Violence In Films

Peter T. Chattaway, a film critic for Christianity Today and Books & Culture, and an associate editor at B.C. Christian News, agrees that onscreen violence has its place: “It’s a question of how those things are portrayed.” Those things he is talking about is violence. I found this interesting because if violence is portrayed as only killing and blood every where for no reason, it shouldn't be in a film or watched. If there is violence and it is used to prove something, to show good/right and if it has meaning then it is fine. Like Peter said it all matters on how violence is portrayed.
“In a proper context, depicting violence can be used to send valuable messages to those mature enough to view it in its context." This is what Michael Elliot says. I found this interesting because it is what I found a lot of critics said and because it is something I agree with. I agree with it because I think that if there is violence put into a film it shouldn't just be fill space, but it should be put in the film because it is proving something or because it has meaning a ties into the film and what the film means.
One thing that I disagree with is that it is said in this article that, Parental responsibility is a serious problem today; otherwise, how could so many kids so regularly consume “violent meals”? I don't think it is the parents fault, but it is their kids fault for putting themselves in front of that violence and watching it.
I think that violence is good to have in some films and bad to have in others. Violence is good to have in films when it is meaningful and actually plays a role in the movie and isn't just filling space. I do not believe that violence should be in a film just to get more money, but to show and prove something. Violence must have a reason.

Review of Reviews

Review of Reviews: Seven Pounds

  I decided to put Seven Pounds into my top ten list, but really this movie turned out to be one of my two favorite films. From the beginning to the end of this film I was glued. The opening line of the film really drew me to it with Ben Thomas(Will Smith) saying, “In seven days God created the world, and in seven seconds I shattered mine.” This line is the key part to this movie, playing out the whole plot and layout of this film. This goes to show how the screenwriting and layout of the entire film was put together such a way that it creates such emotion and feeling in then film for its audience. This movie not only puts out emotion with the plot, but with how the actors play their roles. Will Smith not only acts his part as Ben Thomas in this film, but he shows that he lives it. He brings his character out and makes his part seem realistic and makes us as the audience believe and feel all that he is going through. Another bonus to this film is the meaning inside of it. The meaning of this film is not only a good one, but one anyone can apply to their own life's. It is meaningful because it is about giving to others who really deserve it. Overall this is a well put together film and I would recommend it to anyone.

 A.O. Scott, “Seven Pounds.” The New York Time, December 19, 2008

A.O. Scott values many things when critiquing a film, such as:

 -Plot:  He says he loves the plot because it is one that keeps you guessing to the end, but not with things that lead you far out but with things with meaning and hope.

 -Suspense:  Scott like the suspense put into this movie from the beginning to the end. Starting out with the phone call to 911 saying that he is the victim to a suicide and then how it ends with the jellyfish.

-Music/Setting:  Scott thought that music from Angelo Milli and the deep colors of Philippe Le Sourd’s cinematography created not only a film, but a masterpiece. It would be like the cherry on the top.

 Todd McCarthy, “Seven Pounds.” Variety, December 17, 2008

 -Suspense:  Todd thought that the movie was full of suspense because of the phone call in the beginning about the suicide and how that played and kept you thinking throughout the movie.

-Plot:  McCarthy enjoyed the plot and thought is was well planned out and written. He thought that the overall concept of this film was good and liked how it showed lots of passion.

 -Sense/Meaning:  The sense and meaning of this film was a top thing on Todd's list that made this film the good film it is. He thought the meaning was good because it was about giving to others who deserve it.

 Rick Dersiz, “Seven Pounds.” Eye For Film, December 2008

 -Climax:  Dersiz thought that the climax of this movie was a big part because this is when every little piece, everything that you wanted to know fell into place.

 -Plot:  Rick says the plot is great. He says it is extremely powerful, with good points and meaning. He goes on to say that the plot is great because it keeps throwing up positive things to take from it and apply to your life.

 -Actors:  Rick says all the actors in this movie did a fantastic job. From the lead actors like Will Smith to people in the supporting cast. He said they played their part well and made the movie full of life and emotion.

 Roger Edger, “Seven Pounds.” rogerebert.com, December 17, 2008

 -Behavior:  He loves the behavior of the character Ben Thomas because he does good deeds with no motivation.

 -Acting:  Roger loves how Will Smith plays his character and brings it into such focus and intensity. He talks about he loves how Will Smith can play in different emotional speeds.

 -Surprises:  Roger like how the trailers for this movie don't give anything a way like most films do. He also likes how in the movie it is full of surprises, like how Ben can act so harsh then be so nice by getting an old lady a bath in a nursing home.

 Mia J. Best, “Seven Pounds.” Christian Spotlight, December 2008

 -Meaning:  Mia does not like or agree with this film because she believes that the meaning of this film is pushing towards a faithless, selfish, and reprehensible act.

 -Acting:  Mia says that Dawson, the women playing Emily Posa, did a fantastic job showing beauty, love and passion. 

 -Morality:  This reviewer likes how Ben gives the ultimate sacrifice for people he thinks deserve to live a better life, and just to live. Mia does think though that this is some what bad because Ben was motivated by guilt, but Jesus was motivated by love.

  Overall I agree with all of these reviews. Most of them thought this movie, Seven Pounds, was a great film and a must see. I agree with most them because they talk about how the suspense in the plot was a great feature and kept you on your toes just waiting for end. This to me was a key factor in the film really making it what it was. I also agreed with how a lot of these reviews said that the actors put in so emotion and made the film pop out at your and feel realistic. This made me become apart of the movie, as if I was one of them, or at least knew Ben. The only reviewer I disagree with is Mia J. Best because she believes no one should see this film because it is not morally correct. I believe everyone should see this film because it has great meaning and passion and it can create emotion in you that you may have never thought you could get from a movie.

Links to film reviews:

http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/12/19/movies/19seve.html

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117939225.html?categoryid=3266&cs=1

http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/reviews.php?id=7656

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081217/REVIEWS/812179987/1023

http://christiananswers.net/spotlight/movies/2008/sevenpounds2008.html?zoom_highlight=seven+pounds

Top Ten Films

This list is not in any order.

1. Pay It Forward-This movie is well made because it is about paying it forward by helping three people out in a big way then they have to help three more people causing a pay it forward effect.

2. 7 Pounds-This movie is all about paying back and giving to those who really deserve it.

3. Billy Madison-This movie is an all time original comedy with Adam Sandler. This movie has great humor over all.

4. Butterfly Effect-I like this movie because the plot is really well written and how the actors make it so real.

5. Freedom Writers-I like that this is about doing what's better, what is right and also that this is a true story.

6. Antwone Fisher-This movie has lots of passion and meaning in it.

7. Green Street Hooligans-I like the action and the the plot of the movie.

8. I Am Sam-This movie is really well made, plus Sean Penn plays his part so well. Over all a must see.

9. V for Vendetta -I like how it is a mystery and how it always keeps you on your toes.

10. Crash -I like how this movies brings all different types of people together and how the filming and editing are done.