Linda Thomas: at the movies

Motion Picture Association of America has created a rating system. Here's a quick look at what the MPAA ratings mean:

Ratings Explained:

G: "General audiences - all ages admitted."
This is a film, which contains nothing in theme, language, nudity and sex, violence, etc., which would, in the view of the Rating Board, be offensive to parents whose younger children view the film. Some mild language might go beyond polite conversation but this language is common, everyday expressions. Violence is at a minimum. Nudity and sex scenes are not present; nor is there any drug use content.

PG: "Parental Guidance Suggested. Some Material may not be Suitable for Children."
This is a film that parents need to be inquired into or examine before they let their children attend. Parents must make the decision and they may consider some material unsuitable for their children.

The theme of a PG-rated film may itself call for parental guidance. PG-rated films may include some profanity, violence or brief nudity. These elements are not intense but parents are cautioned. There is no drug use content in a PG-rated film.

PG-13: "Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13."
This is a sterner warning to parents to determine for themselves whether a movie is appropriate for younger children.

A PG-13 film leaps beyond the boundaries of the PG film in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language or other content, but does not quite fit into the R category. There may be some drug use content, the nudity is not usually sexually oriented and the violence is not too rough or persistent. There may be one use of a sexually oriented expletive but no more than one.

PG-13 places larger responsibilities on parents for their children's movie going. The voluntary rating system is not a surrogate parent, nor should it be. Parents must make these family decisions. This rating is an advance informational warning so that parents can form their own judgments.

R. "No children under the age of 17 will be admitted without a parent or adult guardian."
An R-rated film may include hard language, tough violence, drug abuse, nudity without sensual scenes, or any combination of the above. Parents must find out more about an R-rated film before allowing their teenagers to view it.