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This Week’s Movie Ratings
By Ali Asadullah 28/12/2001
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
Black Hawk Down
(SA)
LIMITED RELEASE NYC/LA (full release Jan. 18)
Summary: And the patriotic films just keep rolling. Latest to join the cavalcade is
Black Hawk Down, an adaptation of the book by Mark Bowden of the same title. Anticipation for this film began back on September 12 when talk of Osama bin Laden first hit broadcast news. At that time, Americans were reminded that U.S. forces first had a run-in with al-Qaeda fighters in the streets of Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993 during Operation Provide Comfort. That operation turned into a nightmare for a group of Army Rangers that got pinned down in the twisted alleys and burnt out houses of the city. Still fresh in the minds of many are the images from the nightly news of a dead American serviceman being dragged almost naked by a mob through the streets.
Black Hawk Down tries to capture the horror that those men endured. What is unclear is how producer Jerry Bruckheimer chose to portray Islam and Muslims. In this film, Muslims are "the enemy", and it will be interesting to see whether the full context of the conflict in Somalia is laid out or whether it falls prey to an oversimplified "Us vs. Them" portrayal of events. This film provides a very realistic view of war, and thus scenes of graphic wartime violence abound. Based on the violent content, a full endorsement cannot be given the film for Muslims. However it will provide more insight as to how Hollywood is handling issues pertaining to Islam and Muslims and therefore could be a good film to see for the purposes of analysis.
I Am Sam
(RA)
Summary: It's hard to believe that Sean Penn was once only known for his bad acting in sophomoric films and his failed marriage to pop music icon Madonna. More recently, though, he has been responsible for some films of great depth and critical acclaim.
I Am Sam is one such film. In it, Penn plays a man (Sam) who suffers from a mental disability that gives him the general intellect of a 7-year-old. This is problematic for Sam because despite his disability, he works and rears his young daughter who is about to turn seven. Fearing that Sam does not have the capacity to raise his daughter, Child Services takes custody of the girl and a legal battle ensues. It is a touching story about the power of love and the very capable people in society who many consider "incapable" of functioning at certain levels because of various disabilities. There is some foul language, but for the most part
I Am Sam provides little objectionable material. Muslims may want to see this one.
Kate and Leopold (CU-Adult)
Summary: What happens when a chivalrous man time travels to the present to court a modern woman of modern means? By Hollywood standards, that is the formula for a romantic comedy. Put Meg Ryan in it, and it is the formula for a really cute romantic comedy. By Muslims standards however, that is the formula for a frivolous waste of time. SKIP IT.
Monster's Ball
(CU-Adult)
Summary: It's clear that this film's producers wanted to make a statement about race relations in the United States. They had a budget and an opportunity to do so in a manner that focused on this very sensitive and timely issue. Unfortunately they chose instead to obscure the broader commentary on race with all the heated sex and sensuality they put in their film. It's truly sad that producers feel that audiences' prurient interests in seeing actress Halle Berry nude and writhing on a screen trump making a film that would be acceptable to all viewers. AVOID THIS ONE AT ALL COSTS.
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