EDITORIALS
Zack and Miri in Trouble Again for the Word 'Porno'
by Alex Billington
October 16, 2008
Porno. Anyone offended by that word? Doesn't seem like it. So why are "15 newspapers and several TV stations and cable channels" refusing to run advertisements that contain the full title Zack and Miri Make a Porno? The Associated Press (via Hollywood Elsewhere) reports on a rather odd story about even more troubles that Kevin Smith's latest film has run into recently. Various media outlets have refused to run ads with the word "porno" in them because, well, I don't even really know why? Is there even a logical answer to that question? Philadelphia's deputy mayor for transportation quips, "if they want to call the movie Zack and Miri, that's fine, but Zack and Miri cannot make a porno on my bus shelters."
I'm already shaking my head in disbelief over this news. As Jeffrey Wells says, "only in America" does something this dumb become a heated issue. A Boston professor specializing in child development tried explaining why putting up ads in public places with this title on them is a bad idea. "It's drawing attention to a movie which is mainstreaming and normalizing pornography, saying if you need money, this is what you do." Are you kidding me?! Thankfully Weinstein Company's marketing exec Gary Faber provided a smart response to such a ridiculous claim. "It's a comedy. It's a joke. We're not advertising a porno. It's not a porno. The word 'porno,' it's not supposed to turn you on. It's supposed to make you laugh."
I've admitted before in previous discussions that since I don't have any of children of my own, I can't accurately sympathize with parents who must explain every last word. However, I don't think "porno" is inherently a filthy term that should immediately be censored in all public places. Am I wrong thinking that? I am very glad that it's only 15 newspapers and a few TV stations and not thousands, or else I'd probably already be packing for my move to Europe. How can anyone think that a harmless word is cause for an angry public attack on a movie studio? I would hope these people in our country care more about our economy or our environment or the upcoming election than a little bit of text on a poster.
Zack and Miri Make a Porno has had enough problems with the MPAA over the last few months, that I'm sympathizing more with Kevin Smith and The Weinstein Company that anyone else right now. For a while I thought this kind of jaw-dropping idiocy and the over-sensitive MPAA might've helped the movie gain some extra publicity, but at this point its gone way too far. Zack and Miri is a great film with a very sweet ending and good message and I just want the public to know that it's thoroughly worthwhile cinematic entertainment. There's no need to complain about the title for goodness sake! But thankfully anyone who is reading this article already knows that and is planning on seeing anyway… or so I hope!
47 Comments
1
Not for nothing, but i am a young, forward thinking, cool internet user. I get the lolcats, I use Google chrome, and i understand that the movie is funny, and i like Kevin smith... (I think Guardian Devil is one of the better DD stories of all times ok?) Basically, I'm not some 50 year old conservative whiner.... But, I would prefer that the word porno not be on the side of a bus where i have to explain to my daughters what a porno is, and why two people would make one. Because anyone with kids knows the avalanche of "WHY?" that comes with any explanation. And explaining to my daughters that are not even in kindergarten yet what a porno is, and how it is made is not a conversation that is age appropriate. And if you think that in the age of the internet you can tell your child that they are too young to be told something, and that they wont go and try to figure it out on their own, then you obviously don't have children. There are some things that children don't even need to know exist. And if keeping the word porno out of the public eye means that I can stall having to explain to my kids what a dirty movie is for a few more years, then good.
9mm on Oct 16, 2008
2
@9mm I'm sorry but I just don't buy that. If you don't want to explain to your children what "porno" means, then don't. I know I'm not the only one growing up whose parents knew the expression "I'll tell you when you're old enough", right?
pjhorrrc on Oct 16, 2008
3
I can understand why parents wouldn't want to explain what "Porno" means. I mean to tell your child that it a "grown up" word must be hard. Cuase the last time I checked, what you say goes. I mean I am sure that this movie will make Porn OK to watch anywhere. Cuase that is what Kevin Smith is looking to do. Make Porno mainstream. Which would rock mind you. But what about other movies, like SexDrive? Is that getting a bad response? Sex and the City? Deathproof? Explain to your child what death is. Cant be as bad as Porn. If you are offened my the word porn. Then oh well. To me McCain/Palin is just as bad as Porn. So lets takes down all those signs if we can't have Zack and Miri Make a Porno up. Cuase I sure the hell can't explain to a child what McCain/Palin means. Thats just too damn hard.
