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Do movies ruin relationships?
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This week there has been talk of the movie, “The Notebook“, ruining relationships. (This movie came out June 25, 2004, yet there is a renewed interest in it due to co-star Ryan Gosling‘s new movie “Blue Valentine“.) “The Notebook” starts out ssssllllooooowwww, but won me over by the end. It has become one of my favorite movies because of the indescribable love that is portrayed in the midst of family interference and expectations.
The relationship controversy came because one man’s fiance dumped him because he said he wouldn’t DO the types of things that Noah did for Allie in the movie. Really? Now, I’ll admit, there have been some movies that gave me pause, but I am a realist and will not allow a story, though based on a real couple, dictate my thoughts or hopes. How do you feel about this? Should we allow entertainment have such a big impact on our existence?
The referenced post can be found at http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/01/ryan_gosling_the_notebook_make.html
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Mommy Confession #7
My sweet middle daughter knows that I want to go see the movie “Life As We Know It“, so when she saw the book available for loan in her classroom, she knew she had a winner. (Everyone knows how much mommy likes to read!) The only thing is, the book was “Life As We Knew It” by Susan Pfeffer and not the basis of the movie with a similar name. The book was written in diary story format from the viewpoint of a sixteen-year old girl who learns how to cope with situations that are out of her control. I knew the two (the movie and the book) were not one in the same immediately, but I continued to read. I’m so glad that I did!
If I were still teaching, I would make this book a required reading selection. Perhaps I gleaned more from it because of the stage of my life that I’m in, but it was a story of perseverance like no other. (The ending surprised even me!) Many agree that too many people (young and old alike) walk around with a “spirit of entitlement”, like they deserve whatever they want and it has to happen immediately. It was refreshing (at least to me) to watch this young lady experience being in lack with raw honest emotions. Allow me to clarify…the refreshing part was someone being honest about how it makes them feel to be without, not wearing a mask and pretending that everything is okay when it is not.
As I found myself drawn deeper into the novel, my perception of my own surroundings began to change. It will cause you to consider how many luxuries we enjoy and how truly fortunate we are, even though it misses our daily radars. It will also cause you to appreciate preparation, even when it seems like paranoia to some. My level of gratitude to God has increased, which in turn has caused a ripple effect in my prayer life.
I’d love to share details about the book, but that’s just it. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Yes, there are sad things that happen. Yes, there is loss of life. Although it is on a different magnitude, we deal with this on a regular basis anyway. I’m a better person for reading it and I hope you feel the same.
Thanks AJ! Love,
Mommy
Do you care how Christians are portrayed in movies?
My husband and I had a date night and decided to see “Lottery Ticket“. We went in knowing this would be good entertainment, as it featured comedians/actors like Mike Epps, Charlie Murphy, Ice Cube, Brandon T. Jackson (son of Bishop Wayne T. Jackson, Detroit, Michigan) and Loretta Devine. In general, the movie ended in a positive way, but the beginning presented several snapshots that had us raising our eyebrows.
This is not the first show that I’ve seen which portrays the church in a negative light. During the church scene, Mike Epps is speaking to the congregation with an animated slide show of him with money raining down. Really? Tithes and offerings is no “get rich quick scheme“. There are many upstanding ministries that are not “just out to get money”. When did it become okay for preachers to be narrow-minded and mean-spirited (directing his comments to one person in particular)? There once was a point in film-making history when the Church was viewed as a source of comfort and stability within a community. For current movie producers, this just doesn’t sell.
God gives us choices, but those choices should reflect the lifestyle of holiness that we’ve chosen. This was not evident with Loretta Devine’s character who chose to choose lottery numbers based on a dream where Jesus was driving a city bus. She goes on to find it difficult not to gossip, even with the safety of her grandson at stake. Why is the “saved” person in the film the one who seems to compromise the most? The church gets enough flack without blemishes as related to gambling, gossiping, the lack of self-control and other issues. We all have something we struggle with, but it should not be the basis of comedic value in a film.
Does this mean that Christians should stop seeing movies? Not at all. I will continue to view movies that I believe will be enjoyable, but I will go in with my eyes wide open, not desensitized to the “acceptable norm” of society. Do you care how Christians are portrayed in movies? What movies have you seen that made you squirm as it related to the Church? Are there any good shows that still portray the Church the way we strive to be? I’m looking forward to your comments.
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- Review: ‘Lottery Ticket’ (sfgate.com)
A Pleasant Surprise
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October is the annual fall film festival at the MJR Theatres, so kids 12 and under get in free to see the featured film on Saturdays and Sundays. I’ve been enjoying paying $1 and spending time with the little ones. This weekend’s movie was “Marmaduke” and I was pleasantly surprised. While I enjoyed the comic strip as a child, I wasn’t looking forward to seeing Marmaduke the movie, but I truly appreciated the outcome.
It was a lot of smaller messages dealing with high school and peer issues in general as told through the life of dogs. The part that moved me was the “revelation” the father received towards the end of the movie. It was a reminder that we can’t be so caught up in work that we ignore our family. It showed how the goals of the father did not line up with the kids personal goals.
How often to we hear of folks pushing their kids to play a particular sport that they have no interest in? What about ignoring your true feelings about a particular family member, canine or not? When you seek obedience with no relationship, the results are usually unfavorable. Ditto for trying to be something or someone you’re not. Fortunately for this family, dad saw the light before it was too late. The decision to realign his priorities (family before work) led to more confidence at work and better relationships all around. If you haven’t seen the movie Marmaduke, it was a refreshing family show. Thumbs up!
