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Reel World Reality 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 MAR2011.129  (2011), NR [PG-NR*] (1hr 23.25min) 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): Digital Filmz International, Skipstone Pictures Distribution (US): Bridgestone Multimedia Group Director(s): Johnny Remo, Lance Bachelder Producer(s): Lance Bachelder, Dan Backman, Johnny Remo Story by: Dan Backman, Johnny Remo Screenplay by: Lance Bachelder Cinematography/Camera: Lance Bachelder, Johnny Remo Film Editing: Lance Bachelder Casting: Gabrielle Evans Viewed on Bridgestone Multimedia Home Video  I do not remember viewing a teen film that did not portray the quintessential teen (or teens) with a know-it-all, "It ain't good enough no mater what 'it' is" attitude. This film is no different. Maybe that is the way teens are supposed to be [Prov. 22:15] but you can bet teens will get emboldenment for such an attitude in films that portray them with such an attitude. This film is no different. All-growed-up Luke Harris (Justin Schwan), a high school senior is sure of what it is he wants to do for the rest of his life ... surf. But his parents, Janet (Raquel Gardner) and David (Greg Carlson), who simply do not understand, have strange desires for Luke. They want Luke to go to college to get an education. After years of sacrifice to save for Luke's education they will even pay for it. Luke has a chance to prove to his parents that he can make it as a surfer. An opening on the local surf team is coming up. But Luke must win in a competition to earn the slot on the team. In addition to his dad, standing in Luke's way to becoming the new team member is Matt McCoy (Andy Shephard) who has his sights set on the team opening as well. But Luke is confident he will be the one who will rise victorious. So, Cutback Luke is ready to commit the rest of his life to the waves. By the way, "cutback" is a surfing maneuver to "cut back" to the crest of a wave in the foam to get more time on the wave. As things progress in Luke's attempts to avoid college and get on the surf team, cute "church girl" Emily Lopez (Kelsey Saunders) appears and "lures" Luke into the church youth group headed by ex-surfer Pastor Shane (Danny Smith). There Luke decides it might be worthwhile to investigate other options on the path of his life, Emily being high on the list of priorities. It was not until after Luke's BFFL, Casey Sanchez (Angel Cruz) committed his life to Jesus then died in a traffic fatality collision the day after he got his driver's license that Luke started asking hard questions. Fortunately he got answers ... the right answers. Luke indeed found redemption in the loving arms of God but his path to redemption was not wise and humble. Rebellion and arrogance toward his parents. Drunkenness. Defiance. Disobedience. We might all take a moment to realize that while Luke's destination being the foot of the Cross is blessed indeed, a noble destination does not excuse an ignoble path. And it is the portrayal of that ignoble path that can serve as a template and emboldenment for negative behavioral choices of the viewer, especially the teen viewer. The end does not justify the means. In a spirited discussion with his parents wanting him to go to college but he wanting to surf, Luke displays a considerable number of darts of disrespect. While his father essentially lays down the law about Luke's obligations, Luke's mother does that glare at the father in front of Luke showing Luke her disapproval of his father's words, expressions, justification or something. I would like to offer up a little advice on such parental interface during discussions with their offspring. Mom, don't do that. At least not in front of the child(ren). You are certainly entitled to your opinion but showing opposition to the father in front of the son or daughter gives the son or daughter immeasurable "justification" to continue in and even amplify his/her disrespect of the father. And that door swings both ways. If the father glares at the mother as she "lays down the law" the son/daughter now has all the reason in the world to continue and even amplify his/her disrespect at the mother. In Schwan's defense I would like to offer that he appeared more comfortable with one of his final scenes, that of giving grace at the family supper table than with his portrayals of arrogance and defiance. With a final score of 79 Cutback etched a spot along side PG-equivalent films (68 to 86 out of 100) in the comparative baseline database. But be aware that the Impudence/Hate content investigation area score is 44 out of 100 - fully R-equivalent. Likewise the Drugs/Alcohol content investigation area score is R-equivalent at 44. The alcohol content of this film makes it a significant danger. Following are brief discussions of the content per individual content investigation area. As always the Findings section of this report is the best source for discovering the full accounting of the content of this film. Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - 88 out of 100 Luke's father is a police officer. One time he displays his firearm. Other than that, the only content that applies to this content investigation area is the traffic collision fatality. Impudence/Hate (I) - 44 out of 100 Here is where one of the two spikes in assaults on morality and wholesome ethics appears. Luke is heavily disrespectful of his parents and practices defiance and disobedience repeatedly. Even though one of Luke's mentor characters reminds Luke he must honor his parents, it is presented almost as background and without power or significant importance. God told us in the 5th of the Ten Commandments that we must honor our parents. And God gave no conditions under which we may not honor them. It is safe to assume God was speaking of honorable and noble parents with solid ethics founded in His Word. [Exod. 20:12] God has provisions for dealing with parents who are abusive of the children He gave them. Severe provisions. [Eph. 6:4, Matt. 18:10] Sexual Immorality (S) - 100 out of 100 There is nothing even remotely connected with sexually immoral display or behavior in the entire 83.25 minutes of the show. Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 44 out of 100 Here is the second of two spikes in assault on morality and wholesome ethics. There is much dismay regarding alcoholic beverages in this movie. There is a teen drinking party, teen drinking and teen drunkenness. By the findings of the American College of Physicians (ACP) this is of great concern. 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 o 46% for those with no viewing restrictions o 16% for those with partial viewing restrictions o four percent for those with complete viewing restrictions. [Eph. 5:18] There is nothing to say that viewing smoking in and as entertainment does not carry the same danger of influence as viewing drinking. Actually, the same matter of behavior influence applies to any behavior demonstrated in and as entertainment, including good behavior. Offense to God (O) - 96 out of 100 Luke tries to excuse his own shortcomings with the shortcomings of his father: he tries to "heap sin upon sin" by trying to excuse his own with those of his father. [Isa. 30:1] The sins of one do not excuse the sins of another. To expand upon that, the second time of a sin does not excuse the first. Nor does the third time excuse the second ... nor does the thousandth excuse the first, nor the first the thousandth. Murder/Suicide (M) - 100 out of 100 There are no murders or suicides in this film. 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 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) - 88 out of 100 Impudence/Hate (I) - 44 out of 100 Sexual Immorality (S) - 100 out of 100 Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 44 out of 100 Offense to God (O) - 96 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 |