The best of the Tyler Perry movies (so far)
My Angle: Shows a clear message that wealth does not lead to happiness. Honest portrayal of the "deals" we make in life that turn on us.
Kid Friendly: No - none of the Perry movies are kid friendly.
Spirituality: Like most Tyler Perry productions spirituality is highly on display. Unfortunately this is not the Bible's Christianity but something a little closer to self help or Oprah's new age gospel.
The closing line of the movie is the most dissapointing. I was so excited by the movie up to this point (well with the exception of the total abuse of the sacrament of Baptism). The main character relates how she spent her life serving others but now it was time for her to take care of herself....
Self sacrifice has taken a toll on the main character but the end result has been her becoming a millionaire. Now all that wealth and all her spare time will go into self fulfilment. This is not the good news.
Rather Jesus says: No greater love is there than this, that a man lay down his life for another....
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry is not a movie but a producer of movies.
I just want to make a general comment as I am about to review 3 of his movies. Madea's Family Reunion, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, The Family that Preys.
Tyler Perry, I think, would admit that his movies are both realism, and caricature.
Caricature because many of the characters are played "over the top" but based upon real life people that we all know (e.g. Madea may resemble many of our relatives but she's way beyond any of them). Realism is present because the movies often deal with the dark sides of families, harsh realities of life, and practical wisdom that real people share.
Tyler Perry would also, I think, admit that he is intentionally planting one or a few good Christians in the mix of each movie to show that among these desperate lives there are people who live grace filled lives.
My continuing disappointment after 3 movies that each of the "christian" characters end up giving advice at the end of the movie that contradicts the final message of the Gospel. Clearly displayed in each movie is that God makes demands upon us and if we obey we are rewarded but then the ending message repeatedly seems to be - do what is best for you which is not the Gospel at all.
I recommend the movies for adults, who want to grapple with the issues of real life but I caution them that the truth is in the Bible not in movies.
I just want to make a general comment as I am about to review 3 of his movies. Madea's Family Reunion, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, The Family that Preys.
Tyler Perry, I think, would admit that his movies are both realism, and caricature.
Caricature because many of the characters are played "over the top" but based upon real life people that we all know (e.g. Madea may resemble many of our relatives but she's way beyond any of them). Realism is present because the movies often deal with the dark sides of families, harsh realities of life, and practical wisdom that real people share.
Tyler Perry would also, I think, admit that he is intentionally planting one or a few good Christians in the mix of each movie to show that among these desperate lives there are people who live grace filled lives.
My continuing disappointment after 3 movies that each of the "christian" characters end up giving advice at the end of the movie that contradicts the final message of the Gospel. Clearly displayed in each movie is that God makes demands upon us and if we obey we are rewarded but then the ending message repeatedly seems to be - do what is best for you which is not the Gospel at all.
I recommend the movies for adults, who want to grapple with the issues of real life but I caution them that the truth is in the Bible not in movies.
Saving God
My Angle - Movie about a Pastor trying to revive an old church. Sounds familiar to me.
Kid Friendly - no this is an adult movie with spiritual content.
Spiritual issues - very much present. This movie includes some powerful scenes of redemption. The author/director has some clear issues with the established church many of which are valid. Some of the actions of the Pastor in the movie are flat out dangerous, stuborn, and desperate. However the idea that Christians are supposed to take the command to lay down their lives for others seriously is a well deserved critique.
3 out of 5 stars
Content is great but the movie has some flaws. Ving Rhames plays the role well - perfect casting.
Kid Friendly - no this is an adult movie with spiritual content.
Spiritual issues - very much present. This movie includes some powerful scenes of redemption. The author/director has some clear issues with the established church many of which are valid. Some of the actions of the Pastor in the movie are flat out dangerous, stuborn, and desperate. However the idea that Christians are supposed to take the command to lay down their lives for others seriously is a well deserved critique.
3 out of 5 stars
Content is great but the movie has some flaws. Ving Rhames plays the role well - perfect casting.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Marley and Me
My Angle: I love dogs - nuff said.
Kid Friendly: Not really - several trusted sites had this listed as a good "family movie". I can't figure out how they thought so. The couple is skinny dipping once, trying to have sex often, and dealing with very adult subjects. Teens not kids.
