Comments on: Fun with MPAA ratings: Non-stop Ninja Action! http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 18 Jun 2013 05:19:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: redstarr http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-859663 redstarr Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-859663 Heavenly Creatures probably got it's "sexuality" rating because the sexuality was between two underage teenage girl characters. They probably should have been more specific on that one,actually. The movie would have been an R regardless on account of the parent murdering part, but the "sexuality" warning doesn't necessarily make it clear that it's going to be minors in a lesbian sexual relationship and there are adults that might normally find "sexuality" no big deal if it were between adult characters but not be comfortable with teen lesbian sexuality. Heavenly Creatures probably got it’s “sexuality” rating because the sexuality was between two underage teenage girl characters. They probably should have been more specific on that one,actually. The movie would have been an R regardless on account of the parent murdering part, but the “sexuality” warning doesn’t necessarily make it clear that it’s going to be minors in a lesbian sexual relationship and there are adults that might normally find “sexuality” no big deal if it were between adult characters but not be comfortable with teen lesbian sexuality.

]]> By: Thlom http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-860185 Thlom Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-860185 I know, but I still don't get the rating. It's a sweet movie, suitable for everyone who has ever felt romantic love in one way or the other (everyone over the age of 10). I know, but I still don’t get the rating. It’s a sweet movie, suitable for everyone who has ever felt romantic love in one way or the other (everyone over the age of 10).

]]> By: moniker42 http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-858921 moniker42 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-858921 That entire series was a waste of a great cartoon spin off and toy merchandising cross over. That entire series was a waste of a great cartoon spin off and toy merchandising cross over.

]]> By: dmoonfire http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-858926 dmoonfire Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-858926 The classification system for this and ERSB is one of those things that seemed to be wrapped in secrecy purely for monetary gain. I noticed that with the ERSB (which seems to have similiar procedures), violence is considerablly more accepted that sexuality (the whole Hot Coffee fiasco comes to mind, along with the Oblivion rerating). I'm in favor of a public algroythim, even with the potential abuses when the film makers make it 0.01% less than the rating rating above it. I'd rather have the transparency (and potentially a more granular scale) when it comes to making decisions about movies. Of course, I'd also like one system to handle movies, games, CD's (...), and television shows, but I'm probably asking a lot. On the long drives I've taken, I've happily come up with how I would do it differently (because I feel that if I want to bitch about something, I better have an alternative). Sadly, when I talk about it with my local friends, I usually get rolling eyes and dramatic sighs because they, well, Just Don't Care™. The classification system for this and ERSB is one of those things that seemed to be wrapped in secrecy purely for monetary gain. I noticed that with the ERSB (which seems to have similiar procedures), violence is considerablly more accepted that sexuality (the whole Hot Coffee fiasco comes to mind, along with the Oblivion rerating).

I’m in favor of a public algroythim, even with the potential abuses when the film makers make it 0.01% less than the rating rating above it. I’d rather have the transparency (and potentially a more granular scale) when it comes to making decisions about movies. Of course, I’d also like one system to handle movies, games, CD’s (…), and television shows, but I’m probably asking a lot.

On the long drives I’ve taken, I’ve happily come up with how I would do it differently (because I feel that if I want to bitch about something, I better have an alternative). Sadly, when I talk about it with my local friends, I usually get rolling eyes and dramatic sighs because they, well, Just Don’t Care™.

]]> By: redstarr http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-858933 redstarr Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-858933 I love the more descriptive ratings. When I was growing up things just got the letter rating. Parents (and viewers in general), just had to take the MPAA's word for it whether the movie was dirty or clean or somewhere in between. Now, people can judge for themselves whether it's up to their own standards for themselves and their families. It lets people take censorship back into their own hands. I love the more descriptive ratings. When I was growing up things just got the letter rating. Parents (and viewers in general), just had to take the MPAA’s word for it whether the movie was dirty or clean or somewhere in between. Now, people can judge for themselves whether it’s up to their own standards for themselves and their families. It lets people take censorship back into their own hands.

]]> By: Thlom http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-859451 Thlom Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-859451 Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, rated R for sexual content. How did that happen? Really? Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain, rated R for sexual content.

How did that happen? Really?

