Unchaste Movies

[MC IMaGiNaZUN]

I think that there are some movies which are objectionably mortally sinful (ie American Pie).

I think that there are some movies that have nudity in order to send some message, which may be very positive.

I have seen some movies with an implied sexual encounter, only to show negative consequences of the bedroom scene or whatever. Sometimes you can use a negative situation to show something true.

Besides if everything was nice and perfect, without any mistakes or mess, than i guess we could make movies that deal with that reality. As it is, we have to face the darkness, to overcome it with light.

shalom
bro mark

[tinytherese]

There's an article from a catholic film critic that addresses such concerns that may of interest to the phamily. [url="http://www.decentfilms.com/sections/articles/criticism.html"]http://www.decentfilms.com/sections/articles/criticism.html[/url]

[Ash Wednesday]

I couldn't really answer any of these questions because I find them to be too generalized and vague.

Movies with scenes dealing with nudity or sexuality covers a pretty broad spectrum. The reason you are watching the movie would also determine to what extent something is sinful. The subject matter of the film might also be a factor, along with how gratuitous the sex and nudity is.

Watching a European film set in World War II with incidental bits of nudity is not the same as watching a porno. And yet both fall under the category of "movies with nudity of the opposite sex in them."

Edited November 26, 2008 by Ash Wednesday

[fides quarens intellectum]

i voted:
1. venial
2. no (although i'm still thinking about this one)
3. no because i think that one's more subjective to the context of the film

[quote name='HisChildForever' post='1709106' date='Nov 23 2008, 10:06 PM']If it is your first time watching the movie and it happens to have a(n) (explicit) sex scene, and you never expected it, you're okay. But if you go back to see that movie because of the scene, there's something wrong. And yet if you go back to see the movie because you really enjoyed it and you don't care about the sex scene, you're fine.[/quote]

i'm having a problem with your third claim, that if you go back and see a movie you know has objectionable/morally offensive content "you're fine."

i had the great misfortune of having to watch "Forgetting Sarah Marshal" with a friend (i had no clue about the movie - won't make that mistake again) - to me, that movie is an example for the first survey question with its "strong and frequent sexual references and humor." Why any practicing Christian striving for holiness would go back and watch it because they "really enjoyed it" would be beyond my limited understanding.

[quote name='TotusTuusMaria' post='1709638' date='Nov 24 2008, 12:13 PM']As far as the first two go, that we shouldn't be too flippant with what we allow ourselves to see and hear. As my godmother says, "Garbage in garbage out." If someone is constantly allowing themselves to hear "humorous" sexual references and so on then they have become numb or will become, without a miracle of protection from God, to those things.

I think also it is worded wrong. I think what might be an interesting question to ask is: Is watching a movie with sexual "humorous" references pure and chaste? Does it aid one in the struggle to achieve those virtues? Certainly not.

So, despite the fact that it is very possibly putting impure images and thoughts in your memory, it must for sure be a frivolous action to watch those movies and a waste of time.

Whether these things are sins really depends on the person and their conscience, but I don't see how someone with a well-formed conscience that is seriously struggling to be a saint (people like: Mother Teresa, John Paul II, Bl. Pier Frassati) can justify spending their time and subjecting their souls to the kinds of movies that we have out today which I think this post is referring too.

Christ wouldn't watch them. The saints wouldn't watch them. Our angels are probably frustrated and upset that they are subjected by us to the impurity of these movies.

And in the words of Casting Crowns, "It is a slow fade when black and white turns to gray."

I mean, the title of thread is: "Unchaste Movies." It looks like the conscience is already telling us that the movies are not for the good of our souls. If it isn't a chaste movie then why spend time watching it? Is it a sin? I think so, especially if you already know what kind of movie it is.[/quote]

Nice post.

[Tinkerlina]

[quote name='MC IMaGiNaZUN' post='1710174' date='Nov 24 2008, 11:08 PM']Besides if everything was nice and perfect, without any mistakes or mess, than i guess we could make movies that deal with that reality. As it is, we have to face the darkness, to overcome it with light.

shalom
bro mark[/quote]

I totally agree. If something is about real lives and situations, sometimes you need to show some of the grit to present the story honestly. That said, I could be more cautious about what I allow myself to watch. -Katie

[Tinkerlina]

[quote name='missionseeker' post='1709573' date='Nov 24 2008, 01:27 PM']didn't you know that baby tees and layers are objectively sinful anyway, too??????????

So.. heck... why should taking the "paint" off mater.


[/quote]

LOL Katie

[chloeaustyn]

Personally I always like to check what the Bishops have to say on their movie review site, or at least Pluggedinonline before I watch a movie... as JPII said about pornography, it's not that they show too much, it's that they don't show enough. We've totally separated the body from the soul and failed to see the true dignity of the person.. oftentimes subconsciously because we're taught that's what is holy, from people who haven't tapped into the fullness of the truth that the Church already knows and has stored if you just have the courage to search.

Not just because our eyes saw something is it a sin... it's the reaction of our hearts. Our hearts should break with compassion for the body that is being objectified, not automatically scoff and cover it up as disgusting, as is so easy to do. And if it's not being objectified, but instead being shown with dignity and glory for God, then we should give Him glory and praise for such a beautiful creation.. the kicker is that I've never really seen a movie that did that, so it's probably safer to err on the side of "no thanks".

