by Michael Foust | May 4, 2018
Isle of Dogs (PG-13) is a thought-provoking, stop-action movie that’s rich in symbolism aimed directly at adults.
Atari is a pensive, 12-year-old dog-loving boy living in a city where dogs are banned.
It hasn’t always been this way, though.
Long ago, the people of Megasaki City loved dogs. Then a virus spread through the dog population, sparking a fear that it might jump to humans. It even led the authoritarian mayor to ban all dogs to “Trash Island,” even though scientists were closing in on a cure.
Among the expelled dogs was Atari’s beloved canine, Spots, who was given to him when the mayor – Atari’s uncle – adopted the boy.
But Atari isn’t giving up. He steals a small plane and flies to Trash Island in hopes of finding Spots. Then his plane crashes on the island. Then the mayor sends out a search party. Then the mayor threatens to kill all dogs. Can Atari change the mayor’s view of canines before the government wipes them out?
It’s all part of director Wes Anderson’s film Isle of Dogs (PG-13), a thought-provoking, stop-action movie that is aimed more toward adults than children. It stars newcomer Koyu Rankin as Atari and Liev Schreiber (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) as Spots, as well as an all-star cast as the other dogs: Bill Murray as Boss, Jeff Goldblum as Duke, Bryan Cranston as Chief, and Scarlett Johansson as Nutmeg.
Warning: minor/moderate spoilers ahead!
(Scale key: Minimal, moderate, extreme)
Violence/Disturbing
Moderate. The violence is cartoonish and mostly played for laughs. Dogs fight for food in a humorous scene. Atari’s plane crashes, and one of the dogs discusses whether they should eat him. Dogs fight humans in a dust cloud reminiscent of a Looney Tunes cartoon. A helicopter crashes, presumably killing the occupants. We see a fish and crab – each alive – cut up for a meal. Four dogs accidentally enter an incinerator. We also see a graphic (albeit cartoonish) operation.
We hear discussion of cannibal dogs. Dogs talk about a canine who committed suicide. We see the bones of a dog who presumably starved to death in a cage.
Sexuality/Sensuality/Nudity
Minimal. The mayor’s backside is seen as he exits a hot tub. The dogs discuss a dog being “in heat” and of dogs mating. Nutmeg, in a conversation with a male dog, talks about “tricks” she can perform. She’s referencing dog show tricks, although it could have a double meaning. In another scene, she says, “I wouldn’t bring puppies into this world.”
Coarse Language
Minimal. D—n (2), SOB (1).
Other Positive Elements
Students rise up to oppose the “Anti-Dog” elements within the government. Later in the film, a member of the Anti-Dog wing performs a heroic action for Atari. We also see a mean dog turn nice.
Life Lessons
Atari and other characters deliver lessons on self-sacrifice, perseverance and unconditional love.
Worldview
Isle of Dogs is a dog movie that’s not really about dogs. Sure, if you say “Isle of Dogs” fast enough, it sounds like “I love dogs” – and that’s intentional – but the film is rich in symbolism aimed directly at humans, and specifically, the way humanity treats classes of people. But which classes of people? Which races? Which nationalities? Anderson, the director, doesn’t say.
Some will see parallels to 2018 politics, but Anderson began working on the film during the previous presidential administration. It’s just as easy to apply the film’s themes to the treatment of Jews in World War II or to African Americans in 1950s America. The mayor even sets up “displacement camps” for the dogs.
Besides, it shouldn’t matter which class of people the film is referencing, because no class should be treated that way. Every person bears the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), and every person should be loved just as Jesus loved us (John 13:34). Our goal should be that of Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
What Works
The use of stop action for an adult movie.
The humor and emotion. Anderson masterfully balances them.
What Doesn’t
Not applicable.
Discussion Questions
- Did you see parallels to history or modern-day politics? If so, where?
- What does Scripture say about racism? About treating one another?
- Do you like the use of stop-action films to convey adult messages? Why or why not?
Entertainment rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Family-friendly rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
by Michael Foust | Apr 27, 2018
Avengers: Infinity War (PG-13) opens this weekend, bringing together the various strands of the Marvel universe in what is one of the most anticipated movies in recent history. But should you take your kids?
Every villain has a plan, but Thanos – the armored, ogre-like monster in the Marvel universe – has one for the ages.
