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Blue Like Jazz: The Movie


jericho

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I got to see a pre-screening of the upcoming movie, Blue Like Jazz, last night. The "Christian" movie is excellent quality and tells a story from a descriptive style rather than prescriptive like Sherwood Picture movies. Speaking of Sherwood pictures, I'm appalled at their blacklisting tactics towards Blue Like Jazz. I have lost any respect I had for them.

http://bluelikejazzblog.tumblr.com/post/19676170853/the-christian-movie-establishment-vs-blue-like-jazz

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Oh, hubby's going tonight (he has a film degree and actually cares - I'm saving my brownie points for the Hunger Games on Friday :) ).

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â– Sentimentality trumps substance

â– Good intentions trump artistry

â– All conflict must be tidily resolved

■“Safe for the whole family†is a de facto requirement

■Or as writer David McFadzean summarized, Christian movies are like porn – poorly lit, poorly acted and you always know how they’re going to end.

I think that movies shouldn't be Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or any other belief system. They should just be movies. The people involved in creating the story might belong to a certain belief system but the goal should be to tell a good story not convert people or assure your followers that they are great. The problem with a lot of Christian movies is that they are obviously propaganda.

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I know a few people who liked the book Blue Like Jazz and it is popular in some Christian circles. I would watch the movie based on the link the OP put up and what I'lve heard about the book. I'm an atheist but I have enjoyed a few good books with Christian themes. The Sherwood Pictures movies are way too preachy and the Kendrick brothers are known to refuse help or advice from more experienced filmmakers and they flat out refuse to hire any professional actor. Kirk Cameron got the lead in Fireproof because he praised up Facing the Giants.

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I read that article this morning and thought it was great. I NEVER go to the movies, and husband and I plan on going opening night.

He went to Liberty University then left the "Christian bubble", so I have no say in the matter because he could have written it. As a very liberal Christian that was never in the protective bubble I'm glad there is a movie out there to prove we aren't all nuts :-) Although Saved was pretty great.

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I think that movies shouldn't be Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or any other belief system. They should just be movies. The people involved in creating the story might belong to a certain belief system but the goal should be to tell a good story not convert people or assure your followers that they are great. The problem with a lot of Christian movies is that they are obviously propaganda.

I'm okay with using a medium to convey a belief, that's freedom of speech, and yes that can produce propaganda unfortunately. This movie impressed me because its so different from the typical Christian movie. It's made by Christians but it shows how life really is without watering it down, (Actually the director said at the screening they actually did have to tone down how crazy Reed University is) and it doesn't get overly preachy. There is a message in the end, but it comes off very natural and doesn't nicely resolve everything. This is not a movie the evangelical Christian community will embrace. There is language, sex, debauchery, lesbianism, alcohol and drug abuse etc.

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[i'm okay with using a medium to convey a belief, that's freedom of speech,

I wouldn't ever try to prevent the Kendrick brothers from making movie because they provide too much snark material for me . :lol:

What is Blue LIke Jazz about?

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Here's something I've actually been wondering. Aside from Sherwood and Dougie making prescriptive films that go to indie Christian Film fests because they won't be produced by Hollywood, where in modern tv are people who have faith but live a typical life? I mean, back in the 90s you had say, Family Matters, where they went to church, and there was occasionally an episode which featured the church because this was a show about the Winslow's life and church was a part of the Winslow's life. But it wasn't particularly preachy and certainly not the focus. I vaguely remember the Step by Step family visiting church a few times too. Nowadays you might see the occasional cultural Jew, (Schmidt on New Girl, Howard Wolowitz), and everyone seems to celebrate Christmas, Raj on TBBT might be a token Hindi, but he's pretty clear it's cultural and not faith for him. But there's no outward signs of faith on tv anymore. I don't think it makes a lot of sense when you compare the number of people who claim to be part of a faith in this country, and tv is in all other ways fairly representative of society, that no one on tv goes to temple, prays the rosary, whatever it is.

