Do you concur with MPAA ratings on recent movies

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: vulcanman

Originally posted by: Linflas
News flash. I grew up in the bad old non-PC 1960's and I don't abuse/beat my wife, grab unknown women's asses or breasts etc. It has nothing to do with the movies and culture I was exposed to but how my parents raised me.

If you don't think movies and TV shows influence the way kids (and some adults) dress and act ... go to your local club or mall and observe the crowd.

I work in a school and see it on a daily basis. What has changed is the way kids are dealt with when they act and dress inappropriately and the culture is just a reflection of that.

 

[potato28]

Opps, clicked the wrong poll selection. Don't care though, I have my ID to get into any movie.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
I don't watch many "PG" movies, so I can't really say if that rating is being abused much.

I can say though, I've been quite shocked at what some PG-13 movies get away with. The whole rating system is quite a joke. It's not what you say it's how you say it. It's not the fact that someguy got decapitated on screen, it's that it sprayed blood when it happened. Boobs are okay if you pose naked for a picture, but got forbid somebody puts a hand on them.

It's like some guy is sitting there with some sort of formula punching these things in.

14 "sh!ts'
1 "F" bomb
A nipple slip
47 deaths, 2 of which were graphic

......

compute

......

Ok, that's an R.

Then they take it back to the studio and say, take out one death, one F bomb, or the tit and you'll get the PG-13.

It's just a completely fouled up system that isn't there as a benefit to parents. It's there as a punishment/control system for the studios.

I've read (no idea where) that in PG-13 they can have nudity without sex or sex without nudity. Put them together and it's an R rating. Not sure if that's true, but I've never found an example that disproves it (not that I'm looking). Also you can say fuck once, but not twice. And no motherfucker (sorry John McClane). Again, not sure if it's true but I've never seen a movie that disproves it. So I think there is a formula element to it, but I think there is also a subjective element as well.

 

[davestar]

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: davestar

Originally posted by: vulcanman
I am troubled by the language and adult themes in recent PG movies. Are parents losing the battle when it comes to regulating what their kids watch ? Especially, when some PG-13 / PG rated movies are more riskque than some R rated movies.

I'll try to ignore the general insanity (and bad spelling) of this statement and respond to the question at hand...

If anything, PG have become tamer in recent years. Go back and watch PG movies from the 80's - Back To The Future, Gremlins, Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom. PG movies regularly had elaborate violence, cursing (up to and including shit and fuck), racism, and the dreaded "sexual situations".

WTF is up with parents these days. My friends who grew up in families that regularly cursed and otherwise didn't hide innapropriate content are as well adjusted as anyone else I know - possibly moreso. There's more to parenting than censorship.

The problem was there was no rating between PG and R prior to 1984 so they had to go one way or the other. Temple of Doom caused the MPAA to get together and create the PG-13 rating which was first given to the movie Red Dawn.

OK, take out Indy and my points remain. For example, here's some 80's PG movies (post PG-13 era) that use the word "fuck":

Spaceballs
Beetlejuice
Crocodile Dundee
Big

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: davestar

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: davestar

Originally posted by: vulcanman
I am troubled by the language and adult themes in recent PG movies. Are parents losing the battle when it comes to regulating what their kids watch ? Especially, when some PG-13 / PG rated movies are more riskque than some R rated movies.

I'll try to ignore the general insanity (and bad spelling) of this statement and respond to the question at hand...

If anything, PG have become tamer in recent years. Go back and watch PG movies from the 80's - Back To The Future, Gremlins, Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom. PG movies regularly had elaborate violence, cursing (up to and including shit and fuck), racism, and the dreaded "sexual situations".

WTF is up with parents these days. My friends who grew up in families that regularly cursed and otherwise didn't hide innapropriate content are as well adjusted as anyone else I know - possibly moreso. There's more to parenting than censorship.

The problem was there was no rating between PG and R prior to 1984 so they had to go one way or the other. Temple of Doom caused the MPAA to get together and create the PG-13 rating which was first given to the movie Red Dawn.

OK, take out Indy and my points remain. For example, here's some 80's PG movies (post PG-13 era) that use the word "fuck":

Spaceballs
Beetlejuice
Crocodile Dundee
Big

The rating system isn't a totally rigid set of rules. It is in large part still subject to the determination of the committees that review the films. There is still some crossover though a lot less than prior to the PG-13 rating.

The system is rarely described as fair or totally consistent.

 

[vulcanman]

Originally posted by: K1052
The system is rarely described as fair or totally consistent.

And when its unfair ... it "consistently" leans toward leniency.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: vulcanman

Originally posted by: K1052
The system is rarely described as fair or totally consistent.

And when its unfair ... it "consistently" leans toward leniency.

Read my post above about why it was created in the first place.

It isn't a replacement for parental discernment over what content their children should be shown.

 

[rise]

meh, i have an 11y/o son but i really don't pay much attention to the ratings. you can get more/better info about a film online than some rating system. same with games and music.

