Michael Moore loses appeal against R rating for Fahrenheit 9/11...

[King_Crimson]

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/jun2004/moor-j24_prn.shtml

By Joanne Layrier
24 June 2004

US filmmaker Michael Moore and the distributors of his film, "Fahrenheit 9/11," have lost an appeal to overturn it's "R" rating, which restricts young moviegoers' ablilty to see the film.
<snip>

"I encourage all teenagers to come see my movie, by any means necessary. If you need me to sneak you in, let me know," was Moore's response to the decision.

Lions Gates Fims president Tom Ortenberg, whose company is releasing the film together with IFC Films and Bob and Harvey Weinstein's Fellowship Adventure Group, had argued at the appeals board hearing that 15- and 16- year-olds should be free to see the film on their own as they could end up in the military service in Iraq within the next few years.
<snip>

The MPAA had barred former New York Democratic governor Mario Cuomo--hired by the distributors to represent the film's rating challenge--from appearing at the hearing. According to the MPAA, Cuomo could not take part in the proceedings because only those associated with the film can make an appeal.
<snip>

"Fahrenheit 9/11," which is harshly critical of the Bush administration's response to the September 11 terrorist attacks and it's foreign policy in general, has provoked great interest and anticipation. The notion that a critical view of the Iraq war and the American political establishment might actually reach a wide audience in the US is driving extreme right-wing elements, like Fox News' Bill O'Reilly and former "left" Christopher Hitchens, to the verge of hysteria.
<snip>

The press release goes on to cite the provacative comments of right-wing radio talk-show host Melanie Morgan: "It would be more appropriate to have it shown at Al Qaeda training camps rather than American movie theaters."

more...

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/jun2004/moor-j24_prn.shtml

Ah yes...Melanie Morgan...what a low-life scum-sucking... uh,I better not say that word!:wow:

[stopthegop]

1. if the quote from Moore about sneaking kids in is accurate..

that's not a good thing to say..better to encourage parents to take their kids

[w13rd0]

5. Oh puhleeze...

...it's not as if the "Family-Oriented RaRa Republicans" are going to take them. Their kids should know their parents hate kids so much that they'd send them off to a war based on lies.

[stopthegop]

6. then dump the ratings system and

let you decide?....

[DrWeird]

13. Three for three.

Resistance is futile.

[stopthegop]

14. excuse me?

or
huh?

[Kathy in Cambridge]

19. Must you always protect your buddies

by parroting their Faux News talking points?

:eyes:

[Love Bug]

2. AOL has it listed as "NC-17"

My friend sent me the link in an email because we were discussing show times at a local theatre.

Is this some kind of mistake or is AOL pulling something here? Can any AOL users here confirm?

[gasperc]

20. I saw the same thing at the Fandango site NC-17

something stinks to high heaven

should we write to Mike, at least grab a screen shot!!!

:kick:

[w13rd0]

3. Funny...

"The press release goes on to cite the provacative comments of right-wing radio talk-show host Melanie Morgan: "It would be more appropriate to have it shown at Al Qaeda training camps rather than American movie theaters.""

Yes, because al Qaeda needs to realize how much Bush and Ossama have in common. Both are born-again ne'er do well playboys that say God tells them to kill. Low-life scum-suckers have more integrity than that classless snaggletoothed whore.

[evil_orange_cat]

4. I suspect it probably deserves an R rating... violent images and such...

I haven't seen it yet, so I can't officially comment on the content of the movie; but from what I've heard, and R rating might be prudent. Plus, kids always see R movies (at least I did). It's not going to stop kids from seeing this movie... trust me.

[GiovanniC]

7. Melanie Morgan is an Ann Coulter Mini-Me

n/t

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. I'm okay with the R rating

That's what The Passion of the Christ got too, right? Hey, as long as they're not making a double standard...

[Gothmog]

9. R Rating will not hurt this film

The people who are going to go see it are mostly of voting age or have parents are active and will take them.

I am taking my family this weekend.

[DinahMoeHum]

12. and trust me, kids will find a way to sneak in and see it.

:evilgrin:

[Worst Username Ever]

10. I don't see why it is a surprise...

I am seeing it tomorrow, and my understanding is that there are some pretty gory scenes, dead babies, etc. I am not saying that the ratings system is accurate or warranted, but I would think that any movie with these images would get this rating. Is it really a surprise?

[madrchsod]

11. duh

in most places i`v been you buy a ticket then go to the movie you want to see..or go to the bathroom and go in another show..dumb. it only hurts video rentals and purchases but even that can be easy to get around. so it won`t sell in walmart,big deal.

[Richardo]

15. Like an "R" rating means diddly squat...

I've never seen anyone refused admittance to an "R" rated movie.

[Gman]

16. Fine, call me then

I'll sneak 'em in!

[whistle]

17. "R" rating doesn't mean you can't take a teen into see the movie...

...it just says that anyone under 17 must be accompanied by an adult. From the Christian Entertainment website, here are the definitions of the current movie ratings. You'll note that they don't even list an "X" rating definition...



G -- "General Audience - All Ages Admitted": To gain a "G" rating, a film must not contain nudity, sexual content, drug use or strong language. Portrayal of violence in the film must be minimal and the movie's topic must be appropriate for young children. According to the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America), a G rating is not indicative that the film is a children's movie.

PG -- "Parental Guidance Suggested. Some Material May Not Be Suitable For Children": The MPAA gives a movie this rating when it is believed that the film contains topics or content that parents may find inappropriate for younger children. The film can contain some profanity, violence or brief nudity, but only in relatively mild intensity. A PG film must not include drug use.

PG-13 -- "Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13." This rating was added in 1984 to designate that some films that contain violence, profanity or sexual content are intense enough that many parents would not want to expose their younger children to the film. The films are not intense enough to warrant an R rating. Any movie featuring drug use will get at least a PG-13 rating. A PG-13 movie can include a single use of what the board deems a "harsher, sexually derived word," as long as it is only used as an expletive, not in a sexual context.

R --"Restricted. Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian": The MPAA applies this rating to movies they believe contain a high level of adult content, such as harsh profanity, intense violence, explicit sexual content and extensive drug use. In some states, the minimum age to see an R rated movie unaccompanied is 18.

NC-17: "No One 17 And Under Admitted": Originally called X, this rating is applied to films the board believes most parents will consider inappropriate for children. It indicates only that adult content is more intense than in an R movie; it does not imply any sort of obscenity. As with films rated R, the minimum age to see a NC-17 movie is 18 in some states.


http://www.surfinthespirit.com/entertainment/movie-ratings.shtml


Uhmmm, the R rating has to do with "...high level of adult content, such as harsh profanity, intense violence, explicit sexual content and extensive drug use". Since F9-11 deals so much with President Bush, I wonder if it earned the R rating based on Dubya's past extensive use of drugs and therefore his being a poor role model for our nations youth?
:eyes:

[rinsd]

21. Apparently there is alot of graphic war footage....

What may end up being weird is theaters demanding that the adult accompanying the minor into the movie is actually the parent or has the parent's permission.

I remember going to see the Doors when I was 15. Around that time theaters were getting alot of flack for lax security(ie checking IDs) dealing with R rated films. I was initially turned away when going with an older cousin. I eventually showed up a few days later with my uncle and a note from Mom.

[ibegurpard]

18. I have no problem with an "R" rating

an "NC-17" rating would have been cause to take to the streets, however.