A COLUMN BY Dick Rolfe Chairman, THE DOVE FOUNDATION
December 2000
A COLUMN BY Dick Rolfe Chairman, THE DOVE FOUNDATION
December 2000
What is a PG-13 Movie?
I have been watching with interest as new phenomenon takes place inside our nations movie theaters. No, I’m not referring to a growing incidence rate in couples necking, but an unusual increase in the number of PG-13 movies being released into the theaters as of late. Typically, 60% of all movies released during any given year are rated R.
I was addressing a college media class recently, and a student asked if the studios release so many R-rated movies because there is a larger audience for that type of entertainment. There is no simple answer, but I believe that Hollywood has, perhaps unintentionally, created a target audience of movie goers who favor violent, sex-driven stories by filling the screens with a disproportionate number of R-rated films since the birth of the ratings system back in 1968. Adult-oriented movies certainly are not created with the family audience in mind. Releasing a 60% rate of R-rated movies sends a clear message to most parents and discriminating adults that they are not welcome in the theaters - except on holidays that is. But, as I said before - times they are a-changin’.
During this Thanksgiving weekend there were a scant 2 R-rated movies that ranked among the Top 20 releases. "You can Count on Me" in the #17 spot, and "Requiem for a Dream" at #18. The surprise is that thirteen out of the twenty (65%) were rated PG-13. The exceptions were "The Grinch" (PG) "102 Dalmatians" and "Rugrats in Paris" (both G), ranking #1, 3, and 4 respectively.
There are several theories as to why this metamorphosis away from R-rated and toward PG-13 movies has taken place. It may be due to the financial pressures the studios are feeling because of the skyrocketing costs of production. Film execs have told me they are trying to attract the largest possible audience for each film released - creating a one-size-fits-all mentality.
Many studies, including our own clearly point out that the broader the rating category, the more profitable the picture. So, one should not be surprised to see more toned down movies, if film makers are trying to maximize their investments. But I believe there is another reason for the large number of PG-13 movies showing up at our neighborhood theaters. And it has something to do with the recent findings of the Federal Trade Commission.
Since the FTC blew the whistle on Hollywood’s attempts to market their R-rated films to youngsters as young as age nine, the threat of legislative action has loomed large over Tinseltown. They "voluntarily" agreed to adopt restrictions keeping minors from getting into R-rated movies. This left the Entertainment industry with several choices. I cannot believe that industry executives who consider "artistic integrity" sacred are telling their writers, producers and directors to sanitize their properties so the new releases will pass under the R-radar. I can, however envision the studios pressuring the MPAA to move the already foggy line that separates R and PG-13 ratings criteria thereby permitting more violent action-packed thrillers to garner the softer rating. That would, by default, make it permissible to market these films to the youngsters they were targeting in the first place.
Two points should be mentioned to support my theory. First, the MPAA is owned and operated by the seven largest movie studios. It is NOT an advocate representing the families, but rather it is a lobbyist representing the interests of the studios. And, secondly, neither congress or the FTC has placed any pressure on the studios and movie theaters to restrict children under age 13 from attending PG-13 movies.
Dove Foundation has the same mandate as the MPAA. The difference however is that Dove is not afraid to draw clear lines as to what is or is not appropriate for family viewing. We apply a standard that "changes not." Forewarned is forearmed. Before choosing your entertainment options, read Dove’s Movie, TV-Movie, Video and Video Game reviews online at http://www.dove.org. It’s always better to be prepared before plunking down your money or your mind at the local theater or video store. As Movie Reporter, Phil Boatwright says, "Know before you go."
What is a PG-13 movie?
Here is a list of recent PG-13 movies and their content descriptions taken from online movie reviews by Dick Rolfe and Phil Boatwright at www.dove.org. Read below and try to discern where the MPAA draws the line.
Bagger Vance
Language: GD 2, Jesus 3, S-word 2, SOB 1, expletives 15 – Sex: two sexual situations, no nudity – Drinking: card players are drunk; some drinking throughout – Smoking: a couple of the leads smoke – Violence: WWI scene with explosions and dead bodies, but not overly graphic
Bounce
Language: GD 2, Jesus 3, S-word 4; F-word 1 Sexuality: The couple spends two nights in bed, which eventually results in a love commitment. However the implication is that sex before marriage is OK. Drugs and Alcohol: drunkenness, but later resolved through 12-step program.
Unbreakable
Language: Jesus 3, JC 1, GD 1, S-word 1; Violence: train wreck, but not on camera, bodies of murdered man and his wife, rescued tortured daughters, fight to the death, near drowning, son points loaded gun at his father
Charlie’s Angels
Two uses of profanity, one obscene gesture; much sexuality, including sexual innuendo and implied sexual situations; we see one of the ladies sans clothing, but it is from a distance and nothing stands out - so to speak; Drinks are served several times. Violence is all comic book, with The Matrix-like stop motion combat choreography.
Red Planet
Language: GD 2, Jesus 1, Oh my God or God 7, F-word 1, S-word 10, SOB 2, ass 3, expletives 7; one crude slang term in reference to the female body – Sex: two or three sexual jokes; we see a woman in the shower, from the side – Violence: a crew member is attacked by menacing bug-like creatures; he burns them up and is also killed in the process; the robot attacks them; a man is injured when the spaceship crash lands
The 6th Day (Arnold Swarzenegger bragged on the Today Show that this is a family movie. He took his nine-year-old daughter.)
Language: Damn 3; GD 3; SOB 7; Bastard 1; F-word 1; S-word 6; Jesus and/or Jesus Christ 3. Partial nudity three times, Illicit sexual references - two simulated lap dances with a "virtual" playmate. Cigar smoking; Violence: 12 killings, some characters kept getting killed only to be reborn again and again into their clone; amputations - leg and fingers; burned holes through bodies; fist fights, explosions.
Dick Rolfe is Chairman of The Dove Foundation, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging the production and distribution of wholesome entertainment. His columns appear online at http://www.dove.org.
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