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Jack Valenti, Creator Of The MPAA, Has Died

My first... by Ravetin	Apr 26th, 2007 11:48:04 PM
...first.
Hmmm by Purgatori	Apr 26th, 2007 11:49:50 PM
Him and Bobbie Boris Pickett the same day. Well, I have to say I'm sadder about Pickett.
second by RobMota	Apr 26th, 2007 11:51:47 PM
Uncertified Evil Genius
I guess not by RobMota	Apr 26th, 2007 11:52:11 PM
Uncertified Evil Genius
goodbye old chum by LarryTheCableGuy	Apr 26th, 2007 11:56:01 PM
now make god rock
Does that mean the MPAA can go away now? by Turd Furgeson	Apr 26th, 2007 11:56:03 PM
Fucking republican douchebags! Now hopefully Rob Zombie will drop dead then we can all be happy little hobbits!
decent obit by s0nicdeathmonkey	Apr 27th, 2007 12:00:51 AM
but too much about YOU.
The MPAA is a Joke by OGREISHERE	Apr 27th, 2007 12:05:04 AM
All because of him.
In 10 years, no one will remember him by Det. John Kimble	Apr 27th, 2007 12:22:30 AM
I'm being generous. I give him one Oscar memorial slideshow before he's consigned to the dustbin of history.
Wrong douchebag denomination by rgatz	Apr 27th, 2007 12:28:27 AM
MPAA was founded by a Democratic administration. The music rating system was a Tripper Gore crusade. The RIAA ambitions to foul digital music systems began... that's right in the Clinton administration. Or do you just randomly spout "republican doughbags"?
I pranked him on CNBC by Some Dude	Apr 27th, 2007 12:29:03 AM
Way back in the early 90s, I was caught up in the Bababooey phone prank "craze." I got Valenti on some no-ratings CNBC show. I think I asked him if he wanted Howard Stern's balls in his mouth. His look of confusion was priceless.
Hopefully unfairness in the MPAA will die with him by allyousay	Apr 27th, 2007 12:37:42 AM
yup.
Death is never a good thing... by JimmyLoneWolf	Apr 27th, 2007 12:39:15 AM
I'm with all of you in criticizing valenti's legacy...I think the guy was a disgrace in his later years, particularly when he erroneously claimed most NC-17 ratings were given out for violence...they may have been, but they were also quickly replaced with an R once minor changes were made. I think a nice way to commemorate jack valenti's life would be for theater owners and studio chiefs to take a long, hard look at the NC-17 rating and figure out WHY the rating is such a death sentence. Perhaps MORE films need to receive that rating, rather than less. That way, parents groups can be happy that children are not allowed into certain films while the ADULTS who WANT to view those films can see them unburdened by censorship. Contrary to what many believe, I don't think jack valenti was any fan of censorship. He simply didn't want to see adult content marketed to children...its not his fault that theater owners and Blockbuster are so stubbornly obtuse about their "no NC-17" policies, or that American consumers have no idea how much edgier films would be if NC-17 films made money. In any case, he's gone now, and while I have many gripes with his ratings system...even I can concede that it is far and away better than letting CONGRESS decide what we can watch. Jack Valenti, for all his other flaws, prevented that from happening (most likely forever), and for that, if nothing else, we should be grateful to him on this day of his passing. RIP Jack Valenti.
OH THANK GOD!!!!! by PAC-MAN	Apr 27th, 2007 12:52:26 AM
I have no love for the MPAA
actually Mori mate, that was well written... by Seph_J	Apr 27th, 2007 12:57:39 AM
...truthful, and respectful. Nice one.
Censorship by symon	Apr 27th, 2007 12:58:03 AM
I've got no love for the MPAA, either, but I do feel self-censorshp has protected filmmakers from groups like the Catholic League that plagued films of the past. While the MPAA under Valenti was biased and unfair at times (specifically giving Speilberg a free ride while terrorizing direcors of horror films), I think world of movies would very likely have been a scarier place without it. Rest easy, Jack. You sonofabitch.
Who is replacing him? by playahatersball	Apr 27th, 2007 12:58:50 AM
Satan?
The Last of the The Big Three by lotusblade	Apr 27th, 2007 01:00:25 AM
The loss of Valenti marks the last of the Big Three to die. These men greatly shaped the way Media Entertainment is today. The other two being Lew Wasserman and Sidney Korshak. Of course Lew singlehandedly picked and apointed Valenti as President of the MPAA. Sidney was of course the mob liason er union liason. The biggest thing Valenti did was keep the Government out of the film industry for the most part. You might not like the Ratings system, but it's much better than a system that our Congress and Senate would come up with. Take a look at the current idea for the FCC to "eliminate all violence before 10pm" on TV. We all owe Valenti a pat on the back, even if the system put in place was corrupt.
