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PG-13 MOVIES CAN BE LOADED
WITH ADULT CONTENT
As parents, we have all used the Motion Picture Association
of America (MPAA) rating scale to judge the appropriateness
of movies for our children. But how well do we really
know and understand it? To test your knowledge, answer
the following two questions: If a movie was described
by a professional reviewer as having heavy sex/nudity,
heavy violence, moderate profanity and alcohol use,
and an extreme amount of smoking, which of the five
rating categories (G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17) would it
be classified under? If you saw a movie with an sexually
explicit scene, another suggesting three-way sex (including
brief nudity), numerous sexual scenes involving cheating
spouses, more than 25 uses of profanity, women parading
around in bras and panties, and lots of suggestive dancing,
which rating category would it be classified under?
Sadly, the correct answer for both questions is PG-13.
The movie described in both questions is “Chicago.”
A rating of “under 14 must be accompanied by an
adult” was made in most provinces in Canada.
It’s obvious that the MPAA has raised the bar
to include new levels of sex, violence and language
content so that more movies will qualify for the PG-13
rating. For a more honest and detailed evaluation of
movies for families, try two impressive Web sites: www.screenit.com
and www.gradingthemovies.com.
PG-13 MEANS “NEED MORE INFO”
The “PG-13” and “R” movie ratings
are absolutely fickle. I’ve watched R-rated movies
that seemed quite innocent and PG-13 movies that had
a sexual tone and content from beginning to end. So,
now, instead of thinking that PG-13 means carte blanche
for any teen to see a particular movie, I translate
it to mean “need more information.” I ask
other parents who have seen the movie for their advice.
I also do my homework on knowing what family reviewers
say about the movie. And if I will not allow my child
to see the movie, I never use the rating as the reason.
Instead, I describe the specific aspects of the movie
that are inappropriate for a teen to see. -- C. Jones,
Minneapolis
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