Guided Discussion List Movies
Movies that have been reviewed and are on the Guided Discussion List continue to be RESTRICTED and are not allowed to be possessed or viewed by students. However, Guided Discussion List movies have been determined to contain some redeeming and/or educational values and could be viewed and discussed with the guidance of a member of the IWU faculty or staff. Movies on this list are not allowed to be assigned as homework or to be watched individually and discussed at a later time. An IWU faculty or staff member must be present, provided the faculty/staff member is prepared to give an appropriate introduction to the film and lead quality discussion with all present after the film has been viewed. The expectation is that faculty and staff who present films are knowledgeable of the topic and can speak to the historical accuracy and significance of the film or will arrange for other faculty/staff who are so knowledgeable. Discussion questions should be prepared by the facilitator, and a disclaimer must be read before the film is shown. If you have any questions, please contact the Student Development Office at x2204.
Amistad
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Billy Elliot
Black Hawk Down
Braveheart
Blood Diamond
Capote
Donnie Darko
Enron: The Smartest Guy in the Room
The Godfather Trilogy
Good Will Hunting
Hurricane
Kingdom of Heaven
The Laramie Project
The Last Castle
Levity
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Mississippi Burning
Nixon
No Man's Land
Once
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Paradise Road
Rendition
Saving Private Ryan
Schindler's List
Tears of the Sun
The Green Mile
There Will Be Blood
United 93
Amistad
This movie was rated R for violence and adult situations.
ChristianAnswers.net: Amistad
Roger Ebert: Amistad
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
This film is rated R for some strong violence and brief sexual references. The plot centers on Jesse James’ last few weeks prior to his murder by Robert Ford through a review of how the two met. The basic historical references are included; however, there is inference in the content regarding the characters. Story reflects the lawlessness of that western era and presents opportunity for psychological discussion of the characters. In response to this film, viewers may want to consider the History Channel’s Jesse James: American Outlaw that refers to archive photographs and the work of historians. Viewers should be aware of some profanities, violence contained in old west murders, and some crude sexual dialogue.
ScreenIt.com: The Assassination of Jesse James
ScreenIt.com 'Our Take': The Assassination of Jesse James
Kids in Mind: The Assassination of Jesse James
Black Hawk Down
This movie was rated R for graphic violence and profanity.
ScreenIt.com: Black Hawk Down
ChristianAnswers.net: Black Hawk Down
Billy Elliot
This movie was rated R for language.
ScreenIt.com: Billy Elliot
ChristianAnswers.net: Billy Elliot
Braveheart
This movie was rated R for graphic violence and brief nudity.
ChristianAnswers.net: Braveheart
Roger Ebert: Braveheart
Blood Diamond
Blood Diamond is rated R for strong violence and language. Blood Diamond is a challenging film to be viewed from a mature perspective. The content is graphic; it is violent and the use of profanity is frequent. However, the perspective is a realistic one. The violence surrounding the diamond industry and the treatment of those who serve as forced labor is real. It is important to be aware of what is occurring in the world and how we currently live (in this case our materialism) can impact the world. An understanding of the ripple effect of our actions especially as a dominant country – the ripple effect can be a negative one. Potential viewers need to consider the content of the film prior to watching it, because some may find it disturbing due to the violence and language. The use of clear play for excessive violence and language is required for this film to be viewed. Clear play is available in the Globe Theatre.
Pluggedinonline.com: Blood Diamond
ChristianAnswers.net: Blood Diamond
Capote
This movie was rated R for some violent images and brief strong language.
Pluggedinonline.com: Capote
ChristianAnswers.net: Capote
Donnie Darko
This movie was rated R for profanity, drug use and violence.
Roger Ebert: Donnie Darko
Movie-Reviews.Colossus.net: Donnie Darko
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room***
This movie was rated R for language and some nudity. ***Movie must be viewed through “clear play” set for the removal of nudity and profanity.
Colossus: Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
The Godfather Trilogy
The Godfather Trilogy was reviewed as a whole, rather than by individual submissions. For comparison sake however, the review is broken down by individual movie. The Godfather was rated R for graphic violence, profanity and is not for children.
The Godfather II was rated R for graphic violence and is not suitable for children.
The Godfather III was rated R for graphic violence, adult situations, adult language, profanity and is questionable for children.
Movie-Reviews.Colossus.net: The Godfather Trilogy
Good Will Hunting
This movie was rated R for strong language including some sex-related dialogue.
ScreenIt.com: Good Will Hunting ChristianAnswers.net: Good Will Hunting
Hurricane
This movie was rated R for violence and profanity.
