posted 01-28-2004 03:27 AM                       

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It [the ratings system] is not a form of censership since it is not censoring anything.

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I say get rid of the rating system and censorship of films, let art be art, and have theater chains grow some backbone and throw noisy patrons out without a refund!

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posted 01-28-2004 06:18 PM                       

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have theater chains grow some backbone and throw noisy patrons out without a refund!

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That would be nice, but I doubt you'll see it anytime soon at your local chain outlet.

We have a very short list of conditions under which a patron may leave with a refund... doctors that get paged, customers that get sick, patrons who change their minds and leave BEFORE the show starts. Otherwise, refunds are usually not negotiating items here.

We want our customers to enjoy themselves here, and because we assume they came here to watch a movie without being distracted by other patrons, we keep pretty close tabs on how things are going in our auditoriums. We also happen to enforce the "No Outside Food & Drink" policy that's posted on all theatres in our area. THAT one really gets some people wound up, leading me to believe that the policy is not as strictly monitored elsewhere

Of course, this results in occasional irate customers, and we have to be prepared to deal with their anger, not only at being tossed, but also usually because we don't give them their money back. I've been threatened over $5.00 and a tub of popcorn. I've had the sheriff's department out on several occasions to "encourage" people to leave, and I've dealt with vindictive patrons siccing the BBB and the local health department on me. These things are manageable because one of 3 people will be speaking for the ownership of the company; my wife, my oldest daughter or me. I'm comfortable with how a particular situation will be handled because we have a short list of people in authority. If an issue were actualy to land in court, I'm fairly confident of our position, based on the years we've spent cutting & pasting the way we do things here.

On the other hand, if I were still running a chain, I don't think I could see giving managers anywhere near that much lattitude. There would be too much liability for situations under which I wouldn't have much, if any control. The odds that all managers in a chain the size of a "Regal" would consistently handle these kinds of situations per corporate policy are probably not good, so I can see why a chain would have more of a "hands off" policy toward disruptive patrons.

posted 06-09-2004 04:55 PM                    

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Controversial Pass Lets Kids Into R-Rated Films Springfield, Ill.-based GKC Theatres (search) has started distributing a photo ID card to teens 16 years old and younger so they can see R-rated titles without an adult. This parent-approved pass, which costs just $2 and allows kids to see every R-rated flick from “Kill Bill” to "Shakespeare In Love," has started a debate over convenience, parental responsibility and movie content.

Some parents see the card as an easy way to get around having to accompany their under-aged kids to R-rated movies, while others are disturbed that a theater chain would essentially circumvent the rules. Normally, people have to be 17 or accompanied by an adult to see an R-rated film.

“[It’s] less of a pain because I wouldn't have to go,” said Patricia O'Connor from Point Pleasant, N.J., who has three sons, two under the age of 17. “But I wouldn't want Shane (her 13-year-old) walking into just any R-rated movie because some of the material is very inappropriate."

O'Connor’s 16-year-old son Justin, on the other hand, sees the license to view as the next best thing to buttered popcorn and over-sized boxes of candy.

"I think it is a great idea because it is nothing new to me,” he said. “I see all of it on TV anyway, so I don't understand why my parents have to go with me to see it in a movie theatre."

The current movie rating system regulates films based on their level of profanity, violence, sexual content and drug use. Some critics have argued that the R-rating is too broad, pointing out that it includes everything from historical films such as "Troy" and "Schindler's List" to ultra-violent flicks like "Pulp Fiction.”

O'Connor said she’s been shocked at what makes it into an R-rated film. She recently rented “Monster,” the Oscar-winning Charlize Theron (search) movie about a prostitute who goes on a killing spree, and was taken aback by some explicit scenes. In this case, she said she was glad she was with her 13-year-old son while it was playing.

"First I told Shane to cover his eyes, but eventually I was like, 'Shane, get out of here!,'" O'Connor said. "I would not want him watching that on his own."

Jack Valenti (search), the longtime president and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (search), said R-cards take away too much parental control.

"All R-rated films are not alike,” he said. “It is the parents' responsibility to make specific judgments about R films — and wrong to give a blanket endorsement to all."

But according to James Whitman, the GKC theater chain's director of operations, there haven't been any complaints from people participating in the R-card program. 

"From what I can tell, the people who have them like them and the parents are trying to use them responsibly," he said. "We're not being inundated with kids whose parents are giving them access to everything that comes on the screen."

So far GKC is the only theater network to offer the card, which Whitman said he came up with after parents complained that they wanted to let their kids see R-rated movies but didn't want to sit through the films themselves.

Currently the theater chain has issued about 700 R-cards — most in central Illinois — and plans to offer them throughout the 22-city chain by the end of the year.

The motion picture and theater owners associations are pressing GKC to abandon the program, but some parents think the cards are a good idea.

Joyce Needham, of Peoria, Ill., said she discusses every movie "before and after" her 16-year-old grandson uses his R-card. She said that whether kids have the card or not, they'll find a way to see what they want.

"I just think communication is the answer and trusting the child," Needham said. "If you can discuss what's going on in this world, you're better off than letting them find a way to do it on their own."

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posted 06-10-2004 12:03 AM                       

quote: Nate Lehrke

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"I think it is a great idea because it is nothing new to me,” he said. “I see all of it on TV anyway, so I don't understand why my parents have to go with me to see it in a movie theatre."

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For an outfit like Regal?.... seems like it would be too much trouble for the income it might represent.

For myself, personally... I don't care as much about whether Mrs. X's little Johnny gets to see an R picture in my theatre as I am whether Johnny will be engaged enough by the film to sit quietly and watch it... no yakking... no cell phones... no unsupervised romps through the theatre.

If a person, old enough by the VOLUNTARY rating guidelines, buys a ticket here, he/she should be able to watch the picture, undisturbed by someone I've let in because I've decided to interpret my admission policies.

Therein lies the problem. An "R" card lets in the youngsters, but puts the burden of monitoring them on you. You might have a zero tolerance policy... one problem and you're out. However, for every one of those cards you hand out, there's the potential for one disruption that shouldn't have happened in the first place.

Horrible idea! Someone's out there for the buck.

posted 06-10-2004 02:31 AM                    

quote: Andrew Shingleton

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Fight Club was rated R18 which is a legally restrictive category preventing anyone under the age of 18 from being present in the auditorium for the duration of the film

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