His goal: search the cosmos for the six mysterious Infinity Stones, which are said to give their possessor god-like powers when brought together as one. His ultimate goal: eliminate half the universe’s population because – he says – there just aren’t enough resources to support all of us. If half of us don’t die, then all of us will die, presumably from starvation.
Don’t worry, though, because it will be painless. And it’s for a good cause.
On second thought, maybe Thanos isn’t as altruistic as we thought. At least we have the Avengers to save the day. Right?
Sadly, though, the Avengers have split up, and Thanos subsequently whipped the few superheroes that were left, including Thor, Iron Man, Spider-Man and Dr. Strange.
Thanos is destined to rule the universe. Unless, of course, the Avengers can get the band back together, and perhaps draft the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Black Panther, too.
Avengers: Infinity War (PG-13) opens this weekend, bringing together the various strands of the Marvel universe in what is one of the most anticipated movies in recent history. Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is in it. The Avengers are in it. Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) is in it. The jovial Guardians of the Galaxy made the cut, too.
It’s the 19th Marvel movie and, I think, one of the most entertaining. I was skeptical that Marvel could weave this many elements into a coherent plot, but they did a pretty good job – although it took them two hours and 40 minutes to do so. (A jaw-dropping ending helped make up for the length.)
Further, I was worried that the low-brow humor found in the Guardians films would pollute Infinity War. Thankfully, the writers left most of those types of jokes out.
It’s funny and fun, but this doesn’t mean that it’s kid-friendly. Let’s examine the details.
Warning: minor/moderate spoilers ahead!
(Scale key: Minimal, moderate, extreme)
Violence/Disturbing
Extreme. It’s mostly bloodless, but the body count is quite high and the body blows from punches even higher. We see a space battle and bodies all over the ground. Three characters in the film are tortured; it’s intense but mostly bloodless. A man is stabbed with a spear and dies. Another character is stabbed and dies. Thanos invades a city, and the citizens flee. We see a character who has had both hands chopped off. (It’s bloodless.) A character “sacrifices” another character in Abraham-and-Isaac-like fashion, but in this instance the character dies. Thousands of four-legged alien creatures attack the Black Panther’s homeland. A huge hand-to-hand combat battle ends the film, with plenty of punching and shooting.
Sexuality/Sensuality/Nudity
Minimal. On three separate occasions, we see couples kiss.
Coarse Language
Moderate. About 25 coarse words: s—t (5), OMG (5), a—(5), d—n (4), misuse of “God” (3), pi—ed (2) and ba—ard (1). Two instances of “sucks.”
Other Positive Elements
The playboy Tony Stark and his long-time romantic interest announce their engagement.
The superheroes set aside their differences and past grievances to team up and fight Thanos.
Additionally, the diversity on-screen is evident throughout the film, with several ethnicities represented among the superheroes.
Other Stuff You Might Want To Know
We’ve always known that superheroes have special powers, but Dr. Strange and his partner Wong conduct sorcery – something that may trouble families. One of the bad guys conducts sorcery, too.
Life Lessons
The superheroes give us lessons on forgiveness, setting aside differences, and working as a team. One character gives us a great example of self-sacrifice. Thanos, though, provides the most obvious lesson with his insatiable hunger for power. It serves as a warning. (See Worldview, below.)
Worldview
The danger of the lust for power and knowledge is seen throughout Scripture. Satan was an angel who wanted to be like God and, for his rebellion, was cast from heaven. Adam had the perfect life but wanted more knowledge and, subsequently, was cast from the Garden. John told us that the “lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life” come not from God but from the world (1 John 2:16).
Infinity War gives us a character in Thanos who wants power at all costs – even if it means that those he loves must die in the process.
Incidentally, we are told that the six Infinity Stones – which stand for “power,” “space,” “time,” “mind,” “soul” and “reality” – were created by the universe following the Big Bang. The “universe depends” on their survival, Dr. Strange says. Jesus is briefly mentioned in the film – as part of a joke – but the God of the Bible is missing from Infinity War. In His place are gods and sorcerers and a hodgepodge worldview that is difficult to define.
Sponsors
Among the film’s partners are Coca-Cola, Geico, Ziploc and Go Gurt.
What Works
The ending. It’s not as shocking as Darth Vader saying he’s Luke’s father, but it’s still surprising.
The humor stays mostly out of the gutter, which is good.
What Doesn’t
Yes, it’s a Marvel movie, but it was a little too long for me. By the end of the film, I was ready to stand up and stretch.
Discussion Questions
- Do you think Thanos regretted his decision? What can we learn about the lust for power by studying him?
