neil Patrick Harris), Kyle's blind tutor to see again and bring to America the three children of Zola (Lisa Gay Hamilton), Kyle's Jamaican housekeeper. Fast forwarding to near later in the show, the story implies that Kendra did precisely those two things with her magic: gave sight to Will and brought Zola's three kids to America. Kendra used evil magic to do good. Though what she did was noble it was still serving evil since she used magic that was not from God. End of sermon. One of the apparently morally clean teen sensations of High School Musical, Vanessa Hudgens plays Lindy, the daughter of an ex-school teacher now a drug addict. Vanessa plays opposite to Alex Pettyfer as Kyle Kingson, the son of a shallow rich news anchor father. Kyle, a good looking and very popular student, was running for president of the Buckston High School Green Committee. In his election speech he announced that only beautiful people succeed and that he, one of the beautiful people, had no interest in conservation but was only going for the presidency because it would look good on his transcript. Kyle pointed a "not beautiful" finger of attention at Kendra and her ilk. She did not appreciate that. Kendra cursed Kyle with ugliness to make him as ugly on the outside as he was n the inside. Shortly before the curse Kyle struck up a small relationship with Lindy to whom he had not spoken for years, making Lindy wonder why he had any interest in her now. But it was clear to the viewer that she was "interested" in Kyle. And so begins a pivotal relationship ... a relationship that would bring humility to Kyle and joy to Lindy. I suspect I have spoiled enough of the story and should leave any more of it to your discovery should you decide to watch this DVD once you have become informed of its content. Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - 67 out of 100 The violence/crime content in this film centers around street violence such as reckless driving, irresponsibility in traffic, drug-related violence with a firearm and a drug dealer assault of Lindy. Peripheral violence/crime included Kyle and Lindy breaking and entering into the local zoo and a threat to kill Lindy by a thwarted drug dealer. Violence, even in and as entertainment is not something to regard lightly. God warned us that violence is "catching" in Prov. 16:29: that violence can lead into "the way that is not good." Even man has chimed in on God's wisdom (2000 years later) by four public health agencies publishing a finding that states "viewing violence may lead to real life violence" and "viewing violence can lead to emotional desensitization towards violence in real life." When are we going to listen? Impudence/Hate (I) - Zero out of 100 The content of Beastly applicable to this investigation area is indeed R-equivalent with 22 uses of profanity by teens and six times by adults. [Col. 3:8, Eph. 5:4, Eph. 4:29] While all the profanity on its own is enough to bring this investigation area score down to R-equivalence, the teen disrespect and hatred of their parents, the shallowness of a parent, the hateful name-calling and a few other matters of impudence and/or hatred helped evaporate all of the 100 starting points in this investigation area. [Rom. 12:18] Sexual Immorality (S) - 18 out of 100 An area score of 18 out of 100 suggests a rather strong content of sexually immoral behaviors, displays and imagery. Such is indeed the case. While there is no nudity or intercourse typical of many PG-13 movies, onscreen nudity and intercourse are not all there is to sexually immoral matters. There are many scenes of characters dressing to maximize the human forma and/or skin exposure. There are two instances of inappropriate touch and two cases of teens kissing during school hours on school property. One girl suggests Kyle perform oral sex on a goat. There is much more to the content applicable to this investigation area. Please look to the listing in the Findings/Scoring section (the heart of the CAP Analysis Model) for a complete accounting of all findings of sexually immoral content. [1 Ths. 4:7]. Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 88 out of 100 The only content related to illegal drugs, alcohol or prescription drug abuse was the portrayal of Lindy's father as a drug addict leading to dealer aggression against Lindy and her father for non-payment: an aggression that led to murder which is noted in the Murder/Suicide investigation area. Offense to God (O) - Zero out of 100 Being a story about witchcraft, ample content was found to cause the loss of all the starting 100 points in this investigation area. There were numerous suggestions of witchcraft such as unholy power, spell casting, inexplicable appearance/disappearance. [Deut. 18:10 -14] In addition, God's name was abused 6 times, 5 times by teens. [Deut. 5:11] Murder/Suicide (M) - 92 out of 100 The only murder in the entire 81.25 minutes of program was of a drug dealer by Lindy's father. While the murder might be thought of as a defensive killing since Lindy's father used the dealer's gun to kill him, Lindy's father could have walked away once he had control of the firearm. The actual shooting was not seen, only the dealer's body after hearing the gunfire. 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) - 67 out of 100 Impudence/Hate (I) - Zero out of 100 Sexual Immorality (S) - 18 out of 100 Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 88 out of 100 Offense to God (O) - Zero out of 100 Murder/Suicide (M) - 92 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 |