Common Sense Media

Each and every time I look at the reviews of a film on rotten tomatoes, without fail I grit my teeth upon reading the trite spewed from the mouths of writers from the publication, 'Common Sense Media'. One of the writers, Maria Llull's inane scribblings include a review of Blade, " Boring vampire blood bath isn't for kids.", and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang " Choppy L.A. thriller. Absolutely not for kids.". This consistent concern regarding the exposure of these films to minors only seems to indicate that she is incapable of reading the age rating on the box, and as a result she assumes the role of a repetitious fool that merely spells out the clear implications of the BBFC rating.

Now, I digress. I do realize that the site Common Sense Media is heavily eager in its quest to shelter children from violent or explicit films, and I duly respect that.
Nonetheless, it begs the question of whether it is fair for a site that is so narrow in its demography and so fiercely opposed to any representation of sex, drugs and violence, to have an impact upon the rating of a film. To witness an amateurish, uninspired, and downright shoddy opinion piece based upon the "tameness" of the film clumped in alongside insightful deconstructions and analyses by talented writers, to me is jarring.

Some of the finest cinematic works of art involve some of these "explicit" or rather, "not for kids" elements. For example, Pulp Fiction, A Clockwork Orange, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, The Godfather, Psycho, The Shawshank Redemption. None of these film makers intended to appeal to children, and audiences do not tend to assume otherwise. So why is it we, the audience must have our common sense undermined by some faux-vigilante moms. In fact, why is it that the film makers works should be judged for their inclusion of violent content? It is a great disservice to artists, to criticize their art simply for their conscious artistic approach.

When all is said and done, I do not know who to blame; the people of the website that strive to protect the minds of the youth from corruption, or a site that embraces every point of view and holds them all in equal regard?

Perhaps I am just a cynical bastard. I shall let you be the judge. Does this not bother you?

Mecha wrote:

Ahh is this him talking about Trance.

That was midly related to what my thread is about.

Only mildly.

Quote :

In fact, why is it that the film makers works should be judged for their inclusion of violent content? It is a great disservice to artists, to criticize their art simply for their conscious artistic approach.

lol. I think you are reading a little too much into it. They are just saying its not suitable for children to view. How are children supposed to understand their conscious artistic approach?

You don't seem to get it. Their site rates the film in accordance with how violent it is, rather than how good it is, and this sites reviews are taken into account by Rotten Tomatoes. Therefore, the films overall average critic rating can be weighed down simply because this site deemed it too violent.

Sawed-Off_Orc wrote:

You don't seem to get it. Their site rates the film in accordance with how violent it is, rather than how good it is, and this sites reviews are taken into account by Rotten Tomatoes. Therefore, the films overall average critic rating can be weighed down simply because this site deemed it too violent.

Oh well yes, I do suppose you have a good point there.

Teckno wrote:

Sawed-Off_Orc wrote:

You don't seem to get it. Their site rates the film in accordance with how violent it is, rather than how good it is, and this sites reviews are taken into account by Rotten Tomatoes. Therefore, the films overall average critic rating can be weighed down simply because this site deemed it too violent.

Oh well yes, I do suppose you have a good point there.

:happyalone:

RT is an incredibly broken site, though. I hardly ever put their score into my own liking/viewpoint of a certain movie.

Also, in connection to what you said: Have you guys noticed how many unknown, outlandish, and irrelevant review sites RT uses? I swear, this other day, I noticed, at the very least, 3 - 6 different sites that all weighed in on a certain film on RT. Even though, those sites were either in German (Seriously), or had as much relevance as Shrute's own MagJournal site. Yeah, that irrelevant.

Spoiler:

Schrute doesn't like Hulk so he can suck a dick for all I care.

And why should he like Hulk...?

Nobody likes Hulk.

NOBODY LIKES THE HULK! (8)

Mecha wrote:

Nobody likes Hulk.

I second this.