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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 MAR2012.021  (2010), NR (12+) [G-NR*] (79.3min) 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.)
 Production (US): Pure|Filx Entertainment, a Clean Slate Production in association with 10 West Studios Distribution (US): Pure|Filx Entertainment Director(s): D. David Morin Producer(s): Jeff Peterson, Harold Cronk, Matthew Failford, Brittany Lefebvre, Michael Scott, David A. R. White, Russell Wolfe, Byron Jones, Tom Sabb Written by: David Michael Anthony Screenplay by: Alan Smithee, D. David Morin Cinematography/Camera: Todd Barron Music: David Miner Film Editing: D. David Morin Casting: Billy DaMota Production Design: Philip Carrel Art Direction: Trent Weaver Viewed on Pure|Filx Home Entertainment DVD Johnny, which is not rated (NR) but awarded the 12+ label by the Dove Foundation, earned a final score of 92 which places it solidly in the G-equivalent scoring range of 87 to 100 out of 100 in the comparative baseline database. The only reason this film earned the yellow CAPCon Alert Light Johnny conjures a lot of emotion due to the theme of a young foster boy, Johnny (Jerry Phillips), living with knowing he will die soon from leukemia. Johnny has no parents. There is no record of his father. His mother was killed by a drunk driver. Johnny is under the custodial care of the Children's Social Services, the Michigan counterpart of the Texas Child Protective Services (CPS). Dr. Mike Miller (Lee Majors), Johnny's primary care physician, referred Johnny to Dr. Carter (Mel fair) because Dr. Carter is an oncologist and better suited to treat Johnny's leukemia. Dr. Miller warned Dr. Carter that Johnny is a very special kid, one who will steal his heart. Dr. Carter took a cavalier attitude about that warning but soon learned what Dr. Miller was talking about. Dr. Carter and his wife Julia (Musetta Vander) lost their ten year old son, Robby in a car accident two years earlier. Julia has not been able to let go of the loss and, in the opinion of their daughter, Kayla (Aubyn Cole) who is 9 _ years old, walks around "like a zombie." Julia blames herself for their son's death since she was texting when she and Robby were broadsided in their car. Julia is emotionally devastated and is in a consuming state of grief and guilt ... and it shows. Dr. Carter has become so smitten with Johnny that he decides to adopt Johnny. But Dr. Carter forgot one tiny little detail - he did not discuss adopting Johnny with Julia first. Dr. Carter feels that adopting Johnny will heal his family from their loss of Robby. Julia thinks her husband is out of his mind for bringing a terminally ill ten year old boy into their home so "soon" after losing their also ten year old son. How can they go through another loss? Julia is adamantly opposed to it but agrees to try it out for a week. Kayla is feeling more and more rejected by her mother. Dr. Carter is feeling more and more distant from Julia. Johnny, who has given his heart to Jesus, has been touting for a long time that he is on a mission from God. Little does Dr. Carter know he and his family - and inherently Willie -- are Johnny's mission. There the story really takes off but I will not spoil it any further. This film is, for the lack of a better word, special to me since my wife and I have provided foster care to 40 children over 18 years ... and adopted eight of them. So I can say I know how Dr. Carter, felt when he adopted Johnny. Following are brief discussions of the content per individual content investigation area. As always the Findings section of this report, the heart of the CAP Analysis Model, is the best source for discovering the full accounting of the content of this film. Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - 75 out of 100 While there is nothing particularly violent in the physical sense, there are a number of emotionally disturbing instances: emotional misery (frequent), a constant theme of doom for a little boy with death looming, the boy suffering asystole, a young boy coughing up blood and a scene of death of a little boy. A bully assault adds to the total violence package. While each was "necessary" to the story and plot, our goal is to let you know of them so you might be in a better position to make an informed moral decision whether a film is fit. It is not up to the filmmakers or the MPAA to decide for you what is acceptable for your youth. It is up to you, mom/dad, and you alone. This is the content area, the only area of the six, that warranted the yellow CAPCon Alert Light which is an indicator to solicit your attention to the content. If any of the six CAP content investigation areas (W, I, S, D, O, M) find content to yield a score of 86 or less the yellow CAPCon Alert Light is applied to it as an alert to parents that they should give serious attention to the content findings. Impudence/Hate (I) - 87 out of 100 A lie by Dr. Carter, his deceit of his wife and an animated martial argument were the only matters found applicable to this content investigation area. Note that a single unforgiven lie is enough to cost our eternal future. God is adamant about lying. So much so that in Revelation 21:8 He warns that the [unforgiven] liar will not make it into Heaven. Sexual Immorality (S) - 100 out of 100 There is nothing noteworthy in the film regarding sexually immoral behaviors or imagery. Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 100 out of 100 Neither is there any possession or consumption of illegal drugs, no tobacco whatsoever and no abuse of prescription drugs in this film. Offense to God (O) - 87 out of 100 Johnny speaks a euphemism of God's name, making it a use of God's name in vain. [Deut. 5:11] Dr. Carter gives rationale for not believing in God and does so before a child. Dr. Carter later again denies God exists. Murder/Suicide (M) - 100 out of 100 There are no murders or suicides in the entire 79.3 minutes of the show. 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) - 75 out of 100 Impudence/Hate (I) - 87 out of 100 Sexual Immorality (S) - 100 out of 100 Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 100 out of 100 Offense to God (O) - 87 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 |