]]> By: dritchie http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-859208 dritchie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-859208 "Blue Crush" (you know, the surfing movie with Michelle Rodriguez and Kate Bosworth) is "Rated PG-13 for sexual content, teen partying, language and a fight". Not "fighting", but "a fight". "Team America" - "Rated R for graphic crude and sexual humor, violent images and strong language - all involving puppets". What makes this one is the coda, especially the used of the dash. "Return of the King" has "epic battle sequences" - apparently the MPAA consider themselves critics now. "Heavenly Creatures" is rated R for "a chilling murder and some sexuality". Since when is "sexuality" an issue for movies for grown-ups? "South Park" has "pervasive vulgar language". This is my new favourite game. “Blue Crush” (you know, the surfing movie with Michelle Rodriguez and Kate Bosworth) is “Rated PG-13 for sexual content, teen partying, language and a fight”. Not “fighting”, but “a fight”.

“Team America” – “Rated R for graphic crude and sexual humor, violent images and strong language – all involving puppets”. What makes this one is the coda, especially the used of the dash.

“Return of the King” has “epic battle sequences” – apparently the MPAA consider themselves critics now.

“Heavenly Creatures” is rated R for “a chilling murder and some sexuality”. Since when is “sexuality” an issue for movies for grown-ups?

“South Park” has “pervasive vulgar language”.

This is my new favourite game.

]]> By: pidg http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-858705 pidg Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-858705 Brilliant. You have to remember that the people rating movies are just like you and me (well, probably), so I get the feeling some of the more bizarre ones ("non-stop ninja action") are secretly a tiny bit tongue-in-cheek... Brilliant. You have to remember that the people rating movies are just like you and me (well, probably), so I get the feeling some of the more bizarre ones (“non-stop ninja action”) are secretly a tiny bit tongue-in-cheek…

]]> By: xzzy http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-858716 xzzy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-858716 Nice of them to forbid copying anything by hiding it behind a layer of flash. And yet, they offer a "print this page" for everything. Way to hate on the trees, guys! Nice of them to forbid copying anything by hiding it behind a layer of flash.

And yet, they offer a “print this page” for everything. Way to hate on the trees, guys!

]]> By: eerd http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-859485 eerd Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-859485 Surely the BBFC's description of A Knight's Tale as containing "mild jousting" is worthy of a mention? Note to pedants: this is too good to check. Surely the BBFC’s description of A Knight’s Tale as containing “mild jousting” is worthy of a mention?

Note to pedants: this is too good to check.

]]> By: Alex http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-858726 Alex Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-858726 These ratings are getting to specific, to the point that they should be prefaced with "SPOILER ALERT!" When it says "a scene of sensuality" or "a fight" rather than "sensuality" or "violence", I instantly know that there is one awkward teen romance scene, or one barroom brawl. After those scenes pass, I know both that there will be no more kissing and no more fisticuffs, AND that nothing in the rest of the movie was scandalous enough to warrant MPAA attention. When it says "mild language" I know there's a "penis-breath" but not a "fuckface." Heck, sometimes I go to a movie knowing zero about it (like when I saw Inception last week). The last thing I want is some rating specifics telling me exactly how many times I'll be excited during the film. These ratings are getting to specific, to the point that they should be prefaced with “SPOILER ALERT!” When it says “a scene of sensuality” or “a fight” rather than “sensuality” or “violence”, I instantly know that there is one awkward teen romance scene, or one barroom brawl. After those scenes pass, I know both that there will be no more kissing and no more fisticuffs, AND that nothing in the rest of the movie was scandalous enough to warrant MPAA attention.

When it says “mild language” I know there’s a “penis-breath” but not a “fuckface.” Heck, sometimes I go to a movie knowing zero about it (like when I saw Inception last week). The last thing I want is some rating specifics telling me exactly how many times I’ll be excited during the film.

]]> By: drewstarr http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-858727 drewstarr Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-858727 "You have to remember that the people rating movies are just like you and me (well, probably)" Go watch This Film is Not Yet Rated. Those folks bare very little resemblance to me, and as someone who has registered a boingboing account, probably not you, either. “You have to remember that the people rating movies are just like you and me (well, probably)”

Go watch This Film is Not Yet Rated. Those folks bare very little resemblance to me, and as someone who has registered a boingboing account, probably not you, either.

]]> By: Berandor http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-858728 Berandor Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-858728 Wow, is that literally all they do? I always thought it was just a shorthand, you know, like with the bbfc. Just compare this to the <a href="http://www.bbfc.co.uk/recent/films">British</a> ratings board – many have "eci", extended classification information where you can at least get a feeling for where they're coming from. But the MPAA just releases the shorthands? Ugh. Wow, is that literally all they do? I always thought it was just a shorthand, you know, like with the bbfc.

