What About Those "good" R-Rated Movies?

[mormonnewb]

An LDS member and I were talking about recent movies that we've seen. When I mentioned a particular film, HE almost gasped, "Isn't that R-rated? We don't watch R-rated movies."

I then asked, "Even the good ones?"

"There are no good R-rated movies."

I was amazed. So you've never seen, "Glory? Schindler's List? Passion of the Christ? The King's Speech? Saving Private Ryan? Porky's 1, 2 or 3?"

Being someone with too much time on his hands, I've done some research on the issue and there seems to be some question as to whether the R-rating is an explicit prohibition or merely a "guideline". Now, I realize that for many saints, there is no distinction between the two but that's not the point of this thread.

My question is do "good Mormons" EVER watch R-rated movies? And if so, under what circumstances is an R-rated movie appropriate? And could those circumstances possibly include The Hangover 3, which is next up on my Netflix queue?

[Mystery Meat]

I am not about to define what is a good Mormon. I think the R-rated thing is a guideline, and not a firm rule. Having said that, I do not watch R rated movies as a rule (although I wanted to see Lone Survivor) and I don't watch a lot of PG-13 movies these days either. Media affects people. It does. Anybody who argues otherwise is either lying or ignorant. I prefer to limit the types of media that affects me. If you are asking me if I would watch Hangover 3, not a chance. 

[aspire]

Yes, good Mormons do see R-rated movies. Just like any other there are good and bad no matter the rating.

[thesometimesaint]

An LDS member and I were talking about recent movies that we've seen. When I mentioned a particular film, HE almost gasped, "Isn't that R-rated? We don't watch R-rated movies."

I then asked, "Even the good ones?"

"There are no good R-rated movies."

I was amazed. So you've never seen, "Glory? Schindler's List? Passion of the Christ? The King's Speech? Saving Private Ryan? Porky's 1, 2 or 3?"

Being someone with too much time on his hands, I've done some research on the issue and there seems to be some question as to whether the R-rating is an explicit prohibition or merely a "guideline". Now, I realize that for many saints, there is no distinction between the two but that's not the point of this thread.

My question is do "good Mormons" EVER watch R-rated movies? And if so, under what circumstances is an R-rated movie appropriate? And could those circumstances possibly include The Hangover 3, which is next up on my Netflix queue?

 

The Church has backed away from that absolutist stance. While it is true that there are a few good "R" rated movies. Not one is suitable for young children. We are to choose our entertainment wisely, knowing ourselves and our family's so well that ratings are merely a guide that should help inform us, and not dictate actions. IE; When "Saving Private Ryan" came out I took my oldest son fresh out of Saudi Arabia to see it. While I left my Granddaughter at home with her parents.

[Nevo]

.

Edited October 1, 2014 by Nevo

[nebula]

I think it's important to note that just because a film portrays adult situations, it doesn't necessarily glorify them. There's a big difference between, say, Inglourious Basterds and Saw. A reasonably intelligent adult with a firm grasp on the difference between fantasy and reality should be able to distinguish the good from the bad and enjoy accordingly.

Hangover 3 was formulaic and repetitive, IMO. My favorite R-rated film is Pan's Labyrinth. If you havn't seen it, you should add it to your queue! It's a dark fairytale, Spanish with subtitles.

Edited January 27, 2014 by nebula

[Kenngo1969]

Well, seeing as a line from Gladiator (2000) was once quoted in General Conference, I think uplifting R-rated movies are probably okay.

I'm not doubting your veracity, but I'd like to see for myself: CFR, please.  (I'd be curious to know whether the movie was quoted directly or whether, perhaps, (for example) the speaker might have quoted some other source upon which the movie draws.) 

 

P.S.: I read the address you linked and scanned the references fairly closely, but I'm still not seeing a citation directly to the movie.  Obviously, I'm missing something.  Thanks in advance for your help.

Edited January 27, 2014 by Kenngo1969

[EllenMaksoud]

An LDS member and I were talking about recent movies that we've seen. When I mentioned a particular film, HE almost gasped, "Isn't that R-rated? We don't watch R-rated movies."

I then asked, "Even the good ones?"

"There are no good R-rated movies."

I was amazed. So you've never seen, "Glory? Schindler's List? Passion of the Christ? The King's Speech? Saving Private Ryan? Porky's 1, 2 or 3?"

