Rated R

[altersteve]

I disagree when people say that we are to avoid all R-rated movies. This is because I have always been taught that it is the content of a movie that matters; the rating really has nothing to do with it. Of course, the rating is an indication of a movie's content, but there are some R-rated movies that could, and probably should, be PG-13, and vice-versa. There are some G-rated movies that should probably be PG, there are some PG movies that should probably be PG-13, and so on. Furthermore, there are movies like The Passion of the Christ, which is rated R for the extreme violence it portrays. I think it's a beautiful film that every person should see when they're older. Not for kids, obviously, because of how violent it is, but an absolutely phenomenal film. Other R-rated films like

So do you think it's the rating that matters? If it's rated R, should we avoid it completely? Or should we see why it's rated what it's rated, even if it's rated R?

[ERMD]

I look at this two ways. First, I liken it to the word of wisdom. For most of us, will a glass of good wine on special occasions with dinner cause any harm? Likely not. However, there are some for whom occasional consumption of alcohol could become a problem. The same with R-rated movies. Most of us won't be titillated by the content and go seeking more explicit material, or be negatively influenced by the violence or substance abuse depicted in movies. Some however, may be so affected.

Second, I ask myself, "Do I sustain the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, and as the only individual on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys?"

I used to watch R-rated movies. I quit doing so several years ago. I don't miss them a bit, and I think I'm better off for it.

Edited November 28, 2011 by ERMD

[cinepro]

If I had to choose between watching a really good Rated R movie like Braveheart for two hours and watching a two hour discussion among Mormons about whether it is okay to watch Rated R movies, I would choose the latter.

[cinepro]

Second, I ask myself, "Do I sustain the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, and as the only individual on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys?"

Third, I ask myself "Do we have fallible leaders who are often influenced by the cultural mores of their day?"

[Pahoran]

If I had to choose between watching a really good Rated R movie like Braveheart for two hours and watching a two hour discussion among Mormons about whether it is okay to watch Rated R movies, I would choose the latter.

It's a little bit over the top for you to applaud your own sarcasm.

But was Braveheart really R rated in your area?

Regards,

Pahoran

[altersteve]

It's a little bit over the top for you to applaud your own sarcasm.

But was Braveheart really R rated in your area?

Regards,

Pahoran

If cinepro's area is the United States, then yes, it is.

[Anijen]

I have selectively watched R rated shows without guilt. In fact I can name them; Schindler's List, the Kings Speech, Apocalypto I cant think of any others but there could have been a few more. It is very rare occasion when I watch a rated R show, so I guess I cant say I do not watch them.

[Mariner]

As amazing as it may seem, I agree with Altersteve on this issue. If a movie has received good critical reviews, or is of cultural significance, or has themes or subject matter that are of special interest, then I don't think that an "R" rating per se should stop adults from seeing it.

Having a hard and fast rule against "R" rated films can tend to isolate one culturally and can leave one completely unaware of events and memes that help understand and adapt to changing culture.

For example (and IMHO) the 1979 film Apocalypse Now, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is a film that every adult in this country should see. (This film was so good that when it was re-released in 2001 in the Redux version, it drew a bigger box office that it did in 1979.)

Apocalypse Now showed the Viet Nam War for what it really was for many. And those who have not seen it are missing out on an important understanding of that period in history. Those who do not learn from history are - well - you know.

If someone wants to talk with me about the Viet Nam War, before we start the conversation I usually ask if they have seen Apocalypse Now.

Edited November 29, 2011 by Mariner

[jskains]

I don't believe the leadership actually told adults not to go to rated R movies. I think the comment was made in the "Strengthening the Youth" guide.

JMS

[jskains]

If someone wants to talk with me about the Viet Nam War, before we start the conversation I usually ask if they have seen Apocalypse Now.

I am not sure I agree seeing entertaining movies is the way to get your historical facts. Just like watching "The Godmakers" is not IMHO a requirement for learning about Mormonism.

