February 12, 2007 by jess82.

I had never really given much thought about the American film rating system until I had this documentary recommended to me. This film is a combination of interviews with filmmakers and directors, as well as an attempt to illuminate the inner workings of the secretive MPAA. Although the rating system is “vountary”, it is in reality necessary for proper advertising, exhibition, and sale of films. The MPAA is one of the last vestiges of unregulated censorship on American media. Who are these people controlling our media anyway? One of the most powerful parts of the movie for me was an interview with the director of “Gunner Palace” a documentary of the every day life of American soldiers in Baghdad. How is it possible to rate reality? What kind of message is the MPAA trying to send when they aren’t willing to let the horrors of reality in to mainstream society? I recommend this documentary to anyone that is interested in film or issues regarding free speech and censorship.

4/5 stars

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0493459/

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January 22, 2007 by jess82.

After much prodding from p00ky I am going to write some reviews for movies I have seen in the last year. My first post will be about the best movie I have seen this year, Mysterious Skin ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0370986/ ). This film left me gasping for air. It is the brutally honest story about 2 boys, Neil (Jason Gordon-Levitt) a male prostitue and Brian (Brady Corbet) an introverted geek who were both molested by their little league coach (Bill Sage). This film portrays the hardships that these 2 characters have endured as a result of their abuse, as well as the different ways they have dealt with the abuse. This was one of the best movies I have ever seen, but at the same time, the most difficult film I have ever experienced. It humanizes and shows the relationships between the abuser and abused boys. The young Neil (Chase Ellison) did an amazing job, making the “love” between him and Coach believable. In the end Neil and Brian come together with a glimmer of hope for the future.

5/5 stars

( I highly recommend this movie but it is not for the faint of heart. The portrayals of molestation and rape are very shocking and disturbing. If you are up for an emotionally and morally challenging movie, you won’t regret watching Mysterious Skin.)

jess82

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