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MAR2011.098

(2010), NR [R-NR*] (1hr 23.8min)

Final Score
Analysis Date
Date Posted
Influence Density
MinMax
August 20, 2011
August 10, 2011
38
1.42
-100

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Christian Long Distance

SUMMARY / COMMENTARY:
(While the Scriptural references are certainly not subjective, my commentary may be and sometimes is somewhat subjective.)

If Scriptural references appear, the full text appears at the end of the Summary / Commentary.



(2010), NR [R-NR*] ... Sounds to me as though Ben's prayers were answered.


Cast/Crew Details Courtesy Internet Movie Database
Production (US): Red Stokes Entertainment, Sony Pictures Television
Distribution (US): Lifetime Movie Network, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Director(s): Steven Schachter
Producer(s): Andrea Baynes, Garth Brooks, Shana Fischer Huber, Lisa Sanderson, James Spies
Writing Credits: Anne Gerard, Otis Jones
Television Story: Anne Gerard
Song: Garth Brooks, Pat Alger, Larry Bastian
Cinematography/Camera: Eric Van Haren Noman
Music: Steve Porcaro
Film Editing: Margaret Goodspeed
Casting: Stacey Rosen
Production Design: Eloise Crane Stammerjohn
Viewed on Sony Pictures Home Entertainment DVD



Unanswered prayers? As near as I could tell amidst all the adultery and profanity was that a jilted high school football hero, Ben Beck (Eric Close) prayed for his girlfriend, Ava Andersson (MŠdchen Amick) to come back to him but she didn't ... until now. Twenty years later. That in that time Ben had a wonderful marriage to Lorrie (Samantha Mathis) with a son, Jessie (Tony Oller) and a successful construction business was not answer enough to his prayers? Sounds to me as though Ben's prayers were answered.

After 20 years of the good life as a construction company owner and with a wonderful family, Ava returns to Ashland to settle the estate of her recently deceased mother. Now the memories begin to flood Ben's consciousness. Even one of Ben's video tapes of one of his football victories has Ava rewarding Ben with a juicy kiss. But that did not bother Lorrie ... until that clutching girl on the screen showed up in town. Slowly Ben and Ava begin to become socially chummy. Then snuggly. Then ...

It is the same old story told by zillions of other films. For me, this was a bad film. Not so much because of the soup of immorality in which it floated and not because of particularly poor performances. It was a bad film because, just a few moments after watching it, I have a hard time remembering any of it well enough to give you a reasonable summary of the story. That is what makes me especially thankful of the methodology the CAP analysis model uses (the Findings/Scoring section). Notes are taken of the content while watching the film (this film took three pages) so I don't need to remember the plot or story to give you that for which we are here: to tell you the truth about the content of entertainment -- truth the MPAA, advertisers, promoters, trailers and previews cannot or will not tell you -- in order that you might be in a better position to make an informed moral decision whether it is fit.

Though this film is not rated (NR) its content is fully equivalent to the content of many R-rated films, not so much in the severity or extremeness of any individual example of assault on morality and decency or even because of a few of them but because of the volume of "lesser" examples of assault yielding a magnitude of ignominy equivalent to that of most R-rated films. It is a R-NR* film, meaning a Not Rated film that earned a CAP final score in the range of scores earned by R-rated films (54 and below out of 100) in the comparative baseline database. Just a note for the wise, "NR" on a film does not mean it is clean or safe. The NR means the film has not been rated by the MPAA. Anything goes. Such a film can contain literally anything the filmmakers want it to contain. So, be extra cautious of NR films.

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Following are brief discussions of the content per individual CAP investigation areas. As always the Findings section of this report is the best source for discovering the full accounting of the content of this film.

Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - 96 out of 100
The only violence in the entire 83.8 minutes of the show is football violence.

Impudence/Hate (I) - Zero out of 100
Twenty-six times someone utters some form of profanity, two of them by a teen. [Eph. 5:4, Eph. 4:29] That same teen ignores his mother's commands and is arrogant toward and defiant of his father. [Exod. 20:12] Ben and Lorrie act rather blaze and even laugh about finding their son in bed with his girlfriend who are belligerent about it. Ben lies to Lorrie and hides things from her. And Lorrie throws a mini-tantrum because of Ben's infidelity.

Sexual Immorality (S) - Zero out of 100
Ava is Jezebel, the seductress [Prov. 7:25, Rev. 2:20] with the smooth talk and fine sounding arguments to break down Ben's naivety and resistance to her advances [Rom. 16:17 - 18, Prov. 6:32]. Jessie and his girlfriend, Monet (Alex Frnka - no, that is not misspelled and, yes, she is a girl.) are sexually active. Both Ben and Ava are seen nude from the rear as they dive into a quarry. Ben reminisces about his past sexual escapades with Ava and we see his memories onscreen in part as a nude couple making out though gender-specifics are not seen.

Drugs/Alcohol (D) - Zero out of 100
There is a lot of drinking in this film along with a couple instances of drunkenness.

