orangejesus
Boomstick Coordinator
OJ smells ever so faintly like danger.
Posts: 86
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Post by orangejesus on Aug 4, 2008 16:16:41 GMT -5
I encountered an altogether bizarre situation yesterday.
My father was watching a movie on television, your typical creature-feature wherein a small number of oddly juxtaposed individuals are being stalked by or stalking a massive version of one of our earth creatures, in this case a crocodile. I had decided to fall asleep on my parentals’ couch, and was lazily eyeballing the television screen, as much out of boredom as a desire to see croc-induced mayhem reeked upon the denizens of Whatever Swamp, U.S.A.
And a fascinating moment occurred onscreen: the giant crocodile, which was apparently well hidden in the two foot deep water the characters were wading through, leapt from his perch and began to devour Woman Snack #1. Now, at this point the other members of Bickering Stereotypes®, Inc. decided the best course of action, even trumping running away in terror, would be to stand about and comment through a series of screams and squawks, one of which included the use that o-most-special of special words, the so-called F-bomb.
Which was bleeped.
During a lengthy sequence involving several graphic shots of a screaming woman being eaten alive.
I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate the people who set decency standards for life in this country.
Thoughts, comments, eggs to throw?
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Post by bladestarr on Aug 4, 2008 16:43:50 GMT -5
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Post by TheLuckyOne on Aug 6, 2008 8:13:48 GMT -5
In reference to the F-bomb, I do appreciate the irony that you can show most actual elements of the act itself (as long as the naughty bits themselves don't make an appearance), but a single utterance of the word that describes the act garners an automatic "R" rating.
I suppose it should bother me more, but in a world that glorifies the Lohans and the Kardashians, I think we have bigger things to worry about fixing first.
-D
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Post by Al on Aug 6, 2008 12:28:14 GMT -5
This is a great place to start. It gets more than a little smug by the end, but it's a really funny, rather disturbing look at the hamsters that turn the MPAA's wheels. |
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Rett Mikhal
Ghostbuster
Shorten your stream, I don't want my face burned off!
Posts: 377
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Post by Rett Mikhal on Aug 6, 2008 22:27:32 GMT -5
The bonds of fascism run deep when humans are at the controls of anything. All it takes is one opinion and an abuse of power and a wall gets thrown up higher than anyone can see and faster than anyone can imagine.
What I find amazing is how the fascists in charge rope us into their maze. A perfect example is in the starting post. Cable television. Do you remember ever checking a box marked 'censor my channels'? Do you know of any way to uncensor cable stations like Sci-Fi or TNT? Do you know of any way to find a version of them that is not censored and does not cut movies into pieces?
No.
Why not?
Because that would mean their rules would cease to exist. Few people would ever choose such a thing. It's an OBVIOUS choice! Would you rather have MORE, or LESS? Not to mention those beeps can be absolutely vomit-inducing and ear-splitting.
To quote the immortal Matt Stone and Trey Parker: "Horrific, deplorable violence is OK as long as no one says any naughty words!"
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Post by Ms. Jellybean on Aug 7, 2008 0:31:37 GMT -5
Rett Mikhal, I'm only saying this because I care... there are a lot of decaffeinated brands on the market that are just as tasty as the real thing. In all seriousness, this is indeed something interesting to note about the FCC's peculiar rules for decency. I've learned this first-hand since I landed my current DJ gig... what can and can't be said gets a tiny bit outrageous. The FCC's stance on obscenity is from a purely sexual point of view. The words that are not allowed in broadcasting or television or what have you are, very specifically, lewd acts. There is no moratorium on violence. It makes absolutely no sense. What's really entertaining is the litany of words that you might be shocked to know that you can say on-air. But in the interests of keeping this place mildly family-friendly, I'll refrain.  |
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Rett Mikhal
Ghostbuster
Shorten your stream, I don't want my face burned off!
Posts: 377
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Post by Rett Mikhal on Aug 7, 2008 14:54:35 GMT -5
Rett Mikhal, I'm only saying this because I care... there are a lot of decaffeinated brands on the market that are just as tasty as the real thing. I detest the taste and thought of dependence on coffee so I've never drank a cup in my life. Why do you make this statement? |
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Post by Ms. Jellybean on Aug 7, 2008 19:45:52 GMT -5
Well, it was an attempt at a Real Genius joke, in response to your mode of delivery on your low opinion of the FCC. So it goes when I try to be witty and/or funny.
