I decided to do my review on the movie "Straight Outta Compton." I thought that was a very interesting film and here is my take along with some methods in which we may have been able to introduce the gospel of Jesus Christ to the men in the film.
Movie
Review Response
The
following exercise is a movie review response for the film “Straight Outta Compton.” This response will first identify and
describe elements from the movie (scenes, dialogue, situations, or thought
processes) that are symptomatic of the “postmodern condition”. Next, there will be an identification and
description of one or two elements (scenes, dialogue, situations, or thought
processes) that could present an obstacle for presenting the Gospel. Finally, there will be an identification and
description of one or two elements (scenes, dialogue, situations, or thought
processes) that could present an opportunity for presenting the Gospel. An analysis of what need was expressed and
the questions which were foremost will be recorded as well.
Symptomatic Signs of the
“Postmodern Condition”
The
movie “Straight Outta Compton” depicts the lives of three young African
American males from Compton , California Compton home with
hopes of collecting money, but is confronted with opposition as his drug
dealing cohorts refuse to pay him what they owe. In the scene we hear graphic language as they
argue and curse at each other through the failed transaction. Easy-E refers to a woman who is there as a
“B” and we see guns, alcohol, and drugs present. Finally the police raid the home with a tank
like apparatus which busts the door down while violently slamming one of the
women into the wall. Easy-E runs and kicks out the bathroom window while the
others scramble to hide drugs and exit the best way they can. The very use of profane language, illegal
drugs, and activity depict the postmodern culture that we live in today. We notice a people so desperate to exist that
they must sell illegal drugs and are involved in gangs in order to
survive.
In
scene two we see kids on a school bus throwing up gang signs to a car full of Crips. The gangsters then pull in front of the bus
on a busy street, board it, and begin to scold and threaten the young kids who
were making the gang signs. This is the
kind of life that people are living in the streets of America
today. Gang life is void of Christian
beliefs, true love, and sanctification.
In fact it is a life that is full of people longing for love and
affiliation in the wrong places. It is a
life filled with despair, violence, death, and a need to belong. The very music that NWA and groups like it
promote is said to show what real life is like in the hood and on the urban streets
of America . Producers
of this brand of music claim that basically they are just a mirror of society. A whole culture of what is known as hip-hop
has been invaded by this brand of hardcore rap music that is filled with
braggadocio, misogyny, and the glamorization of drugs and violence. We’ve gone
from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five to Niggas With Attitudes
(NWA). We’ve gone from “Rappers Delight” to “ F the Police”. Every
generation seems to push the envelope a little farther. Sadly enough this is
the reality of many people in our postmodern culture today. An attitude of
tolerance and acceptance is a breeding ground for anti-Christian beliefs and
theology.
In another scene we notice examples of police
corruption as Ice Cube and his parents are referred to as “niggers” and called
other derogatory terms by members of the LAPD.
Throughout the movie there are instances where the police harass these
young African American males for what seems like nothing. Fear and abuse of power along with racial
profiling are also evident in a culture that is lacking faith and righteous
consciousness. On one hand we see a much
needed, but corrupt authority, and on the other hand we see an oppressed people
who are searching for a way out of their misery. Unfortunately when the group members actually
begin to progress financially and are able to move from the hood to Beverly
Hills and beyond they still bring their hood-like
attitudes and gangster lifestyle with them.
Obstacles for Presenting the
Gospel
In
one respect you feel for the young men who are fighting to better their
economic situation and move from a life of have-nots, but what good is it if
their money just allows them to have bigger parties, more drugs and alcohol,
mixed with sexual orgies. In the movie there is a very important scene where
the group is being told what they can say and not say on stage. In order to voice their opinion of police
brutality they exercised their right to record the song “F the Police.” This song caused a major uproar throughout
the country, but it brought light to the subject of police brutality that our
young African Americans are facing every day in this country. When told not to perform the song at a
concert, Ice Cube leads them into it regardless. A riot seemed to break out as the police
tried to stop the music and finally ended up arresting the group. Because of
the First Amendment right to freedom of speech it seems that the law could be a
hurdle for presenting the Gospel. An
attempt could have been made to tell the group (NWA) not to use foul language,
or try to tell your message in a more positive light, or instead of saying “F
the Police” can we find a way to somehow get along with the police? Laws and rights make it hard in a postmodern
culture to present the Gospel. When the
government makes things that are immoral legal then people feel that they are
well within the law to exercise their rights.