And crude humor, well.. those jokes can never be justified.

Just my little two-cents...

[CSLF]

[quote name='missionseeker' post='1709573' date='Nov 24 2008, 01:27 PM']didn't you know that baby tees and layers are objectively sinful anyway, too??????????

So.. heck... why should taking the "paint" off mater.


[/quote]

How can clothes be objectively sinful? They are inanimate objects. Even the phrase "taking the "paint" off" makes it subjective.

[Tinkerlina]

[quote name='CSLF' post='1712641' date='Nov 28 2008, 03:11 AM']How can clothes be objectively sinful? They are inanimate objects. Even the phrase "taking the "paint" off" makes it subjective.[/quote]

Pattie, I'm pretty sure this is you-FYI she was being sarcastic re: The shoulders/modesty thread Your favorite sister, Katie

[CSLF]

[quote name='Tinkerlina' post='1712687' date='Nov 28 2008, 10:32 AM']Pattie, I'm pretty sure this is you-FYI she was being sarcastic re: The shoulders/modesty thread Your favorite sister, Katie[/quote]

Ah, sorry! Found that post, so... I'll turn my sense of humor on now...

[dominicansoul]

i know that unchaste movies have helped form our consciences in a way to the point that nothing really shocks us anymore...

the portrayal of adulterous relationships, divorces, sex out side of marriage in a movie has dulled our senses in a way that we see real life

some of us even love movies that suposedly show "romance" when these so-called "love" stories show nothing but lustful relationships...

and we are convinced to believe they are portrayals of love...

[tinytherese]

[quote name='dominicansoul' post='1716573' date='Dec 2 2008, 12:11 PM']i know that unchaste movies have helped form our consciences in a way to the point that nothing really shocks us anymore...

the portrayal of adulterous relationships, divorces, sex out side of marriage in a movie has dulled our senses in a way that we see real life

some of us even love movies that suposedly show "romance" when these so-called "love" stories show nothing but lustful relationships...

and we are convinced to believe they are portrayals of love...[/quote]

So sad that movies like Titanic and The Notebook are regarded as such iconic "love" stories in the movie world. There are plenty of good actual love stories like Jane Austen flicks (but not that newer Becoming Jane one,) Ever After, The Princess Bride, Shadowlands, and A Walk to Remember.

[cheryl]

[quote name='tinytherese' post='1716735' date='Dec 2 2008, 06:21 PM']So sad that movies like Titanic and The Notebook are regarded as such iconic "love" stories in the movie world. There are plenty of good actual love stories like Jane Austen flicks (but not that newer Becoming Jane one,) Ever After, The Princess Bride, Shadowlands, and A Walk to Remember.[/quote]

When Titanic first came out, I thought, "Wow, that was awesome". But now, find both movies bothersome. Rose and Allie, were both engaged to other men at the time they had sex with Jack and Noah respectively. Allie's fiancee was an overall good guy and didn't deserve that at all. And even though Cal was a jerk, Rose should have ended the relationship first (I don't buy the whole, "she was trapped" thing). She did not exhibit the signs of an abused woman, but often snapped back at Cal, when irritated and even at times egged him on, for example, after she had Jack sketch her naked, she placed the sketch in Cal's safe, along with a note that read "Now you can keep us both lock in your safe". I mean...that is just...wow! As an historical buff, I do have to add that her attitude and rebelliousness as well as the perspective of some around her, ie Molly Brown's, "Are you going to cut her meat for her too Cal." when Cal ordered for Rose, was not fitting for 1912. Remember, Cal's sarcastic comment, "I guess I'll have to mind what she reads from now on, Mrs. Brown", when Rose brought up Dr. Freud. The fact that she had access to such reading material, smoked, drink and could dance as well as any third class irish gentleman, shows me that she was not suppressed. Titanic was a great movie for the costumes, the story of the Ship itself and numerous other things. Even using "one couple" instead of focusing on a whole slew of them, to bring the viewer into the story, is commendable. And Jack and Rose's love, for what it was, was beautiful. But surely J. Cameron could have created an equally powerful love story with Jack as her husband, or Cal as a honorable husband-to-be, without making Rose into "a spoiled brat" (Jack's words) ect. Despite all it's historical accuracy, Rose herself had a very modern sensibility. Even her clothing was untypical of a girl who is suppose to be just 17. As nasty as Cal was and as subjectively self-centered the following comment was, objectively speaking, he was right when he said, at breakfast, "You are my wife in practice if not yet by law, so you will honor me....you will honor me the way a wife is required to honor her husband...I will not be made a fool of Rose".

[cheryl]

I voted, " no it is not objectively sinful" on all three. An example that comes immediately to mind, is a person watching the movie, so as to give an accurate review. I mean, someone's gotta be watching all these movies that are being given the thumbs down on Christian movie review websites and in articles. Now, whether or not the movies themselves are objectively sinful, ie whether they should be produced and publicized at all, is another question.

[tinytherese]

[quote name='cheryl' post='1717618' date='Dec 3 2008, 04:08 PM']As nasty as Cal was and as subjectively self-centered the following comment was, objectively speaking, he was right when he said, at breakfast, "You are my wife in practice if not yet by law, so you will honor me....you will honor me the way a wife is required to honor her husband...I will not be made a fool of Rose".[/quote]

I thought so too. That part was twisted.