Archive for the ‘Culture’ Category
May 16th, 2012 | 
Author: Do you set aside time to remember certain people or events, to honor them? Perhaps this Memorial Day is the opportunity you’ve been seeking to do just that.
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Empty calories and the television go together.
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Summer movies have already burst out of the gates at a record-breaking pace last weekend when Avengers pulled in over 200 million opening weekend. We were there, blogging about the premier, and providing you with our official review including discussion questions you can use!
The summer movie lineup is always way too big to compress into one article. So last issue of our Youth Culture Window article, we covered the first half of this summer’s biggest blockbusters, and in this portion of the 2-part article, we’ll preview the second half of the summer’s films that are sure to appeal to teens. Even though we’ve already checked superheroes, vampires, and lots and lots of aliens off the list in the first half of this article, we’ve still got much to cover. Here are the remaining blockbusters for 2012 in order of release date.
June 22 – Brave (Currently Unrated)
If you watch the Disney Channel as much as we do, you’ve definitely heard of this film. Millions saw the preview before Avengers last weekend, it’s beginning to get loads of airtime all over the place…mostly because this movie will be one of the most family-friendly flicks of the summer.
In the movie’s official trailer, we see the determined efforts of Princess Merida (voiced by Kelly MacDonald from Deathly Hallows 2) as she throws off the ancient traditions of her land…which throws the kingdom of her father (Billy Connolly) into chaos. Armed with one simple wish and a bow, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to save her people from a mysterious and beastly curse.
That “other” movie about a girl with a bow already had rampant success at the box office this year; if those dollars are any indicator of this movie’s impact, Brave will score a bull’s-eye hit with young audiences.
- SIDE NOTE: This isn’t the only animated film for the summer of 2012, just the only one we are highlighting. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted and Ice Age 4: Continental Drift will also be released.
Neither Jonathan nor I have ever been a fan of G. I. Joe, even as kids. And this movie’s first film did nothing to change our minds. But when a buddy showed me (David) this official trailer a couple months back, it brought a smile to my face.
I mean, c’mon! Adding Bruce Willis and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to an already action-packed cast? Killer! And that dubstep version of The White Stripe’s Seven Nation Army is just plain sick!
It looks like the brains behind G. I. Joe have finally got their act together on what it takes to make a good movie: big names, a decent storyline, and CGI that actually looks realistic. Retaliation brings back most of the cast from the first film – even a couple that you thought were dead, and in this sequel, the Joes are up against their darkest threat: the complete eradication of the G.I. Joe program which allows Cobra to overthrow the US government.
Don’t plan anything at your youth ministries for this weekend. All of your Gen X volunteers will probably be busy.
July 3 – The Amazing Spider Man (Currently Unrated)
This film is billing itself as “the untold story” behind Spiderman’s alter ego, Peter Parker…which kinda sounds like the angle filmmakers took with Gotham City’s hero in Batman Begins a few years back.
When the preview for this film rolled before Avengers, the theatre I (Jonathan) was sitting in shouted in excitement. Comic nerds and film buffs are looking forward to this version of the tale. This film is expected to more accurately parallel the comics…and that’s all the nerds needed to hear. But I must say, the effects look pretty amazing as well. The first-person “parkour-like” vantage point of Spidey’s moves in the official trailer make scaling the walls of New York City look pretty fun!
This longer official trailer provides a much better synopsis of the story line, and also reveals that The Social Network’s Andrew Garfield will play Parker/Spiderman while The Help’s Emma Stone will play Gwen Stacy. Dennis Leary, Martin Sheen, and Sally Field round out the cast, along with the inevitable cameo by Spiderman creator, Stan Lee, of course. Given all these factors, this movie will be huge.
But in spite of its popularity, in large part, it will still be reduced to the opening act for the most-anticipated film of 2012’s summer….
