Movie News

I Am Gay and Muslim is a 2012 Netherlands/Morocco documentary biography by Chris Belloni.
With Rayan Rayan. See IMDb .

A Kyrgyzstan court has banned a documentary on gay Muslims from being shown in the country.

The film, I am Gay and a Muslim, was submitted as part of the One World International Documentary Film Festival currently underway in the capital city of Bishkek.

It reportedly tells the story of gay rights in the Islamic world through the lens of ordinary Moroccans.

Before the court ban, the Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security appealed to chief Mufti Rakhmatulla Egemberdiev, who believes the film presents Islam in bad form, using people who have nothing to do with religion in general as examples .

A Bishkek court also ruled the film Innocence of Muslims was extremist and banned its screening.

OMG Oh My God! is a 2012 India comedy by Umesh Shukla.
With Mithun Chakraborty, Prabhu Deva and Poonam Jhawer. See IMDb

It is a film about a shopkeeper who takes the religious character God to court after his store is destroyed by a tornado.

It was passed PG by the BBFC for infrequent mild language and slapstick violence.

OMG has now been banned in the UAE due, presumably due to its religious content. Makers of the film learned about the UAE censor board decision just short of the film's release.

Vikram Malhotra of Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the co-producers of the film, said:

We have lost at least Rs 4 crore. It's terrible.

Update: Banned in Malaysia

29th September 2012. From news.insing.com

Bollywood film Oh My God has been officially banned by the Malaysian Censorship Board citing sensitive religious elements as the cause.

Based on a 2001 Australian comedy The Man Who Sued God , Oh My God tells the story of a shopkeeper named Kanjibhai who blames God for causing his shop to be destroyed by a tornado. The man then shows his wrath by fighting all the priests in the town, just to take Him down.

Herbert Lom, the actor, who has died aged 95, brought to the screen a remarkable gallery of monarchs and gangsters, witchfinders, psychiatrists and spies, dictators and assassins, cops and robbers. A ladykiller and several times Napoleon, he will, above all, be remembered as the French police chief driven gradually mad by the antics of Peter Sellers's Inspector Jacques Clouseau in the long-running Pink Panther series of films.

Herbert Lom's long filmography includes many appearances in notable films in Melon Farming genres:

• Hammer's Phantom of the Opera (1962)
• Jess Franco's 99 Women , a  Women in Prison film (1969)
• Mark of the Devil , a massively controversial witch finder film which is still cut in the UK
• Jess Franco's Count Dracula . Herbert Lom played Van Helsing (1970)
• Massimo Dallamano's Dorian Gray (1970)
• Murders in the Rue Morgue (1971)

America. Jesus. Freedom. Those are the opening words in the comedy The Campaign. In Egypt, however, the translation of these words, along with other references to Jesus or anything related to religion, was removed.

Those viewing the film in Egypt who do not speak English, are told the opening line of the film is simply America. Freedom. Jesus is somehow left out.

Again, later in the film, when Will Ferrell's character attempts to tell the Lord's Prayer at a debate and butchers it completely, the translation is gone, absent and not found.

In X-Men , when there is a discussion of evolution to mutants, the screen was void again of any translation.

This is normal, said one Coptic Christian filmmaker in Cairo. He told Bikyamasr.com:

They censor all of this regularly because they believe it will offend and is an attack on religion, no matter what the context.

This is not necessarily the government. It could be the translation company censoring themselves ahead of time.

The Horde is a big budget Russian movie which opened on September 20. It depicts life under the Golden Horde, the Mongol khanate that controlled large portions of Eurasia during the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries.

The movie hasn't apparently pleased Russia's nearly 6 million Tatars, who are considered the country's modern-day descendants of nomads who joined Genghis Khan's army and eventually helped to create the Golden Horde.

They say the film falsely depicts the Golden Horde as an empire dominated by random violence, greed, and ignorance.

The film's director, Andrei Proshkin, has defended the film as a work of historic fiction, saying it was never intended as a true-to-life depiction of the Golden Horde. Still, he has acknowledged that the movie is likely to displease many viewers in Tatarstan, Russia's prosperous and predominantly Muslim republic that is home to the majority of the country's Tatars:

It's difficult to predict what kind of reaction there's going to be [in Tatarstan]. Probably, people are going to be offended. But what can you do?

Among those 'offended' so far are the very researchers who were hired to help Proshkin and his screenwriter re-create the sights and sounds of life under the Mongol Empire. Vadim Rudakov, a researcher specializing in the Golden Horde said he came away from the first meeting feeling enthusiastic that Russia would finally have an accurate depiction of life under its Mongol forbearers, who are widely credited with establishing regional government, a postal system, census-taking, and military organization.

But once the script was developed, Rudakov was crestfallen. Most of his suggestions about historical accuracy had been ignored, he told RFE/RL. And the depiction of the Mongols, he said, was deeply degrading:

Some of them were given human qualities, but the overall impression is of brutal, bloodthirsty, evil-minded, greedy people. Even the jokes they told were flat and stupid. It was all of the worst traditions of the old Soviet films about Tatar Mongols and nomads.

Avengers Assemble is a 2012 USA action sci-fi by Joss Whedon.
With Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson. See IMDb

There are 2 versions available worldwide, one omits the sight of the spear protruding from a man's chest as he is stabbed through his back. The cut version has the same running time but sees the man fall without the sight of the bloody protrusion.

The cut version has appeared in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and in UK video releases, while uncut versions have been reported in Italy, Australia, USA, and in UK cinemas.

The Uncut version was passed 12A for cinema release by the BBFC. The BBFC confirmed that this was the uncut version of the stabbing. The BBFC wrote:

A slightly stronger moment occurs when a man is stabbed through the back by the chief villain's spear. The detail of the impact is not shown, only the tip of the spear protruding from the man's chest with a small amount of blood on it. The image is not dwelt upon and serves an important narrative purpose. The BBFC's Guidelines at 12A'/'12 state Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context .

Initially the BBFC suggested that UK DVD and Blu-ray releases would be uncut, but have now explained the error in a media release:

The DVD/Blu-ray version of MARVEL AVENGERS ASSEMBLE is classified 12. It differs from the theatrical version submitted to the BBFC which is classified 12A.

In publishing the Extended Classification Information (ECI) for the DVD/Blu-ray MARVEL AVENGERS ASSEMBLE, a technical error occurred and the theatrical ECI was published on the BBFC website instead of the DVD/Blu-ray ECI.

The theatrical ECI highlights a scene in the film where the tip of a spear is seen protruding from a man's chest. This scene was absent from the DVD/Blu-ray MARVEL AVENGERS ASSEMBLE and does not appear in the DVD/Blu-ray ECI. The website error has now been rectified and the correct ECI for the DVD/Blu-ray is now available.

Meawhile Disney have been spouting bollox on the topic. Addressing the controversy with Home Cinema Choice, Disney UK's Home Entertainment spokesperson Lydia Rodrigues claimed:

There's been no censorship, no foul play. The version of Marvel's Avengers Assemble on Blu-ray disc in the U.K. is the same as the version shown theatrically. It really is. The simple fact is for a 12 certificate film in the U.K., that scene was deemed inappropriate. So Marvel Studios chose to remove the spear tip digitally.

Rodrigues also noted that some of the special features available on other versions of The Avengers, like Joss Whedon's Director's Commentary, weren't included in the U.K. release. She attributes it to the Digital Linear Tape required to replicate the disc not being delivered in time. She adds that there are no plans to include it on future versions.

Uncut Version

US: Uncut and MPAA PG-13 rated for:

• US 2012 Walt Disney [2D + 3D] R0 Blu-ray/R1 DVD Combo at US Amazon released on 25th September 2012
• US 2012 Walt Disney [2D] R0 Blu-ray/R1 DVD Combo at US Amazon released on 25th September 2012
• US 2012 Walt Disney VOD to rent/buy [US only] at US Amazon released on 25th September 2012

Update: Disney Come Clean

20th September 2012. From  bleedingcool.com

After some confusion, Disney have now clarified just what's going on and sent the following statement to bleedingcool.com :

Thanks to those of you who have let us know about an issue on the Marvel Avengers Assemble UK Blu-ray and DVD release, which has a less graphic depiction of Agent Coulson's confrontation with Loki. Each country has its own compliance issues relative to depictions of violence. Unfortunately, another region's elements were inadvertently used to create the UK in home release which minimally altered this scene in the film. We thank our fans for their vigilance in recognizing this and apologize for the mix up

Disney has even taken the unusual step of suggesting that fans purchase the US Blu-Ray of the film, which should work on UK players. We know that hardcore fans with Blu-ray players are probably going to end up buying the US release, which has the commentary, Rodrigues told Home Cinema Choice. The American Blu-Ray is region-free.

