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Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP Ministry) www.capalert.com/ Entertainment Media Analysis Report A service to His little ones (which includes at-home teens) through you, their parents and grandparents, in His name by His Word MAR23122  (2003), PG-13 |
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ALERT: To fully understand this report you should first visit the topics suggested by the CAP Site Map (Table of Contents). Further, if you do not want the plot, ending, or "secrets" of a movie spoiled for you, skip the Summary/Commentary. In any case, be sure to visit the Findings/Scoring section -- it is completely objective to His Word and is the heart of the CAP Entertainment Media Analysis Model applied to this movie. |  |
 (2003), PG-13 -- ...violence and language are the only reasons this film earned an R-13 score.  Cast/Crew Details Courtesy Internet Movie Database Production (US): Artists Production Group, Cobalt Media Group, Mutual Film Company, Paramount Pictures, The Donners' Company Distribution (US): Paramount Pictures Director(s): Richard Donner Producer(s): Michael Aguilar, Kevin De La Noy, Richard Donner, Derek Hoffman, Gary Levinsohn, Michael Ovitz, Brian Read, Lauren Shuler Donner, Jim Van Wyck Written by/Screenplay: Michael Crichton (novel), Jeff Maguire (screenplay), George Nolfi (screenplay) Cinematography/Camera: Caleb Deschanel Music: Brian Tyler Film Editing: Richard Marks Casting: Sarah Finn, Randi Hiller Production Design: Daniel T. Dorrance Art Direction: Caroline Alder, Réal Proulx, David Sandefur Timeline offers some dazzling displays of 14th century French warfare of glory and honor during the sword, arrow and trebuchet attacks on mighty castles for the love of Country and Lady Faire ... err ... in this case, Lady Claire (Anna Friel). The movie is artfully descriptive of the romanticism and warfare of the time, stirring and capable of taking you on a popcorn-flavored journey into Medieval France. Envision waves of flaming arrows in flight toward their targets and the likewise flaming loads of trebuchets exploding against the great walls of a castle. Yes, it was artfully descriptive of a morally colorful, romantic period of our history, but it presented warfare nonetheless. Violent warfare. And modern technology and talent made it easy to imagine it as larger than life. That this movie presents life "the way it was" does not excuse presenting it to children (which includes at-home teens) unless mom/dad decide it is acceptable. When, how, how much and by whom children are exposed to "the way life was/is" is up to mom/dad, not some filmmaker or even teacher or anyone else in a position of authority or influence. A secular reviewer said Timeline was "Lame" ... "Made for TV." Well, if the complete lack of any sexual immorality or vulgarity except for one innuendo makes Timeline lame and made-for-TV, fine! Go for it! [Prov. 15:26; 1Ths. 4:1-5] And if it is lame and made-for-TV because all the "PG-13" language can easily be filtered out at home without any loss of script integrity or story impact, double fine! I guess, at least in the eyes of the modern, progressive and enlightened movie critic using other films saturated with these ignominies as the standard, a film must not be any good unless it contains expertly performed sleazy sex of "award quality" and an attitude with "It ain't good enough no matter what 'it' is" language. Films used to be good without all these ignominies. What happened? [Ps. 12:8; 1 Cor. 15:33] I guess there are no more really good filmmakers and script writers any more. It seems filmmakers are no longer good enough to titillate the adult mind without feeding it with filth. It seems also that filmmakers must resort to their perception of "middle school locker room mentality." Well!? More than half of all moviegoers each week are non-adults and more than half of all movies made are rated R. You do the math. A group of scientists, trying to "fax" an object to another location ended up "faxing" it to another time because of an unexpected connection with a worm hole. And as happens in all such cinematic scientific experimentation, a human got involved. Professor Edward Johnston (Billy Connolly) was transported back to 1357 AD France. In a clever maneuver, Professor Connolly leaves items not indigenous to the time period in the bowels of the French castle Castlegard, knowing his team of archeologists would find them during a 21st century dig at the remains of Castlegard. And that they did. The professor's son, Chris Johnston (Paul Walker - 2Fast, 2Furious If I were a real critic I might say something about the quality of performances which did seem, at times, a little cardboard. I might also mention that it seemed Frances O'Connor ad libbed just to ensure she had something to say or to ensure she was noticed: that it is one of those films where the list of producers is longer than the list of key performers But I am not a real film critic. In addition to the violence properties of this film, it was indeed rife with "PG-13" language at about 13 times per hour [Col. 3:8] plus God's name in vain at about 15 times per hour. Indeed, violence and language are the only reasons this film earned an R-13 score
SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S) If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ]. 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. ***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. |
