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Stupidity ahoy!

post #1 of 39
5/7/02 at 8:57pm
Thread Starter 
What a patronising moron:

"Parents Cautioned About Taking Small Kids To See Spider-Man

Despite the fact that Spider-Man toys and other merchandise appear to be everywhere, parents are being advised to think twice about taking children younger than 13 to see it. Diane Levin, a professor of education at Wheelock College in Boston, told today's (Tuesday) Boston Globe that scenes of destruction in New York City depicted in the movie might be particularly troubling to youngsters. "For all children, there's a potential to trigger anxiety and stress and more viewing of the world as a dangerous place. It's a different world now. It's not appropriate or good for them to have these images presented to them." The website warns of "Extreme" violence in the movie".

-from IMDB studio briefing
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post #2 of 39
5/7/02 at 9:06pm
I was just going to post this....

I guess kids should be kept in a hermetically sealed box away from movies and television and news until they're old enough to handle everything.
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post #3 of 39
5/7/02 at 9:06pm
When I was 7, I watched Predator, Aliens, Terminator, Darkman, and Godzilla movies all the freaking time. What did all that do to me? It made me love movies. OHHHH NOOOOO! Don't let that happen!
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post #4 of 39
5/7/02 at 9:18pm
I don't know, a kid who saw 9/11 up close and in person might very well have a problem with Spider-Man. I wouldn't say it's that far-fetched.
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post #5 of 39
5/7/02 at 9:51pm
I have adult friends who watched the Towers fall who were uncomfortable in some of the scenes. How about some compassion?
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post #6 of 39
5/7/02 at 9:53pm
Also, the movie IS rated PG13. I don't know why this is so hard for you to understand.
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post #7 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:06pm
mastronikolas
you said the person was a patronising moron.
Their claims hardly seem to be patronising, and in fact seem to be sincere. Patronising means they said it insultingly, or condesendingly. This person seems to be serious in their claim.

That said I have to agree that saying that NO children under the age of 13 should see this film is a bit much. Some kids might have problems with it if they had seen the happenings in new york up close. But this is the reason there is a ratings system. If a kid thinks they can handle it (not that there's much to handle) let them go with their parents. Thats how it works.
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post #8 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:09pm
Well Jesus, if watching 9/11 didn't have "a potential to trigger anxiety and stress and more viewing of the world as a dangerous place," you really think Spider-Man is going to phase a kid?
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post #9 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:11pm
did you read my post?
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post #10 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:27pm
I just think parents - especially those who live in Manhattan - should use their good judgement.
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post #11 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:31pm
Quote:
Poxy Von Sinister Inc., Ltd.:
Well Jesus, if watching 9/11 didn't have "a potential to trigger anxiety and stress and more viewing of the world as a dangerous place," you really think Spider-Man is going to phase a kid?
I don't mean to keep harping on you, but did you even think about this sentence?

I mean, would you say that a kid who saw his mom murdered in front of his eyes should be able to watch Bad Taste without flinching an eye?
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post #12 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:33pm
Ummmm, I seriously doubt any kids will be traumatized by Spider-Man or even made to feel anxious or afraid of it. They will most likely be screaming their heads off in excitement and crying tears of joy.
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post #13 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:34pm
Quote:
Cheese Biscuits 2: Cheese Harder:
Ummmm, I seriously doubt any kids will be traumatized by Spider-Man or even made to feel anxious or afraid of it. They will most likely be screaming their heads off in excitement and crying tears of joy.
Says the noted child psychologist.

I'm not saying that kids shouldn't see this movie, but

a) dismissing 9/11 concerns out of hand is flatout insulting and

b) the final battle with the Goblin is brutal. There is a reason why this movie is PG13.
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post #14 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:39pm
Was this person talking specifically about kids in NYC? No. "For all children" were her exact words. There's a huge difference between saying "Kids who lived in NYC maybe shouldn't see Spider-Man" and "No kid under the age of 13 should see Spider-Man." Of course I wouldn't expect some "kid who saw his mom murdered in front of his eyes" -- as you so tactfully put it -- to be able to handle Spider-Man, but should that mean a kid in Sandusky, Ohio shouldn't see it either? She made a blanket generalization about all kids everywhere, which is what I objected to. That and the fact that maybe a movie that's about heroism triumphing and how it can unite a city might actually be something good for a kid to see these days....

