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Space Cowboys tells of four would've-been astronauts (who lost out to a monkey in the early days of the space program) finally getting their shot at space when repairs on a '50s-era satellite require their knowledge of old-time technology. But the real treat for Christian critics was just seeing acting legends Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, and James Garner perform together. "While the narrative's plausibility is questionable," says the U.S. Catholic Conference, "director Eastwood's casually paced film maintains interest with colorful characters." Crosswalk.com's Holly McClure elaborates: "The ease at which these four veterans interplay with each other and the funny one-liners they each come up with command the screen and prove they have the right stuff." The film is not without thematic strength, either. Michael Elliott of Crosswalk.com says the film suggests that "there is much to be learned from a life long lived. Younger generations would do well to give ear to their elders, seeking both their wisdom and counsel." John Evans of Preview liked how "the crew's determination to accomplish their mission, even if it costs them their lives, is an inspiring theme." Focus on the Family's Lindy Beam, however, found the notion of elderly men willing to sacrifice their lives too similar to euthanasia. "If moviegoers stop to think about it at all, it could lead to either of two conclusions: a) people with great physical weaknesses or disabilities can still be heroes, or b) it's okay [if they die], because [their] life was already fading anyway." Christian critics also disagreed about James Garner's character, a Baptist preacher named Tank Sullivan. The Dove Foundation complains that it's a "completely uninformed portrayal. We see him attempt to give a sermon, but he seems as out of place behind a church pulpit as Woody Allen. … Even more stupefying is his prayer later in the film. During a tense moment we hear him pray, 'Hail Mary, Mother of God.' From a Baptist minister?" Mark Parent writes in a letter to Christian Spotlight that Tank "is portrayed as a buffoon who cannot even find his way around the Bible and trivializes dependence upon God." But other letters at the site say "the handling of the issue was stupid, rather than offensive" (Mike Mitchell), and that "his spiritual ignorance is included more for defining the character than to slam Christianity" (Jim and Susan Fernald). Christian Spotlight guest reviewer Hillari Hunter liked how Tank was "not portrayed as a stereotypical man of God. The script shows Tank's faith in a subtle way without beating the audience over the head with it."

Presumably made for the male teen who's too young to get into bars or gentlemen's clubs, Coyote Ugly depicts life in a wild bar where women are not only waitresses but dancers, shimmying for a bigger tip. "Scantily clad women dancing, dousing themselves with water [at every] opportunity is what this movie's about," sums up John Adair of Preview. "This movie is yet another example of women not only being looked upon as objects, but supposedly empowered by presenting themselves as such." Michael Elliott of Crosswalk.com thought the film might depict the shallowness or compromises of such an exploitative job, but was mistaken. "Far be it for Hollywood to cast a negative moral judgment upon licentious and libidinous behavior. In the world of Coyote Ugly, flat stomachs and bare midriffs are the keys to success, alcohol flows freely but never makes one drunk, and it is perfectly okay for women to exploit themselves for financial gain."

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August (Web-only) 2000, Vol. 44