 RED does not mean "stop." GREEN does not mean "go." Click on the CAPCon Alert image for explanation |
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 MAR2012.073  (2010), NR [PG-NR*] (81.5min) 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 1500 analyses for parents, grandparents, pastors, youth leaders and more. |
|
  (a PayPal account is NOT required). The CAP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian ministry. Donations are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. |
on what Hollywood feeds your kids. SUBSCRIBE (or unsubscribe) to our FREE email version of these reports and our COMING SOON notices. |
  Christian Long Distance |
(While the Scriptural references are certainly not subjective, my commentary may be and sometimes is somewhat subjective.)
 Production (US): Hallmark Channel, A Daneil I. Paulsen Production In Association With Bright World LLC, Habor Productions, Granada America Distribution (US): Questar Director(s): Dan Paulson Producer(s): Dan Paulson, Marta M. Mobley, Kyle Clark, Norton Wright, Josef Anderson, Jerry Jameson Written by: Josef Anderson Cinematography/Camera: Dane Peterson Music: Bruce Broughton Film Editing: George W. Brooks Casting: Maureen A. Arata Production Design: John Zachary Viewed on Questar Home Video DVD From "low income housing" under a dock as a runaway teen to a self-made millionaire, Doug Smith (Treat Williams) is readying his boat to sail to Tahiti with his child psychologist wife of ten years, Robbie (Nancy Travis) ... until Judge Jack (Orson Bean) comes along and changes their plans. And their lives. And the lives of teen boys through the Smiths. Due to overcrowding in the juvenile hall teen offenders were being sent to adult lockup. Judge Jack ordered the boys to juvenile hall and would not tolerate mixing these young offenders with hardened adult criminals. After letting some boys sleep in his office, Judge Jack decided to try to "call in a favor" from Doug. One day, Judge Jack shows up at Doug and Robbie's boat asking how many it sleeps. Several years ago Judge Jack had done Doug a favor and kept him out of jail. The judge knew Doug and Robbie could not say 'no' to the two young boys the Judge had waiting in his car. Waiting for what? I will not spoil any more of this warm and moving story based on the real lives of Doug and Robbie Smith. Suffice it to say the Safe Harbor Boys Home was born the day Judge Jack dropped off Luke (Reiley McClendon), David (Charlie McDermott) and later Billy (Sam Jones III) -- and later yet Larry (Cameron Monaghan) for a short time -- with the Smith's who committed everything they are made of to foster and care for lads who have made choices that conflict with what society expects of us and needs from us. While Williams and Travis are perfect for the parts they portrayed, Bean does a stellar job of portraying the fast-talking, mental-wheels-always-turning opportunist with a huge and dedicated heart for the young offenders. Among the cast is Myra Turley as Linda Rawlings who wields her authority as a child services worker as a weapon. With a final score of 69 out of 100, the overall content of this film makes it equivalent to films in the comparative baseline database which earned PG equivalence (68 to 86 out of 100); a hard PG-equivalent score but a PG-equivalent score nonetheless. While the Wanton Violence/Crime (W) and the Impudence/Hate (I) content investigation areas found content to be equivalent in magnitude to some R-rated films in the comparative baseline database, the perfect scores of 100 out of 100 in Offense to God (O) and Murder/Suicide (M) brought the final score up. The Sexual Immorality (S) content is equivalent to G-rated films while the Drugs/Alcohol content is equivalent to many PG-13 rated films in the comparative baseline database. I will let you know that the film sanitizes the reality one can expect in caring for teens who, for whatever reason, have collided with or have been thrown into the 'system.' My wife and I have been called mom/dad by 42 children: two biological and 40 foster children. From the foster children we adopted eight. I tell you this to hopefully impart to you a modicum of credibility to say that while the film does a good job within the bounds of "acceptable content", one might expect things in the alternative home environment to sometimes be a little, er, different. At least in Texas. Particularly in youthful combat with authority. McClendon did a fair job of portraying animosity toward authority within the confines of performance limitations desired by the filmmakers, but if your heart is touched by this film enough to consider becoming "alternative parents" understand that things can and may get a little bit uglier at times. The Safe Harbor Boys Home in Jacksonville, Florida (now the Safe Harbor Maritime Academy founded in 1984) is run by Doug and Robbie Smith and is a residential education program that uses the waterfront as a residential and educational facility for teenage boys. Providing a safe, stable, structured alternative home environment, boys live aboard vessels, learning seamanship and maritime skills as well as studying for a high school diploma. If you would like to help the Safe Harbor Boys Home call (904) 757-7918 or visit Safe Harbor Boys Home. 