This Film is Not Yet Rated - David Belair
I have two kids ages 6 and 5, so this film was interesting for me. I agree with many of the thoughts expressed by the directors and others who were interviewed that were dismayed by the MPAA's autonomy. It really is amazing that they are not held to a higher standard. Unfortunately, the topics discussed in the film won't reach the general public, and they will go on without any understanding of the MPAA's structure or ruling standards. Most just see a rating and thats the way it is, they don't realize how silly the standards for the rating system is.
My wife and I are pretty guarded when it comes to what are kids watch, because no matter what people say, kids are very impressionable. The sop in everything they see and don't have the judgement skills to understand that some of the things they see should not be repeated. We do use the ratings as a guide, but we also look to see why the movie received the rating. Pretty much anything rated G is ok, but we do restrict the PG films. In this respect the ratings work for us. G is for general audiences, everyone should be able to see the film, and for the most part this is accurate. PG is for parental guidance. We as parents take this into account and think a bit longer before deciding whether or not to let our kids watch a film.
The problems I think start at PG-13, R and X-17. I agree with most in the film that were anti-MPAA. Sex is way less damaging to a young mind than is violence. At somepoint you almost get numb to all the violence we are exposed to in this country. I don't want my kids watching hardcore porn, but as long as it doesn't show any violence towards women, I would rather have them see that then a movie like Hostel or any other movie with gratuitous violence. I agree with Kevin Smith, rape and violence against women should be an automatic extra rating in the system. Another director made a good point as well, the violence and gun play seen in Saving Private Ryan may be less damaging then the over the top gun play, no blood, James Bond never getting shot type of film.
Right now I am trying to manage what my kids watch nowing that someday they'll be able to make their own decisions. Hopefully they make good ones, but by that time maybe they'll have the judgement skills to understand that what they are watching is just a movie, and not something that should be repeated in real life. I still don't get parents that bring their young children into PG-13 and R movies. They'll have plenty of time to see that stuff when they're older and can better handle it. Why make them grow up so fast, I don't think it benefits anyone.