Deseret News | Reader comments: Filter cleans up films

Reader comments
Filter cleans up films — legally

Mother of 4 | 5:43 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008

I can tell you how to edit movies free of charge.....

Don't watch them. Turn off the t.v. send the children out to play, give them activities that use their imagination, and read together with your family!

When you do want to watch a movie as a family, be very careful! There are a "few" out there worth watching.

At our home PG means "pretty gross" and R means "Rancid".

There have been many movies we have started and turned off! Have the courage to stand a little bit taller than the rest!

Ken | 7:34 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008

It seems to me that the device offers people the opportunity to say "I saw that movie" without the offending parts showing up on their screen. The assumption being that all offensive scenes, words and editable concepts are superfluous to the plot. Is that a guarantee or a vain hope?

I edit the movies my grandchildren see by not viewing them when we watch movies. I have explained to them that when they are mature enough and old enough, they will be able to see and do all the adult things they want, but not now.

If a person is desirous of living a good witness, then the halfway behavior of making objectionable movies acceptable is like hanging around with drunks and saying you only drank tea. If you want to be part of the world that enjoys the kind of movie that needs to be filtered, maybe you need to look past the movie itself and consider the motivation that drives a person to want to be associated with a movie that can not be viewed in its original form.

Todd C Noker | 7:35 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008

My golly goodness! Do I have to write a flippin' sequel to RATED F?

Comments continue below

Honest Abe | 7:53 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008

Sour grapes Mr. Thompson? What you were doing was breaking 1st grade copyright law and I believe you knew it and most of your customers knew it. But we love to rationalize many things in Utah County, even our own integrity. You shut down because you were running an ILLEGAL movie editing operation. You shut down to avoid going to court because you knew you couldn't win. I wonder if those of you who paid for these services will keep your illegally edited versions or will you trash them like an honest person would do. Your films were illegal when they were made, not when the battle was lost in court.

dmlane2000 | 7:56 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008

I mean, really, folks. What is wrong with trying to "clean up" this world that surrounds us a little. Myself, I'll take the help wherever I can get it. Seems like a family can't even be safe with a cartoon anymore.

Bill G | 8:06 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008

Thankfully, the courts have given us the right to filter movies within our own home. The movie industry wanted to stop us from using our mute button for bad language. Clear Play has been in my home for over a year and my children received one as a gift. We all love it and the control it gives. The quality of our movie watching now meets our personal standards not Hollywood's. Companies who are breaking the law should close their doors.

Pete Maughan | 8:27 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008

My response is to Ken. Ken, you have certainly missed the point here. There are dozens of movies I could list off to you including Braveheart, Last Samurai, which are incredibly moving and inspiring movies but which many people prefer to watch without some of the most graphic scenes. There are dozens of inspirational PG movies such as Goonies, the Rookie, etc which are great movies but have dozens of references to swear words and taking the Lord's name in vain which I wouldn't want to hear personally, nor my kids. We're not suggesting you watch Diehard 1, 2 or 3 with your kids. We're also not suggesting that if you ClearPlay a movie that it's automatically acceptable for children. What we are suggesting, is that you choose what content and movies are appropriate, and then use ClearPlay to make sure that offensive content doesn't come into your home. Thanks and happy movie watching!

-Pete

Customer | 9:31 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008

We have been Clear Play members for almost 2 years. Although taking the "higher road" and choosing not watching any movies in our home is an option, it probably isn't going to happen. We've appreciated the option of filtering out language and scenes that we deem innapropriate. And, contrary to Mr. Thompson's opinion, it is done very professionally. I choose to support businesses that are working for families like mine.

Lyn | 9:43 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008

I think this is a great alternative! This is the first I have heard of Clear Play and i will definitely consider it! The next battle will be the near R rated commercials on TV. ie: Victoria's Secret, Male enhancemnet etc. I mean really, do we need to hear about a four hour side effect?

Trey in Tempe | 9:50 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008

We are on our 3rd Clear play. Everyone we have had has petered out, and we have had to return it. It is good, but do not expect it to be your DVD player for very long.

Come on Hollywood | 10:03 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008

I don't have a problem with most erotica in movies. I think it adds to the spice of life. However is someone else wants to edit their movies, have at it. I think Hollywood is being a real ninny for trying to force people people to watch such stuff or to watch not at all. If there is freedom of speech, there is also freedom of hearing/seeing.

