Postcards from the Funny Farm

Family event details:

We bought tix online this morning and caught the 11am show. We scurried to get all our bags etc. together and were fully “armed for war” in taking the 3 kids with us. We were surprised to see there was no line to get in and the usher taking our tickets said it was very slow yesterday as well. This left me thinking that either: a) The new theater across town got all the business -or b) The fundamentalist chain-emails decrying the film out there won. Regardless, it didn’t have any kind of wait and there were many seats left unoccupied once the movie started.

My thoughts on the movie:

Excellent “jump to action” right away. The “Magisterium,” commonly known to be Pullman’s symbol of the Catholic Church, reminded me of the “Empire” in the Star Wars saga: very identifiable as “the bad guys.” The evil Mrs. Coulter figure, on the other hand, is not as one-dimensional. I have a feeling we may see the audience empathize more with her in future sequels. The compass is really really cool. I imagine they will be making a fortune selling those to kids. The CGI animals are jaw-dropping amazing, especially the bears. Along those lines, make sure you don’t blink during the blimp travel sequence. It is as if you are watching a dream. The ending is the only let-down. It’s like an ad for the sequel. It is a good and convincing ad, mind you, but a definite “stop” in the action that for me was ok because my kids were getting unruly but for most it will disappoint.

My thoughts on the controversy:

We met a couple in the theater that had that “Magic-the-Gathering,” “Star-Trek Convention” look to them. they were huge Lord of the Rings fans and said they were excited to see the movie. After it ended they politely told us our kids were quiet (bless them for lying) and we got a real warm feeling from them. For all we know they were atheists in the spirit of Pullman’s philosophy. We are Christians and we attend church. So what? We both loved this movie. Whether they loved it because they thought a bear swipe was a blow to Christianity or “God,” we will never know. I will not ever care. What the movie showed me is that atheists and Christians can sit together in a film and clap at scenes that extol human virtue and decry mind-control. It might behoove a few atheists though to visit a healthy well-balanced church sometime (one example is HDC here in Victorville) and see that not all Christians are close minded and that God has set his plan clearly to foster the very ideals Pullman includes in his story. But I am not judging … just asking that I not be judged by atheists (you know who you are).

My son wants to see the movie again. He wants to rewind the bear fight where he says the bear got his jaw knocked off. I didn’t see that so if anyone else can clarify that, please do.

Thanks to all those who have commented on my blog as I’ve explored this movie. It’s amazing this is my 10th post on the thing! In the end, The Golden Compass a fun hour-and-a-half fantasy/adventure film with a reminder to not conform. If it would have had one single second that alluded to killing God, I would tell you … it doesn’t. Sorry to disappoint any atheists who were hoping so much.

Okay, after 9 posts on this movie, today I finally am going to see it. We’re taking the two baby girls and the 9 year old so pray for the people around us. Well, since it’s an atheist movie, out of respect you can just have a moment of silence for them.

Stay tuned for my review! This is gonna be big at the blog.

I just did a search on this topic and found nothing satisfactory by way of “how to.” It is really tough going to a movie with my little group since currently they are aged 6 months, 3 years, and 9 years. Still, I’ve made it through movies with all these ages before, and am attempting to get through the Golden Compass tomorrow with all of them! Here’s what I’ll be remembering:
1. Plan ticket purchasing and seating plans in advance (buy online if possible). Small kids are like wind-up timers, the more time you spend on anything besides the movie, the sooner they will get fussy.

2. Bring a bag with lots of snacks for the babies. Also, quiet toys they enjoy are great to have on hand. If the babies take bottles, bring 2 (for each). Now is not the time to say no to yummy candies and treats. Surprising them with “yummies,” as we call them, can keep them occupied for a long time.

3. Accept that one adult will be “on call” to take a kid outside if needed. If a child starts crying and won’t stop, don’t disturb the movie goers more than you already have, just plan to get up and get the details of the movie you missed from your spouse when you return or after.

4. Keep the baby up from its nap before the movie so she/he will be more likely to fall asleep on your shoulder during the movie or while you are taking a walk in the hallway calming the baby down.

