AT THE MOVIES
March 10, 2008
Just a word of warning. The movie Semi-Pro (rated R) is the latest Will Ferrell movie. It comes with language that is not appropriate for youngsters. It is likely that some people from the Flint/Detroit, Michigan area will go to see it simply because some of the filming was done locally. But, it is not appropriate for children, so if you want to see it, be sure to check it out beforehand to see if it is in line with the standards you set for your children.
January 4, 2008
The Great Debaters:
This is a highly publicized movie starring Denzel Washington about a small, black college's debate team set in the 1930's. I think this movie was very well done and quite inspiring. It leaves you literally cheering for the underdogs from Wiley College and truly uplifted by the speeches they give.
It has been reported that some of the significant details have been changed in the movie and I was disappointed to learn that, but it is still worth seeing.
Here's a fun YouTube video about saying Merry Christmas vs. saying Happy Holidays.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ
There is quite a bit of talk about the movie Bella. I have not seen it, since it is opening in limited theaters today, October 26th, but it is being promoted as a good movie within the Catholic Media. Go to the following link to see if it is being shown in your area:
http://www.bellathemovie.com/
There is great concern over The Golden Compass that is coming out December 7th. It's author, Philip Pullman, an atheist, has written the fantasy trilogy on which this movie is based.
Click on the following link to listen to the concerns of Bill Donohoe of the Catholic League: http://catholicleague.org/videos/
Our Children and the Media
Here we go again! I was watching the latest Dairy Queen commercial and was shocked at the subtle message it was sending to our children.
A mom and daughter walk into a DQ and order ice cream. The daughter tells the mom to only order one. When they sit down, the mom remarks that she is surprised the daughter wanted to share. The daughter says she doesn't want to share. She smiles over her shoulder at the boys at the nearby table as her ice cream arrives--a treat from the boys.
The girl turns to her mother and exclaims, "It's as easy as shooting fish in a barrel."
The message to young girls is that through their wiles, they can manipulate boys to do anything they want them to. And this is acceptable?
The commercial seems cute and lighthearted, so once again, I suspect we won't even consider the message it is sending. As parents, we must be careful to point such things out to our young daughters so they are not unaware of the influences forced upon them which shape and form them.
INFORMATION ON LIFE ISSUES
March 25, 2008
Can you believe this?
A photographer may be facing a complaint against her company in New Mexico because she declined to take a job photographing a commitment ceremony between two women (National Catholic Register 3/16/08).
Apparently she is not alone. This article identified numerous other so-called "discrimination" cases that were brought as a result of an organization upholding its moral standards.
A great quote in this article comes from Jordan Lorence, senior council for the Alliance Defense Fund, an organization that is working on behalf of the photographer, Elaine Huguenin:
"It is becoming more and more common as a way to tighten the noose on religious bodies and anyone who has a traditional view of marriage and family."
This should raise real concerns about our freedom to practice our craft in accordance with our conscience. If we do not pay attention to this chipping away at our rights, this snowball may continue to grow so big that we will no longer be able to lift the burden of its weight from us.
If you need information on teen health issues, including hpv vaccinations and abstinence information, check out Dr. Meg Meeker's work. A pediatrician who is not afraid to tell it like it is, the interview I heard with her on Ave Maria Radio was very powerful in her defense of the purity and protection of our children. You can find her at: http://www.megmeekermd.com/
Read about the Susan G. Komen Foundation and its affiliates. There are concerns over the Race for the Cure and grants to Planned Parenthood. You can find more information at the following links:
http://www.lifeissues.org/AbortionBreastcancer/komen/fact_sheet.pdf
http://stlprolife.org/KomenfortheCure.html re: The St. Louis Apostolate's withdrawal of support
