Kevin Smith Wins Zack and Miri MPAA Appeal

Kevin Smith is victorious! The filmmaker, who had been given an NC-17 rating by the MPAA for his new film Zack and Miri Make a Porno, was forced to take the decision to the appeal process.

The rating would have prohibited anyone younger than 17 years old from seeing the movie, even when accompanied by an adult. The rating also would have prevented the film from being advertised in certain places and during certain times. Basically, The Weinstein Co probably wouldn’t have released the movie as an NC-17, because, of course, they need to make their money back.

So Smith brought the film to an appeals board, who gave the film a revised rating of Restricted! This is a huge victory for Smith. The film will be going out uncut and uncensored! (note: but uncensored and uncut, I actually mean as the latest cut he had handed into the MPAA)

It seems clear to me that any adult would understand the risk of bringing a minor to a movie with the word “porno” in the title. And besides, it is far from a porno - it’s a comedy. Sure it has nudity, but it is far from anything that can be viewed on Saturday late-night on HBO.

source: AP

  • Connor
    Woohoo! Awesome!
  • D.A.
    nice...

    so wait is it going out as it originally was supposed to or will it include the cuts he was force to make the first time around??
  • Gianni
    Sweeeeet!
  • JFK
    I second that D.A.

    Which is it?
  • igroveman
    and the desensitization meter slides yet again.
  • James P
    I bet it will be released with the first round cuts he made.
  • h2opr00f
    In the words of Johnny Drama:

    VICTORY!!!!
  • andy
    how dya know about those late night specials, pete?
  • uhhhh flipping through the channels...? :P
  • nick
    FINALLY!

    Still sucks, gonna have to wait for DVD to see the stuff he already had cut out the first two times =/
  • Lee
    great news, F the MPAA, bunch of cooks
  • gah
    Boo Yah!
  • Coral
    omg omg omg

    I really hope I get to see Elizabeth Banks' muff
  • Captain Awesome
    Good.

    Fuck the MPAA.
  • krackajap
    One thing that has always confused me are the criteria that is used to rate these movies. I believe one of the guests on the /filmcast pointed out, as an example of how inconsistent the MPAA is, how Boogie Nights got a R rating while Orgazmo got stuck with NC-17. No doubt there's a lot of politics involved behind the scenes but it also seems like the MPAA is much harsher towards sex rather than violence. It's also amusing when parents ask if there is any nudity in the film when trying to discern if the movie is appropriate for their child. Gun fights, car chases, explosions and people dying in mass are fine but if they see a tit they'll be corrupted forever.
  • JP Dyno
    Yay! that is good news! I was expecting it to be kepted at NC17 to be honest, Just because i have no faith in the system and all the redtape surrounding it.
  • Captain Awesome
    krackajap,

    I can't say it enough. If you haven't seen it. Watch the "This Film Is Not Yet Rated" documentary.
  • krackajap
    Captain Awesome,
    Thank you! I remember hearing about that documentary a while ago and it just slipped my mind before i got a chance to watch it. I won't let myself forget this time.
  • gocitizen
    I blame Cinemax for my corruption. Great Texas Dynamite Chase - (rated R ftw).
  • VegaBro
    Fuck Yes!! Best news I've heard in a long time
  • That's great news for Kevin Smith. I just hope his comedy didn't get completely castrated in the process.
  • Palmer
    Woo. Now if we can only get rid of the MPAA.
  • Goobity
    Way to go Kevin! Good news indeed.
  • Vobe
    this is fucken awesome news! yeah!
  • Tony
    Oh Yes!
  • The Pope of Chilitown
    Like the good Captain Awesome suggests, if you haven't seen "This Film Has Not Been Rated", do so. After watching it you'll realize what a monumental score this is for the View Askew crew (sorry), or any other film for that matter.
  • Woo! Hopefully this will surpass all my expectations, so far Seth Rogen hasn't disappointed. And now I have to check out "This Film Has Not Been Rated"
  • Orwell
    I can't believe the MPAA didn't make the decision change earlier.. the proles need their feed.
  • Liz
    I have to second the suggestion that everyone who's wondered about the MPAA go watch This Film is Not Yet Rated. More on topic, this is a huge victory for Kevin Smith and I'm really pleased for him. I've never really been a fan of his work particularly, but I'll certainly give this one a shot.
  • Chevan
    good
  • Agony
    It wasn't the battle everyone's making it out to be. Kevin Smith stated that this is just the process (and I agree that you should watch This Film Is Not Yet Rated if you haven't). You submit. They ask for cuts. You make the best cuts you can, and resubmit. If you have to go to appeal, you make your case. Now you can even cite precedent. He's had to do this before, but he's smart enough to know how. Yes, the MPAA is puritanical and hypocritical, but if you know how to work the system it shouldn't be a big deal. There's not much difference (and rarely any artistic superiority) to the slew of Unrated versions of dvds that are released versus the theatrical version.

    That being said, I wish Kevin Smith and others would follow through on his plan to DIY financing and distribution: selling shares of the film, like David Bowie did back in the 90's. Then they wouldn't have to worry about the Weinsteins, the studios and maybe sometimes the MPAA.
  • Awesome sauce!! Silent Bob will be silenced NO MORE!!
  • Who is this Connor character using my name ;)
    Awesome victory for Kevin!
  • This is great news. We have to rein in the MPAA's death grip on the creativity in this country.

    Kevin
    http://www.carboyfilms.com
  • Sigh, if only Jersey Girl was given an NC17.
  • interesting
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