Movies to see or not to see?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-08-2006
Movies to see or not to see?
16
Tue, 08-08-2006 - 1:44am
My 14 year old daughter asked today to see a movie with 4 friends. It was a PG13 movie (You, Me and Dupree) and I didn't feel that it was appropriate for her to see. At least until I see it first. Her friends still went and then decided to have a big slumber party afterwards and she was not there. I feel bad but yet at the same time, I think I did the right thing. What do you think? Am I sheltering to much or ????

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Avatar for heartsandroses2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 08-08-2006 - 9:03am

www.screenit.com

Excellent site - gives you lots of details on every movie out there. HOWEVER, it is *very important* to remember that what some people consider inappropriate, others may let it roll off.

I've always been choosy about what I allow my dd's to see and there were many times I vetoed movie plans due to what I perceived to be inappropriate content. They weren't happy, but they got over it.

Even after my oldest dd turned 18, there was one movie, I can't remember, I think it was SAW, that I told her she shouldn't see. I just said, "You're old enough to make the choice, but I would prefer it is you didn't waste your time viewing such horror and drivel" - she never went. Her BF wanted her to see it, but she refused.

If you're not comfortable with dd seeing that movie, explain to her why - give her specific reasons, like it's offensive to women, too sexually charged, stupid, juvenile, whatever. Good luck - it's so hard to find decent movies for the kiddos these days and of course, they want to see all the slightly risque movies!

Avatar for ivillage_sista
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 08-08-2006 - 9:42am

ITA With heartsandroses on this one.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Tue, 08-08-2006 - 10:32am

The website h&r referenced is a good one. I agree that Hollywood pushes the envelope quite a bit when it comes to movie ratings. Obviously, they want to rate them so that the maximum number of people feel comfortable seeing it. Even the 'previews' that theatres show in advance of the featured 'family' movies film are questionable imo, and I don't know how many times I've brought home a PG-13 movie from the rental store and been embarassed by the content watching it with my kids (DD14 and DS12) and subsequently, turn it off.

That said however, I would probably have let my 14yo DD see that particular movie. I am more cautious with movies with an 'R' rating however. None of us is especially fond of scary, scream or slasher movies, so we draw the line on those. DD just won't even consider seeing one of those types of movies, nor will I. I don't like to be scared!

Would it have been possible to make arrangements with your DD's friend to call her after the movie was over so she could have met them afterwards for the sleepover? Or, you could have offered to have everyone over to your house afterwards for a get together or something. That way, she could have participated in some of the fun and wouldn't have felt as left out.

Julie

 

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 08-10-2006 - 7:25pm

*ahem* - on that topic of that one movie, let me tell you what Owen Wilson said! He plays Dupree in the movie, and described it as very funny but a little crude (he mentioned one scene where he had to simulate masturbation). He said, and I quote, "If my own mom wanted to see it, I'd probably tell her to go watch "Cars" again instead". So I would *not* let my daughter go to that particular one. I agree with the idea of using Screen it - I go there all the time!

ps - here our ratings are a bit different. PG13 would be things like the Harry Potter movies and the first two Lord of the Rings. The one you mentioned would be 14A, meaning that no child under 14 can get into it without an adult anyway. Our PG13's are just a guideline, and don't actually keep younger children out. I suspect it works a bit better, but still isn't foolproof! I let my 8 year old see the third Lord of the Rings, but wouldn't let either kid see one rated the same for sexual content or nasty language.




Edited 8/10/2006 7:28 pm ET by mom2morgan
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-31-2003
Fri, 08-11-2006 - 6:07pm
Well, I saw this movie and half way thru I'm thinking this aint so bad, maybe my 13 year old could see it. Then the masterbation part started and I was like I dont think so! Why they ruined that movie by putting that part in there is beyond me - totally unncessary and it wasnt even funny. You did the right thing with this particular film.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Fri, 08-11-2006 - 6:13pm
Good info to have, tamara. DD has expressed interest in this movie and it seems fairly harmless by the trailers. Thanks!

 

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 08-11-2006 - 6:32pm
I dunno...have I lost my sense of humour? I'm finding that so many movies these days have that sort of "crude" humour in it, and I don't find it very funny either. And with my 13 year old daughter, I know she'd get REALLY grossed out by that kind of stuff. She found some of the content in "Click" objectionable enough that it ruined the movie for her. On the other hand, I have friends that are horrified that I let my kids watch things like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings because they are so violent - but I don't have as much trouble with fantasy type violence as I would with more "realistic" violence.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-18-2006
Tue, 12-19-2006 - 2:28am

Masturbation, not masterbation.

Yes... masturbation - good way to teach your children that such an act is disgusting and shameful. Very good plan.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-31-2003
Wed, 12-20-2006 - 9:49am
As far as I'm concerned, it is private and not something that the whole world needs to see.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
Wed, 12-20-2006 - 10:43am
I agree.

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