"Prometheus" Rating: Ridley Scott Blasts MPAA

Ridley Scott starts in on the MPAA now with fighting the rating. Should it be PG-13 or R? "The Dark Knight Rises" got a PG-13 rating this week, and went through the process smoothly, unlike "Prometheus."

Why the Phony Ratings Controversy Over Bully is Giving the Movie a Wedgie

This blog writer takes the stance that Harvey Weinstein's argument for getting a PG-13 rating, that he thinks it's important for all kids to see, is wrongheaded.  "Importance" does not give your movie the right to have special treatment in a standard ratings system that millions of other films have had to go through.

"Honestly, Bully feels like a movie parents should be watching to get an inside look at what school can be like for bullied kids. And if parents are old enough for an R-rated movie—or at least able to bring their kids to the movie—what's Weinstein's problem?"

Canadian Censors Opening Doors For 'Bully' US Release

If you've read about the ratings drama between the makers behind Bully and the MPAA, then you know by now that there is a strong likelihood that Bully will be released domestically unrated. In this article from the Canadian Press, there's an interesting comparison between the ratings system here in the US and the ratings system in Canada, which is releasing the film with a PG rating.

Also mentioned, The Hunger Games and how violence and language are treated dramatically different in the US and Canada. The film's director Lee Hirsch is hoping that the PG rating in Canada will open the door for theater owners in the US to play his film despite its lack of a rating.

Is the MPAA a Film-Ratings Bully?

This Businessweek article gives the overview of the situation like every other article on the subject out there. But it also has some interesting quotes from people on both sides of the argument for/against the rating.  The argument for the MPAA's decision is this:
“Harvey and the director keep saying that we should make an exception for this movie because it’s important and people don’t really care about language anyway,” the theater executive says. “That’s dangerous because it makes ratings officials into censors. People who rate the movies shouldn’t be deciding the quality or importance of the movies.”

"Bully"= A Push For Ratings Change

This is an article in the LA Times by David Dobkin, the director of "Wedding Crashers". He criticizes the MPAA and how they judge movies that get an R rating. He argues that "Bully" should not be constrained to normal rating because it is a documentary. By telling a real life story he thinks it should be exempt from an R so that children can see what goes on in reality.

Bully Overhauling the MPAA

This article discusses how the unrated documentary may be the tipping point for the ratings system. It summarizes the controversy that has surrounded the documentary and how the unrated film would be treated as an NC-17 release, not allowing many to see the important film. Celebrity support has caused certain theaters however to treat it as a rated R film. I believe this shows the power that celebrities and other high status individuals have and how the strict rules of the rating system can be overcome. The controversy has served to keep Bully in the headlines and has created a following and interest in the documentary.

"The Hunger Games" too gory?

It seems to be that some parents say The Hunger Games is too gory for their kids despite the PG-13 rating. Although, PG-13 means "parents strongly cautioned" and the murder and bloodshed follow in line with the MPAA guidelines. According to the article, there were some cuts of blood splashes, injury detail, along with four other violent scenes. Visual cuts and color darkening helped disguise some violent parts along with a shaky camera. Additionally, Suzanne Collins, the books author and co-screenwriter said she intended for her books to be adapted into PG-13 ratings. How could she not though when it is about teenagers killing each other. Jennifer Lawrence defended the film, "We weren’t going to make a watered-down version of what we love. If you take the violence and brutality out of the movie, you take the entire heart out of it."

Hunger Games Still Lacks Rating

With only a month to the theatrical release of The Hunger Games the film still has no rating. Could the content be to graphic and intense for a PG-13 rating? Tickets are being pre-sold at certain theaters nationwide regardless. There is no question that the film would benefit greatly in the box office with a PG-13 rating but some are under the impression that an R rating is much more suitable.