JMS

[ERayR]

If someone wants to talk with me about the Viet Nam War, before we start the conversation I usually ask if they have seen Apocalypse Now.

And I would answer no but I lived through it.

[Mariner]

I have selectively watched R rated shows without guilt. In fact I can name them; Schindler's List, the Kings Speech, Apocalypto I cant think of any others but there could have been a few more. It is very rare occasion when I watch a rated R show, so I guess I cant say I do not watch them.

Absolutely agree. These are just three more examples of very good and worthwhile films that should be seen by folks who would claim that they are well educated.

[Mariner]

And I would answer no but I lived through it.

Then Thank You for your Service

And Oorah, Hooyah or Hooah, whichever is appropriate.

[seriously honestly]

I have selectively watched R rated shows without guilt. In fact I can name them; Schindler's List, the Kings Speech, Apocalypto I cant think of any others but there could have been a few more. It is very rare occasion when I watch a rated R show, so I guess I cant say I do not watch them.

The Last of the Mohicans is a good one

[blackstrap]

For ADULTS there are a few good movies that are R rated.I would not recommend them for anyone under 18.Enemy at the gates and Saving Private Ryan were two that definitely cut through the glory of war.The sad thing is that many of those troops exposed to the horrors depicted, were barely 18 themselves.

[volgadon]

It's a little bit over the top for you to applaud your own sarcasm.

But was Braveheart really R rated in your area?

Regards,

Pahoran

Growing up outside of the USA, I was surprised at the amount of movies I saw on TV that were rated R in the USA. I had no idea.

[JeremyOrbe-Smith]

Is There An R-Rated Movie Commandment? by Orson Scott Card

There are always Latter-day Saints who want to live in a pharisaical church.

The Pharisees had a pious goal: Because they wanted to avoid disobeying the law even by accident, they decided to "build a fence around the law," surrounding the deep principles of Torah with a lot of small, specific regulations, so that by obeying those little rules, the Lord's people could be sure they wouldn't accidentally stray from the great law.

The problem is that such a "fence around the law" can give us a false sense of safety. It's so easy to obey such laws and yet join the category of "fools" and "hypocrites" that Jesus repeatedly rebuked. You condemn your brother for the mote in his eye, Jesus said, but don't see the beam in your own. The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.

Paul called them whited sepulchers, those hyper-obedient souls who went to extraordinary lengths to defend the law -- and broke it repeatedly with their pride and their persecution of others.

Edited November 29, 2011 by JeremyOrbe-Smith

[Mark Beesley]

I disagree when people say that we are to avoid all R-rated movies. This is because I have always been taught that it is the content of a movie that matters; the rating really has nothing to do with it. Of course, the rating is an indication of a movie's content, but there are some R-rated movies that could, and probably should, be PG-13, and vice-versa. There are some G-rated movies that should probably be PG, there are some PG movies that should probably be PG-13, and so on. Furthermore, there are movies like The Passion of the Christ, which is rated R for the extreme violence it portrays. I think it's a beautiful film that every person should see when they're older. Not for kids, obviously, because of how violent it is, but an absolutely phenomenal film. Other R-rated films like

So do you think it's the rating that matters? If it's rated R, should we avoid it completely? Or should we see why it's rated what it's rated, even if it's rated R?

I didn't like The Passion of the Christ at all. Started watching it again, just very recenlty, and found it more disturbing than uplifting. But that's just me.

[altersteve]

Looks like everyone is in agreement with me here. I thought there would be a lot of disagreements.

I have selectively watched R rated shows without guilt. In fact I can name them; Schindler's List, the Kings Speech, Apocalypto I cant think of any others but there could have been a few more. It is very rare occasion when I watch a rated R show, so I guess I cant say I do not watch them.

I haven't seen Schindler's List, but I've heard it's amazing. The King's Speech is one of my favorites, and it's something I can relate to, as I also stutter.

I didn't like The Passion of the Christ at all. Started watching it again, just very recenlty, and found it more disturbing than uplifting. But that's just me.

