Cultural critic Marc Newman makes a compelling argument for the power of Christians to impact Hollywood. In “The Academy Awards: Whose Vote Really Counts,” he discusses this years Oscar contenders and their monetary value to the studios. He writes:
The collective domestic box office of all five Best Picture nominees currently stands at about $230 million. That is nearly the domestic gross of The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe–if you are willing to knock off $50 million from Narnia’s take to date. Hollywood has a name for these huge hits–tent poles. They are the films that prop up a studio’s slate of so-so releases. But for some strange reason, the Academy often appears ashamed at its own successes. There is not a single major nomination going to any of the top fifteen grossing films this year.
Newman goes on to say that films like Brokeback Mountain may win the awards and critical acclaim, but they don’t make money and Hollywood cannot afford to make only those kinds of films. We shouldn’t overrate the importance of an Oscar nomination or win, because money is what ultimately counts–and it is what ultimately gives viewers, Christians, power:
The election that gets the attention of studios is the one that occurs at the ticket booth, where you vote with your wallet. 80 percent of this year’s Best Picture nominees are rated R. In 2005, 90 percent of the top-twenty grossing films were rated G, PG, or PG-13. Many of those films opened opportunities to talk about virtues, the darkness of sin, and the importance of family and sacrifice.
I often hear people complain that Hollywood is out of touch with mainstream viewers, and that may be true of some directors and writers. Lamenting immorality or violence or whatever only gets us so far. Better to take action: if you value movies, then be willing to spend money on the ones you like and want to see more of. The studios will listen.
Read more from Newman at his website: http://www.movieministry.com/.
Charis means grace, and that’s what this blog is about: grace, in all its—sometimes messy, always magnificent—manifestations. I’m Dan Butcher, and I invite you to join me in learning to lead a Christ-centered, grace-filled life. 
Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.