I'll go back to twisting the heads off puppies now.
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post #15 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:39pm
Thank God most Americans were unaffected by the events of that day.
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post #16 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:40pm
Well, yeah. And I'm 17, so I'm a lot closer to remembering how kids think than you, good sir. The ending battle is also nothing any kids hasn’t seen on TV. Most kids I know (and I know quite a few because I’m 17 and I have to deal with friends’ brothers and sisters quite often, I have cousins under 13, and I’m a scout who deals with kids under 13) own and love The Matrix, so this may even seem tame in comparison to them. I doubt it. Kids all over will love this movie, and there is no damn reason why they shouldn’t be allowed to see it.
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post #17 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:40pm
Quote:
I am really Devin:
a) dismissing 9/11 concerns out of hand is flatout insulting
Which isn't at all what I was doing, but if thinking that makes you feel better, go nuts.
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post #18 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:42pm
Quote:
I am really Devin:
Thank God most Americans were unaffected by the events of that day.
Was that supposed to be sarcasm?
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post #19 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:42pm
Quote:
I am really Devin:
Thank God most Americans were unaffected by the events of that day.
I was very affected by that day, just as much as you were I guarantee, but I fail to see how it relates to how a kid will react to SPIDER-MAN!
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post #20 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:43pm
Total sarcasm.

Again, I would bring my kid to this movie. No problem. But you know what, this pronouncement is just the kind of thing that you folks get so fired up about. Hate to break it to you, but the fact that your 13 year old cousins love watching the Matrix may in fact not be a GOOD thing per se.
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post #21 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:44pm
Quote:
Cheese Biscuits 2: Cheese Harder:
Quote:
I am really Devin:
Thank God most Americans were unaffected by the events of that day.
just as much as you were I guarantee,
Not to be an ass, but I bet it was 100 million times harder for an NYC resident.
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post #22 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:49pm
First off I think it is totaly the parents discretion, whether or not if a film is to violent.

Hell I saw The GodfatherII and Taxi Driver as a kid in the theaters. I know I wasn't by any means adversely effected by those films.

Mainly becase after seeing them my parents explained that films aren't real.

Also don't kids see more vilonce on TV than what was in Spiderman.
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post #23 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:53pm
This is getting broader and broader, but-

One major problem is parents who use 0% discretion with their kids. Eight year-olds playing Max Payne.

This topic is pretty deep, to put it mildly. If anyone is interested in doing some reading on the subject of violence and the human condition, may I suggest this book:

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316330116/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/002-8143651-9786424" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316330116/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/002-8143651-9786424</a>

It's a start. Everyone has an opinion, but there's more and more literature out there now on the subject.
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post #24 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:55pm
What I find fascinating about this general topic is see how fast people in this thread would be to get up in arms if there was a scene where Peter and MJ had a pretty explicit love scene - nothing steamier than you see on NYPD (bare ass, bare breast) - but explicit none the less.

People get really upset about sex, not so upset about large levels of violence.
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post #25 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:56pm
Quote:
Tony Ryan:
Not to be an ass, but I bet it was 100 million times harder for an NYC resident.
Actually, I bet you're right. But I was rather offended by the sarcasm of that statement, so I felt the need to rush in and defend myself. But, no harm done. And I'm glad you feel the same way about Spider-Man, Devin. But I hate seeing people overreact like this lady. Believe it or not, some parents will act on this regardless whether or not they've seen the movie, and they might not allow their kids to go see it. Then, one day, these parents will see Spider-Man and say, "Hey... there’s nothing wrong here."

And I think we can all agree that the final decision is up to the parents. And I think most parents will ignore this woman. So I'll shutu p now.
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post #26 of 39
5/7/02 at 10:59pm
Quote:
I am really Devin:

People get really upset about sex, not so upset about large levels of violence.
I've never really understood the logic of that either. But, as far as violence is concerned, as a kid, I knew the difference between fantasy and reality. I wish all parents taught that to their kids.
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post #27 of 39
5/7/02 at 11:32pm
Spiderman had it's moments: Peter letting the baddie fall to his death (didn't expect that), incinerating Oscorp's Board of Directors, Gobby being impaled. Still, it could've been way, way, bloodier. Pretty light fare all in all. No worse than The Empire Strikes Back, say. I saw Spiderman in a theatre full of kids and parents, and the kids were enraptured. Nary a peep throughout the film.