/end slightly off topic question that has been lingering in my mind for a while

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VintageJan, you make an interesting point. Religion is a part of many viewers' lifes. They go to church, they pray etc. It wouldn't bother me to see a character show examples of his or her own faith. However, I've noticed that many modern Chrisitans(perhaps other religions do also) want Christians in the public to be not only perfect but very forward in showing their faith. So, Tim Tebow is "The Christian Football Player" for kneeling during the game and other players who aren't so obvious in displaying their faith get ignored.

A Christian character that had premarital sex or swore would make some Chrisitans angry. Which is pretty hyprocritical when you consider that a lot of religious people have premarital sex and swear.

Maybe writers and directors avoid the problem all together and just don't have religious people on their shows.

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I'm now trying to think of religious characters on popular shows... there was Lyla on Friday Night Lights, I suppose.

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Here's something I've actually been wondering...[W]here in modern tv are people who have faith but live a typical life?...I don't think it makes a lot of sense when you compare the number of people who claim to be part of a faith in this country, and tv is in all other ways fairly representative of society, that no one on tv goes to temple, prays the rosary, whatever it is.

/end slightly off topic question that has been lingering in my mind for a while

I am completely with you on this--I've noticed the changing trends over the decades. The only show I can think of that shows a family that goes to church in a "normal" way is "The Middle" (from what I've read--haven't watched it). Characters on "Desperate Housewives" have been shown attending Mass or services.

Usually, though, religious observance is used as a goofy plot device or a cultural thing (cf. the new show "GCB"). Where are all of us normal people who go to Mass or shul or temple or Sunday services as a routine part of our week?

Re "Blue Like Jazz": Seems the haters have fallen into that We Are The Only Official Christians thing--"If you're not just like us and don't follow our narrow definitions, you're not a Real Christian and must be marginalized."

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The Simpsons still go, and of course Flanderers attend. I think there are shows that still visit, but the types of sitcoms that were popular in the 90's with familys that went to church, and were so sappy in storylines, kind of fadded away because they just felt to outdated and sugary.

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The Simpsons still go, and of course Flanderers attend. I think there are shows that still visit, but the types of sitcoms that were popular in the 90's with familys that went to church, and were so sappy in storylines, kind of fadded away because they just felt to outdated and sugary.

I think just about everyone on the Simpsons attends the church of their choice - mostly the first church of Springfield except fot Krusty and Apu who are Jewish and Hindu. Even Lisa (Buddist) goes to hear Rev. Lovejoy every Sunday.

Does that make it one of the most religion friendly shows on tv today? hmmm.

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I think just about everyone on the Simpsons attends the church of their choice - mostly the first church of Springfield except fot Krusty and Apu who are Jewish and Hindu. Even Lisa (Buddist) goes to hear Rev. Lovejoy every Sunday.

Does that make it one of the most religion friendly shows on tv today? hmmm.

While I agree it does hit some tongue in cheek, and does make fun of some religious things, I think often times, they actually treat religion kindly. Reverend Lovejoy, is happily married, doesn't cheat or steal from his parish, not perfect but a good guy. Flanders while Fundie leaning at least doesn't sit invisioning those around him frying in Hell. Even the Budist was kindly handled, Lisa goes to church for her family and culture, and her family actually excepts her beliefs in their own ways. In some way the craziness makes it feel more real then the 90's sitcoms. I think Bumblebee Guy is Catholic. They do have a Catholic church and a few others in town.

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Oooh! Let's see:

Well, obviously there was 7th Heaven. I never really watched that show though.

Just the 10 of Us was actually a pretty cute show about a Catholic School coach and his wife and 8 kids. The 4 older girls were teens and were allowed to attend the all-boys' school, and constantly got into dating hijinks. Very stereotypical - there was the brainy one, the promiscuous one, the ditzy one, but par for the course for late 80s. It was an original TGIF show I think.