Update: The story makes the Guardian

21st September 2012.  See  article from  guardian.co.uk

Update: Screen caps

23rd September 2012.  Thanks to Auiki

US: Uncut with spear protruding from chest

US: Uncut with spear protruding from chest

UK: Cut with spear not protruding from chest

Avengers Assemble is a 2012 USA action sci-fi by Joss Whedon.
With Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson. See IMDb

UK: The cut version was released apparently without BBFC approval for:

• UK 2012 Walt Disney [6 movie collection] R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 17th September 2012
• UK 2012 Walt Disney [3D + 2D] R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 17th September 2012
• UK 2012 Walt Disney R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 17th September 2012
• UK 2012 Walt Disney R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 17th September 2012

The UK release is the cut version

There are 2 versions available worldwide, one omits the sight of the spear protruding from a man's chest as he is stabbed through his back. The cut version has the same running time but sees the man fall without the sight of the bloody protrusion.

The cut version has appeared in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the UK, while uncut versions are reported in Italy, Australia and the US.

The Uncut version was passed 12 by the BBFC. However this uncut version wasn't released and the cut version was substituted for the actual UK release, seemingly without BBFC approval. The BBFC confirmed that it had passed the uncut version of the stabbing at 12A/12. The BBFC wrote:

A slightly stronger moment occurs when a man is stabbed through the back by the chief villain's spear. The detail of the impact is not shown, only the tip of the spear protruding from the man's chest with a small amount of blood on it. The image is not dwelt upon and serves an important narrative purpose. The BBFC's Guidelines at 12A'/'12 state Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context .

Uncut Version

US: Uncut and MPAA PG-13 rated for:

• US 2012 Walt Disney [2D + 3D] R0 Blu-ray/R1 DVD Combo at US Amazon released on 25th September 2012
• US 2012 Walt Disney [2D] R0 Blu-ray/R1 DVD Combo at US Amazon released on 25th September 2012
• US 2012 Walt Disney VOD to rent/buy [US only] at US Amazon released on 25th September 2012

The Hunger Games is a 2012 US Sci-Fi action film by Gary Ross.
With Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth. See IMDb

The good people of movie-censorship.com have identified the BBFC cuts for the 12 rated version of The Hunger Games:

• Blood has been digitally removed from a brick, which had presumably being used as a weapon
• 2 instances of bloody knives being de-bloodied
• 4 instances of wounds that no longer spurt blood
• 2 shots of blood were cleared up from a wall and a suitcase
• 2 shots of a bloody corpse have been de-bloodied
• 2 Scenes showing Katniss' wound featured less wound and more tending
• A scene showing Katniss threatened with a small knife featured less of the knife and more close ups of the aggressor's face

...See pictorial details

Note that the current 12 UK DVD features this cut version whilst the 15 rated UK Blu-ray features the uncut version.

All films shown in India that show a protagonist smoking will automatically be granted a UA [PG] certificate by the Censor Board of Film Certification, no matter what the rest of their content may be, a source from the CBFC told Times of India.

So even if a film like, say, Haathi Mere Saathi or Andaaz Apna Apna that children love, had featured a character blowing smoke rings, the censors would have had to grant it a UA certificate, according to the source.

In addition, the disclaimer regarding cigarette smoking has to have a voiceover from the person who smokes on screen. Hence in Heroine, audiences will hear Kareena Kapoor warning them against cigarette smoking at the beginning of the film and after the interval, said the source and pointed out that there'll be no exceptions.

Update: First Heroic Failure

17th September 2012. See  article from  zeenews.india.com

Anti-smoking campaigners welcomed the Central Board of Film Certification's decision to give an A certificate to the upcoming movie Heroine , claiming the move will protect young children from getting exposed to tobacco use in the film.

In a letter addressed to CBFC chairperson, HRIDAY said that CBFC has taken the decision considering that almost 30% of the scenes in the film depict tobacco use.

As per the new directions of CBFC, the film will now have to show a statutory warning during every scene depicting tobacco use.

However...

See article from articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

The Delhi High Court has allowed the release of Bollywood movie Heroine without display of static anti-smoking message in its smoking scenes.

Justice Rajiv Shakdher allowed the release of the movie, saying it is not appropriate for the government to disturb the state of affairs in interregnum.

The film is set to be released on September 21.

Scientologists in Hollywood tried to derail a movie inspired by the religion's founder, its studio claims. The Master was partly based on L Ron Hubbard, who founded Scientology in the 1950s.

Unnamed Scientologists applied lots of pressure to stop The Master being made and have it changed once filming began, studio head Harvey Weinstein said

We've had pressure and we've resisted pressure. Originally people said to me 'don't make it'. Lots of pressure.

And then, as we were making it, we had pressure to change it. Paul's not doing that and I didn't think he chose me [to work with] because I was going to acquiesce either.

The movie tells the story of a cult leader known as The Master, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, and a troubled World War II veteran, played by Joaquin Phoenix, who is drawn into his world. It won awards for acting and directing after its premiere at the Venice Film Festival and is seen as an early contender for The Oscars.

Asked about the reaction from Scientologists in Hollywood, Weinstein said:

I'm not going to get into names, but they feel strongly that they think it's a religion and as such they think the subject matter shouldn't be explored.

The Church of Scientology has denied trying to block the film.

Actresses are asked to do some arduous things in horror films, like running through the woods topless or shrieking until there's no shriek left.

But Rodleen Getsic, who endured unspeakable acts while shooting the film The Bunny Game , is no mere scream queen. Ms. Getsic, 37, plays a prostitute abducted by a crazed truck driver (Jeff Renfro), who drugs and strips her and chains her inside his rig. For the rest of the film's 76-minute running time he sexually assaults her; slaps and spits on her; shaves her head; and drags her, in a grotesque rabbit-shaped hood that gives the film its title, on a leash through the desert. There are other indignities as well, but in the film's most brutal scene the actress is actually branded on her back. Shooting digitally in black and white in an aggressively shaky style, the camera unflinchingly captures it all, while an assaultive metal soundtrack underscores Ms. Getsic's screams.

...Read the full article

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2012 Autonomy R0 Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon
• US 2012 Autonomy R0 DVD at US Amazon

Sources have informed Nuke the Fridge that not only is a Director's Cut being developed by Warner Bros. for The Dark Knight Rises, but it's going to include Bane's origin plus a bit more screentime for Ra's Al Ghul (Liam Neeson) which were omitted from the current theatrical cut of the movie.

The new Director's Cut is said to make the film about thirty minutes longer.

...Read the full article

Update: Bollox

14th September 2012. See article from blogs.indiewire.com

Now, rumors of one particular director's cut made the blogosphere light up recently, with Nuke The Fridge reporting that an Extended Director's Cut of Christopher Nolan's megahit The Dark Knight Rises was heading to DVD & Blu-ray, featuring an extra 30 minutes of footage (for a film that already ran 165 minutes or so) including Bane's origin story, and that the new version was set for release next June, just ahead of the release of the Nolan-produced Superman flick Man Of Steel.

But insiders close to the director confirmed to us yesterday that no such plans exist, and reports of an extended cut of the film are completely false.

...Read the full article

Prolific British exploitation filmmaker Stanley Long has died, aged 78. Long died of natural causes on Monday in Buckinghamshire.

Dubbed the King of Sexploitation , Long produced and/or directed a series of successful X certificate movies between 1958 and 1983. His director's credits featured:

• Naughty!
• Bread
• Sex and the Other Woman
• Sex Through the Ages
• Adventures of a Taxi Driver
• Adventures of a Private Eye
• It Could Happen to You
• Adventures of a Plumber's Mate

Long was also hired by other filmmakers to work on their features, such as Roman Polanksi who approached Long to complete camera-work on his movie Repulsion . Recently, Long worked with his company Salon and made it one of the most popular post-production facilities in Europe, working on blockbusters such as V for Vendetta and Batman Begins .

Is there anything more fun than watching a man have his guts ripped out and shoved down his own throat for the amusement of the home viewing audience! NOPE!

This week we talk Censorship with my guest Mark Smith, Mark had the pleasure of living through the video nasties hysteria of the 80's in the country it took place in.

...Listen to the Podcast

Irate over India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) ban of his maiden film Papilio Buddha, Indian-American film-maker Jayan K. Cherian has denounced film certification by the government as an archaic practice and a blot on a mature democracy. He said:

It is pathetic to treat films, a fine art, as a mere industry. Worse, there's a draconian government body to censor it. Pity, it calls the shots at a time India is striving to be the champion of human rights, and is mobilising support for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. The rationale for the survival of such a framework is colonial hangover.

The Censor Board listed a number of reasons for taking its present stand against Papilio Buddha, including:

• anti-Gandhi comments
• visuals denigrating Buddha and Dalit leader Ayyankali
• violence against women
• use of expletives.