He's Here to Save The Nation..... by ChesterDesmond	Apr 27th, 2007 01:00:49 AM
...So stay tuned to this station. Am I the only one who thought Jack's greatest moment came when he explained the ratings system on Freak-a-zoid?
Death is never a good thing? Neurotic modern idea. by Sepulchrave	Apr 27th, 2007 01:01:01 AM
How can something that happen to every person without exception, be either good or bad? It's like saying that air is bad, or being born. the guy was a professional windbag who dealt in false alarm and false moralizing. And now he's gone. Boo hoo.
All the haters.... by ChesterDesmond	Apr 27th, 2007 01:03:29 AM
...Who've never been around a death... You need to realize, that in the end, all that matters is that a man did his best. I think Jack was a good guy who did his best. At times, yes, he was misguided, but who isn't? RIP Mr. Valenti. I'll practice the buddy system.
Oh, and JimmyLoneWolf? by ChesterDesmond	Apr 27th, 2007 01:10:25 AM
Good call on the whole NC-17 thing. What could have been a fix was turned into a death sentence by people's need for extremes. Sheep need fences to feel comfortable as sheep...NC-17 became a fence.
Dammit. by SebastianHaff	Apr 27th, 2007 01:13:07 AM
I kind of expected some asshole comments here, but have a little respect, guys. I don't agree with the man's politics (both in film and real life politics, as despite Turd Ferguson's uninformed and idiotic accusation, he was a big ol' Dem) but I turly believe Valenti's heart was in the right place. I think he believed he was doing the right thing, and he fought for that belief like a champ. Good for him. My thoughts are with his family.
i doubt.... by the_shogun_gunslinger	Apr 27th, 2007 01:14:08 AM
that this TB is gonna be a very civil one...even Mori's review seemed to be written with a grain of salt. i will say that i for one wont be broken up over this and i hope that this brings change. however, hollywood and washington seem to have a neverending supply of geriatrics ready to step in at all times so im not gonna hold my breathe
Everyone has been around death by Sepulchrave	Apr 27th, 2007 01:14:27 AM
Me; three cancers, two suicides and four natural causes. I saw my first body when I was ten. I don't know this guy and I didn't like his work, which was corrupt and stifled a lot of talent. Who says that I hated him. (One thing I do hate; the word 'hater': 'All U haterz R wrong!!'
Usually, douchebags live long, prosperous lives... by Darth_Gonz	Apr 27th, 2007 01:15:45 AM
....and it's the everyday, normal, run-of-the-mill good folk who die early, unfortunate deaths. It would appear that the circumstances are reversed in this case. So long Jack, you awful totalitarian piece of shit.
and remember.. by Sepulchrave	Apr 27th, 2007 01:16:03 AM
he was 85! What, are people supposed to hang about for centuries cluttering up the place? 85 is a damn good run. Definitely time to check out.
Funny, I just watched This Film is Not Yet Rated by Jonesey1111	Apr 27th, 2007 01:22:49 AM
today. Coincidence? I think so.
i see by the_shogun_gunslinger	Apr 27th, 2007 01:27:20 AM
i see the point of him keeping govenment hands out of films and yes, thats ok...however. when it comes to a cultural thing like films, where tastes vary from generation to generation, i think its important that the heads of organizations like the MPAA step down when the time is right, instead of pushing social views from decades past onto modern works
Nana na na, nana na na, hey hey hey.... by tie3456	Apr 27th, 2007 01:35:37 AM
GOODBYE!
I'd rate his death PG at best. by thelivingdoll	Apr 27th, 2007 01:38:15 AM
Oh come on, illness following a stroke? That's Hallmark crap all the way. Now If he wanted 18 to 34 year olds to care about his death he should've hired Tyler Mane to rip his body parts off one by one in quick cut fashion before crushing his head in with his foot. That just might have earned him an R rated death, but a stroke followed by an illness? Give me a break!
