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Who is the parent here — you or Quentin Tarantino?
Last weekend we saw the new movie "Grindhouse." If you haven't heard about it, you get 2 movies plus an intermission. The first flick is "Planet Terror" by Robert Rodriguez featuring sci-fi and horror staples like government plots, flesh-eating gore, and motorcycles.
The second is "Death Proof" by Quentin Tarantino. This was great! Incredibly violent, but disturbingly gratifying. I won't spoil it, but let's just say it's got girl power…
I've heard complaints about an action figure from "Planet Terror," but frankly I don't have a problem with it myself. The doll is called "Rapist #1" and features the character played by Tarantino. Again, I don't want to spoil the movie for you, but I will tell you that his character is pure evil and is punished in a satisfyingly appropriate and fatal fashion.
So the real problem here is that there are parents who would buy this doll for their children? I think we have a larger problem in that case. We cannot baby-proof the world, so guess what? Parents have to do their job.
For example, I don't think that the TV show The Simpsons is right for my kids to watch. I love the show myself, but my kids will never see it. In my opinion, it is only for adults. The kids in it are mouthy and rude, the parents are irresponsible and lazy, and the storylines are about adult happenings. It is one of my favorite shows for adults. I don't advocate that it get taken off the air — instead I just don't let my kids see it.
I can psychically feel many of you out there saying "Hey, my kids watch The Simpsons! I think it's a great show for kids!" And see, we all get to make those choices for our own families.
So. Is it news that it's a bad idea to buy violent adult-themed toys for your children? Nope. Are you a good parent if you buy this toy for your child? In my opinion: no. Is it the job of movie PR schlubs to make sure your kids don't see things that are for adults? Nope again.
Now, let's say you see this toy at your local Toys R Us… That's completely different! Picket and boycott those fuckers until the end of time. If a toy store for kids sold these dolls that would be an outrage. But the fact that they exist in the world is not.
"We cannot baby-proof the world, so guess what? Parents have to do their job."
WHAT?!? That's crazy talk!
;-)
Tee hee…look at his little dolly gut!
I just found out about this. It's crazy! Who thinks rape is something fun to play with?
Not a big deal to me. My kid will not watch something like that until she's at a party with her friends at 15/16 and they watch it on the sly. Of course, this is 12 years from now. :p
So, if she sees this action figure vs a diego one, who ya think she's gonna want?
If she has no frame of reference, then there isn't an issue. I assumed that these "dolls" were for the big kids who love Tarentino and have their very own secret dedcodor ring and fan club.
Bingo Jennifer. They're collectors items for film dorks. They're not for kids, and they do not celebrate rape.
I totally agree with you. This is why we live in America. As an adult, I get to choose what I watch and buy. For myself, and for my kid(s). This won't be something I watch or buy, but I fully support your right to buy and watch it.
PS: Love the Go Read it Today Feature! You have singlehandedly doubled the number of blogs I read on a daily basis. So many good blogs, so little time… :) I don't recall how I came upon your site, but I have been lurking here for a little over a week, I think. Hi!
Erika - sorry about the dead link in your sidebar; I just decided that, when I don't work there anymore, I don't want to have any reminders that I did.
:(
As for this - I see where you're coming from, but it still offends me on a deep personal level, although I think Tarantino's a genius.
I wouldn't go so far as to boycott the film, or anything, but I still think it's… tacky.
I also don't let my son watch The Simpsons (The Simpsims as he calls it) - he's nearly 6. He knows what it is though as my sister's kids watch it so he has seen some. I'm trying to keep him from physical violence and unfortunately there's too much of it in The Simpsons.
I think the kicker IS when ToysRus are selling these things that are CLEARLY for an adult audience..that is what boggles me.
We have a store nearby called 3 and up or something like that and they sell all the adult geared action stuff…and it is obvious by the store that it is for adults..not kids…
but when the kids get to see this stuff at the toy store…and yes people are stupid!
Well, I think the Simpsons are OK, but the other one — South Park — is vulgar!! :)
To get back to the title of you post…
Imagine having Quentin Tarantino for a parent. *shudder* Those are some seriously violent bedtime stories…
Totally. I actually find it amazing that there would even need to be any clarification on this one.
Actually, Toys R Us won't be carrying the figure-Tarantino shot his mouth off and SAID they would be, and TRU put out a fairly strong rejection of that claim http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2007/04/19/toy_store_denies_selling_tarantino_s_rap
I found the thought that they'd be carrying these "toys" a bit unbelievable anyway. And I'm sure Tarantino said it for exactly what happened-a whole wack of publicity for his film.
I don't let the kids watch anything I don't want to deal with the effects of. This includes all adult themed cartoons and shows. However, I'm sure my husband isn't as careful with this, based on some things my daughter says. But at least it allows me to deal with some of it before she goes to school.
You know, Quentin Tarantino totally creeps me out.
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