Feedback wanted on spiritualism and film chioces

[Henna Rose 0]

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.

Thanks for any feedback !

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Just to throw a bit of a different perspective in there for you...

I'm an atheist, but I have NO objection to watching movies with a faith-based theme or undertone. Jacob's Ladder is one of my all-time favorites, and there's no mistaking the profound spirituality coursing through that movie. Very few specific elements will dissuade me from watching a movie. Anything that is gratuitous (whether it's sex, violence, drugs etc.) that doesn't truly serve the film will always turn me off though.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Anything that is gratuitous (whether it's sex, violence, drugs etc.) that doesn't truly serve the film will always turn me off though.

Same here for the most part. I will add, however, that a film can be highly erotic or have a violent theme without it being overly gratuitous.

[Henna Rose 0]

Just to throw a bit of a different perspective in there for you...

I'm an atheist, but I have NO objection to watching movies with a faith-based theme or undertone. Jacob's Ladder is one of my all-time favorites, and there's no mistaking the profound spirituality coursing through that movie. Very few specific elements will dissuade me from watching a movie. Anything that is gratuitous (whether it's sex, violence, drugs etc.) that doesn't truly serve the film will always turn me off though.

I just watched Jacob's Ladder again recently, what an amazing performance from a young Tim Robbins! I think smarter film viewers truly understand that the gratitious BS really is a turn-off and insults the audience. I struggle with some of Tarintino's films for that reason, but he's carved himself out quite a nitch as a director that controls his own scripts and definitely has a cult following ! I liked Jackie Brown the best of his films tho.

The goal of this program I am applying to is to not make "preachey films" but as you said movies that contain deeper messages and spiritual elements. Some of their Alumni have been writers for Lost, that 70's show, Pursuit of Happyness to name a few and recently The Blindside...IMO the worst way to deliver any type of spiritual message is to hit your audience over the head with it...they are taking a different approach and I like it !

Thanks for the responses, keep them coming

[Darnell 8,478]

I thought the Great Yokai War had it all? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Yokai_War

[alienlovechild 75]

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) 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?

What's a movie with a "spirtual" foundation? Aren't there "deep" movies that have nothing to do with spirtuality?

I'll watch almost anything including movies back to the silent era. I don't like movies that beat viewers over head with a POV without giving anything except a straw man to knock down. That's not a specific content but throwing in all the PC tropes gets to be too much. Can't remember the last movie where a big business wasn't evil.

Edited February 9, 2010 by alienlovechild

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I just watched Jacob's Ladder again recently, what an amazing performance from a young Tim Robbins! I think smarter film viewers truly understand that the gratitious BS really is a turn-off and insults the audience. I struggle with some of Tarintino's films for that reason, but he's carved himself out quite a nitch as a director that controls his own scripts and definitely has a cult following !

I remember arguing with some of fellow film students over Pulp Fiction. IMO, I think its a shortcut to getting the audience to respond to the movie emotionally. Mel Gibson is religious about it. Also, their characters seem too one-dimensional, but I think that Tarantino does that deliberately. Gibson on the other hand, seems to think that's how the world really is...black and white.

[chri'stina 190]

I do have rules for myself for movie watching, that I base on my faith. I'm not going to judge other Christians who don't do the same, and so I also would like to not be judged. I rarely watched rated R movies. I have seen some yes, but generally I avoid them. I avoid movies filled with profanity, or have explicit sex scenes, or disgusting violence. Even some PG-13 movies cross the line for me. Again, that is me and how I feel as a Christian about my movie choices. Most think I have too strict of standards, but I like my standards.

Edited February 9, 2010 by chri'stina