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This Week’s Movie Ratings
By Ali Asadullah 03/08/2001
Please consult the following ratings system for the evaluation of films currently in theaters. Please note that films with themes specifically adult in nature will be rated as
(Adult) in addition to being given an overall rating.
(CU) Completely Unacceptable
- Film contains levels of Sex, Violence, Profane Language and/or other objectionable content that are gratuitous to the degree that the film has absolutely no redeeming value either as a social commentary or as an entertaining diversion.
Examples: Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct, Eyes Wide Shut, Eddie Murphy: Raw
(RU) Rather Unacceptable
- Film contains levels of Sex, Violence, Profane Language and/or other objectionable content that are extreme. As such only through extreme rationalization could someone consider the film fit for consumption. The only reason to see it would be as a study of the current state of Western culture.
Examples: American Beauty
(SA) Somewhat Acceptable
- Aspects of objectionable Sex, Violence and Profane Language and/or other questionable content exist, but either a) Not in a gratuitous manner, b) Not in great frequency or c) With specific redeeming intent. But be very careful.
Examples: Malcolm X, American History X, The Matrix
(RA) Rather Acceptable
- Overall, the film is suitable for general consumption with some concerns over thematic issues or minor objectionable content. But be on the lookout for more subtle Western themes that are of concern to Muslims such as romance and dating.
Examples: Shrek, Atlantis
(CA) Completely Acceptable
- Film content is either tame or fully socially redeeming in nature.
Examples: Jinnah, The Battle of Algiers, Bambi
Rush Hour 2 (SA-Adult)
Summary: Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan reprise their roles as two culturally mismatched cops battling organized crime and their own hilarious cultural misunderstandings. This time around, the nemesis is a band of counterfeiters who exploded a bomb at the American embassy, killing the two customs agents investigating their dealings. The violence pulls Tucker and Chan off their vacations and thrusts them into the chaos and action they are used to. Despite the MPAA rating of PG-13, this film does have some adult themes including incidents of crude humor and some sexual references.
The Princess Diaries (RA)
Summary: An ugly duckling tale. Anne Hathaway plays Mia Thermopolis, an unpopular adolescent looking for a place to fit in at her San Francisco prep school. What she doesn't know is that her grandmother is Queen of the fictitious European principality of Genovia, making Mia a real-life princess. Unfortunately, she does not look or act the part. So, in the tradition of
My Fair Lady, she goes about the task of learning the royal ways and finds herself in the process. The movie is rated G by the MPAA but does contain themes related to America adolescent life that may be of concern to Muslims.
Original Sin (CU-Adult)
Summary: Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas star in this sexual thriller about a man who marries a woman who has stolen the identity of another, who was originally betrothed to Banderas' character. Set in Cuba in the late 1880s, it is a story of love and betrayal. As such, it is filled with unacceptable content and should be AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS.
Apocalypse Now Redux (RU-Adult)
Summary: Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece on the horror of the Vietnam War returns to theaters with several minutes of additional footage. Patterned after the Joseph Conrad novel "Heart of Darkness,"
Apocalypse Now, traces one soldier's journey up the Mekong as he searches for a renegade colonel who has taken to operating death squads from inside Cambodia. His mission is to assassinate this colonel. More so than any other movie of its genre,
Apocalypse Now stands as the definitive work on the chaos, immorality, insanity, violence and pain that made the Vietnam War so tragic. There are very strong, adult themes including sexuality, drug use, profanity and violence. However these elements are in no way glorified and are used to highlight the evils of war. But, it is very strong content and Muslims not interested in the cultural significance of the film may want to avoid this movie.
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