ScreenIt.com: Hurricane
Kingdom of Heaven
This movie is rated R for strong violence and epic warfare.
Kingdom of Heaven is a challenging film to be viewed from a mature perspective. The film presents the crusades in a non-biased manner, provides an opportunity to discuss war for the sake of religion, is loosely based in history, presents the good and bad of both sides, provides the opportunity to discuss right vs. wrong – especially relating to actions in the name of a cause, and shows main character development. However, it is extremely violent and is graphic in depicting the manner of war of that time and the violent nature of men. Potential viewers need to be informed of and consider the content of the film prior to watching it, because some may find it disturbing due to the violence. Those utilizing this film need to present information about the violent film content in a prominent manner for potential viewers.
ScreenIt.com: Kingdom of Heaven
The Laramie Project
The Laramie Project contains profanity and strong violent content. The Laramie Project is the film version of a play by New York’s Tectonic Theater Project and is based upon over 200 interviews conducted in Laramie following the murder of Matthew Shepard. The story of Shepard’s death and the trial that followed is depicted as well as the interviews with Laramie residents. The film content is a strong statement about hate and what can result. Viewers need to be prepared for the portrayal of this real life story.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0257850/
The Last Castle
This movie was rated R for violence and profanity.
ScreenIt.com: The Last Castle
Levity
This movie was rated R for language
ScreenIt.com: Levity
ChristianAnswers.net: Levity
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
This movie is rated R for violence and is not for children.
Movie-Reviews.Colossus.net: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Mississippi Burning
This movie was rated R for language and violence.
ChristianAnswers.net: Mississippi Burning
Nixon
This movie was rated R for language.
ChristianAnswers.net: Nixon
No Man's Land
No Man's Land is rated R for violence and profanity. No Man’s Land presents the story of a Bosnian and Serb who are trapped in a trench between enemy lines. The media and the UN are also involved. The film raises questions about war and the reality for those who are involved first hand. There is significant profanity indicated in the subtitles of the film. Language should be considered prior to viewing the film.
ChristianAnswers.net: No Man's Land
http://www.reel.com/movie.asp?MID=134102&Tab=reviews&buy=open#tabs
Once
Once is rated R for language. Once is the story of an Ireland street musician who pursues a music career with the help of a woman he meets.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0907657/
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
The movie was rated R for language and mature content.
FilmSite.org: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Paradise Road
This movie is rated R for violence.
ScreenIt.com: Paradise Road
Rendition
This film is rated R for torture/violence and language. The film portrays the story of an American engineer who is held for questioning in a foreign country because of a questionable cell phone number and potential ties to terrorist activities. His wife launches a search and tries to get answers. Viewers should be warned about violence and torture scenes, as well as 10+ profanities. The film prompts dialogue about the fight against terrorism, appropriate responses to the threat of terror, and the potential bias in filmmaking.
PluggedinOnline.com: Rendition
ScreenIt.com: Rendition Christianity Today: Rendition
Saving Private Ryan
This movie was rated R for graphic violence, adult language and is not for children.
ScreenIt.com: Saving Private Ryan
Schindler's List
This movie was rated R for graphic violence, adult situations and nudity. ***Movie must be viewed through “clear play” set for the removal of nudity. (availible on campus) The film though graphic and at times disturbing is historical. The historical and cultural significance of the film offers a great deal for discussion, both in respect to World War II and modern occurrences of genocide.
ChristianAnswers.net: Schindler's List
Tears of the Sun
This movie was rated R for strong war violence, some brutality and profanity.
ScreenIt.com: Tears of the Sun
The Green Mile
This movie was rated R for violence, adult language and sexual situations.
ChristianAnswers.net: The Green Mile
ScreenIt.com: The Green Mile
There Will Be Blood
This film is rated R for some violence. The plot centers upon Daniel Plainview who accidentally discovers oil when prospecting for silver in the early 1900’s. Plainview who is an antisocial character continues to disassociate and alienate others as he pursues wealth and the desire to become an oil tycoon. There are also presentations of other characters including a hypocritical preacher. The film provides opportunity for character study and psychological flaws or challenges. The film poses the question of those without hope. Viewers should be aware of some violent images and disturbing character behavior.
Screenit.com: There Will Be Blood
PluggedIn.com: There Will Be Blood
ChristianAnswers.net: There Will Be Blood
United 93
This movie was rated R for language, and some intense sequences of terror and violence.
ChristianAnswers.net: United 93
ScreenIt.com: United 93