Introduction
Ever wondered why some movies fall flat and others you want to hit rewind and just watch all over again? How about why some books are absolutely thrilling but you forget them a week later, while others you finish with a “meh” mindset and then find yourself wanting to re-read it two weeks afterwards?
I don’t think there’s an easy answer to those questions. Some people prefer a thrilling plot to an original world, while others like life-changing themes over flashy computer graphics. Why? Personal tastes. But, as someone who has gotten into the reviewing world and has recently held multiple conversations about what makes a good story, I figured it was high time y’all got a peek into my brain (scary business, I know ;)) and found out what I think makes a good story.
Read on.
The Criteria
There’s a lot of things that go into a good, wholesome book or movie. There are the technical things, like pacing and graphics and character development. There are the content things, like language and violence and religion. There are the impactful things, like theme and ending and moral character. The most amazing stories hit high on each of these sections and the worst fall short.
If you’ve read any of my reviews, you know that I tend to do things in a pros/cons list type thing, tackling the story in three different sections: Content, Messages, and Morals. (And, if you’re really observant, you’d notice that a few times I’ve also added a fourth section for a few: Technical Stuff.) Why? Because I believe those are some of the most important things in a story. As such, I’m going to take you through each of these sections and give you a hopefully clear, concise list of how I judge things. How?
(Note: the target audience will also have a say in my judgment – if it’s meant for 8-12-year-olds to view, anything sexual is not acceptable. If it’s for adults, I’m ok with more realistic violence and some cussing. I’m going with what I would expect for my target audience – young adult or teen.)
This is going to be a series of three posts, each giving a detailed break-down explaining what I think makes a good story. In this first post I’m going to tackle the Content section – one of THE. BIGGEST. things I keep an eye on while reading a book or watching a movie. Next week I’ll take on Messages and Morals in the same post, since they’re pretty concise and essentially the same thing. And finally, on the last week, I’ll get into the Techy Stuff – the stuff I know about in books and my random guesses with movies. XD Excited to get started? Then let’s dive in.
Content
Language:
No language whatsoever – not even made up words or swearing under breath
Saying “he cursed” or having a character swear under breath; using made-up words or words that aren’t considered “filthy” (i.e. “shucks” “what the blazes” “blast” etc.).
Having characters cuss, but using words that are substitutes for other dirty language (i.e. “heck” “jeez” etc.) or leaving off the bad word but putting the idea in your head (i.e. “what the–” “bloody” etc.)
Cussing, but using “mild” language. If you hear even a supposedly “mild” cuss words three or four times a scene, it would move into the #5 category. About 10 curse words a movie is as far as I’ll go.
Frequent cussing using not only “mild” language, but also obscene language and God’s name as a curse (which is mentioned in the Ten Commandments, BTW). After one use of the f-word, I’ll stop watching in most cases.
Violence:
(Side note: I don’t mind violence in movies so long as it doesn’t get too gory or intense. So my standards for this category is more lax than others’.)
Violence that is neither gory (no blood, we don’t see people actually being killed as that’s off-screen, etc.) nor too adultish (rape and cannibalism and things of that sort). Death in books addressed gently.
Some blood and gore, seeing wounds happen but not viewing actual death or reading all the details. People dying in the distance is fine. The death is dealt with. Adult problems are off-screen/page and are addressed later.
Violence that is gory, but also realistic (lots of blood, vivid descriptions for books or accurate sound-effects for movies, watching people get killed, etc). Adult problems shown, though not too vibrantly (i.e. using silhouettes or something along those lines). Doesn’t last too long.
Gory violence that is dwelt upon and shown in almost unrealistic detail. Adult problems shown all the way through and in detail.
A movie or book that seems to be all about violence. Every other scene is full of gory descriptions and adultish scenes/subjects are common. The entire story is based off of violence and it is shown as good and fine. Death is viewed in a way either contrary to Biblical teaching or not addressed at all. No character suffers from PTSD or any other regrets for the violent acts.
Religion:
A story that is both engaging and Christian (i.e. no chapter-long sermons every other page but sweet, Biblical talks spattered throughout; using the Bible as a standard for all issues; frequent prayer and a realistic relationship with God (neither perfect nor too stiff); etc). Other religions can be addressed and discounted with gentle grace.
A story that has a bit of God mentions and maybe a tad of praying, but nothing else. The characters rely mostly upon themselves. Or a story completely without God or any spiritual beings at all. Zero. Zip. Nada.
A story that has subtle religious themes woven throughout that don’t align with the Bible. The MC (main character) doesn’t necessarily agree with it, but other characters discuss their religions and claim them to be true. The issue isn’t addressed further and viewers/readers are left to form their own opinions.