- Thanos wanted to eliminate half the population so the other half could survive. Why is that not ethical?
- Are you comfortable with sorcery in a movie? Why or why not?
- Did you like the ending? Why or why not?
Entertainment rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Family-friendly rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
by Michael Foust | Apr 20, 2018
Rampage follows the story of a primatologist (Dwayne Johnson) who tries to stop monstrous, genetically mutated animals from destroying a major city. The movie is getting lots of attention, but is it family-friendly?
Davis Okoye is an outgoing and athletic-looking primatologist who could have pretty much any woman in the world. But he prefers to hang around gorillas.
As Davis sees it, gorillas don’t let you down. They also don’t commit senseless crimes like Davis once witnessed in the jungles of Africa, where poachers killed several primates and nearly killed Davis, too. The only gorilla that got away – a baby albino he named George – is now one of his closest companions. Davis even taught him sign language.
George seems to be the picture-perfect primate — the kind you’d see on the cover of National Geographic. Until something strange happens. George turns uncharacteristically aggressive. Then he starts growing, from seven feet to nine feet overnight. His growth spurt continues, and soon he’s breaking out of cages and bursting through walls at his home, the San Diego Wildlife Sanctuary. Next thing you know, he’s bigger than most buildings.
What happened? It’s soon learned that George’s bloodstream was contaminated by a genetic editing sample from a not-so-innocent Chicago corporation, Energyne. Even worse, a wolf and a crocodile have been contaminated, too, and they’re headed for the Windy City, where thousands of citizens could die at the hands of the monstrous animals. Can they be stopped?
It’s all part of Rampage (PG-13), which is currently in theaters and stars Dwayne Johnson (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, the Fast and the Furious series) as Davis; Naomie Harris (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End) as his companion, Dr. Kate Caldwell; and Malin Akerman (Watchmen) as Claire Wyden, the head of Energyne.
The movie is loosely based on a 1980s-era video game. Genetic editing (according to the plot) previously gave scientists the hope to cure diseases but has since been labeled a “weapon of mass destruction” due to its abuse. Energyne, though, cares little about the ethics and hopes to make billions from its advancement.
Rampage is fun as an action movie but has several content problems that may concern parents.
The details:
Warning: minor/moderate spoilers!
(Scale key: Minimal, moderate, extreme)
Violence/Disturbing
Extreme. With lots of mayhem and destruction. We see a giant rat lead to the death of a woman. A gorilla nearly kills a man before another gorilla saves him. A giant animal smashes cars. Another animal kills several men in the woods as they try and shoot it. Davis beats up two men. A boat is capsized, and people fall out. Someone is shot in the leg. We see a character fall into George’s mouth; he eats the person. Missiles and bullets rain down on the huge animals. Another character gets crushed by debris; we see the blood splatter. Animals battle one another in the city in Godzilla-vs.-King Kong-like battles. A skyscraper falls to the ground, resembling a scene from 9/11.
Sexuality/Sensuality/Nudity
Minimal. Davis turns down a date from a colleague; a male co-worker makes a joke to Davis about “submission.” George uses his fingers to make a vulgar sign for sex.
Coarse Language
Extreme. Dwayne Johnson’s movies often have been heavy on bad language, and it continues in Rampage with about 70 words: s—t (22), h-ll (18), a—(7), d—n (6), misuse of “God” (4), misuse of “Jesus” (4), GD (3), SOB (3), ba—-d (1). George gives the middle finger, too.
Other Positive Elements
Davis’ desire to protect animals from abuse and slaughter is commendable. (See Worldview, below.) But he has compassion for people, too, such as when he saves a person from death who had been opposing him.
Other Stuff You Might Want To Know
The movie includes images of a skyscraper collapsing to the ground in a scene that somewhat resembles the Twin Towers on 9/11.
Life Lessons
Davis puts his life on the line to save his animal friend and the people of Chicago.
He also rejects the advances of a woman who seemed to want more than just a date and a conversation. That’s rare for any movie hero, especially one rated PG-13. And it was welcomed.
Worldview
Moviegoers who enjoys digging for the overarching theme and worldview – like me – will view Rampage differently. Some will see it as a mindless popcorn flick that shouldn’t be analyzed. Others will be troubled by the movie’s insertion of human-like emotions into animals (like George). Still others will argue that the film has elements similar to Planet of the Apes – that is, “humans bad, apes good.”
