Posted on 03/02/2005 7:59:07 AM PST by Mr. Silverback
The great Christian thinker Francis Schaeffer once wrote that philosophy—often dismissed as irrelevant—is, in reality, a powerful engine that drives cultural change. Ivory Tower ideas filter down into popular culture, including films. There, they influence millions who often have no notion of what they’re consuming along with the car chases, love scenes, and popcorn.
This brings us to the Academy Awards of Sunday night. If you watched them, you already know that the films Hollywood chose to honor had little to do with quality and everything to do with philosophy and worldview. As Christian film critic Barbara Nicolosi acerbically put it, Hollywood’s choices affirm, once again, “just how very, very sick America’s storytellers have become.”
Several awards, including Best Picture, went to Million Dollar Baby, a film that promotes euthanasia. Five Oscars went to The Aviator, a film that celebrates billionaire Howard Hughes, the man who bedded dozens of starlets, made unwelcome advances to many others, and ultimately died of syphilis-induced insanity.
Oh, and then there’s the nasty little film called Sideways. This film suggests that it’s fine—even funny—for a man to engage in an orgy of sex with strangers just before his wedding. That got an award, too. Films that were nominated, but did not receive awards, included one intended as a warning against making abortion illegal, and one that celebrates Kinsey, a twisted researcher whose now-discredited theories continue to degrade America’s view of sexuality. Meanwhile, one of the greatest films ever made, one of the biggest box-office hits of the year, worldwide, and the biggest independent film in the history of the world—that is, The Passion of the Christ—was ignored.
It’s gotten to the point where you can’t help but laugh at the pretense that the Oscars actually honor the best films, and at the intrepid efforts of Hollywood to make its choices seem relevant. And, I might add, laughter is a better response than simply getting mad. Critics who do little more than count up the four-letter words and sex scenes, and then issue an outraged press release, only boost the audience. Instead, Christian critics like Barbara Nicolosi take a more sophisticated approach, pointing out that movies like Million Dollar Baby and The Aviator are mediocre films, and they celebrate degraded values—not worth the price of a ticket.
That is the message we need to press home to our friends and to our impressionable kids. They need to know that everyone embraces one philosophy or another—a worldview that defines his or her conception of the world, of reality, and of human life. These beliefs are woven into movies—often in subtle ways that viewers miss. That is why it’s so important that we teach our kids how to find the worldview message in every film.
This week, especially if your kids are home because of the snow, why not teach them a little philosophy. Rent some of the better films and watch them together. Help them identify, not only the filmmaker’s philosophy, but also what makes for artistic excellence.
Schaeffer was right. Philosophy is a powerful engine that drives social change. And the time for philosophy lessons is before our kids walk into the multiplex—not when the lights go out.
Thanks. I'll be waiting for some refreshing films.
Part of the problem with any euthanasia discussion is that it's a very layered issue. There are different types of euthanasia depending on the situation, all the way from the most extreme like in this movie of outright killing a person whose health has dropped below what they consider an acceptable minimum, down to a level that's been commonly accepted for a long time of simply ending attempts currative medicine when a person's health has deteriorated to the point that the cure is potentially as lethal as the illness (and often in those extreme circumstances attempts to cure bring a lot of physical suffering, where as allowing nature to take its course generally offers a peaceful and rather pain free death). So it's a hard issue to be truly black and white on, at least once you dig in past the "public" faces the issue like Kevorkian.
I work on a lot of translations for TV and movie scripts, and have grown sensitive to this issue of "hidden philosophy" in entertainment.
The situation is shocking. The values of the age boil down to nihilism.
I wouldn't blame the American entertainment industry more than necessary. It reflects what's already out there. It gives the people what it perceives that the people want.
I wouldn't even indulge in the blame game, but instead work creatively, positively to make morality, and especially family values popular.
We are the ones at fault. The side with values has surrendered culture. Our stories, action / adventures, romances, thrillers must be better more ENTERTAINING than theirs. And there's no reason why they shouldn't be.
We have more ingedients, a richer supply of values means vaster array of emotions.
Without plunging into Sunday School homiles, decency is exciting and kinky, patience and chastity are sexy, hard work is cool, united families are uproarously exciting.
How could he be a loser no matter what he did? If he chose not to murder her, how would that make him a loser?
sundero
I'd love to know what you mean when you talk about shaming those who behave other than you care for. What specific actions comprise "shaming"?
I confess to thinking it is code for something else, but I'd like to hear your thoughts first.
I didn't see anyone being in a snit over the Passion on this thread.
Where was it?
Meaning people who partake of activities that cause harm to society....and it only takes common sense to figure out what behaviors those are. Just think if NO ONE went and watched some of the movies that debase women and human life? I wish you had to go to back alleys to see those kinds of movies.
Shaming people, ostracizing people, etc... used to be done a lot in the old days...people wouldn't associate themselves with people who watched bad movies, etc.....
I mean we tell people not to murder others, is that not legislating morality?
When did we go from Andy Griffith being a good family show to what is on TV nowadays? when and why did that become acceptable? There was a time is was not.
It is all about the sacrifice of America on the altar of profits.
BUMP
You came in here with a big chip on your shoulder, it is completely inappropriate and histrionic, and if you can't adjust your attitude, please don't let the door of this thread hit you in the butt on your way out.
Have a nice day.
Absolutely true. And our children graduate from school without the slightest ability to recognize philosophies, with no training in analyzing arguments. God help us.
Last year? "The Passion" and "The Incredibles" were both A+ movies. I recently rented "Cheaper by the Dozen," with Steve Martin, which was also enjoyable.
Meanwhile, one of the greatest films ever made, one of the biggest box-office hits of the year, worldwide, and the biggest independent film in the history of the world—that is, The Passion of the Christ—was ignored.
According to Michael Medved (and my sister). He said the priest who argues against euthanasia is presented as a feckless twit. I'm boycotting.
I love reading Francis Schaeffer.
Ironically, it doesn't. The big winners this year were "The Passion" and "The Incredibles." Wholesome, family movies are usually the box-office winners. So why aren't there more of them? Because Hollywood has an agenda beyond making money.
Actually do a search on google of Howard Hughes and syphilis and you will find that many state he did have it.
sundero
You call this being in a snit?
OK.
Oh my, have a good day, I hope.
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