AllmightyKeim on Oct 16, 2008
4
Good example. Sex and the City was plastered all over the place when it was on tv and came out as a movie. No kids saw it and asked what sex was? Well, when they ask what a porno is, you say its sex that you videotape. Then your kids will go ewwww like they did with sex and you say thats right, its gross. problem solved. or you can hide all the issues from your kid and let them find out at school.
Fong on Oct 16, 2008
5
This is all coming from the man who excells at dick and fart jokes, opts to coin sexual terms through his movies and enjoys riling people up through sexual matters. This response isnt absurd, if anything expected. Use this as an opportunity to bond and be the parent to your child that you need to be in todays times. If you dont want this responsibility, you have no business having/raising a child, plain and simple. However, Im not necessarily for letting the word "Porno" being used everywhere anyways; half the fun of something taboo is the scandal. Whats happens to the thrill when it all gets taken away and becomes every day life? Wheres the fun in that?
Voice Of Reason on Oct 16, 2008
6
The problem nowadays is that parents don't want to explain to their kids about topics like sex, alcohol, drugs, etc etc. That's why there are so many messed up kids and young girls getting pregnant nowadays. Parents are afraid to talk to their kids in the US. I wonder how other countries are dealing with this though. I'd like to see their views on the title and the previous posters that were banned.
Diego on Oct 16, 2008
7
The reason Zack and Miri has "porno" in the title at all is because the filmmakers thought it would help draw attention and fill seats. Generating controversy like this was something the Weinstein Company promotion machine dreamed about. That said, from reviews trickling out from preview showings at film festivals, not everyone thinks this turkey is very good, so who cares? Like this one from the Chicago Film Fest: "pathetically unimaginative in taking a raunchy concept -- two best friends make an adult movie to drum up cash -- and forcing it into a wholly conventional, low effort romantic comedy." Somebody else who watched the film in Toronto said the film is "about as transgressive as the Tijuana donkey show from Clerks II." Judging from the trailer, it looks dreary and dull. Alex, from the glowing review you gave this film, it’s clear you’re a diehard Kevin Smith fan, so not surprising you disagree. But I predict a lot of fans who expect a sexy, raunchy, adult comedy will walk away disappointed. Nearly no nudity, except for Jason Mewes' junk? Please. If you're going to make a movie like this, pushing the envelope by making it explicitly about filming an amateur porno, why couldn’t it be sexy? Good concept, bungled execution.
Seymour on Oct 16, 2008
8
Seymour is exactly right. Kevin Smith KNEW there would be controversy over this film. So now that the EXPECTED controversy has surfaced and has caused consequences for the marketing of the film, people are crying foul? Please. And what are you folks saying? That a company, be it a bus company, newspaper, etc. should be FORCED to print/run an ad they don't want to? Think about the implications of that. And I *hate* the use of the word "censorship" in a case like this because the accusation of censorship is only valid if the item in question is being suppressed BY THE GOVERNMENT. Otherwise it's called freedom to choose and capitalism. Newspaper thinks it will offend it's paying readers if it runs the ad, chooses not to. Wise choice. On the other hand filmmaker decides to make a movie of which both the content and title people will offend a lot of people... fine, he's free to do so, but don't cry foul when people don't want to see the ads and don't show up to watch your movie. Give me a break, people. Vic
ScreenRant.com on Oct 16, 2008
9
I explained what a porno is to all 3 of my oldest children. My 4 year old just didn't care. If a parent is seriously having a problem with this, then I fear for what else they are not going to be able to explain to their kids. "Mommy and Daddy were just... um... wrestling!" "Mommy and Daddy were just... um... drinking juice that makes them tired and loud!" "Mommy and Daddy were just... um... lighting firecrackers with a funny cigarette!" I had a harder time explaining to my kids why a show and movie called Sex and the City had Sex in the title, and why would anyone want to watch a show all about that anyway? No, I take that back. I had a harder time explaining to my kids the ending of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
CMK on Oct 16, 2008
10
You're missing the point. You can't do something controversial and then scream "not fair!" when the controversy arrives. And I'm sick of this "pushing the envelope" crap. Vic
ScreenRant.com on Oct 16, 2008
11
Why are some people in America so uptight, its like the monent we see breasticles the wolves come charging, or a title with the word porno it? America is ran by a fat Catholic mother who deems sex and anything sensual has the devils work. Smith knew that this was bound to happen, people are taking the title out of context, its kinda like Glen Duncans book I,Lucifer (Sure to cause widespread controversy) which is becoming a feature film, people only see Lucifer, or The Da Vinci Code, blew way out of porportion. Porno is a word that all kids learn eventually, mabye from parents or the internet, or a movie. Parents need to dicuss this with their kids so they can understand it. Other than that quit be so uptight, we are Americans, come on! The basis of this film is that Zach and Miri are poor, and a porno is their only solution to paying off their debts, so they then decide to film adult movie called "Star Whores" then the rest is the rest. Go see it before you judge. Anyone remeber that old saying "Don't Judge a Book By its Cover." hmm?
