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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 MAR24110  (2004), PG-13 [PG-13*]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. More than 900 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): Columbia Pictures Corporation, Gracie Films Distribution (US): Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Pictures Director(s): James L. Brooks Producer(s): Julie Ansell, Joan Bradshaw, James L. Brooks, Christy Haubegger, Maria Kavanaugh, Francine Maisler, Richard Marks, Aldric La'Auli Porter, Richard Sakai Written by: James L. Brooks Cinematography/Camera: John Seale Music: Trevor Morris, Hans Zimmer Film Editing: Richard Marks Casting: Addison McQuigg, Manuel Teil, Mary Vernieu Production Design: Ida Random Art Direction: Tom Reta Viewed At: Driftwood Theater 6 To the many folks have told us they wish they had read our analysis of a film before seeing a film; to they who have told us they will not see a film until they have seen our analysis of it, I apologize for this report being two days late. Our job is to tell you in detail what is in a film so you might be in a more informed position to think for yourself to make a moral decision about the fitness of a film on your own before seeing a film for yourself. We do not have the authority to judge what is fit for your kids (or for you). Only God and you, in that order, have that authority. The MPAA doesn't even figure in that equation. We just tell you what is there. You decide. This analysis must carry a WARNING! There is a graphic sexual scene in this PG-13 film and I am about to tell you about it. If you do not like to read of sexually graphic contents in film, leave this report now. And don't watch the movie. But know that if your little ones (which includes at-home teens) watch this film, it will certainly impart to them that which you do not want to read about. Spanglish certainly hits below the moral belt if only for about five minutes. It is rated PG-13 for "some sexual content, brief language." Some sexual content, indeed. In a sexual frenzy, Adam Sandler as John Clasky and Téa Leoni as Deborah Clasky ran up to their bedroom and commenced co-stripping each other to their underwear. With the frenzy as their master, the couple hit the bed and began their goal in their underwear with her straddling him, rubbing her crotch against his until she graphically portrayed an orgasm. All for your 13 year old sons and daughters. And that is a problem? Yes. The American Academy of Pediatrics has found that viewing sex in and as entertainment leads to adolescents initiating sexual behaviors. In another finding I read, which I am sorry but I cannot recall the source, revealed that viewing sex in and as entertainment leads adolescents to imitate what they see, to try it for themselves. By the way, none of the secular reviews I have seen had a single thing to say about the above display of sexual activity and none of them said anything about the effect of such display on adolescents. We do. And will. Actually, Spanglish is a good example of the utility of the CAP analysis Model. Just because the envelope or magnitude of immorality in of this film is equivalent to other PG-13 movies in the comparative baseline database does not mean there are no spikes in immorality such as the one above. While such spikes are invisible to the observer in any non-stream display of numbers, the listing in the Findings/Scoring section exposes them well. We have all the bases covered for you. Please consider visiting our page CAP Graphic Data Display Explanation on how to use the CAP analysis reports to get the best benefit from them. This file is also linked to the set of CAP thermometers on each online report page. ACLU protagonists might try to make the criminal the victim by arguing "John and Deborah were married." Though John and Deborah were married in the film, Sandler and Leoni were not. Even if they were actually married, such behavior is not fit for display let alone in and as entertainment. "Acting" or "pretend" does not excuse the sin of teaching and/or causing others to sin in deed or thought with our own, neither of the one demonstrating the sin nor the one who emulates it. No more than Deborah's mother, Evelyn Norwich's (Cloris Leachman) quoting of someone's use of vulgar language excuse her mouthing it. After entering all the data and punching the last key, the CAP Analysis Model spit out a final score of 61 which makes this film equivalent in magnitude to other PG-13 films in the comparative baseline database. That made me angry and frustrated because I wanted this film to earn a much more severe score because of the sexual vulgarity in it. But the objectivity of the CAP analysis model could not care less what I want. One might wonder why this film earned a "PG-13" CAP score if it is so vulgar. The