Taking strong exception to the CBFC's contentions for denying certification to the film, Cherian said it was a simple, realistic portrayal of a displaced community's trials and tribulations, and its subsequent uprising depicted metaphorically.

The fictional film is set in a Dalit settlement called Meppara. It is filmed from the perspective of a youth Sankaran, a university dropout, whose insecurity and reticence are in stark contrast to the deep-rooted faith and conviction of his father Kandal Kariyan. The film is visual-driven and deftly skims through a host of groups mirroring real life political movements, a pan-Dalit movement, a Gandhian bent on pacifying a group of violent Harijans that resembles some belligerent eco-spiritual movements. Cherian explained:

My cinema is grounded, on-screen characters are essayed by actual Dalits, and their language is real, reflecting Dalit argot. Some expressions, borrowed from the prevalent lingo of Theyyam performers, seem to have been mistaken by the CBFC for cuss words. I've also made it a point to cast mainstream artistes to bring about a contrast.

Caste has stamped a deep scar across our society. It has a polymorphic nature, preventing permanent eradication as it mutates and takes on various forms.

Update: Censor's Tribunal

24th September 2012. See  article from  indianexpress.com

Makers of the Malayalam film Papilio Buddha , on the plight of displaced Dalits, have moved the Censor tribunal for certification after the Board's review committee suggested certain cuts and mutes which were not acceptable to them.

The Central Board of Film Certification's regional panel here had rejected the film outright on the ground that it contained denigrating remarks about iconic leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, E M S Namboodiripad and Ayyankali.

However, on an appeal by the film's producers and New York-based director Jayan K Cheriyan, the CBFC's review panel watched the movie and suggested certain cuts and mutes before it could be publicly screened.

We rejected the suggestions as it will curtail the film's political space and affect its central narrative. We have now moved the Board's tribunal, Cheriyan told reporters.

It is an epic portrayal of the country's modern history and one of its best-known books of recent decades. But a film adaptation of Salman Rushdie's novel about India after independence, Midnight's Children, has plunged the author into new controversy in his native land.

Speaking at the film's premiere in Toronto at the weekend, director Deepa Mehta revealed that no Indian film distributor has so far bought rights to the film.

Salman has often said that the book was his love letter to India. I think the film reflects that love. What a pity if insecure politicians deprive the people of India to make up their own minds about what the film means, or does not mean, to them, the Hindustan Times, a leading Indian newspaper, has quoted the Indian-Canadian director as saying.

The film follows the narrative of the original novel and includes unflattering portrayals of top Indian political figures. Cinema experts in the subcontinent said the failure to find a distributor revealed a weakness in Indian democracy.

...Read the full article

Update: Distributor Found

21st October 2012. See  article from  timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Deepa Mehta need no longer be worried about the release of her film Midnight's Children in the subcontinent. She has finally found herself a distributor in PVR Pictures and her film based on Salman Rushdie's controversial novel of the same name will hit theatres in India before the end of the year. What's more, Rushdie's voiceover will remain intact in the movie, unlike what was being said earlier.

While Midnight's Children will now definitely see the light of day in India, there's still some cause for concern. In some time, the film will be shown to the CBFC (Censor Board of Film Certification). Of course, Gianchandani is confident the movie will not meet with any more resistance. There are unnecessary speculations, but I am sure there is no controversy associated with the film. I am not expecting any trouble with its release, he said.

Update: Playing Safe

30th December 2012. See  article from  dearcinema.com

Director Deepa Mehta rebuffed rumours that her latest film Midnight's Children, an adaptation of Salman Rushdie's acclaimed novel of the same name, is being banned in India. Mehta was in a Q&A session at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) where the film premiered on Monday.

However according to Mehta, PVR Pictures, the distributors of the film have asked not to screen the film for a second time before its theatrical release in the country in February 2013 in over 400 screens. Presumably so that any such screenings do not spark unnecessary controversy before the full release.

The film has now been passed A (adults only) after 1 line of dialogue was cut

Film actor and producer Ajay Devgn has agreed to remove supposedly objectionable dialogue and scenes from his film Son of Sardar before releasing it.

The actor made the promise in a meeting with Sikh religious leaders.

The film was involved in a controversy after the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) and other Sikh groups objected to certain dialogues and said that these were portraying Sikhs in poor light. The AISSF had pointed out some dialogues that had poked fun at Sikh community.

A statement released by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), proclaimed to be a mini-parliament of Sikh religious affairs, said that Devgn had agreed to remove the 'objectionable' dialogue and get approval from the SGPC before releasing the film.

The first Indian film to receive an R rating (17A) from the MPAA, this third installment in the RAAZ (Secret) series offers up relatively tame sexual content and campy violence.

The film was rated R for some violent content.

Meanwhile at the BBFC

See article from bbfc.co.uk

The BBFC rated the film as 15 uncut for strong horror and gory images.

The BBFC further explained:

RAAZ 3 is a Hindi language horror thriller about a fading film star who places a black magic curse on another actress who has stolen her limelight. It is rated 15 for strong horror and gory images.

There are a number of scenes in which the victim of the curse is terrorised by the supernatural. In one scene, a hand bursts out of a TV screen and grabs her by the throat and in another scene she is pursued by a scary clown character inside an empty film studio. The sense of tension and threat is increased by a loud, jarring music score. In a further scene, the woman is attacked by swarms of flying cockroaches inside the bathroom of a party mansion. She screams in terror and is forced to rip off her clothes and run outside. None of the threat is sadistic or sexualised in nature.

There are also some gory images, including a witch doctor being decapitated when he is thrown backwards by a demon, a man being stabbed in the throat, and acid being poured over a woman's body, which causes her flesh to burn. There is also sight of demonic hands, covered in deformed flesh and maggots.

RAAZ 3 also contains three uses of strong language and two scenes of implied sexual activity.

Meanwhile in the UAE

See  article from  mid-day.com

The Censor Board of the group of seven UAE emirates has banned the film from being released there. Sources say that sexually explicit scenes and the portrayal of the spiritual world in the film apparently didn't go down very well with the officials of the Censor Board.

Vijay Singh, CEO of Fox Star, producer and distributors of the film confirms the news and states:

 The board has an issue with the film over its adult content. But we are in talks with them right now.

Heaven's Gate was the most reviled film of its era, blamed for the financial collapse of United Artists and the unravelling of the once glorious career of its Oscar-winning director, Michael Cimino. A spectacular box-office failure in the US that marked the end of the auteur-driven Hollywood film movement of the 1970s. The film's star Kris Kristofferson, then among Hollywood's most coveted leading men, found himself shunned overnight.

Now, at the Venice Film Festival, it seems that Cimino's folie de grandeur Heaven's Gate (1980) may finally have been rehabilitated.

...Read the full article

Lionsgate's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D has just been rated R (17A) by the MPAA for strong, grisly violence and language throughout.

Bloody-Disgusting reports that the film had previously received the uncommercial NC-17 (18) rating, and that it had taken the producers several attempts to cut the movie for an R Rating.

This had substantially delayed the release date, which is now set for January 2013.

The film slots into the TCM series as an immediate sequel to Tobe Hooper's original and is set in the same 70's era.

Actor James Franco is set to produce and star in a film based on acclaimed director William Friedkin's Cruising , a controversial thriller about an undercover cop investing the serial murders of gay men in 1980's New York.

The film starred Al Pacino as an emotionally unstable cop sent to infiltrate the city's gay BDSM underground in an attempt to find the homicidal maniac killing homosexual men and discarding their body parts in the Hudson River.

The film received an X-rating from the MPAA for its graphic content. Friedkin was forced to cut 40-minutes from the film to score an R-rating. The edited footage was later lost by Warner Bros.

Franco, who was unable to secure the rights to remake the film, has now tapped gay filmmaker Travis Mathews to direct James Franco's Cruising , a re-imagining of the movie's lost scenes that, according to Mathews, will include actual, non-simulated gay sex scenes. Mathews told IndieWire.com:

He knew he wanted real gay sex in it. His people went looking for a filmmaker who had filmed real gay sex, and I suspect someone who would complement his vision.

James Franco's Cruising is set for a 2013 release.

The Hunger Games is a 2012 US Sci-Fi action film by Gary Ross.
With Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth. See IMDb

UK: The International Version was passed 15 uncut for strong violence and threat for:

• UK 2012 Lions Gate R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 3rd September 2012

For DVD buyers who prefer an uncut version there is also a US release.

