Lauren NeillWhy Rating Labels Have Won Me Over
October 24th 2007 07:09
A few years back (yes, its already been that long), the Australian OFLC (the guys who rate movies/games/etc.) decided to change their labelling system. Now instead of a simple symbol and description at the bottom of a DVD case, we get something like this:
(sidenote: This movie is listed at $10 on ezydvd.com.au. Buy it. Buy it NOW.)
At first, this pissed off a lot of people. By now, I'd wager no one really cares a whole lot. I, on the other hand, have gone down the rather confusing path of growing to love the look of rating labels, old and new. No matter how they're presented, I feel they.... add something to the whole production.
This feeling came to me today when I borrowed an NTSC (American) copy of Blue Velvet from the Uni library:
To me, this very much feels like its missing something. The movie is rated R over here, for Medium Level Violence, Medium Level Sex Scenes and Medium Level Course Language. Now that really gives you a good picture of what you're in for, doesn't it? If you're unfamiliar with Lynch, especially, the promise of violence and course language isn't exactly expressed through this cover. The American version just has a tiny little 'R' on the back.
Then, there's the new G symbol:
I feel more....sold on G rated DVDs with this logo in place. The green is a very comforting "don't worry, your two year old sister will love this" to me. There is nothing questionable goin' on here, and I know because of the green. The red on the MA15 works pretty well for me too, adds a nice sort of X-TREME!!!11! feeling to proceedings, tends to look quite nice and, in the case of an action, horror or comedy film, confirms that it's going to at least try to push me a bit.
Tomorrow, I'm going to go see Eastern Promises. The little black R18 that shows on the trailers, with 'High Level Violence' under it, is scaring me a bit. But I can't wait.
(sidenote: This movie is listed at $10 on ezydvd.com.au. Buy it. Buy it NOW.)
At first, this pissed off a lot of people. By now, I'd wager no one really cares a whole lot. I, on the other hand, have gone down the rather confusing path of growing to love the look of rating labels, old and new. No matter how they're presented, I feel they.... add something to the whole production.
This feeling came to me today when I borrowed an NTSC (American) copy of Blue Velvet from the Uni library:
To me, this very much feels like its missing something. The movie is rated R over here, for Medium Level Violence, Medium Level Sex Scenes and Medium Level Course Language. Now that really gives you a good picture of what you're in for, doesn't it? If you're unfamiliar with Lynch, especially, the promise of violence and course language isn't exactly expressed through this cover. The American version just has a tiny little 'R' on the back.
Then, there's the new G symbol:
I feel more....sold on G rated DVDs with this logo in place. The green is a very comforting "don't worry, your two year old sister will love this" to me. There is nothing questionable goin' on here, and I know because of the green. The red on the MA15 works pretty well for me too, adds a nice sort of X-TREME!!!11! feeling to proceedings, tends to look quite nice and, in the case of an action, horror or comedy film, confirms that it's going to at least try to push me a bit.
Tomorrow, I'm going to go see Eastern Promises. The little black R18 that shows on the trailers, with 'High Level Violence' under it, is scaring me a bit. But I can't wait.
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