The New Yorker by Anthony Lane
As the movie shows, the whole furtive business of ratings is indeed ridiculous and should be overhauled.
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United Kingdom, United States · 2006
Rated NC-17 · 1h 38m
Director Kirby Dick
Starring Kimberly Peirce, Jon Lewis, David Ansen, Martin Garbus
Genre Documentary
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Kirby Dick's provocative documentary investigates the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and how its secretive and inconsistent process of rating films is an underhanded effort to control culture. Dick questions whether certain studios get preferential treatment, exposes the discrepancies in how the MPAA views sex and violence, and more in this journalistic endeavor into which movies make the cut and which ones don't.
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The New Yorker by Anthony Lane
As the movie shows, the whole furtive business of ratings is indeed ridiculous and should be overhauled.
Packed with amusing graphics, animated sequences and damning testimonies, this is a landmark denunciation of Hollywood infantilisation and protectionism.
It's vital that everyone who cares about film see this documentary.
Any investigation into Hollywood inevitably mutates into a noir.
ReelViews by James Berardinelli
Despite being a little rough around the edges (as is often the case with the work of maverick documentarians), This Film Is Not Yet Rated is more than just an angry diatribe against the MPAA.
The Hollywood Reporter by Kirk Honeycutt
Dick's strongest points are that these raters receive no training and are given no standards by which to judge movies. Experts in child psychology or media or social studies are not consulted. Nor are they allowed on the board. The days of counting F-words or pelvic thrusts need to end, and in the film's quieter moments, Dick makes this case compellingly.
Entertainment Weekly by Owen Gleiberman
Has a bright, dishy spirit.
Rolling Stone by Peter Travers
Kirby Dick's indispensable guerrilla attack on the film-ratings system gives Hollywood a swift, smart and hilarious kick in its institutional, hypocritical ass.
It thoroughly eviscerates the MPAA and makes a solid case that the culture has paid the price for its censorious practices. His (Dick's) attacks are the equivalent of shooting ducks in a barrel, but these ducks had it coming.
Never really addresses why aspects of the ratings don't work, proposes concrete improvements or compares the system to those in other countries. Still, picture's bracing, hilarious and out-there elements make it a landmark.
The last scream you hear will be your own.
You can't stop progress.