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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 MAR26025  (2006), PG-13 [R-13*] (1hr 52min) 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): New Line Cinema, Tiara Blu Films Distribution (US): New Line Cinema Director(s): Liz Friedlander Producer(s): Christopher Godsick, Michelle Grace, Mathew Hart, Mark Kaufman, Ray Liotta, Matt Moore, Diane Nabatoff, Luke Ryan Written by: Dianne Houston Cinematography/Camera: Alex Nepomniaschy Music: Swizz Beatz, Aaron Zigman Film Editing: Robert Ivison Production Design: Paul D. Austerberry Art Direction: Nigel Churcher Viewed At: Driftwood Theater 6 The tag line for Take the Lead is "Never Follow", making "follow" an undesirable matter. While the lead-follow concept certainly applies to partner dance, the implication of "never follow" as used in the tag line is not the same, drawing heavily on its appeal to the inexperienced heart. Jesus would not likely approve that "never follow" encouragement since He told us that to be first we must be last: to be greatest we must be least and the servant of all. [Mark 9:33 - 35] Jesus tells us many times in the New Testament to follow Him. For example, Matt. 4:19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." As used in the tag line, "follow" does seem to be used in a derogatory sense contrary to His wishes. Maybe "follow" would not be so undesirable if we think of it in the following way: to be a good leader one must first know how and when to be a good follower. There is nothing wrong with being a follower, for a leader cannot be a good leader without good followers and vice versa. Isn't Jesus the greatest leader ever known but yet servant of all? That is a good example of practicing what you preach. Take the Lead is reported to be based on a true story of how Manhattan ballroom dance instructor Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) "took the lead" with a group of John Drake High School detention hall teens and made a difference in their lives. In the beginning, Jason "Rock" Rockwell (Rob Brown) attempts to muscle his way into a school affair which requires tickets. His ticket was counterfeit according to the school teacher ticket-taker. The school principal, Augustine James (Alfre Woodard - a perfect choice for "principal") came and, with the help of two security officers, set Rock back a space or two. Rock didn't like that. Though reluctant at first, as if he had scruples, at the goading of a couple street thug acquaintances of his, Rock trashes James' car with a golf club. Dulaine witnesses the trashing but does not turn Rock in to the police. Rock is also one of the detention hall students under Mr. Dulaine's supervision. As time and persistence go by, Dulaine helps the kids find confidence and respect. Confidence built by the self-realization that the kids can dance. Respect in a most unexpected way. At a PTO meeting assembled to terminate the dance class, one of Dulaine's points of rational was that dance would teach their sons how to touch girls ... with respect. He won the PTO over and even garnered inquiries of whether Mr. Dulaine teaches adults, too. Similar and unrelated examples of the teaching by example of righteous thought and behavior are relatively frequent in the film. Dulaine's program is so successful each of the D-Hall students becomes proficient enough to enter the 25th Annual Grand Ballroom Dance Competition along with the high society snobs. The previously vulgar, sometimes criminal, always disrespectful, ever-doubting teens are dancing the waltz, the foxtrot, the tango and more. And doing a good job of it. Good enough to win some of the parts of the competition. There is much to be said for "teaching by example" whether in the classroom or at home. Too bad that so much "teaching by example" is caught from the big screen. Yes, "caught" is correct. Values and ethics are not so much taught as caught. Red-handed ... in the act ... on the screen. God is right. [1 Cor. 15:33] Though Take the Lead has a number of good things to say, such is up to your discovery should you opt to watch this film. Our focus is not to inform our readers of the positive features of films, which many films present. Our focus is to provide you with the most detailed accounting possible of the assaults on morality and decency so that you might be in a better position to make an informed moral decision whether a film is fit for your family or not. Know that Take the Lead is another R-13 evidently targeted at the high school age stratum. It is R-13 mainly because of so many sexually suggestive/expressive mannerisms [Gal. 5:19] plus so many uses of profanity. [2 Tim. 2:16 - 17, Eph. 5:4] Not only is Take the Lead another example of R-13 entertainment, it is also another example of the CAP Rule of 1000. [Ps. 12:8] Please depend more on the listing of observations in the Findings/Scoring section for your assessment of this film than on this Summary Commentary. But please note that I left in the middle of the rolling credits in which the filmmakers inserted replay shots from the body of the film, some of which may be repeats of the assualts on morality and decency. Sights/sounds not observed/heard by the investigator are not noted in the Findnigs/Scoring section nor are they incoporated into the scoring. 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. |
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