I agree that we must guard our minds. Ordinarily, I stay away from violent movies. After all, I even feel sorry for the worm and the fish when I go fishing, so you can imagine how much I DON”T like violence. When the movie, Saving Private Ryan came out, however, I watched it and let my older teens watch it. The violence gave a realistic image of what war is like. IT had no other purpose than reality and it certainly did not glorify it.

Again, with The Book of Eli, the violence is a reflection of humanity without God. The director explained that they actually turned the lighting away and so the gore was not highlighted as much as it could have been. Still, it is a violent movie. I don’t like those parts and I don’t need them to get the message because I’m living the Gospel message in my life. I’m guessing everyone reading the article is living the message too. So, maybe the people on this list have good reasons for not wanting to see the movie. I understand and agree. What I like most about the movie, however, is that people that are not like us, go to see these types of movies. Regardless of our taste for violence, there’s people out there attracted to adventure movies chock full of violence. I think it’s absolutely wonderful that the people that go to such movies will receive a very positive, Christian message with this one. Of course it’s not for kids.

While I was sitting, waiting do be a part of the interviews, one of the writers made the comment that this movie may intrigue people to get a Bible and find out what is so wonderful about it. There’s nothing in this movie’s message that is not something I think we all agree on.

Secondly, as for the medals–I hear ya. I too would prefer the bad guy not to be wearing them. But to me, the cool part was that those were his own personal medals. He pulled them out from under his shirt when someone asked about the medals in the film. I thought it was fun to see a famous Hollywood actor pull out his St. Jude and Miraculous medals. I also think it’s cool that Denzel Washington is on this 3rd time through the Bible. He’s not Catholic so of course we would not see eye to eye on everything. What I’m celebrating is the Christian message on the big screen among the biggest of producers and actors. Is it a wholesome, Catholic Family movie? No. It’s a movie with a Christian message that might be heard by people who ordinarily would run from such a message.

If we want to put good stuff into our minds, there is plenty out there in the scripture, in prayer, in the rosary, in spiritual books about the Saints and written by the Saints – sound boring, then you are overexposed to the junk of t.v., movies, etc. There are very very few movies and a small handful of t.v. programs that are really “good” to watch (and then there are still the commercials or movie clips one has to be exposed to). Christ makes it perfectly clear that we are to be “transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect” :

Ro 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their MINDS on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their MINDS on the things of the Spirit.
Ro 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your MINDS, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Ro 1:21 for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless MINDS were darkened.
Ac 15:24 Since we have heard that certain persons who have gone out from us, though with no instructions from us, have said things to disturb you and have unsettled your MINDS,
2Co 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the MINDS of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Eph 4:17 Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their MINDS.
Eph 4:23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your MINDS,
Php 3:19 Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their MINDS are set on earthly things.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your MINDS in Christ Jesus.
Col 3:2 Set your MINDS on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,
Tit 1:15 To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure. Their very MINDS and consciences are corrupted.
Heb 8:10 This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their MINDS, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.