Two curse words in the previews before "Cars" which is a rated G movie. Anyone else?

[cardaway]

I think that the OP has every right to dislike whatever words she wishes. The question is whether she and others like herself have the right to expect filmmakers to never use those words in G-rated movies. If they're not swear words but just not "nice" should they be governed? Of course, people have wide beliefs on what denotes a swear word.

Well said. The problem IMO with this issue is too many can't stop with just making decisions for their own, they expect others to change for them. There is no reason for filmmakers to change how they make movies. There is enough for everybody to choose what is right for them or not watch movies at all if they don't like what they see.

 

[Charade]

Well said. The problem IMO with this issue is too many can't stop with just making decisions for their own, they expect others to change for them. There is no reason for filmmakers to change how they make movies. There is enough for everybody to choose what is right for them or not watch movies at all if they don't like what they see.

The only reason for filmmakers to change how they make films IS the public's reaction to them. Make movies that nobody wants to see and they'll eventually get the message that those movies aren't what the public wants. I agree there's enough public to go around that most any movie can find viewers. Within certain limits that is. IMO, it's the "chicken and the egg" argument. Did society "loosen up" and the movies just follow that lead or was it the other way around with movie makers "pushing the envelope" while dragging the public along with them?

IIRC, back in 1939 when Gone with the Wind was released, people were really upset that Clark Gable uttered the word damn.

Obviously they never been to Deadwood.

 

[DisneyPhD]

First of all, I think we should all be able to decide for our families without being so judgmental of where others draw the line. It's enough to take care of our own without deciding for others, whether they are being too strict or too lenient. I never have understood why people are so harsh on each other's parenting!

Secondly, I agree with the OP. I have relaxed somewhat now that my kids are 7 and 10 and we can discuss these things, but when they were younger and in the "learn by repeating everything" age I preferred they not hear these things at all, and I considered damn to be one they shouldn't repeat. As mentioned already, I just always thought, "WHY do they have to use these words when it would be the same without them?" I remember watching Stuart Little with the kids and a cat said "What the hell?" I didn't faint or have a fit, but sitting with my 3 year old I just though "WHY??" Just unnecessary.

And as far as hell goes, it is a tough one. My kids can use it in CCD in context, but in school he got in trouble for it. And it was in context too. A schoolmate was talking about someone really bad who died (a story he was making up). My son asked if this person had gone to hell. He had to leave art class and write a note and a note was sent home and a few other things. I was thinking that was kind of silly. But obviously this public school has it's own standards and we'll follow them

I am pretty strict when it comes to colorful language. I always save it for special occasions, like when I'm by myself and slam my fingers in a door or something. I think it's way overused in movies (again, just unnecessary), and it just bothers me to hear it too much. My parents never did so I guess I just never got comfortable with it.

But my neighbor won't even allow her kids to say "I swear I .....". And I've told my kids not to say that there. If that's her limit then that's her choice. Doesn't hurt me in any way.

E.

This is how I feel too. Sure we can't protect our kids forever, but I am not talking about getting my nose out of whack because my 8 year old was exposed to it, but I am talking about 2, 3 and 4 year olds. Heck they haven't even been to school yet. Sure you have to let them grow up sometime, before they even enter school?


I agree, the words just didn't need to be there (and other things and or previews other people mentioned.) The same is true on T.V. too. My DH would wacth star treak on the sci fi cannel, but he had to stop, the comericals for other shows freaked me out, I didn't want my kids (even as a baby) seeing that.

 

[cardaway]

Another odd thing I notice that I want to include here.

Ever notice that "bad" expressions from other langauges or countries are allowed? I've heard stuff from movies and TV shows from the UK, Jewish slang, and almost anything in another language.

It seems it's only bad if it's "American" bad language

 

[elizke]

By the way, I don't expect the government to interfere with things like "damn", and I don't expect movie makers to change for me. I just think it would be good business to change the direction they've headed. I think they would get larger audiences keeping things cleaner. I mean do people really object to a movie NOT having swear words?

The trend over the past 15 years of catering to a teenage mentality I think is a huge financial mistake, not just a disappointment for me.

E.

 

[Aidensmom]

Another odd thing I notice that I want to include here.

Ever notice that "bad" expressions from other langauges or countries are allowed? I've heard stuff from movies and TV shows from the UK, Jewish slang, and almost anything in another language.