Spiritual Issues: This movie (although not religious) is very pro life, and amazingly pro marriage. The Main characters grapple with tremendous issues but refuse to back away from the value of life and marriage. A refreshing poduction.
I liked this movie. I cried my eyes out but I liked it.
Bill Crawford
Kid Friendly: Not really - several trusted sites had this listed as a good "family movie". I can't figure out how they thought so. The couple is skinny dipping once, trying to have sex often, and dealing with very adult subjects. Teens not kids.
Spiritual Issues: This movie (although not religious) is very pro life, and amazingly pro marriage. The Main characters grapple with tremendous issues but refuse to back away from the value of life and marriage. A refreshing poduction.
I liked this movie. I cried my eyes out but I liked it.
Bill Crawford
The Wrestler
No, no, no
Why did this movie get awards? Was it the graphic nudity or the incredibly, painfully, slow plotline? not sure.
I actually turned this movie off and went to bed. What was I thinking?
Bill Crawford
Why did this movie get awards? Was it the graphic nudity or the incredibly, painfully, slow plotline? not sure.
I actually turned this movie off and went to bed. What was I thinking?
Bill Crawford
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
City of Ember
My Angle: This movie was recommended by a member of my church.
Kid Friendly: Sort of (over 10). But how soon do we want to introduce the idea of the "end of the world" to children? The movie is incredibly clean. My wife and I enjoyed it.
Spiritual Issues: They are legion. The movie has a humanist bent to it. There seems to be the view that neither Goverment nor Religion can solve your problems - you have to solve them. However, the idea of being trapped in a death cycle that only an outside source can provide a way out from - sounds like a parable about faith.
This movie is based on a book for teens. The main characters are teens. The movie is faced paced and has some scenes of intense peril. The City of Ember is founded at the "end of the world" a place for a few survivors to live while humanity waits for the earth to become inhabitable again. The date is set for 200 years and a plan is set in place - unfortunately the plan is lost and needs to be figured out.
Like I said my wife and I enjoyed this movie, your children over 10 should be able to enjoy it but I'm not sure how much you want your 10 year old worried about the end of the world (we're not told if it is due to war, ecological issues, disease, only that it is the end.
The movie has some very complex themes. Desperation, gluttony, greed, deception and others are all on display.
31/2 stars out of 5
Bill Crawford the Bayou Christian
Kid Friendly: Sort of (over 10). But how soon do we want to introduce the idea of the "end of the world" to children? The movie is incredibly clean. My wife and I enjoyed it.
Spiritual Issues: They are legion. The movie has a humanist bent to it. There seems to be the view that neither Goverment nor Religion can solve your problems - you have to solve them. However, the idea of being trapped in a death cycle that only an outside source can provide a way out from - sounds like a parable about faith.
This movie is based on a book for teens. The main characters are teens. The movie is faced paced and has some scenes of intense peril. The City of Ember is founded at the "end of the world" a place for a few survivors to live while humanity waits for the earth to become inhabitable again. The date is set for 200 years and a plan is set in place - unfortunately the plan is lost and needs to be figured out.
Like I said my wife and I enjoyed this movie, your children over 10 should be able to enjoy it but I'm not sure how much you want your 10 year old worried about the end of the world (we're not told if it is due to war, ecological issues, disease, only that it is the end.
The movie has some very complex themes. Desperation, gluttony, greed, deception and others are all on display.
31/2 stars out of 5
Bill Crawford the Bayou Christian
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Journey to the Center of the Earth
My Angle: Why not?
Kid Friendly: Yes for kids over 10
Spiritual Issues: Not really just interesting and fun. I enjoyed the movie. It doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t have great meaning. Just good fun. Mostly clean, at times some scary scenes but nothing so violent that it should be avoided. Might be some language but I didn’t catch it.
Something you watch when you don’t plan on thinking too hard.
2.5 of 5 stars.
Bill Crawford
Kid Friendly: Yes for kids over 10
Spiritual Issues: Not really just interesting and fun. I enjoyed the movie. It doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t have great meaning. Just good fun. Mostly clean, at times some scary scenes but nothing so violent that it should be avoided. Might be some language but I didn’t catch it.
Something you watch when you don’t plan on thinking too hard.
2.5 of 5 stars.
Bill Crawford
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