Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Similar Sex Scenes Earn Different Ratings

MPAA under fire again after lesbian encounter gets tamer 'R'

By savageviking, Newser User

Posted Dec 4, 2010 10:03 AM CST | Promoted on Newser Dec 4, 2010 11:37 AM CST

(User Submitted) – Hollywood's rating system is coming under fire again after two Oscar contenders, Black Swan and Blue Valentine, received R and NC-17 ratings, respectively. Debate is raging because both films depict oral sex scenes in essentially the same way, for the same time and with no nudity, reports the Los Angeles Times. The only difference between the two is that Black Swan, which got the tamer rating, features a lesbian encounter. In Blue Valentine, Ryan Gosling's character performs oral sex on Michelle Williams' character.

Critics contend it's another example of how the system administered by the Motion Picture Association of America is outdated and inconsistent, and that it takes a tougher stance against sex, language, and drugs than violence. Blue Valentine’s director says he's “confused and baffled” by the decision. Distributor Weinstein Co. is appealing the NC-17 rating, which is considered a commercial kiss of death.

In this publicity image released by the Sundance Film Festival, Michelle Williams, left, and Ryan Gosling are shown in a scene from "Blue Valentine." (AP Photo/Sundance Film Festival)

In this film publicity image released by Fox Searchlight, Mila Kunis, left, and Natalie Portman are shown in a scene from "Black Swan." (AP Photo/Fox Searchlight, Niko Tavernise)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

CLICK BELOW TO VOTE

24%

56%

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

Showing 1 of 3 comments

Matt2h

Dec 4, 2010 12:07 PM CST

Besides the disparity, I don't think there's any good reason to treat sexuality this way in general. Sexuality is a wonderful, beautiful thing that need not be hidden from children. It's part of who we are. We're far too collectively neurotic about it.

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Japanese Artist Serves Up Own Cooked Genitals

Rape Conviction Cleared, Thanks to Facebook

Los Angeles Times (Source Grid »)

Entertainment

MPAA • movies • movie ratings • Black Swan • Blue Valentine

More Newser Stories

PG-13 Rating: Ticket to Box-Office Magic?

6 highest-grossing films all have it

(NEWSER) - One key to The Avengers' record success this weekend: its PG-13 rating. The top six highest-grossing movies ever made are all rated PG-13; the rating points to a film that's titillating enough for teens but isn't likely to offend adults, the Los Angeles Times notes. The rating has become a Holy Grail for movie execs, particularly lately. Last year, R-rated movies accounted for 21% of US box office takings—the lowest figure in decades. More»

Streep's Reefer Moment Hardly R-Rated

It's Complicated spotlights MPAA's wacky marijuana rules

(NEWSER) - Insiders say the only reason Meryl Streep’s new romantic comedy It’s Complicated has an R rating is a scene in which she smokes marijuana, and that’s causing a “minor ruckus” in Hollywood. A source close to the hearings tells Robert Ablon of the Los Angeles Times “pot smoking with no bad consequences” was the MPAA’s top official reason for hanging the revenue-reducing rating on the movie. What’s next, Ablon wonders: “This film is rated R for brief alcohol use portrayed in a positive light”? More»

Parents Say Knight Too Dark for Kids

But despite 'intense sequences of violence,' film still rated PG-13

(NEWSER) - Parents who saw the PG-13 rating attached to The Dark Knight and decided to bring the kids along are walking away, if not dissatisfied, then a little miffed. “I know it's a good movie, but it should have been rated R,” one surprised mother tells USA Today. Another parent was less equivocal. “There has to be a way to tell parents that someone is going to get a pencil in the skull.” More»

Movie 'Chastity' Sells Better Than Sex

Viewers prefer innuendo to full nudity

(NEWSER) - Filmmakers looking to score a box-office hit should follow the lead of Twilight, Lord of the Rings, and Spider-Man: keep the love scenes chaste. So claims a new study of more than 900 films released between 2001 and 2005, which shows that, contrary to popular belief, nudity and explicit sex scenes don't boost a movie's bottom line. More»

Bruno Slapped With NC-17 Rating

Over-the-line sex scenes draw MPAA's ire

(NEWSER) - Sacha Baron Cohen’s next risqué turn—this time as a gay Austrian fashionista—is turning out to be a little too raunchy for some: Bruno has been slapped with an NC-17 rating, the Wrap reports. Among the potential reasons: Anal sex and a nude camping scene. The film, which intends to challenge homophobia and racism, “offends everybody,” said one exec. “But you laugh from the minute it starts.” More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Similar Sex Scenes Earn Different Ratings

MPAA under fire again after lesbian encounter gets tamer 'R'

MPAA • movies • movie ratings • Black Swan • Blue Valentine

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

PG-13 Rating: Ticket to Box-Office Magic?

6 highest-grossing films all have it

Streep's Reefer Moment Hardly R-Rated

It's Complicated spotlights MPAA's wacky marijuana rules

Parents Say Knight Too Dark for Kids

But despite 'intense sequences of violence,' film still rated PG-13

Movie 'Chastity' Sells Better Than Sex

Viewers prefer innuendo to full nudity

Bruno Slapped With NC-17 Rating

Over-the-line sex scenes draw MPAA's ire

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?