- The world has taken another turn for
the bizarre. CNSNews reported http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=/
Culture/archive/200606/ CUL20060609a.html on Friday (hat tip to NB reader RJ) that a new family movie about
football, "Facing the Giants," has been given a "PG"
rating by the Motion Picture Association of America apparently for having
too much religious content.
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- Too much religious content? Are you
kidding me?
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- This story appears to have first been
reported by Terry Mattingly at the Scripps Howard News Service http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=RELIGION-FAITH
-06-07-06 on Wednesday: "'What
the MPAA said is that the movie contained strong 'thematic elements' that
might disturb some parents,' said Kris Fuhr, vice president for marketing
at Provident Films, which is owned by Sony Pictures. Provident plans to
open the film next fall in 380 theaters nationwide with the help of Samuel
Goldwyn Films, which has worked with indie movies like 'The Squid and
the Whale.'"
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- Just what kind of "thematic elements"
are present? The article elaborated:
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- "The MPAA, noted Fuhr, tends to
offer cryptic explanations for its ratings. In this case, she was told
that it 'decided that the movie was heavily laden with messages from one
religion and that this might offend people from other religions. It's
important that they used the word 'proselytizing' when they talked about
giving this movie a PG.'"
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- "Might offend people from other
religions?" Are you kidding? Just what religions might that be? Is
this the MPAA expressing concern that Jews might be offended by such references,
or Muslims? Furthermore, are there any such religious restrictions in
the guidelines given by the MPAA for its ratings? Here are the specifics
concerning the "PG" rating directly from the MPAA website http://www.mpaa.org/FlmRat_Ratings.asp :
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- "This is a film which clearly needs
to be examined by parents before they let their children attend. The label
PG plainly states parents may consider some material unsuitable for their
children, but leaves the parent to make the decision. Parents are warned
against sending their children, unseen and without inquiry, to PG-rated
movies. The theme of a PG-rated film may itself call for parental guidance.
There may be some profanity in these films. There may be some violence
or brief nudity. However, these elements are not considered so intense
as to require that parents be strongly cautioned beyond the suggestion
of parental guidance. There is no drug use content in a PG-rated film.
The PG rating, suggesting parental guidance, is thus an alert for examination
of a film by parents before deciding on its viewing by their children.
Obviously such a line is difficult to draw. In our pluralistic society
it is not easy to make judgments without incurring some disagreement.
As long as parents know they must exercise parental responsibility, the
rating serves as a meaningful guide and as a warning."
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- Certainly doesn't seem to be any reference
to religious content, does there? Regardless, according to Mattingly,
there may have been one scene in particular that caused the "PG"
rating:
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- "But the scene that caught the
MPAA's attention may have been the chat between football coach Grant Taylor
-- played by Alex Kendrick -- and a rich brat named Matt Prader. The coach
says that he needs to stop bad-mouthing his bossy father and get right
with God.
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- "The boy replies: 'You really believe
in all that honoring God and following Jesus stuff? ... Well, I ain't trying
to be disrespectful, but not everybody believes in that.'
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- "The coach replies: 'Matt, nobody's
forcing anything on you. Following Jesus Christ is the decision that you're
going to have to make for yourself. You may not want to accept it, because
it'll change your life. You'll never be the same.'"
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- In an industry rife with gratuitous
acts of violence and pornography, it is hard to believe that this exchange
between a football coach and his player could possibly be considered offensive
to children.
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- As the Wicked Witch of the West said
after Dorothy threw water on her, "Oh what a world."
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- Maybe we're all melting.
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- As a post script, for those that are
interested, the following is a description of this film's storyline from
the movie's website http://www.sherwoodpictures.com/templates/
cusftg/details.asp? id=32007&PID=280769 , and a trailer can be seen here http://www.sherwoodpictures.com/templates/cusf
tg/details.asp?id=32007&PID=301554 :
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- From the award winning producers of
FLYWHEEL, comes an action-packed drama about a Christian high school football
coach who uses his undying faith to battle the giants of fear and failure.
In six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never led his Shiloh Eagles
to a winning season. After learning that he and his wife Brooke face infertility,
Grant discovers that a group of fathers are secretly organizing to have
him dismissed as head coach. Devastated by his circumstances, he cries
out to God in desperation. When Grant receives a message from an unexpected
visitor, he searches for a stronger purpose for his football team. He
dares to challenge his players to believe God for the impossible on and
off the field. When faced with unbelievable odds, the Eagles must step
up to their greatest test of strength and courage. What transpires is
a dynamic story of the fight between faith and fear. Facing the Giants
is a powerful experience for the whole family inspiring viewers to live
with faith, hope, and love!
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- Certainly sounds like something we should
make sure children shouldn't be able to see without their parents present,
doesn't it?
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- http://newsbusters.org/node/5801
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