by Dan (open minded conservative) K.
Member since:
October 27, 2006

The Annoying "R" Rating

August 21, 2007 01:31 PM EDT
views: 41 | rating: 9.3/10 (10 votes) | comments: 17

OK.  Here comes another of my silly conspiracy theories ...

My 16 year old daughter wanted to see the movie "Superbad".  This is the type of movie that is very popular with the younger bunch.  I haven't seen it but, based on the ads and trailers I've seen, I'll wait until it's on cable, thank you.

The problem is that "R" rating.  I guess it was impossible to tone the movie down just a little or even make a PG-13 version available so that the under-17 crowd to whom this movie (and so many other "R"-rated moves) is marketed can see it without their parents.  It's not enough for me to go to the theater with my daughter and state (even sign an affidavit, for Pete's sake!) that she has my permission to see the movie.  Nope.  I'd also have to buy a ticket for myself -- and then sit through the whole movie because if I leave, she has to leave with me.

I can see the MPAA wanting the theaters to get a few extra bucks by making me buy a ticket, but why should I have to sit through a movie in which I have no interest?  In this case, the theater lost out on two tickets -- one for her and one for her friend, because I refused to go.  (And does any teenager want their father around while she and her friends are watching this movie?)

Now I understand that they're going to put an "R" rating on any film that shows someone smoking.  At first it seemed like a good idea.  You know, stop marketing cigarettes and cigars to kids and all that crap?  Well now it seems just another scheme to sell extra tickets -- to parents who would otherwise trust their teenagers to watch a movie without supervision.

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Comments: 17

Sue * Aug 21, 2007, 1:58pm EDT
I understand where you are coming from, and most kids end up watching these same movies on DVD. I do think that some of them are really crude, and vulgar. I would have been uncomfortable watching them with a date at 16 (do kids even still have dates?) so, I don't know where the line should be drawn.
Dan (open minded conservative) K. Aug 21, 2007, 2:07pm EDT
I'm not so concerned with what constitutes an "R" rating. I'm just annoyed that, in order for a 16 year old to watch a movie that a 17 year old can see, why isn't my permission sufficient? Why must I buy a ticket for and attend a movie I don't wish to see?
ModernDay Publius Aug 21, 2007, 3:12pm EDT
we should quit being so caddy with this kind of stuff. Other cultures are not as protective as we are with our kids and they turn out just fine. Look at Europe
Dan (open minded conservative) K. Aug 21, 2007, 3:18pm EDT
Yes I do Lex. If I can ruin someone's day, I sleep better at night!
J R B. Aug 21, 2007, 3:48pm EDT
I remember when they first came out with the ratings. I saw one that said it had sexual content. I watched it with my daughter and after it was over. I asked did you see something that I didn't see? I did not see any sexual content.
Dan (open minded conservative) K. Aug 21, 2007, 3:55pm EDT
Were you disappointed, Jean? (just kidding!)
Peggy B. Aug 22, 2007, 1:36pm EDT
It's ridiculous...and to rate something R because of smoking? They're going to have to re-rate Disney's original 101 dalmations because Cruella DeVille smokes in it. *rolls eyes*

Thing that is so funny is that a rated R movie is easy enough to order via Pay Per View, which lends some credence to your theory that the ratings are more motivated by selling theater tickets than in ostensibly 'protecting' our youth.
Katie Scarlett (Site Bouncer Wanna Be) O. Aug 24, 2007, 12:55pm EDT
How well I understand this problem. My 14 year old needs us for company if he wants to see such a movie and not only is that sometimes inconvenient, but we have to buy more tickets making it expensive. Perhaps that is their reasoning.
Dan (open minded conservative) K. Aug 24, 2007, 3:04pm EDT
I think having to sit though some of this crap is worse than 8-10 bucks for the extra ticket!
arlene (no shame in my game) w. Aug 24, 2007, 4:04pm EDT
I need that R rating. I am easily disturbed.
Tess B. Sep 10, 2007, 12:43pm EDT
I hate theaters that infringe on the parenting rights we should have. I have been in many battles with the local and only theater that they should provide a permission card so parents did not have to accompany their kids to movies. In our rural area, this puts a damper on one parent taking a group of kids to the movies. Would they rather the kids be out drinking, vandalizing, loitering???

My kids, my business what they watch. Theaters have no business policing this. Ratings are a guideline, not a law.
Dena Straughn Sep 12, 2007, 5:04am EDT
I think there are a lot worse things in PG-13's than smoking.
M C. Sep 12, 2007, 5:09am EDT
I think they rightfully gave it an R rating. Not so much to make more people buy tickets to chaperone their kids, but because the subject matter warrants it. And if it does force a parent or two to take their kid who is begging to see it, that's a good thing it gets parents involved in their kids' lives and interests.
Dan (open minded conservative) K. Sep 12, 2007, 11:52am EDT
What book was that from, Matt?
Patty Mayonaise Sep 29, 2007, 11:33pm EDT
great :)
Jaime R. Nov 18, 2007, 10:40pm EST
I can see your point and I know when I was 16 I totally would have loved to see Superbad & was mature enough to see it (at least I like to think so) without an adult.

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