Rating?


I know that Gigantic has not been rated by the MPAA, so can anyone tell me if it is suitable for kids? One review I read said that if it were rated it would be R for scattered sex-related profanity. Is this true?? It seems to me that they would have to be swearing a WHOLE LOT to get a documentary up to an R rating. Any input is appreciated.

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Saw it last night and I honestly don't remember anything worse than a few mild swear words and some vague sexual references...

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It would definitely be rated R, but only because the MPAA is very hard on profanity. There are about four uses of strong language: a couple "motherf**kers" and one "c**ksucker." Besides that profanity, there's really nothing at all offensive.

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[deleted]

Have you even seen this film? First off, I'd hardly call the independent production firm behind this excellent documentary "Hollywood" or "a big company." Secondly, the context of the largest chunk of profanity was kind of essential to the story being told (it was a humorous anectdote about the band's meeting with a record executive back in the day, that just happened to involve a few MF's in the executive's dialogue)...As far as the band "succumbing to everyday smut"....I fail to see how one or two instances of "foul" language in a completely non-malicious context could bring an otherwise "family friendly" band to the level of iniquity present in even broadcast television these days... and, if you'd been to any of their shows over the years, you'd find there's a tad bit of profanity thrown in between songs,anyway; I seriously doubt that the choice of footage used in this film was was an effort to "appeal to the masses" if that's what you're getting at...People are coming to see this film to get glimpse into the world of one of their favorite bands, and what you see is what you get...

Anyway, If you have children that aren't of the age to handle the foul language in context and not be upset by it, then wait for the DVD and fast forward past the 10 or 15 seconds. Otherwise, this film provides a great insight into a band that has provided enjoyment to people of all ages for more than 20 years now; any fan will enjoy it thoroughly.

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[deleted]

i haven't seen it yet, but that was an excellent reply, jvegh.


someone in the club tonight has stolen my ideas...

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yeah, your kids can see it.

someone in the club tonight has stolen my ideas...

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I don't think there could have been a fair way for the MPAA to rate this film, so I'm sort of glad they didn't get their hands on it; but then again, that DOES leave parents in a quandary as to what to expect in terms of questionable content and suitability for kids. Frankly, I've seen enough films to know that this one probably would have merited a light R for brief strong language (specifically, only 3 or 4 strong, choice words).

But I myself would be more inclined to give Gigantic a hard PG-13, simply because of the context of the language (instances of which are fleeting and isolated, rather than pervasive or gratuitous), and regardless of the particular words used. Ultimately, Flansburgh and Linnell themselves come across as positive role models, and their story could be an inspiring one to older kids. I most certainly recommend it for ages 14 and up. (Kids aged 13 or younger should definitely see it with a parent or guardian, though.)

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i figure any kid over the age of 9 or 10 who rides a school bus has heard a lot worse language than there is in Gigantic, just hit the mute button when Syd Straw comes on.

someone in the club tonight has stolen my ideas...

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Good point, biff. Kids these days probably hear worse language -- and a lot more of it -- in the schoolyard or the lunchroom than they would from a movie like this. However, I still think that youngsters should watch it with their parents, but not so much because of the language. Gigantic makes a big deal about how the dichotomy of happy music and dark lyrics is central to the Johns' appeal, and if very young TMBG fans dig the Johns' perky pop tunes but haven't yet grasped the mature themes beneath those tunes, they may want to have their parents on hand and discuss with them what they've heard.

As for Syd Straw, I think the fact that AJ and Shirley even kept her comments in the film shows that they didn't want their film to take itself too seriously -- why else would they keep her "fluff piece" question? Seriously, though, her crackpot musings don't add much to the film, and they aren't nearly as shocking OR funny as she might have intended. (I also agree that -- although she never resorts to graphic or explicit language -- her gratuitous sexual references are still pretty inappropriate for kids.)

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[deleted]

"...just hit the mute button when Syd Straw comes on."

This is in fact excellent advice for *all* viewers of Gigantic.

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[deleted]