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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 MAR25077  (2005), PG [G-PG*] (1hr 38min) 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 1000 analyses for parents, grandparents, pastors, youth leaders and more. |
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(This section may be and sometimes is somewhat subjective.)
 Cast/Crew Details Courtesy Internet Movie Database Production (US): S.K.G. Productions LLC, DreamWorks Productions LLC, Hyde Park Entertainment, Tollin/Robbins Productions Distribution (US): DreamWorks Distribution LLC Director(s): John Gatins Producer(s): Ashok Amritraj, Stacy Cohen, William M. Elvin, Nick Hamson , Jon J. Jashni, Bill Johnson, Hunt Lowry, Brian Robbins, Caitlin Scanlon, Lars Sylvest, Michael Tollin Written by: John Gatins Cinematography/Camera: Fred Murphy Music: John Debney Film Editing: David Rosenbloom Casting: Sarah Finn, Randi Hiller Production Design: Brent Thomas Art Direction: Scott Plauche Viewed At: Driftwood Theater 6 An interesting and revealing thing happened at the pre-release screening of this film last night (October 20, 2005). Three films were been screened. North Country (R), Doom (R) and this Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (PG). Guess which one drew the most reviewers? Doom. A sign of the times. Dreamer is every other child's horse film wrapped on into one but with five foul words added. And an attitude. I guess that is "justified" by "Rated PG for brief mild language." And not one of the foul words added any power to the film. Indeed, the strongest point loss was in the Impudence/Hate investigation area which includes foul language as part of attitude. In terms not of the severity of individual examples of impudence/hate but in the sheer number of them in the film (see CAP Rule of 1000) Dreamer is morally equivalent to some "lite" R-rated films in Impudence/Hate. However, it is fully equivalent to G-rated films in all of the other five CAP investigation areas. Thus is revealed one of the great features of the CAP analysis model. A seasoned horseman, Ben Crane (Kurt Russell) and his family have fallen on hard times. Their once expansive and lush horse training farm has shrunk by selling off pieces to pay the bills. Ben's closeness with his family has also shrunk due to his growing feeling of worthlessness and somewhat bitter reaction to what life has delt him. Wife, Lily (Elizabeth Shue), one of the most wise and noble, unselfish wives I've seen on screen for a long time, keeps up her loyalty to the family as she tries her best as a waitress to help pay the bills. Ben's daughter, Cale (11 year old Dakota Fanning) never loses faith in her father and wants to be a horse trainer, too. So much so that Cale ran in front of her father's moving truck to stop him in an effort to convince Ben to take her to work with him. After losing nearly everything, including his status as a famous horse trainer, Ben is left with a token job for Palmer (David Morse), a most insufferable uncaring race horse owner who enjoyed having a once-great under his thumb. Ben was Palmer's horse handler. The villainous Palmer demanded that his horse, Soñador (Spanish for Dreamer) proceed in a race even though Ben advised Palmer strongly that Soñador's leg is not fit for the race. Not long into the race, the horse's front left leg broke. Both horse and jockey tumbled dangerously. A racing horse with a broken leg is not likely to ever race again according to the movie. Not wanting to put the horse down (put the horse to sleep) in front of Cale, Ben had the horse taken to its stall for the euphemism. Soñador and Cale had instantly developed an almost mystic bond in the stables in the moments before the race. Ben's love for his daughter could not destroy that which she loved. Ben verbally battled with Palmer to let Ben take the horse. As it turned out, Palmer owed Ben $9000. So Ben settled for the $6000 Palmer had on hand ... plus the horse with a broken leg. Helping Ben are hired hands ex-jockey Manolin (Freddy Rodríguez) and Balon (Luis Guzmán). Manolin "Manny" was seriously injured in a race and felt that the trauma was God's signal to him to stop racing ... for a while. Balon, with a face only a mother could love and a heart of gold and Manny had developed a good relationship with Cale for some time. When Ben was fired by Palmer, Manny and Balon went with Ben. Together all three, with the irresistible urging of Cale, tired the best to nurse Soñador back to at least breeding health. Once back home, Ben's estranged and crusty father "Pop" Crane (Kris Kristofferson) who had been at odds with Ben for a long time who had been to Ben what Ben is to Cale, once again became more than background noise to the Crane family. Now the stage is set for about an hour more of some of the best heart-warming, value-affirming performances and story I have seen in a very long time. But in addition to the five uses of the three/four letter word vocabulary, [2 Tim. 2:16] there are some demonstrations of impudence such as Cale's disrespect for father, her defiance of her father's rules and an attempt to run away. [Eph. 6:1, Col. 3:20] There are also a couple demonstrations of poor parenting such as one parent telling the other parent to lie to their child. [Matt. 18:10, Matt. 25:40] While horse race gambling is not illegal in Kentucky it is against God's wishes and it is shown to be highly profitable in this film. [Hab. 2:9] And racial insults are thrown at Manny and Balon. [Eph. 4:29] Please inspect the listing of findings in the Findings/Scoring section before you decide whether this film is family friendly. 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) Impudence/Hate (I) Sexual Immorality (S) Drugs/Alcohol (D): Offense to God (O) Murder/Suicide (M) |
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| 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 more than eight 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. |
| In the name of Jesus: Lord, Master, Teacher, Savior, God. Tom Carder President ChildCare Action Project (CAP): Christian Analysis of American Culture 100% dependent on your tax-deductible financial support |  |
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