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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 MAR26054  (2006), PG-13 ["Strong" R-13*] (1hr 31min) 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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(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): Revolution Royal Productions, Revolution Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Wayans Bros. Entertainment Distribution (US): Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment, Revolution Studios Director(s): Keenen Ivory Wayans Producer(s): Rick Alvarez, Todd Garner, Lee R. Mayes, Joe Roth, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans Written by: Keenen Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans Cinematography/Camera: Steven Bernstein Music: Teddy Castellucci Film Editing: Michael Jackson, Nick Moore Casting: Stuart Aikins, Lisa Beach, Sean Cossey, Sarah Katzman Production Design: Leslie Dilley Art Direction: Gwendolyn Margetson Viewed At: Driftwood Theater 6 First, I am sorry this is a day late. Illness prevented any ministry work. I am going to start this Summary/Commentary with a sidebar note -- er -- "sermon" about an observation made of the audience while waiting for Little Man to start. A lot of folks, especially teens, boldly claim that vile behaviors in and as entertainment (a.k.a. filth in film) do not influence their behavioral choices: that they are far too mature for entertainment to embolden them to do things they should not or otherwise would not do. For example, many have told me that vulgar language in entertainment does not influence them to speak likewise. Aside from the fact that each use of profanity is a sin whatever the source and whatever the provocation [2 Tim. 2:16 - 17, Prov. 8:13, Prov. 22:11 and see Col. 3:8], I am going to share with you a first-hand observation which makes that claim rather weak. Generally speaking, of course. One of the previews shown before Little Man was for John Tucker Must Die (PG-13). In it, a cheerleader utters a short hate speech. She ends her speech with a "filthy language" two-word phrase but at the instant her upper teeth clamp on her lower lip to form the first letter of the second word the camera cuts to another scene. But within a second or two of the cheerleader being cut-off, during that typical moment of silence following the cut-off a couple of the teens in the audience completed the cheerleader's phrase. As other teens heard a couple speak the second word, they chimed in as well. So, entertainment does not influence behavior choices? In a pig's eye! God has something to say about this. In First Corinthians 15:33 God tells us "Be not deceived: evil [kakov: of a bad nature, not such as it ought to be] communications corrupt good manners." Those teens who spoke the second word for the cheerleader proved God right. But what about the actress playing the cheerleader? What about the filmmakers? God also has something to say about the ones who with "evil communications" lead our youth (which includes at-home teens) to sin with "filthy language" [Col. 3:8]. Jesus warns in Luke 17:2 that they who teach and/or cause our youth to sin would be better off if a millstone were tied about their necks then cast into the sea. God is quite serious about sin and causing others to sin. Rather than trying to excuse our way around all these restrictions against cussing, the best way to deal with all them is don't cuss. Just like the best way to to deal with all God's admonitions against immoral sex is don't have sex until marriage. Strange isn't it, how those old crusty and dusty standards of yesteryear are still the best? End of sermon. Calvin Simms (Marlon Wayans) and cohort, Percy (Tracy Morgan) are interrupted in their robbery of a giant diamond. Rather than be caught with the diamond, Calvin stashes it in a woman's purse. After successfully eluding the police, Calvin and Percy decide to take advantage of Calvin's small size by Calvin posing as a baby to gain entry into the home of the woman who now has the diamond. Unknown to the dastardly duo the woman, Vanessa (Kerry Washington) and her husband Darryl (Shawn Wayans) have been talking about having a baby for quite some time. Darryl had even hired a solo musician at a celebration dinner to help woo Vanessa into agreeing to have a baby. The upwardly mobile Vanessa was not so sure they were ready for a baby -- that would change everything. Darryl did not want to wait any longer. Now there sits a baby in a dog's bed on their porch. That baby Calvin was in a dog's bed set the stage for one of the first items of crude humor as a dog steps up and urinates in Calvin's face ... and mouth. From there the baby impersonation antics flourish. But not only does Calvin and company want the diamond, crime lord Walken (Chazz Palminteri) wants it, too and is willing to kill for it. Things begin to go smoothly until Vanessa's live-in dad, Pops (John Witherspoon) discovers the baby's real identity by seeing him on a newscast as the prime suspect in the diamond robbery. But not to worry. Soon, the diamond is in the hands of the police, baby Calvin is relieved now that everyone knows the truth, and Darryl and Vanessa will be $100,000 richer by the insurance company reward. Bright. Colorful. And the Wayans again show their talents in the performing arts, not only in playing the parts but writing them as well. And Marlon displays a talent at facial expressions. But this 91-minute comedy is saturated with slaps in the face of wholesome. Some seemingly minor. Some not so minor. Most are of the sexual nature. Baby Calvin (40-year old baby Calvin), repeatedly grabs at the breasts of an actress and lusts for them as he does. He pushes down the head of a woman as she gives him belly raspberries. He is portrayed as having had intercourse with Vanessa ... after Darryl. As Darryl, Vanessa and Pops change baby Calvin's diaper they stare in shock at his crotch and Pops made a comment about "porn." [Prov. 30:20, Gal. 5:19] Not only is the film content found by the Wanton Violence/Crime and Sexual Immorality investigation areas easily equivalent to most R-rated films with an investigation area score of zero in each, the content found by the Impudence/Hate investigation area is also worthy of the "R" brand primarily due to 29 uses of the three/four letter word vocabulary. This is all not to mention that the entire film is based in crime, extortion and involving innocents in crime. There is more. A lot more. Enough to give this film an envelope or magnitude equivalent to R-rated films in the comparative baseline database. And with a final score of 41 out of 100, Little Man is a "strong" R-13. Please read thoroughly the listing of observations in the Findings/Scoring section before you decide for what age stratum, if any, this film is fit. By the way, the tattoo on Marlon's left forearm in the poster art is not in the the same place as in the film. It is clearly a temporary tattoo used to make a statement about the character. 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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 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: Thank you for visiting us and may God bless you. Prayerfully, we will provide you with some of the most revealing commentary and investigative reporting you have ever read. 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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