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Post by pfrsue on Aug 7, 2008 20:05:45 GMT -5
I detest the taste and thought of dependence on coffee so I've never drank a cup in my life. More for me. Excellent! |
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Post by PoolMan on Aug 8, 2008 8:26:57 GMT -5
I detest the taste and thought of dependence on coffee so I've never drank a cup in my life. Why do you make this statement? Well, somebody just failed the Turing Test... |
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Post by Hucklebubba on Aug 8, 2008 21:43:07 GMT -5
The bonds of fascism run deep when humans are at the controls of anything. All it takes is one opinion and an abuse of power and a wall gets thrown up higher than anyone can see and faster than anyone can imagine. What I find amazing is how the fascists in charge rope us into their maze. A perfect example is in the starting post. Cable television. Do you remember ever checking a box marked 'censor my channels'? Do you know of any way to uncensor cable stations like Sci-Fi or TNT? Do you know of any way to find a version of them that is not censored and does not cut movies into pieces? No. Why not? Because that would mean their rules would cease to exist. Few people would ever choose such a thing. It's an OBVIOUS choice! Would you rather have MORE, or LESS? Not to mention those beeps can be absolutely vomit-inducing and ear-splitting. I always thought the idea was that basic cable censorship was designed as a tease to herd us to Premiumland, where we can partake of all the boobs and swearing our salacious little hearts desire. Of course, downgrading from a conspiracy to a mere scam does taint the mystique somewhat. I'll grant you that. Ah, yes. I'm slowly coming to the realization that "immortal", in any context not involving katanas, translates as "excessively-invoked". Well, it was an attempt at a Real Genius joke, in response to your mode of delivery on your low opinion of the FCC. So it goes when I try to be witty and/or funny. Well I thought it was funny. And a valiant attempt at penetrating Rett's chitin shell. Next time, wait until he lowers his claws, then go for the eyes. And take care never to attack while his stinger is raised. |
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Post by sandrine on Aug 10, 2008 11:58:25 GMT -5
The same seems to go for sex - you can have as much violence in a film as you want, as long as nothing gets to graphic when two characters go to bed.
That was my big disappointment in The Other Boleyn Girl. The only saving grace for that appalling film would have been seeing Eric Bana without his shirt on, and what happens? It goes all soft-focus at the last minute. They might as well have kept it in and given it a higher rating because of mildly disturbing themes later on.
And The Dark Knight was seriously given the wrong rating. I would not take anyone under 12 to see that. Yeah, we didn't see The Joker slicing up that man's face, but we knew it was happening, didn't we? Some bits were downright scary and disturbing - they should have kept the gore in and given it a 15.
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queenhelen
Mini-Mutant
Here's looking at you?biquitous.
Posts: 14
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Post by queenhelen on Aug 14, 2008 10:03:24 GMT -5
The biggest problem is careless (uncaring?) American parents who let their kids watch shows, rent DVDs, and go see movies that they know nothing about. When I was a kid, my parent's would let us watch anything that hadn't already seen (or at least knew a lot about). I haven't seen The Dark Knight, but I could tell just from the trailers that it was too dark for kids. What kind of parent would let their 13-year old see this? Pay attention, people! And be willing to tell your kid, "no."
If parents were doing thier job, the MPAA would be unnecssary. But since they're not, part of me is glad our TV networks edit out sex scenes and swear words, since who knows how many 4-year-olds are watching it. I wish they edited out violence too.
It also lets kids watch non-kid movies. I got to see a lot of great movies as a kid (My Cousin Vinnie, for example) because we had cleaned-up versions that we taped off TV. My folks never would have let me watch the version available from Blockbuster.
So, yes, the MPAA is stupid. But most American TV and movies are violent, sleezy trash, so I'm glad someone is at least trying. I can refuse to give my money to see harmful, useless "entertainment" (and I do), but it seems like so little.
(Side question: Why do people like depressing, violent movies - Torture Porn, for example? Why is it entertaining to watch people suffer?)
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Post by sandrine on Aug 14, 2008 13:24:38 GMT -5
I agree with you there - torture porn is something I've never been able to understand the appeal of. I don't mind a well-thought-out, compassionate film like Battle Royale, because although it's gratuitous, it also has a heart.
I think it says a lot about a person if they enjoy that. Take Funny Games. One review I read of that said that it was funny, witty, and entertaining - if uncomfortable. Another said that it was a deeply unpleasant film in which two young men torture a family in their own home for no good reason.
After reading that synopsis, who in hell would want to watch it?
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Post by Al on Aug 14, 2008 14:26:06 GMT -5
Side question: Why do people like depressing, violent movies - Torture Porn, for example? Why is it entertaining to watch people suffer? Well, Justin Says... |
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