How many of you believe that B films are bad for younger viewers?

[Velvet Brotha]

Just out of curiousity... How many of you believe that it's ok to allow children to view B-films like: "Killer Klowns From Outter space", "Deadly Spawn", or even "Evil Dead?"

[jmc]

I've only seen EVIL DEAD of those three.  It's probably too much for young kids, though kids around age 11-12 or older can most likely handle it.  

But there are a ton of B movies that are suitable for kids.  

However, when I was a kid it was fun when we got to see stuff that was "too much" for us.  I think I saw Fulci's ZOMBIE at a pretty early age.

[Velvet Brotha]

Dude, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to :" Killer Klowns From Outter Space" I promise, you won't regret it's wonderful cheezyness.

[Evil Matt]

I actually decided to let my 7 year old watch Evil Dead 2 this Halloween after his constant nagging about it.  He'd already seen Army of Darkness (which pulled an "R" rating somehow, but probably should've been "PG-13"), and it's his favorite movie.  I discussed the fact that everything in Evil Dead 2 was make believe, and that none of that stuff would happen in the real world.  He understands the differences between fact and fiction, and actually enjoyed the hell out of the movie.  I think his exact words were "Dad, when his hand was beating him up, it was the funniest thing I've ever seen".  That said, the only reason I let him watch it is because the themes that it dealt with were themes that I was comfortable discussing with a seven year old, and because the violence was SO over the top as to become almost cartoony.  I wouldn't let him watch the first Evil Dead because I don't want him to see the tree rape scene, as I don't think a kid his age should have to be exposed to something like that.  He won't be watching anything like "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" anytime soon because I feel there's a difference between violence and brutality, and that one lays clearly on the "brutal" end of the spectrum.  
All in all, I'd say it depends on the kid.  Some kids can handle stuff like that, some can't.  While I certainly wouldn't advocate letting a child watch whatever they want, I also wouldn't necessarily censor their viewing just because the MPAA says they're not old enough.

[Vermin Boy]

Depends on the movie and the kids. I wouldn't show "Meet the Feebles" to my five-year-old cousin, but stuff like Killer Klowns, Army of Darkness, and some so-bad-it's-good stuff for the sorts of preteens who'd like that kinda stuff. I got hooked when I was around ten and Night of the Lepus was shown on Easter, and soon moved on to Plan 9, MST3K, and all that good stuff.

[Eirik]

Funny you should reference the obscure "Deadly Spawn."  My dad took me to see that when I was 10 or 12.  He never exerted much effort shielding me from violence (and that was a violent one), profanity and nudity and I think I turned out okay.  Of course there's a huge difference between 10 or 12 and 5 or 6.  Right now, my oldest is five and I wouldn't even consider letting her see any of those movies (and frankly I don't think they'd interest her).  Once my kids break the double digit mark, I foresee myself being pretty permissive... at least when I can be there to supervise.

[Brother Ragnarok]

As has already been said, it all depends on the viewer and the movie.  Some stuff is just too brutal, like Texas Chainsaw.  Some of it is fine, like Evil Dead 2 or Killer Klowns, because they're violent but they're so goofy.  And there are a lot of really violent movies that have so many adult themes that kids just wouldn't get and regardless of getting to hear a grown up say f**k, would just be bored by the film.  And some kids are more mature than others, they get the difference between movies and reality, and some don't.
If you want your kid to get into cool b-movie stuff but don't want them on the violence right away, start 'em out like I got started.  50's radioactive monster movies like Godzilla and It Came From Beneath the Sea, and of course there's no kid in the world who wouldn't be mezmerised by Doctor Who.

Brother R

[Velvet Brotha]

I gotta hand it to you Evil Matt... You are one fine example of a father for setting those grond rules. There are way too many ignorant parents now days.

[Velvet Brotha]

>50's radioactive monster movies like Godzilla and It Came From Beneath the Sea, and of course there's no kid in the world who wouldn't be mezmerised by Doctor Who.

Wow, I didn't think anybody really cared about these films anymore. I totally dig Dr. Who!!!

[Susan]

How can it be harmful for children to watch? Just look at us, we turned out ok!

uhhh..yeah

[Flangepart]

I'm with Brother Rag. The 50's stuff is perfect. Show 'em the original Godzilla, then the U.S. version, then challange 'em to tell you the differances. Teach 'em critical analyasis early.
Brutal films, no. Cartooney films, go for it.

[jmc]

EVIL DEAD 2 I would have much less problem showing to a younger kid...its tone isn't nearly as serious as the first.

There's no telling what might scare a child...I remember one of my cousins being scared to death of THE DARK CRYSTAL when she was little.

[trekgeezer]

Until he was about  12 I never let my son see anything that was overtly violent , had a lot  of cussing or nudity,  or  a lot of adullt themed stuff. A lot of movies in the 80's and early  90' s were rated R for good reason.  I used to see people in the local video store with their 8 year old kids picking up the latest slasher movie ( something I don't care much for myself, unlike a lot of people here ).  I usually would rent  a comedy or other pg rated movie for everyone to watch and save the R rated stuff for  Dad and Mom (if should could stay awake) to watch later.

Both my kids are young adults now  and appreciate me doing this for them.

[JohnL]

>How can it be harmful for children to watch? Just look at us, we turned out ok!

I agree. I watched slasher and other violent movies and so far I've never put anyone through a wood chipper that didn't deserve it. :)

[The Burgomaster]

I watched plenty of B-movies when I was a kid.

See how I turned out?