Site rates films for risk of upset
A couple have set up a website to help parents choose which films are suitable for children.
Michael and Laura Record came up with the idea after seeing their young nephews so terrified they had to be taken out of a cinema.
Michael, 30, a legal secretary, from Evington, Leicester, said: "It stuck with me just how terrified the boys were.
"We were watching Toy Story 3 with them and their parents and they were really upset by some of the content.
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"There is a bit when a zombie doll is on screen and that scared one of the boys so much he had to be taken out of the cinema to calm him down.
"Laura and I were shocked by this. It had a big effect on the boys and on their parents, too."
Michael and Laura, 28, do not have children but thought there was gap in the market.
Laura said: "We felt beyond the classifications of PG, 12 and 12A there was wealth of information parents could have.
"The experience of my sister's children showed us if some parents had extra information about a film they could make a more informed decision about whether the movie is suitable.
"What we are trying to do is to provide that additional information."
On isthismoviesuitable.com, Michael and Laura give marks out of five for criteria including bad language, sexual content, violence and fear factor.
Michael said: "We are not trying to give the plot away, we are trying to inform parents about content which might upset a child. Different children are upset by different things so we aim to signpost anything that might be an issue."
Laura said: "We believe movies can be very powerful – the stories can lift your spirits, encourage empathy and sympathy as well as make you question your own opinions.
"Children should be able to enjoy movies without adults having to worry about unexpected content."
The couple are busy reviewing films. Michael said: "In a way it is great fun for us, but there is a serious side.
"If the website helps stop one child being upset and improves one family's enjoyment of a film, it will have been worthwhile."
4 Comments
by TheOverlord
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 1:34PM
“once again the we see another http://tinyurl.com/dypob5o informing people of absolutely nothing,
Is this really news?
Site not worth bandwidth let alone viewing it.
If someone's pretentious brat gets a bit fractious over Toy story, perhaps the 21st century is not really for them.
Go in peace my people.”
by Hugo-Boss
Monday, March 18 2013, 6:45PM
“I have just taken a look at the site and to be perfectly honest they rate Transformers as "Adults Only" but rate Ironman & Ironman2 as "Family Friendly" even though they should be rated all the same. The people behind the site should stick to worrying about more important things than this & if their nephews were upset by a cartoon, then maybe they should stick to the tellytubbies or in the midnight garden instead.”
by llamalamb
Monday, March 18 2013, 4:55PM
“If I were a kid, I would definitely be upset by this couples action......”
by GK33Harb
Monday, March 18 2013, 7:38AM
“Already sort of been done - an American website called Capalert. It's run by devout Christians and is hilarious in the things it finds to be offended by.”