After a full day of bike riding (kinda – I got called to work about an hour into the ride), swimming (yes, the water was freezing but we did swim), and playing, Stephanie and I took Zander to see “Open Season” last night. It’s a cartoon about a domesticated bear that saves a deer from being slaughtered by a hunter before open hunting season begins. It started out great – it was funny and Zander was glued to the big screen. Then out of nowhere, Stephanie and I both look at each other and say “Did he just say Orgy?”
I’m not a stickler for strictness as many religious are. I am likely too relaxed in my view habits when it comes to Zander, but this was like getting hit in the head with a fast ball while at a fishing event; completely unexpected and unnecessary. Boog, the bear, is completely trashing a convenience store with Elliot, the dear. It’s a cartoon – I’m not ranting about the fact that they broke into a store and started trashing the place. I’m not upset that they were binging on stolen candy – again it’s a cartoon and I wouldn’t expect a bear loose in a convenience store to do anything else. But when Boog opens the cash register, grabs the cash, throws it into the air and yells ‘Orgy’ – I was shocked. This is a cartoon! A kids movie, right?
OK – I understand the definition of the word included “any act of immoderate indulgence” and this sugar binge qualifies as such, but IT’S A CARTOON! The denotation of the word may be correct, but its connotation is sexual in nature and I just didn’t expect to hear it in a CARTOON. Am I over reacting here?
I thought, maybe I heard it wrong. So I jumped online and did a quick search. I only found one site that mentioned the incident at all – it was http://www.screenit.com/movies/2006/open_season.html. Do they list it under “Profanity” – no. Maybe under “Sex / Nudity” – nope. Although they do seem to think that ‘smooth and creamy’ is likely referring to a woman more than a candy bar???? No – It’s listed under “Imitative Behavior” with quotes like “Sweet”, “Dang”, and “Cornflake”. Is it just me, or is something wrong with this picture?
2 replies on “How is that OK?”
There is something definitely wrong with that picture! The thing is, what do we do about it? Not go to the movies? It sounds like a really cute movie minus that but most children own dvds that they watch over & over & over again until they have every word memorized. That word is not something you want your 2 yr old to know. How can we protest in a way that truly makes a difference?
Yea, I see that as a problem. I suppose you can try to explain the difference between denotation and connotation to your son, (I am so glad to see my influence in your life) but I hardly think it would be effective.