DOES HOLLYWOOD'S FUTURE DEPEND ON HOLLYWOOD'S PAST? (2)

Censorship is a misunderstood concept. Censorhip comes from the Government stepping in and infringing on the guaranteed freedom of speech. It is not a good thing, and I am against any sort of government interference in our entertainment industries.

But people (aka "the private sector") can and must intervene and let their feelings be known. Action, from groups and individuals, is what will change the minds of Hollywood. Letters to the entertainment section of your local papers help spread the word and get people thinking.

Talk to people, and have honest open discussions. When a friend recommends a film that you know is the usual mindless violence, ask them if that is really the kind of movie that adds anything to our culture. Friends can be convinced that the current Hollywood view of life has nothing to do with real life and does more harm than good.

Parents MUST be aware of what their kids are doing. The Hollywood elite, such as Jack Valenti (who refuses to even consider the fact that Hollywood may be doing some damage to our national culture), will never accept another Hays office, or any overseeing committee. But there is a ratings system, and that system should be strictly enforced. Theaters that allow underaged teens into R rated movies should be punished by heavy fines until they get the idea that the community will not allow the practice to continue. Parents and concerned citizens should get in touch with their councilmen and congressional representatives and demand that movie theaters stop ignoring the ratings system. If the system were enforced, no underaged teens would ever see an R rated film, and therefore, fewer R rated films would be made, and the R rated films that were made would undoubtedly be more intelligent, since they would now be geared toward adults. (Note: I am in no way against R rated films - but I am against R rated films being targeted to kids and teens.)

The more you act on a local and individual basis, the sooner Hollywood will begin to change. It will be a slow process, but if we don't start now, it will never happen.

Coming in two weeks, I return to the world of Black and White Movies with my picks for the greatest black and white Halloween movies.

Go To Page: 1 2