Bombs? AWAY!

Since when did dropping the F-bomb in PG-13 movies crop up?  I hate to admit it, but I hadn't really noticed this phenomenon in any of the aptly rated shows we've seen lately.* 

According to an article by The Associated Press writer Glenn Whipp, which you can view for yourself right here, this distinctive word is allowed once in a PG-13 movie, but only when used in a non-sexual context.  Once it crosses that line?  It becomes a deal breaker, which automatically moves the movie to an R-rating.

But, here is my beef:  marketing of movies, regardless of their rating.  It seems every movie coming out of Hollywood, if there any way to put it into a Happy Meal, becomes a toy or a gadget or a trinket aimed at the tween and under set.

Come Christmas, the aisles are filled with the likes of Ironman, the red suit indicative of the second installment, which boasts a PG-13 rating because of the following (which I borrowed off a website that I'm going to reintroduce you to in just a few seconds):

"The s-word is used three or four times. Two f-words are bleeped on a television program. Other curses include "a--," "b‑‑ch" and "h‑‑‑." "Pr--k" is used as a double entendre. There are about 10 misuses of God's name, one of Jesus'."

Sure, that iron-suited Tony Stark looks like a great toy for a little boy.  Sure, you can buy the toy without taking your kid to the movie.  And, honestly, with that much negative language, who would want to subject his little ears to that trash, anyway?

But, sooner or later, Junior is going to ask why he can't see the movie, since he owns the toy, and you are caught in the trap Hollywood created for you, namely the "We'll let you dabble with the fire.  We'll even let you touch it briefly.  We just won't let you jump in it."  And, now you've found yourself in a really difficult situation, one that really doesn't have a good way of being explained.

We Nowells have taken to allowing all non-G movies to play in theaters long enough that Plugged In Online has the chance to review them.  That way, we are fully aware of what is awaiting us in the theater.

For example, I knew before we hit the theater that Judy Moody and the NOT So Bummer Summer shamefully inserted the word "crap".**  With the heads-up from Plugged In, I had the choice to a) forgo the movie or b) explain to my children before or after, that this was a word that our family deems inappropriate.***

As with many things in our society, Hollywood is going to follow the money.  If parents refuse to allow their children to see PG-13 movies as a result of the issue of language, the less worrisome PG and G ratings will show a spike in sales.  Better yet, parents can vote with their dollars by seeing G/PG rated shows that also have a solid moral theme running through them.**** 

And, come Christmas?  Watch carefully that what you buy isn't tied to something you would never allow your child to see.

But, well before that, on September 30, to be exact, might I suggest Courageous as a family-friendly alternative to the junk Hollywood will be marketing our way?*****  Since it is from the makers of Fireproof and Facing the Giants, you can expect positive elements throughout.  And a solid moral message, to boot.

It's not that hard to parent your way through the traps of entertainment these days.  It just requires a little clicking, a bit of reading and, sometimes, defying what society crowns as OK. 

For the sake of your kids, just do it.


*Maybe that is my blatant desensitization to a word that used to pepper my language?

**As best as I could tell, this was the impetus for being moved  solidly into a PG rating, thereby creating a larger viewing audience.  That, and the odd casting of Heather Graham as Aunt Opal, who has either hit a bump in her career as a professional bimbo or took the role because she has a niece she was trying to impress.

***Turns out, only one of the boys went to see the show with me and HE pointed out that they had said a bad word before I could mention it.  No lesson necessary on that one.

****A recent example of Hollywood embracing the morally-upright, Christian message is Soul Surfer.   

*****I'm unsure of the rating at the moment, but tend to think it will get a PG for thematic elements.