| TheSource4YM.com | |
 | Jonathan’s Resource Ezine |
Weekly Resources, Ideas and Articles from The Source for Youth Ministry
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
| In This Issue |
- Featured Article: Why My 12-year-old Can See Rated ?R’ … But Not PG! What Films are Actually Appropriate?
- Jonathan’s New Top-10 Film Page: Top Youth Group Films, Top Family Films, Top “Date” Flicks, Top Father-Son “Man’s Man” Films …
- Something You Can Use: Inchworm Race
- New Movie Review: Russell Crowe in “Cinderella Man”
- Jonathan Training in the Greater Phoenix Area: Pre-register for Jonathan’s “Reaching the Unchurched” all-day training workshop for only $10
| If you aren’t a subscriber of this EZINE and would like to subscribe – it’s free – just pop on www.TheSource4YM.com and sign up in the upper right hand corner. |
| Featured Article: Why My 12-year-old Can See Rated ?R’ … But Not PG! What Films are Actually Appropriate? |
Yes … it’s true. My son Alec and I recently watched the ‘R’ rated The Last Samarai together. But I won’t let him watch the PG-rated Sixteen Candles.
Sixteen Candles?
Sure, many of us “Gen X’rs might have fond memories of this film. But think about it: nudity, sexual dialogue … is this really what you want your kid watching? And more importantly … is PG really the line you want to use when discerning what to watch?
So how do we know what films are appropriate to show to our families? What about our church youth group? Or what’s appropriate for a married couple watching a film together?
WHAT LINE DO YOU USE?
First, let me warn you that I love movies. Any of my close friends know that if they go see a movie with me I usually give the run-down on who directed it, the director’s past films, and the history of all the actors. I studied film in college and I have even dinked around filming a few shorts.
But it’s difficult being a movie-lover in today’s world. Films that the critics rave about like Sideways, Closer, Sin City, Cold Mountain and Eyes Wide Shut are so often filled with graphic sex scenes and other superfluous garbage. Some people argue that it’s okay to watch these films as “art.” I won’t judge these people, but I have trouble agreeing. Most people would concur that there is a line somewhere in the expanse between Michelangelo’s “David” and pornography. But where is that line drawn? And more importantly, what standard do we use to draw that line?
Some people are upset about the violence in film. But can we “rubber stamp” a film as violent? Can you put films like Saving Private Ryan, Glory or even The Passion in the same category as Sin City or Pulp Fiction? Again … a line exists somewhere.
Others like to use the MPAA rating system as a guide for what we can watch. Pardon my candor … but that’s just stupid. I already mentioned Sixteen Candles. Are we to let our kids see PG films like this, but not the R-rated Saving Private Ryan? I’m surprised how often Christians make the ‘R’ rating, a secular rating system based on secular morals, their line.
And what about TV? I’d rather my 12 year old son watch the R-rated Gladiator than any 5 minutes of TV’s Friends. And that is Captain Kangaroo compared to the average programming on MTV. I watch MTV twice a year (when the kids are asleep) just to keep up with youth culture … and it never ceases to shock me. The Parents Television Council released a study, “MTV Smut Peddlers: Targeting Kids with Sex, Drugs and Alcohol,” which examined the programming content of 171 hours of MTV “Spring Break” coverage between March 20-27, 2004. Overall, there were 1,548 sexual scenes (3,056 sex depictions or nudity and 2,881 verbal sexual references) and 1,518 unedited (3,127 bleeped) profanities. Letting our kids watch MTV is pimping them out to some of the lowest filth the world has to offer.
So how do we draw the line when discerning what to watch?
DRAWING THE LINE
Let’s look to the scriptures for our guidelines. Ephesians 5 is a good passage to consider.
- Ephes. 5:1-9 (NLT)
Follow God’s example in everything you do, because you are his dear children. [2] Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him.
[3] Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. [4] Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes-these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. [5] You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is really an idolater who worships the things of this world. [6] Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the terrible anger of God comes upon all those who disobey him. [7] Don’t participate in the things these people do. [8] For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! [9] For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
But what about the films that aren’t so extreme. The “date flick” Hitch with Will Smith, for example. Even though this film is fairly clean … it does follow the lives of unbelievers with secular morals. And even though the character Hitch seems like a good, moral guy … there are comments he makes in the film that lead us to believe that he has no moral objection to sleeping with a girl before marriage. So does this make Hitch a no-no? Do we also need to go back and tear up our Shakespeare and our Hemingway collections?
(AND FIND OUT WHETHER HITCH MAKES THE CUT)
| Jonathan’s New Top 10 Films Page: Top Youth Group Films, Top Family Films, Top “Date” Flicks, Top Father-Son “Man’s Man” Films … |
Ever looking for a film to show at a youth event? What about a film to rent with your own family or on a date with your spouse?
Jonathan gives his 2 cents on the best choices for all these scenarios. Check out these new lists:
- JONATHAN’S TOP 15 CLEAN FILMS YOU CAN ACTUALLY SHOW AT YOUTH GROUP
- JONATHAN’S TOP 20 FAMILY FILMS THAT PARENTS WILL ACTUALLY ENJOY TOO
- JONATHAN’S TOP 15 DATE FLICKS
- JONATHAN’S TOP 10 “MAN’S MAN” FLICKS YOU CAN WATCH WITH YOUR TEENAGE SON.
| Something You Can Use: Inchworm Race |
Many of you loved the “Saran Wrap” ice-breakers from our last EZINE. I’m sure there were kids wrapped in Saran Wrap all across the globe!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Take note of the precautions we put on these games on our GAMES/ICEBREAKERS page (“Saran Wrap Race” and “Saran Wrap Sandwich” were on our ANYWHERE GAMES page). You’ll want to be careful and not wrap their arms, or just assign two staff people to watch the “wrapped” person to make sure they don’t fall on their face!