A story where the main character believes something contrary to the Bible. Their faith is frequently brought up and discussed as true or even shown to be true by the supernatural beings they believe in appearing and working in the plot. Those kind of scenes often leave me shaky with a sick feeling in my stomach.
A story where Christianity, God, and the Bible are frequently denounced and even degraded. Christians are bullied, brutalized, or declared stupid. Bibles are mistreated, God is cursed, and it all is well and good. There is no rebuke, no chastisement – rewards for the characters’ treatment of Christianity are even displayed. This is not only offensive, but dangerous and saddening.
Sexual junk:
Nothing sexual at all. If there is romance, it it realistic, clean, and not entirely emotion or appearance based. No kissing or touching, though hugging/holding hands is ok. (One good example of this is Mortal Engines. Some charries fall in love (I think), but there’s never any kissing. *applauds*)
Some sexual stuff. No inappropriate comments, but characters do kiss and glance at each other inappropriately. People wear immodest clothing.
Not only kissing or making out, but some inappropriate (though subtle) comments and handling in a disrespectful and impure way.
Kissing/making out, handling, clothes being taken off, characters lying together clothed or unclothed, etc. Probably a sex scene, but that is off-screen and you only hear mentions of it. Lewd comments and highly immodest costumes. Characters live together and show lack of boundaries.
An explicit sex scene used to show that these characters are so truly “in love”, ’cause apparently these days sex is what love is. Lots of kissing/making out/other physical nastiness, lewd comments, inappropriate clothing, and marriage is deemed unnecessary or even undesirable.
Magic/witchcraft:
No magic or witchcraft at all. Not even mentioned.
Magic is mentioned, but in an inaccurate way, as the magic isn’t supernatural at all but a natural thing (i.e. superpowers like in Disney’s Frozen (the first one, not second one), the “magic” used is explained to be a natural-born thing and not a supernatural thing, etc).
Magic is used, but again isn’t true “magic” (i.e. the supernatural powers put at work are those of God (like Moses’ miracles) and not of demonic sources (like Simon the Magician), the powers are natural and not supernatural, etc).
Magic is used in its true sense, but the issue is addressed and there is only one or two scenes with it in it. The main character doesn’t use magic to defeat the enemy and magic isn’t portrayed as either good or evil.
Magic is used to defeat the enemy and is not portrayed as evil. There can be “evil magic”, but it is countered by supposedly “good magic”. The author/producer doesn’t explain the source of the magic or explains that it is from a supernatural being that is not God (be it another “god” or demonic sources or something else altogether). The viewers/readers are encouraged to use magic. Magic scenes are frequent.
Drinking/smoking/drugs:
No drinking, smoking, or drugs at all.
Some drinking or smoking, but no drugs and the issue is addressed or portrayed as unhealthy. (Some exceptions would be the smoking in LOTR, as that was written in a time when smoking was thought to actually be healthy, not unhealthy.)
Drinking and smoking and drugs, but the issues are addressed and the character at least begins to move towards making a change by the end of the movie if not making a change before it ends.
All of the above, but the issues are not addressed and the MC participates in these acts under peer pressure or having already been addicted to them.
All of the above. The acts are portrayed as good and desirable and no character suffers the consequences of doing these things.
Wrap Up
Phew. *wipes forehead* Congrats if you read all of that. XD As a side note, though, I’d like to say that these are more guidelines for me, not rules. They certainly don’t apply to everyone. These are simply my personal convictions, gathered from years of reading so vigorous it became almost ferocious and watching movies. Don’t feel obliged to use these as your standard unless your conscience agrees with it – and make sure it’s your conscience, not your desires. 😉
For a lot of these, I’ll watch movies with cussing in them if the plot is really good or the character development promises a good thematic conclusion. Or I’ll watch one that has no sexual junk or language even if it has false religions in it that aren’t addressed. It all is in balance, for me. If one section is high on the good side, then it evens out the one on the bad side, depending on the seriousness of the offense. If, by the end of the story/movie, the scale is tipped in the bad stuff’s side, it’s going to get a negative review. If it’s evenly balanced, it’ll get an evenly balanced review. And if it’s tipped in favor of good, I’m probably going to rant over it for the rest of my days. XD
Long story short, do what you think is right. This series of posts is more for those of you who want to know if you can trust me as a reviewer and can’t figure it out from my reviews rather than for those who are looking for entertainment or writing advice. 😉
I’d love to hear your thoughts, though!! What do you look for in a book? When will you put it down? Where is your balance? Have you ever read a story that was so dark you knew God was telling you to let it go and never come back? How about one that had you bouncing off the walls it was so. stinkin’. good? Tell me all!
Until next time,
Take courage, pursue God, and smile while you still have teeth. 😀
~Joelle
(P.S. 16 hours after I signed off I came back to my blog and realized I forgot to publish this. *facepalm* Hence why you get this on a Tuesday. XD)
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