It seems it's only bad if it's "American" bad language

It works the other way too I think. I have a concert video from a band from another country, who claim to be Christian, and it is full of American "bad" words. I have always found it kind of fascinating of what is "acceptable" varies from country to country.

 

[JRawkSteady]

Another odd thing I notice that I want to include here.

Ever notice that "bad" expressions from other langauges or countries are allowed? I've heard stuff from movies and TV shows from the UK, Jewish slang, and almost anything in another language.

It seems it's only bad if it's "American" bad language

Well even in Aladdin the script had many many "Allah"'s in it.. "For the love of Allah," etc etc... At that point they would never use the word God in ANY of their movies or programs to keep Disney non-biased towards any type of religion. However, saying Allah's name is sacred to some as well... Where does one draw the line in that case?

 

[elizke]

My DH would wacth star treak on the sci fi cannel, but he had to stop, the comericals for other shows freaked me out, I didn't want my kids (even as a baby) seeing that.[/QUOTE]


Oh man this is exactly what's happening now for us! I've been so glad the kids are watching STNG with DH, a truly great show with intelligent stories and life lessons. But the horrible commercials! We fast forward but you just can't go fast enough sometimes. I'm having a problem with the kids mimicking the "girls on trampolines" thing shown before the show. I don't know how to explain what's wrong with saying this and it shouldn't BE wrong but the way they use it there, you know, and if my son goes around saying that at someone else's house they might freak out and......Dang it's complicated these days.

E.

 

[cardaway]

If the commercials or station promos bother you the solution is simple.

Don't watch commercial TV.

Personally I love the short promos on Sci-Fi and Spike.

 

[MommyPoppins]

Personally I have not let my child see Lilo and Stitch. Why you might ask. It iis about a little brat and her little alien who cause trouble. CONSTANTLY. The WHOLE movie is about this. Sure it all comes out in the end--but you go through a lot of distruction and mayhem before you get to the conclusion. And not one "curse" word (that I can remember) from the movie.

Words are just words--actions are a heck of a lot worse.

They haven't seen Monsters Inc either. Don't want my young child learning to be afraid of monsters in their closet regardless of how the plot resolves itself.

I just think there are bigger battles than one or two incidental uses of a word.

Now if the film was filled with colorful language--I'd be right there with you.

But one or two casual messages that would fly over my kids heads...nothing to get my panties in a bunch about.


For those that want to know anything about a movie..

http://www.screenit.com/ (Subscription service)

.

That's your opinion and your right. Why is it that because those of us who think damn and hell are curse words and aren't appropriate for a childrens rated G movie are the minority, that we are wrong and you are right? We've all said that everyone has the right to raise their kids and way they want and to let their kids see what they think is right. The point is, movies have gotten worse and worse in the recent years. What was once consider wrong by most is now consider acceptible. PG movies have more and more bad words, and now G rated movies are using curse words and sexual innuendo flipantly. So what are our grandchildren going to be watching? G rated movies will have worse words, actual sex and blood and gore. If the progression doesn't stop now, it never will and our grandchildren and great grandchildren will be watching porn for kids.

And screenit.com isn't just a subscription. Scroll down to the bottom, push "no thanks" and it's free. You just have to wait a week before you can screen new releases. Works fine for us because we don't go to the movies much. We'd have to take out a second mortgage with our crew. Besides, those previews are just horrible.

 

[horseshowmom]

My DH would wacth star treak on the sci fi cannel, but he had to stop, the comericals for other shows freaked me out, I didn't want my kids (even as a baby) seeing that.

Oh man this is exactly what's happening now for us! I've been so glad the kids are watching STNG with DH, a truly great show with intelligent stories and life lessons. But the horrible commercials! We fast forward but you just can't go fast enough sometimes. I'm having a problem with the kids mimicking the "girls on trampolines" thing shown before the show. I don't know how to explain what's wrong with saying this and it shouldn't BE wrong but the way they use it there, you know, and if my son goes around saying that at someone else's house they might freak out and......Dang it's complicated these days.

E.[/QUOTE]

Same here. DH and I really enjoy the program but HATE the commercials. We recently bought the boxed sets of Stargate SG-1 and have really enjoyed them. I think we're going to subscribe to Netflix, because they have lots of boxed sets (Star Trek TNG, etc.), and we can skip commercials altogether.