It's a funny position to be in... by Charlie & Tex	Apr 27th, 2007 02:01:16 AM
...as we had held for years that we were going to spring for a damn good bottle of champagne when leader of the UK's Viewers & Listers Association (now Mediawatch) and royal pain in the arse to free choice Mary Whitehouse turned her toes up. Sure enough, her death came (far too late) in 2001, and a bottle of bubby which would meet James Bond's approval was bought, but when drinking the death of the old cow, it seemed to leave a bitter taste - no fault of any kind of cork contamination. On the other hand, when the news of the death of James Ferman came through on Christmas Day a coulple of years ago, it was like Santa had left an extra present under the tree. He was much like Valenti, in that he was in power for a good couple of decades and pushed his own moral values on to the rest of the country, making the UK the cinematic laughing stock of the free world for things like keeping The Exorcist banned for over 20 years. We dislike any body which feels it has the right to censor dramatic product to protect the public from themselves, and the MPAA's standards are often forced onto the rest of the world when films are trimmed to get a PG-13 and the more adult material left unrestored. John Waters must be buying up a magnum of champagne as we speak.
RIP JACK VALENTI by LeviDTinker	Apr 27th, 2007 02:04:12 AM
Jack Valenti's handprint ceremony at the chinese theatre back in 2004 was the first handprint ceremony i actually got to be a part of,in terms of being right there front and center in the middle of all the action. one of my favorite memories of that was watching as his 5 year old grandson walked up between Mr Valenti feet and immitating his grandfather placed his thumb print in the cement right below his grandfathers footprints. He even nice enough to introduce me to Kirk Douglas the day of the handprint ceremony. the few times he came to theatre for events since then he allways took the time to come up and say hello to me, and ask how i was. and the man had some great stories to share. did you guys know he was a world war 2 fighter pilot. Rest in peace Jack VALENTI
This man was my arch enemy by Doc_Strange	Apr 27th, 2007 02:28:34 AM
Along with thousands of other movie downloaders, I'm curious to see if anyone takes his place and stupidly tries to kill movie piracy. No disrespect to Valenti personally, this is just business.
srh1son by thelivingdoll	Apr 27th, 2007 02:33:36 AM
Yeah, it's no surprise he went easier on violence when everyone above keeps mentioning how great it was he was a WWII fighter pilot. "We didn't win the war by sodomizing Hitler, we did it with bullets! So long live violence and death in films, just please, no sex!"
Sure the man was a Grade-A douchebag... by Harry Weinstein	Apr 27th, 2007 02:41:41 AM
...but by modern standards of douchbaggery, Jack was rather low-key, even quaint. Rest in peace.
May he burn in H-E-Double-Hockeysticks. by V'Shael	Apr 27th, 2007 02:42:58 AM
If someone can tell me where he's buried, I'd happily piss on his grave.
Darth_Gonz by decastro	Apr 27th, 2007 02:46:23 AM
I can't tell if you're joking or not, but either way, your post made me crack up. Not only did Jack Valenti live a very long, extremely prosperous life, but if the situation is "reversed," who are the average run-of-the-mill good folk who didn't die young in this case? And I didn't realize the "good-folk" mortality rate was that high to begin with.
agreed Mori by Lou C.	Apr 27th, 2007 02:47:19 AM
We can criticize the MPAA for a lot of things, but Valenti did help usher in an era where filmmakers were able to put things on screen that would never have been allowed in the past. The problem, I think, was that over time the MPAA developed so much clout that it became something it wasn't intended to be. So while Valenti started by ushering in something good, he allowed it to be manipulated into something bad. He always claimed the MPAA was a guide for parents, but he was smart enough to know it was much more than that. And for those wondering if his death will bring change, a reminder: He retired as head of the MPAA in 2004, and his replacement was a Valenti disciple.
Doing my best Marge Simpson growl of disapproval by BannedOnTheRun	Apr 27th, 2007 03:06:14 AM
Insert insightful comment here about how some of these comments reflect the coarsening of our culture, helped along so adeptly by the motion picture industry itself.
Put the MPAA against the wall! by Bodenland Unbound	Apr 27th, 2007 03:09:18 AM
Hey Mr Valenti, this was written for people like you: We dont need no education. We dont need no thought control. No dark sarcasm in the classroom. Teachers, leave those kids alone. Hey, teacher, leave those kids alone! (Pink Floyd's The Wall) So burn in hell, Mr Valenti!
But did he do the Monster Mash? by Napoleon Park	Apr 27th, 2007 03:16:51 AM
Dang, Lou C. above pretty well perfectly covered what I was about to say. The '60s ratings system made mature and adult content in films possible. By creating the GMRX ratings system Valenti by extension coined the phrase "Rated X". The MPAA system made sex and violence in American made commercial films possible... which paved the way for legal porn, sexploitation and slasher flicks, among other goodness. Unfortunately those buggers in the adult film industry hopped on the bandwagon with their self-imposed unofficial "XXX rating" which confused mainstream X rated adult films with porn in the minds of the ignorant. Now most major film theater chains refuse to book X (or NC-17 as they're now known) films, making it nearly impossible to find a movie theater that doesn't have several screaming babies in the audience. But that's not Valenti's fault. *** Rating is not censorship, labeling prevents outright banning.
