Christian Task Force Develops New Rating System for Films

A task force made up of representatives from Christian retailers including ChristianCinema.com and The Dove Foundation, developed a new rating system for DVDs and theatrical films to equip customers with information about content.

“No one wants to be surprised with unexpected language or uncomfortable situations depicted on the screen when the family settles down to view entertainment,” said Ron Forster, owner of The Open Door in Terre Haute, IN, and a member of the task force. He said the ratings help give consumers information they need to confirm a purchasing decision and assist retailers by providing definitive information about the content.

The Dove Foundation's new rating system, which should be finalized this summer, adds categories for films  that are "Faith Based," "Faith Friendly," in addition to their already popular "Family Approved" Seal.

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Vote for the best Dove Family-Approved movies for 2009

You may now cast your vote online for your favorite Dove Family-Approved movie of 2009. Click on this link: http://www.dove.org/cdsballot09.asp The winners in each of 7 categories ADVENTURE, ANIMATED, COMEDY, DOCUMENTARY, DRAMA, LIMITED RELEASE and MUSICAL will receive the coveted Crystal Dove Seal trophy. Deadline for voting is February 15th.   




In preparation for this article I Googled the “ten best movies of 2009” and found a mere 2,080,000 entries.  One would think that this topic has been thoroughly covered. Upon further research, however, I found that the vast majority of the 2 million plus entries reflect the opinions of single bloggers.  Most of the rest were op-ed pieces written by film “critics.” Not much consensus there. A few websites reflect collective opinions from voters or members, such as the American Film Institute (AFI).
          Actually, voting is a very credible way of selecting the best of anything, so long as we acknowledge that the results reflect the subjective opinions of voters. There are absolutely no objective criteria where voting is concerned, even if someone can site the tangible basis for casting their particular vote. So, what separates one “best of” award from another?  The qualifications and commonalities of the voters.

          Acclaimed awards like the Critics Choice Awards and the Golden Globes represent the collective opinion of each group’s members/voters, most of whom are critics or pundits. Others like the Academy Awards, Producers’ Guild, Writers’ Guild, and Screen Actors’ Guild Awards represent peers voting for peers; hardly an objective group.
          Voters of their favorite Dove Family Approved movie of 2009 are joined by a set of common values based on traditional Judeo-Christian ethics and standards of behavior. Dove voters are mostly enthusiastic movie-goers who look for quality motion pictures that entertain without offending.  

          Major movie studios and independent filmmakers value the Crystal Dove Seal. This award is a tribute to you and the hundreds of thousands of other Dove families who care about making wise entertainment choices and acknowledging when Hollywood produces movies that reflect their values.

          Vote now and we will send you a copy of the results and the comments of each studio exec. You will also be included in a special drawing for some pretty nice Dove family approved DVDs.

          The polls are now open - vote today!