July 20 – The Dark Knight Rises (PG-13)
Yes, this preview also aired before Avengers, again, bringing huge cheers from the crowd. This movie has more stars than the sky! Christian Bale (Batman), Gary Oldman (Jim Gordon), Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox), and Michael Cain (Alfred) are back with director Christopher Nolan (at least) once more for the “epic conclusion” to this history-making trilogy. Oh yeah, Anne Hathaway (Catwoman), Liam Neeson (Al Ghul), and Tom Hardy (Bane) are going to crash the party, too.
The movie’s new official trailer shows exactly why theaters will be packed the weekend this releases. Heck, the very intense, six minute “prologue” that was shown to those attending special screenings of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol was enough to get us jacked about this movie.
In short, the film will pit Batman against one of his most dangerous enemies ever, the sinister Bane, with the lives of millions hanging in the balance. And the presence of Al Ghul and Catwoman will provide just the right amount of “free radicals” to ensure viewers leave the theater tired…from sitting on the edge of their seats for 2.5 hours.
The only disappointment that this film brings, in my (Jonathan) humble opinion, is Anne Hathaway. Personally… I really don’t like what’s she’s been bringing to the screen lately. She almost seems like a post-Disney channel star (Britney, Christina) who’s trying so hard to prove that she’s just not that innocent anymore. Let’s pray that she can keep her clothes on for this film.
Aside from Hathaway… I expect great things.
There’s been talk about the absent marketing ploys for this film, but when your very last film in the franchise made so much history, do you really have to play by the same rules?
The size and scope of this film’s impact is why the NFL takes summers off.
July 27 – The Watch (Currently Unrated)
This movie is the “all comedy, all the time” component for the summer. It’s got some of the funniest names in showbiz (Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, and Jonah Hill) getting mixed up in the one thing that’s on the minds and hearts of every American: safer neighborhoods.
I gotta be honest: this movie’s teaser trailer had me rolling. “Don’t look at him. Listen to my words. And hear his face.” Just typing that is funny!
Unfortunately, the eerily similar, real life tragedy surrounding the death of Trayvon Martin has caused 20th Century Fox, the company behind the film, to rethink the way they’re promoting this film. (The current trailer shows the neighborhood watchmen harassing a young man for attacking them with eggs. In the racially-charged upheaval currently attracting our country’s attention, a young African-American man was fatally shot by a neighborhood patrolman.) I’m sure that Fox will be able to devise some strategy that will allow them to swiftly side-step this ironic and sad problem.
This film offers movie-goers a major shift in movie genre, and some big name comedians, as well. As a result, plenty of kids will be keeping a close eye on The Watch.
August 3 – The Bourne Legacy (Currently Unrated)
From the start, this film warns viewers, “There was never just one.” It’s a reference to the mysterious and deadly persona of Jason Bourne (played by Matt Damon) from the film’s earlier trilogy. But in this reboot, Jeremy Renner (who has already had a big summer due to his part in The Avengers) plays estranged assassin Aaron Cross whose life has been deeply impacted by Bourne’s decisions in the past.
Edward Norton (Byter) and Rachel Weisz (Marta) are along for the ride in this suspense-saturated sequel. The movie’s official trailer gives viewers a glimpse of the action and stunts that have become a staple of the first three films, but it doesn’t give much insight into the storyline.
No doubt, diehard Bourne fans will be watching closely to see story connections between this film and those of the past. But the use of Jeremy Renner in the lead role is genius; the guy has had quite a run over the past couple years: The Hurt Locker, The Town, MI:4, and The Avengers have shown he’s an explosive force on the movie screen. Plus, this twist just gives writers the (possible) opportunity to wed Renner with Damon in later films. Regardless, nobody will be disappointed by what they see in this one.
But speaking of disappointment….
Avoiding the Summertime Blues at the Box Office
Nobody likes to make a poor decision with a movie, and not just because they now cost an arm and a leg! No, as parents and youth workers, there is a much higher price to pay if we choose poorly when it comes to our movie selections.
