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Please
consult the following ratings system for the evaluation of films
currently in theaters. Please note that films with themes specifically
adult in nature will be rated as (Adult) in addition to being
given an overall rating.
(CU)
Completely Unacceptable
-
Film contains levels of Sex, Violence, Profane Language and/or other
objectionable content that are gratuitous to the degree that the film
has absolutely no redeeming value either as a work of social
commentary or as an entertaining diversion.
Examples:
Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct, Eyes Wide Shut, Eddie
Murphy: Raw
(RU)
Rather Unacceptable
-
Film contains levels of Sex, Violence, Profane Language and/or other
objectionable content that are extreme. As such only through extreme
rationalization could someone consider the film fit for consumption.
The only reason to see it would be as a study of the current state of
Western culture.
Examples:
American Beauty
(SA)
Somewhat Acceptable
-
Aspects of objectionable Sex, Violence and Profane Language and/or
other questionable content exist, but either a) Not in a gratuitous
manner, b) Not in great frequency or c) With specific redeeming
intent. But be very careful.
Examples:
Malcolm X, American History X, The Matrix
(RA)
Rather Acceptable
-
Overall, the film is suitable for general consumption with some
concerns over thematic issues or minor objectionable content. But be
on the lookout for more subtle Western themes that are of concern to
Muslims such as romance and dating.
Examples:
Shrek, Atlantis
(CA)
Completely Acceptable
-
Film content is either tame or fully socially redeeming in nature.
Examples:
Jinnah, The Battle of Algiers, Bambi
Frailty (SA-Adult)
Summary:
Fans of psychological thrillers with twist, surprise endings are all abuzz
about Frailty. Even horror/suspense writer Stephen King has had positive
things to say about the film. Whether it will rise to the level of The Sixth
Sense or Seven remains to be seen however. Frailty deals with that clichéd
suspense/thriller topic of serial killing. In the course of its
investigation of a serial killer who calls himself “Gods Hands”, the FBI
encounters Fenton Meeks (Matthew McConaughey), who claims to know the
identity of the killer – none other than his own brother. Through a series
of flashbacks, Meeks tells the story of his troubled childhood in which his
father awoke one day claiming to have been visited by an angel who told him
to hunt out demons that walk the earth in human form. Meek’s father and
brother then set about the task of demon extermination with “extreme
prejudice” resulting in the spree of murders the FBI comes to investigate.
However as the film moves forward, the truth of the murders is revealed to
be more convoluted and complex than anyone had expected.
This
film does contain scenes of violence and a limited amount of foul language
that take it well out of the realm of being a children’s film. Because of
the violence, more discerning Muslims may want to avoid this one. However it
does make certain veiled commentary about religion that some may want to
explore – namely that religion has the power to incite acts of outrage. In
the post 9/11 climate, this is a message not lost on Americans, and this
particular film seems to drive that message home.
The
Sweetest Thing (CU-Adult)
Summary:
The Sweetest Thing continues the non-stop cavalcade of mindless, vapid
Hollywood romantic comedies that seem to never fail at misleading the public
about male/female relationships and exploiting the women who star in them.
Cameron Diaz, Tinsel Town’s most recent “It Girl”, plays a woman who
has (yes, you guessed it) given up on love. It is a recycled theme of failed
interpersonal affairs that no one ever seems to connect to its true source
– lack of obedience to God’s will. After all, it only makes sense that
if humans train themselves for marriage by delving into a never-ending
string of casual sexual encounters, that they are bound to get what they
trained for.
Anyhow,
Diaz and her other female compatriots stalk some guy cross-country and,
along the way, find revelations about love, which are basically the same old
regurgitated misconceptions of romantic love that have prevailed in Western
society for over a century.
This
film has strong sexual content, inappropriate adult themes and situations
and foul language. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
Changing
Lanes (RA-Adult)
Summary:
Films about revenge seem to tickle the fancy of the American public. Maybe
it’s Hollywood showing its Shakespearean roots; but a good tale of
retribution always seems to get audiences going. Unfortunately, most of
these stories center upon trading one evil for another, a practice that is
just about as un-Islamic as it gets. Changing Lanes has some such elements
in it.
When
Ben Afleck and Samuel L. Jackson crash their cars into one another, things
turn nasty. Instead of handling the situation as a simple automobile
accident, Afleck decides to get snotty with Jackson and eventually leaves
the scene of the accident having insulted and wronged Jackson with his words
and actions. What Afleck doesn’t realize is that in the midst of his rage,
he left an important file at the scene of the accident. Jackson finds the
file and proceeds to make Afleck’s life difficult by bribing him for its
return.
One
might call Changing Lanes a morality tale of sorts. On that basis, some
might want to see it. There really is no sex or violence in the film, so one
can’t object on those grounds. It does explore issues of corporate ethics
and personal responsibility, and thus does tackle some very serious societal
issues. But as always, Muslims should be on guard.
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