I dont to say anything bad about him by Wyrdy the Gerbil	Apr 27th, 2007 03:16:51 AM
But even though he`s dead i just cant say anything good either
South Park's Revenge... by Henry Fool	Apr 27th, 2007 03:17:51 AM
Maybe Trey and Matt can finally make another South Park movie. I have no intention of pretending that I am in mourning for this man. His treatment of film makers has been horrifically arrogant and he's done much to futher the rise of sequel driven, corporate Hollywood.
Hey, thanks to him, we can have some sex and violence by Doctor_Sin	Apr 27th, 2007 03:18:39 AM
Give the man props for that at least.
On another note, why was he influential anyway? by Doctor_Sin	Apr 27th, 2007 03:22:02 AM
I mean, how often are there job openings that read: "Pushy, Influential asshole wanted, GREAT PAY!"? What did he do besides bang LBJ's secretary to earn him such power?
"stupidly tries to kill movie piracy" by Talkbacker with no name	Apr 27th, 2007 03:23:30 AM
Doc_Strange, yeah let's rejoice in the fact it's ok to steal peoples movies that cast, crew and directors work very hard on to make a living. It is after all just business eh. But please don't get me wrong, trying to stop Piracy is an impossible objective right now. But just because you can download shit for free doesn't mean it's right! How would you like less income in your job due to some smart ass with a computer hampering your potential earnings?
Funny Story sort of,,, by RickSlamu2	Apr 27th, 2007 03:28:09 AM
My sister worked for our state senator Max Bacus from Montana for a while in DC. I was in his DC office waiting for her to get out of the bathroom. Sitting down on the coutch. Reading a mag. She allready introdused me to Max once. SO out from the back who should come walking out but Max and Valenti. Smileing. Hand shakeing. Back patting. I nearly fell off my coutch! (Mind you i have the same oppinion of the man most of you seam to;NEGATIVE!!!) Max escorts Jack to the office door with a big smile and goodbye. He turms around and i pipe up and say "THat was Jack Valenti wasn"t it?" Max says "What?" I Say "Jack Valenti, The MPAA Cheif, Right?' Max said "Oh yeha, right." I looked back out the door Jack Valenti just went throught and said " Un-huh" as if to say what are you doing letting some one like that INTO THIS OFFICE? Poor Max lost his smile and it was if he couldn't walk away fast enuff!! Probally thinking "OH shit I just lost another vote!"
Very Happy To Hear This News by cdp	Apr 27th, 2007 03:45:29 AM
I hope his stroke hurt like hell. Every film fan around the world is celebrating tonight. Rot In Hell Censor
I thought that Captivity billboard caused the stroke... by tonagan	Apr 27th, 2007 03:58:12 AM
Oh sorry, that was Mori.
it's a good thing Heaven only has a PG-13 rating: by newc0253	Apr 27th, 2007 04:01:16 AM
or so i've been told.
I´m going to Hell by CuervoJones	Apr 27th, 2007 04:30:51 AM
I hope he goes to Heaven.
interesting life by theycallmemrglass	Apr 27th, 2007 04:49:50 AM
Thanks for the History lesson, Moriarty. Interesting. As for Valentini's death - that was an honourable tribute for someone, Moriarty and the rest of us film fans generally dislike. It is healthy to oppose those who have achieved something which we disagree on but to oppose and fight with respect. Honour is a valuable asset. Well done Moriarty for a well written piece. OK now that he is gone - lets rip those certifaction apart and bring on the Grindhouse!
Imagine a movie was made that contained the following by emeraldboy	Apr 27th, 2007 05:13:55 AM
scene. A young mother has just given birth. suddenly terrorists or criminals shoot up the hospital. and one of the criminals fires a bullet which pierces the babys skull, kills the mother or mothers. and the camera pulls back and you see a giant blood bath/massacre in the labour ward and later the whole hospital. Now imagine, there's no MPAA, no rules, and no guidelines. The above scene is featured in mainstream movie directed by say Eli Roth. The film gets released uncut. I am sure that some of you all would be very happy that movie containing such a scene has been released into cinemas and I know that must dont really give a flying fuck about lobby groups be it parental or otherwise. I hate censorship as much as the next person and I regard the banning of Life of brian as the worst case of censorship in irish history. A more recent one was bad santa, which so appalled the parents of Ireland that It was pulled from Irish cinemas within two days. The there is the UK childs play debate. a young todler jamie bulger was beatem to death in liverpoool and childs play the movie was banned along with many other movies dubbed Video Nasties by the UK tabloid press as was David Cronenbergs crash. Valentis MPaa would have happened anyway, not that I agree with some of there ratings. But in the end, parents in sufficient number or other groups would have forced polticians, to set up something which prevents us seeing the above scene in the way director intended. and the only filmmakers capable of making the movie are sir Micheal Winner or Eli Roth.
