A quick visit to the IMDB yields this gem:
MPAA chief Dan Glickman is encouraging independent filmmakers to make more films that would earn them an NC-17 rating. According to Daily Variety, Glickman acknowledged that producers often face a stone wall erected by exhibitors to keep out NC-17 films. He said he plans to meet with theater owners to persuade them to drop the barrier. "It's one of our ratings, and I'd like to see it used more," he said.
The story, which came as mentioned from Daily Variety, is a troublesome one. Apparently, Mr. Glickman believes that there should be more of a place in (ostensibly) mainstream cinema for "edgier" fare, which would be typified by motion pictures that earn the NC-17 rating.
I am uncertain as to how the entertainment industry is improved by placing more NC-17 pictures in mainstream cinema. Likewise, I don't see any major problem in the apparent decision by distributors etc. to limit their commercial exposure by exhibiting few NC-17 pictures. I am of the opinion that fewer NC-17 pictures ought to be created; I don't see that they serve any purpose. That is, unless you posit that one of the objectives of the Hollywood entertainment industry is to coarsen the culture.
Here's a hint, Mr. Glickman: The entertainment industry is doing an excellent job of that with the tools that they have now; no additional tools are necessary.
Posted by Country Pundit at January 23, 2007 07:29 PM