MovieGuideÒ on We Are Marshall and Rocky Balboa
December 29, 2006
(AgapePress) - - Following are information and comments from Christian movie reviewer Dr. Ted Baehr on two movies that opened just before Christmas. These comments are offered for information only and are not to be interpreted as endorsement of the films. More details about these and other movies are available at Dr. Baehr's website, MovieGuide.org. TITLE: WE ARE MARSHALL
Genre: Sports Drama
Intended audience: Older children to adults
Quality:* Excellent (4 stars)
Acceptability:** CAUTION: Discretion advised for older children
VIEWER WARNINGS:
Language: Numerous obscenities and profanities (more than 25)
Violence: Brief or action violence
Sex: None
Nudity: None
We Are Marshall is an inspiring movie about dealing with grief. At 7:37 PM, November 14, 1970, almost the entire Marshall University football team, including coaches and some prominent fans, is killed when their chartered plane clips some trees and crashes just short of the runway in Huntington, West Virginia. When it looks as if the Marshall football program will be suspended, one of the injured players who was not on the flight inspires a large segment of the community to support rebuilding the program out of respect for those who lost their lives. The movie effectively contrasts those unprepared to persevere with those determined to do so.
We Are Marshall does not sugarcoat the pain involved in a great loss. Several key characters react poorly on occasions, but the heart of the movie is the rebuilding process and the encouraging signs of success. MovieGuideÒ heartily recommends We Are Marshall, with the caution that there is too much foul language and an instance of players drinking beer. Though the movie could have used more prayer and overt Christian ministry, there were some clear Christian elements, including one scene set in a church.
Rating: PG
Release: December 22, 2006
Time: 127 minutes
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, David Strathairn, Ian McShane, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty
Director: Joseph 'McG' McGinty Nichol
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
* * * * *
TITLE: Rocky Balboa
Genre: Drama
Intended audience: Teenagers and adults
Quality:* Excellent (4 stars)
Acceptability:** CAUTION: Discretion advised for older children
VIEWER WARNINGS:
Language: Several obscenities and profanities (10-25)
Violence: Moderate violence (may include some blood)
Sex: None
Nudity: Naturalistic nudity (not in a sexual context)
An unexpectedly great movie, Rocky Balboa is the sixth movie in the series. The story opens with Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) grieving the loss of his wife and struggling with his relationship with his son, who has difficulty living in the shadow of his famous father. ESPN's computer pits Rocky against current champ Mason Dixon (Antonio Tarver) who has not gained public respect. The computer finds Rocky the winner, leading to a chain of events that puts Rocky back in the ring at age 58, although he has to fight the boxing association to get a license.
Stallone not only pulls off this incredible premise, he makes it great. Rocky Balboa has a wonderful message of grace, perseverance, courage, and compassion. Jesus Christ calls us to encourage one another. Rocky does so. Throughout the movie, he finds unselfish ways to encourage others. Rocky's exhortation to his son is, "Life is about how many hits you can take and keep moving forward. That is courageous." It's great to be able to leave a movie feeling inspired to go out and encourage someone. People need more movies like Rocky Balboa. It's a knockout.
Rating: PG
Release: December 20, 2006
Time: 102 minutes
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young, Milo Ventimiglia, Antonio Tarver, Geraldine Hughes, Tony Burton
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Distributor: MGM/Sony Pictures Entertainment
* "Quality Ratings" refer to the production values in the movie, the entertainment quality of the production, and whether the movie fulfills what it tries to do. A four-star rating does not guarantee that the movie will meet MovieGuide's criteria for what makes a truly fine, much less great, work of art. That kind of criteria depends a lot on one's moral and spiritual values, issues that Acceptability Ratings (explained below) are meant to address.
** "Acceptability Ratings" are based on a traditional view of the Bible and Christianity. Some movies receive positive ratings because they fit a biblical worldview of ethical monotheism, even though there is little specific Christian content in them. Acceptability Ratings take into account cognitive stages of development, moral issues and theological issues; and help parents with children and the media-wise adult viewer.