Here’s another simple Icebreaker in the spirit of Saran Wrap Race
INCHWORM RACE
Items needed: sleeping bags
Description: Bring 2-3 people up front – if you have a big group (over 75), use a video feed, if possible. If you have a smaller group, make space in the middle or one side of the room and have them come there. Each player must go headfirst into a sleeping bag and crawl like a worm through the middle of the room. The winner is the first to cross the finish line. (Safety tip: Have some designated guides to keep the “inchworms” from steering into danger)
Idea from Waylon Sears
| New Movie Review: Russell Crowe in “Cinderella Man” |
Cinderella Man (6/3/2005)Rated PG-13 for intense boxing violence and some language
Directed by Ron Howard
Starring Russell Crowe, Rene Zellweger and Paul Giamatti
Yo Adrienne, Crowe did it!
Sorry Rocky, you just got replaced by a far better story with better performances and more realistic fight sequences. And a true story at that.
No offense to Rocky. Rocky was a great film and, one of the few good Stallone films (yes, there were at least three others). But Ron Howard really delivered with Cinderella Man.
And don’t think that this is just another boxing film. No shots of Russell Crowe running along the beach pulling his trainer on a bike or lifting grain sacks in a barn. But plenty of strong performances, a compelling storyline and exceptional character development … real characters that you’ll fall in love with.
Crowe plays the Depression-era fighter and folk hero Jim Braddock. Braddock isn’t just a boxing legend … he’s a hero all the way around. The Depression hit Braddock just as hard as it hit most blue collar workers in the 30’s: out of work, hungry, and a stack of bills that they couldn’t pay. Hundreds of men standing at the dock waiting for work … and only 5 workers needed.
Most post year 2000 Americans just don’t understand what is means to be hungry. Cinderella Man paints a picture that you won’t forget. A picture that many of our children need to see.
But my favorite part of this film is in the character of Jim Braddock. Five minutes into the film I forgot that I was watching Russell Crowe … or Maximus. I was swept into the world of Jim Braddock. And Braddock never disappoints you. It’s a sad truth … but in so many films I’m waiting for the lead character to have a great moral failure or loss of control. Braddock doesn’t let you down. He’s real, mind you. He’s scared. He even gets mad at God-as many might do in this situation. But even though he forgets God … God doesn’t forget him.
This is probably Ron Howard’s best film. And that’s saying a lot, since his Cocoon, Parenthood, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind … and yes, even The Grinch are among my favorites. But teamed up with Russell Crowe, Rene Zellweger, and Paul Giamatti … Cinderella Man delivers!
Should Kids See it?
An enthusiastic yes! Don’t let the PG-13 fool ya! Although it might be a little above the heads of young children, it’s a message that tweens and teens should see. My 7, 9 and 12 year old will be seeing it with our family. And there’s nothing objectionable in the film other than boxing violence and a trainer who loves to yell out the name of Jesus and His every relative. (“Jesus, Mary and Joseph …”)
Oscar Watch
> Watch … Cinderella Man will be a strong contender for Best Picture this year! (If the Academy will allow two boxing films to win back to back?)
ON JONATHAN’S MOVIE REVIEW PAGE
| An Opportunity in Phoenix, AZ: Jonathan is in the Phoenix Area this July. Are You Looking for a Speaker? No Travel Costs! |
Jonathan is going to be in the Phoenix area from July 20-22. (If he doesn’t spontaneously combust!) If you would like Jonathan to come in and train your leaders, do a training workshop, or speak to your group, this is the time. Don’t worry about travel costs (he’s already there) and pay only half the normal honorarium. Email us for details at speaking@TheSource4YM.com
| Jonathan Training in Phoenix: Pre-register for Jonathan’s “Reaching the Unchurched” all-day training workshop for only $10 |
Youth Specialties/Zondervan recently released Jonathan’s hit new book, DO THEY RUN WHEN THEY SEE YOU COMING? REACHING OUT TO UNCHURCHED TEENAGERS. (CLICK HERE FOR THE BOOK) Bring the training to your city now!CHECK OUT THIS UPCOMING TRAINING-WORKSHOP:
-Chandler, AZ-
July 23rd, Jonathan is doing a Saturday workshop (9AM to 3PM) for youth workers within driving distance of the Phoenix area. If you’re a youth worker, paid or a volunteer, this is for you!
Here’s the details:
WHEN:
- Saturday July 23rd, 9AM to 3PM
- CrossRoads Nazarene Church 2950 W. Ray Rd. Chandler, AZ 85224
- Two choices:
- $20 after July 20th or at the door on the 23rd (includes lunch)
- ONLY $10 if you pre-register before July 20th (includes lunch)
- CONTACT the CrossRoads Church office at (480) 722-0700
Jonathan McKee is president of The Source for Youth Ministry and author of the new book “Do They Run When They See You Coming? Reaching Out to Unchurched Teenagers.” (CLICK HERE FOR THE BOOK) Jonathan speaks and trains across the country and provides free online resources, training, & ideas for youth workers at www.TheSource4YM.comDelivered free via e-mail to subscribers each week. We encourage you to distribute this newsletter freely and ask only that you not change its contents.
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Copyright ?2005 The Source for Youth Ministry
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Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.