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+ Thousands of DVDs for You! +

At the St. Luke’s Library, we have thousands of family-friendly, values-based movies available:

+ To broaden your understanding of our world

+ To challenge your preconceptions

+ To enrich your life

+ To help you see with clarity and vision

The power of cinema is unleashed most fully when it’s viewed and discussed.
 
When watching any of the movies in the St. Luke’s Library with your family or friends, look for these elements:

+ Who are the lead characters and what do they do? What happens in the end? Why?

+ Look for items of symbolism or recurrent themes. What do they signify? Why?

+ What is the meaning of the title of the film? Why?

+ How does the lead character of the movie change throughout the film? Why?

+ What truth or truths can you draw from the film?  

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How to Manage Media

 

Movies

 

With movies, you have a great deal of control over what you view. Here are some tips to help you make wise choices in selecting films for your family to watch:

 

• Don’t rely on the movie’s MPAA ratings. PG-13 films can have a few obscenities - or they can be almost pornographic. Even some G-rated movies may be way too intense for younger children. Think of the flying monkeys in Wizard of Oz or the death of Bambi’s mother.

 

• If you’re at the theater and a movie is objectionable, walk out. If you’re at home, turn it off.

 

• For newly released movies, read a detailed review or wait for the video release and preview it before your kids see it. Here are some good sources:
  • Catholic reviews: http://www.catholicnews.com/movies.htm
  • Family reviews: http://www.movieguide.org
  • For kids: http://www.clubhousemagazine.com/clubhousemagazine/Gridview?category=extras&subcatgory=2-extrassub2
  • For teens: http://www.pluggedin.com/movies.aspx

 

Television

 

Television is a little trickier than movies, because its presence is pervasive in our lives. Here are some suggestions for making TV watching an opportunity to grow in faith:

 

• Schedule viewing. Plan a weekly program schedule with your family - which gives you a chance to offer good choices to your kids instead of always having to say No to poor ones. Set time limits in a positive way.

 

• Set physical limits on TV viewing. Turn off the TV during meals. Don’t use it as background noise (use music instead). If your child has a TV in his or her bedroom, consider removing it.

 

• Watch TV together. That’s the best way to know what your kid is really watching. Talk about any troubling issues as they arise, or make note of them and discuss them afterward. Highlight positive behaviors. Look for points of conversion of heart or acts of unselfish love. Point out unacceptable behaviors and talk about a better way.

 

• Talk back to the TV. The TV is in your private home, so when a character says or does something you don’t agree with, say so out loud. This is especially helpful when troublesome commercials pop up during otherwise family friendly shows. Saying, “That’s not true!” reinforces your values to your children and helps them to challenge what they see and hear.

 

• Plan weekly family nights. Turn off the TV and take out board games, go on a nature hike, play Frisbee, read books together, go out for ice cream.

 

• Use your DVR liberally. Preview new programs, edit out commercials, and choose optimum viewing times to break from the broadcaster’s schedule. You are in control.

 

• Be a good example. Ever had to grab the remote when your child walked in? Take an honest look at your own viewing habits. What you do speaks so much louder than what you say.

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These movies have been evaluated for artistic merit and moral suitability by the media reviewing division of Catholic News Service. The reviews include the CNS rating, the Motion Picture Association of America rating, and a brief synopsis of the movie.

The classifications are as follows:

A-I -- general patronage; 
A-II -- adults and adolescents; 
A-III -- adults; 
L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. L replaces the previous classification, A-IV. 
O -- morally offensive. 

Note: Some movies previously were designated A-IV. Older films with this classification should be regarded as classified L.