US: Uncut and MPAA PG-13 rated for:

• US 2012 Lions Gate R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

Censorship History

UK: The UK Version, the result of pre-cuts and a further 7s of cuts by the BBFC was passed 12A/12 for intense threat, moderate violence and occasional gory moments for:

• UK 2012 Lions Gate R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 3rd September 2012
• UK 2012 cinema release
• UK 2012 cinema release [IMAX]

The BBFC commented:

• This work was originally seen for advice in an unfinished form. The company was advised that the film was likely to receive a 15 certificate but that their preferred 12A classification could be achieved by making a number of cuts and visual reductions.

  When the finished version of the film was submitted for formal classification, cuts had been made in four scenes of violence and in one scene showing details of injuries. These reductions were implemented by a mixture of visual cuts, visual darkenings and the digital removal of sight of blood.

  In addition to the reductions already made during the advice process, the Board required further reductions in one scene following formal submission of the finished feature. A number of cuts were made in one scene to reduce an emphasis on blood and injury. These cuts, which were implemented by digitally removing sight of blood splashes and sight of blood on wounds and weapons, were made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy.

  An uncut 15 classification was available.

Promotional Material

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers in her younger sister's place and must rely upon her sharp instincts when she's pitted against highly trained Tributes who have prepared their entire lives. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Features

• Game Maker: Suzanne Collins and the Hunger Games Phenomenon.
• The World is Watching: Making the Hunger Games.
• Letters from the Rose Garden.
• Controlling the Games.
• A Conversation with Gary Ross and Elvis Mitchell.
• Propaganda Film.
• Marketing Archive

Dredd is a 2012 US/UK/India action movie by Pete Travis.
With Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby and Lena Headey. See IMDb

The cinema film [in 2D & 3D] was passed 18 uncut for frequent strong bloody violence and gore.

The BBFC explained the rating (with possible spoilers removed):

Dredd is a sci-fi action film based on the popular comic strip. It is set in a post-apocalyptic America in which law and order is maintained by the Judges , who have the power to arrest and try suspects, as well as the right to carry out sentences, including execution. One of them, Judge Dredd, is sent into a tower block to investigate a series of murders.

There is frequent strong violence throughout the film, much of which is bloody and gory in nature, and some of which dwells on the infliction of pain and injury.

The film also contains strong threat and a brief moment of implied sexual violence, in which a man hits a woman. However, the scene is brief and discreet, only implying a violent sexual fantasy inside a criminal's mind.

There is frequent use of strong language and frequent use of a futuristic and fantastical drug, [slo-mo], which has the ability to prolong pleasure. The drug is used for recreational purposes but also as a form of torture by the villains because of its ability to slow down the perception of time. However, because the drug does not actually exist, there is no endorsement of drug use in the real world.

In Beirut Hotel , Zoha, a Lebanese nightclub singer, and Mathieu, a Frenchman on a business trip who may or may not be a spy, repeatedly get together in Mathieu's hotel room in Beirut and have raunchy sex. The film, the third feature by the Lebanese director Danielle Arbid, was banned in her home country.

The reason: not so much the erotic scenes as one the film's subplots, which concerns the 2005 assassination of the former Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri, which is an explosive topic in the country. The censors claimed that the film's depiction of the political situation would endanger Lebanon's security.

The Lebanese have only been able to watch the film by satellite (it aired on the cable channel Arte; some one million viewers tuned in), but it's been making the festival rounds around the world.

Beirut Hotel presents a cosmopolitan yet hostile country where citizens and visitors alike are constantly watched and monitored, where news of kidnappings rule the airways, and people are silenced (read: murdered) for political reasons.

Danielle Arbid has had to battle the Lebanese censors for all three of her feature films. According to the New York Times, following the decree that banned Beirut Hotel, the filmmaker moved to France in disgust.

Hammer Films has launched its first dedicated YouTube Channel at Hammer Films channel . For the very first time, exclusive new content from current Hammer productions as well as carefully restored classic Hammer feature films will be available to stream online.

The Hammer Films Channel will carry a range of exclusive new content, previews, commentary and behind the scenes material from upcoming new productions such as The Quiet Ones starring Jared Harris and Sam Claflin , and The Woman In Black: Angels Of Death , the follow up to the worldwide box office hit starring Daniel Radcliffe.

In addition, the Hammer Films Channel will stream a collection of Hammer's well-known classic feature film titles including The Quatermass Xperiment , The Man In Black and Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter , some of which have been newly restored and digitally re-mastered. As additional titles are added to the new platform, this will be the first time fans can view other digitally re-mastered classic Hammer films online under a restoration initiative launched earlier this year by Hammer's owner Exclusive Media.

From the historic library, the Hammer Films Channel will also carry classic Hammer TV series such as Hammer House Of Mystery And Suspense , as well as new on-air commentary and film introductions from official Hammer historian, Marcus Hearn and Hammer archivist, Robert J.E. Simpson.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower briefly made the news in the US over its rating.

Originally, the Classification and Rating Administration assigned the movie an R rating for teen drug and alcohol use, and some sexual references.

However this was downgraded to PG-13 by the Classification and Rating Appeals Board of the MPAA.

The movie stars Emma Watson, of Harry Potter and is about 15-year-old high school freshman who is taken under the wings of two seniors while he copes with his first love, the suicide of his best friend and his own mental illness.

The movie has now been passed 12A uncut by the BBFC for moderate sex references, drug use and one use of strong language.

The film ix expected to open in UK cinemas on 3rd October 2012.

Banned Thai political drama Shakespeare Must Die , directed by Ing K, will be among the films screening in the Asian Competition section of the 6th Cinema Digital Seoul Film Festival (CinDi).

The director said at the opening ceremony:

I thank CinDi for inviting my film even though they had to ship it under a secret name -- Teenage Love Story -- because the film is banned in Thailand, where people live in fear. I'm suing the government so I shouldn't even be here.

We are fighting because in Thailand, directors have less than human rights. But I promise Shakespeare Must Die is not boring. I made it like a Mexican soap opera and a Thai horror film. You can see it, even though Thai people can't see it.

True Romance director Tony Scott ended his life when he jumped off the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro on Sunday afternoon, according to Los Angeles police sources. Investigators recovered the body and found a suicide note in his car, which was parked on the bridge. He was reported to have been recently diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer.

Anthony David Scott (June 21, 1944 -- August 19, 2012) was an English film director. His films include:

• The Hunger
• Top Gun
• Beverly Hills Cop II
• The Last Boy Scout
• True Romance
• Crimson Tide
• Enemy of the State
• Spy Game
• Man on Fire
• De'ja' Vu
• The Taking of Pelham 123
• Unstoppable.

He was the younger brother of fellow film director Ridley Scott. Scott's films were generally box office successes, though he was never nominated for an Academy Award and received little critical praise.

I don't know about the lack of critical praise but the Melon Farmers consider True Romance to be one of the movie greats of the era.

Keith Lemon: The Film is a 2012 UK comedy by Paul Angunawela.
With Leigh Francis, Laura Aikman and Verne Troyer. See IMDb

UK: Passed 15 for one use of very strong language and frequent strong sex references after BBFC advised cuts were implemented for:

• UK 2012 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

This work was originally seen for advice in an unfinished form. The company was advised that the film was likely to receive an 18 rating but that their preferred 15 rating could be achieved by making changes to three scenes. These were:

• to reduce sustained close focus on nudity in a lap dancing scene,
• to reduce the focus on sexual detail during a mimed sequence of sexual activity, and
• to reduce focus on ejaculate over a pin-up calendar.

When the finished version of the film was submitted for formal rating, changes had been made to satisfactorily address these issues and the film was consequently rated 15.

The BBFC are currently reviewing the complete collection of official James Bond Films set to be released as 50th Anniversary Blu-Ray box set called Bond 50.

See UK 2012 MGM RB Blu-ray [Bond 50 Collection] at UK Amazon released on 24th September 2012.

Another notable change to BBFC ratings is that Diamonds Are Forever has uprated from PG to 12 with the consumer advice: Contains moderate language, violence and threat

Update: The BBFC explained the uprating from PG to 12:

The BBFC identified three issues where they felt that a 12 rating was more appropriate than a PG:

• The scene where Bond tears off a woman's bikini top and throttles her with it
• An aggressive use of the word 'bitch'
• The negative comic stereotyping of gay characters

Diamonds Are Forever: UK Censorship History

1971

Passed A (PG) after BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1971 cinema release

The BBFC cinema cuts were:

• The fight in the lift between Peter Franks and Bond was reduced to remove blows and sound effects.
• Bond squirting the fire extinguisher into Frank's face was reduced in length.
• Bond menacing Mr Kidd with a broken brandy bottle was trimmed. It's so brief in the film, one wonders what was cut, but my guess is that the actual grabbing and breaking of the bottle was cut, leaving just the footage of Bond throwing the liquid onto Kidd's arms. Perhaps what little focus there is on the weapon was deemed a more serious imitability issue back then.
• Footage of the ablaze Mr Kidd running across the deck screaming and climbing up onto the railing, as he throws himself overboard was removed, leaving just the shot of him hitting the water. When shown on TV, this scene is usually cut similarly.