He was old by Razorback	Apr 27th, 2007 05:24:46 AM
There is nothing sad about old people dying.
This proves emeraldboy needs a white text in black box! by Talkbacker with no name	Apr 27th, 2007 05:32:30 AM
"A young mother has just given birth. suddenly terrorists or criminals shoot up the hospital. and one of the criminals fires a bullet which pierces the babys skull, kills the mother or mothers. and the camera pulls back and you see a giant blood bath/massacre in the labour ward and later the whole hospital." Far out! That would be amazing! "banning of Life of brian as the worst case of censorship in irish history. A more recent one was bad santa" hehe genius!
hahaha by Talkbacker with no name	Apr 27th, 2007 05:35:45 AM
"and the only filmmakers capable of making the movie are sir Micheal Winner or Eli Roth." ...If you were trying to be funny this wouldn't be funny at all. God, what I wouldn't give to sit down and video a chat with you, EB!
If you think the Mpaa is bad... by emeraldboy	Apr 27th, 2007 05:48:12 AM
Go see rocky to dublin. some of the greatest works of literary fiction ever were banned in Ireland. Even rocky road itself was banned for 35 years from both cinemas and tv. and Peter lennon was denounced from the pulpits of now dead catholic ireland as a communist, lennon exiled himself to paris where ended up working for the Guardian.
TOO SOON!!! by Pageiv	Apr 27th, 2007 05:52:57 AM
If you ever heard him talkabout LBJ talking to him sitting on the crapper you'd laugh your head off.
But Boyzone and westlife... by Talkbacker with no name	Apr 27th, 2007 05:59:26 AM
are allowed to make and release records. Oh the shame of it, EB. The shame!
Good riddance. by Dwarf Sidious	Apr 27th, 2007 06:43:23 AM
Valenti was a force for small-mindedness and bland pap. The timidity, secrecy, and will to self-censor represented by the MPAA ratings system was and is un-American. He was also one of the reasons that movies took so long to go digital. He was Part Of The Problem.
talkbacker by emeraldboy	Apr 27th, 2007 07:10:08 AM
i know and i hear ya. by the way do you live in the UK? the only reason ask is: where you waiting with baited breath for Grindhouse to open on the first of june? bad news, then its been bumped.
Funny by JackRabbitSlim	Apr 27th, 2007 07:13:52 AM
Bob Clark, that cheap "I'll direct anything for a paycheck!" hack who hadnt directed a watchable film in two decades and sunk so far as to direct Baby fucking Geniuses dies and AICN goes into sackcloth and ashes. Jack Valenti, who (along with many many others) saved this business that was dying in the late 1960s gets shit upon.
emeraldboy by Talkbacker with no name	Apr 27th, 2007 07:20:04 AM
yes I do. What!? fucking bastards! ...well at least they won't split the double bill in half at least.
Nice piece, Mori by Teamwak	Apr 27th, 2007 07:21:52 AM
Did some good, did some bad. Like all of us, really. Emeraldboy, thought you were describing a scene from Hard Boiled then :)
Emeraldboy by Lost Prophet	Apr 27th, 2007 07:50:46 AM
OK from the top. I like your film idea, and would watch that, but Crash was never banned. Child's Play 3 was pulled (but not 1, 2, Bride of Chucky or Spawn of Chucky)using the "Video Nasties Act"- which was the Thatcher government trying to blame crime on a few cheesy gorefests that sadly caught a lot of good films as well (most have been released now)- 10 years too late. Most UK bannings are actually never banned, a good example being A Clockwork Orange. However, we do still have the most piss-takingly repressed censor in the civilised world. Laughably Reservoir Dogs got banned on video in Britain- I remember when I was about 15 it received a second limited cinema release and I lied to my mum to get her to buy me a ticket (as i couldn't get past the git in the ticket office and it wasn't on somewhere I could sneak in to)she was cross with me for days. I don't understand why NC17 is a death sentence in America. For me, and a lot of my friends, an 18 certificate is a good thing as it generally cuts out an awful lot of the horrible idiot adult taking toddler to the omen shit that Americans put up with. So you would think that an NC17 should have the same effect. RIP censor, and fuck you too.
no. just no. this man deserves no respect. by lilgorgor	Apr 27th, 2007 07:58:53 AM
his death does not change the fact that he was a complete motherfucker. reading this is like reading a yeltsin obituary from the mainstream media. complete bullshit. good riddance to bad rubbish.
