Chronicles of Riddick: PG-13 for "Intense Sequences of Violent Action and Some Language."

The Stepford Wives: PG-13 for "Sexual Content, Thematic Material & Language."

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I know I might be starting "who cares about ratings" thread, but I think that with sheer volume of movies coming out this summer, the studios are worried about finding an audience with some of these films.

Now that the demographic for each audience has been increased, will both films be able to get some bank before "Spiderman 2" and "The Terminal" are released?

Universal was always aiming for a PG-13 with The Chronicles of Riddick, especially with the budget they gave to a sequel of a recent cult favorite (that made $30 million on a budget of $20 million). That and Twohy's last film was a disaster at the box office (Below) due to the massive delays by Miramax/Dimension.

The film originally got an R rating, but it got the PG-13 due to appeal. So expect a hard PG-13 with The Chronicles of Riddick.

The original Stepford Wives has a PG rating, which would probably translate out to a PG-13 rating today, so I'm not shocked on that one.

Yep, those came out last week.

What is more shocking is that four months after it's theatrical release, the docudrama Touching the Void got an R rating.

What's funny is that two of the theaters in Vegas that played the film would allow anyone in to see it (due to it not being rated) and suggested parents that the film was suitable for children those thirteen and up. Even if it had a few "f" bombs and that dreaded "c" word.

Wasn't Pitch Black, R rated? This is kinda disappointing. Oh well, there is hope for the eventual 'unrated' DVD.

a bit disappointed that Riddick is PG-13, but I knew that's what Universal was going for... hopefully they didn't have to cut too much out to get the rating... no surprise on Stepford.

MATT

YEAH, PB was R and then Unrated due to strong coarse language and gore. I guess no Fbombs from Riddick this time.

"Did not know who he was ****in with."

That was my favorite line in PB. It's odd in a way, The Chronicles of Riddick game is rated M, but the movie PG-13

i think youre allowed one "F" in a PG-13 film.

Darn, I guess Stepford Wives won't be the R-Rated hardcore lesbo Euro-Trash Slut fest that we were all led to believe it would be. That trailer is sooo misleading.

Although there is that one scene where Matthew Broderick "PIHB" and then he "FIHM"

It's official, both movies will now SUCK. It's too bad the MPAA made the studios CENSOR them.

Groucho knows the score

You can have up to three if all three are used non-sexually. Some recent PG-13 films that I can recall have had two "f" words...

And if you use one "f" word in a sexual use, you'll probably get an R unless you get an appeal.

Groucho316

Too bad both of these didn't get an R rating. I knew that neither would, but no harm in hoping. I thought Chronicles of Riddick at least had a chance - since Pitch Black got the R rating. Oh well...

Stepford's rating is fine, but Riddick will be the kiddie version of Pitch Black.

Don't worry, I'm sure there be an unrated extreme version of Riddick on DVD with an extra butt shot of Vin.

I guess my question is "Do ratings really affect the box office?"

Personally I find the ratings system to be a joke. But would Chronicles of Riddick actually do better financially with a PG-13? Kids can get into an R rated flick easily enough these days (R-cards, careless theaters, parents, friends, etc.) except in examples when the studios push the issue. So what effect does the rating actually have on the movie?

The only time I know of a rating actually affecting a movie was "Small Soldiers." And then it was due to the prior contractual obligations: Burger King all but pulled their promotions and the networks would not air commercials on Saturday morning cartoons (due to the PG-13 as opposed to the anticipated PG).

Studies show yes.

Sounds like a vice versa of the Matrix situation. The game was T, and the movie was R.

AFter beating the game, I was pretty shocked that it got a T considering it had a lot of violence and same sex kisses.

In the '80s, a movie like Riddick would get an R rating, no problem.

If Predator or Aliens were made now, they would be PG-13. Wierd, huh?

you sure about aliens? tons of swearing and a body gets cut in half

Im sure Universal will have an unrated/r rated DVD of Riddick upon release or down the line

I'm sure, even if the film tanks or not.

While the effect can't be proven directly, since it is true the studios don't produce as many R rated tentpole type blockbusters, one can just look at BO for pg-13 films versus R films and you'll notice...R movies just don't make as much. How many R rated films have ever grossed more than 150 million? Really, only a handful, probably 20 or so. Now how many over 200 million? I believe the number dwindles to about 6. And over 300 million? Only one film...The Passion of the Mel.

Not to mention, with an R rated film you have limitations in terms of advertising. You can't advertise on many channels, or during many times, and your trailer won't play in most pg movies. Not to mention...kids can't get in. Yeah, many will sneak in or find ways to buy tickets, but you better believe it's limiting nonetheless. So by all means the R rating can be very limiting and a detriment to the box office. I think the numbers back that up.