The current system of rating movies is arguably absurd but usually helpful in a sort of comparison way. We know that an "X" rated film is more sexually explicit than an "R" rated film. (Unfortunately that may actually increase its audience in some circles.)
But the MPAA may be going a bit too far now. A new film just out, "My Blueberry Nights" starring such terrible role models as Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Norah Jones is noted as PG13 with the following small print associated with the rating:
This movie may contain “Mature thematic material including violence, drinking and smoking.”
Whoa! Did you say they may be drinking and smoking???
No way!
Soon we will have to also include such phrases as, “Beware, this film includes oral breathing by mouth and lecherous stares possibly symbolizing untoward thoughts.”
I fear the day when they add up the so-called bad points in a sort of naughty tally and decide which films will be allowed to be shown in theaters at all.
This sytem may be called a Tally Ban.