"Freakazoid" by Anna Valerious	Apr 27th, 2007 08:02:16 AM
My favorite Valenti moment was when he showed up on this show. "You have nice cheeks."
Valenti is Dead-Good Riddance! by solobear	Apr 27th, 2007 08:11:57 AM
I'm not even going to pretend to feel sorry for this prick. His heavy handed assholish ability to control Hollywood should not be missed or mourned by anyone. This jerk should have stayed in Washington politics and kept his greasy hands out of the filmmaking community. Sayonara, Sucker!
Goodnight funnyman! by trafficguy2000	Apr 27th, 2007 08:13:26 AM
You will be missed by all! Uhhh....
Hmmm...what to rate this thread? by Darkman	Apr 27th, 2007 08:27:55 AM
PG (Petty gits) or R (retarded)? Decisions, decisions. It's the fucking Aaron Spelling talkback all over again. So you didn't like what Jack Valenti did. Even so, the man's fucking dead, and one cannot deny the impact (for good or ill) he's had on the film industry. Some fucking respect is all that's needed. Let's see...three f-bombs. I guess this thread is rated R (retarded).
Ironically, the MPAA rated my Valenti tribute an NC-17 by SpyGuy	Apr 27th, 2007 08:29:42 AM
So instead I'll just have to express my happiness that one more blight against the art of film is officially off the planet. Now, time to get rid of the rest of the MPAA...
Without Valenti, the government would have regulated by Razorback	Apr 27th, 2007 08:34:15 AM
It is better to have the MPAA creating ratings systems than having the FCC regulating content.
To quote the Rolling stones..... by emeraldboy	Apr 27th, 2007 08:44:15 AM
I cant always get what you want!
SHOW RESPECT???? by solobear	Apr 27th, 2007 08:47:50 AM
Hey Darkman, When I served in the military I was forced on many occassions to show respect to people who deserved none. I no longer feel the ned to do that. The asfuck that was Jack Valenti deserves no respect and as such he wil get none from me, or from anyone else who truly gives a damn about filmmaking. Think that one over, you corporate lapdog.
No one under 17 will be admitted to his funeral by moondoggy2u	Apr 27th, 2007 08:53:53 AM
Its rated RIP.
don't you mean by Lost Prophet	Apr 27th, 2007 09:08:47 AM
to misquote the rolling stones? are you on drugs?
it all depends on what you have done in life.... by emeraldboy	Apr 27th, 2007 09:13:10 AM
all people are divisive, in that they have their followers and their detractors. Haughey is one such name that comes to mind. You either love him or loathe him. you either do something with your life or nothing at all. Valenti did something with his. Will we remember Harry knowles, esteemed media Mogul in a decade from now. I doubt it.
that is the biggest load of crap I have read in ages. by Lost Prophet	Apr 27th, 2007 09:22:31 AM
And I post regularly on AICN. We should praise Valenti for doing something with his life? Even if that thing was fucking dreadful- who remembers Trevelyan (only reason I remember the name is that I saw a documentary on The Devils a few weeks ago)?, or whoever the british censor was before him? don't talk shit.
Good riddance by IJUSTLIKEMOVIES	Apr 27th, 2007 09:28:31 AM
I'm sure other people cared about him, but we've really missed out on quite a bit of cock in the theatres during his reign as censorship kingpin.
Valenti's funeral will be rated PG-13, unless by LaneMyersClassic	Apr 27th, 2007 09:36:17 AM
there's an open casket, in which case it will get a hard "R" - C'mon people lighten up! Dying is a part of living. You just start over again, anyway. What's the big D?
Valenti doesn't know that he's dead... by LaneMyersClassic	Apr 27th, 2007 09:39:59 AM
and right now he couldn't give a rat's ass about anything said here!
This is just terrible! by supermarch	Apr 27th, 2007 10:06:45 AM
I really wanted to kill that old prick. Stupid natural causes. Why God? Why!?!
