Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Unrated DVDs of theatrical movies tempting

Given a choice between the theatrical version of a movie and an unrated, “uncut” version, I tend to go for the latter.
The notion of a movie being “too hot,” “too raunchy” or “too violent” for censors is too tempting to pass up.
Usually the “unrated” label is a marketing gimmick for underperforming movies released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc. Comedies and horror movies are the two categories that pull this stunt the most. Steamy romances and erotic thrillers also have played the “unrated” card.
Sony is just starting to advertise its comedy “Year One” in both the PG-13 theatrical version and an unrated edition. Both are due out Oct. 6. I’ll be renting the unrated version.
“Year One,” starring Jack Black and Michael Cera and directed by Harold Ramis, didn’t get great reviews when it was released in theaters this summer. Only 16% of critics gave the film a positive review, according to RottenTomatoes.com.
I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I’m hoping that the addition of some deleted scenes will make “Year One” better. A PG-13 rating is a little tame for a movie produced by Judd Apatow (“The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Knocked Up,” both R-rated).
Of course, “unrated” doesn’t necessarily mean that a movie will be harder edged or would have been rated R or NC-17. It only means that it wasn’t screened for the Motion Picture Association of America.

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