A Rare Movie Endorsement
One of the weird aspects of being a pastor is that people can take what you say and immediately use it to form part of their moral framework.
What I mean by this is that if I stand up on a Sunday and say that…oh, I don’t know…’God is using the economy to bring our country to its knees’ (please note how hypothetical this is, and is in no way what I actually think), some people will immediately bring that into their thinking and say it’s true.
The same holds true for some spiritual issues, some family issues, and, oddly enough, some entertainment issues.
As a pastor, what I ‘endorse’ and talk about from up front can easily become the acceptable standard in our church. It’s just one of those odd traits which comes along with the role that I have.
As a pastor, what I ‘endorse’ and talk about from up front can easily become the acceptable standard in our church.
Because of this, I am usually very leery of addressing anything too head-on when it comes to entertainment. For instance, if I say something like…
‘Wow, I love the Simpsons’
or…
‘I truly believe everyone should go and see The Dark Knight’
…then I’m endorsing those shows/movies.
Of course, when people then go and watch them and see vulgarity, off-color stuff, swearing, odd themes, or anything else, they then look at me and wonder why I endorsed it.
So, I shy away from stuff like that.
But, here we are early in 2009, and I am going to give you my one and only movie recommendation for the year - Adam Sandler’s Bedtime Stories.
Here we are early in 2009, and I am going to give you my one and only movie recommendation for the year
Now, I know what you’re thinking: ‘This pastor just told us to go see a movie with the guy who made Happy Gilmore.’
I know, I know. Trust me, it was only after I checked four parental review sites that I even dreamt of taking the kids to see it…and wow, was I ever glad I did.
I laughed out loud at least ten times; my 7-year old son was giggling with delight for a good 45 minutes; and my 4-year old daughter was enthralled by all of the fairies and such.
There was no language…no thematic foolishness…and no Adam Sandler-like humour either (ironically enough).
Even the music was awesome, and I can’t recall ever seeing a movie that ended and then had appluase and literal dancing in the aisles as people left (Of course, having ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ as exit music will do that).
So, take it from me, go see Bedtime Stories.
It’s good.