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Today's Poll: Do you think violence in movies should be curtailed?

By Howard B. Owens
Jason Brunner

Taking violence out of movies isn't going to stop people with mental issues from acting out in violent ways. What we need to focus on is bringing light to the mental health crisis in this country and put funding into the programs that can save these people's lives.

Jul 27, 2012, 8:01am Permalink
Paula Ferraro

I would like to at least see the rating system revised. Something between PG-13 and R might help. Or change PG13 to be no one under 13 allowed (no I'm not sure how you would enforce it). I have witnessed way too many younger children at movies that they have no business being at. PG stands for Parental Guidance suggested but I think there are parents that don't discriminate. Regardless of what happened that night, the children in Colorado should have been home tucked safely in their beds/cribs. Just because it's Batman, or Spiderman, or a cartoon, does not mean it is OK for children. Even if it is marketed to children with toys, lunch boxes, T-shirts, etc.

Jul 27, 2012, 9:22am Permalink
Doug Yeomans

What galls me is when parents bring their underage children into a movie that they have no business in seeing. Those young minds have a difficult enough time processing being told "no." They need to concentrate on being kids, not being shown graphic scenes that they can't even put into perspective and can't comprehend yet.

I couldn't stand listening to the mother who brought a baby to the midnight showing of Batman when the shooting happened. Why do people bring babies to theaters when all they do is ruin it for everyone else and why is a baby at a theater in the middle of the night?

I don't think there's a problem with violence in movies. It's entertainment for adults and it's "just a movie." If someone has a problem with the violence then they shouldn't watch the movie. It's a simple solution.

Jul 27, 2012, 10:25am Permalink
Jason Crater

What you're suggesting is just another way for the nanny state to control our lives. Responsibility is on parents to teach/control their children.

Jul 27, 2012, 10:20am Permalink
Shannon Laurer

Bottom line, individuals need to be held accountable for their own actions, society today accepts the "blame game" and actually encourages it in some instances! Teach your children right from wrong and make them suffer the consequences if they choose the latter, instead of finding blame elsewhere! Taking personal responsiability for your actions and being made to face those actions could turn this society around!

Jul 27, 2012, 10:39am Permalink
Doug Yeomans

I've got an idea..how about using money from the $36million confiscated in the drug raids to pay for the funerals and medical bills from the Colorado shooting! Something good should be done with that money and I think that's a great start.

Jul 27, 2012, 11:39am Permalink
Paula Ferraro

Jason, the last thing I want is for the state to have more control over our lives (don't even get me started on the big drink ban they are exploring)and you would think we could rely on parents to have common sense when it comes to their children but it's not the case. When it comes to children's welfare you have to make some rules. You would think car seats would be a no brainer or how about drinking and driving with children in the car with you? Risking your life is one thing, risking others' is another and risking the safety of a child is just unacceptable. Adults choose the level of violence they are willing to subject themselves to, children are incapable of making those decisions let alone comprehending the violence etc that is in some of the movies. Not all adults have proper judgment when it comes to children which is why there are rules and laws. R rated movies are strictly enforced. I'm suggesting that instead of putting limitations on the content of movies, maybe expand upon the limitations that are already in place. And I ageee, it's too bad there needs to be limitations to begin with but it is my personal experience that children do not benefit from being exposed to a certain level of violence and adult language.

Jul 27, 2012, 12:12pm Permalink
Jason Crater

Children also don't benefit from eating junk food and drinking pop all day. Does that mean you are siding w/ Mayor Bloomberg on his efforts to regulate the size of beverages permitted to be sold?

Jul 27, 2012, 12:58pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

I see there are 3 thumbs down for calling Weinstein a hypocrite. If you think he is being altruisitic, then that is highly naive. But yet I have been called naive and not-so-bright for my viewpoints, such as believing that if more people carried guns into that theatre in Colo., less people would have been shot. This is political claptrap. Weinstein knows full well that Hollywood producers are never going to cut back on violence in movies as long as it sells. But he can say he tried, he can say I would have if everyone else would; and Obama can take his money and say what a great person Harvey Weinstein is. I am so sick of these producers, directors, actors and musicians who think that because we enjoy being entertained by them, therefor they are so smart and should be listened to. Hey, Harve you know how to make a lot of money with movies, that's great truly, I envy you. Stick to what you do best and stop thinking you are some moral authority because you are successful. I think it's one of the ways America is great that thousands of people can earn very lucrative livings off of fantasy and entertainment. Quite frankly, when I watch a movie, I enjoy seeing something blow up and high speed car wrecks and even a bad guy getting shot in the head. Total disaster, even better. That's because I don't want to see those things in real life.

He says it's time for politicians to put up or shut up about gun control, well Harvey same goes for you. I'd prefer the latter, on both subjects.

Jul 27, 2012, 1:46pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

,,,A hairy little Jewish princess.....Catholic girls in the rectory basement.....

I've been a Zappa fan since I was in 6th grade. Yes, I was 12 years old and was belting out songs from his albums (ALBUMS!). I've always thought of myself as an enlightened pupil of his, blasting the bastions of repression, hypocrisy, bigotry and hate.

Jul 27, 2012, 3:28pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

"Crowd control?" I'll assume you are kidding.

Culture does not reflect movies; movies reflect culture. Movie-goers choose violent films, because that's what they want to see. Spend a few hours perusing the violent acts perpetrated in real life, and the stuff of movies pales by comparison. Blaming movies, video games or any other 'recreational enactment of a violent nature' strikes at symptoms- not the root of violence in society.

Jul 27, 2012, 10:57pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

C.M., I recall all the demands for less violent cartoons back in the 70's, when sesame street was born, so far, in my opinion, that theory went to hell in a hand basket.
I think with all the death and destruction we are exposed to, it de sensatizes people, thus making life less valuable to some. Another piece of the morals crisis happening in this country.

Jul 28, 2012, 12:49pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

Frank, I suggest that the news media focus on crime and violence does more to desensitize our culture to violence than films, entertainment programs or video games. The marked increase in gun sales is not an indicator of sociopaths arming for the next killing spree; it's indicative of mass neurosis fueled by violence and crime saturated news. If the news actually encapsulated a more balanced version of ALL that goes on- any given day, it would be significantly tamer; it would reflect a less violent snapshot of our world. Just as an illustration; think about front porches. It used to be summer evenings people relaxed on their porches and socialized with passers-by. New houses don't even have front porches. People ensconce themselves in backyards behind stockade fences. Instead of a welcome mat the sign in the window advises that the homeowner is armed. Windows and doors have bars. Cameras and security devices are installed. Living in fear is not living. It's far less expensive to be familiar with your neighbors

Jul 28, 2012, 2:20pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Movies from Harvey Weinstein:

Scream 4
Piranha
Rambo
Halloween
Planet Terror
Kill Bill: Vol. 2
Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Scream 3
Jackie Brown
Scream 2
Scream
Pulp Fiction

Jul 28, 2012, 3:51pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

Link must be screwed up... It should have brought you to a report on two studies pertaining to violence. It did cite 'crowding;' which is why I thought you were being witty!

Jul 28, 2012, 8:50pm Permalink

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