1987-2008

Passed PG uncut after film cuts were restored for:

• UK 2008 MGM  R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• UK 2007 20th Century Fox R2 DVD
• UK 2006 MGM R2 DVD

• UK 2003 MGM R2 DVD

• UK 2003 MGM VHS

• UK 1992 Warner VHS

• UK 1987 Warner VHS

2012

Passed 12 uncut for moderate language, violence and threat for:

• UK 2012 MGM RB Blu-ray [Bond 50 Collection]

A Serbian arthouse movie that swept a prestigious European festival this year has been banned from screening in Russia by the Culture Ministry.

The film, Clip , was banned over supposedly indecent language and scenes of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as pornographic depictions of sex between minors, Sam Klebanov, the head of Kino Bez Granits, the film's prospective distributor, said:

This is the first case of such censoring, and an attempt to introduce moral censorship in the country.

He added that explicit arthouse fare has never had any screening problems in Russia before.

The ban was signed by Deputy Culture Minister Ivan Demidov, known for his radical Christian views, Klebanov said.

Clip, directed by Maja Milos, tells the story of a provincial teenager experimenting with drugs and sex in order to forget her near-dysfunctional family. It has been likened to Larry Clark's Kids

Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas earned a standing ovation from a packed Los Angeles theater as he introduced a screening of the 1960 classic Spartacus that included a previously censored scene.

When you're 95 years old, you don't look forward. You look backwards, you take inventory, Douglas said, as he sat on stage to talk about the film that immortalized him as a movie legend.

Douglas said that Spartacus challenged censorship during an era when Hollywood actors and screenwriters were blacklisted due to their alleged communist sympathies.

Douglas hired Dalton Trumbo, a blacklisted Hollywood screenwriter, who wrote the script under a pen name. Douglas however put Trumbo's name in the film credits. You have no idea how terrible those years were when we had the blacklist, said Douglas.

The complete Spartacus, which was restored in 1991, includes a homoerotic scene that censors cut out when the movie first screened. In the scene, Laurence Olivier's character, a wealthy Roman, comes to his slave, a young, half-naked Curtis and asks him to enter the tub and help bathe him.

Elfie Hopkins is a 2012 UK horror thriller by Ryan Andrews.
With Ray Winstone, Jaime Winstone and Kimberley Nixon. See IMDb

UK: Passed 15 for strong violence, language and soft drug use after 6s of BBFC cuts for category for:

• UK 2012 Kaleidoscope RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon just released on 13th August 2012
• UK 2012 Kaleidoscope R2 DVD at UK Amazon just released on 13th August 2012
• UK 2012 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

Company chose to make reductions in two scenes of bloody violence in order to achieve a 15 classification:

• A man being stabbed repeatedly with a knife (the number of stabs was significantly reduced)

• In one scene a man is shot in the head, resulting in a brief explosion of blood and gore. (the shot in question is extremely fleeting, having been reduced by cuts)

An uncut 18 classification was available.

See  review from  gorepress.com

Promotional Material

Elfie Hopkins, a 22 year-old animal-loving slacker, stoner, and wannabe detective, lives in a sleepy hunting village. Haunted by the death of her mother, Elfie seeks solace and inspiration from the old school detectives in The Maltese Falcon and Chinatown. She entertains herself, along with her geeky best friend, Dylan, by investigating the villagers and upsetting everyone with their imaginative allegations.

Things get serious however with the arrival of a family of trendy city dwellers, the Gammons, who weave seductive tales of adventure and entice the villagers with offers of exotic hunting holidays around the world. Despite not being immune to the Gammons charms, Elfie soon smells a rat, and snaps into full detective mode. Her mundane existence is about to be blown apart. Blood quickly starts to spill in the village, and it s no longer just the blood of animals. Elfie discovers the villagers are not making those flights and when she finally uncovers the truth, it s darker than she could ever have imagined...

The Life And Death of a Porno Gang is a 2009 Serbia drama by Mladen Djordjevic.
With Mihajlo Jovanovic, Ana Acimovic and Predrag Damnjanovic. See IMDb

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2012 Synapse R0 Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon just released on 14th August 2012
• US 2012 Synapse R0 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon just released on 14th August 2012

See  interview with director Mladen Djordjevic from  fangoria.com

Promotional Material

During the final days of Slobodan Milosevic' s Serbian rule, a young film student named Marko (Mihajlo Jovanovic) becomes desperate to make a feature film.

Bonus Features:

• Made in Serbia (101 min.) Feature length documentary (BLU-RAY EXCLUSIVE)
• Making of Featurette
• Deleted Scenes
• Theatrical Trailer

Hanger is a 2009 Canada horror video by Ryan Nicholson
With Debbie Rochon, Dan Ellis and Nathan Dashwood. See IMDb

The Australian Classification Board has just banned Ryan Nicholson's Hanger. It was submitted by Bounty Films, who have previously battled censors worldwide with their release of Human Centipede II . But the Australian censor was unimpressed and banned the DVD with the euphemistic 'Refused Classification' rating. Presumably the Australian censor will provide reasons for the decision at some point.

The film has never been sent to the BBFC but it would be sure to get a rough ride with scenes of sexual violence.

World Censorship Status

Australia: Banned by the Classification Board for:

• Au 2012 Bounty DVD

UK: Never submitted for release

Germany: Hanger was released July 2009 in a severely cut and censored version for the German market. Unfortunately a torrent version of this was spread around the world and undermined the standing of the film.

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2009 Vicious Circle R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

Summary Review: New Depths

Hardcore gore from Ryan Nicholson who previously directed Gutterballs, another extreme gore video that hasn't made it to the UK.

The director describes his film as:

A horrifying tale of revenge that begins with a back-alley abortion, and ends with a bloodbath so vicious that it brings a new meaning to an eye for eye. From pimps to dealers and hookers to junkies, this film dives headfirst into the depths of human depravity.

Update: Film Censor Explains the Ban

15th August 2012. See  article from  refused-classification.com .

The Australian Film Censor explained the ban as follows:

The film contains depictions of explicit sexual violence and sexualised violence that are very high in impact, as well as prolonged depictions of violence which are offensive and/or have a very high degree of impact. Depictions of violence include detailed mutilation and disfigurement, viscera and shattered bone as well as blood gushes, splatter and spray.

A male character is tortured with a blow torch while two others are choked to death - one with excrement and the other with a used tampon. Sexual themes underpin the depictions of violence with pornographic footage and still images featuring full frontal nudity with genital detail and explicit sexual intercourse frequently viewed in the background.

Other scenes of violence are cut with depictions of sexual activity and/or sexualised nudity. The sexual content and sexualised context both serve to heighten the overall impact of the violence viewed throughout the film.

This content exceeds what can be accommodated within the R18+ classification and, as such, is Refused Classification.

The BBFC are currently reviewing the complete collection of official James Bond Films set to be released as 50th Anniversary Blu-Ray box set called Bond 50.

Casino Royale is a 2006 US/UK/Czech spy film by Martin Campbell.
With Daniel Craig, Eva Green and Judi Dench. See IMDb

UK: Passed 15 uncut for:

• UK 2012 MGM RB Blu-ray [Bond 50 Collection] at UK Amazon released on 24th September 2012

The BBFC noted:

• Additional material in torture scene

US: It is not confirmed,  but presumably the same version will be uncut for the first time too for:

• US 2012 MGM Bond 50 Collection RA Blu-ray at US Amazon released on 25th September 2012

Censorship History: 2006-7

UK: Passed 12A/12 after BBFC advised category cuts were implemented for:

• UK 2007 Sony R0 Blu-ray
• UK 2007 Sony R2 DVD
• UK 2006 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

Cut on BBFC advice in 2006: This film was originally seen by the BBFC in an unfinished version, for advice as to the film's suitability at '12A'. The BBFC advised the company that the torture scene placed too much emphasis on both the infliction of pain and the sadism of the villain for the requested '12A' category. When the completed version of the film was submitted for classification, reductions to the torture sequence had been made, including the removal of lingering shots of the rope, close shots of Bond's facial reaction and the substitution of a more distant shot of the beating compared to the original version. This re-edited version of the scene was considered acceptable at '12A', where the Guidelines permit violence provided there is no dwelling on detail or emphasis on injuries.

See Gavin Salkeld's Detailed cut list for details of the cuts made to appease both MPAA & BBFC.

The releases in Scandinavia, Netherlands, Japan and Australia are all already uncut

The Raid is a 2011 Indonesia/US crime thriller by Gareth Evans.
With Iko Uwais, Ananda George and Ray Sahetapy. See IMDb

Update: UK Blu-ray has just been passed 18 uncut by the BBFC

The running time of 97:01s (PAL equivalent) is very similar to the 96:46s of the previous video and cinema versions seen by the BBFC.