Xerxex on Oct 16, 2008
12
Any....Way.... getting back to the subject of the post and trying hard not to digress. That's Freedom of speech for you right there. Welcome to America, land of the free - but only if I agree with you. "Zach and Mimi make a porno" - that's a baaad title ? But these are ok : Murder : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405507/ The Killing Fields : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087553/ Bullet : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115781/ Slaughter : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0954543/ No problems taking their advertising money though eh ?
Dr.Duvel on Oct 16, 2008
13
Dear Vic, No a company should not be forced to run an add that says porno. But they are forced to take it down becuase of soomebody that didn't like the word porno. How is that fair? Think about the implications of that. Iknow thats not mentioned in this article, but it happens. I just think that people need to lighten the phuck up. ( I use Phuck cause I don't want to offened anyone by saying Fuck cause some child may read this and ask someone what it means.) AllmightyKeim
AllmightyKeim on Oct 16, 2008
14
@AllmightyKeim Think it through. Their CUSTOMERS complained, so they took it down. You do realize the point of running a business is to get and keep customers and to make them happy so they give you more money, right? Vic
ScreenRant.com on Oct 16, 2008
15
Hypocrites. They allowed Sex and the City. SexDrive
Samm on Oct 16, 2008
16
I agress with you all the way Vic. I plan on seeing this movie regardless...
William on Oct 16, 2008
17
Im in Total ageement with VIC on this. The question really is how liberal do we want to get in our society? I say that as someone who is much more liberal than conservative. Remember this debate has nothing to do with the content of the film, it has to do with the title. Remember we are living in a time were the country has never been so divided. Getting news coverage from Fox and Cnbc is like living in two totally different worlds. Half this country is somewhat liberal and half conservative. The film's title will offend many people. It has nothing to do whether I agree with that or not, its just a fact. RESPECT is still an important thing! When the Weinstein company and Smith agreed on that title they knew it would meet with resistance in many circles. So now they have to live with it. I wrote a few months ago that by going with that title it will hurt its box-office alot, and if it were my money, I would have used something different because I want to maximize my profit potential. That is just smart business. Also to ALLMIGHTY- DO you want to live in a country were anything goes. Were teacher's use curse words to educate children, were you turn on TV and see hard core porn on major networks? If we continue to accept Trash over Class we put everything right into the gutter. Again I don't object to the films content but I feel they pushed it with the title! Also why do so many posters use the F-Bomb in every sentence? Ask yourself- Do you really think that's a makes us a better society or one that is so much worse than it used to be! I don't! Just my opinion!
