Are the ratings that Hollywood gives its movies becoming irrelevant?

The Motion Picture Association of America started rating films in 1968 to indicate suitability for children. Ever since, some group or another , whether of parents or politicians or filmmakers , has complained: Too broad. Too easily manipulated. Too arbitrary.

The association, financed by the movie studios, has occasionally bowed to public pressure and tinkered with its evaluation process. In 2007, for instance, it started considering smoking alongside sex, violence and profanity when assessing films.

But the ratings system is coming under fresh attack via the Web, and that may make bigger changes inevitable, some Hollywood veterans fret. Studios count a movie’s rating as one of their primary marketing tools, and they worry that any recalibration would cut into their attendance , and profits.

& #8226;

Read the full

New York Times

story.