Should the MPAA rating system be changed?

[miraclefan]

I think so! alot of people seem to complain that more & more ''R'' rated material seems to be seeping in to ''PG-13'' rated movie's. So I figured this is what I would change them to! (G) E - Everyone, (PG) PGS - Parental Guidance Suggested, (PG-13) R-13 - Children Under 13 Restricted without Parental unit. R & NC-17 would be the same. So what do you think?

 

[SomniumRabidum]

Sure, why not.

I don't think it'll make a difference. Parents either take an interest in what their kids are watching, and limit it where necessary, or they don't.

Putting letters and numbers in front of things doesn't matter. How many kids are going to the theater to watch R rated movies anyways? Chances are, they'll see "objectionable material" on the internet, on cable, at friend's houses, etc...

But sure, change it up all you want.

 

[archeryguy1701]

I agree with SomniumRabidum... changing the rating system won't change anything. Regardless of age, people are going to see the movies they want to see. And, if it really matters to parents, they will research it one way or the other. Besides, don't forget that there once was a time when breasts were PG material. Nudity may be returning to the levels that it once was, and the only thing really increasing might be the violence.

 

[Data Holmes]

Abolish the ratings all together and let the films be what they are suposed to be and not conform to some tight asses list of Do's and Don'ts

 

[SomniumRabidum]

Abolish the ratings all together and let the films be what they are suposed to be and not conform to some tight asses list of Do's and Don'ts

I agree with your sentiment, but in practice I think that's a tad extreme. I don't see a problem with labeling certain movies as having X amount of violence, blood/gore, that kind of thing.

 

[Michael Chris]

The problem then would be that the more explicit films would have the same rating as today's R's. That wouldn't be cool. Ratings are a helpful tool for people determining what is appropriate, if you remove some of the layers it would do the opposite effect.

 

[Data Holmes]

The problem then would be that the more explicit films would have the same rating as today's R's. That wouldn't be cool. Ratings are a helpful tool for people determining what is appropriate, if you remove some of the layers it would do the opposite effect.

They are not. It's a way for a small (minded) bunch of (stick firmly planted) individuals to (ruthlessly dictate) determine what is considered "socially acceptable" at any given time, and punish those film makers or films they do not like with (an overly aggressive) rating to force them to confine with what they deem to be acceptable parameters.

A system of "content identifiers" similar to those used by the TV rating system used in advertising for the individual films is fine... But fuck that "rating" shit they play with now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV_rating_system#United_States

The TV Parental Guidelines system was first proposed on December 19, 1996 by the Congress, the television industry and the FCC, and went into effect by January 1, 1997 on most major broadcast and cable networks in response to public concerns of increasingly explicit sexual content, graphic violence and strong profanity in television programs. It was established as a voluntary-participation system, with ratings to be determined by the individually-participating broadcast and cable networks. It was specifically designed to be used with the V-chip, which was mandated to be built into all television sets manufactured since 2000, but the guidelines themselves have no legal force, and does not apply to news or sports programming, thus precluding networks like CNN, Fox News Channel, ESPN and Fox Sports Net from applying the ratings system.

* TV-Y (Directed at young children)

The themes and content in programs issued this rating are specifically appropriate for all children; some materials are aimed at a young audience, mainly those ages 2–6. These programs are not expected to frighten or upset younger children. Examples of programs issued this rating include Wow Wow Wubbzy, Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go! Additionally, on some TV-Y programs, an E/I logo will be shown through the program's entirety if it contains educational content.

* TV-Y7 or TV-Y7-FV (Directed to children 7 and older)

These shows may or may not be appropriate for some children under the age of 7. This rating may include mild fantasy violence, mild or suggestive humor and may contain some content not appropriate for younger children. Examples include Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Johnny Test, Back at the Barnyard, Tom and Jerry and SpongeBob SquarePants. When a show has noticeably more violent content, it is typically assigned the TV-Y7-FV rating (the FV standing for fantasy violence). Pucca, Digimon, Pokemon, Power Rangers, Sonic X, Chaotic and Chowder are assigned a TV-Y7-FV rating, along with many other action-adventure programs.

