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Sun. Jan. 27, 2002
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Art & Culture > Movie &Theatre > Archive
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This Week’s Movie Ratings
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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 work of 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)
Summary: (NATIONWIDE DEBUT JAN. 18) 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 Sept.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.
Snow Dogs (RA)
Summary: Living up to image (though not fully deserved) as a family-oriented production company, Disney offers Snow Dogs as its cure for the winter doldrums. A light-hearted comedy starring Cuba Gooding, Jr., this film follows the antics of a sunbathed Floridian (Gooding) who travels to Alaska to claim a family inheritance. Upon arrival he finds that part of his bequeathal is team of championship sled dogs. Knowing nothing of his environs or of mushing dogs through over snowy terrain, Gooding’s character unwisely enters a sled race. Although he is determined to participate, his new team of dogs have quite different plans for him. What ensues is warm comedy for a cold winter’s day. There is some crude humor (fart jokes and the like), but for the most part it is a fairly tame film.
Time of Favor (RU)
Summary: (LIMITED RELEASE IN NYC & CHICAGO) For many, the internal conflicts of Israeli society are a complete mystery. While it is clear that there are division between liberals and conservatives, religious Jews and secularists, the depth of those divisions goes largely unnoticed in a media that tends to portray Israel as a monolith. Time of Favor explores these issues of division through the context of a romantic relationship. Reviews have billed this movie as championing religious devotion while at the same time criticizing fanaticism. That fanaticism is represented in Time of Favor by a subplot that centers on one character’s involvement in a plot to blow up the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosque. Because the film deals with romantic issues and potentially has offensive material, it cannot be recommended. However some Muslims might want to see it as an examination of contemporary Israeli life.
The Plastic People of the Universe (SA)
Summary: (LIMITED RELEASE IN NYC) For all garbage that comes from rock music and the music industry, there are those few gems that emerge as examples of the good that music can do. The Plastic People of the Universe was one rock group that eclipsed many others in its ability to impact society. This movie is the story of this band. The Plastics, as they are often called, formed in 1968 in Czechoslovakia shortly after the Soviets took control of that nation bringing into the Communist sphere of influence. Their music was always representative of Czech struggles for freedom. The Soviets and their clients recognized this and instituted repressive measures to curb artistic freedom. The Plastics played on and were even jailed. But their music became influential and they provided part of the soundtrack for Eastern European struggles against Communism.
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