CT at the Movies newsletter

If this page is not displaying correctly, please click here.

Biblical perspectives on contemporary cinema
Friday, July 6, 2007

Bay Watch

What is Michael Bay's problem?

Most serious movie critics can't stand the director's movies (Armageddon and Pearl Harbor among them), and even our own Brandon Fibbs, in his review of Transformers, confesses, "I hate Michael Bay's films." Fibbs argues that Bay's over-the-top sensationalism—big explosions and non-stop action at the expense of a good story—has a way of ruining potentially decent movies.

I'm not quite in the anti-Bay club (I actually thought Armageddon was a fun popcorn flick), but I am miffed at him for some Really Stupid Decisions in the making of Transformers.
I haven't seen it yet, but here's what I've learned so far (from our own review, and from reading others):

The language pushes the envelope for a PG-13 movie, including about 10 s-words, a couple of f-bombs, several uses each of the words "hell," "damn," "ass," and "bitch," plus a number of uses of God's name in vain. I know it's an intense movie—hey, evil robots are trying to take over the world—but is all that potty talk really necessary?

The lead female character—played by Megan Fox, No. 18 on Maxim men's magazine's "Hot List," if you're keeping score—is always scantily clad, often steamy, and, at times, downright seductive. In one scene, she's leaning over the engine of a car while the camera slowly shows us every sultry inch of her body—cleavage, midriff, and bare back down to her low-riding jeans—all while the lead male character looks on with lust.

Speaking of lust, this is the most disappointing aspect of all: Shia LaBeouf, the former star of Disney Channel's Even Stevens, plays the lead male character—a guy who apparently keeps porn magazines in his bedroom. And worse: the film implies that he may be into masturbation; his parents are confronting him about the possibility in one conversation.

To which I say: WHY??? I really don't care if Michael Bay isn't into plot and character development. Hey, with this movie, I'm just interested in seeing the cool giant robots fight each other (I hear the CGI is awesome) with the future of the world at stake. I want explosions and action. Bring it on.

But buckets of bad language? A female character whose main job seems to be not so much saving the world, but putting impure thoughts into the minds of male viewers? And Shia LaBeouf with a porn and possible masturbation problem?

Do these elements really add anything to the story?

It's aggravating enough for me, as the father of 16- and 14-year-old boys. My sons and I were really looking forward to seeing Transformers, but I've made the unpopular decision (at least to them) of just saying no to this movie. And I'm angry about it, because there was no reason for Michael Bay to include these things in the movie.

But I'm even more angry because this is a film that will attract thousands of boys half the age of my sons—7- and 8-year-olds, big fans of the Transformers toys, dying to see this movie. And their parents—either clueless or careless—will take them. Those parents will have some serious explaining to do ("Mom, what does masturbation mean?"), or else they're just the kind of parents who aren't bothered by such things ... and don't even get me going down that road, because I'll just get even more ticked off.

Deep breath. Count to 10. Exhale s-l-o-w-l-y ...

OK, I'm all better now. (Only simmering instead of a full boil, anyway.)

Our second review of the week doesn't bring much better news. License to Wed, a comedy with Robin Williams playing a pastor who does premarital counseling, earns only 1½ stars from us. It's just not funny, and at times, is downright irreverent.

So, consider skipping this week's new movies, and catching another of the more recent films with much more uplifting (and family-friendly) fare: Ratatouille and/or Evan Almighty.

See you at the movies,

Mark Moring
Online Editor/Music & Film

To reply to this newsletter: ctmovies@christianitytoday.com

https://w1.buysub.com/pubs/L2/LIF/LIF_RFTO.jsp?cds_page_id=25767&cds_mag_code=LIF&cds_response_key=I9B302

Helping Teenagers Live Fully for Christ Every Single Day
"I absolutely love your magazine. I wish it came out more often because it is so encouraging," says Laura from Michigan. If you are seeking encouragement or advice for life issues like relationships, dating, self-image, college selection, and more, Ignite Your Faith can help. Get your FREE trial issue today!

