recently i've netflixed "this film is not yet rated" and "shall we dance?".

"this film is not yet rated" is interesting because it attempts to document the mpaa and very little is known about them. they put their rating on films in america and this is tied with what kind of distribution and promotion a film has. so certain ratings (nc-17 or in the old days x)are the kiss of death. yet, why don't we know more about the mpaa and the criteria for ratings, the true measuring stick for ratings? we don't even know who these people are to question them about it. we only know who is the head of the mpaa. in a very amusing approach, the filmmakers hires a private detective to find out! it's really quite a hilarious documentary then of the "chase" but also of showing clips from films and comparing them as to why they were given the rating they received. also interviews with filmmakers who have gotten kiss of death ratings. what is also in the documentary is coverage of this very film's submission to the mpaa for a rating. not surprisingly, it receives nc-17. why? 'cos the mpaa does not want you to see this film. finally, let me just say that if you haven't studied film and self-censorship and ratings and all that, they cover the history of it briefly in the film.

i also netflixed the original japanese "shall we dance?" because my mom was into it, blah blah blah. surprisingly, it's a very nice, well done film that covers the subtlety of human emotions, etc. i felt like a few subtitles were a little bit off in english. just a couple words here and there that i think changed the vibe. the business man who sees the dance instructor from far away develops a crush on her (koi) but in english they translated as he fell in love with her. that seems much more serious and like he went there to cheat on his wife. i thought it was a bit more innocent in japanese. but that's just my personal take. i'm not into any kind of dancing but the film lures you in and you start cheering for the characters. the dancing is good too. i don't even want to see the american version now because this film captured the story so well. plus i don't think it transfers well culturally, the idea of an older man wanting to learn how to dance. at the same time though, i don't think it's THAT embarrassing in japan either. but then again, i think it was this film that changed the culture in japan and renewed an interest in ballroom dancing.