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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 MAR28030  (2008), PG-13 [R-13*] (1hr 42min) 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 1200 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): Universal Pictures (presents), Littlestar Productions, Playtone, Internationale Filmproduktion Richter Distribution (US): Universal Studios Home Entertainment Director(s): Phyllida Lloyd Producer(s): Benny Andersson, Judy Craymer, Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks, Mark Huffam, Björn Ulvaeus, Rita Wilson Screenplay by: Catherine Johnson Musical Book: Catherine Johnson Cinematography/Camera: Haris Zambarloukos Music: Benny Andersson Film Editing: Lesley Walker Casting: Priscilla John Production Design: Maria Djurkovic Art Direction: Nick Palmer (supervising art director) Viewed on Universal Studios Home Entertainment DVD In this "musical" Donna Sheridan (Meryl Streep) has raised Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) all by her self from birth in Donna's Villa on the Greek Kalokairi Island (actually Skopelos). Twenty years ago Donna had immoral sex with three men and does not know which is the father. Now 20 years old, Sophie is getting married to Sky (Dominic Cooper) and it seems the world shows up for the wedding. Partly due to Sophie. Sophie has grown up wondering who is her father. Sneaking her mother's diary Sophie learns of the three men who had sex with her mother just before her birth: Sam Carmichael (Pierce Brosnan); Bill Anderson (Stellan Skarsgård); Harry "Headbanger" Bright (Colin Firth). One of them had to be her father since these three were the only ones Donna had sex with, at least so sayeth mom's diary. In a bit of a quandary and without her mother knowing it, Sophie invited all three possible fathers to her wedding. So, which one will give away the bride? Along with the crowd are Donna's old singing mates: Rosie (Julie Walters) and Tanya (Christine Baranski). The three used to be Donna and the Dynamos. While Streep is certainly not a professional singer she did have her moments. The "moment" that I actually enjoyed was when Donna started singing "Dancing Queen" as she traipsed through the streets of the small town. Like the mice following the pied piper the town's women threw down their dish rags, laundry and brooms to join Donna, snubbing the mediocrity of being middle aged housewives and enjoying themselves as they each pretended to be the dancing queen. It was a delightful display as all the aging mothers and housewives became young again, even if only while singing "Dancing Queen." Queens they were. Each of them. Through all this, Sophie confided in her two best friends and singing mates, Ali (Ashley Lilley) and Lisa (Rachel McDowall). Together the three plotted and schemed to figure out which of the three men is Sophie's father. Is it Sam? Is it Harry? Or is it Bill? Does Donna know? Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - 100 out of 100 There was nothing at all noted regarding violence and/or crime in the entire 102 minute show. Impudence/Hate (I) - 67 out of 100 There were five dysphemistic uses of the three/four letter word vocabulary plus one euphemistic use of the most foul of the foul words. [Col. 3:8, Eph. 4:29] Other than that the only matters found incorporated by this investigation area were the tattoos and lies. "What? Everyone lies! What's the big deal?" First of all not everyone lies. Jesus didn't. But the big deal is that God is serious about lying. So much so the unforgiven liar will not make it to Heaven. [Rev. 21:8] God makes no allowances about lying. Sexual Immorality (S) - 28 out of 100 This film is rife with sexually-oriented talk, gestures and behaviors. One scene of full rear male nudity did not help the investigation area score. It would be better to read the listing in the Findings/Scoring section to grasp the scope of sexually immoral content. Drugs/Alcohol (D) - Zero out of 100 This investigation area found enough content to lose all of the starting 100 points. Booze. Drinking. Drunkenness. "But it's all fantasy. It's just a movie." Let me share with you what the American College of Physicians found about such entertainment. The American College of Physicians (ACP) found that exposure to booze and drinking in and as entertainment emboldens the viewer, in particular the middle school age stratum, the PG and PG-13 age stratum, to challenge the law and experiment with alcohol. Though the ACP study used R-rated films since it was believed R-rated films contained the most drinking, the focus is on the influence of exposure to alcohol in and as entertainment regardless of the film rating. Besides, the ACP researchers were not aware of R-13 which defeats the assumption that R-rated films present the most drinking and drunkenness. A finding by Harvard University agreed with our R-13 finding, four years after our finding. Within the ACP study population of 4544 middle school students (90% were under fourteen years old), the prevalence of having tried alcohol without parental knowledge was Rather revealing of the influences of the entertainment industry wouldn't you say? [Eph. 5:18] And emboldening children to sin with drink in and as entertainment screams of violating Luke 17:2. Offense to God (O) - Zero out of 100 This investigation area, too, found enough abuse of God's name to earn a score of zero in matters of Offense to God, about 19 per hour. [Duet 5:11] Murder/Suicide (M) - 100 out of 100 No murders or suicides were found. 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) - 100 out of 100 Impudence/Hate (I) - 67 out of 100 Sexual Immorality (S) - 28 out of 100 Drugs/Alcohol (D) - Zero out of 100 Offense to God (O) - Zero 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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