While the examination of film ratings is fascinating, the subplot about the lesbian private investigator is TOTALLY out of place and sinks the score quite a bit. Like, 10 points. Look, I'm 100% pro-gay rights and whatever, but if I wanted to listen to a lesbian talk about being discriminated against, I'd go see that fuckin' documentary. I went to this one to see an examination of film ratings.

Very informative and scathing. I loved it, though I wish the interviews went on longer.

This could have been pointed and fascinating, but too much of the film gets mired in an attempt to determine the identities of the secretive figures who actually make those "PG-13 or R" judgment calls. It's perfectly fine to include the information, but Dick turns over about a third of his already fairly slight film to unremarkable detective work. It's the equivalent of filling the film with scenes of production office phone calls or library visits to look up information about The Hays Code.

Examines American movie ratings superbly and flawlessly, revealing and exposing the secrets of the censorship board itself: the MPAA. Also has nice interviews. However, the entire subplot throws the whole movie off and it then becomes a blurry smudge of downright sappiness and nonsensical unimportance. Worth a view, but don't get sucked into it.

A bland documentary that recaps what we all know. Still it's good to know.

The MPAA deserves to be eviscerated, but this movie is filled with sub-par filmmaking, tacked on drama and an unbelievable air of smugness that suffocates every good point in the film.

I started watching this all ready to be on Kirby Dick's side, and he blew it. Far too much time was spent on violating the privacy of the ratings board, and not enough emphasizing the inherent problems of the MPAA ratings system. I ended up turning the film off 75% of the way through because I was so tired of Mr. Dick being an immature muckraker instead of representing the filmmakers who were forced to compromise their visions.

A fairly shocking look into the way American films are rated, but the sub-plot is weak shit.

I would've preferred more stories from different directors pertaining to their experiences with the MPAA. I didn't think the PI stuff was too bad, but it definitely dragged the movie down a notch. Overall it does a great job of exposing how idiotic the MPAA is, and there's something to be said for that.

Any American who's watched their fair share of films can tell you that the MPAA has no goddamn idea what it's doing, and any American who's been to a theater knows that an R rating doesn't keep kids out. While this documentary goes to great lengths to show just how corrupt the MPAA really is, mostly it feels like preaching to the choir. This film isn't going to change any minds, nor is it going to inform you of anything important that you don't already know. But it's a fun ride while it lasts.

A very good documentary on an issue very close to my heart, the MPAA. The only minor flaws in the documentary are in its structure as dictated by the material. The ending is almost woefully abrupt, leaving you wanting. A good sign the film has done its job.

I agree with a lot of people who thought the private investigator scenes were a little long. Other than that, it was a very informative movie that didn't try to force conclusions down my throat.

It's a bit fluffy and it misses the mark in some places. I would have liked to see a lot more about the specific films and directors, but instead I got a useless subplot about a private investigator or whatever

Engaging but not especially enlightening. Dick cares an awful lot about exposing the identities of the rating board, but it didn't matter a bit to me (it was a kick tagging along with the investigator though). More interesting is the appeals board; I would have liked a little more discussion about that. The rest of it, although fun, won't tell you anything you don't already know. I also can't help but feel that they should be going after the theater system just as much as the ratings board.

Good but..well I don't really agree with any ratings system. And no one's going to usurp the MPAA. Anyway. Good movie but kind of like trying to bail out water in the middle of the ocean when you got hit with a cannon.

It presents some interesting information, but goddamn, is it boring. This would've made a much better two-page news article or short film. And was that amateur private eye crap really necessary? God, those people obviously had no idea what they were doing.

Required viewing. That doesn't make a great movie though.

Very interesting and well edited/animated. I wish the segments about specific movies and the interviews with the filmmakers were a larger portion of the film, as opposed to the somewhat contrived "outing" of all the ratings board members.

Really disappointing. Lacks focus, and is overall fairly annoying. Interviews are sometimes really good, though, and I can get behind it's ultimate goal (getting a better system in place).

The PI stuff is somewhat creepy, but all in all a pretty shocking and horrifying look at the MPAA. From the point of view of a Brit, I found the whole thing riveting.

Probably won't tell you anything you don't already know.

This documentary exposes the seemingly innocuous, highly secretive, censorship board known as the MPAA. Interestingly, this movie was pirated by the MPAA (see the special features of the DVD).

Good documentary.

good doc

Rather uninformative, unfortunately. Still an alright watch.