answer is that objectivity of the CAP analysis model. Though I truly feel this film should be classed as pornography, Spanglish did not earn the much more severe score I would like it to have because the above demonstration of sexual lust is the only one like it in the 131 minutes. I would like to give this film a zero score in accordance with the sexual trash in it, all smothered in warmth and love and outstanding talent, but the analysis model wouldn't let me. Pornographic demonstration or a lie or a murder, a sin is a sin no matter how we try to excuse it. Spanglish champions Mexican ethnicity and courage well. Estranged and beautiful Mexican citizen Flor Moreno (Paz Vega) whose husband left her and likewise beautiful daughter Cristina (Shelbie Bruce, Victoria Luna at 6 years old) flee Mexico to the Hispanic quarter of Los Angeles. For six years Flor worked menial jobs. Cristina was growing up and so were the interests in Cristina by boys as told by the writers having an adolescent boy grabbing the buttocks of Cristina. Let us think about that scene for a moment. The fantasy movie had an adolescent boy grab the buttocks of an adolescent girl. All just part of a movie, right? Does anyone ever see beyond the surface and understand that it was a real adolescent boy putting his hand on the buttocks of a real adolescent girl? Their mothers knew about it I'll bet. And the writers engineered it. But did any of them think of any consequences? Luke 17:2 tells us that the one who teaches and/or causes a youth to sin would be better off if a millstone were tied about his/her neck then cast into the sea? Flor fled again but this time from Hispanic LA to Anglo LA to get a higher paying job so she would not have to work night jobs which prevented her from being with her daughter after school. Though not able to speak English, Flor found a position as housekeeper for John and Deb Clasky. Soon, a relocation of some kind was in order, but Flor could not work at the new location since she had a daughter. Wanting Flor to stay with them, the Clasky's invited Cristina to live with them and her mother at the new location. John was a world-class chef and Deb was a displaced hysterical professional of some sort. John and Deb had a young teen daughter, Bernice (Sarah Steele) who was overweight. The Clasky's also had a son whose name was never mentioned that I can recall who could have been a piece of furniture and would have been less important to the plot. It was nice, however, to see the traditional American family of father, mother, and two kids in these days of attempts to corrupt and counterfeit the American family. [1Cor. 7:2] Deb continually degraded Bernice and her eating habits in the guise of caring. One day, Deb returned from a shopping spree with some new clothes for Bernice but, as a signal in the guise of caring, all were a size too small -- ouch! If she wanted to wear the new clothes she would have to lose weight. Crushed, Bernice threw herself into light and temporary seclusion. [Matt. 18:10] Flor had been quietly observing it all. Having a same-aged daughter herself, Flor knew what needed to be done without totally usurping Deb. Flor let out the seams of the jacket and moved the buttons over and it fit perfectly. That was the first of the butting-ins done regarding children. As time went by and as professional acquaintances changed, Téa became amorously involved in some nameless, faceless dude while John became more and more interested in Flor. The adultery in thought became adultery in deed. For both. And for Flor. [Hebr. 13:4] Earlier, Cristina had stated that she and her mother were Catholic (Christian). And the filmmakers actually fortified Cristina's comment with a later scene calling on Christian ethics. As Sandler and Vega contemplated an adulterous sexual encounter, Vega stated it is ... [the big "S" word] ... sin. Even knowing such behavior to be sinful, they continued in their sin. Doesn't "continued in their sin" sound familiar? We all do from time to time. Though I am not speaking of sexual immorality I am a sinner, too, and struggle with the temptations of sin as much as anyone else. We are all sinners and fall short of the Grace of God. And all too often we tend to seek to excuse our own sins with the sins of others: that others "do it" gives us emboldenment to do "it" ourselves. But my sins do not excuse yours nor do your sins excuse mine. Nor do past sins excuse future sins. So, thank God for Jesus who washes all our sins away just for accepting on faith that He is Lord and resurrected Savior whose Sacrifice paid the price of all our sins; past, present, future. More on that if you want to know 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 heart of the CAP Analysis Model)  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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