Michael Medved

Michael Medved (born October 1948) is an American nationally syndicated conservative radio talk show host, film critic and author. He is also an Orthodox Jew (although Medved describes himself as an "Observant Jew").

Movie reviews

Medved is notable as the best-known socially conservative film critic. He has been an outspoken critic of how religion is portrayed by mainstream Hollywood. He was one of the Jewish voices in America that praised Mel Gibson's controversial movie, The Passion of the Christ (2004). Medved was also a historical consultant on the movie Luther (2004), about the life of Martin Luther. As an observant Jew, Medved has said he has more in common with observant Christians than he does with some secular Jews in Hollywood who he has stated have abandoned their faith and the underlying moral principles of Judaism. One of Medved's religious mentors is Rabbi Daniel Lapin, an Orthodox Rabbi and founder of Toward Tradition, a group that supports stronger ties between observant Christian and Jewish conservatives.

Related Topics:
Religion - Hollywood - Mel Gibson - The Passion of the Christ - 2004 - Luther - Martin Luther - Christian - Rabbi Daniel Lapin - Toward Tradition

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pro– and anti–Judeo-Christian films

Medved has criticized Hollywood's obsession with dark and pessimistic subject matter in the name of "art" over uplifting and optimistic works that the vast majority of the public actually want. He claims that this is demonstrated by box office success of pro–Judeo-Christian films (such as The Ten Commandments and Chariots of Fire), and films that promote traditional values such as The Incredibles. Medved also praised March of the Penguins for its pro-family conservative message.

Related Topics:
The Ten Commandments - Chariots of Fire - The Incredibles - March of the Penguins

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Medved was criticized for alledgedly giving away the ending of Million Dollar Baby. Medved countered that the movie promotions were very misleading to the dark subject matter of that film. Rather than a Rocky-esqe film about boxing, it was essentially a pro right to die movie. http://www.opinionjournal.com/la/?id=110006305 Medved pointed out that he did not disclose the entire plot, just enough information that his listeners could make an informed choice about that movie.

Related Topics:
Million Dollar Baby - Rocky

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Medved has suggested this focus on dark depressing subject matter is contributing to lower box office turnouts, such the failure of anti–Judeo-Christian films such as King David. At the same time, Medved has also noted that just being a "family" or "values" oriented movie will not necessarily mean it is any good. Medved has also praised movies for their artistic value even though he disagrees with the underlying political message (i.e., The Motorcycle Diaries about the early life of Che Guevara). Medved has criticized Sean Penn and Tim Robbins' politics, while praising their works as actors and directors.

Related Topics:
King David - The Motorcycle Diaries - Che Guevara - Sean Penn - Tim Robbins - Actor - Directors

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He has also long been an especially outspoken critic of what he characterizes as inappropriate entertainment for or about children, including The Simpsons, Beavis and Butt-head, and South Park. He has even criticized Disney movies such as Pocahontas for "dark and politically correct preaching about persecution of Native Americans", and Mulan for promoting "the liberating impact of cross-dressing". http://www.libertyhaven.com/politicsandcurrentevents/educationhomeschoolingorchildren/savingchildhood.shtml

Related Topics:
The Simpsons - Beavis and Butt-head - South Park - Pocahontas - Mulan

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~