When a downtrodden people believe that money is the answer to all of
their problems then it is still difficult to teach them how to behave with
respect and dignity. You can move the
boy out of the hood, but you can’t move the hood out of the boy. People who have lots of money tend to feel
that they can do whatever they can afford to do whether it is right or wrong.
A Chance to Present the Gospel
There
are a number of opportunities where we could have presented the gospel to our
main characters in this movie. We could
have presented Christ to the young men when they were first forming the record
label. Instead of them leaning towards
gangster rap perhaps they could have leaned more towards positive,
Inspirational, or Christian rap. Maybe
we could have explained to them that “Life and death is in the power of the
tongue and those who love it will eat the fruit thereof” (Proverbs 18:21 ).
There are consequences that we must face with the words that we
speak. Perhaps the gospel could have
been introduced to the men when they were jailed for inciting a riot at the
concert by performing the song “F The Police.” While they were in
bondage and could hear a word spoken from a man or women of God there may have
been a chance to get their attention.
One may have said to them “See where your music and expression has
gotten you”? “You are locked up behind
bars in a country that is supposed to have free speech.” “The only freedom is a life with a loving and
forgiving God.” “It is our faith in God
and not our money that provides true freedom.”
The word says “Now the Lord is the spirit, and where the spirit of the
Lord is there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17 ). One final opportunity to present the gospel
could have been in the scene where Easy-E died from AIDS. In this scene we see
one of the members of the group not even able to go into the hospital room to
see Easy-E in his present condition.
Perhaps this would have been a great time to offer the salvation of
Jesus in the remission of all of their sins.
A Man of God may have said something like this “let not your friend
Easy-E’s death be in vain. Although he
fought for a better life free from selling drugs and being involved with gangs,
his choices which were fueled by his beliefs and money, led him to sickness and
death.” “God wants more for your life
than just an opportunity to get on stage, curse, make lots of money and then
party afterwards.” “God wants your soul
to be saved. He loves you and forgives you for all unrighteousness.” “Do you
know where you will spend eternity if you are to die today”? “Easy-E died, but do you know that Jesus
Christ died for you so that you could have ever lasting life.”
Needs and Questions
The
need for our young rappers to express themselves in a world where they felt
victimized and oppressed was definite.
There was also a need for our people of authority to see that you cannot
profile a whole generation simply by the color of their skin and where they are
from. Also, young artists need to know
that there is a responsibility when getting on the microphone in front of
people, and you will be held accountable for your words and actions. Finally, the only true freedom in this world
comes from a loving God, and through the blood of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of
Christ and his word is the one that should be spread throughout the world, and
not that which seeks the gain of money, and fame. The most foremost questions
are 1) what God do you serve? 2) Do you serve God or mammon? 3) What profit is
there to gain the whole world and lose your soul?
In
conclusion a movie review response was conducted which identified many
elements, situations, and thought processes that are symptomatic of the
“postmodern condition.” An
identification of an element or two which could provide an obstacle to
presenting the Gospel, as well as an element or two which could provide an
opportunity to present the Gospel was provided, along with an analysis of needs
that were expressed and the foremost questions which might be asked.
Please provide your feedback. I'd like to hear your comments on what you think about the paper, the movie, and your thoughts on our post modern society as a whole.
Thank you.
Get the new "Willie Brown and Friends Gospel Comedy Live" DVD Volume 2. It's available through PayPal
on The Clean Comedy Clinic site at www.cleancomedyclinic.com. It's hilarious and will keep you and your family laughing the entire time.
Get the new "Willie Brown and Friends Gospel Comedy Live" DVD Volume 2. It's available through PayPal
on The Clean Comedy Clinic site at www.cleancomedyclinic.com. It's hilarious and will keep you and your family laughing the entire time.
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