Off-Topic

Tomorrow (yes, I know, my birthday is on New Years), after years of waiting, I will finally be turning 17. Here in America, this means I will be able to see R-rated movies with no parental accompaniment necessary. I am rather excited by this development. Previously, seeing an R-rated movie in theaters meant that I would have to subject myself to some sort of adult content while with my parents, which usually ended up being extremely awkward. The sex scene in Black Swan (when I was sitting in between my mother and father) was one of the most uncomfortable moments of my life. My other option was just buying a ticket with friends, which I did three times. I guess I look old enough where it's questionable that I may be 17 but not altogether looking into. When I saw A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas, I was actually carded. Because I didn't have my driver's license at the time, I showed the ticket guy my student ID, which said I was in 11th grade but never explicitly stated my age. Luckily, the guy had gone to the same high school as me, and allowed me to see the movie with a knowing smirk. I felt pretty badass. But it was still a nerve-wracking experience that I am glad I will no longer have to deal with. Although I understand the need for the MPAA, I have little faith in the organization after seeing the wonderful documentary This Film is Not Yet Rated, and I am relieved that my movie watching choices will no longer be restricted by their system. I may even go see Shame. Bottom line, I'm excited that I can finally see R-rated movies free of hassle, whenever I want. Any other users have thoughts on the R-rating, stories of sneaking into R-rated movies, or turning 17? Share below, and happy new year!

I'm turning 17 myself in February. Looking forward to the same things as you are.

Great feeling, isn't it?

The MPAA rating system is far from perfect, but it performs a necessary service. It gives parents an easy to judge whether or not a movie is appropriate for their children.

These days you're not missing much.

Hollywood movies are so neutered now you wonder why half the stuff even gets an R rating.

@Vincemaster said:

Tomorrow (yes, I know, my birthday is on New Years), after years of waiting, I will finally be turning 17. Here in America, this means I will be able to see R-rated movies with no parental accompaniment necessary. I am rather excited by this development. Previously, seeing an R-rated movie in theaters meant that I would have to subject myself to some sort of adult content while with my parents, which usually ended up being extremely awkward. The sex scene in Black Swan (when I was sitting in between my mother and father) was one of the most uncomfortable moments of my life. My other option was just buying a ticket with friends, which I did three times. I guess I look old enough where it's questionable that I may be 17 but not altogether looking into. When I saw A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas, I was actually carded. Because I didn't have my driver's license at the time, I showed the ticket guy my student ID, which said I was in 11th grade but never explicitly stated my age. Luckily, the guy had gone to the same high school as me, and allowed me to see the movie with a knowing smirk. I felt pretty badass. But it was still a nerve-wracking experience that I am glad I will no longer have to deal with. Although I understand the need for the MPAA, I have little faith in the organization after seeing the wonderful documentary This Film is Not Yet Rated, and I am relieved that my movie watching choices will no longer be restricted by their system. I may even go see Shame. Bottom line, I'm excited that I can finally see R-rated movies free of hassle, whenever I want. Any other users have thoughts on the R-rating, stories of sneaking into R-rated movies, or turning 17? Share below, and happy new year!

Must be a state to state thing in the states because here you have to be 18 to get into a R movie.

I only have 1 sneak in story because when i was a teenager theaters weren't so strict about R movies, you didn't even need a parent to be with you, just buy your ticket (that came into effect around the time jackass came out) before that they would let you in if you just had the ticket (meaning you could have a 18 year old buy it for you) but me and a friend really wanted to see Any Given Sunday and we couldn't get tickets because the guy working was a complete dick so we bought tickets for i believe it was The World is Not Enough (james bond flick, it was that or Die Another Die, pretty sure it was World if Not Enough) well apparently the guy who rips the ticket stubs saw us sneak into Any Given Sunday and the manager came in and literally pin pointed us the second he came in which was hilariously scary because it was dark and the movie was on, ended up having my older sister come down posing as my mom to buy us tickets.

That's the only sneak into R story i have because like i said they weren't too strict when i was a teen and i turned 18 before they went into full you must have a parent or you can't watch it mode, however.. i have snuck into theaters without paying numerous times from 15-17 which was quite easy because my friends brother managed the regal cinema at the mall, we got a ton of cool posters for free as well.

@Styl3s said:

I only have 1 sneak in story because when i was a teenager theaters weren't so strict about R movies, you didn't even need a parent to be with you, just buy your ticket (that came into effect around the time jackass came out) before that they would let you in if you just had the ticket (meaning you could have a 18 year old buy it for you) but me and a friend really wanted to see Any Given Sunday and we couldn't get tickets because the guy working was a complete dick so we bought tickets for i believe it was The World is Not Enough (james bond flick, it was that or Die Another Die, pretty sure it was World if Not Enough) well apparently the guy who rips the ticket stubs saw us sneak into Any Given Sunday and the manager came in and literally pin pointed us the second he came in which was hilariously scary because it was dark and the movie was on, ended up having my older sister come down posing as my mom to buy us tickets.

That's the only sneak into R story i have because like i said they weren't too strict when i was a teen and i turned 18 before they went into full you must have a parent or you can't watch it mode, however.. i have snuck into theaters without paying numerous times from 15-17 which was quite easy because my friends brother managed the regal cinema at the mall, we got a ton of cool posters for free as well.

This same thing happened to me with Tropic Thunder. Me and my friends bought tickets to Step Brothers (which we had already seen) and walked into the Tropic Thunder theater. The ticket checker came in after us and we just pretended that we walked into the wrong theater. So then we had to go to the other theater and watch Step Brothers again.

On the bright side, we had to watch Step Brothers again.

P.S. Honestly, I thought the violence and swearing in Tropic Thunder was MUCH less scarring than seeing Will Ferrell's testicles being rubbed on that drum set.

@PatVB: Yeah I agree. It definitely is necessary, we can't have little kids seeing R rated movies and such. I'm just glad that a movie's MPAA rating no longer dictates what I can and can't see. I suppose its sort of a rite of passage and I'm glad I'm on the other side of it.

Happy (late) Birthday duder! Have fun getting to whip out your ID with confidence whenever your carded.

Although you are getting old. Now if you sneak into a film you are nothing more than a common thief instead of a sneaky kid. Also, if you smoke cigarettes enjoy it now because smoking cigarettes is only cool* when your young and trying not to get caught. Once you turn 18, you just have a problem.

(*Smoking isn't really cool and you children should never do it. Here are some links to show you children the dangers of smoking. This one is from a class I took at my University and this is another one I got from the same class. The more you know!)

@DarthOrange: Thanks man! Haha yeah I realized that I am now at the age where getting older is no longer a fun thing. It's kind of a shame. And I've been around my disgusting older brother enough to know not to smoke haha.