Curly Steve
My wife heard that Steve Carell had a part in the 1991 film called Curly Sue so we rented it to watch last night.
Sure enough, just 5 minutes into the movie a young waiter comes into the scene named Steven Carell. (That was also the name of the character) It’s about a thirty second part and his whole reason for being there is to go and fetch the chef. But it was still fun to see him.
Even though he was there in the first 5 minutes, we decided to watch the rest of the movie anyway. That movie was more entertaining than I remembered. I wish that Steve’s part was as big as his newest film that centers around a little girl, Little Miss Sunshine. I haven’t seen this film because I don’t watch rated R movies, but I heard that Steve Carell was really good in it. He’s certainly the hot actor in Hollywood right now.
August 13th, 2006 11:16
I’m curious. Why don’t you want R rated movies?
August 13th, 2006 11:42
You won’t see it because it’s R rated? Not even for Steve Carell?
August 13th, 2006 14:23
I didn’t meant to make too big of a point on the R rated thing, but since you asked George I don’t mind sharing. I just decided a while ago that an R rating was a pretty good gauge for me that I probably wouldn’t enjoy the movie too much. Whether it’s for foul language or or vulgarity or intense themes or whatver. I just decided that there are so many good movies out there that are good and uplifting for me that I probably don’t need to spend time watching ones that don’t make me feel good.
Of course, I’m not saying that the Little Miss Sunshine movie would be a movie to bring me down or anything. But for me it’s just been easier to make a clear rule of no R rated movies and stick with it across the board. That way I don’t have to decide each and every time. It’s done me well so far.
August 13th, 2006 15:44
Choosing not to watch R-rated movies is a respectable practice since it limits your exposure to swearing, violence, etc. Whereas PG-13 movies can only contain so much swearing and violence, it seems like R movies can have an almost unlimited amount, making some movies fairly distasteful. Interestingly, there is a study that showed that G-rated films are 8 times more profitable than R-rated films: Dove.org
There’s also a Slate article on Why sex is a liability in Hollywood.
August 13th, 2006 19:43
I also avoid R rated movies. I didn’t know there were other people who felt that way. I think your explanation is good. I think that a movie that doesn’t rely on excessive violence, sexual content, or swearing usually has better writing, and a more intriguing plot. The few R rated movies I have seen - I didn’t enjoy as much.
August 13th, 2006 19:58
Ditto on the R-rated thing, nice to know there are others.
August 13th, 2006 21:17
So you didn’t see 40 Year Old Virgin either?
August 14th, 2006 01:02
so you guys have never seen “The 40-year old virgin”???????
August 14th, 2006 04:50
Eh, you guys should go see “Clerks 2″ and get over this puritanical stuff.
I think you’d get a kick out of the donkey scene.
It’s a real hoot…
August 14th, 2006 06:24
I can verify Steve was amazing in this movie. I had no idea he has such range as an actor.
It didn’t occur to me that this was an R-rated movie as I was watching it, now that I think about it I guess I can see why.
If you ever felt like making an exception to watch a R-rated movie I think you might find yourself in a good mood at the end of this one.
August 14th, 2006 10:05
I saw Little Miss Sunshine over the weekend and I loved it. I agree with Jim and the movie showcasing Steve’s range as an actor. I was falling out of my seat laughing and so was everyone else I was with. I would recommend it to any Office and Steve Carell fans.
August 14th, 2006 11:41
That’s admirable and all with avoiding rated R movies, but in doing so, you miss a lot of wonderful movies that just happen to be rated R because life is not always about happy endings and civility. Some movies that are rated R are groundbreaking and necessary to see, even with the violence- i.e., Schindlers List, Americsn History X, the Godfather, and so on. Plus, you miss a lot of funny movies, like Clerks and 40 year old virgin!
August 14th, 2006 21:39
I think to dismiss a movie based solely on its rating is terrible….and borderline lemming like. Go see a movie for what its about, not what someone ELSE demeamed crude.
August 15th, 2006 10:45
Yeah, I love Brian as much as the next obsessed “Office” fan, but after seeing “The Grudge,” I try not to pay too much heed to ratings. They are compeletely used to target audiences and don’t tell that much about a movie’s content. Compare “Pretty Woman” with some of the teen PG-13 movies… way more sex, drugs, and adult themes in the “teen” movies today. What is “Schindler’s List” rated?
August 15th, 2006 11:04
Trisha, I should have been more clear about the ratings. I don’t watch any rated R, but just because it is PG-13 doesn’t mean I’ll watch it either. If it’s PG-13, but doesn’t look like something I’d enjoy, I’ll pass on that too.
I’m surprised at so many comments here and really surprised at some of the emails I got. Some of them probably worse than R rated. =)
No sweat though. I certainly don’t look down at anyone who does watch rated R movies. I just found that it works good for me that’s all.
August 16th, 2006 07:55
Brian,
I’m with you man. Stick to your guns. It’s great to see people like you voicing their opinion in a public way. Love the site by the way.
August 16th, 2006 13:36
Brian,
This is my first time to your site, and I love it.
And I gotta say that I agree with you. I also don’t watch R-rated movies unless they’ve been edited for content, and I am selective about which PG-13 movies I watch.
I can understand why people feel that this is a poor taste in deciding which movies to watch, because there are great movies out there with R ratings (which I’ve only seen censored versions of, which I think is about to open up a whole new can of worms), but it is easier for me to not worry about R-rated films at all and do one blanket filter of all of them. It just works for me, and I don’t condemn other people for not thinking like me. It’s what works for me.
Oh, and I’m a film student, too. I’m one of only two or three students in the program at my university that I know of who avoids R-rated films.
Finally, while I recognize that films such as “The Godfather” are important, I don’t think they’re as “necessary” to watch as most of the classics that came well before them, like “Citizen Kane,” “The Longest Day,” any of the myriad of Hitchcock films, etc… These are the ones that set the standards that are either followed or brilliantly ignored in more contemporary cinema.
-The Shark
August 21st, 2006 16:21
Ooh, sorry but almost the only movies I ever watch are R rated. Do you watch HBO shows or MA:LSV rated shows on TV? I would die withuot my Rescue Me & Nip/Tuck.
August 6th, 2009 16:40
I heard the same thing about Steve Carell being in curly Sue and was trying to remember who he played as this movie was so old… then I ran across the comments and responses to the rated “R” thing… I think that the best movies are rated “R”… I have seen worse behavior in life and I feel that the news should be rated as believe me it can be ten times worse than hearing vulgar language…
August 6th, 2009 18:00
I also applaud you for taking a stand and sticking with it. Whether anybody else chooses to do this, you are sticking by what you feel is your guide. We should do that in all areas of our lives!