Learning English Via Movie MPAA Film Rating System

1. Learning English Via MovieMPAA Film Rating System Instructor 林綠芳 Data Source • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPAA_film_rating_system • http://www.filmratings.com/

2. When did the rating system get started? • The Rating system went into effect on November 1, 1968. In April 1968, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutional power of states and cities to prevent the exposure of children to books and films that could not be denied to adults. (Jack Valenti, President of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) in 1966. ))

3. The initial design called for four rating categories G for General Audiences, all ages admitted;M for mature audiences - parental guidance suggested, but all ages admitted;R for Restricted, children under 16 would not be admitted without an accompanying parent or adult guardian;X for no one under 17 admitted.

4. Other historic events • The M category was changed to GP. • In 1984, the PG category was split into two groupings, PG and PG-13. • In 1990, the name of the X category was changed to NC-17:NO ONE 17 AND UNDER ADMITTED.

5. What is the purpose of the rating system? • The MPAA film rating system is a system used in the United States and territories and instituted by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to rate a moviebased on its content. It is one of various motion picture rating systems used to help patrons decide which movies may be appropriate for children and/or adolescents.

6. Do the ratings indicate if a movie is good or bad? • Ｔhe system is not designed to serve the function of "critic." The ratings do not determine or reflect whether a film is "good" or "bad." The system is not intended to approve, disapprove or censor any film; it merely assigns a rating for guidance--leaving the decision-making responsibilities to the parents.

7. What criteria do they use? • Theme, language, violence, nudity, sex and drug use are among those content areas considered in the decision-making process. Also assessed is how each of these elements is employed in the context of each individual film. The rating board places no special emphasis on any of these elements; all are considered and examined before a rating is given.

8. Current MPAA Movie Ratings :

9. Vocabulary http://tw.dictionary.yahoo.com/ association n. An official group of people who have the same occupation, aim or interest. 協會,公會,社團[C] Have you joined the teachers' association? 你加入教師協會了嗎? patrons n. A person who supports and gives money to artists, writers, or musicians. 主顧(尤指老顧客) We have a special offer for our regular patrons. 我們給予老顧客特別的優惠。

10. Vocabulary approve 批准;認可 vt. (Transitive Verb) Someone in authority formally agree to a plan or idea. The city council has now approved the scheme for the erection of a new public library. 市議會業已核准建造一座新的公共圖書館的計劃。 censor 檢查(出版物等),審查 vt. Someone in authority officially examine a book, play, or film. n. (出版物、電影等的)審查員[C]

11. Vocabulary assign 派定,指定,選派[(+to/for)][O2] vt. To give someone work to do. Jack was assigned to the assembly shop of the factory. nudity 裸露;裸體像;裸體畫 n. The state of wearing no clothes.