* TV-G (General audiences)

Programs issued this rating are deemed appropriate for all ages. However, content in these programs are not always specifically directed towards children. Examples of programs that are issued this rating include The Price Is Right and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Many programs on Disney Channel use the TV-G rating instead of the TV-Y7 rating, as the programs aim more toward a family audience. Networks which air informational and how-to content (such as the Food Network and HGTV) or older archive programming (such as Game Show Network) usually apply a blanket TV-G rating across their entire schedule with few exceptions.

* TV-PG (Parental guidance suggested)

This rating signifies that the program may be unsuitable for children without the guidance of a parent. Various game shows and most reality shows are rated TV-PG including Supernanny, Wife Swap and American Idol for their suggestive dialog, suggestive humor, and/or coarse language. Some prime-time sitcoms such as Everybody Loves Raymond and Seinfeld usually air with a TV-PG rating. Many feature films rated PG and some movies originally rated PG-13 and R are edited for content in order to earn a TV-PG rating.
The TV-PG rating may be accompanied by one or more of the following sub-ratings:
o D for mild flirtatious dialogue (sexual themes)
o L for mild to moderate language
o S for suggestive humor
o V for moderate violence (previously referred as medium level violence) (mild references of blood, bullying, gunshots, guns)

* TV-14 (Recommended for people 14 or older)

Programs issued the TV-14 rating are usually unsuitable for children under the age of 14 without the guidance of a parent or guardian. This rating may be accompanied by any of the following sub-ratings:
o D for moderately suggestive dialogue
o L for moderate to strong language
o S for moderate sexual references
o V for strong violence

Many programs that air after 9:00 pm are rated TV-14, including late night staples The Tonight Show and Saturday Night Live. A notable exception to this rule is Thursday.[citation needed] Many prime-time dramas and some sitcoms current episodes Family Guy, The Simpsons, MADtv, and That 70's Show use the rating as well, as do many daytime soap operas. Certain PG-13 or R-rated feature films are rated TV-14 when edited for broadcast.

Live programming like televised awards ceremonies, concerts, and some specials will be issued a general TV-14 rating, because of the possibility that profanity or suggestive dialogue may occur.

* TV-MA (intended for mature audiences)

Programs that carry a TV-MA rating are directed towards people at or above the age of 16, and 17. This rating was formerly TV-M until 1998. The program may contain extreme graphic violence, strong profanity, overtly sexual dialogue, very coarse language, nudity and/or strong sexual content. Although not a very large number of shows carry this rating, South Park is a popular example of a show that carries a TV-MA rating. The TV-MA rating has also been given to original programming on HBO and Showtime and some of the shows on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, such as The Boondocks, Robot Chicken, Frisky Dingo, and Metalocalypse. The film Schindler's List was the first network TV airing to display this rating, and the pilot episode of the CBS police drama Brooklyn South made this series the first network TV series to display the rating.

This rating may be accompanied by any of the following sub-ratings:

* L for strong to extreme language
* S for explicit sexual content
* V for very strong brutality/explicit graphic violence

The implications of these ratings, particularly the TV-MA rating, vary greatly depending on the situation. For example, South Park, which airs on Comedy Central, generally contains censored language even though it carries a TV-MA rating. Yet certain other TV-MA programs on Comedy Central (including the late-night "Secret Stash" airings of films such as South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, Kevin Smith titles, Jackass films and other programs) appear to have no restrictions on language. Language may still be censored by a network or air completely unfiltered, depending on several factors, including creative network choices, or to appeal to advertisers leery of placing spots on a TV-MA program.

And the best thing is that if you tie the movie's adds to this system then you could actually have the V-chips block out any adds for movies that contain things they don't want their kids to see.

 

[Michael Chris]

I certainly use the ratings system and I know many others who do as well.

 

[RJDiogenes]

The ratings themselves are irrelevant. What's important is the specific information that they've been including along with the rating, e.g. "Rated R For Bloody Zombie Shenanigans" and so forth.

This helps me avoid movies that have a surplus of violence and a deficit of female nudity.