Being someone with too much time on his hands, I've done some research on the issue and there seems to be some question as to whether the R-rating is an explicit prohibition or merely a "guideline". Now, I realize that for many saints, there is no distinction between the two but that's not the point of this thread.

My question is do "good Mormons" EVER watch R-rated movies? And if so, under what circumstances is an R-rated movie appropriate? And could those circumstances possibly include The Hangover 3, which is next up on my Netflix queue?

Porky's !!!! No, really. I get a pass because I watched it when I was young and didn't know any better. Not now.

[Calm]

I'm not doubting your veracity, but I'd like to see for myself: CFR, please.  (I'd be curious to know whether the movie was quoted directly or whether, perhaps, (for example) the speaker might have quoted some other source upon which the movie draws.) 

I think Gladiator has been on TV in an edited version anyway....

 

Or they may have been Canadian, I doubt it was rated R up there....

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

 My favorite R-rated film is Pan's Labyrinth.

Interesting. I saw that movie and I really really disliked it on so many levels. It was easy for me to see why it won an Oscar though.

 

 

More to the point there are good R rated movies just like there are bad PG-13 and PG movies. There are even bad G rated.

[Kenngo1969]

Were it not for the fact that a paid subscription is required, I would probably be a member of ScreenIt.com.  As I have only heard of (and never visited) the site, I can't recommend it.  But it is an option for those who wish to determine whether a movie has content they would find objectionable prior to seeing it.  FWIW.  (Sorry, Kevin Christensen; I know you've copyrighted those letters, but ... ) 

[thesometimesaint]

Interesting. I saw that movie and I really really disliked it on so many levels. It was easy for me to see why it won an Oscar though.

 

 

More to the point there are good R rated movies just like there are bad PG-13 and PG movies. There are even bad G rated.

 

Believe me after watching "My little Pony" movies for the 6th time through with my Granddaughters. I want to pull my hair out.

Edited January 27, 2014 by thesometimesaint

[Nevo]

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Edited October 1, 2014 by Nevo

[mormonnewb]

President Faust said: "Remember that what we do in life echoes in eternity." The line in the movie is: "Brothers, what we do in life echoes in eternity."

 

Google records no instance of this phrase ("what we do in life echoes in eternity") before 2000, but I suppose it's possible that President Faust independently came up it. Now, if he'd followed it with "unleash hell!" then we could be sure that he'd seen the movie.

I'm still trying to work an Eminem quote in one of my sacrament talks. Pray for me!

[Freedom]

Move to Canada. We do not have an R rating, therefore our standard for entering the celestial kingdom is much lower. In fact, I would not be surprised if, as part of the endowment, we also take upon ourselves Canadian citizenship. Otherwise the celestial kingdom would be empty due to all those movie goers. 

 

I have a standard that I try to follow - I do not watch movies with nudity, excessive swearing or gratuitous violence. Saving Private Ryan, in my rationalization, is a good movie. I own Band of Brothers and The Pacific. I have no plans to watch The Expendables or other such movies.  

[thesometimesaint]

I'm still trying to work an Eminem quote in one of my sacrament talks. Pray for me!

 

Truth is truth no matter where we find it.

[DBMormon]

An LDS member and I were talking about recent movies that we've seen. When I mentioned a particular film, HE almost gasped, "Isn't that R-rated? We don't watch R-rated movies."

I then asked, "Even the good ones?"

"There are no good R-rated movies."

I was amazed. So you've never seen, "Glory? Schindler's List? Passion of the Christ? The King's Speech? Saving Private Ryan? Porky's 1, 2 or 3?"

Being someone with too much time on his hands, I've done some research on the issue and there seems to be some question as to whether the R-rating is an explicit prohibition or merely a "guideline". Now, I realize that for many saints, there is no distinction between the two but that's not the point of this thread.

My question is do "good Mormons" EVER watch R-rated movies? And if so, under what circumstances is an R-rated movie appropriate? And could those circumstances possibly include The Hangover 3, which is next up on my Netflix queue?

 

Don't forget the "patriot" staring Mel Gibson.  I watch the ones you listed - except for Porky's .... lol

[Duncan]

I think Gladiator has been on TV in an edited version anyway....