The Sopranos were Catholic

Everybody Loves Raymond were Catholic I think - more in the vein you're talking about, the everyday, normal kind of thing

On the current show Bones, Booth is a Catholic, and there's often discussions about what he believes vs atheist Brennan (not in a disparaging way imo)

Scully from the X-Files wrestled a bit with her Catholic faith, what with the aliens and all ;)

I feel like the members of the Cosby Show made reference to going to church, though it's never depicted on the show, I don't think

The Formans on That 70s Show make reference to going to church

There are various characters on Degrassi who are religious to varying degrees (sex comes up often, so waiting due to religious reasons comes up occasionally)

Speaking of, there's more in that vein on Secret Life of the American Teenager, but that is a terrible, terrible show. There's more churchgoing in general, but it's also written by the woman who did 7th Heaven.

There's def a church in the Gilmore Girls town, but I can't remember if the main characters actually attend. A secondary character has a very strict Korean mother, with lots of 7th-Day Adventist stuff, among other restrictions

I think the family on Home Improvement might have made reference to going to church, but I can't be sure.

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I'm now trying to think of religious characters on popular shows... there was Lyla on Friday Night Lights, I suppose.

Lyla is a good example. On FNL several of other characters were a bit religious. The Taylors, Garritys, and the Saracens attended the same church and in seasons 1 Smash and his family attended the black church. Smash also dated the pastor's daughter. There were a few episodes that had some Christian undertones and some of the characters referenced God quite a bit like when Tami found she was pregnant and said that she thought God decided to only give them Julie. There was an episode in which Smash led the team in prayer. I also remember the last seasons, there were some small visual references to religion like some of the players praying rosaries in the locker room.

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The family on the show Grounded for Life was Irish Catholic and the kids attended a parochial school. The family on Raising Hope attends a church.

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Here's something I've actually been wondering. Aside from Sherwood and Dougie making prescriptive films that go to indie Christian Film fests because they won't be produced by Hollywood, where in modern tv are people who have faith but live a typical life? I mean, back in the 90s you had say, Family Matters, where they went to church, and there was occasionally an episode which featured the church because this was a show about the Winslow's life and church was a part of the Winslow's life. But it wasn't particularly preachy and certainly not the focus. I vaguely remember the Step by Step family visiting church a few times too. Nowadays you might see the occasional cultural Jew, (Schmidt on New Girl, Howard Wolowitz), and everyone seems to celebrate Christmas, Raj on TBBT might be a token Hindi, but he's pretty clear it's cultural and not faith for him. But there's no outward signs of faith on tv anymore. I don't think it makes a lot of sense when you compare the number of people who claim to be part of a faith in this country, and tv is in all other ways fairly representative of society, that no one on tv goes to temple, prays the rosary, whatever it is.

/end slightly off topic question that has been lingering in my mind for a while

There are tons of religious characters on television. I think the reason that more shows don't emphasize religion (or politics) is because they want to appeal to the widest demographic, but if you watch the shows long enough, many of the characters will reveal themselves to have a loose affiliation with one religion or (at the very least) deity or afterlife beliefs.

There was a thread on TWoP about "Religion on Television" with plenty of examples of religious characters: http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showtopic=3113987&st=0

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There's def a church in the Gilmore Girls town, but I can't remember if the main characters actually attend. A secondary character has a very strict Korean mother, with lots of 7th-Day Adventist stuff, among other restrictions

Mostly funerals but there was that funny scene where Davy was being baptized and the Reverend asks about their beliefs, and they come up with a bunch of facts like reading The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, buying tons of Girl Scout cookies, having a Bible (though it may or may not have been given to Goodwill), a belief in good, owning two Mary is my homegirl t-shirts, ect.

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Almost all of the Fox animation shows have families that attend church. The Griffins (Family Guy) are Catholic, and the family from American Dad is Fundie-lite. Napoleon Dynamite is heavily influenced by LDS beliefs.

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Another past show that featured a family that was religious was American Dreams. Most of the characters were Catholic.

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