Well, it’s still summertime, technically speaking, and even though kids are going back to school, the warm temperatures signify that it is still summer. So, who doesn’t enjoy going to the movies when it’s so hot outside? So let’s take a look at what’s playing at the movies.
Here is what I found when researching today’s movies. I was looking for something entertaining; something fun to watch. You know, like a family story, or even a story with a little adventure. Something I could watch with my grandkids, for example. Let’s start with the PG movies. Here is the rating and content. I’m listing the attributes of the movies now playing at my local theater, but not the names of the movies.
-PG for scary action, some violence, thematic elements, (what’s that, exactly?) language and rude humor
-PG for action, mild violence, rude humor, and language
-PG 13 for crude, sexual material, violence, bloody images, and brief partial nudity
-PG 13 for intense sequences of violence/action, bloody images, some suggestive references, language and a drug reference
-PG for strong language and action
*PG for sequences of intense action, and peril
OK, so, so far, what’s playing that would be somewhat suitable for me and my grandkids, is filled with violence and/or bloody images and strong action. Wow. That’s entertainment? But wait, there’s more.
In addition to that, there is language and rude humor. I can only assume that language refers to “bad language” ie, language that I don’t use and don’t listen to. And rude humor? Well, that’s not very nice. Probably some sexual references, I’m assuming.
Well, nothing seems to fit what I was looking for.
And what about “thematic elements”? I looked that up. Here’s what I found on Wikipedia:
“Thematic elements are film content that may be objectionable or inappropriate for young children, such as abortion, addiction, war, or suicide. They are rated by film boards to warn parents and guardians of possible themes in a film.”
Yuck; I don’t think I want to watch that myself, and I wouldn’t take my grandchildren to see it!
OK, let’s keep looking at what else is playing. So now we get to what’s available for adults.
-R for strong bloody violence throughout
-R for strong bloody violence, gore, language, drug content, some sexual content and brief nudity
-R for violence, language throughout, and some sexual references
-R for strong bloody violence and grisly images, language throughout, and some sexual content and drug use
-R for violent disturbing content, sexual content, graphic nudity, language and brief drug content
So, even more violence, but with added language and sexual content.
Now my question is this: Is this the new definition of entertainment?
None of these movies are appealing to me in any form. I would not call it entertainment.
It’s not entertaining to see murder, or someone being hurt in any way. So why do we call that entertainment?
When our kids were growing up, we used to call PG pretty good and R movies rotten.
But now we see that PG isn’t pretty good anymore. It’s like the PG and PG 13 became R and R just got worse.
The only movie I could choose that was fun and interesting with some adventure was
a movie about a boy with a dragon.* I didn’t see it but it’s the closest to what I call “entertainment.”
The dictionary definition of entertainment is this:
- the act of entertaining; agreeable occupation for the mind; diversion; amusement.
Solving the daily crossword puzzle is an entertainment for many.
- something affording pleasure, diversion, or amusement, especially a performance of some kind.
So my question is this: Are these movies made to entertain? It would seem to me that they would make me shudder and cower in fear. They would bring nightmares! Most of them would at least make anyone cringe. I’m puzzled why people would want to watch murder or blood—in any form of media? But it seems that these kinds of movies are made to “sell”.
What this tells me is that we have drifted away from the kind of entertainment that I used to enjoy growing up. Slowly, slowly our young minds are being corrupted with inappropriate sounds and images.
The problem with that is that what we watch gets into our spirits. Kids imitate what they see. So why are we surprised when we see adults and kids committing crimes? I mean, that’s what they’ve been feasting on for years. So now they “do” what they have seen.
I still want to see a good movie from time to time but I don’t want to expose myself to the works of darkness. What about you?
Let’s believe for revival in our nation—revival in the movie industry especially! Let’s call in new actors, writers and producers who will make movies that fill us with the wonder and awe of God!
Then I will hardily say: LET’S GO TO THE MOVIES!