November 2003 WUGGIE'S MUSIC, MEDIA AND MORE!
Ratings System:
++ Christian - made specifically by Christians for Christians
+ Secular - but contains nothing offensive to most Christians, probably made by Christians trying to exert influence in secular media.
M Mature content. Not necessarily offensive, but parents should be careful before allowing exposure to children and pre-teens.
X Mature content. For mature teens, firm in their convictions and morals, who have received much parental guidance.
XX Contains very mature, problematic content. Parents should seriously consider restricting exposure to teens.
XXX Completely offensive. Not only should teens be restricted, but adults may want to question their own exposure.
Luther: The Movie / ++
Alas, the movie will most likely have closed before the ink dries on this issue of the Lamp. You should've read my review the day I posted it on RedeemerBirmingham.org a month a ago. (All issues are always posted about 3 weeks early, and back issues stay up indefinitely.) Unfortunately, the producers made a movie for Lutherans, not a movie for people. While the filmmaking is good, the acting is excellent, and the production value is solid, the storyline is way too inaccessible for the general population. I have been told, by those who know, the film is quite accurate. I am not suggesting that the accuracy be compromised. I would have liked to have seen more explanation of what was going on, and less jerky introduction of characters and places. While I sinfully enjoyed the anti-Catholic rhetoric, I would have liked the film to have focused more on the principles that Luther reinstated than on the broken principles that he chastised. I think the film might then have had more mass appeal, and it would have been a wonderful opportunity to spread the Gospel wider. Instead, it simply provided entertainment (albeit good entertainment!) for Lutherans. If you didn't see it in theatres, get the DVD. It's good stuff.
CDs ~
Dave Matthews Band / Some Devil / X
Dave's new debut is just what you'd expect from Dave, which of course includes things you wouldn't expect. Musically, it's great. Lyrically, it is middle of the road. You'll find some mild swearing, and Dave takes the name of God in vain several times. Searching for God is a theme that winds it's way through the disc, especially in "So **** Lucky", "Grey Blue Eyes", and "Save Me". Unfortunately, the search seems to be for a god of his own design, not the god of the universe. On "Save Me", Dave invents a man walking down the road who, because of his faith and mystery, becomes the object of Dave's faith. Dave has obviously tapped into our generation's fierce and frantic but fruitless search for God everywhere and anywhere, with the unstated assumption that it can't be Jesus. Try Mercy Me as a Christian alternative.
Nickelback / The Long Road / M
Nickelback has the answer to Dave, with the chorus line from the song, "Do This Anymore": "No I don't find faith in your false feelings". They're not a Christian band, but they at least understand that part. The disc is full of anthems for today's generation - identifiable, sing-able, relatable. It'll go far. Just one four letter word on the whole disc: the H word. They don't push the envelope, and they don't peddle bad morals. I really like this band.
Limp Bizkit / Results May Vary / XXX
Hey, I like the title of that CD! Truth is, the results of listening to any music will vary depending on the person, their morals, their strength of character, their family and nurturing, and probably a million or two other factors. That said, let's get something very clear: This CD is blatantly immoral. As Durst vents constant four letter words about his tormented, frustrated childhood once again, he encourages low, 'feelings based' morals, and glorifies values of selfishness, pride, aggressive conflict resolution, and much more. The extensive profanity earned this CD a parental warning sticker. Will your kids get screwed up listening to this disc? Results may vary. Try KJ-52 as a Christian alternative.
Article: Hollywood Christians visit Washington, D.C.
Act One Writing For Hollywood is a coalition of Christian writers and producers on a mission to improve the quality of film and television programming. Recently, the group met with several lawmakers in Washington and offered advice on how Congress can help improve the quality of film and television programming. Interestingly enough, legislation was not discussed. Instead, Act One Director, Barbara Nicolosi encouraged lawmakers to get involved by giving endorsements to quality, responsible television shows and movies - praise she believes will go a long way in inspiring writers and producers to generate more of the same. "Some in Washington may say about Hollywood: 'We want to weed out the evil people','" Nicolosi adds. "We say, 'That isn't what God would want.' We wouldn't want God to replace them with us. He would want us to reach out to them and, in essence turn 'them' into 'us'". Source: CCM magazine