5. Get the older toddler interested in a particular aspect of the movie: ie; “Look for the polar bears sweety!” or “can you see the little girl?” Small whispers like these while you stay close to them or hold them on your lap will keep their minds interested and focused and thereby quiet throughout the movie.

6. Finally: Have your bag with snacks and/or the snacks you purchased at the movies (have one parent get these while the other goes and finds seats) right close to you on the floor so when one child acts up you can have them immediately on hand to engage the child. You might also have a stuffed animal handy the child likes.

These are just a few things we have done to get our small children through a movie. I’m hopeful tomorrow will go well. What do you do to get through movies with your small children?

If you can get past the controversy and transcend the discussions of politics and religion, you should have fun watching The Golden Compass. Rather than saying, “I wonder if the Magisterium is supposed to represent the modern Catholic church?,” sit on the edge of your seat and say “Wow Two polar bears beating the shale out of each other. Cool” I guarantee you’ll come out of the film a happier person.”

-The Golden Compass | FilmSchoolRejects.com

Ok, after having read a good chunk of the book the new movie, The Golden Compass is based on, I feel I can make a reasonable statement as to its content.

There is a definite anti-Christian element to it, rest assured of that. However, though I define myself as a Christian, I will be going to see it because I feel it presents an important human message of: acceptance.

There are three main points in the book I’d like to shine light on and then briefly explain my position on the movie as a blogger, teacher, dad, and Christian. First: the “daemons,” or the animals that people have with them from childhood into adulthood are a fun idea. Who wouldn’t want their own animal that talked going with them wherever they go? The child and animal feel each other’s feelings. I see this as the conscience of a person or alter-ego. I also like the idea that this animal can change shape while the human is a child but when they get into adolescence and adulthood, the creature becomes fixed in form. This to me represents the openness of youth and how we tend to get set in our ways into adulthood. A true statement that encourages the open-minded wonder of youth. I heard much the same message in The Bridge to Terabithia this past year.

The second point of the book is that human vices are valuable to life and society. I couldn’t agree more. While I love church, and first and foremost God, I have been hurt in my youth by some very abusive people that came from the church. I was never molested or anything physical, but sometimes the mental abuse that unhealthy, unbalanced churches dole out can be even more debilitating. Accepting that we are all not the same and that we all can’t be forced into the same category is an important part of being a loving member of the human race. This is so important to teach our kids. This is true whether you are in the church or if you have no faith at all. I think the church should look to this concept to learn something and become a more loving “movement” in our modern culture. This message of acceptance that include vice and flaws is a continuous theme throughout The Golden Compass. If nothing else the Golden Compass should serve to Christians as an example of how we can sometimes make people feel guilty. When will the church stop doing that?

The final point of the book is the idea of dust, or sin. Pullman obviously believes the idea of a “Satan” figure who would embrace sin is to be a hero in his book. I would say I disagree on this point. Sin kills, end of report. It’s never something we should encourage our kids to monkey around with (no pun intended since Mrs. Coulter’s daemon is a monkey). But we as Christians should take to heart that church abuse of people is what has created this novel. It is not a novel about killing God (that I can see anyway) but rather a novel about liberation of ones mind to believe how one wishes. Pullman apparently doesn’t believe that a Christian can believe and have a high place in his fantasy world, but I take no offense at that. In my world they can and often do :) He is a gifted writer nonetheless and I think his book has good morals.

I think seeing this film for it’s celebration of individuality and not being just a blind follower of a church is a great thing for anyone (in theory, I still haven’t seen it ;). But ideas of killing God and other anti-Christian gobbledygook are boring and tired and one hopes will be left out of the film adaptation. I say Christians should give themeselves the green light on this one. Take your kids and talk about the messages in the film. Stay tuned for my review of the film next week!

What is your feedback on these thoughts?

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Apparently it debuted in England.  The review is good, the comments from viewers are better.

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For people still saying there is no controversy, this article is proof otherwise.  It’s a good article and says what I have been saying all along: See it with your kids and discuss it with an open mind.  I have no fear of this movie and frankly it bothers me that there is all this "Chrstian" outcry.  They are calling it "heresy."  I think they need to check the definition.  A heresy is a religious teaching that deviates from the Bible.  This is a movie, not a religious teaching.