New in Theaters

REVIEW
Transformers
Humans get caught up in an intergalactic civil war between robots intent on possessing the universe's most powerful energy source. The CGI rocks; the film, alas, does not.
by Brandon Fibbs

Rated PG-13

REVIEW
License to Wed
Robin Williams plays an irreverent minister who imposes a series of tests on a young couple that wants to get married in his church. Save your money and skip this one.
by Peter T. Chattaway

Rated PG-13

Discussion Guides

http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?yhst-17370374580338+GjPPSD+evalne.html

Evan Almighty
What would you do if God told you his plans? Use this downloadable Movie Discussion Guide as a tool in your small group and discuss what it really takes to trust and obey God's plan for your life.

http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?yhst-17370374580338+GjPPSD+forrestgump.html

Forrest Gump
What kind of legacy will you leave? Discover the impact of selfless love, destiny and innocence with the help of this Movie Discussion Guide.

More discussion guides at
ChristianityTodayMoviesStore.com

New Articles

REEL NEWS
Rescue Dawn Screens for Troops in Iraq
Vietnam War biopic to be shown to 2,000 American soldiers on Independence Day. Plus: Faith-based films used for fundraising; updates on Prince Caspian and Spider-Man 4; and more.
by Josh Hurst

SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS FROM THE MOVIES
Nacho Libre: Struggling with Personal Motives
from PreachingToday.com

Click here for a complete listing of our recent articles.

Still Showing

Ratatouille Rated G	Live Free or Die Hard Rated PG-13	Evan Almighty Rated PG
Click here for a listing of all the movies now showing in theaters.

New on Video

NEW ON VIDEO

Driving Lessons (2006) Buy It / Our Review

CT at the Movies
Delivered free via e-mail to subscribers each week. We encourage you to distribute this newsletter freely and ask only that you not change its contents.

Subscribe to this newsletter.
Subscribe to more free newsletters.
Subscribe to Christianity Today magazine.
Subscribe to other magazines from Christianity Today International.
Read our privacy policy and find more information here.
Advertise in this newsletter.

Please do not send postings or comments to this list.
Its sole purpose is to distribute this newsletter.

Copyright © Friday, July 6, 2007 ChristianityToday.com, Christianity Today International
465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
All rights reserved.

http://blog.christianitytoday.com/giftedforleadership/

https://w1.buysub.com/pubs/L2/TDY/TDY_RFTO.jsp?cds_page_id=27206&cds_mag_code=TDY&cds_response_key=I9NQ01

Christianity Today
SAVE 58%

• Get 3 free
Trial Issues

• Give a Gift Subscription

http://www.christianbook.com/html/specialty/1002.html?p=1019368

This Week's Poll

License to Wed, the new film starring Robin Williams, is now in theaters. What's your favorite "wedding" movie?

American Wedding
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Monsoon Wedding
Muriel's Wedding
My Best Friend's Wedding
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Wedding Crashers
The Wedding Planner
The Wedding Singer
Other

Vote here, and see how your answer compares to others'.

Results of Last Poll

After a big promotional push to the Christian market, Evan Almighty opened one week ago. Have you seen the movie?

Not yet, but I will: 45%
No, and I won't: 29%
Yes: 25%

Movie Posters

from AllPosters.com

  » Classic Movies
  » Finding Nemo
  » Life of Christ—Passion Store
  » Lord of the Rings
  » Pirates of the Caribbean
  » Star Wars
  » The Matrix

Good Buys

One Night with the King, DVD
Step into the exotic world of the Persian court, where one courageous woman dares to speak truth on behalf of her people. Based on Tommy Tenney's blockbuster novel.

Flywheel, DVD
Inspiring, funny, and ideal for evangelism, this is the story of a smooth-talking used car salesman who cheated people all of his life, but now wants to make amends.

End of the Spear, DVD
Five young missionaries, including Jim Elliot, are killed by the Ecuadorian tribe they're attempting to befriend. Based on a true story of love and forgiveness.

Though None Go With Me, DVD Set
Cheryl Ladd stars as a woman whose faith and strength remain constant, whatever sorrows and tragedies befall her. Adapted from the heart-tugging novel by Jerry Jenkins.