 

[torpid]

The MPAA ratings system is perhaps the most corrupt system of its kind on the planet. I would have more faith in a boxing organization's rankings than an MPAA rating. If anyone actually thinks that Whale Rider is deserving of a PG-13 rating, they are surely mentally challenged.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: K1052
Personally I think the standards this country has as a whole when it comes to ratings in any form of media are totally fucked up. Somehow showing a tit for about a nanosecond is somehow worse than 100 people being gruesomely executed.

yeah, I think at the very least side boobs should be allowed in PG movies Hell, Europeans grow up exposed to sexual situations as kids, and they don't go off blowing up buildings or gun-toting rampages as often as we do....

for parents, I think if you have concerns with what is shown in a flick, you should screen it beforehand. Remember kids, censorship should start at an early age

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: vulcanman
Monster House - an otherwise superb production .... rated PG ... caught us off guard when one of the characters comments "She grabbed my butt !". That and a few other comments denigrated women (girls, in this case). Not the right message to send to young boys.

I almost forgot about the drug inuendo in Schrek 2. that kinda surprised me, heh he.

In the butt grabbing case, I think what's important is how the situation is presented in the film. Is it a behavior that is praised or punished based on character reactions? and how does it denigrate women? it sounds like the chick copped a feel on the dude. or is their some crazy lezbo action in Monster House that I was unaware of?

 

[lokiju]

Look at 80's PG-13 and todays.

IMO they showed more in the 80's than the do these days.

Then again I was surprised at how "adult" Beowulf was for being PG-13.

 

[MrPickins]

Originally posted by: vulcanman

Originally posted by: Deeko
Really? You're concerned over "she grabbed my butt"? Come on now, that's ridiculous. Its PG, not G. They actually SWEAR in PG-13, and can show brief nudity, you know that, right? Hardly the same as "she grabbed my butt"

Concur. Evidently, there is grave hypocrisy ... in that, we are ok with PG and PG-13 movies that denigrate women (FYI - I am a dad) ... but are shocked when kids grow up abuse/beat their wives and girlfriends ?

And that applies to sex as well - Ok to show it ... but vehemently disapprove of kids who engage in it.

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

Won't someone think of the children?!?

Teh movies, they will warp them!

 

[davestar]

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: davestar
OK, take out Indy and my points remain. For example, here's some 80's PG movies (post PG-13 era) that use the word "fuck":

Spaceballs
Beetlejuice
Crocodile Dundee
Big

The rating system isn't a totally rigid set of rules. It is in large part still subject to the determination of the committees that review the films. There is still some crossover though a lot less than prior to the PG-13 rating.

The system is rarely described as fair or totally consistent.

Um, right, but what does that have to do with what I said?

My point was about the trending of PG movies. The OP was complaining about the content in a modern PG movie and I claimed that it was nothing new. In fact, there's much more objectionable content in older PG movies. Have you seen a modern PG movie that's as risque as a mid-late 80's PG movie?

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: davestar

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: davestar
OK, take out Indy and my points remain. For example, here's some 80's PG movies (post PG-13 era) that use the word "fuck":

Spaceballs
Beetlejuice
Crocodile Dundee
Big

The rating system isn't a totally rigid set of rules. It is in large part still subject to the determination of the committees that review the films. There is still some crossover though a lot less than prior to the PG-13 rating.

The system is rarely described as fair or totally consistent.

Um, right, but what does that have to do with what I said?

My point was about the trending of PG movies. The OP was complaining about the content in a modern PG movie and I claimed that it was nothing new. In fact, there's much more objectionable content in older PG movies. Have you seen a modern PG movie that's as risque as a mid-late 80's PG movie?

That's because the interpretations can shift over time and with changes within the Ratings boards. The PG-13 was a new rating and the existing boards were still working things out. There isn't a super secret set of empirical all-inclusive rules governing the system.

 

[DangerAardvark]

What are you, a Quaker? (Love your Oats BTW)

 

[rise]

Taggart: I got it. I got it.
Hedley Lamarr: You do?
Taggart: We'll work up a "Number 6" on 'em.
Hedley: "Number 6"? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with that one...
Taggart: Well, that's where we go a-ridin' into town, a whampin' and whompin' every livin' thing that moves within an inch of its life. Except the women folks, of course.
Hedley: You spare the women?
Taggart: NAW. We rape the shit out of them at the Number 6 Dance later on.
Hedley: Marvelous.

 

[Captante]

Originally posted by: K1052
Personally I think the standards this country has as a whole when it comes to ratings in any form of media are totally fucked up. Somehow showing a tit for about a nanosecond is somehow worse than 100 people being gruesomely executed.

This was the first thing that ocurred to me ... unlimited violence is just fine but god-forbid the slightest mention of sex!

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: davestar

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: davestar
OK, take out Indy and my points remain. For example, here's some 80's PG movies (post PG-13 era) that use the word "fuck":

Spaceballs
Beetlejuice
Crocodile Dundee
Big

The rating system isn't a totally rigid set of rules. It is in large part still subject to the determination of the committees that review the films. There is still some crossover though a lot less than prior to the PG-13 rating.

The system is rarely described as fair or totally consistent.

Um, right, but what does that have to do with what I said?

