Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Back And Ranting! Tragedies All Around

I doubt there's anyone out there still reading, but the events of this past week have awakened my need to write...and to rant. I can't promise I'll stay, but I'm thinking writing is a good thing for me so maybe I will!

I cannot imagine a single American who hasn't been touched by the Colorado Tragedy.  I find myself scouring the online news for information about every single victim, especially those killed.  I want them to be remembered, I want their names and their accomplishments to live on forever.  I hope they never, ever print another word about the purported "Human" who did this.  Don't care about him, don't want to give him a second of any kind of "fame."  But the people involved?  They need recognition.  And rememberance.

And so, I read, and click, and watch, and cry.

And then, I see it.  Stories of CHILDREN at the movie.  No, I have not seen the movie.  But I have seen other Batman movies.  And they are violent.  And they are rated PG-13.  That's right PG-13

Why in the HELL would someone think it is appropriate to take a 4 year old or a 6 year old to a violent PG-13 movie?  Never mind the MIDNIGHT showing?

I think back to the last movie I did see in the theater (I rarely go - too cheap to pay all that money to fall asleep....).  The Captain and I saw Hunger Games.  We had read all the books.  I didn't really want to see the movie - the books were far too violent for me and gave me nightmares, despite the fact that yes I did think they were relatively good books (obviously - I read all 3 in 5 days).  But my large family convinced me the movie was well done and "not that violent."

HA

Not that violent?  Kids getting killed left and right?  OK so maybe they don't actually show the kid getting killed.  See kids running.  See kid getting chased.  See attacker carrying large, sharp object.  See kid on ground not moving with blood everywhere.

That's not violent?

OK but I'm an adult who went to the PG-13 movie.

Someone explain to me what could possibly be right about 5 and 8 year old little boys going to a movie like that????  I about ripped their Dad's head off and reported him for child abuse, but the Captain steered me clear of such a confrontation.  (Besides, such actual violence would have been even worse for the kids).

Apparently too many parents lack any kind of judgment.  And therefore I propose that not only do movies have rating restrictions, but also that the restrictions apply without parental override.  Well, ok, maybe moderate override.  Such as, "PG-13, under 13 not admitted without parent, under 10 not admitted under any circumstances."  Same goes for R movies. 

Children are like a fine paella, cooking and maturing, adding ingredients at the right time.  If you just dump everything in all at the same time, they won't turn out right.  You have to prepare them for some of the ingredients and add them when they are ready to receive them.

I think I just have to stay away from movies.  Because the next time I see an inappropriately young child at a movie like that, I WILL confront the parent.  And probably get arrested. 

7 comments:

Gigi said...

Am glad to see you are back. And yes, I agree. I've never understood why people take such young children to those kinds of movies. I keep hearing people say, "...but they are so young - they won't remember it..." I call b.s.

My heart bleeds for those victims though. I just don't understand the world we live in today.22

ChiTown Girl said...

Sing it, Sista!!!

CSJ and I have been saying the same thing for a week now. What the HELL was a 6 year old (and her infant sibling!!) DOING at the midnight show!!?? What the hell?!

Don't get me wrong, my heart is breaking because she lost her life, and as stupid as her parents may be, they certainly didn't deserve to lose a child. But, the bitch in me can't stop thinking, "Well, fuck, if that baby had been HOME, in BED, at midnight, instead of at the show, she'd still be alive!"

I completely agree with you that there should be more restrictions. Sadly, there are just too many stupid parents out there.

JFTR, there ARE some theaters here that don't allow children in the theater AT ALL after a certain time. I wish EVERY theater in the country would do that.

After all that ranting, I gotta say, I literally can't remember the last time I watched a movie in a theater. I HATE going to the show. I HATE people talking during a movie, I hate the smell of theater popcorn, I hate the sticky floors, shall I go on? Plus, I'm too cheap to spend that kind of money to see a movie, while people talk, my feet are stuck to the floor, and I'm becoming nauseous from the smell. Jeez, I'm a bitch, aren't I?

WELCOME BACK, my friend!!! Sorry to be such a flaming bitch on your return post. xoxox

Stephanie said...

I am so glad to see you back! I am sorry it is because of such a horrific event. All I can feel for the people of Colorado at this point is pain :(

PS Love the new header.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Yep ditto here too. I don't get it. But then again, I don't 'get' a lot of things.
Glad to see your face. I hope all is well in the land of paradise.
xoxo

Sorta Southern Single Mom said...

Excellent point... and I'm glad you made it, because that was my thought when I saw those stories...tragedy aside, what the heck were kids doing in a PG 13 movie!?!?

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

Still reading.

I sat next to a 8-year old boy whose mother was terribly distracting trying to keep his eyes covered during the violent parts--hello, that's the whole movie! I was very pleased she gave up and took him home.

Even the noise in a movie like The Dark Knight is totally inappropriate for a baby's ears. It is hard to know what people are thinking sometimes.

The shooter went to a high school I'm very familiar with and have spent a lot of time at for water polo. The whole thing is unbelievable.

Clippy Mat said...

I sat in a movie theatre here in Canada last weekend and felt so nervous and sickened to be there because I could visualize those terrible events so clearly. I don't think I'll ever feel the same and I've always LOVED going to the movies. How could this happen?
I agree, celebrate and remember the lives of the victims. They are who is important in this whole mess.
I am shocked that young children are allowed to see violent movies such as these and there were several near us when we saw Hunger Games too.