Netflix’s take on the life of Mary draws from extrabiblical sources. But even apart from that, this often darkly violent depiction gives parents some reason to pause. “That Christmas” comes with sweet messages. But there are a still a couple of “presents” here that won’t fit snugly under the tree. Disney+’s “Skeleton Crew” has some problems, but overall it’s a return to form, when the galaxy far, far away was relatively safe for the family.
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Read on to get Plugged In on what’s beyond the movie titles and trailers for faith-filled and family-first reviews from Focus on the Family’s Plugged In.
Mary – Streaming on Netflix
“You may think you know my story,” Mary tells us. “Trust me, you don’t.”
No, trust me: none of us do. I mean, beyond what’s written in the Bible, that is.
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The thing with biblically based films, such as Netflix’s “Mary,” is that the creators often put their own spins on them—their own interpretation of what might have happened. And that’s the conundrum we face right there: It’s not a declaration of truth. Rather, it’s a dramatization of events that may or may not align with Scripture.
Was Mary dragged out and nearly stoned for becoming pregnant out of wedlock? She could have been. But Scripture doesn’t tell us that. Was Joseph on board with her pregnancy from the get-go? No! It wasn’t until an angel told him in a dream that it was the will of the Lord that Joseph got on board with the whole immaculate conception.
Because of these (and other) discrepancies with what we see in the gospel accounts, “Mary” probably won’t give you a clearer picture of what it was like for the teenage girl to give birth to the Savior of the world.
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However, if “Mary” is understood as an imaginative exercise, the movie could prompt some interesting, albeit speculative, discussion about what might have gone down. Parents could potentially use “Mary” to talk about the birth of Christ with their teens. And I do mean teens, because the violent depictions of Roman soldiers slaughtering families in Bethlehem and the near-stoning of Mary are really intense scenes for any viewer, let alone younger ones.
Ask your teenager to think more deeply about Mary and Joseph’s roles and responses here. How do they think Mary felt when the angel told her what would happen? Would she have been afraid, excited, a combination of both? And what about Joseph? After learning the truth about Jesus, would he have felt intimidated? Proud? Some combination of the two?
With a bit of hand holding, this fictional take on Mary’s life could spark some earnest conversations about what Jesus’ entrance into this world looked like—what it meant to the people then and what it still means to people now. And despite some conjecture, “Mary” rightly reminds us that love is a sacrificial act. It’s love—God’s love for us—that saved the world.
Then again, it might well be even more profitable to look together at what Scripture actually says instead of this story filling in the gaps from extra-biblical speculation.
Read the rest of the review here. Watch the trailer here.
That Christmas – Streaming on Netflix
Don’t want to read the book? “That Christmas” covers three!
Specifically, the movie follows the three storylines in Richard Curtis’ “That Christmas,” “The Empty Stocking” and “Snow Day,” weaving them all together into a packed tale here. And like the books, many of the messages in the film version are sweet—or at the very least, fun.
But this PG-rated Netflix release nevertheless comes with a couple of unwanted “presents.” The most glaring issue is the film’s irreverent and progressive depiction of an alternative Christmas story—a thematic thread that is utterly irrelevant to the rest of the film. A few misuses of God’s name and a crude comment from a reindeer further keep the film from being a perfect winter wonderland.
And that’s a shame. Because without those issues, “That Christmas” really would be a cute, family-friendly movie. In many ways, it still is; these concerns, compared to others we’ve seen in PG films, are still quite navigable for some families. But because those elements remain, like that last bit of ice that refuses to melt from a snow-shoveled sidewalk, they’re things parents should note lest they slip.
Read the rest of the review here. Watch the trailer here.
Skeleton Crew – Streaming on Disney+
Disney+ has had, shall we say, an uneven history with its “Star Wars” shows. “The Mandalorian” and “Andor?” Pretty great. “The Book of Boba Fett?” Not so much.
“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” has its issues, which we’ll get into. But as a straight-up show, it’s a blast.
If “Andor” gave us a political, shades-of-gray drama that showed us how rich and layered a Star Wars drama can be, “Skeleton Crew” is just flat-out fun. It’s been called “Goonies” in space, and honestly, that feels just about right. The first episode feels like something pulled straight out of Steven Spielberg’s bag, had the director lived in a galaxy far, far away. If “Andor” is Star Wars for adults, “Skeleton Crew” is made, gleefully, for kids. Or for kids at heart.
But that said, parents need to be mindful of some potential issues that also snuck on board.
As is the case with most “Star Wars” stories, viewers will be exposed to plenty of violence. None of it is particularly bloody or gory, of course, but quite a few characters (humans and humanish-creatures) get beaten up and knocked out. The threat of danger and death lurks around the dark side of every planet, it seems.
We should also note that KB apparently has two worried moms—though, given they’re halfway across the galaxy from our main players, they seem to be rather tertiary characters. We hear the occasional profanity. The Force is a powerful, potent element. Bodily functions can mess the mix, too. And, of course, our pre-pubescent heroes would’ve been safe at home had they just listened to their parents.
We certainly can’t minimize any of those issues. And yes, it’s still early in the show’s run. But compared to the grim, grimy galaxy of Andor or the murky, problematic environs of “The Acolyte,” “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” feels like a welcome, if relative, return to form.
(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out. )
Read the rest of the review here. Watch the trailer here.
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Plugged In is a Focus on the Family publication designed to shine a light on the world of popular entertainment while giving families the essential tools they need to understand, navigate, and impact the culture in which they live. Through our reviews, articles and discussions, we hope to spark intellectual thought, spiritual growth and a desire to follow the command of Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”
Reviews written by Paul Asay, Kennedy Unthank and Emily Tsaio.
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