VCRkilledtheRadio: This Film Is Not Yet Rated

11. What do you feel is the message the director is trying to express in this movie? Support your answer with examples.

This was a documentary about the movie rating system (MPAA). In this documentary the director (Kirby Dick) points out several flaws in the system and talked with other directors that share these flaws. Kirby makes the point that the MPAA has very little problems with violence but has a lot of problems with sex. At one point, when talking to the director of “Boys Don’t Cry” (Kimberly Peirce), she point out that the MPAA gave her a rating of NC-17 for sex but violence is A.O.K. He also talks to authors, film critics, first amendment attorneys, other directors, box office analysts, producers, current and former raters, former rating board chairman, co-founder of October films, and other people that have been in and around the movie business their whole professional careers. They all are having a problem with how movies are rated and the way they are rated.

(Ya made this great movie called boys don't cry...but if I want the money to market my movie and have the studios back me...I need at most a R rating)

(BAHAHAHAHA YES...yes you do and guess who gets to give you the rating!)

(Oh....)

(Lets see it...I'm sure a super old white man can relate to your film and will get the message.)

(Jack:....violence fun for the whole family!)

(...um ok?)

(...Gay sex...NC-17...)

(WTF? For implied oral sex and a boob shot?)

(Female pleasure....)

(GET THIS OUT OF MY SITE!)

(...shit)

(yup.)

22. If applicable , discuss if you think this movie has accurate depictions of minorities or if they are situational? Why or why not?

Well, Kirby goes in length about how he feels (and other director agree) that gay sex is frowned upon. But the way gay sex is depicted is in an accurate way. He mainly says this because he was talking to directors of those films that wanted to make a point or statement in a positive way. Most of the movies either wanted to show a true depiction of life for their character or address an issue that we as a society need to deal with.

(?)

33. Explain if you think the director’s ethnic/cultural/professional background played a role in directing this film?

Seeing that the director is a director and this movie has to do with how a film is rated, I can’t see how it’s not. He directed 10 movies before this one and knows how powerless it feels to have his films rated.

44. What groups (people of color, nationality, culture, class, gender etc.) may be offended or misinterpret this movie and why?

EVERYONE! These mystery people are deciding what we show our kids and the clueless masses. The MPAA says YES to violence and NO to sex in all forms, but definitely gay sex. They then have the audacity to say it’s in our best interest! More than anyone though parents (ALL PARENTS…gay…straight…ALL PARENTS) should take offence that a group of mystery “parents” know better than you!

(Parents can bring there kids.)

(LOVE STORY?!?!? SAVE THE KIDS....GET THEM OUT OF HERE!!!)

(Man and his pie....cool if your parents think its cool.)

(LOVE STORY?!?!? SAVE THE KIDS....GET THEM OUT OF HERE!!!)

55. What the movie added to your visual literacy?

This movie used a certain technique where they use funny cartons to make a point. It made the opposing agreement look silly and further cementing his point. It also brings some comic relief just at the right time in the film.