UK: The Original Version/Uncut Indonesian Version was passed 18 without BBFC cuts for frequent strong bloody violence and gore for:

• UK 2012 Technicolor/Momentum [Theatrical + Original] RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 24th September 2012

UK: The Theatrical Version was passed 18 without BBFC cuts for frequent strong bloody violence and gore for:

• UK 2012 Technicolor/Momentum [Theatrical + Original] RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 24th September 2012
• UK 2012 Technicolor/Momentum [Unknown Version] R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 24th September 2012

Censorship Issues

The Original Version is reported to have more violent scenes than the US Theatrical Version. This is not yet confirmed though.

The US DVD and Blu-ray releases will be the Unrated Original Version.

The UK Blu-ray promises both versions, but the UK DVD will have only one version, without making it clear which. However the promotional material claims that there will be an Indonesian soundtrack, maybe suggesting that the DVD will contain the Indonesian Original Version.

Interestingly all UK versions are noted as being in Indonesian language on the BBFC database.

Promotional Material

Deep in the heart of one of Jakarta's most deprived slums stands an impenetrable high-rise apartment block. To most it is 30 floors of Hell to be avoided at all costs but for many of the city's most dangerous killers and gangsters, including the area's most notorious crime lord, it is a fortress-like safe house protecting them from the law. Even for the bravest and most experienced police officers it is considered a no-go area.

In a desperate bid to flush these violent criminals and their leader from their haven once and for all, an elite SWAT team is tasked with infiltrating the building and raiding the apartments floor by floor, taking out anyone who stands in their way. Cloaked under the cover of pre-dawn darkness, the SWAT members make their move and enter the block not realising that this is the easier part of the mission. Once inside, it soon becomes terrifyingly apparent that the real problem at hand is surviving long enough to be able to get out again.

Disk Features:

• Director's commentary (exclusive to UK)
• The Raid feature--original language with English subtitles
• The Raid feature with English language dubbing
• Featuring U.S. and original uncut version [Blu-ray only]
• Trailers
• Video blogs [Blu-ray only]
• Claycats: The Raid
• The Raid fan films
• Featurettes
• Behind the Music with Mike Shinoda and Joe Trapanese
• An Evening with Gareth Evans and Iko Uwais

Bound is a 1996 US thriller by Andy Wachowski and Lana Wachowski.
With Jennifer Tilly, Gina Gershon and Joe Pantoliano. See IMDb

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2012 Olive Films RA Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon just released on 7th August 2012
• US 2012 Olive Films R1 DVD at US Amazon  just released on 7th August 2012

Censorship History

US: The R Rated version was cut by 13s to reduce the sex scenes. See pictorial cuts details from movie-censorship.com :

• Missing 6s where Jennifer Tilly takes Gina Gershon's hand to her crotch.
• Minor edits to tone down the Tilly Gershon sex scene
• Deleted one of the blows when a man's head is repeatedly knocked against a toilet

A pre-cut version (based on the Unrated Version) was passed 18 without BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1996 cinema release

Promotional Material

Corky (Gina Gershon), a tough ex-con and her lover Violet (Jennifer Tilly) concoct a scheme to steal $2 million of mob money and pin the blame on Violet's crooked boyfriend, Caesar (Joe Pantoliano) in this neo-noir thriller from the writers and directors of The Matrix Trilogy. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun Times called it Scary, Funny, Sexy and Exiting! and Liz Smith of the New York Post declared it as One of the Best Movies in 1996 . The Stellar cast includes John P. Ryan (Runaway Train), Christopher Meloni (TV's Law & Order and Oz) and legendary director Richard C. Sarafian (Vanishing Point) as the mob boss. Beautifully shot by Bill Pope (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World).

Step Up 4: Miami Heat is a 2012 US musical drama by Scott Speer.
With Kathryn McCormick, Ryan Guzman and Cleopatra Coleman. See IMDb

UK: Passed PG for mild language, sex references and violence, after 5s of BBFC category cuts for:

• UK 2012 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

• The company chose to remove language (in this case, an inadequately obscured use of motherfucking and an aggressive use of bitch') in order for the work to be passed at PG . An uncut 12A was available to the company.

US: Uncut and MPAA PG-13 rated.

The film opens in UK cinemas on 10th August 2012.

There was an earlier episode of hype from Sylvester Stallone and Chuck Norris claiming that the up n coming The Expendables 2 would be PG-13 rated.

This hype had already been discredited by subsequent statements from the film makers but now it has been confirmed by the MPAA that the film has just been awarded an R rating. The MPAA also added the tag that the R rating is for strong bloody violence throughout.

The Expendables 2 stars Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Terry Crews, Jet Li, Randy Couture, Dolph Lundgren, Nan Yu, Liam Hemsworth, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. It's based on a screenplay co-written by Stallone and Richard Wenk, and directed by Simon West.

The film opens in U.S. theaters on August 17th, 2012.

Update: BBFC Rating

2nd August 2012. See  article from  bbfc.co.uk

The BBFC has passed the cinema release of Expendables 2 as 15 uncut for strong bloody violence.

It is expected to open in the UK on 16th August 2012.

If any publicity is good publicity, Pooja Bhatt's Jism 2 is doing just fine.

A case has been filed in the Allahabad High Court seeking a ban on the release of the film even before it has been cleared by the CBFC, as well as challenging the provisions of the law which define the powers of the Censor Board.

Nutter Rakesh Nayayik has raised an objection to the inclusion of hardcore porn actress Sunny Leone in the film. His legal counsel, SMA Kazmi, explained:

We have sought a stay order on the release of Jism 2 because of the sexually explicit content of the movie, and the inclusion of Sunny Leone in the film, for the adverse moral impact that her presence would have on society.

Kazmi argues that bringing an adult film star from the West into mainstream Bollywood cinema would send out a wrong message to aspiring actresses in the country.

The lawyer has also challenged the validity of Section 5(B) of the Cinematography Act allowing the Censor Board to examine the content of a film and stop its exhibition if it is considered to be violating the morality or decency of society. He argues that it does not give enough teeth to the Board to be able to question the impact of a star's persona and that when the law was chalked in 1952, no one would have conceived a situation such as this, when a porn star is allowed to act in a film.

A the court has deferred hearing the case until August 8.

Update: Meanwhile the censors ask for cuts

27th July 2012. See  article from  sawfnews.com

Pooja Bhatt's film Jism 2 featuring adult star Sunny Leone has given a cuts list by the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) saying its lovemaking scenes need to be toned down by at least 50%.

Jism 2 will obviously get an A certificate at a later stage but only when she incorporates the changes which we have asked for, a senior member of the board told Mumbai Mirror. The objections are for the length of the intimate scenes, explains the officer.

There are four lovemaking scenes in Jism 2, all with Sunny Leone in them. The problem is not the number of such scenes, but their length. All four scenes are too long and will have to be cut so that their impact is diluted. There is no frontal nudity but 'kaafi explicit hai'. Hence, we did not issue a certificate. We will certify the film only when Pooja returns with the modified version, which should have the intimate scenes cut to half their length.

Update: BBFC have their say

1st August 2012. See  article from  bbfc.co.uk

The BBFC have passed Jism 2 as 15 uncut for strong language, sex and violence

Update: Censors at half cock

2nd August 2012.  See  article from  timesofindia.indiatimes.com

A very reliable source from the Censor Board tells us that all the love-making scenes featuring the irrepressible Sunny Leone in passionate contact with her two co-stars Randeep Hooda and Arunoday Singh have been reduced by half. The source said:

There are four major love-making scenes in Jism 2, 3 featuring Ms Leone with Randeep Hooda , and 1 with Arunoday Singh. Each of these was 2-3 minutes long. We asked Pooja Bhatt to reduce them to 1- 1 1/2 minutes each.

Apparently Pooja Bhatt agreed to comply with the cuts rather than go with the film to the Revising Committee. Says our source from the Censor Board Of Film Certification:

Pooja did argue. But she had clearly come to us with lengthy love-making scenes. We've nothing against characters making love on screen... AS LONG As ... they get their mutual feeling across without over-staying their welcome. We collectively felt the 4 love-making scenes in Jism 2 were over-staying their welcome. Once the mutual passion between the two partners was establishment there was no need to prolong the erotic content.

Update: Poster causes nutter 'offence'

2nd August 2012. See  article from  indianexpress.com

Jism 2 posters featuring adult movie star Sunny Leone have been considered too hot to handle by Mumbai civic authorities as the Mayor has ordered their removal from BEST buses.

The action follows a complaint by NCP legislator Vidya Chavan that the posters were obscene.

