no worries, no spoilers. in the normal sense.

I read a “review” of sorts that warns parents not to take their children to this film. it’s too dark, the column claims. it is dark. but too dark? where does the line reside for these things?

The Joker embodies raw evil. he seeks nothing other than general destruction. just for kicks. he balks at piles of cash, he can’t be bought. he desires nothing more than for Batman to live so that his psychotic plays have an equal and fitting partner. truly, this man is disturbing.

but he’s nothing compared to the real thing.

recently, I reentered the world of The Spirit of the Rainforest. this book will shiver your timbers. Shoefoot’s tribe makes the Joker look like…well…a joke. a prof at Dallas Seminary used this as a required text, and I praise God for his wisdom in forcing us to read it. especially as Western Christians, we must face the reality of the spiritual realm. Two-Face would turn his tail and scamper screaming if he encountered these spirits.

Rainforest opens with a duel designed for death. two men stand toe-to-toe and beat each other senseless with clubs. it only gets worse. and scarier. much scarier. it traces the heritage and eventual Christian salvation of a Yanomamo shaman.

enjoy the film. it’s fun for the whole family (people were laughing at The Joker in our theater). if you want “dark,” however, read this book. sooner than later, share it with your kids. they need to know that the spiritual realm exists - with power, but a power less than ours.