[anniegetyourgun]

Ain't it the truth....

[sarasota]

"Rent some of the better films"? I'd like to hear suggestions.

[Ashamed Canadian]

I haven't seen Million Dollar Baby, but does it actually promote euthanasia, or is it merely presenting in order to let people make up their minds about their feelings regarding it?

[RepublicMan4U]

As a Christian, I believe in the natural depravity of man. Human nature is sinful. Media such as Hollywood is one case where I'm not sure I trust the free market. Sinful humans crave sex, violence, etc. and marketing executives give them what they want. Depravity sells, thus we get the lowest common denominator.

[Towed_Jumper]

The "Sensate Culture" continues to circle the drain. The late Pitirim Sorokin was truly a cultural prophet. He predicted this would be the path that the "arts" took in the decades ahead. Writing in the 1920's and later publishing a book called "The Crisis of Our Age", he accurately foresaw where our culture was headed in the arts, law, science, philosophy, ethics, etc.

I highly recommend his book if you can find it.

[Mr. Silverback]

BreakPoint/Chuck Colson Ping!

If anyone wants on or off my Chuck Colson/BreakPoint Ping List, please notify me here or by freepmail.

[Hudobna]

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.

[tm22721]

The term 'lowest common denominator' seems to apply in anything related to Hollywood or corporatism in general.

It is all about the sacrifice of America on the altar of profits.

BUMP

[DarkSavant]

Howard Hughes, the man who bedded dozens of starlets, made unwelcome advances to many others, and ultimately died of syphilis-induced insanity.

I don't think Hughes had Syphilis, he was obsessive compulsive for most of his life which led to his downfall.

[Aquinasfan]

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.

Absolutely true. And our children graduate from school without the slightest ability to recognize philosophies, with no training in analyzing arguments. God help us.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I love reading Francis Schaeffer.

[Mr. Silverback]

Colson's list of 50 insightful films has been posted as well, over here.

[PeterPrinciple]

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.”


This made me think. Why have we delegated all story telling to Hollywood? When was the last time we told a story? Takes a little time, but people still like to hear stories.

[r9etb]

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.

Sorry, Chuck, but these accusations won't wash. The point of the first movie was not "euthanasia," and the second was not a celebration of syphillus.

Colson's underlying point is correct, but by misrepresenting the movies as he has, he has marginalized himself yet again.

[Mr. Blonde]

I cannot agree with how they talk about Hughes. Sure we can look at the faults of anyone and think poorly of them, or we can look at the positive things they did. The movie focused on the postive things he did. Why should that be disparged?

[Lurking Libertarian]

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.

The movie in no way suggests that his conduct is "fine," and it clearly depicts the emotional wreckage this man leaves behind him everywhere he goes.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

The four pillars of 'Modern Thought': Hysteria, Histrionics, Decadence and Degeneration- A great Historian 1888

[Paulus Invictus]

Colson nails the Awards! How ironic that he was one unfortunate who did serious jail time for the Watergate affair. Gosh, how many of the Felon's close associates did jail time for their multiple crimes while in office? Not many. Why aren't Clinton and Hitlery in jail, is my humble question.