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A service to our youth through you,
their parents and grandparents, in His name by His Word
MAR22015
Crossroads (2002), PG-13
Analysis Date: February 15, 2002
CAP Score: 52
CAP Influence Density: 0.90
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A service to our youth through you, their parents and grandparents, in His name by His Word MAR22015 Crossroads (2002), PG-13 Analysis Date: February 15, 2002 CAP Score: 52 CAP Influence Density: 0.90 |
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CROSSROADS (PG-13) -- Crossroads is a "R-13" movie. Mainly because of the sexual programming in it. Distributed by: Filmco Enterprises Inc., Paramount Pictures Director(s): Tamra Davis Producer(s): Clive Calder. Ann Carli, David Gale, Jonathan McHugh, Larry Rudolph, Van Toffler, Johnny Wright Written by/Screenplay: Shonda Rhimes Cinematography/Camera: Eric Alan Edwards Music: Trevor Jones, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake Editing: Melissa Kent Young Lucy (Erinn Hughes, later Britney Spears) and her best friends for life, Mimi and Kit sneaked out to bury a time capsule with their most prized mementos of their years as friends, vowing to meet there at midnight on their high school graduation day to dig it up. But the years are not kind to the friendships. While Lucy remained solid and wholesome, Mimi (Taryn Manning) became somewhat of a girl the movie termed "trailer trash" victimized by the school of hard knocks. Kit(Zoe Saldana) became quite superficial and loves the nice-to-have, expensive things of flash and show apparently because of her chubby history. Though the friction is evident between the girls, they indeed do meet the night of their graduation from high school to dig up their time capsule. Lucy came from a bed she just shared with her lab partner. Kit came from the graduation party. Mimi came pregnant, the victim of date rape. Mimi came also with plans to go to Hollywood to participate in a recording company's audition -- at least, that's what she said. She knows a guy named Ben (Anson Mount) who will drive her to Hollywood and invited Lucy and Kit to come along. Lucy has lived a life without a mother who left Lucy and her father Pete (Dan Aykroyd) for Arizona when Lucy was three years old. Lucy is certain the reason she hasn't heard from her mother for 15 years was her father keeping her mother form her. Lucy is as certain her mother would love to see her. Hmmm? Arizona is on the way to California. Also, Kit's fiance, whom she hasn't seen since Christmas, is attending school in Los Angeles. So, the plans become reality. The three girls and the one guy all head for Hollywood. The trip to California is a road trip without the demon. At lest without a being to terrorize them. Rather, the "demon" is a busted radiator that will cost $350 to repair. Then there is the costs of travel: gas, lodging, food, etc. With $44 and change, the girls decide to try their "hand" in a karaoke bar. Eighteen year olds in a karaoke bar? Well, Mimi is to be the lead in the trio. Well! She is going to try out in the singing audition when she gets to California. Why not practice? After realizing she is not yet ready, Mimi yields the microphone to Lucy and the crowd goes wild! I suspect her outfit might have had something to do with it, but never mind that. Money is now not a problem, compliments of the patrons of the karaoke bar. Next stop, Arizona. To meet mom. But mom wasn't as desirous of meeting her daughter as Lucy expected she would be. Indeed, mom (Kim Cattrall) said Lucy was a mistake and completely unwanted by her. Ouch! Though we are spared the verbal battle, we still have a sneaking ability to feel her cinematic pain. At least, I did. Lucy appears at the doorstep of her friends and wants to continue to Hollywood with them. While Ben unexpectedly disappears, the three girls have a drinking party in the motel room. The motel furnishes booze for three 18 year old girls? Makes me wonder about the integrity of the 29 year old Ben. Arriving in Hollywood ... I've spoiled enough of the movie. There are a couple matters of good ethics in this movie. One was the sexual purity of Lucy until her high school graduation night. While commendable to be sure, why does it have to be lost on graduation night? Why can it not be held until her wedding night? Then her sexual purity would not be lost at all [Hebr. 13:4]. Why does this have to be in the show at all [1Cor 15:33]? That such sin exists does not excuse the presence of it in and as entertainment nor does it excuse such entertainment from teaching and/or causing our youth to sin [Luke 17:2]. Further of the portrayal of good ethics was the portrayal of Lucy's wholesome love and respect for her father and his wishes until the flowering adulthood and the inherent drive for independence and exploration simply become too strong. Also, in the few seconds Akroyd had to portray letting go, he played well the father who finally realized he had to let his little girl go. No matter how painful it is to do so, it must be done. For her. There are many of what might be thought of as "lesser" examples of sexual programming [Gal. 5:19]. Nothing as bold and invasive as is typical for R-rated movies, but many nonetheless. Likewise, though there were no uses of the most foul of the foul words nor uses of God's name in vain with the four letter expletive, there were many uses of the three/four letter word vocabulary plus many uses of God's name in vain without the four letter expletive [Prov. 8:13]. Crossroads is a "R-13" movie. Mainly because of the sexual programming in it. Many "lesser" examples of sexual nature appear in the movie such as repeated implied intercourse, dressing to maximize the female form and/or skin exposure, camera angle to force the viewer on [clothed] private parts, teens in revealing underwear, dancing in revealing underwear, open mouth kissing, inappropriate touch, sexual innuendo, talk and comments and more. I know this sounds very picky, but such incessant, relentless and voluminous subliminal and "lite" exposure of younger and younger audiences shapes not only their worldview but their coping skills and decision-making skills regarding inhibition and restraint. This movie is a ripe example of the technique of loading the content with "lesser" items of illicit programming to get the same "effect" of a more severely rated movie which uses a few items of illicit programming but of very bold and invasive nature. Many of you will recall our equation describing this technique. For example, movie A uses 100 issues of "lesser" bad programming worth only 10 bad points each while movie B uses only 10 issues of bad programming but of very bold and invasive nature worth 100 bad points each. Both movies are equivalent in magnitude with 1000 "bads" each. Crossroads is an example of movie A -- equivalent in envelope or magnitude to a lite R movie but not possessing the boldly invasive items typical of R-rated movies. If you chose to see this movie, please investigate the listing in the Findings/Scoring section first. SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S) If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ]. 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. *******Food for Thought******* 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. |
 Wanton Violence/Crime (W): Impudence/Hate (I)(1): Sex/Homosexuality (S): Drugs/Alcohol (D): Offense to God (O)(2): Murder/Suicide (M)(3): |
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| NOTE: The CAP Analysis Model makes no scoring allowances for trumped-up "messages" to excuse or for manufacturing of justification for aberrant behavior or imagery, or for camouflaging such ignominy with "redeeming" programming. Disguising sinful behavior in a theme plot does not excuse the sinful behavior of either the one who is drawing pleasure or example from the sinful display or the practitioners demonstrating the sinful behavior. This is NOT a movie review service. It is a movie analysis service to parents and grandparents to tell them the truth about movies using the Truth. |
| "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 nearly seven 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. |