But I think that despite its flaws, Rampage has a worldview message for us. Consider: Energyne is a company that views the abuse of animals as the means to wealth. A top-level official brags that money – and not the betterment of society – is their sole goal. By contrast, Davis is someone who views animals as something special that should be protected.
Here, Davis’ position is closest to the biblical position. God made mankind caretakers over Earth and the animals. We shouldn’t abuse them, but we shouldn’t over-protect them, either. This means we shouldn’t hunt them to extinction, even though God says we can eat them (Gen. 9:3). Animals were created for the glory of God and for our enjoyment and use. If they’re gone, none of that is possible.
Sponsors
For children, Dave & Buster’s is the most well-known movie partner.
What Works
Johnson is magnetic, as always. His chemistry with Harris works well, too.
What Doesn’t
The bad guys are annoying and cartoonish. I cringed when they were on screen. The coarse language is over the top, too. Most people don’t talk like that. Perhaps immature middle schoolers are impressed. Parents aren’t.
Discussion Questions
- What does the Bible say about animals? Why should we not abuse them? Does the Bible say we can eat them? If so, where?
- Where does the Bible say mankind is to have “dominion” over the Earth? What does that mean?
- Did Davis have a balanced view of animals? Of George?
- What, if anything, did you not like about the film?
Entertainment rating: 3 out of 5 stars. Family-friendly rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Rampage is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence, action and destruction, brief language, and crude gestures.
by Michael Foust | Apr 13, 2018
A Quiet Place (PG-13) is scary, yes, but it’s also smart, with plenty of intrigue and suspense yet with very little of the “grotesque” element seen in other modern-day thriller/horror movies. In other words, it’s a monster movie the way monster movies once were made. It also has a good message. But is the film OK for families?
Lee Abbott and his family live in the quiet countryside amidst rolling hills, endless cornfields and big, blue skies.
But if you look beyond this postcard-like scene, you’ll soon discover that all is not normal. No one in Lee’s family – not his wife Evelyn, his daughter Regan or his son Marcus – talk. They use sign language, even though only one of them – Regan – is deaf. They also take extra precaution not to make sounds. This means they don’t slam doors or play music or stomp feet, preferring to tiptoe around the house so not even a creak is heard.
There’s a reason for this madness. Years ago, strange creatures wiped out most of the population, leaving only a few smart and savvy people – like the Abbotts – alive. These creatures hunt not with their eyes (which they don’t have) but with their ears, meaning that a simple drop of a fork or the cry of a child could prove fatal.
It’s like a deadly game of “quiet mouse,” and at least three of the creatures reside in Lee’s region.
And now Evelyn is now pregnant. Which leads to the obvious question: How is a woman to give birth and then raise a needy, crying baby in such an environment?
It’s all part of A Quiet Place (PG-13), which is now in theaters and stars John Krasinski (The Office, 13 Hours) as Lee, Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada, The Adjustment Bureau) as Evelyn, Millicent Simmonds (Wonderstruck) as Regan, and Noah Jupe (Wonder) as Marcus.
The film is scary, yes, but also smart, with plenty of intrigue and suspense yet with very little of the “grotesque” element seen in other modern-day thriller/horror movies. In other words, it’s a monster movie the way monster movies once were made. It’s also squeaky clean in the language and sexuality realms.
The best part of A Quiet Place, though, involves its thought-provoking lessons. Among these are a pro-life message that is so loud (pardon the pun) that it’s hard to miss.
Warning: minor/moderate spoilers!
Violence/Disturbing
Moderate. It’s a thriller, so be prepared to be scared. Still, it contains less violence and ugly images than many superhero films. We see a glimpse of the monster snatching at least three people. (It happens quick, though.) We also see a dead body. Someone steps on a nail, and we see blood. In the film’s final scenes, we see the monster up close.
Sexuality/Sensuality/Nudity
Minimal. The husband and wife dance. We see the mom giving birth, but we never see her nude. (Although we see plenty of blood.)
Coarse Language
None.
Other Positive Elements
The family joins hands before a meal and prays silently.
The father and mother will do anything to protect their children. The father works day after day to try to make his daughter a hearing aid. The brother and sister, too, seem to care deeply for one another.
Other Stuff You Might Want To Know
A child dies in the film.
Also, if you’re the type of moviegoer who doesn’t like to crunch your popcorn when the theater is quiet, then you may want to skip the concession stand. This movie has lots of quiet moments.
