Love is Blind

Today, I was listening to the radio on my way home from work when I heard a review of the new Twilight movie Eclipse, given by "the nation's only blind movie critic," Jay Forry. Really! He can't see, and he has been critiquing movies for a long time...

First of all, what a concept, huh?! But, in an era where directors think they can add explosions and sexy women to every BAD movie and create a smash hit, Mr. Forry comes along and lets audiences know whether a movie really is worth "seeing." Any guesses what he thought about Eclipse?

No good.

Indeed, he says the dialog is juvenile, the plot goes no where, and the "action" everyone is talking about comes in a heap at the end. And, though I must admit I haven't seen the film myself--nor do I plan to after the catastrophic first two--I'm absolutely positive I would agree heartily.

The only thing with which I disagreed was Forry's statement, "This movie is fine for the target audience--meaning teenage girls," because--for some reason--teenage girls are not the only ones squealing over this movie. A disturbing number of 20, 30, and 40-somethings are raving about the thrills, the action, and....the "romance." And, this last point literally makes me sick.

I've long said truth is the most important thing in the world to me. (Jesus even said, "I am the Truth," so I think myself clever for finding a way to describe everything I care most about in a single word.) But, if I had to be more specific, I would say the truth about love is the most important thing to me. And there is nothing close to love in the Twilight movies.

These days, people--and especially women--are mistaking obsessive desire and animal-like sexuality for love and romance. And I'd like to know why said women, who would fight for equality in the work place, the right for an education, and plenty of other feminine causes without hesitation, turn around and support a movie in which a selfish, untalented, and codependent lead female allows pretty-faced and empty-headed "men" to compete for her....? Can anyone explain this to me?

Just like today's "romance novels" (which are porn-in-writing) have nothing to do with true, kind, patient, and sacrificial love, our modern romantic movies (sex on screen) are destroying the nation's understanding of what a good relationship looks like. And some of them, like Twilight, are being marketed to young girls.

Ladies in your 20's and 30's, and especially you mothers-of-teens in your 40's, you should be helping your hormonal daughters see the frivolity, even the dangers, of absorbing something with as little substance as Eclipse; not drooling over Edward and Jacob alongside them....

To quote Mr. Forry one more time, "[The second movie, New Moon] is so melodramatic it's funny, and some of the story lines are just ridiculous... [it's] all about Taylor Lautner running around without a shirt in the cold weather."

And I LOVE the fact that a blind man can see that.

(By the way, Jay Forry's website is found at blindsidereviews.com)