We received a complaint from Chavan, who alleged that the posters were obscene. I have asked BEST general manager to remove such posters from BEST buses, Mayor Sunil Prabhu told PTI.

The Bunny Game is a 2010 US crime horror by Adam Rehmeier
With Rodleen Getsic, Norwood Fisher and Gregg Gilmore. See IMDb

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2012 Autonomy R0 Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon just released on 31st July 2012
• US 2012 Autonomy R0 DVD at US Amazon just released on 31st July 2012

The region encoding is unconfirmed. Reliable reviewers have listed it as region free but Amazon, who are sloppy about these things, have listed it as A/1.

Banned in the UK

UK: Banned by the BBFC for:

• UK 2011 Trinity DVD

The BBFC explained the ban in a press release:

The BBFC has rejected the sexually violent DVD The Bunny Game . The film follows a female prostitute who hitches a lift with a truck driver. The truck driver kidnaps the woman, restrains and forcibly strips her, and proceeds to physically and sexually abuse and humiliate her. The abuse of the kidnapped woman takes up the greater part of the film.

David Cooke, Director of the BBFC said:

It is the Board's carefully considered view that to issue a certificate to this work, even if confined to adults, would be inconsistent with the Board's Guidelines, would risk potential harm within the terms of the Video Recordings Act, and would accordingly be unacceptable to the public.

Promotional Material

Banned in the UK and partially inspired by a real-life experience of star Rodleen Getsic, THE BUNNY GAME is an unflinching descent into torment and madness. Junkie hooker Sylvia Grey (Gestic in a brave, award-winning performance) turns the wrong trick in demented trucker JR (Jeff Renfro). After knocking her out cold and taking her to a desolate place where no one can hear her cries, JR subjects Sylvia to a series of increasingly twisted, sadistic games . But will she survive the ultimate test when she wakes up with her head sealed in a white leather bunny mask? Adam Rehmeier directs with a fearless eye, pushing the boundaries of on-screen mayhem to the extreme. Controversy has surrounded THE BUNNY GAME since it premiered to festival audiences around the world by delivering a terrifying experience that once seen is impossible to forget.

Special features:

• Audio commentary with director Adam Rehmeier and Rodleen Getsic

• Caretaking the Monster making-of featurette

• Trailer and alternate trailer

Warner Bros have pulled their Gangster Squad trailer after the Colorado cinema massacre and in addition, are cutting gun scenes out from Dark Knight Rises trailers.

It's a small, symbolic concession to show that the violence has shocked the studio to the core. It's something that we expected, but could more restrictions be placed on trailers? Is this also going to have an impact on gun laws in the future?

Next time you watch a trailer for an action movie, check out the gun references to see just how visible they are.

Update: Gangster Squad will be the Fall Guys

24th July 2012. See  article from  odt.co.nz . thanks to Nick

Warner Bros is now rethinking its plans for the film Gangster Squad in light of a scene featuring a movie-theatre shooting, but beyond that Hollywood executives expect little fall-out from the mass killing at a Batman screening on Friday in Aurora, Colorado.

Officials at Time Warner Inc-owned Warner Bros are expected to discuss whether to remove or edit the Gangster Squad shooting scene, or to change the September 7 release date for the film. Warner Brothers have already pulled the trailer that included the scene in which men open fire with machineguns on an audience in a movie theatre.

Industry experts said moviegoers were likely to move on quickly from the shooting and studios would proceed mostly as planned. Theatres tightened security over the weekend to reassure customers and one chain imposed new rules on costumes.

The immediate reaction is to go to some dark place when something like this happens. By Monday that's forgotten and the business of releasing a movie takes over, said one person familiar with the studios' thinking. Especially for big-budget films, studios like to stick with planned openings as they spend tens of millions of dollars to raise awareness in advance. Filmgoers don't dwell on isolated incidents for long, said Peter Sealey, a former Columbia marketing chief who now heads the Sausalito Group consulting firm.

Ronn Torossian, chief executive of New York-based 5W Public Relations, agreed that the public has a very short-term memory of news events and said the Aurora shooting would not leave a long-term impact on film promotion.

Update: Warners Donate

25th July 2012. From variety.com . Thanks to Nick

Warner Bros. is making a substantial donation to victims of Friday's shooting rampage in Aurora, Colorado., during a screening of The Dark Knight Rises.

A spokeswoman for the studio said that execs have arranged for the donation following conversations with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper.

Update: Reshoot Ordered

26th July 2012. See article from hollywoodreporter.com

Warner Bros. is moving the release of Gangster Squad to Jan. 11, postponing it from its scheduled Sept. 7 release date in order to accomodate reshoots because of a scene of a movie theater shoot-out in the completed film that became problematic in the wake of the Aurora, Colorado. massacre.

The film included a climactic gun that was filmed at Grauman's Chinese Theater. The scene could be glimpsed in a trailer for the movie that the studio pulled from circulation on July 20 after the shooting that claimed 12 lives.

It is all so perfectly fitting that in the wake of a murderous rampage in which 70 people are shot ---12 fatally, including a 6-year-old girl --- and countless families are sacked with unspeakable grief, you would take the time to share with us your feelings.

Because, really, at this moment, all that matters to most of us is what a bunch of smutty purveyors of violent fantasy, half-rate actors and an industry of sick narcissism is feeling at this moment.

Director Christopher Nolan, speaking on behalf of the cast and crew of The Dark Knight Rises, you told us how much you love going to the movies and how they are one of the great American art forms.

You are devastated that such an innocent and hopeful place --- here you are talking about the movie theaters that play your twisted movies --- would be violated in such an unbearably savage way. I mean, really, who could think up such monstrous hatred and nihilistic violence? Umm, have you watched any of your own movies lately?

And, in the selfless modesty that is the hallmark of an Academy Awards ceremony, you tell us that your feelings about the massacre are so deeply profound that the mere words of the English language built up over hundreds of years are simply not up to the task of describing them. Wow. You do have a gift for fantasy.

But the real clue that you remain shrouded in guilt-free delusion is when you mention the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community.

Senseless? Really? If by senseless you mean carried out almost precisely from the scripts of your own movies, then, sure, it was senseless.

As for you, Sean Penn, you paragon of endless moralizing, we would like to thank you, too, for underwriting last week's ultra-violence and real-life carnage at the movie theater. One of the last scenes that 6-year-old saw in her precious life was a trailer for your movie.

In the final clip of a trailer filled with orgiastic bloodshed, you have some classy actors with machine guns unload from behind a movie screen into a crowd seated in a theater, watching a film. Ring a bell, Sean? Sound familiar?

I realize how busy you are, so loudly and obnoxiously jet-setting around to save the world, but do you have time to think about what you have done here? What your life amounts to at this moment?

No, you did not pull the trigger in this case. You did not don the gas mask. But you were the inspiration, and you are the architects.

Your celebrations of diabolical mayhem and pornographic violence prey on the fantasies of sick, fragile minds. You insulated them from the painful reality of bloodshed. You have inspired mass murder. You are the Osama bin Laden of this travesty.

This, of course, is all legal and has made you a fabulous fortune. But, never forget, this is who you are. It is what you do. This is your legacy.

When you die, your gravestones should read: Here lie men who created such horrific, meaningless violence in such realistic scenes that a sicko carried it out for real and shot 70 people, killing 12, including a 6-year-old girl.

To be fair, you haven't only inspired murderous rampages. It is true that you have also entertained. But is the fleetingness of that entertainment nearly so profound as the terror you inspired here? Will it outlast the irreversible permanency of 12 deaths, including that of a 6-year-old girl?

Which brings us to Warner Brothers, those titans of decency. You bankrolled The Dark Knight Rises and so many other pointlessly violent movies that infect feeble minds and bring hatred upon America. You, it is reported, are feeling really sad about those poor saps who paid to see your wicked movies --- only to have the very scenes come alive and kill them in the dark, sticky rows between seats of a movie theater.

Out of your respect for these people, you declared you would not announce box-office receipts from this weekend's snuff film. Instead, you will count your $150 million in bloody money --- privately.

One day, you will meet the original Joker, the inventor of all evil who is diabolical and depraved so far beyond your furthest, sickest imaginations and there, in his lair, you will spend the rest of eternity wishing you had had a little decency back when you had the chance.

The independent romantic comedy Dorfman has won a battle to have its R rating changed to a PG-13, the appeals board of the Motion Picture Assn. of America has said.

The movie had been assigned an R rating because of some sexual content , specifically the word fluffer, which refers to an employee on an adult film set who prepares male actors for performing sex scenes.

The appeals board heard statements from both the film's producer, Leonard Hill, and its writer, Wendy Kout, as well as MPAA chairwoman Joan Graves. After conferring briefly, the board unanimously overturned the rating, 12-0.

