Movie Reviews from a Christian Perspective
Why are entertainment reviews important to Christians?
As Christians, we might ask ourselves, “Should I see that movie? How about this new game my teenager is wanting? Is that video OK for my 6-year-old?” We try to assess if it has too much bad language, too many offensive sex scenes, too much violence, or too many bad life examples for our kids.
Where do we draw the line? How much is too much?
If we compare movies or television programming or even music today with that of a decade or two decades ago, most of us are horrified to realize how far we’ve come. With gradually increased exposure to explicit sex, mockery of Christianity, homosexuality, occultic phenomena, and violence beyond imagination, our threshold of tolerance has increased. Things that at one time we would never have considered watching or listening to have somehow become acceptable. Our scorecard of “how much is too much” has changed dramatically. We have allowed ourselves to be conditioned.
Perhaps instead of “how much is too much,” we should ask ourselves, "Is this a positive thing for our lives or our children’s lives? Does it teach us something? Does it leave us with worthwhile thoughts or ideas? Is it healthy, harmless entertainment? Would we invite Jesus to watch it or listen to it with us?"
In Philippians 4:8 we are admonished to "Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" (NLT). Let this, instead of "how much bad is too much," be our guide.
One way we can know which movies or videos or music are positive and worthwhile is through Christian movie reviews, Christian video reviews, and Christian music reviews. In checking the Internet, I found many excellent sites offering such services, but some stood out to me as being especially worthy. I am listing a few of the sites here that seem to approach their reviews and comments from a heartfelt biblical perspective. I hope that you find them helpful.
Karen Burkett
Where do we draw the line? How much is too much?
If we compare movies or television programming or even music today with that of a decade or two decades ago, most of us are horrified to realize how far we’ve come. With gradually increased exposure to explicit sex, mockery of Christianity, homosexuality, occultic phenomena, and violence beyond imagination, our threshold of tolerance has increased. Things that at one time we would never have considered watching or listening to have somehow become acceptable. Our scorecard of “how much is too much” has changed dramatically. We have allowed ourselves to be conditioned.
Perhaps instead of “how much is too much,” we should ask ourselves, "Is this a positive thing for our lives or our children’s lives? Does it teach us something? Does it leave us with worthwhile thoughts or ideas? Is it healthy, harmless entertainment? Would we invite Jesus to watch it or listen to it with us?"
In Philippians 4:8 we are admonished to "Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" (NLT). Let this, instead of "how much bad is too much," be our guide.
One way we can know which movies or videos or music are positive and worthwhile is through Christian movie reviews, Christian video reviews, and Christian music reviews. In checking the Internet, I found many excellent sites offering such services, but some stood out to me as being especially worthy. I am listing a few of the sites here that seem to approach their reviews and comments from a heartfelt biblical perspective. I hope that you find them helpful.
Karen Burkett
Reviews
for Kids and Parents
Rent or Buy Movies
Find links to more movie reviews:
Al Menconi Ministries. In this comprehensive site, Al gives Christian movie reviews as well as reviewing computer games, television, movies, and more. Quoting from his site: “Al Menconi Ministries offers a balanced, responsible, biblical approach that teaches Christians how to think, rather than just what to think. A crucial aspect of this ministry concerns the entertainment media. In the spiritual warfare of this life, entertainment is the often ammunition that shoots down our faith. Before a parent or teacher can really teach positive biblical values, they must first help young people to control the entertainment media in their lives.”
Josh McDowell says about Al Menconi, "Thank God for Al! He equips you to minister to your own children."
From Tim LaHaye (co-author of the Left Behind Series) and Beverly LaHaye (Concerned Women for America founder): "Today's music is one of the most powerful vehicles to the minds and emotions of our young people. Al Menconi is a much-needed voice for them and their parents. He is biblical, relevant, and offers positive solutions."
Certain Cinema Magazine. "Certain Cinema magazine is committed to providing our readers with articles and interviews about encouraging and family safe movies that you might not hear about anywhere else."
Crosswalk. Visit this great Christian site for movie reviews, DVD news, move weblogs and more.
Dove. "The Dove Foundation provides timely movie reviews easily available on our website.
Movie Glimpse. "Our desire at Movieglimpse is to help reconnect your heart to the greatest story ever told. How? By revealing it to you in the movies that you love."
Movie Guide. This is an excellent site—"a family guide to movies and entertainment." You will find not only reviews, but also detailed ratings including a breakout of ratings for language, violence, sex and nudity. Extremely helpful.
Planet Wisdom. Movies reviewed from a Christian worldview.
Plugged in Online. This wonderful site from Focus on the Family reviews not only movies, but also DVDs, music, television programs and games.
The Movie Reporter. Phil Boatwright says, "Your head is like a gas tank. You have to be really careful about what you put in it, because it might just affect the whole system" (from the film I've Heard the Mermaids Singing). That being the case, it makes sense to me that the first step in protecting your family from non-biblical influences is to Know Before You Go." On this site you will find film and DVD reviews from a Christian perspective.
Josh McDowell says about Al Menconi, "Thank God for Al! He equips you to minister to your own children."
From Tim LaHaye (co-author of the Left Behind Series) and Beverly LaHaye (Concerned Women for America founder): "Today's music is one of the most powerful vehicles to the minds and emotions of our young people. Al Menconi is a much-needed voice for them and their parents. He is biblical, relevant, and offers positive solutions."
Certain Cinema Magazine. "Certain Cinema magazine is committed to providing our readers with articles and interviews about encouraging and family safe movies that you might not hear about anywhere else."
Crosswalk. Visit this great Christian site for movie reviews, DVD news, move weblogs and more.
Dove. "The Dove Foundation provides timely movie reviews easily available on our website.
- Prepares consumers by providing them with detailed content information before they purchase, rent or attend a movie
- Includes a synopsis of the film, a critical review, and a content description supported by an easy-to-read chart
- Rates the quality of Dove Family-Approved films ranging from one to five 'Doves'"
Movie Glimpse. "Our desire at Movieglimpse is to help reconnect your heart to the greatest story ever told. How? By revealing it to you in the movies that you love."
Movie Guide. This is an excellent site—"a family guide to movies and entertainment." You will find not only reviews, but also detailed ratings including a breakout of ratings for language, violence, sex and nudity. Extremely helpful.
Planet Wisdom. Movies reviewed from a Christian worldview.
Plugged in Online. This wonderful site from Focus on the Family reviews not only movies, but also DVDs, music, television programs and games.
The Movie Reporter. Phil Boatwright says, "Your head is like a gas tank. You have to be really careful about what you put in it, because it might just affect the whole system" (from the film I've Heard the Mermaids Singing). That being the case, it makes sense to me that the first step in protecting your family from non-biblical influences is to Know Before You Go." On this site you will find film and DVD reviews from a Christian perspective.