 

Or they may have been Canadian, I doubt it was rated R up there....

 

 

no way!!! It was the first movie I saw in the theatres when I came off my mission, it.was.amazing.!

[Kenngo1969]

President Faust said: "Remember that what we do in life echoes in eternity." The line in the movie is: "Brothers, what we do in life echoes in eternity."

 

Google records no instance of this phrase ("what we do in life echoes in eternity") before 2000, but I suppose it's possible that President Faust independently came up it. Now, if he'd followed it with "unleash hell!" then we could be sure that he'd seen the movie.

Well, I don't know about anyone else, but that settles the matter for me, then. QED.    (And which is more, President Faust clearly flouted copyright law by including the line in his talk without proper attribution! )

Edited January 28, 2014 by Kenngo1969

[Rock_N_Roll]

It would be pretty hard to say "No R rated movies" is an absolute rule, seeing how many countries do not rate movies, or have a completely different rating system.  I saw "Lone Survivor" and highly recommend it.  No nudity, just realistic, military violence.  Now, "Wolf of Wall Street"?  Should have been rated NC17 IMHO!

 

PS.  How do I quote other posts?  I click the Quote button, but it doesn't seem to work.

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

Believe me after watching "My little Pony" movies for the 6th time through with my Granddaughters. I want to pull my hair out.

Tell me about. My youngest, that is all she wants to watch. Some how I have managed to tune it all out.

[Freedom]

There is always this perspective - if you found out Jesus was visiting member's homes and he would be coming to your place, would you be embarrassed if he wandered over to you movie collection? Or perhaps a more realistic example were if an apostle were coming to you home, would you hide anything? 

[Grudunza]

The Shawshank Redemption = best. movie. ever.

The church has removed the specific reference to "rated R" from the Strength of Youth pamphlet, which I'm pretty sure was the only place it was referenced. And though that made sense for the youth (especially of not 17), I don't believe it was ever intended to be the same for adults. But it became "social doctrine," and persists as such.

I prefer to use personal discernment and the 13th Article of Faith to the MPAA. There are some (though few, I would acknowledge) rated R movies that are much more worth seeing than some rated G or PG movies (if poorly made and/or about dumb subjects and therefore a waste of our time). It takes a lot of praiseworthy good reporting from several different sources and a personal sense of inspiration for me to take the plunge on watching a rated R film, and I have been burned in that sense, but also at times felt it was important or worthwhile in some way.

There are some subjects that automatically elevate a film's rating, such as the Holocaust, which is the only reason Life is Beautiful is not rated G. And it is pretty well known that the MPAA is not very consistent about their ratings... many PG-13 films have content worse than some R films.

I recommend http://www.commonsensemedia.org for a free source that reviews films and describes them in terms of potentially objectionable content.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

An LDS member and I were talking about recent movies that we've seen. When I mentioned a particular film, HE almost gasped, "Isn't that R-rated? We don't watch R-rated movies."

I then asked, "Even the good ones?"

"There are no good R-rated movies."

I was amazed. So you've never seen, "Glory? Schindler's List? Passion of the Christ? The King's Speech? Saving Private Ryan? Porky's 1, 2 or 3?"

Being someone with too much time on his hands, I've done some research on the issue and there seems to be some question as to whether the R-rating is an explicit prohibition or merely a "guideline". Now, I realize that for many saints, there is no distinction between the two but that's not the point of this thread.

My question is do "good Mormons" EVER watch R-rated movies? And if so, under what circumstances is an R-rated movie appropriate? And could those circumstances possibly include The Hangover 3, which is next up on my Netflix queue?

There are a lot of great "R" movies...far to many are trashy.

[cinepro]

I like this article by OSC:

 

Is There An R-rated Movie Commandment?

 

That being said, it is my impression that there is still a strong belief among a certain segment of American LDS that R-rated movies should be totally avoided, no matter how "good" they are.  There are even some families that won't generally watch PG-13 movies (a few in my extended family and a few in my stake, so I know they are out there, though they do make exceptions).

 

But my views on this have certainly been skewed by my time in a very liberal part of the world, where friends who were Bishops and Stake Presidents regularly watched R-rated movies.  One friend who was a Bishop got some "negative feedback" from referencing "The Matrix" in one of his talks to the youth .

Edited January 28, 2014 by cinepro