 

[John Picard]

Sure, why not.

I don't think it'll make a difference. Parents either take an interest in what their kids are watching, and limit it where necessary, or they don't.

Putting letters and numbers in front of things doesn't matter. How many kids are going to the theater to watch R rated movies anyways? Chances are, they'll see "objectionable material" on the internet, on cable, at friend's houses, etc...

But sure, change it up all you want.

Using that logic, we should do away with carding people for alcohol at liquor stores. After all, they'll just get some at a friend's house, right?

The ratings themselves are irrelevant. What's important is the specific information that they've been including along with the rating, e.g. "Rated R For Bloody Zombie Shenanigans" and so forth.

This helps me avoid movies that have a surplus of violence and a deficit of female nudity.

This is an excellent point. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why the movie There Will Be Blood was "R" until the very end. I like the blurb when the rating is displayed that explains why.

 

[SomniumRabidum]

Using that logic, we should do away with carding people for alcohol at liquor stores. After all, they'll just get some at a friend's house, right?

I'm sorry, WHAT?!

Do not assault my logic while using none of your own, you stand a good chance of embarrassing yourself.

Theater ticket sales are plummeting, that's what I was referring to. The abundance of media available to children on the internet and on cable TV far exceeds that which they can find in a movie theater.

Don't be an idiot, obviously I'm not suggesting allowing children to purchase alcohol. Alcohol is much easier to control than what a child watches. You can smell alcohol, you can tell when someone is drunk, and there is physical evidence of alcohol consumption and possession. Putting an R rating on a movie makes it not much easier to control, the parents' still need to take an active role in monitoring their children's media consumption.

Damn people, think before you post.

 

[Jadzia]

U ; PG ; 15 ; 18 ; and maybe an R or X-rating.

It was a sensible system.

 

[Michael Chris]

I think there needs to be another layer at the more adult end. I would like a rating for films aimed at adults but do not contain all the graphicness that R-rated films often do.

 

[SomniumRabidum]

I think there needs to be another layer at the more adult end. I would like a rating for films aimed at adults but do not contain all the graphicness that R-rated films often do.

Not necessary. You're asking for a rating that basically says "You're an adult, you'll enjoy this without being too offended"? You don't think that's a bit much? Adults are perfectly capable of reading plot summaries, reviews, and just being perceptive in general. I don't think we can dumb the movie selection process down any further, sorry.

Ratings are supposed to help parents censor what their children watch... not help you pick a Saturday night movie. What else can you have the government do you for???? DAMN!

 

[Michael Chris]

The government has nothing to do with the ratings system..

And yes I would, because I would like to go to a movie that is rated something so that children won't be there for thematic content but not be disgusted by the violence, language, and sexuality.

 

[SomniumRabidum]

The government has nothing to do with the ratings system..

You're right. I spoke in haste. My point is that you shouldn't rely on outside sources for something so simple. Do 2 seconds of research before you see a movie.

And yes I would, because I would like to go to a movie that is rated something so that children won't be there for thematic content but not be disgusted by the violence, language, and sexuality.

Give me one example of a movie that fits this criteria.

 

[Michael Chris]

Exactly, I want there to be movies like that.

 

[SomniumRabidum]

Exactly, I want there to be movies like that.

LoL, Ok... I think we're on two different pages here.

You're asking for more adult movies with less violence, sex, drugs, etc....?

There's one problem with that, money. The movie industry isn't in the business of charitably producing quality entertainment at the expense of their profit margin.

The violence and sex in movies is the result of a much larger social problem, not the other way around.

When people stop wanting to see sex and violence, movie studios will stop making violent, sex-filled movies.

 

[Michael Chris]

But if there was a rating for movies like that then those kinds of movies would be made and people would see them.

 

[SomniumRabidum]

But if there was a rating for movies like that then those kinds of movies would be made and people would see them.

Um.... no. Creating a rating wouldn't entice production companies to make the movies.

There are plenty of movies that fit your mold here. Comedies, romantic comedies, dramas, etc... these movies are made based on whether or not studios see potential profits in them.