Jess Doll- "This Film is Not Yet Rated"
I find it puzzling that the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) is so secretive. They do not disclose their board members names and they work in a gated building with guards and tinted windows. In addition, they sign a legal document, which makes them promise to never say or write anything about the MPAA without Valenti's (former President) permission.
By running such a secretive business, one can only assume they have something to hide. Their secretive ways leave filmmakers and avid moviegoers wonder, how exactly they determine the ratings of a film. A.O. Scott, author of "Some Material May be Inappropriate or Mystifying, and the Rating System May be as Well" agrees that the MPAA's rating system is nothing short of "mystifying."
After watching the documentary, "This Film Is Not Yet Rated" it seems there is no actual standards the raters reference when rating films. This is evident from the fact that no rater requires training or credentials going into the job, there are no child behavioral experts on the board, and in a tie breaker the "extra conservative" chairmen gets to vote twice. The board also tends to rate sex as worse than violence. Their lack of "standards" makes me wonder if the children's best interest is at heart.
The MPAA says they keep secret to avoid "outside influence." This is precisely why so many disagree with their system. No outside feedback is allowed, in fact when the P.I. tried to call the MPAA it went to an automated answering machine. If no feedback comes in or out of the MPAA there is no way to improve their corrupt system.
I am not opposed to the fact that the MPAA exists because some things should be censored for kids; however, I am opposed to the way in which the MPAA runs its entire rating system. After watching this film I realize how corrupt the film industry is with six leading conglomerates and a poor rating system.