 

[Michelle2]

When we went to see "Cars", a preview for the upcoming movie "Flicka" was shown. The preview for "Flicka" had two curse words in it. (DAMN was the word, used twice.) I was quite upset. I understand that Flicka is probably a rated PG movie and so cursing may be used. However, "Cars" is rated G. We don't expect cursing in a rated G movie so we don't expect to hear it in the previews. I plan to contact someone about this and voice my disappointment. I was just wondering if anyone else had that same preview with curse words before "Cars." I was not sure if it is based on the city, theater, or what.

I guess I did not even notice because I was too busy trying to recognize Tim McGraw.

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

We just saw Cars yesterday, but didn't see the Flicka preview.

 

[cardaway]

So what are our grandchildren going to be watching? G rated movies will have worse words, actual sex and blood and gore. If the progression doesn't stop now, it never will and our grandchildren and great grandchildren will be watching porn for kids.

Don't go over the top or anything.

Capitalism is great when it comes to movies and television. In order for them to make money people have to watch. They can't do what people don't want, at least not for very long.

 

[discernment]

That's your opinion and your right. Why is it that because those of us who think damn and hell are curse words and aren't appropriate for a childrens rated G movie are the minority, that we are wrong and you are right? We've all said that everyone has the right to raise their kids and way they want and to let their kids see what they think is right. The point is, movies have gotten worse and worse in the recent years. What was once consider wrong by most is now consider acceptible. PG movies have more and more bad words, and now G rated movies are using curse words and sexual innuendo flipantly. So what are our grandchildren going to be watching? G rated movies will have worse words, actual sex and blood and gore. If the progression doesn't stop now, it never will and our grandchildren and great grandchildren will be watching porn for kids.

And screenit.com isn't just a subscription. Scroll down to the bottom, push "no thanks" and it's free. You just have to wait a week before you can screen new releases. Works fine for us because we don't go to the movies much. We'd have to take out a second mortgage with our crew. Besides, those previews are just horrible.

Look at here....dare I say it?

Incrementalism. Slowly they lower standards and then you wonder how it got that way.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Look at here....dare I say it?

Incrementalism. Slowly they lower standards and then you wonder how it got that way.

Aside from that little sticking point that people have shown that standards (at least in regards to movies) have not been lowered.

 

[discernment]

Aside from that little sticking point that people have shown that standards (at least in regards to movies) have not been lowered.

Are you honestly suggesting that the MPAA hasnt changed at all since they started rating movies? PG13 is the desired rating these days for maximum profit potential and you can see how they have pushed PG13 to the edge. Movies that years ago would have merited an "R" rating now get a PG13 rating.

I am not just talking about language either. Sexual content and violent content have been on the rise on all rating levels. Even "R" rated movies that should warrant NC17. I have a 10 year old and I have a blanket rule that at her age she can not see PG13 movies. I just dont care to sit through a PG13 movie with her that drops the "F" bomb and is overly sexual and/or violent for a 13 year old audience that the MPAA has deemed it appropriate for.

I am not an advocate of changing the whole system because i believe it is up to personal choice (theres that word) and responsibility of what to let your children watch or not watch. As previous posters have stated there are tons of resources out there that you can determine a movie's content.

BUT it is inaccurate to say that the standards and criteria for ratings havent changed throughout the years

 

[Bob Slydell]

I thought the topic at hand was discussing G rated movies? Why focus on PG-13 and R rated movies in order to prove your point about lowered standards?

To me, no, G rated movies have not lowered their standards since the MPAA started rating movies.

 

[discernment]

I thought the topic at hand was discussing G rated movies? Why focus on PG-13 and R rated movies in order to prove your point about lowered standards?

To me, no, G rated movies have not lowered their standards since the MPAA started rating movies.

I apologize but in your response to me you said that standards havent been lowered in the movies you didnt specify G rated movies specifically. If you look through this thread you will see PG movies being discussed also.


However, I maintain that you see incrementalism in work throughout the years of how movies are rated.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I apologize but in your response to me you said that standards havent been lowered in the movies you didnt specify G rated movies specifically. If you look through this thread you will see PG movies being discussed also.

You're right. I'm sorry, I mispoke and didn't specify G rated movies. And I do know that PG rated movies have been discussed, but nobody debated that the standards on PG-13 and R rated movies have changed.

I disagree that there has been incrementalism in ratings of movies, but rather an evolution of a rating scale that has become more specific over time (e.g. the creation of PG-13). I would imagine the next step will be creating a G-6 (or something like that) rating.