Give them nothing… but take from them… EVERYTHING!

Posted on By Reedz

After several rainchecks, da missus and I finally went to watch 300 last night. No need for me to review the movie as heaps has been said about it here, here, and here. Heck even Mr Brown and his sidekick Steve have done a podcast about it here! It’s an excellent movie, and I could go on and on about the cinematography, style, graphics, color, etc, but ’nuff sed.

I would however like to make a small point about R-rated movies. There is a reason why movies are given R-ratings, i.e. the content of the movie is not suitable for viewing by those under 18. If you look at the trailer above, the first part (green screen) clearly states its an R-rated movie.

Last night however, I saw quite a number of people who brought their kids to watch the movie. Obviously this is not the first time I’ve seen this phenomena. I was distressed to see these parents bringing their kids along, but during the course of the movie, I became more and more perturbed by the fact that these kids were watching this movie which was filled with lust, blood and gore.

An 8 year old boy would have probably got his first hard-on looking at the “Oracle” scene. A shy 7 year old girl would have seen for the first time what a human head looks while its being chopped off. Another 13 year old boy would have learnt about how women, power, and a uniform are the most desirable things in life, even worth betraying your king and country for. I just hope their parents have an explanation (a tad more than just, “atu wayang tu lai”) for all the things that their young kids saw in this movie.

Perhaps I’m being overly reactive, but I still think these kids are better off not watching a movie such as this until they’re much older. In the end, its all about parental discretion. Perhaps the authorities can consider doing random checks as to whether these ratings are actually being adhered to, and if not, try to educate these parents regarding the ratings of the movies. Easier said than done? Well, its worth a try in my book.

End note: Before anyone accuses me of getting on a high horse, let me say I’ve watched my share of R-rated movies in my childhood too so this post is not intended to be condescending in any way. It’s just something for us all to ponder. (“,)

Comments (8)

  1. I agree, not being over protective, just being sensible lah, is it any wonder we have kids in lower primary who knows a lot about the birds and the bees?

  2. I checkout the 300 website…. the Spartan soldier actors went for 6 months training… everyone got a six pack …. atu baru ia….

  4. Thanks for pre warning bro’ … my kids bugging me to see the movie and luckily I’m reading this .. 🙂 they’re just kids man … and we’ve the utter responsibilty to protect them … jadi parent mithali lo…

  5. I agree with preventing younger kids seeing these kinda things. But the implementation of that idea is what bothers me. I’d really hate it if they introduce a blanket legislation, meaning it covers a whole wide range when it’s only supposed to be specific.

    For instance, they would just introduce the banning of all R rated or 18 and up movies from the cinemas in Brunei just so that no underaged kids can watch it. While it might seem ridiculous, but we all know it’s possible, our country just works that way.

    I mean, who would want to be posted in front of cinemas to prevent kids, (who paid the entrance fee so the cinema management would care less), just so that they can’t watch R rated movies?

    And that brings my next point. The cinema people can’t be given the responsibility to enforce it, it would cut down on sales.

    So, maybe just be careful what you wish for. You might just get it.

  6. Well put Souljah and I absolutely agree with you.

    A blanket legislation would certainly not be in the interests of both the public and the cinema operators. Thats like throwing the baby out with the bath water. But yes, I see where you’re coming from on this one, and sadly I can just see it happening.

    I can understand the cinema operators bottom line of dollars and cents, but not at the expense of moral and ethical responsibility.

    Full time enforcement would not be feasible nor desirable. What I am suggesting is in line with the practice in other countries where random checks are carried out.

    This would put some of the responsibility onto the cinema operators laps because the random checks will keep them on their toes. First offence, a fine perhaps and beyond a third offence, suspension of license?

    Just my two kupangs worth…

  7. Undercover detectives checking out on the cinema operators if they’re complying to the rules, perhaps? Just a thought. They would be none the wiser.

    I just hope if this ever gets laid out on the Legislative Council floor, there would be voices echoing our sentiments.

  8. When I was in the UK, barely a teenager, my parents brought me to watch a movie and it was rated 15/18. Basically, it was rated for those aged older than I was. But my point is, I was asked, when buying the tickets, how old I was. They could see I wasn’t 15/18, and they didn’t let my parents buy me a ticket.

    I don’t know if this could be implemented in our country since it is small and most people would just take it into offense instead of leaving the child at home.

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