Fortunately, this summer’s lineup is pretty clean, in fact, cleaner than in years past. Now that doesn’t mean everything is as pure as the driven snow – including those on this list! (By the way, here are a few “honorable mentions” releasing this summer that I didn’t include in this list but will still appeal to lots of teenagers you know: Prometheus, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, Ice Age 4: Continental Drift, Total Recall, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Expendables 2, and Paranorman.)
To avoid disappointment – and mental scarring – do your homework before heading out to the theater with your kids. Fortunately, you’ve got some powerful resources at your disposal…for free!
- The Source for Youth Ministry’s MOVIE REVIEWS & QUICK Qs page. I love this resource! Our resident movie gurus will take the time to preview every single one of these films highlighted in this 2-part article on opening weekend and then offer their thoughts on the film’s entertainment value, appropriateness for teens, and even some ways to use the movie to springboard into discussions about biblical values. What else could you ask for?
- The Source for Youth Ministry’s MOVIE CLIP DISCUSSIONS page. I really love this portion of our site, too! Here, we give you ready-to-use small group curriculum so you can use powerful scenes from movies to discuss powerful truth from God’s Word. The best part is, it’s searchable by movie title and topic. We’ll definitely be using some of these summer blockbusters in upcoming additions to this page, so check back often.
- Your church’s youth leader. OK, we don’t actually control this last one at The Source for Youth Ministry…but what we do know is that many, many youth workers watch movies to stay on top of what’s happening in youth culture. For instance, I personally received lots of phone calls, Facebook messages, and texts from parents in my church about the appropriateness and content of The Hunger Games just a few weeks ago. Trust me, as a youth worker, it was a blessing to hear from so many parents who were inquiring about this movie on behalf of their kids. I considered myself honored to be able to help them; more than likely, so will the youth worker(s) at your church. Use them…and then thank them.
Hopefully, a solid combination of these three tools will help you discern how to spend your summer’s weekends. In spite of our resources, the best tool for making choices is still you. Yep, you read that correctly. Do your own research about movies you’re thinking of watching, but then, go WITH your kids to those movies. Afterward, spend a little time talking about what you watched together. Don’t just label movies “good” or “bad.” Teach your kids to think “Christianly” about what they see (I just blogged about what this conversation looks like with current music). Those conversations will go a long, long ways toward helping young people grow in discernment.
Because, now more than ever, it’s crucial that we help teenagers make godly decisions about their entertainment choices.
Brought to you by The Source for Youth Ministry
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Popcorn won’t be the only thing that’s hot in theaters this summer! This year’s lineup will be as scorching as the mid-year weather. Hollywood is promising superheroes galore, villains bent on destroying humanity, and some super cool animated flicks. Oh yeah…and (more) vampires.
So what kind of content can we expect from these films? Good fun entertainment, or needless negative imitatable behaviors? Is it possible that this year’s pendulum is swinging a little more toward good fun entertainment? (Pinch me. I want to make sure I’m not dreaming.)
An Epic Summer on the Silver Screen
We’re all pretty excited about several of this year’s films over here at www.TheSource4YM.com and www.TheSource4Parents.com. For starters, audiences are gonna see their first Avengers movie (starring the entire action team from Marvel). If you’re like us, you’ve probably already enjoyed the Marvel films laying the groundwork for Avengers, films like the Ironman films, Captain America, and Thor. Audiences are also gonna be treated to the conclusion of the Batman trilogy this summer, helmed by filmmaker Christopher Nolan. And there are several really cool animation films for kids, including Brave, Madagascar 3, and Ice Age 4. Perhaps there’s a little something for everyone this summer, and this year’s lineup seems far freer of the filth that usually encroaches upon summer movie lists…case in point, several from last year.
In the following 2-part article – an annual offering provided by The Source – we’ll help you wade through the summer films that will be big with teens and families. For each film highlighted below, we’ll include a short description of the plot and cast, a link to the official trailer(s), and the movie’s rating (if currently available), in the order of their release date. In some cases, we’ll even chime in with our two cents on the kind of content you can expect.
