Serious replies wanted on spirituality and movie choices

[Henna Rose 0]

Hello MENA

I am applying for a screenwriter's program that has some spiritual (not religious) foundation to it. I am doing some research and wanting to find out from any believers here of any faith, what certain elements will stop you from seeing a film? Do you seek out particular films based on avoiding certain content? The responses may vary greatly depending on your particular worldview, but there seems to be a spectrum of what lines some are willing to cross when choosing certain films. Ex: if your faith forbids fantasy and vampire themes, would you still see Twilight? I know some Christians that may miss a great film with a powerful message because it contains swearing (Ex: Gran Torino) Personally, I am more liberal in my film viewing bc of things I have been through in my life. I stay away from films filled with gratitious sex and violence, and horror films, yet I would not want to miss a deeply moving film with a powerful message just because it contains a sex scene. I also watch alot of foreign and indie films. Do you get the picture? This is what I am wanting to explore and I may include the results in my essay application.

Please keep in MENA because I really value some of the opinions and know there are many diverse believes and religions here. I appreciate your honest feedback and am curious too how your spouses feel about this topic. Thanks !

Now let's talk movies

[morocco4ever 63]

I don't have much to say about this particular topic because I will pretty much see what every it is I want to see regardless of sex scenes, swearing, etc. But one thing that I do get rather annoyed with is when specific things are thrown in that have no relevance to the theme. I have seen movies that throw in naked women, swearing, sex scenes, extreme violence, etc when it has nothing to do with the point of the movie. I can only assume that they throw it in so it will increase the audience, but it makes me roll my eyes. I am not sure if this information gives you anything guidance towards what you are looking for, but it is a pet peeve of mine when it comes to movies.

[KittyPollitt 284]

I practiced Buddhism for a long time, and in some aspects of my life, I still employ Buddhist principals.. while no specific forms of entertainment are "forbidden" in Buddhism, I have always personally taken offense to many Asian inspired and "kung fu" type films which use the image of the Buddha during scenes of violence, and often times have Buddhist "monks" engaged in scenes of violence. Many times too, in films, and also in life, it irritates me to see statues of the Buddha and Guan Yin used for decorations (more often than not, in luxurious locales, which typify the kind of excess that the Buddha himself suggested perpetuates the cycle of unhappiness).

I also avoid the glorification of violence in films- i.e. Quentin Tarantino... I abhor the idea of turning graphic violence into "art" through cinematography. It's one thing to have a war movie, or even a Die Hard type movie, which have some violence during action sequences (they also address the gravity of the human loss), but having a woman with a samurai sword jumping off railings and slicing off limbs in a blood soaked room and scenes like the "gimp scene" in Pulp Fiction are just glorification of the act of violence... and I avoid them for that reason..

Good luck with your essay

[Henna Rose 0]

I agree with both of you !! It's like in commercials...what does the 1/2 naked woman have to do with the product being sold? but sex sells, right? M4E I am rolling my eyes right along with you on these types of scenes I think that's why I enjoy alot of foreign films that are character driven and don't rely on false sleazy shortcuts as a substitute to thinking or good writing !!

Squeaky, your little one is adorable

[Darnell 8,478]

I think if there's a fatwa against the activity portrayed in a film, then it won't be seen by those who adhere to the Fatwa, yes?

Personally, I'm open to everything, but rarely get 'shut down' because of something spiritual.

[Darnell 8,478]

I guess a pointed question that I'd have for YOU -

what scripts have you studied, and which ones were patently offensive to you, and why?

I do note, 'I'm a Cyborg and That's Ok' movie covered just about every situation you might encounter.

Edited February 9, 2010 by Darnell

[KittyPollitt 284]

Squeaky, your little one is adorable

Thank you

[Darnell 8,478]

I also like 'Technolust' - watch it twice - the 2nd time with the director's comments turned ON. (get the dvd at yer rental place).

[sandinista! 1,816]

I think if there's a fatwa against the activity portrayed in a film, then it won't be seen by those who adhere to the Fatwa, yes?

Personally, I'm open to everything, but rarely get 'shut down' because of something spiritual.

um, no.

sometimes a movie, is just a movie. and my viewing an act committed on film does not mean i do not believe i'm morally and religiously bound to not commit that act.

that cyborg movie is on the independent film channel all the time, but i've never sat down and watched it. is it any good?