Hill commented:

We were basically told that unless we replaced the word in question with a term less noxious --- like 'hooker' or 'stripper' --- that we had to keep the R rating. It seems so bizarre and arbitrary. Still, we made a determination to appeal it, even though we had to waste two months and $300 for the right to appeal, which isn't nothing for a small production like we are.

Warner Bros. has cancelled two more red carpet events for The Dark Knight Rises in the wake of an attack at a midnight screening of the film in the US.

It said cast members would not be making appearances in Japan and Mexico scheduled for Monday, due to the tragic events in Colorado. A Warner Bros spokeswoman also said that out of respect for the victims and their families, Warner Bros. Pictures will not be reporting box office numbers for The Dark Knight Rises throughout the weekend.

Warner Bros already cancelled the movie's Paris premiere, which was to include appearances by the cast and crew, including director Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale, who plays Batman.

Twelve people were killed and 58 hurt in the attack at a Century 16 cinema in Aurora, near Denver.

No Sensitivity

Thanks to MichaelG.

Meanwhile the Daily Mail seem to be taking great delight in trying to pin the killer's behaviour on something that can be readily demonised.

See  Dark Knight gunman 'lost touch with reality' after becoming obsessed with computer games as it emerges relationship break-up could be to blame for killing spree from  dailymail.co.uk

See The Joker thinks he's in a movie: 'Crazy' behaviour of Dark Knight massacre gunman in prison revealed from dailymail.co.uk

The Woman in Black is a 2012 UK/Canada/Sweden ghost story by James Watkins.
With Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer and Ciarán Hinds. See IMDb

UK: Passed 12A after 6s of BBFC category cuts for intense supernatural threat and horror for:

• UK 2012 Technicolor/Momentum RB Blu-ray
• UK 2012 Technicolor/Momentum R2 DVD
• UK 2012 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

Distributor chose to reduce moments of strong violence / horror in order to achieve a 12A classification. Cuts made in line with BBFC Guidelines and policy. A 15 classification without cuts was available.

In addition to the 6 seconds of visual cuts, substitutions were also made by darkening some shots and by reducing the sound levels on others.

From  Interview with David Cooke and Craig Lapper from  telegraph.co.uk . Senior BBFC examiner Craig Lapper explained:

• When we make cuts, people think in terms of 'snip-snip’, but these days, with digital, there are so many other ways you can make a film more acceptable. You can suggest soundtrack changes and things like colour darkening, putting shadows in to obscure the more gory elements of a scene.” So in The Woman in Black, we didn’t hear the crack of the woman’s neck as she hung from a noose – and, thanks to the cunning use of shadows, neither did we see her face.

See  pictorial cuts from  movie-censorship.com :

• 4s of the hanging have been removed and details of the rest of the scene have been reduced via visual darkening, shadowing and muted sound
• 3s of a young girl taking a step whilst engulfed in flames have been removed

Uncut Releases

UK: Passed 15 Uncut for strong supernatural threat and horror for:

• UK 2012 Technicolor/Momentum video not yet released

US: Uncut and MPAA PG-13 rated for:

• US 2012 CBS RA Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon
• US 2012 CBS R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

The BBFC are currently reviewing the complete collection of official James Bond Films set to be released as 50th Anniversary Blu-Ray box set called Bond 50.

See UK 2012 MGM RB Blu-ray [Bond 50 Collection] at UK Amazon released on 24th September 2012.

One notable change to BBFC ratings is that Tomorrow Never Dies has been reduced from 15 to 12 with the consumer advice, Contains frequent moderate action violence.

Tomorrow Never Dies: Censorship History

1997

Passed 12 after BBFC suggested sound cuts at the rough cut stage were implemented for:

• UK 1997 cinema release

1998

Passed 12 after a further 6s of BBFC cuts beyond the cinema cuts for:

• UK 2001 MGM R2 DVD
• UK 1998 MGM VHS
• UK 1998 Warner VHS

The BBFC commented on their video cuts:

Tomorrow Never Dies followed the pattern of the recent Bonds of being slightly too violent for its intended audience. When it opened in the cinema, the Board considered that, on grounds of violence, the film had just scraped through as a 12, yet to our surprise, the British public, for all their reported concern about screen violence, lapped it up, content to treat James Bond as fantasy violence. The producers were alerted to the probability that, if 12 were to remain the target category on video, the film might need further cuts in violence, since the Video Recordings Act laid down the need to assess the likelihood of underage viewing, which in this case was a virtual certainty.

The additional BBFC video cuts were:

• Cuts to scene where Michelle Yeoh dispatches one of the bad guys by means of a throwing star.
• Removed scene of Michelle Yeoh taking throwing star from a hidden compartment in her shoe
• Cuts to scene where Bond stamps on a man's face

See also pictorial cuts details from movie-censorship.com

2006

Passed 15 after all BBFC video cuts were waived for:

• UK 2007 20th Century Fox Ultimate Edition R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• UK 2006 Sony Ultimate Edition R2 DVD

2012

Passed 12 without BBFC cuts for frequent moderate action violence:

• UK 2012 MGM RB Blu-ray [Bond 50 Collection] at UK Amazon released on 24th September 2012

Another team of health campaigners feel that the US film censorship system should be used to further their pet cause.

Movies that show actors smoking tobacco should automatically earn an R rating in order to minimize copycat smoking among impressionable tweens and teenagers, the authors of a new study suggest. Lead author James D. Sargent, M.D., a cancer-prevention specialist and professor of pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School, in Lebanon, N.H. said:

The movie industry [should] treat smoking like it treats profanity and sex and violence. If saying the 'F' word twice gets you an R rating, certainly something as important as smoking should get you an R rating.

He seems to be saying that because the censorship scheme is naff in one area, then they may as well make it even more naff in another area. There is no comment from team on how this will effect the all important credibility of film ratings.

The study, which appears in the August issue of the journal Pediatrics , was designed in part to refute the notion that it's difficult to untangle movie smoking from the many other situations, both on-screen and off, that may contribute to adolescent impulses.

PG-13 films account for nearly two-thirds of the smoking scenes adolescents see on the big screen, according to the two-year study, which surveyed roughly 5,000 children ages 10 to 14 about the movies they'd seen and whether they'd ever tried a cigarette.

Smoking in PG-13 films---including background shots and other passing instances---was just as strongly linked with real-world experimentation as the smoking in R-rated films. For every 500 smoking scenes a child saw in PG-13 movies, his or her likelihood of trying cigarettes increased by 49%. The comparable figure for R-rated movies was 33%, a statistically negligible difference.

Assigning an R rating to all movies portraying smoking would lower the proportion of kids who try cigarettes at this age by 18%, the authors estimate. (Children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult to buy a ticket for an R-rated movie.)

Sargent and his colleagues can't prove from this study alone that movies incite kids to smoke. But they did zero in on movies by controlling for a wide range of extenuating factors, including race, household income, school performance, parenting styles, smoking among friends and family members, and even personality traits such as rebelliousness.

Since 2007, the MPAA has included smoking among its key ratings criteria, along with language, sex, violence, and drug use. According to the association, film raters consider smoking in this broader context, and they also consider how frequent, glamorized, or historically relevant it is.

Stormhouse is a 2011 UK horror thriller by Dan Turner.
With Grant Masters, Patrick Flynn and Grahame Fox. See IMDb

UK: Passed 15 for strong language and bloody violence after 1s of BBFC cuts for category for:

• UK 2012 High Fliers R2 DVD for release on 9th July 2012

The BBFC commented:

• The company chose to remove a crude and aggressive use of very strong language in order to obtain a 15 classification. An uncut 18 classification was available.

US: Uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• US 2012 Lions Gate R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

Promotional Material

In 2002, 11 months before the invasion of Iraq, the military captured and imprisoned a supernatural entity at Stormhouse, a secret underground base. This film documents the final four days of that experiment. Ghost whisperer Hayley Sands is brought to Stormhouse by the government to make contact with the captured entity. Her arrival triggers a series of events which lead to the entity's escape, plunging the base into a horrific nightmare.

Features:

• Behind the Scenes
• Interverviews
• Featurette

Hollywood screen star Ernest Borgnine has died aged 95.

The star died of renal failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles with his wife and children at his side, a spokesman said.

In the early 1950s, Borgnine gained notoriety for playing Fatso Judson, the villain who beat Frank Sinatra to death in From Here to Eternity . He later starred in 1950s action blockbusters Three Bad Men , Barabbas , The Dirty Dozen and The Wild Bunch. He also appeared in

• 1981 Deadly Blessing as Isaiah Schmidt
• 1981 Escape from New York as Cabbie
• 1975 The Devil's Rain as Jonathan Corbis

In 1955, he won the best-actor Oscar for playing a lovesick butcher in Marty , a low-budget film starring Rod Steiger.