Life Lessons
When tragedy strikes, do you blame others? Do you live life with regret? Or do you move on?
In the movie’s opening scenes, a member of the family is killed by the monster as the family walks through the woods. The child had been playing with a noisy toy. For the rest of the film, the mom blames herself for the death, saying she should have been carrying the child. Likewise, Regan blames herself, because she had handed the child the batteries. The lessons they learn are lessons all of us could learn.
The film also gives us lessons on self-sacrifice and expressing love for your child.
Worldview
Imagine living among creatures that attack and kill if you made any noise. Now imagine a family member – or yourself – getting pregnant. What would you do? No doubt, many modern-day families would have found a way to perform an abortion, knowing that a baby – and the loud noises it brings — could result in the entire family dying. But Hollywood didn’t give us that story. Instead, it told us about a father and mother who had a plan to keep the baby alive once it was born – even if the birth meant they might die, too. Maybe Hollywood didn’t intend for it to be a pro-life story, but it ended up that way.
What Works
Thrillers are always scarier when we see less of the monster, not more. Kudos to the filmmakers for getting this element right.
What Doesn’t
I’m always too analytical in thrillers: Couldn’t bombs and military planes have killed the monsters? After all, the monsters don’t fly.
Discussion Questions
- Did the parents make the right choice? What would you have done?
- Why did the father wait so long to tell his daughter he loved her?
- What can the movie teach us about regret? About moving on with life? What is the secret to not living in the past?
- Did you like how the movie ended? Why or why not?
Entertainment rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Family-friendly rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
A Quiet Place is rated PG-13 for terror and some bloody images.
by Michael Foust | Apr 10, 2018
The first time someone invited me to a Sight & Sound Bible-based theatrical production – which would have required flying across the country and taking time away from my regular life – I declined. Why would I do that? My own town has plays and musicals!
But a few years later, when my travels found me near a Sight & Sound theater, I relented and took in a show. And I finally understand what the fuss was all about.
With special effects, monstrous sets, live animals and a panoramic stage the width of a football field, a Sight & Sound production was unlike anything I had ever seen. It’s so massive that it takes more than three years — from concept to opening night — to put one together. It’s also so elaborate that there are only two of them: one in Lancaster, Pa., and the other in Branson, Mo.
It’s “Broadway meets Bible,” and some families plan their entire vacation around a show. Nearly 1.5 million people each year watch a Sight & Sound musical.
Which brings me to the company’s latest production, “JESUS,” which is Sight & Sound’s first full-length production about Christ’s life and is showing in Lancaster this year and Branson next year.
“JESUS” features cutting-edge technology and a bigger-than-ever set but also an emotion-laden story that will captivate audiences. It’s spectacular.
Writer Kristen Brewer had a tall task to trim the content of four Gospels down to a script that would fit within 2.5 hours and stay true to Scripture. To accomplish that, she concentrated on individual stories of lives changed by Christ – the calling of Peter as a disciple, the challenge to Nicodemus’ legalistic beliefs, the forgiveness of Mary Magdalene, the healing of the blind man, and the casting out of demons from the man named Legion.
Throughout the show, we’re treated to sights and sounds we’ve never seen in a, well, Sight & Sound show. “JESUS” is the first production to feature the new 12-ton LED screen that’s 113 feet wide and nearly 30 feet tall. It serves as a colorful backdrop to nearly every scene but – as it should – never distracts from the story. I forgot it was there. The production also includes the largest moving set piece in Sight & Sound history – a recreated Galilean Hillside that’s 100 feet wide and 15 feet deep. Oh yeah, we get to see Jesus and Peter walking on water, too.
It’s the best way to experience the Bible live without a DeLorean and flux capacitor.
“JESUS” will run through Jan. 5 and then move to Branson.
The Kendrick Brothers’ Next Films
If you’ve been wondering when Alex and Stephen Kendrick of War Room and Courageous fame would release their next Kendrick Brothers film, you can stop waiting. In March they announced on their blog that their sixth movie – still untitled – has a target release date of fall 2019. They provided no other details, although they did request prayer as they write the script.
Yet you don’t have to wait until next year to watch a film they produced. The Kendricks served as executive producers of Like Arrows, a FamilyLife movie that’s in theaters for two nights: May 1 and 3. The movie will take viewers on a journey through the joys and trials of parenting, showing “the powerful effect that family has to shape the next generation,” according to the Kendricks’ website. Kevin Peeples (Birth Control: How Did We Get Here?) directed it.
