The screen version of the much hyped children's book "The Golden Compass" hits theatres in early December. The book is the film version from atheist author Philip Pullman's children's book. If you haven't heard about the movie or received one of the endless mass email warnings about it you've either got great Spam protection, or you've been living in a cave on a remote island.
Last week alone, I got 7 forwarded email warnings about the movie promoting "atheism", etc. I haven't read the book but I have read several reviews from educators and critics. One thing to consider is the significant number of great literary classics that were written by people who were troubled and very confused personally. The list of great authors with serious personal issues or agendas is too great to recite, but we could name a few from Capote to Hemingway, to Edgar Allen Poe, to Tennesee Williams.
I'm not going to endorse the movie, or say stay away. I would simply counsel parents to read several critiques, pray about it, perhaps read the book and then make an informed decision on whether you and your children should invest the money to go see the movie.
Here's an excerpt from the Christianity Today movie corner.
"We haven't seen The Golden Compass, and won't for a few weeks. But, for now, we can at least say this: Yes, Pullman is an atheist. Yes, his trilogy features the death of God. And yes, he hates the Chronicles of Narnia "with a deep and bitter passion," he has said, "with their view of childhood as a golden age from which sexuality and adulthood are falling away." He's called Narnia "one of the most ugly and poisonous things" he's ever read.
We can also say this: Pullman's books are award-winning and well-written, and those who have read them—yes, even Christians—say he spins quite an entertaining, and page-turning, fantasy yarn. One can certainly recognize the quality of Pullman's work without agreeing with his worldview."
You can read the rest of the CT movie review at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/lyris/movies/archives/11-09-2007.html
Before you send forward me one of the mass email warnings on the movie verified by Snopes.com, etc, remember that Christianity Today's movie website's mission is to "help readers make discerning choices for themselves—not to advise one way or another about watching a particular movie. That's your call." I'm with them. I can't tell you what to see or what to avoid. That's the decision every potential movie goer and parent must make on their own. So do your homework.
If you need more go to these links for other reviews and comments on the movie starring Nicole Kidman:
http://live.hollywoodjesus.com/?p=1098 or join the discussion forum on the movie and book at:
http://forums.crosswalk.com/The_Golden_Compass/m_2808727/mpage_1/tm.htm#1
As for me, I think I'll take a pass on the Golden Compass and catch the cable re-runs and DVD rentals of some great Christmas movies like:
It's a Wonderful Life
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
The Nativity Story (2006)
Polar Express
The Nutcracker
The Fourth Wise Man
How The Grinch Stole Christmas and
A Christmas Carol (1951)
Okay, where's the popcorn?
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