Mass dialogues erupt anytime a movie or cd comes out that is targeted for a mass audience, yet has "questionable" lyrics or content. Seems that the current discussion is based around Episode III being PG13, considering some of the marketing and merchandise is targeted to younger audiences.

I don't want to get off on a rant here, but I just don't see what the big deal is. I mean, if Lucas is making a movie under the rating system, then he should follow suit with his marketing. I may not agree with the ratings systems, but for stuff like this, people should operate under the mores and rules of the system.

But this post is more into me not really understanding what the big deal is with violent/scary images, and bad language. I mean, most of the people that read my journal were born in the 70's or 80's, and yet somehow, miraculously maybe, survived through Nazi face melts, clowns under the bed, chest bursting aliens, and sharks in the water.

I'm not putting one side down over the other, I'm just curious as to how much kids are able to take. Where's the balance? Just because I turned out fine, after taking in more slasher movies than I can count, doesn't mean that all kids will.

Some of this comes down on the parents. If I had a 10 year old child, and we had a good, well adjusted household, I would probably feel fine taking him/her to see Episode III. I saw "Top Gun" when I was eight...BY MYSELF!!! Sisters with the crushes on Matthew Broderick into one theater, me in another. And I saw "Good Morning Vietnam," and "The Last Emperor" when they came out, and I'm somehow still standing.

In some cultures, the parents have sex right in front of the sleeping children. In other cultures, kids carry Uzis. I guess it's all relative.

matt out