This Film is Not Yet Rated-Brenna Munoz
The mystery and extreme secrecy that has surrounded the worlds of movie rating systems throughout several decades raises many questions regarding the credibility and validity of such a system. This particular system has an abundance of weaknesses that hinders its effectiveness.
For example, the panelists, or individuals who are doing the actual ratings for the MPAA are never revealed to society and sworn to secrecy. Is there really a need for this? The film entitled, This Film is Not Yet Rated, reveals that out of all the numerous employees who have served as raters for the MPAA over the past few decades, only an astonishing two people have broken their silence and agreed to discuss their jobs. The fact that majority of society so willingly abides by these ratings without any question raises serious concerns in the ability of our society to question or resist authority. How can so many people trust the judgment of someone, or in this case group of individuals, when they are not even provided with the most basic background information such as a simple first and last name?
In addition to this, another weakness lies in the vagueness of these “ratings.” Moria makes a valid argument when she points out that, “PG rating alerts a parent to CARA’s decision that “parental guidance” is called for but gives no hint as to what specifically a concerned parent should be on the lookout for.” The vagueness and extreme secrecy of the movie rating system today is in no way trustworthy nor helpful to understanding popular culture and only makes one skeptical of the political aspects that may be playing a role in this system.