I hear it's a good movie

How many times have we said that or heard someone else say it? There have been some
great movies through the years. Others have been anything but great. One this is for sure –
we need to be extremely cautious in recommending movies and in receiving the
recommendations that others might give to us about a particular movie.

Suppose a movie is voted "Movie of the Year" and/or receives several special awards in
Hollywood. What does such recognition indicate? It simply means that those who do the voting
personally consider the movie to be the best in some aspect. Awards are given for best actor
and actress, best supporting actor and actress, best special effects, best music, etc. I don’t
know about you, but when I think about labeling a movie as "good" or "not good," I personally
do not give one ounce of consideration to what a group of liberal, humanistic-minded people
in Hollywood or elsewhere have to say about it.

You see, to many of those folks, all that counts is putting on a show and making money. That
is the bottom line. And, if it takes showing two unmarried people jumping into bed with one
another as being no big deal, portraying homosexuality as acceptable, making a mockery of
Bible-based morals, or blaspheming the name of the Lord God, they are more than willing to
do it. Yes, anything for a "good movie."

In our day there are some wonderfully talented actors and actresses that impressively play
their roles in movies in such a way that they can captivate audiences. There are producers
that have a tremendous ability to make moviegoers sit spellbound for two solid hours. But, we
ask: are good acting and good producing the most important criteria that Christians should
consider when thinking about the quality of a movie? We think not. Should God’s people watch
or recommend movies that, though they contain good acting and evidence good producing,
are loaded with matters that are blatantly against the principles of the Bible? How could we?!

There is available on the Internet a web site <www.screenit.com> that can be a very helpful
tool for Christians and their families. It gives an in-depth description of the contents of movies
and videos, telling about such things as nudity, profanity, suggestive language, and violence
that one can expect in a particular movie. I highly suggest that every child of God consider
checking out this site [or similar ones] before going to see a movie or sending someone else
to see it. If you don’t have access to the Internet, ask someone who does to help you in
getting the facts about a movie before you get into an unpleasant situation where you waste
your money on filth and put yourself in a compromising position.

Here’s an example. I checked out what the <www.screenit.com> site reveals about the new
movie "America’s Sweethearts" (Rated PG-13) (2001), starring Julia Roberts and Billy Crystal.
Here are some facts: the movie contains some sixty (60) cases of swearing or suggestive
language; it also contains numerous cases of immoral sexual references and immoral sexual
actions. The "stars" of such a movie might be attractive and highly skilled in their profession.
One of them may even be your personal favorite, but come on now, how could any child of
the holy God, Who wants us to be holy (1 Peter 1:15,16), even consider watching such trash?!

When I hear something like, "Yeah, they tell me it’s a good movie," my first thought is, "Who
is the ‘they’ that are doing the endorsing or recommending?" If it is the folks of Hollywood or
other people with loose morals, sorry, but I am not impressed.

Our Lord wants us to live soberly, righteously, and godly (Titus 2:12). We live and talk like we
think (Mark 7:20-23; Matthew 12:34-36). And, that which goes into our minds via our eyes
and ears definitely affects how we think. Deny that statement if you want to, but the Bible and
human experience indicate that it is the truth. Thus, we need to be ever so careful about the
movies that we ourselves watch, allow our kids to see, or encourage others to view. Do I hear
any "Amens?"

Brethren, there is something wrong when members of the church and people of the world
have the same evaluation or rating systems for movies. When our evaluation of movies goes
right along with what Hollywood, professional movie critics, and immoral people say about
‘em, then we better step back and do some serious thinking.

There is nothing wrong per se with either producing or watching movies. We do, however,
plead for sober reflection on the potential danger that movies present. Please, " . . . think on
these things" (Philippians 4:8).

Roger D. Campbell
Union Grove church of Christ
ugcoc.com
Cleveland, TN