Dinner invitation by SympatheticDevil	Apr 27th, 2007 10:08:25 AM
We will be feasting on Mr. Valenti's soul at 6 pm IST in the banquet hall near the gateway between the fifth and sixth circles of hell. Dress is business casual. Antacids will be provided. The Sympathetic Devil
Death is always a bummer... by Godardwhowhatnow	Apr 27th, 2007 10:25:25 AM
Even if it took away a self-appointed content czar and all-around enemy of free speech. I agree with being sensitive around friends and family of a loved one after he or she passes, but let's not look at a person's legacy through rose-colored glasses just because they bit the dust. It seems disingenuous to me, is all.
My god, did Valenti do something illegal? by MonteCristo	Apr 27th, 2007 10:41:33 AM
I know you think because he offered parental guidelines for movies and made some movies (that most likely deserved it) highly rated enough so that none of you prepubescent violence junkies and movie nerds could see them in mainstream theaters...Is that enough to talk about the man after he's dead? I'm glad Valenti did some of the things he did. Without them, parents wouldn't have an easy way to find out what was suitable for children. Hell, everybody criticizes the FCC. In a few years, the shit they put on television will be worse than what's on the big screen. So, I guess I'm the only person who feels like congratulating the man for keeping certain movies highly rated. At the end of the day, the movies we love the most...the movies that stay in our memory...those are the movies we want to show to our children, not "Grindhouse", "Oldboy", and "Ichi the Killer". What the fuck's wrong with you people?
Surprised no one's mentioned DMCA yet... by Kusoyaro	Apr 27th, 2007 10:50:40 AM
We have him partially to thank for it. Good motherfucking riddance.
The Gov has accountability (in theory)... by Billyeveryteen	Apr 27th, 2007 10:51:04 AM
The MPAA does not. Good riddence, to bad rubbish.
Nothing illegal... by Valmont12	Apr 27th, 2007 10:59:16 AM
I think the problem isn't that Valenti was "keeping certain movies highly rated." I don't think anyone here would argue that ratings have some value, especially to parents. The problem is the arbitrary way that movies are rated. Why do some movies get a PG-13 that are arguably "worse" for children than some R movies? We don't know, because the MPAA won't tell us. We don't know the standards that are being applied and the criteria upon which ratings decisions are made. As a parent, that should bother you most--how can you trust the ratings when they are given without justification or explanation?
Lost Prophet by Talkbacker with no name	Apr 27th, 2007 11:00:36 AM
You won't be able to have a debate with EB. I used to be like you, you know. I feel so much better now that I just go with and enjoy his mad ramblings. It's 'You Can't Always Get What You Want', EB. hehe gold, comedy gold!
Didn't you see 'This film has not yet been rated' by Sepulchrave	Apr 27th, 2007 11:01:03 AM
The system that Valenti presided over is totally corrupt and gives not one fucking shot about brutality; depictions of sex or the human body not being mutilated by gunfire, on the other hand, are fucking taboo. Guidelines my ass.
It has to be worth a try, as I can't stand it anymore by Lost Prophet	Apr 27th, 2007 11:06:35 AM
His semi-literate drivel, direct quotes from that shitrag- Empire, utter inability to follow a line of thinking, and inability to cite the title (for fuck's sake) of a very famous song (how the fuck does "I can't always get what you want" make sense?)are hampering my ability to skive at work.
hahaha by Talkbacker with no name	Apr 27th, 2007 11:11:48 AM
I know! he's brilliant eh. Maybe he was sent my god into cyberspace to punish us for our internet surfing sins? My god it's The Emerald Surfer!
I swear I have been good by Lost Prophet	Apr 27th, 2007 11:14:19 AM
no porn at work, legitimately finishing work on time, seriously I am a very low grade sinner if it is punishment then why do I seem to be the only person bothered by it.
Oh Trust me, you are not by Talkbacker with no name	Apr 27th, 2007 11:24:09 AM
Blarney-Man is Emerald Boy's arch nemesis. Take a trip over to the "Harry Says It Would Be Criminal To Not See HOT FUZZ Immediately!!!" Talkback.
a bootleg of his obituary was out in China last week by Spandau Belly	Apr 27th, 2007 11:54:47 AM
And it even had the word "hell" in it.
Yeah, but the violence portrayed isn't real. by MonteCristo	Apr 27th, 2007 12:12:27 PM
Nudity is.
In his memory, I will download one less movie torrent by Doctor_Sin	Apr 27th, 2007 12:31:06 PM
I can pass on Happy Feet until later.
All this talk about saving the children ... by zengamer	Apr 27th, 2007 12:32:15 PM
Is just stupid. If you don't know better than to take your kid to a slasher flick, a porno, a South Park movie, or anything starring Adam Sandler, you're just a bad parent.
