What's with movie ratings? (SPOILERS!!)

[shaneo6930]

WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE FOLLOWING MOVIES: "Stranger Than Fiction," "Hairspray," "Beowulf," "Monster House," "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry," and "Meet the Fockers."


In the old days, movie ratings were simple.
G meant everyone can see this with no problem
PG meant that parents should check the movie out because there is some material that is questionable for childen.
PG-13 meant that only teenagers and adults should watch the movie.
R meant that only adults should watch the movie.

Where did these get mixed up? Going to see "Stranger than Fiction," and Beowulf (Among others), I'm subected to nudity. Seeing Hairspray, you're subjected to cursing and sexual innuendo. Monster House contains scary violence. Chuck and Larry has nudity, foul language, intense moments, and many many slurs for homosexuality. Not one of these movies were rated under R. Stranger Than Fiction, Beowulf, and Chuck and Larry were PG-13, while the violent Monster House was PG. And all of them were advertised as "Family Friendly." (Now many will argue that Monster House was made for kids, but it's a very mature movie.)

Why do studios do this? Do they think that they'll profit more from the emotional scarring of America? I was mortified when I took my little sister (who was 13 at the time) to see "Meet the Fockers," only to hear a baby call a man an a-hole, and graphic sexual discussions. I like that they now include warnings in their ratings, but they need to be specific.

Any thoughts on this matter??

[trantee]

My thought is; forget the rating system, as it has been flawed for years.

Years ago, in my country, they released the new (old) Batman movie (Batman Forever) together with the new (old) Bond movie (Golden Eye).

At the time, the Batman movie (which sports violence but portrayed in a somewhat comical way) was rated (what you guys call) R - so not suited for children.
While the Bond movie (where a guy gets torn in half by a crocodile) what rated PG (or even G).

WHAT THE H3LL ??

Skip "the" rating system... check websites (a fine one right here) check reviews .. make you own rating..

[tangentgirl]

Hmmm.... I'm far from being a prude, but I must admit that sometimes even I think a movie has been given a lighter (and even on occasion, a harsher) rating than deserved.

I haven't a couple of the movies you mentioned; but of the ones that I did see, I can't say as I remember thinking they were rated "incorrectly".

The rating system is so subjective and controlled by politics as much as anything else. Isn't there a movie out that is about the rating system. I wanted to see it, but I can't remember the name of it now.

I did call up my sister and warn her that I thought Monster House might be too scary for the 3 yr old. If it was rated PG though and not G, then I think that would have been appropriate.

I don't understand why some movies are given or threatened with an NC-17 rating (for example, Henry and June) while movies like Hostel are simply given an R. I think I'd rather have my teen see some sexual situations/ nudity that I can at least discuss with them versus violence for the sake of torture, much of that containing nudity and sexual situations as well.

okay...my teacher who is from the Great State of Tennessee, btw... has told me to stop looking at porn sites and get off computer.

Gotta go.

[The Movie Mark]

tangentgirl said:

okay...my teacher who is from the Great State of Tennessee, btw... has told me to stop looking at porn sites and get off computer.

Gotta go.

Tell your teacher that I, as a fellow Tennessean, am offended. Explain that TMM is a bastion of intellectual enlightenment.

[trantee]

HOOOOOOTTTEEEERRSSSSS !!!!!!!

( . Y . )

*cough*ahum* wha huh ??

[shaneo6930]

trantee said:

HOOOOOOTTTEEEERRSSSSS !!!!!!!

( . Y . )

*cough*ahum* wha huh ??

Nice.

[tangentgirl]

Explain that TMM is a bastion of intellectual enlightenment

Yes. A bastion ... truly. * As demonstrated by some of the Y-chromosomed members. I'm a bit slow. It took me a minute to get the whole "Y" pictogram thing.

I thought, 'Hooters' --- Well, that was random! Must be some European thing. Seriously... I didn't get that the pic was supposed to be taddies until I read Shane's comment.


Boys. Such strange creatures. So easily amused.


So... what rating would this thread get now that it's been defiled by pornographic pictograms? ;D

[trantee]

G, no doubt

[shaneo6930]

tangentgirl said:

Explain that TMM is a bastion of intellectual enlightenment

Boys. Such strange creatures. So easily amused.


So... what rating would this thread get now that it's been defiled by pornographic pictograms? ;D

Yes we are strange creatures! Well, I'm strange, but I'm proud of it.