All we like sheep have gone consuming

Just a rant here . . . nothing profound.

But, first, a note: Just because nothing has been posted to this blog does not mean that I have not been writing. I am hard at work on another project that is not something bloggable. We now return you to the rant ...

So, I, like many others, purchased the limited edition 4-disc DVD set of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. While I enjoyed and appreciated the movie, I am thoroughly disappointed (so far) with the 3+ discs of limited edition piffle. And this is further evidence of the herd instinct of Christian-dom being manipulated by Hollywood-dom. At least, in my opinion.

Before I detail that claim, allow me to detail a few of the issues with the DVD set.

First, the set arrived without the promised companion guidebook. Some research on the Internet reveals that this was a packaging error and that only certain sets have the book. The Internet rumor mill swears that a simple call to Disney will cause a companion guide to be issued without delay ... except that Disney customer service is closed for an as yet undetermined length of time for the ChristmaHannuKwan Holidays. And probably Boxing Day, too, eh?

Second, the packaging boasts an extended battle sequence, but (so far) I can find no documentation or explanation or insight as to what, exactly, is extended. I think I will be left on my own to do a side-by-side comparison. I did re-watch the battle sequence and was very impressed with it. Far more impressed than I remember being several months ago when I first saw the initial DVD release. But the technical side of me wants to know what scenes were extended by how long and what the reasoning was behind the theatrical edit.

Third, the packaging also boasts an introduction by the director of the film, Andrew-what's-it. When I see that, I expect a gem of insight or warmth from the director as we head into the movie ... at least as good as the introductions I see for classic films on TCM or the like. Instead, some undernourished adolescent pops up, claims his name is Andrew-what's it, and hopes we enjoy the film. That's it. Fade to black and roll the movie. I haven't been that disappointed since Chewbacca showed up in Revenge of the Sith (too bad Chewie couldn't have grabbed Han Solo and saved that sorry film - but that is another topic).

Fourth, I started watching what I thought would be the shining star of the entire package: the hour long biography on C S Lewis. I had only watched a few minutes before life interrupted and I have yet to get back to it ... but that is partly because the first few minutes were not very inspiring. I will withhold final judgment until I have seen the piece in its entirety.

Now, here's the fun part. We were visiting a friend who had the set and had actually received his promised companion guidebook. After perusing this meager paper trinket, I have decided to save Disney the cost and embarrassment of sending of sending me one. It is barely more that what is shown on the back of the box, except that it includes a few minuscule photos that surely would be impressive if they were even as large as a postage stamp.

All of this to say that I am now more convinced than ever that Hollywood gets Christians ... and knows how to get their money. We all know that family friendly movies make more money and have better loyalty for DVD and merchandise sales than your raunchier or mature offerings like Wedding Crashers or Flags of our Fathers. But the loyalty shown is blind (beyond morality beacons pointed out and reinforced by the politically hungry Dr. Dobson and the like). The Chronicles of Narnia extended DVD set is (so far) crap. But it will sell because it is family friendly and pushed to the Christian consumer as being Lord of the Rings type extended edition work when in reality it is, as I have said, crap. So far. So when will Christians be less loyal and more demanding when it comes to quality? Are we simply going to let Disney and whichever-studio-and-production-company that put out the Nativity movie (which I have not see but have heard almost universally is a dud) get away with our money simply because they are making entertainment that the moral guardians say is family friendly?

Prediction: Mel Gibson's Apocolypto is sinking like a Mayan temple stone. He is going to need some cash into his movie business. Look for a sequel or other narrative movie to follow up on the Passion.

Prediction: Disney will not regard the commercial success of Narnia as a reason to start inserting two-parent households into its films. (Even its adaptation of Narnia is introduced with a functioning one parent home.)

Hollywood likes our money and will make products that will get our money ... but only good enough to get our money. I just wish we, as believers, would be a little more demanding of quality rather than comfort.

Rant over. Get back to your day.