to russell potter
you bring up an interesting and controversial subject.  I agree that the
ratings are probably outdated, in that they don't actively reflect the
"content" of the films they rate.  However, doing away with the system
altogether doesn't seem like a responsible option.  At least with the
ratings I have some sense of what the film might contain.  Perhaps the
rating systemt should be more descriptive, for instance, R-for explicit
violence, PG-13 for explicit violence, or PG-13, some explicit language.
Then again, how much language or violence makes it explicit or quantifies
it to be noted?  Tough problem with no easy solutions.
 
ld