Commentaries
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 A Diet of Popcorn (Part 1) Mindless Entertainment at the MoviesTopics: Arts & Media Is there anything wrong with a little mindless entertainment? Well, maybe not, but too many of us are engaging in a lot more than just a little of it. Listen Now | Download
Over the first weekend in May, “The Avengers” grossed more than $200 million at the box office — a record. I was responsible for some of the take because my daughter wanted to see it, and I wanted to spend time with my daughter, so I went with her. For over two hours I stared at the screen and saw, well, nothing. I left the theater not knowing what to make of what I had just watched. There was nothing particularly offensive about the film. Nor were there any ideas that I needed to discuss with my daughter afterward. In fact, there were no ideas at all — the phrase that comes to mind is “mindless spectacle.” I am not saying that it wasn’t entertaining. It was, in a “popcorn movie” sort of way. But just while there are times when munching on popcorn is okay, no one puts popcorn at the base of their food pyramid. Likewise, while the occasional “popcorn movie” is okay as an occasional diversion, a steady diet of nothing but mindless entertainment is not good for us. Yet, when it comes to popular culture, “mindless” is increasingly the least-worst option. This summer, “The Avengers” will be followed by movies based on the 1970s camp classic, “Dark Shadows” and the film adaption of the board game “Battleship.” If you are wondering how you can turn “Battleship” into a movie, you are not alone. Then there’s yet another take on “Spiderman” and “Men in Black III.” Then there’s what passes for “comedy” at the Cineplex. It isn’t only the movies: While there are exceptions, the same thing can be said of almost all popular culture. You might be thinking, “There’s nothing new here, after all, television was called ‘a vast wasteland’ fifty years ago!” But the two things are very different: First, the stuff is everywhere today. When FCC Chair Newton Minow called out the National Association of Broadcasters in 1961, there were three networks. Larger cities like New York had, at most, another handful of independent stations. But today, there are hundreds of cable networks and countless internet outlets. What’s more, you can watch them at any time on your laptop, iPad, and smart phone. For most Americans, especially those living in cities and their suburbs, “ubiquitous” describes the presence of popular culture in their lives. The other difference is that contemporary popular culture is largely self-referential. Any cultural reference in a television show or movie is most likely to another bit of contemporary popular culture. Fifty years ago, the title character in “The Music Man” sang “I hope, I pray for Hester to just win one more ‘A.’” It was a reference to Hester Prynne, the protagonist of Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter,” and the audience was expected to get that reference. Today, a movie making a similar literary reference would be relegated to art houses or PBS. So, what should conscientious Christians make of this? That’s what I would like to discuss over the next few days. As I said, the issue goes beyond objectionable content: We need to ask ourselves about things like pleasure, play and what media does to us. In a world where the average American kid watched the equivalent of nearly 11 hours of media every day, these are questions we need to consider. With or without popcorn. By the way, be sure to check out Chuck Colson’s list of recommended movies at BreakPoint.org. Chuck was big on movies that inspired him and caused him to think — and could spur a good conversation afterwards. Again, check it out at BreakPoint.org.Further Reading and Information
Recommended Films One Minute Review: Battleship
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Comments:
The Avengers has back story that helps the main feature. As for no worthwhile content. Cap says, There's only one God, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't dress like that."
And that is a bigger charge if you've see Captain America. That was a stellar film (ads comic book flicks go) where in the hero had every right to be everything heroes are not and had the power to exact revenge and express his hurt and anger... just like the bad gut, but he the good guy simply because IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
The character is the same in this movie. Tony Start (Ironman) has had a transforming kind of journey. Moving from the major weapons manufacturer... Nay! designer of insidious destructive devices... to a man on a mission to protect those he has placed in harms way. Thor shows up to deal with his brother... he;s the guy who wants to see a brother NOT be on a path of evil, to see him using his powers for good and the only one (in his estimation) that can take him home in chains if transformation can't be had.
Where are the Biblical standards in any of that... pretty obvious to me.
Are there any Christians out there reading this who know some one who has the Loki mindset , but this is some one you love and you deeply desire them to know the Lord, to know why evil is wrong, good is required and God is merciful because we can never be good?
Anyone out thee in a profession that regularly, as a matter of policy, engaged in ungodly practices, from the work itself to after hours socializing, who came to know Jesus and could no longer remain employed there?
Any one struggle with anger :)
But have learned to keep control of unjust anger and know when to let loose righteous anger?
Sure there was a LOT of eye candy in this film. But there's also the voice of redemption, and transformation, a strong message that false gods are NOT all powerful Hulk "Puny god"... there is, as Cap said ONLY ONE GOD. .. and pass me the popcorn and bring on the sequel.