entertainmenttodayandbeyond.com on Oct 16, 2008
18
It can be argued that porno is vulgar. It is afterall, tantamount to prostitution. Marketing sex, sex for money. Sex, by itself, is not dirty. In fact, it's natural and ordained by none other than God. If He didn't want us doing it, He would not have made it so enjoyable. Now I'm rambling. If you make sex a dirty thing, that is the sin. To have fouled something that should be pure. But you can't just leave the word out of the paper. Yes, #8 Vic, that is fucking censorship. It's pretty stupid that you would say that. Censorship, be it by the media, the government, or between parents and their children, is when someone omits information that should be included. You can't tell one side of the story and call it fair. Witholding info from the reader to make you feel more comfortable is CENSORSHIP. Now, I understand capitalism, and it's a shame the news is more about money and ratings, but they are supposed to give us all the information and let us decide. Either by incompetence or by a conscious effort, the media all to often censors our information. It is afterall a tool of the government to brainwash and propagandize us. That's why the internet is so important. You can't possibly censor every person on the planet. Sooner or later, the truth gets out. @#1 9mm, Kids will soon be adults, and they have to learn about this sometime. When is the right time to talk about these things? You underestimate children. They aren't that fragile. The right time to talk about it is when they ask. Otherwise, they will go and find out about it on their own, and eventually, you will have a pregnant teenager living in your house. It's your own insecurity that prevents you from discussing these simple things with your child. In all likelyhood, they would just shrug it off after the conversation. You'll probably have to explain it again later anyway, they don't get it all at once. And it's not like you have to show them a porno to explain it. The title of the movie is Zack and Miri Make a Porno, because that's what it's fucking about. They have to make an adult movie to pay the bills.
JL on Oct 16, 2008
19
Also to ALLMIGHTY- DO you want to live in a country were anything goes. Were teacher's use curse words to educate children, were you turn on TV and see hard core porn on major networks? *sigh* Really? I mean Really folks. Porn is a word. On a poster. Its not showing anything bad. Its not cursing at our children in a classroom. It's not raping us. It is a 4 letters on a poster. Yes i want to live in a country where anything goes. But why would you assume that means I want techers currsing at our children in school? Is it becuse you said anything goes? And why would you show pron on major TV networks? Thats stupid. That is like saying I like killing bugs, so there for I like killing children and puppy dogs. Makes no sense. This movie is rated R right? So no kids should go see under the age of 18? So whats the big deal. Oh the word P-O-R-N is the big deal. For crying out loud the poster has stick figures on it. I don't think we are a worse society, but I do think parents have gotten fucking lazy. I will not be a lazy parent. If my child ask what porn means, I will tell them, "Its an adult word that you are not to say." Just becuase your child ask you something does not mean you have to tell them everything. If you are offended by the word PORN then I am sorry. But it is a word. It's not a word like NI$$er that has hatered behind it, so don't bring up that argument. Please people open up your minds and just dont over react to every little thing in the world. It is not that big of a deal. And if I have to explain what things are not a big deal to you, then God or who ever help you. I leave you with this Pornography NOUN: Sexually explicit pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to cause sexual arousal. By this meaning there are a ton of movies that are PORN that are mainstream. I'm sorry but Star Wars gets me aroused.
AllmightyKeim on Oct 16, 2008
20
And at #16, We use the "F-Bomb" so fucking much, because we're so fucking pissed off about people telling us what is fucking acceptable or not. I'm an adult, and I want all the information; good, bad, or ugly. On one hand, we shouldn't go around using profanity all the time, not because it isn't classy and we need to pretend that our shit don't stink, but because there are too many people who will cover their ears and not listen, when a so-called "F-bomb" is dropped. But sometimes, we can't help it. These strong words are used to demonstrate how irritated or angry we are.
JL on Oct 16, 2008
21
JL Bullshit. You and others like you distort the meaning of the word censorship. And as far as underestimating children - do you have any? If not shut the hell up concerning it and come talk to me when you have a 7 year old. What's really funny is you guys don't take a macro look at this. Look at advertising and the media 15 years ago compared to today. In 15 years, when some of you are parents of your own kids you'll be arguing with people who are now your age who will at that time be defending posters on the side of buses showing a closeup of a teenage girl giving a guy a blowjob because not to would be "censorship." If you don't see that's what every effort at pushing the envelope leads to in the long run, you're naive. They'll be telling YOU that you're underestimating kids and they're smarter than you think and you can't shelter them forever, blah-de-fucking-blah. And then maybe you'll think back to that asshole on First Showing and think "Oh, THAT's what that guy was talking about." Vic
ScreenRant.com on Oct 16, 2008
22
In 15 years, when some of you are parents of your own kids you'll be arguing with people who are now your age who will at that time be defending posters on the side of buses showing a closeup of a teenage girl giving a guy a blowjob because not to would be "censorship." How is that in the sma ball park as the word PORN?