Since May is gonna be big, real big, let’s start there.
May 4 – The Avengers (PG-13)
Marvel threw down the gauntlet for summer, 2012, with the official trailer for The Avengers. I expect this movie to be HUGE for several reasons. First…well, it’s first! Marvel has a history of jumping out of the gate early each year, and 2012 is no exception. But second, this movie features ALL of Marvel’s most-beloved superheroes – Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Nick Fury – and a few lesser known ones as well – like Black Widow and Hawkeye – crammed into one movie. Third, it’s tempting Earth’s movie-goers with the most compelling reason to watch: the possible destruction of our planet at the hands of other-worldly super villains.
The story promises to offer lots of action, great special effects, and maybe even a few lessons about how heroes deal with pride and work together as a team.
If the previous Marvel films are any indicator of the content of this film, parents don’t have much to worry about. Films like Captain America provide all the ingredients that today’s hero films should include. We need more films like this. So enjoy the fact that kids are already planning on flocking to the theaters to see this one. Say “Yes!” if they ask you to see it. Better yet, accompany them and enjoy it with them!
May 11 – Dark Shadows (Currently Unrated)
I gotta be honest, I almost left this one off the list. But it’s hard to kick Johnny Depp to the curb just because a movie is based on a gothic (and somewhat cheesy) TV series from the 1960s. Plus, the role of Barnabas Collins, the vampire the movie centers on, was one of Depp’s favorite childhood personalities.
Bottom line: it never hurts to have a multimillion dollar actor excited about the role he’s playing.
The movie’s official trailer gives a pretty good idea of what the film is about. Barnabas Collins (Depp) was an 18th Century business man who was cursed and transformed into a vampire by an evil – and very sexy – witch (played by Eva Green) who then buried him alive for two centuries. When Collins’ tomb is re-opened in 1972, a decade known for its “anything goes” mindset, he sets out to rebuild his home, family, and business…while the witch continues to haunt him.
This one won’t be for everybody, but it will definitely lure those who are fans of vampire stories, and those who are fans of anything Johnny Depp and Tim Burton collaborate on (like Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Alice in Wonderland). The preview alone reveals that the film will be probably be a little racy—probably a good vampire film for the young ones to skip.
But this won’t be vampires’ last blockbuster this summer….
May 18 – Battleship (Currently Unrated)
According to this action film, “the battle for Earth begins at sea.”
The story opens with Navy Lt. Alex Hopper (played by Taylor Kitsch of Friday Night Lights fame) trying to win the hand of Samantha (Brooklyn Decker) from her hard-nosed father, Admiral Shane (played by the manly Liam Neeson). Hopper’s problems only worsen when some sort of alien super power invades the Pacific Ocean…with the potential to destroy all of Earth.
The official trailer not only shows off the stellar cast, which includes FBI agent Raikes (played by none other than singer Rhianna), but also the state-of-the-art special effects that will draw in lots of action junkies. Because of the cast, this movie has sex appeal, and because of the unknown bad guys, it also has intrigue. Those two ingredients could combine for an explosive weekend at the box office. Hopefully it will prove better than Kitsch’s recent box office flop, John Carter. (Wow… Disney spent $250 million and only made a little over $60 million. Whooops! Well… they can afford it.)
May 25 – Men in Black 3 (Currently Unrated)
Fear not! Even though the last installment in this franchise was released way back in 2002, Earth has evidently remained under the watchful protection of those well-dressed alien hunters known as the Men in Black. And that’s a good thing, because in MIB3, the worst plot against Earth is already underway.
Between this official trailer and this other official trailer, it’s easy to see that MIB3 is going to stick with the same action/comedy/sci-fi mash up that made its first two films a success. Expect lots of crazy weapons, lots of really weird aliens, some unapologetic slapstick, and of course, the inevitable relationship complications of Agent J (Will Smith) and Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones).
Umm, make that TWO Agent K’s.
