Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Bzzzing Good

Are you sick of having to explain "kids" movies to your kids?? There have been alot of movies in the past few years that are supposedly for the kids but have so many derogatory comments, sexual undertones and such that I am leery of allowing the kids to watch PG rated movies anymore. I mean PG, isn't that usually ok for kids? This past weekend we were movie-goers. It isn't often that I spend the extra money at the movie theater, but we splurged and went to see The Bee Movie. It was really good! There was good clean humor. It wasn't just the kids laughing, I actually enjoyed it too! There were no swear words, no violence beyond swatting a bug, no sexy outfits or unrealistic body images. It was good clean fun. So if anyone is looking for a good movie for your kids, I will submit my recommendation, heck I might even splurge and go again!http://www.beemovie.com/

So I looked into the meaning of a PG rating, here's what I found...
A PG-rated motion picture should be investigated by parents before they let their younger children attend. The PG rating indicates, in the view of the Rating Board, that parents may consider some material unsuitable for their children, and parents should make that decision.The more mature themes in some PG-rated motion pictures may call for parental guidance. There may be some profanity and some depictions of violence or brief nudity. But these elements are not deemed so intense as to require that parents be strongly cautioned beyond the suggestion of parental guidance. There is no drug use content in a PG-rated motion picture.
http://www.mpaa.org/FilmRatings.asp

So it turns out I am wrong, PG isn't a rating for sweet innocent movies appropriate for young children. Notice that this description warns us of possible profanity, violence and nudity, but don't worry it's not that bad- there isn't any drug content, as if that makes it that much better! When I read through the meaning for a G rated movie,
A G-rated motion picture contains nothing in theme, language, nudity, sex, violence or other matters that, in the view of the Rating Board, would offend parents whose younger children view the motion picture. The G rating is not a “certificate of approval,” nor does it signify a “children’s” motion picture. Some snippets of language may go beyond polite conversation but they are common everyday expressions. No stronger words are present in G-rated motion pictures. Depictions of violence are minimal. No nudity, sex scenes or drug use are present in the motion picture.
So even a G rated movie may have language issues, BUT it's ok because it's everyday expressions, hmmm and we wonder why and where our children pick up bad language. Oh and don't worry- violence is minimal! What would be the rating for a good clean, nonviolent, good language, clothes on, drugfree movie?? I guess the good news is that on the Motion Picture Association website they provide alot of information about ratings including a movie rating search and a link to Pause Parent Play, a website dedicated to helping parents decide on appropriate shows and movies for kids. http://www.pauseparentplay.org/

So I have ranted and rambled and in what was supposed to simply be a thumbs up to The Bee Movie, has turned into a movie rating critique. Hope you find something useful- if not, Sorry, I'll be short and sweet next time!

4 comments:

Family Adventure said...

Thanks for the recommendation! When my kids were quite young, I was always worried about taking them to the movies. They found them too loud and scary. And these were strictly PG movies! It was a little frustrating when the guidelines seemed so inconsistent, so I used to go by word-of-mouth. Or word-of-blog :)

Heidi

Lizzy in the Burbs said...

Thanks for the "review", I'd heard good things about this movie on tv, but sometimes you just don't know. I'd like to see it!

My husband and I went to see Dan in Real Life, with Steve Carell. It's a cute movie, and although there is some passionate kissing, and one scene where the woman is getting into the shower,you never see anything. It is rated PG-13, however. There may have been some swearing in it, like damn-it, but no f-bombs or anything. It wasn't what I was expecting, actually. I thought it was going to be more of a comedy, but it's really a romance, and Steve Carell and Dane Cook are very toned down, it's a different type of role for them. Anyway,..my two cents!

Unknown said...

we enjoyed the bee movie too. One movie in particular that sends me over the edge is Shrek, it is NOT something I want my kids to watch.

We were watching Brother Bear not to long ago and there is one part that makes me cringe. The part where the mountain lions (i think that is what they are) keep yelling at their own echos to "shut up". My three year old looked at me and said "um, that is not a good word". Someone please remind him of that when he says it to me. Anyway, thanks for the post.

Steph said...

It's good to know, I didn't know all that! Thanks!