As to Battle ship... never my favorite game... my sister always won... but it will be great matinée fare. dark Shadows? HEY, leave my cheezuy 70's childhood alone!
Spiderman... looking forward to it, although this is a new deal with Disney at the helm of the marvel catalog. But the Toby McGuire franchise was just full of teachable moments and ops to jump right into the Bible and talk about good evil, God, sin, wrong revenge, forgiveness, and redemption and who it is that provide that, and that there is no other.
Kids and adults are flocking to the treaters for super heroes this summer... and every hoer gives us the opportunity to say, there was a guy, way back when , who showed how those qualities worked when surrendered to God.... especially if captain America is going to say things like "There's only ONE GOD..." and Hulk is gonna SMASH the false gods.
pass me the popcorn...
and open that Bible... I wanna show you something great!
To be fair, Loki is a PAGAN god so the Hulk smashing him shouldn't be put in the same context as blaspheming the one true God.
You post made me reflect on an early scene in Avengers in which a SHIELD agent describes Asgardians like Loki as "basically gods." Without missing a beat, Captain America replies "There's one God, ma'am. And I'm certain He doesn't dress like that."
Three things strike me about that scene.
First, how many comic book superheroes can you name who are openly Christian?
Second, Cap makes no apologies for being a Christian.
Finally, isn't it odd that a summer "popcorn" flick directed by an atheist like Avengers respects not mocks Cap's comment?
Very interesting.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fiber-foods/NU00582
Pop it in coconut oil and it becomes a super healthy snack. My kids and I like to chow on it while ... watching Veggie Tales (and other movies too).
All that being said, I agree that too much screen time is a bad thing. Living in a rural, small city with no television in our home have been beneficial choices for us and our children.
http://www.breakpoint.org/features-columns/articles/entry/12/19360
I'm ambivalent about Whedon myself; I think he's a pretty good writer, but not at all the godlike (heh) writer that some of his fans think he is. I do think it's interesting how theological themes keep cropping up in this atheist's work. That tension is what inspired me to commission the piece in the first place.
But I believe Eric is on the right track. Suppose all those characters are, as Relevant says, simply surrogates for actual entities. What are Everyman types like you and me supposed to do? What actions could we take?
Joss Whedon has long demonstrated a gift for not only great one-liner humor, but also amazing, realistic characters and plots with multiple layers of meaning. The tragic Loki as a nearly demonic, selfish, shallow, cruel, manipulative demigod is a depiction with far more depth than the more common two-dimensional villain for whom one never feels any pity or sorrow. Loki has an adoptive family who love him and offer him the hand of forgiveness in the course of the movie, but he rejects it for the ephemera of power.
The Avengers themselves are also very human. They fail, fight amongst themselves, and allow the villain to manipulate their emotions and distrust to make them ineffective and alone--rather a parable for what happens to the church(or any group of people) when it doesn't listen to God. The Avengers do manage to overcome their differences and make common ground to defeat evil. Not only the church, but all of America can learn from this! An interesting article from RELEVANT Magazine discusses how different Avengers represent elements of America; Iron Man for corporate America: Thor for religion: Captain America for patriotism: the Hulk for scary science: S.H.I.E.L.D. for the government (http://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/film/features/29099-america-assemble).
Also, several of the characters' strengths come from their weaknesses. In a discussion between Tony Stark and Dr. Banner concerning the issues related to the Hulk, Iron Man's suit is powered by a device that he needs to keep him alive. Even more, he overcomes his acknowledged selfishness to risk death and save everyone. The Hulk channels Dr. Banner's angry energy to accomplish good (as long as he can maintain control, however; he is an excellent example of anger's volatility). The Black Widow is a recipient of profound grace via Hawkeye--who sees her as an opportunity for redemption rather than death. (For that matter, several of the other characters in the movie are on the receiving end of forgiveness, most notably the Hulk, but also Hawkeye himself.)
Before I saw this movie, I wasn't sure that even Joss Whedon could manage to incorporate so many characters with much depth while also having a superhero action plot. Although he borrowed heavily from the individual Avengers' movies to contribute to their depth, each character has growth and development in this movie. As I've already been rather lengthy, I won't even discuss the most significant theme of the meaning of freedom (which Whedon returns to in almost everything he does in Hollywood).
If The Avengers were nothing more than "popcorn," I very much doubt that it would have made as much as it did, no matter how big the budget or ad campaign. People have a longing for meaningful stories, and The Avengers is certainly one.
Dumbed down books.
Dumbed down TV.
Dumbed down movies.
Dumbed down sermons.
And the state of Christianity today is...............
This theme can then be transposed to our daily lives as CHristians. We live our lives with the purpose of being the front line defense against the enemy, even to the threat and possibility of our own moprtality.