Yep. Evidently, time travel is also a tool at the disposal of the Men in Black, and Agent J must venture back to 1969 in order to find Young Agent K (played by Josh Brolin) who has somehow found himself at the center of Earth’s greatest threat.
Between the combination of Smith and Brolin – not to mention Jones, as well – and the general interest that accompanies a long-awaited sequel, expect this one to abduct young viewers on opening weekend. Will the film be clean? I guess that really depends what you call clean. Compared to last year’s summer garbage, yes. But the previous MIB films definitely included a little typical PG-13 eye-candy and racy humor. You’ll want to be sure and exercise discernment with this one.
June 1 – Snow White and the Huntsmen (Currently Unrated)
If you guessed this was a re-work of the original fairy tale animated by Disney, you’re right.
But no artist conception is needed to “draw up” a more alluring cast filled with living sex symbols. The movie’s website reveals that Snow White will be played by Kristen Stewart (of Twilight fame), The Huntsman will be played by the hunky Chris Hemsworth (from Thor), and the evil Queen Ravenna will be played by Charlize Theron (from Hancock…and Prometheus, also releasing later this summer).
The second version of the movie’s official trailer shows the well-known story of a powerful and vain queen who seeks to destroy a perceived threat which takes the form of a beautiful maiden. Needing the bleeding heart from Snow White’s chest, the evil queen sends the Huntsman on a grim task into the dreaded Dark Forest.
Some of this movie’s scenes make the CGI appear to be on par with Avatar. Couple that with a cast that’s accustomed to drawing out crowds in the “fantasy” genre, and I’d say this movie will definitely appeal to young viewers, especially girls. As for how appropriate the film will be? That still remains a mystery.
June 15 – Rock of Ages (Currently Unrated)
No, this movie has nothing to do with the hymn of the same name, but it will definitely have spiritual overtones. In fact, the best way to describe this movie, based on the official trailer, is Hairspray-plus-The Blues Brothers-versus-Footloose.
Set in Hollywood in 1987, Rock of Ages tells the story of a small town girl named Sherrie (played by Julianne Hough from Footloose and Burlesque) and a city boy named Drew (played by Diego Boneta from Mean Girls 2), who meet on the Sunset Strip in pursuit of their dream of showbiz dominance. Adding to the cast of up-and-comers already mentioned is a slate of tried-and-true stars like Paul Giamatti, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, and yes, you’re gonna read this correctly, Tom Cruise.
We’ll say this about the movie. It’s got an epic soundtrack…but, as children of the 80s, we are both a bit biased. Just some of the music that’s featured in the film includes Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Foreigner, Journey, Poison, Joan Jett, and Twisted Sister. This movie will probably make the summer lineup of many “children of the 80’s” (i.e. parents) because of this draw.
Will the film be appropriate for teenagers? I think one glimpse of the trailer (linked above) will answer that question for you.
June 22 – Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (Currently Unrated)
I (David) readily admit to being a history nerd. And nowhere – in any book that I’ve ever read about President Lincoln – did I hear about his midnight battles against the undead.
Am I just reading the wrong books?
Tim Burton hopes so. The director behind the vampire flick Dark Shadows (highlighted above) is also producing this other movie about vampires. The shorter version of the official trailer sets the stage for the wild idea, but this slightly longer one tells the story of the Vampire War Lincoln fought BEFORE the Civil War he’s famous for (actually) winning.
This isn’t exactly an all-star cast, but it will be led by Benjamin Walker (playing Lincoln) and Dominic Cooper (who played Howard Stark in Captain America). However, because the undead has captured the attention of our nation – to the point that some universities are now offering actual college credit for zombie classes – this will probably draw in a sizeable crowd.
Intermission
This is a great place to take a break. At this point, we’ve covered just over half of this summer’s biggest films. In our next article, we not only highlight the remaining blockbusters of 2012, but we’ll also provide some helpful resources to help guide you, your family, and your youth ministry through movie choices this summer.
Stay tuned!
Brought to you by The Source for Youth Ministry
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