Offense to God (O) - 32 out of 100
The three-syllable sentence with God's name trailing it seems to be popular with the writers. But not to God. [Deut. 5:11] With or without the four letter expletive, to use God's name in any way other than in prayer and praise, in responsible discussion and with respect and reverence is in vain.

Murder/Suicide (M) - 100 out of 100
There are no murders or suicides portrayed in this film.


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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

  • Eph. 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
  • Eph. 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
  • Exod. 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
  • Prov. 7:25 Do not let your heart turn to her [the adulteress/seductress] ways or stray into her paths.
  • Rev. 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
  • Rom. 16:17 - 18 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
  • Prov. 6:32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
  • Deut. 5:11 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain. [Vain is shav {shawv}: emptiness, nothingness, vanity, such as an expletive. With or without the four letter expletive, the use of God's name in any way other than respect, reverence or responsible discussion and in praise and prayer is in vain. That includes the popular three syllable sentence with His name trailing it AND the misuse of Jesus' name or title. So, trying to excuse such expressions with "I was talking TO God/Jesus when I said that" or It's just words" or "I was acting" will not work with Him. Nor will "Everybody says that" excuse the sin of using His name in vain. If everyone on the planet who has ever drawn a breath used His name in vain, it would still be a sin to do so. If no one ever did, it would still be a sin to do so. Whether we believe it or not. Whether we like it or not. Whether we care or not.]

    Selected Scriptures of Armour against the influence of the entertainment industry

  • Jer. 37:9 This is what the LORD says: Do not deceive yourselves, thinking, 'The Babylonians [the destroyers from within] will surely leave us.' They will not!
  • Ps. 12:8 The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men [when enough people continue to defend what is vile, embrace it, enjoy it, want it, submit to it.]
  • Col. 2:8 Beware lest any man [by his influence] spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
  • 1 Cor. 15:33 Be not deceived: evil [kakov: of a bad nature, not such as it ought to be] communications corrupt good manners.
  • Rom. 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
  • Jude 1:4 For there are certain men* crept in unawares [secretly slipped in among us], who were before of old ordained to this condemnation [whose condemnation was written about long ago], ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness [a license for immorality], and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. [*men: anthropos {anth'-ro-pos}, generic, a human being, whether male or female]
  • Matt. 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
  • Luke 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. [Offend: skandalizo {skan-dal-id'-zo} - scandalize; to entice to sin; to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey; to cause to fall away.]
  • Ps. 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me [let no sin rule over me].
  • John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
  • 1 Thess. 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. ["Evil" includes all things that are sinful.]


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    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.
  • FINDINGS / SCORING:
    (The objective heart of the CAP Analysis Model, independent of and insulated from the Summary / Commentary section.)


    Unanswered Prayers (2010) CAP Thermometers

    Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - 96 out of 100
  • football violence

    Impudence/Hate (I) - Zero out of 100
  • 26 uses of profanity, twice by a teen
  • lying
  • teen son ignoring mother's command
  • teen son's arrogance at and defiance of father, repeatedly
  • euphemism of profanity
  • parents making light of son's sexual immorality

    Sexual Immorality (S) - Zero out of 100
  • cheerleaders flipping skirts
  • adult in underwear, repeatedly
  • teen pair in boy's home bedroom undressed and in bed together
  • admission of sexually immoral deeds
  • gab session of sexually immoral histories
  • teens planning intercourse, repeatedly
  • teens making out on couch
  • man and woman making out nude
  • teen intercourse, twice (unseen)
  • full rear nudity, both male and female
  • adulterous attempts and adultery, frequent
  • smooth talk to seduce, repeatedly

    Drugs/Alcohol (D) - Zero out of 100
  • bar, repeatedly
  • booze, repeatedly
  • drinking, repeatedly
  • drunkenness, repeatedly

    Offense to God (O) - 32 out of 100
  • 26 uses of God's name in vain

    Murder/Suicide (M) - 100 out of 100
  • none noted















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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 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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    * CAP Equivalence to MPAA Rating Scale:
    Please note our new manner of indicating a film's Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating in comparison with the CAP equivalence such as "PG-13 [R-13]." The first term is the Motion Picture Association of America's (MPAA) rating. The second term [in brackets] indicates that which the film earned under the CAP analysis model. In the example, "PG-13 [R-13]" indicates the MPAA rated the film PG-13 but the film earned a CAP final score in the scoring range earned by R-rated movies in the comparative baseline database. Other comparative terms used might be "PG [13-PG]", "G [PG-G] or even 'PG-13 [PG]" as was the case for Alien vs Predator. I doubt there will ever be a "G [R]" used, but only time will tell. The CAP analysis model is Rock-solid. The MPAA is not.

    The current CAP to MPAA** nomenclature is:

    For G rated Films with
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    PG equivalence: PG-G
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    For PG rated Films with
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    PG-13 equivalence: 13-PG
    R equivalence: R-PG
    For PG-13 rated Films with
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    PG-13 equivalence: PG-13
    R equivalence: R-13
    For R rated Films with
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