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) - 22 out of 100 The violence content of this film is where the heaviest concentration of content lies. While none of the examples of content applicable to this investigation area were nearly as graphic or extreme as one might see in R-rated films, there were enough examples of "lesser" violence and crime to present a magnitude of content equivalent to that of some of the lighter R-rated films. Fighting between the boys and with Doug, illegal flight from custodial care, teen arson, rescue peril at sea and attempted suicide by hanging are a few of the examples of violence/crime content. Each was indeed integral and necessary to tell the story but they are still violence/crime. Please look to the listing in the Wanton Violence/Crime Findings Section section for a full accounting of the content applicable to this content investigation area. I suspect it might be advisable to share with you God's position regarding violence. God warns of the influence and expense of violence in more than 50 verses from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Proverb 16:29 summarizes the matter rather succinctly. In Proverb 16:29 God warns that violence is "catching:" that violence is enticing and can lead the observer into a path that is not good. Further, four professional public health agencies published findings which warn that the viewer of violence in and as entertainment can, among other things lead the viewer, especially the young to real life violence or lead the youthful viewer to believe violence is an effective means of settling conflict. Impudence/Hate (I) - 39 out of 100 There is one conversational snippet of profanity spoken by Orson Bean. Williams slyly masks a use of profanity. [Eph. 4:29] But the most of the content applicable to this content investigation area was in the form of arrogance and disrespect toward fair authority [Prov. 8:13] and lying [Rev. 21:8, Exod. 20:16]. David said once "I hate her so much" about his mother. There is insufferable exercise of authority by a government official to the point of threats of extortion. [Matt. 23:25] Sexual Immorality (S) - 92 out of 100 The only content found that applies to this investigation area were the two teen girls in scant swim wear and Luke's innuendo about one of the girls "with her clothes on." Scant swim wear may be typical of some or even many, but that "everyone does it" does not excuse it. [1 Tim. 2:9] Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 59 out of 100 Several instances of [celebratory] alcoholic beverages were noted but only one instance of drinking. A toast was made with alcoholic beverage was noted and an invitation to "have a drink" was heard. In addition, David's mother is seen drunk in a couple views. This content investigation area found enough instances of alcoholic beverages to be equivalent to the same findings in some films rated PG-13. While the alcoholic beverages seen were all in social settings and while David's mother being drunk is certainly a key element of the story being told, the American College of Physicians (ACP) has found a direct link between alcohol in and as entertainment and youthful abuse of it. 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 report 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 Now comes the matter of the film's content, the portraying alcohol being present a number of times but being drank only once, whether the film's content meets the criteria of the finding by the ACP that adolescent exposure to drinking in and as entertainment bears the same danger of influence as simply seeing alcoholic beverages present. I am not prepared to bandy the issue and will tend toward conservative in this report by saying, for all intents and purposes, that simply viewing booze in and as entertainment possesses some potential to influence youthful viewers. There were no instances of smoking, no instances of possession or consumption of illegal drugs nor any instances of abuse of prescription drugs nor any reference to any of these matters. Offense to God (O) - 100 out of 100 Not once was blasphemy noted nor were witchcraft, sorcery, occultism or any other such unholy practice noted. Murder/Suicide (M) - 100 out of 100 There are no portrayals of murder or suicide in the film. Larry tries unsuccessfully to kill himself by hanging but the operating procedures of the CAP Analysis Model do not permit incorporating attempts at murder or suicide by this investigation area. Portrayals of attempts at murder and suicide are incorporated by the Wanton Violence/Crime (W) content investigation area. 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 --> Children who see a lot of violence are more likely to view violence as an effective way of settling conflicts. Children exposed to violence are more likely to assume the acts of violence are acceptable behavior. --> Viewing violence can lead to emotional desensitization towards violence in real life. It can decease the likelihood that one will take action on behalf of a victim when violence occurs. --> Entertainment violence feeds a perception that the world is a violent and mean place. Viewing violence increases fear of becoming a victim of violence, with a resultant increase in self-protective behavior and a mistrust of others. --> Viewing violence may lead to real life violence. Children exposed to violent programming at a young age have a higher tendency for violent and aggressive behavior later in life than children who are not so exposed. Further, God speaks darkly of violence 56 times in the Old and New Testament of the KJV.] 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. |
 |
(The objective heart of the CAP Analysis Model, independent of and insulated from the Summary / Commentary section.)   Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - 22 out of 100 Impudence/Hate (I) - 39 out of 100 Sexual Immorality (S) - 92 out of 100 Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 59 out of 100 Offense to God (O) - 100 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. |
|
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. In the name of Jesus: Lord, Master, Teacher, Savior, God. Tom Carder Chaplain and President ChildCare Action Project (CAP): Christian Analysis of American Culture 100% dependent on your tax-deductible financial support |  |
Christian Long Distance |
|
We exist only by your tax-deductible donations. PLEASE  Features PayPal! You do NOT need an account to donate. |
| 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 |