AllmightyKeim on Oct 16, 2008
23
I guess I don't see the point I'm supposed to be missing. Companies choose not to run the ads. Fine. There's no problem with that, other than the marketing team for the film now has to come up with a way to get people to the movie without saying the full title of the movie. There's so much that an inventive marketing person can do with that, it's almost like a marketer's dream. "Also to ALLMIGHTY- DO you want to live in a country were anything goes. Were teacher's use curse words to educate children, were you turn on TV and see hard core porn on major networks?" Really? Do you really want to try and stand on this argument? Really? Taken, of course, I would find it offensive to see hard core stuff on network TV. Of course, I would approach a teacher who felt using vulgarities within a classroom setting was agreeable. But, I'm able to turn off my TV, and I am able to tell my children what I feel it is they can not watch, and do so easily. Because I'm a parent. In your example of the teacher; this obviously goes into what our reasonable expectations are of a teacher, a school, and a classroom. The removal of the ads because of complaints, IS censorship, in just about every meaning of the word. The difference in how some see it (and how others define it), is that this form of censorship is voluntary, and does not infringe upon the affected parties freedom of speech, because the censorship in question happened within an area in which an agreement between two parties was reached, and then refused, based upon what that company (the one doing the censoring) viewed as a reasonable expectation of their customers. Now, if that's explained to the film company who bought the ads for placement, and their money is refunded, then while it's still censorship, it's an acceptable form of it, based upon reasonable expectation. Since I'm sure that all here are aware that there are no "perfect" parents, but ones who do the towering task of parenting to the best of their ability, then I'm sure that we can all agree that parents who lack the ability to describe to their kids the meaning of a word on a poster for a movie that they wouldn't let them see in the first place, are parents that may need to step up their own skills a bit. If explaining the work "porno" to their kids is the most challenging task they will experience as a parent, then I fear for their relationship with their children. It's a movie. Whether it's a good or bad one, is certainly up for debate. The purpose of a movie, and its subject matter, is to allow filmmakers to push the envelope, depending on what it is they're trying to do. In Smith's case, he's taking what looks to be a couple of different subjects, making a COMEDY out of them, and hopefully ending up with a decent movie that should make me laugh. As an adult. Underestimating children, of any age, is certainly a naive state of mind. I've never underestimated any of my children, at any age in their life, in their understanding of what comes before them, within the media, or life at large. Telling someone that they can’t understand this, simply based on the assumption that they might not be a parent, is naive in its own right, basing that opinion on what may or may not be true, because of how someone is talking about a subject.
CMK on Oct 16, 2008
24
Censorship is the suppression of speech or deletion of communicative material which may be considered objectionable, harmful or sensitive, as determined by a censor. - Wikipedia No one is FORCING anyone to remove the ads. And you can turn off the television - walking down the street and seeing a poster at a bus stop or on a bus is different. Let's be clear, I'm not going off on the use of the word "porno" but just that it's another chop at the tree. Let's put "sex in the city" on the side of a bus, then let's put "porno," then let's put "asshole," then let's put "shit," then "fuck," etc. And extrapolate that to imagery. Once each level becomes "ok," it makes it that much easier to go to the next level. It's the old argument about turning up the heat slowly on a frog in a pot of water. It doesn't know what's happened until it's too late because it happened so gradually. Vic
ScreenRant.com on Oct 16, 2008
25
Censorship is, indeed, what is stated by that entry in wiki. I don't think I ever disputed that, and am pretty sure supports my point. The key term you're going to want to look at there is: "which may be considered" It depends on who is doing the considering. I don't think that point I was making said anything about anyone being FORCED to remove ads. The company who bought the ad space did so voluntarily, upon discovering that they went beyond what was the reasonable expectation of their customers, who in this case are BOTH the film company who bought the ad space (who's reasonable expectation is that their ads would be shown), and the company's main customer base (bus riders, baseball game watchers, etc...). I'm sure that the filmmakers knew perfectly well that they were going to get the smackdown with their ad campaign, no matter how benign they attempted to make it. Again, a point is made using what most people reasonable define as "vulgar" terms, in an attempt to try and make someone believe that the word "porno" carries with it the same weight as shit, fuck, asshole, douchebag, dingleberry, nerd, jerkface, buttwad, puritan, nazi, dick, cougar... I could go on. While I can consider the reasoning behind wanting to make this comparison, the context can't fit. Moving beyond what society deems as a reasonable expectation of entertainment and advertising, you being to whittle your original point down to a toothpick. Words are what they are. Words. The weight we allow them to carry, in the context in which we use them, are what gives them the power that they have. Concern over this, or the attitude that we should attempt to shelter young people from them, becomes one that is ever consuming. I certainly cannot say that my day to day speech is not littered with "grown up words", or that I've let a couple slip while fixing the car, and my children heard me. But, they are aware that these "grown up words", are just that. They're also aware that the reasonable expectation of both children and grown ups, is to not use abrasive language in an overblown manner. Within that same idea, refusing to allow anyone to hear or know certain words or phrases, gives those words more power, and adds a powerful mystique to them.