My point was about the trending of PG movies. The OP was complaining about the content in a modern PG movie and I claimed that it was nothing new. In fact, there's much more objectionable content in older PG movies. Have you seen a modern PG movie that's as risque as a mid-late 80's PG movie?

It is not so much that they are allowing less as that the expectations have changed over time. Look at any show for kids from the 80's or earlier.

 

[davestar]

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: davestar

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: davestar
OK, take out Indy and my points remain. For example, here's some 80's PG movies (post PG-13 era) that use the word "fuck":

Spaceballs
Beetlejuice
Crocodile Dundee
Big

The rating system isn't a totally rigid set of rules. It is in large part still subject to the determination of the committees that review the films. There is still some crossover though a lot less than prior to the PG-13 rating.

The system is rarely described as fair or totally consistent.

Um, right, but what does that have to do with what I said?

My point was about the trending of PG movies. The OP was complaining about the content in a modern PG movie and I claimed that it was nothing new. In fact, there's much more objectionable content in older PG movies. Have you seen a modern PG movie that's as risque as a mid-late 80's PG movie?

That's because the interpretations can shift over time and with changes within the Ratings boards. The PG-13 was a new rating and the existing boards were still working things out. There isn't a super secret set of empirical all-inclusive rules governing the system.

Well aware and I wasn't trying to debate or question that. I'm simply trying to point out the OP's misconception that PG movies have become more risque.

From the OP: "I am troubled by the language and adult themes in recent PG movies."

The jist of my posts: "Well, you shouldn't be troubled because older PG movies had more bad language and adult themes than modern PG movies."

 

[aircooled]

My daughter's 16 now, but I have never censored her from movies because of their rating if I am watching it with her. I'd rather her see a good R rated movie than a crappy PG one.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: davestar

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: davestar

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: davestar
OK, take out Indy and my points remain. For example, here's some 80's PG movies (post PG-13 era) that use the word "fuck":

Spaceballs
Beetlejuice
Crocodile Dundee
Big

The rating system isn't a totally rigid set of rules. It is in large part still subject to the determination of the committees that review the films. There is still some crossover though a lot less than prior to the PG-13 rating.

The system is rarely described as fair or totally consistent.

Um, right, but what does that have to do with what I said?

My point was about the trending of PG movies. The OP was complaining about the content in a modern PG movie and I claimed that it was nothing new. In fact, there's much more objectionable content in older PG movies. Have you seen a modern PG movie that's as risque as a mid-late 80's PG movie?

That's because the interpretations can shift over time and with changes within the Ratings boards. The PG-13 was a new rating and the existing boards were still working things out. There isn't a super secret set of empirical all-inclusive rules governing the system.

Well aware and I wasn't trying to debate or question that. I'm simply trying to point out the OP's misconception that PG movies have become more risque.

From the OP: "I am troubled by the language and adult themes in recent PG movies."

The jist of my posts: "Well, you shouldn't be troubled because older PG movies had more bad language and adult themes than modern PG movies."

I originally took issue with Temple of Doom and Gremlins (two reasons the 13 rating came about). The OP is troubled because what he saw falls out of what he accepts to be PG material and I don't think history is necessarily a good guide of what is ultimately a subjective and shifting classification. My bottom line is the OP is expecting to much out of the system.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: vulcanman

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
"Parental Guidance" You watch it first and then use your own judgement. It astounds me that people are so bereft of personal responsibility these days that they must blame the rating system, which is there to help you make a decision.

Does that mean when hollywood releases a PG-rate movie in the theaters ... parents go and check it out first before letting their child see it ?

The only site that I know of that analyzes movies in detail is screen-it.com ... and they often lag in publishing their review.

Yes. In your case, seeing as you have very strict wants and needs it is the only way to ensure YOUR standards are met. The MPAA offers a guideline. It would be impossible to cater for all tastes. If you fear a movie is not going to be suitable, and it bothers you, then yes you should view it first.

It's simply a matter of responsibility and you are trying to put it onto the MPAA instead of your own shoulders.

 

[Platypus]

If you're that much of a prude then go ahead and screen whatever your child sees before hand, don't expect to lay blame on an organization though. It's called being a PARENT. This argument always frustrates me and it's the same thing as the explicit lyric craze in the 80s/90s. If you don't want your child to hear or see certain things then it is up to you and you alone. There shouldn't be regulation in place that makes it harder for others to view said content just because you have a problem with it. The argument that there should be an entity that polices your children for you or even in conjunction with you is absolutely ridiculous to me.

In the case of this argument, don't forget that PG stands for parental guidance...

If it's not ok for your family then that is your prerogative... don't shift the blame to others for your hangups.

And on a more personal note, if you think for one minute that if you send your kids to public school that they don't hear words that require an 'R' rating every single day you're living in a fantasy world. You cannot sanitize the world from your kids forever, it's up to you as a parent to teach what is wrong and right.

 

[Vic]

The MPAA is a fascist corporatist joke and should be dissolved. Anyone who trusts its rating system is a fool.

Suggested viewing on the subject: This Film is Not Yet Rated