Summary - Great 4.0

A scathing, yet often humorous documentary that highlights the complicated and controversial rating methods of the Motion Picture Association (MPAA). Director Kirby Dick offers several compelling arguments about inconsistencies in the ratings of films, especially in relationship to perceived biases towards lesbian and gay films.

Dick interviews several well-known directors and writers, encouraging them to share stories of MPAA ratings and how they had to adjust their productions to meet the vague requirements put forth by the review board. He attacks the composition of the review board, going so far as to hire a private detective to follow and determine who constitutes the board, (it’s against policy for the MPAA to release review membership). Through it all, he injects humor into the process, laughing at the mind-blowing process that is necessary to appeal a rating, or even understand the judicial process, or lack of it. In addition, he does it all without the need for the hypocrisy that is present in other documentary films (Yes Mr. Michael Moore, I’m thinking of you!).

As a self-professed movie nut (as you might have gathered by the sheer volume of reviews I’ve submitted over the last two weeks), I was fascinated by the process of movie ratings and how political it appears to be. In fact, the film was so powerful, the MPAA itself changed some of its policies in response.

I thought the film was great, and if you are a lover of movies, I’m sure you would too.

Watched on Netflix streaming.

Acting - Good 3.0

No actors acting per se, but the director seems entertaining.

Film - Great 4.0

Pretty crafty use of secret recording equipment and investigatve reporting, matched with interviews of famous directors.

Edge - Risqué 2.5

Shows several different scenes form movies side-by-side as a comparison to illustrate the ridiculous discrepancies in the ratings. Demonstrates how the number of "thrusts" in a film is used in the ratings process.

Reality - Glib 1.5

Because the MPAA wouldn’t allow cameras on its property, they come across as a mysterious evil empire, kind of like the wizard in The Wizard of Oz.. This results in the use of pictures, versus live interviews.

2 Comments

• Wick Aug 2, 2011 11:05PM

  Regarding Wick’s Review
  You’re not alone. BigdaddyDave, who is a reliable guide for me, gave it a Great.

• izzio Aug 2, 2011 10:12PM

  Regarding Wick’s Review
  I actually really enjoyed this movie. Yes, it was quite long and drawn out, but I found it enjoyable and interesting.

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