One of the wonderful things about Church history is learning the numerous occasions where wise Holy Mother Church addressed pagan practices by substituting something good for something evil. Saints and the poor souls in purgatory take the place of goblins, ghouls, and evil spirits. The winter solstice is replaced with the celebration of Christmas, etc. Praising the good is always a wise practice for parents as well. Rewarding the good often multiplies good behavior. I think it was St. Francis de Sales who said you can catch more flies with a spoonful of honey than with a barrel full of vinegar.
And that's the principle behind the Movieguide Awards Gala that recognizes inspiring and faith-affirming film projects. Secretariat, The King's Speech, and Voyage of the Dawn Treader are among this year's awardees (I saw and recommend all three), but less famous films are also on the list. Take a look and praise God for filmmakers who are offering audiences alternatives to the violence, filth, and nihilism of so much Hollywood fare. Movies aren't going away any time soon, so let's support the good ones!
2011 Movieguide Awards - Best Mature Films Red Carpet
I do like the movie guide, but was disappointed in the storyline of "Seabiscuit" being portrayed as "moral." I think my daughter summed it up nicely when she said, "So this woman valued her horse over her family and left her children for weeks at a time to go to races and we are supposed to think that is a good thing?" If I read an article about a man or woman who chose to leave home for weeks to go and gamble at horse tracks, I'd think that horrid. But because she owned the horse, it's OK? Funny, moving movie and well-acted movie with some high points, but a poor overall moral message.
ReplyDeleteI think you mean Secretariat. I had the same misgivings during the movie, but one of the things she was fighting for was the family farm. And one of the moral issues involved was the immorality of the government haveing such incredible inheritance taxes that people can't keep the property left them by their parents.
ReplyDeleteConsider if this was a farm that grew vegetables or livestock. Why should the government get it when parents die?
I'm not sure it's fair to say she valued her horse more than her family. She was trying to keep together the legacy her dad had built.
Yes, sorry - "Secretariat."
ReplyDeleteI read some more about Ms. Tweedy after seeing the movie and perhaps my judgement about the movie stems from that and knowing how her family fell apart in the early 70s.
I really don't know anything about the family -- only what was in the film. I'm so sorry to hear that. The 60s and 70s seem to have been hard in a lot of ways, what with the sexual revolution, the collapse of the faith after Vatican II, the pill, the drug culture. Sad.
ReplyDeleteWell, I read recently that there would not be as much good without the evil, because God brings good out of evil. And certainly some of the saints illustrate that -- especially the martyrs who shine like diamonds in an evil world.
Please help us, Lord, to keep the faith.