I can understand that. The violence is pretty shocking and hard to watch at times. But it's probably the most accurate portrayal of what Christ went through, physically at least. Watching it, I always think to myself, "He did this for me?" Very amazing film in my opinion.

[seriously honestly]

Growing up outside of the USA, I was surprised at the amount of movies I saw on TV that were rated R in the USA. I had no idea.

Well the rating systems are not going to be the same everywhere you go. A movie that is rated R in the States may only get a rating of "14" in Brazil (as in, not recommended for viewers younger than 14) for example

Edited November 29, 2011 by seriously honestly

[Log]

So do you think it's the rating that matters? If it's rated R, should we avoid it completely? Or should we see why it's rated what it's rated, even if it's rated R?

Hey yah, let's see why those movies are rated NC17, even! [/sarcasm]

Edited November 29, 2011 by Log

[Nominee]

Looks like everyone is in agreement with me here.

Ugh. Ok, I was just going to stay out of this one but because you went and said this, I need to speak up. I do not agree with you. I don't think it should be only what the prophet has or has not said regarding rated R movies specifically that guides your decision. There are sooo many scriptures, revelations, etc. that point to the fact that movies with this rating are probably not a great choice IF choosing the right choices and following the commandments and living a Christlike life are among your goals. What about the 13th article of faith? What about a lot of things we know to be right vs wrong. Why deliberately expose yourself to any amount of wrong... for the sake of history? Read a book or 500. History is no excuse. We are talking Hollywood here. Kingdom of Heaven is a historical film (I hesitate to say that for the exact reason I am stating here) but they shoot fire-lit arrows through the night in an attack. Beautiful display- never actually happened! See my point. If you are looking for excuses you WILL find them. Just ask yourself if that is what you really want. I don't. I am not looking to make excuses. I am practicing here and now on the no excuses policy so I am better prepared on judgement day. Here's the deal, God know your heart. This is how he knows what you did right and what you did wrong. What you know in your heart is what you should go with no matter what anyone says because that is what you are judged by. I don't watch rated R movies because I know in my heart I don't need to which means I am only giving into temptation when I do and I will regret my choice. That's me. And now I have said my peace. I just couldn't have you thinking that not a single person out here thinks that rated R movies are a bad idea. I'm kind of sad that I appear to be the only one but doesn't matter, I think rated R movies are a bad idea.

"I will keep my mind and body sacred and pure, and I will not partake of things that are harmful to me."

"I will only read and watch things that are pleasing to Heavenly Father."

Do you really tell yourself that this no longer applies to you because you are an adult? You are a child of God.

[volgadon]

Absolutely agree. These are just three more examples of very good and worthwhile films that should be seen by folks who would claim that they are well educated.

Honestly, I'm not keen on "Schindler's List." Nothing to do with ratings at all. IMO the film idolises Schindler. There were some very unsavoury aspects to his character which should have been dealt with. I'm not talking about his membership in the Nazi Party, or his boozing and womanising. There are several questionable incidents in Sudetenland and Poland,such as his acquisition of factories from Jews. I also think that the "girl in the red dress" scene distorts the story, by presenting a single "Road to Damascus" kind of event.

When all is said and done, lives were saved by Schindler, but the film left a bad taste in my mouth.

Perhaps I am a little too attached emotionally.

[LeSellers]

The R rating is bestowed often to give a movie more more panache, to make more money for the producers.

I believe it is unwise to allow a group of people who do not share our mores and values to decide what movies are acceptable and which are beyond the pale.

The original counsel was in For the Strength of Youth. This counsel has been revised, and now states something along the lines of "let the Spirit be your guide", while still suggesting that an R rating is a red flag.

When the rating system first came out, it was a fairly reliable means of measuring the morality of the content. It is no longer. Let your conscience be your guide.

Lehi

[ERMD]

Third, I ask myself "Do we have fallible leaders who are often influenced by the cultural mores of their day?"

Even though he is fallible, I sustain him.

Do you?