CMK on Oct 16, 2008
26
...and in my poiint above, an error in my own context; in which I should point out that the company removing the ads, was the one who was SELLING the space in the first place.
CMK on Oct 16, 2008
27
this is such a non-issue and there are no surprises here. Get over it. Why no complaints over the giant SEXDRIVE ads everywhere?
Rob on Oct 16, 2008
28
Perhaps the main reason this poster has drawn the most criticism from parents is due to the fact that the stick figures appear to be drawn by a toddler and therefore would attract more attention from a child then say a Sex in the City poster, (which looks like it could be a fashion advertisement or something). A young child sees an advertisement which has something they can relate to on it (in this case the doodle) and are intrigued. I agree that issues such as sex, porn, masturbation, etc... should be held in discussion between a child and their parent(s), but come on, kids have plenty of time to develop their own gutter minds (joke), when they get older. It seems like society wants to push more and more on a younger and younger generation. Cut a parent some slack.
William on Oct 16, 2008
29
There are more important things to worry about.
Roy on Oct 16, 2008
30
ANYONE OF YOU GUYS SEE THE NEW POSTER YET????? It reads, ""Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks made a movie so outrageous that we can't even tell you the title."
Ryan on Oct 16, 2008
31
I think this is ridiculous. People just go overboard about stupid tiny things like this. It's a word. PORNO. Oh my god ! If you don't want children to know about it then don't tell them. If you're worried about your children going online and searching the word porno then you obviously aren't that good a parent. There are parental controls on everything now, so if you think your child might want to check out what porn is online then activate your parental controls. THAT SIMPLE. And as for the child asking about what a porno is tell them "An adults movie" or " I'll tell you when you're older'. Not that difficult. And the word "porno" itself is just an abbreviation of the word pornography which I have seen in public with ads that said "pornography hurts". How come those were OK, but the word porno in a movie title is so taboo??
ClerksFan on Oct 16, 2008
32
seriously why the fuck is everyoine arguing over a word and like #2 said the simple words "Ill tell ya when ur old enough" pretty mcuh solve any arguement over the children thing. Quit doing what all of america is fucking doing with all this PC bullshit and let it go, got other things to worry about like terrorists, or another depression/revolution.
Cody on Oct 16, 2008
33
"Zack and Miri make a SEX tape" Problem solve since the word sex is okay. Just tell your kids that. Besides like two weeks you won't have to see the adds anymore. Okie Dokie!
The_Phantom on Oct 16, 2008
34
the reason why? one word, "america"------- Fuck Yeah!
vu on Oct 16, 2008
35
I personally like the title "Zack and Miri Make an Adult Film That is Intended for Audiences of 18 Years and Older". sounds catchy to me. lol i just think this whole thing is hilarious cuz i know controversy over the word porno won't stop me or anyone i know from seeing this should-be-hilarious movie. and i doubt it will really affect anyone either.
jim on Oct 16, 2008
36
I guess The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is fine because it's violence, but Porno is not okay because it's sex, right?
avoidz on Oct 16, 2008
37
I was wondering... what about all the so called "music" that comes out these days that talks about casual sex and shooting people. If you don't know what I'm talking about... look up Dead Wrong by Notorious B.I.G. and tell me what you think we should censor. I agree with a lot of the above posts. Porn... is a word. If a child asks what it means, tell them they aren't old enough yet, and if they say "Why?", all you have to say is, "Because I said so." Conversation over.
