Posted on 08/08/2006 1:05:33 AM PDT by balch3
AgapePress) - Although funnyman Will Ferrell's new movie, Talladega Nights: the Ballad of Ricky Bobby, finished first at the box office this past weekend, the comedy was not a winner as far as Christian movie reviewer Ted Baehr is concerned.
Baehr, publisher of Movieguide.org, is waving the yellow flag over the film about a dim-witted NASCAR racer with a gung-ho, win-at-all-costs attitude. According to Associated Press (AP) reports, the Christian media reviewer describes Talladega Nights as "a racist, bigoted work that ridicules the Bible Belt, Southern white men, Christianity, Jesus Christ, the family, and American masculinity."
The Movieguide review of Talladega Nights describes the film as "politically correct," in that it ridicules faith, family, traditional values, Southerners, white males and other ideas and groups that are fair game to those who share typical liberal notions of what is "PC." The review also notes that Ferrell's movie contains "lots of blasphemous and borderline laughs," along with "strong sexual references, excessive foul language and strong homosexual content."
Baehr is particularly incensed over Talladega Nights' satirical references to Christianity, such as the lead character's prayers to "baby Jesus" and his "running around ... mocking God" at different points in the film. "A couple of scenes in the movie are just extremely blasphemous," the movie analyst observes; yet he feels this kind of anti-Christian bigotry gets a pass in Hollywood, while other kinds of religious bigotry are denounced.
Baehr points to the recent incident involving producer, director and actor Mel Gibson and the anti-Semitic remarks he allegedly made during his arrest on suspicion of drunk driving. "If we take the position that what Mel Gibson said is religious bigotry," the Christian film reviewer contends, "then [much of the content in Talladega Nights] is religious bigotry too."
It is a simple case of "what's good for the goose is good for the gander," Baehr insists. "You need to be balanced in all of this," he says. "Now, if we're worried about Mel Gibson apologizing for his anti-Semitism, I think it should be equally just for Will Ferrell to apologize with his writing partner for his anti-Christian bigotry."
Although Talladega Nights did well with moviegoers this past weekend, Baehr believes the movie will probably be overtaken and passed when the more meaningful and faith-affirming film, World Trade Center, debuts this Wednesday. He predicts that next week, the fact-based film on the 9/11 disaster will replace Ferrell's anti-Christian comedy as the nation's number-one movie.
Please be so good as to point them out to us as they pop up, ok?
I have been here over 5 years and have yet to find any on FR who would "be very comfrotable in Saudi Arabia."
I agree. the reviewer has got his panties all bunched up, and forgot to take his Metamucil.
Skooz, you either take everything literally or have not been paying attention for 5 years.
There are individual who post at FR who consistently advocate theocratic-like policies.
Call me a libertarian (and you are welcome to) but I see very little light between the people who want to tell me what to do in the privacy of my own home here and the Saudi vice-police. If given power, they certainly would do the same thing.
Dale's (#3) Mama don't like it. Case closed!
Fatwa! Fatwa!
NASCAR lost me when they stopped using 'Stock Cars'. Before that I really enjoyed the fact that my '67 Satellite was basically the same car, stripped, doors welded shut, single seat, that Petty was driving.
As far as the religious aspect of the film. If you dont like movies that might be blasphemous to you then stay home. I never liked Will Ferrel, so I don't plan on seeing it.
I don't mind movies that make fun of Southerners. Goodness knows we have had enough of those. If the Blue Collar group proved anything, it's that we can laugh at ourselves, unlike other demographic groups. When is someone going to make a movie that makes fun of limo libs is what I want to know? I also would like to see at least one movie that depicts Southern Christians as salt of the earth people, not deluded idiots. I have seen lots of movies that depict liberals in a positive light, though.
actually I found the commercials a real turn off because it is portrayed as a direct race based insult comedy on white nascar men.
(those guys that never came through for the democrats)
It is a hollyweird wet dream of what the left believes is athe moron nascar fan.
If this had been a black based "comedy" the naacp would be screaaaaaming like maniacs.
and no I have not seen the film, just the commercials they used to try and persuade me t see the film. It persuaded me not to want to see this movie.
(of course there is always moviespoiler.com to give the cold summary of a movie too.)
Aren't those military folks with her on the right side of the picture? It would have to be photoshopped. I mean I don't think she would be holding that shirt at a military visit. The military would never allow it. If that is not a military gathering than of course the shirt could be used and maybe an accurate picture. Another thing, I can't imagine Hillary being that stupid to hold up a picture that says "abortion tickles". She is too smart to ruin her Presidential aspirations over a stupid shirt. I hate her, but I don't underestimate her either.
Neither.
There are individual who post at FR who consistently advocate theocratic-like policies.
Name one.
I see very little light between the people who want to tell me what to do in the privacy of my own home here and the Saudi vice-police.
1. No one is telling you what to do in the privacy of your home.
2. Even if someone were trying to tell you what to do in the privacy of your home, they will not hang you for your "offenses." Thus, these imaginary beings are nothing at all like the morals police in Saudi Arabia.
If given power, they certainly would do the same thing.
You have failed to identify who "they" are. I assume you mean those who voice their opposition to anti-Christian bigotry in Hollywood. If that is the case, your statement is categorically false.
Nothing different in this movie and your average tv commercial. They all make the same groups out to be dim witted imbicles.
It seems this author needs to get his wig loosened a bit. We can't laugh and poke good natured fun at one another anymore?
From what I saw, this was nothing but good slap stick comedy. Not my favorite, but I laughed until I almost wet myself at times.
I have been around here long enough to know not to name names, so your baiting is appreciated, but I certainly will not bite.
First, this Ferrel guy gives Elfs a bad rep, and now he stars in a movie doing the same to Christians. Oh yeah, he made Human men look pretty silly in Bewitched also.
LLS
Baiting?
On my planet it's called a challenge to back up your BS.
You obviously are unable to do so, proving your allegations to be without merit and just the figments of your paranoia.
I love funny movies and there is a shortage of very funny, side splitting movies...
Thx for the tip. I will go watch it.
Just because I am paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.
Did you read my tagline? of course I am paranoid. Duh!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.