Nudity? Hmm. As long as kids don't grow up thinking all women are lusty well-lit vixens in lingerie and all men are hormone driven fools, I see no harm. The sex is fantasy just as much as the violence. I think it's important that kids realize that.
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post #28 of 39
5/8/02 at 7:12am
Quote:
I am really Devin:
People get really upset about sex, not so upset about large levels of violence.
I can't remember who said it - some director or other - but I've always remembered this quote:

"If I show a man kissing a breast, I get an R rating. If I show him cutting it off with a sword, I get a PG".
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post #29 of 39
5/8/02 at 7:22am
Thread Starter 
My points in starting the thread were that first of all there are $114 million worth of cinemagoers so far that disagree with the opinion that a movie with explosions should not be made again after 9/11. And you all remember how many "experts" were insisting last year that Hollywood should turn into Frank Kapra land- only to see people make a hit out of Training Day because they wanted to see a good movie instead of turn into cultural autistics.
As for kids, I really hate it when uptight morons forget that they are more than capable to distinguish fantasy from reality and actually enjoy comic-book violence and special effects in a movie. Using 9/11 is just a new excuse by the moral majority and as such is actually distasteful. I bet most of you watched Aliens, The Terminator and other classics when you were young and you didn't grow to be homicidal maniacs or emotional wrecks (I hope).
If nothing else, Spider-man is about a hero saving the city and I don't see how this is upsetting. If nothing else it gives hope to kids that no matter what, things will be alright.

Now, if you are the parent of a kid that had psychological problems after 9/11 or even worse lost a loved one then, it's up to the your judgement and common sense to decide if you are gonna take them to see Spidey or not. Hey, perhaps you could discuss it with the kid beforehand. What a novel concept! Actually having a conversation with your kid about something besides homework and baseball practice.

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post #30 of 39
5/8/02 at 12:46pm
Anyone that that thinks Spider-Man will traumatize parentally supervised kids between 6-12 years of age is quite frankly a great bit out of touch with the youth of America. Besides with $114 mil in the bank after 3 days, it doesn't appear too many are staying away.
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post #31 of 39
5/8/02 at 2:31pm
Quote:
I am really Devin:
Again, I would bring my kid to this movie. No problem. But you know what, this pronouncement is just the kind of thing that you folks get so fired up about. Hate to break it to you, but the fact that your 13 year old cousins love watching the Matrix may in fact not be a GOOD thing per se.
Ain't it the truth. I would probably let my son or daughter watch a Spiderman-esque movie when she is 9 or 10 (she's 2 and he's -4 monts now), but not a Matrix. Much of that depends on their maturity level and desire of course.
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post #32 of 39
5/8/02 at 2:49pm
I dont think anyone is troubled by anything in Spiderman. And I think that "professor" is a moron.
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post #33 of 39
5/8/02 at 3:43pm
I took my six-year old to see it and she was quite frightened. I couldn't figure out why she was so freaked, she loved Pulp Fiction.
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post #34 of 39
5/8/02 at 3:43pm
Quote:
I am really Devin:
I have adult friends who watched the Towers fall who were uncomfortable in some of the scenes. How about some compassion?
Uncomfortable in what way?
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post #35 of 39
5/8/02 at 4:05pm
Spider-Man was a crappy movie and the only reason people shouldn't see it is because it sucked.
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post #36 of 39
5/8/02 at 4:10pm
Quote:
Jacob Singer:
Quote:
I am really Devin:
I have adult friends who watched the Towers fall who were uncomfortable in some of the scenes. How about some compassion?
Uncomfortable in what way?
Uncomfortable in that the explosions on the bridge and mass chaos hit very close to home.

A news report here says that 1 in 4 New Yorkers suffer post traumatic stress disorder, and i can really believe that.
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post #37 of 39
5/8/02 at 6:01pm
Quote:
Refrozen Seabass:
Spiderman had it's moments: Peter letting the baddie fall to his death (didn't expect that), incinerating Oscorp's Board of Directors, Gobby being impaled. Still, it could've been way, way, bloodier. Pretty light fare all in all. No worse than The Empire Strikes Back, say. I saw Spiderman in a theatre full of kids and parents, and the kids were enraptured. Nary a peep throughout the film.

Nudity? Hmm. As long as kids don't grow up thinking all women are lusty well-lit vixens in lingerie and all men are hormone driven fools, I see no harm. The sex is fantasy just as much as the violence. I think it's important that kids realize that.
You know, not everyone has seen Spidey yet, a spoiler warning would of been nice.
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post #38 of 39
5/8/02 at 6:08pm
Oh! Sorry, wasn't thinking.

The incineration was in the commercials, though, and they aren't big spoilers (you thought Spiderman would lose?).
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post #39 of 39
5/8/02 at 6:18pm
Of course not, and no, they are not big spoilers. Just letting you know was all.
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