I enjoy movies, mainly movies accessed through Netflix. I'm not crazy about movie theaters and haven't actually be in one for about 8 years - but that's another story. Anywho, I hadn't viewed for a while so took a comfortable seat, laptop on lap (logical) earbuds in, set to relax in front of one of the award-winning, have-to-see movies of the year, Slumdog Millionaire. I lasted 30 minutes......
First of all, I've been to India. It's been a loooooong time since I was there but over and above the beautiful sites of the country, the poverty was overwhelming for me then and I found it no less overwhelming in the movie scenes of children minding and participating in public privies, bathing and drinking polluted water, living in stalls and shacks. Also, the first opening scenes of the movie were filled with torture scenes, not (American as apple pie) water-boarding mind you, but nevertheless torture of a human by other humans! Taking a deep breath and thinking I could fast forward to the entertainment part of the movie, the straw/scene to break this little camel's back was quickly forthcoming! A train car unloaded with men armed with clubs set on bludgeoning mothers and children because they were Muslims, the delete key was in order for me!
Why is this entertainment? I am in agreement that it is a tool for awakening my heart to the world. I do not think that is bad, I think it's important that I/we not fool ourselves into believing that the world is all well fed and sitting back drinking bottled water. I have a hard time erasing either real or fictional scenes that portray prejudice, hatred, cruelty, poverty, deprivation, or war zone activity. Occasionally, I manage to sit through stories (you can check out my movie list) of this nature but can they, should they be called entertainment?
They make my heart and mind cry out to my Creator, why, why, why? I thank God for the Mother Teresas of this world and for organizations like ONE and the Episcopal Relief and Development Organization. But sitting in front of a screen and calling it entertainment - I think perhaps there should be a new category of Academy Awards called "Fictional Documentary -Entertainment Reality Films." I don't know. Am I just an ostrich with my head in the sand? What do you think? What kind of movie entertainment do you seek out? Did you see this movie and love it or hate it?
First of all, I've been to India. It's been a loooooong time since I was there but over and above the beautiful sites of the country, the poverty was overwhelming for me then and I found it no less overwhelming in the movie scenes of children minding and participating in public privies, bathing and drinking polluted water, living in stalls and shacks. Also, the first opening scenes of the movie were filled with torture scenes, not (American as apple pie) water-boarding mind you, but nevertheless torture of a human by other humans! Taking a deep breath and thinking I could fast forward to the entertainment part of the movie, the straw/scene to break this little camel's back was quickly forthcoming! A train car unloaded with men armed with clubs set on bludgeoning mothers and children because they were Muslims, the delete key was in order for me!
Why is this entertainment? I am in agreement that it is a tool for awakening my heart to the world. I do not think that is bad, I think it's important that I/we not fool ourselves into believing that the world is all well fed and sitting back drinking bottled water. I have a hard time erasing either real or fictional scenes that portray prejudice, hatred, cruelty, poverty, deprivation, or war zone activity. Occasionally, I manage to sit through stories (you can check out my movie list) of this nature but can they, should they be called entertainment?
They make my heart and mind cry out to my Creator, why, why, why? I thank God for the Mother Teresas of this world and for organizations like ONE and the Episcopal Relief and Development Organization. But sitting in front of a screen and calling it entertainment - I think perhaps there should be a new category of Academy Awards called "Fictional Documentary -Entertainment Reality Films." I don't know. Am I just an ostrich with my head in the sand? What do you think? What kind of movie entertainment do you seek out? Did you see this movie and love it or hate it?
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