Well now, if you’re askin’ me ’bout a Catholic movie review, I reckon it ain’t no simple thing to just sit down and watch these flicks with your popcorn. You see, movies these days are all kinds of things, and not all of ’em fit with what us Catholics might want to see. So, I figured I’d have a little chinwag ’bout what’s out there in the world of film, especially when it comes to Catholic views and what they bring to the screen. Some of these movies, well, they’re full of all kinds of things that can make your stomach turn, while others make you think twice ’bout your faith and beliefs.
First thing’s first, some movies out there ain’t shy about showin’ you the harsh parts of life. Take, for example, a film I heard talk ’bout that has a lot of intense, gory violence. It’s got some real disturbing images in it too. Now, I ain’t saying you gotta be a saint to watch a film, but when it starts pokin’ around with things like contraception, masturbation, and other grown-up topics, that’s when I start thinkin’ maybe it ain’t the best choice for a family movie night, especially if you’ve got little ones runnin’ ’round. But, just like in life, sometimes these films are tryin’ to show us the darker side of the world, maybe to remind us of the good that we should aim for. That’s the way I see it, anyhow.
Now, some folks say a movie is well-done if it’s got good direction and good shots, and I gotta agree on that. There’s a certain charm to a well-made film. If the camera work is sharp, and the direction’s clean, it can make you feel like you’re right there in the middle of it all. But, that don’t mean the film’s gonna be something you’d recommend to all your friends. You might get the feeling that the movie’s pushin’ an agenda or somethin’, tryin’ to make people think a certain way ’bout faith or morals. And when you start messin’ with that, well, you might lose some folks who ain’t ready for that kind of talk.
Then there’s the issue of what the Church thinks ‘bout these films. Like, for instance, there’s a big buzz ’bout a movie called Conclave—now, don’t get me wrong, I reckon it’s a fine piece of fiction, but some people say it checks every box for what they call “woke” content. That’s a bit of a sticky wicket, if you ask me. We don’t need no more divisiveness, but it sure does seem like these movies are pushin’ the envelope more and more. It’s like some films are tryin’ to get a message across ‘bout things like gay rights and progress within the Church. Now, that’s a tricky subject to tackle, ‘specially when you got folks who think the Church should hold to its old ways.
And let me tell you, not every film is worth your time. A lot of Catholics, especially the ones who hold tight to the old traditions, say there’s some movies you just oughta stay away from altogether. For instance, there’s a good number of folks who reckon no Catholic should watch Oppenheimer—that one’s a controversial pick. Some say it’s just too dark, too morally troubling, and it don’t really give you any of that redemption that we all hope for. Now, I don’t know much about the film itself, but I can tell you, if it makes people question their faith or leads ’em down a path of confusion, maybe it ain’t worth the watch.
What I think, though, is that these movies should be evaluated carefully. If we’re watchin’ a film, we oughta ask ourselves if it’s gonna bring us closer to the good, or if it’s gonna lead us astray. You might want to check what the USCCB, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has to say ’bout a movie. They give ratings like “A-I” for general patrons, or “A-III” for adults, and even “L” for movies that are for limited adult audiences. They say these ratings are based on the content—whether it’s got too much violence, too many bad influences, or if it’s just a mess of confusion that don’t leave you feeling good after it’s over.
But don’t just take my word for it. If you’re gonna watch a movie, you gotta think ‘bout what you’re gettin’ yourself into. You might walk away from some of these films with more questions than answers, and that ain’t always the best thing, especially when it comes to your faith. I always say, if a movie leaves you wonderin’ if it’s okay to go along with things that ain’t exactly in line with your beliefs, then maybe it’s time to think twice ‘fore hittin’ that play button.
So, in the end, movies can be a good way to spend your time. But you gotta be careful with which ones you pick. If you’re watchin’ for the right reasons, and you’re payin’ attention to what they’re showin’ you, then it can be a good experience. But if they start tryin’ to change your way of thinkin’ or lead you down a road that don’t feel right, then maybe it’s best to turn it off and go back to somethin’ that helps you grow in your faith.
Tags：[Catholic Movie, Film Review, Faith in Movies, Catholic Perspective, Morality in Movies, Movie Ratings]
