Do movie reviews influence your decision about the movies you watch or whether you will go see them in the theater or wait until they are released on DVD? My husband and I do both. There are some movies we go see without reading the review because the movie’s trailer draws us is. And sometimes we don’t even bother with reviews because one of our favorite actors is in the movie, or it’s a superhero movie, in which case we never miss it.
What about when it comes to taking the kids to movies? If my husband and I are iffy about whether a movie is appropriate for our kids, we go see the movie without them, first. Sometimes we decide the movie would have been safe for our kids, or at least our oldest, but more often than not we’re relieved we didn’t bring them.
Our youngest child is a nine-year-old boy. He loves the Star Wars and Jurassic Park movies. But Gollum from the Lord of the Rings series terrifies him. Sometimes taking him to a movie can be a challenge because the previews have frightening content and images. With the previews in mind, we often choose not to take him with us.
I’ve come to rely on movie reviews for the usual things like violence, the type of characters (no vampires or zombies, thank you very much), language and sex. But over the years as I’ve grown spiritually and as a mother, I’ve come to realize there are other influences to be on the lookout for. Things like:
-the way the characters treat each other-including but not limited to whether or not the kids in the movie respect their parents or other family members
-dishonesty
-does a couple shack up before marriage
-is marriage valued and honored
-the level and nature of physical intimacy
-language
-the way women and girls are dressed
-the overall theme of the movie
That’s a long checklist, I know. But we must wage war against the enemy who is battling for our minds and the minds of our children. I’ve come to the decision that I am telling my kids that I endorse the messages that come from what I watch, read and listen to.
Philippians 4:8 is a great Scripture to keep in mind when choosing what to watch, read and listen to.
“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
I’ll admit, there are a few movies and shows I’ve let my kids watch and then later changed my mind about. This frustrates my kids sometimes, but I remind them that I’m learning every day how to be a better mom. It used to be that the Disney Channel was safe to watch carte blanche, but that’s not true anymore. Many of their programs have crude language and disrespectful behavior towards adults.
I have some favorite websites I check out before watching movies. They are:
The Dove Foundation (Movies (in the theater and DVD) and books)
Focus on the Family’s “Plugged In” (Movies, Videos, Music, TV and Games)
I’d love to know if you have a “go-to” website for movies reviews. Does your family have a favorite movie or series you enjoy watching together?
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