Shade291 on Oct 16, 2008
38
Well I have to agree with Vic on this JL,,, The outlets involved are not all Federal agencies. All out Censorship would be banning the film, poster, and everything else that came with it.... (Not that I don't agree with your views on media and the government ,btw) Peace JL,,,, One thing everyone kinda missed here was the fact that outside sources (mpaa) influenced this movie poster in the first place.... "The MPAA has a Softy for all things sexual,,, and they allways side on the side of violence over sex,,," Read: ^ http://www.movieguys.org/movie-reviews/documentary-movie-reviews/dvd-review-this-film-is-not-yet-rated/ ^ The MPAA more or less told Kevin Smith they didn't like the poster, so he made a Stick Figure poster, the Stick Figures are gonna attract children in the first place, think about it... Stick Figures are all kids ,(and some adults) can draw for the first 10 years. If you ask me Kevin Smith fell into a MPAA trap,,,,, Ppl seem to forget that Kevin Smith has a daughter,,, he's not a complete scumbag.
790 on Oct 16, 2008
39
@Shade291 Yes, porno is a word, and yes we will have to address it to our children eventually. But, in many cases kids go to school and learn these words anyways. It doesn't take a movie preview to get them curious about what certain words involve.
Stan-Lee on Oct 16, 2008
40
This is so typical "America". I am an American and proud of it but for the last 6 years I have been living in Europe. Sometimes I am embarrassed to addmit that I am an American just because of this type of stuff. You would not believe some of the things Europeans say about Americans on this subjuect. "Oh, it's ok to show a war movie during dinner time where you see a guy take a machine gun to the chest or have a guy get his leg blown off by a land mine or even show a car chase turn gun fight on the evening news. But oh no when there is a slight slip of the nipple or a butt shot in a movie you better cover your childs eyes." It is just getting way to up tight and conservitive in the U.S. and everyone is just trying to be to "P.C." It's all a load of horse shit.
Will O on Oct 17, 2008
41
@Will O Yeah the MPAA leans toward that side because of the influence Jack Valenti had on forming the MPAA. Chck out the link,,, 790@movieguys.org
790 on Oct 17, 2008
42
We can view people getting killed and people saying bitch and ass but not porno? wat the hell??!?!!??!
Max Russian on Oct 17, 2008
43
FYI... film screened amazingly this week.. just too bad that all this discussion has to happen regarding its name in the first place.... Alex, could you post up the markets other than Philly that cut the advertising of the movie? And how many of them were not private groups like this Deputy Mayor of Transportation(read - TOOL)? I would be interested to know how many of the groups that are pulling it are bible-belt livin, conversative, close-minded bigots that can't look at it for what it is, a movie. THEY ARE NOT PUBLICS THAT WOULD HAVE SEEN THE MOVIE ANYWAYS, so who cares. (I live in KS and I am sure some group around here is protesting and pulling it, just couldn't find them in a list somewhere... We have bumper stickers that make fun of the conservatives here in KS, they read "Kansas: As Biggotted as you think" Why not potest the advertisment of a movie that makes our president look like more of an ass than he already is, cause I would contend that that does more damage to our children, cause now they know that people make fun of even the highest level of US government.
Dusty on Oct 17, 2008
44
I saw a film this past summer (in a regular multiplex) called Young People F...ing (also a comedy) If they can have than and still complain about a film with Porno in the title, I don't know what's wrong with the world.
Sean Kelly on Oct 17, 2008
45
Kudos #40
vu on Oct 17, 2008
46
If Zack and Miri made a film about senseless violence and blood and guts there would be no problem. Bunch of puritan tards.
Puke on Oct 17, 2008
47
Just watched this movie last night on DVD. It was pretty funny, but I was expecting it to be obscene after all the stuff I had read. It wasn't really. People should really get over the word porno. That is nothing compared to posters advertising violent films I have seen on bus shelters. Get over it.
Cougar Woman on Jul 4, 2009
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