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Bad Language In Movies - Page 2

Max, your post above has been edited. Read the FAQ board to understand good posting practises.

Movies Language Bad

I don't think it's necessary to have bad language in movies, especially if it's just single words involved. In fact, if you take the 1st amendment in a certain light, it's practically not covered under that amendment. First, I'll quote said amendment below, as written on a side dedicated to it (https://www.firstamendmentcenter.org).

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Basically, this says congress can't make the laws. What does this mean? Technically, people can determine ways to regulate it. This means that while government can't regulate it, people can, but only to a certain extent. In other words, if the thing is something privately owned, the owners can excercise THEIR free speech to DENY that material. In fact, since the amendment says they can't make laws regarding free speech, that kinda means they can't make laws for OR against. So, the person wanting to exercise his/her free speech must find someone to publish it, and nothing says anyone has to publish it because that would make one person throw away their rights to allow someone else's rights. But, it's a big world, so they'll likely find some way to release it anyway. Word of mouth can be notorious (that's why my parents have Settlers of Cataan ).

Anyway, before I thought of all that, there's one other idea I had. Freedom of speech is more about expressing ideas, not expressing words. If you have to use repeated profanity to get your point across, apparently your speech is very redundant.

Well, that's just my $0.02 on this.

Edit: Hmm... I think I missed something important that could be debated. Someone will probably figure out what that is.

Edited: Talduras on 21st Sep, 2004 - 10:05pm

Bad Language In Movies Sports & Fashion Music Movies

Talduras, what you wrote is interesting, but keep in mind two things...

1. This is an International Forum, not everyone here exists based on the US Constitution
2. This is not the board for this kind of discussion - go to the Activism Board.

Page 2 Movies Language Bad

I'll take up the other side of the argument here. I think bad language is an important part of cinema. Some characters, to get the right effect, need to use bad language. It's a part of today's culture, and to deny that is to deny a part of reality. If you change it, it becomes far more noticeable than it would be if you just went ahead and used the bad language. For instance, if you have a character who's supposed to be a marine, and they shout "GOSH DARN IT!", you're going to completely undermine the seriousness of your film.

That's not to say, of course, that swearing needs to be in everything, I'm just saying that bad language has its place.

Movies Language Bad

If a person were to go see a movie that was rated PG-13 and above, it's pretty much expected that there will be foul language. I, personally, don't like going to movies where every other word is indecent, whether it be by the choice of word or the indecency of the content; however, when I go to a movie that is aimed at an older audience, I have learned to expect it. I do think it's sad that if I see a movie, because of our society and what I have grown up around as opposed to my personal beliefs, I get more shocked if it's PG-13 or above and DOESN'T rely on the usage of perverse speaking.

What gets me angry about movies nowadays is the content and language that is being used in movies aimed towards children. I was disgusted when I went and saw The Cat and the Hat. That movie was based on a children's book, and publicity was aimed at children, yet there was way too much adult humor, innuendos, and language in that movie. When I have children, my five year old will not be watching a movie that makes visual illusions to Playboy, uses negative street terminology like 'whore' and has anacronyms that are profane words. To me, it's sad that children's movies are coming to a point to where they're almost inappropriate for children.

Bad Language In Movies

I don't like bad language in music, mostly because I don't like the genre that uses that language, but, as Malexander said, movies should be a true representation of the real life, and bad language is used. So why should it be edited out? That's also why I think R movies are more succesful - they aren't being censorized, or beatified - you can feel when it is. They have to be real, because, in my opinion, that's what makes a movie powerfull.

Bad Language Movies - Page 2

I am against just about anything to an excess. If the language is appropriate to the character and the scene, then I have not problem with it. If however, the bad language is being misused or overused, then it bothers me.

Bad Language Movies Movies Music Fashion & Sports - Page 2

Why does a movie have to represent real life? Aren't movies that represent the way things COULD be or the dreams of the writer also valid movies? I am embarrassed to admit it, but when I hear swearing, whether from a movie or other media source, it has a negative effect on me. It is recorded in my mind and it takes time to forget it, and in the meantime I occasionally accidentally swear, bringing back a habit from my childhood. There are plenty of wonderful movies that don't have swear words in it that are great IMHO, such as the recent Finding Neverland with Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. I would rather leave a movie feeling uplifted, inspired, and with hope. I realize you can't (IMO) exactly feel that way if you've seen a gangster film, or horror, or other films that don't engender those feelings. I do not judge those that do see them, they just aren't for me. Thanks for listening.