Who cares, MonteCristo? by Some Dude	Apr 27th, 2007 12:37:02 PM
The nudity is real. So what?
If the violence isn't real because they use fake guns by zengamer	Apr 27th, 2007 12:42:14 PM
Then is the nudity real when they have fake breasts?
I believe Carlin said is best.... by Dr Gregory House	Apr 27th, 2007 01:11:11 PM
"Fuck the children"
Thanks for running the article by palimpsest	Apr 27th, 2007 01:26:21 PM
Valenti was wrong, though consistently wrong. Maybe that kind of single-mindedness deserves at least respect, if not approval. His legacy, the MPAA, is overripe for a fundamental review. Maybe Valenti's death will cunt another tie that was preventing that happenning.
Not Losing Any Sleep Over This by DefyThis	Apr 27th, 2007 02:38:33 PM
Valenti was one of the most disingenous dinosaurs the industry had at the controls over the years. Famous (and insipid) quotes: DVDs are indestructable (therefore you don't need a backup, something Dan Glickman contradicted recently), and the VCR being to movies what Jack the Ripper was to women alone at night. It's unfortunate that his mark will remain on the industry long after his death. Between is seemingly incomprehensible ratings system and his war against consumers, Valenti did far more harm than good for the biz.
Man, the other Turd by Turd Furgusen	Apr 27th, 2007 02:45:53 PM
is really giving me a bad name. Like him or not, Valenti was a smooth operator. Nice obit Mr. Moriarty. We can disagree with Valenti's take on ratings, but you should still respect the man in his passing.
Valenti oversaw the murder of art in film. by s00p3rm4n	Apr 27th, 2007 02:55:36 PM
That's all I have to say.
Good riddance... by Stuntcock Mike	Apr 27th, 2007 04:52:18 PM
...rhymes with clit sorrent
"Fuck the children" by Stuntcock Mike	Apr 27th, 2007 04:55:46 PM
Carlin is a genius.
No laser pens or cell phones at the funeral by guerillakarma	Apr 27th, 2007 04:59:28 PM
or crying babies.
sorry but hell yeah by flipster	Apr 27th, 2007 05:20:23 PM
see ya prick!
RIP by sith-vol	Apr 27th, 2007 06:02:48 PM
Well thats as respectful as I can be....the man was an ass.
Fuck all censors, let "parents" do the work by pdennett316	Apr 27th, 2007 06:33:17 PM
If a parent wants to be sure their child is not being corrupted, then they should have more than a passing interest in their childs life. Whats all this shit about making it easier for them? At the expense of everyone else's freedom to watch what they want without being treated like a fucking kid? Fuck that. Material intended for adults should not be censored in ANY way, purely on the off chance that some kid MAY see what's going on. Fuck all that cutting it down to get an 'R' shit - the industry should do what it can to remove the stigma of NC-17/18 rated movies. In the UK the stigma is not so bad, but the US situation sounds pretty fucked up. Back to the parents - take some fucking control of your idiot kids and involve yourselves in their lives rather than using movies and tv to babysit the little bastards, that way we'll all be happy. Well, you'd be miserable, but it's your own fucking fault for breeding, isn't it?
RIP by DarthDooku	Apr 27th, 2007 09:43:39 PM
Rest in peace, Mr. Valenti.
So i take it you want the old production code to return by Jimmy Jazz	Apr 27th, 2007 09:46:59 PM
? Becuase that is your choice. Puritanical America will not have a free for all. The MPAA may have been far from perfect, but better Jack Valenti and his ratings system than some new Joe Breen breathing down the necks of the filmakers.
He is, after all, the jackass who said that-- by Bob Cryptonight	Apr 27th, 2007 10:21:58 PM
--"video tapes are the cancer in the belly of the film industry!" What a jerk. God bless his loved ones left behind...but he still was a jerk.
I hope Valenti burns in hell by The Decider	Apr 28th, 2007 09:28:35 AM
Thank you.
Ding Dong... by stickmangrit	Apr 29th, 2007 07:27:17 PM
the witch is dead. which old witch? the wicked witch! ding dong the wicked witch is dead!!!
Clergy and the Government have no place in Film by DallasGoodbar	Apr 29th, 2007 07:59:23 PM
Clearly Valenti was not liked by many because he presided over a corrupt entity with special interests. So why waste time griping over old shit and let's bomb the fuck out of the MPAA. And if we have any ammo left let's dismantle the RIAA and the FCC.

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Jack Valenti, Creator Of The MPAA, Has Died

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