Just compare this to the British ratings board – many have “eci”, extended classification information where you can at least get a feeling for where they’re coming from. But the MPAA just releases the shorthands? Ugh.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-859496 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-859496 Thlom, "Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain" did have a bit where Amélie guesses how many people are having orgasms right at that moment (15 IIRC), and a crockery-rattling sex scene. Thlom, “Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain” did have a bit where Amélie guesses how many people are having orgasms right at that moment (15 IIRC), and a crockery-rattling sex scene.

]]> By: Crubellier http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-858751 Crubellier Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-858751 The second Harry Potter movie was rated 12 in the UK, with a warning on any advertising that one of the reasons for the rating was "fantasy spiders"... The second Harry Potter movie was rated 12 in the UK, with a warning on any advertising that one of the reasons for the rating was “fantasy spiders”…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-859042 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-859042 I remember taking in the re-released version of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride on DVD into my preschool class for movie day, and being incredibly surprised when I saw it had been rated PG for 'Stylized Villainy'...although to be fair, the weasels were pretty sleazy. I remember taking in the re-released version of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride on DVD into my preschool class for movie day, and being incredibly surprised when I saw it had been rated PG for ‘Stylized Villainy’…although to be fair, the weasels were pretty sleazy.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-858787 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-858787 I highly recommend you watch the mentioned documentary "This Film is Not Yet Rated" - raters aren't like you and me! I highly recommend you watch the mentioned documentary “This Film is Not Yet Rated” – raters aren’t like you and me!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-859307 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-859307 Reminds me of how the re-releases of S1 of Sesame Street are rated M. Ratings systems are a joke, and then some people want the governemnt to actually enforce them...This just proves that people are idiots...makes me wonder what happened to all the nuclear radiation after all those underground tests in the western US. Reminds me of how the re-releases of S1 of Sesame Street are rated M. Ratings systems are a joke, and then some people want the governemnt to actually enforce them…This just proves that people are idiots…makes me wonder what happened to all the nuclear radiation after all those underground tests in the western US.

]]> By: adamcreen http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-859822 adamcreen Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-859822 my favourite rating is the one for Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana Best of Both Worlds 3D concert video. In the UK this has a 'U' rating meaning suitable for all, but even that needs clarification: "Contains no material likely to offend or harm" I beg to differ. my favourite rating is the one for Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana Best of Both Worlds 3D concert video. In the UK this has a ‘U’ rating meaning suitable for all, but even that needs clarification:
“Contains no material likely to offend or harm”
I beg to differ.

]]> By: scissorfighter http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-858804 scissorfighter Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-858804 Well, at least there's <b>one</b> good thing about the ratings system: this rating for Alice in Wonderland (2010). <i>Rated PG for fantasy action/violence involving scary images and situations, and for a smoking caterpillar.</i> And I second drewstarr's suggestion to watch <b>This Film Not Yet Rated</b>. A must see for any movie buff. Well, at least there’s one good thing about the ratings system: this rating for Alice in Wonderland (2010).

Rated PG for fantasy action/violence involving scary images and situations, and for a smoking caterpillar.

And I second drewstarr’s suggestion to watch This Film Not Yet Rated. A must see for any movie buff.

]]> By: kidfunctional http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-859083 kidfunctional Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-859083 Never seen Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, but I think it's made my watch list for the PG rating for 'swashbuckling violence and mild language' Never seen Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, but I think it’s made my watch list for the PG rating for ‘swashbuckling violence and mild language’

]]> By: KWillets http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-858855 KWillets Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-858855 Hey, I know that guy -- the Three Ninja films were directed by Shin Sang-ok, the prominent South Korean director who was kidnapped by North Korea and eventually escaped. Oddly one of the reasons he was kidnapped was a falling out with the Park Chung-hee government over film censorship. Hey, I know that guy — the Three Ninja films were directed by Shin Sang-ok, the prominent South Korean director who was kidnapped by North Korea and eventually escaped.

Oddly one of the reasons he was kidnapped was a falling out with the Park Chung-hee government over film censorship.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-859115 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-859115 I've always gotten a kick out of Braveheart's rating: R for Brutal Medieval Warfare. This isn't just any kind of violence. No, it's brutal; it's medieval; and it's war. I’ve always gotten a kick out of Braveheart’s rating: R for Brutal Medieval Warfare. This isn’t just any kind of violence. No, it’s brutal; it’s medieval; and it’s war.

]]> By: cameronh1403 http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/fun-with-mpaa-rating.html#comment-859119 cameronh1403 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-859119 I have watched This Film Not Yet Rated and it really opened my eyes to the whole rating system joke. It would be nice if it was changed, but I don't think that is going to happen. I have watched This Film Not Yet Rated and it really opened my eyes to the whole rating system joke. It would be nice if it was changed, but I don’t think that is going to happen.

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