Tabs | 10:15 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008

We love Clear Play in our house. So many movies are great except for a few unnecessary scenes or words, and Clear Play lets us enjoy those movies. We used to use Clean Flicks, and to be honest, I don't see much of a difference between the quality of the two services. I definitely wouldn't call it an inferior product.

Long-time ClearPlay customer | 10:31 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008

We've been using ClearPlay since back when you had to watch the DVDs on your computer. In the early versions, the edits were choppy. I would have to disagree with Mssrs. Thompson and Merrill, however, on the quality of the current ClearPlay filtersï¿½it is almost without exception an excellent job. And as far as Mr. Lines' assertion that his customers only want movies that don't need filtering, I think that's wishful thinking. There are a host of excellent movies with uplifting and delightful plots that can be dramatically improved with the loss of a few expletives. Take the Back to Future trilogy: we were shocked to realize that the TV networks had been filtering quite a bit of offensive language from the three films once the DVDs came out. But watch them with ClearPlay and the language is gone and the stories are unaffected. The other cool thing w/ClearPlay is you can tweak the filtering level on each of the filtered categories to suit your family's preferences.

Our biggest problem now is watching films in the theatre. Until you see them without the language, you don't realize just how much there is!

So refreshing to put that aside!

re:honest abe | 12:52 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008

First let me frame my comments by saying I have not used any of these services.
I do not believe that those companies doing the editing were breaking the law and I do not think that the judge in this case ruled correctly and I believe that our copyright laws are flawed all because money can buy anything in this world. If I went and bought the Mona Lisa (which I wish I had the money to do) I can do whatever I want with it. I can slash and burn it if I want. I can hire someone to paint over it if I want. If I buy a reproduction of it I can do the same.
These people that were editing the movies were doing the same thing. They were buying the movies then altering them for themselves or customers. To say this is hindering the "creative or artistic" nature is pure poppycock. The movie industry is full of megalomaniacs who do not see their real opportunity. Airlines and others do deals with them to edit their shows, why not offer those to the public. Bytheway honest Abe you profane his good name with your air of superiority.

ajd | 2:22 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008

I just dont understand. You cant tell your children that this is innappropriate language for em? My parents never hid me away from bad language in movies. I saw tons of Rated R movies as a child and I never would of dreamed of using that language. I always understood the distinction between what the movie was and reality. What are you afraid of? Seriously, what is it? All of the values that you aspire to have nothing to do with language in a movie? This is purely cosmetic righteousness. "Cosmetic" is the perfect word for it. Its only purpose is to set you apart from others. Loosen up. Explore the values you seek a little more. Try to understand the cause and effect of what your trying to achieve. Surely you bigger things to worry about. No?

Long-time ClearPlay customer | 4:56 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008

To ajd:
Rather an odd post. I'm still trying to understand where you're coming from, and why you're so agitated about someone else's choice of what they see or hear.

As for us, we actually don't have any children left at home. Nothing "cosmetic", or even "righteous" about it, not "afraid" of anythingï¿½we just don't care to listen to foul language. It offends us, simple as that. That make it any easier to understand?

ich dien | 6:04 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008

For "entertainment" at home there are still libraries and books, are there not? I still remember with joy Dad and Mother after dinner was over, sitting with their four kids, reading "Cheaper By the Dozen." We could laugh, fall off our chairs, join the conversation without having to find the "pause" button. We were not controlled by some dimwits in Hollywood trying to re-create the world in their image. And when we'd finished a dozen of the libraries offerings, Dad would re-create Hans Christian Anderson to fit our family and we loved it and him. Turn off the tube!

ajd | 7:01 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008

To Long-time ClearPlay customer.
It does "agitate" me that that people take such means to alter movies. I feel very passionate that they are forms of expression and should not be altered. Thats a slippery slope. And I do not understand the motivation, especially absent of the "for the children" umbrella. Why cant you make the distinction of not not wanting to use foul language or having used toward you and simply hearing it on a movie separate from reality. Articulate the objection for me. Why would you care? That being said, if it is deemed legal to alter these movies then that is completely your perogative and im not going to argue with that. That would be absolutely your right just as it is mine to be "agitated" about it. I simply do not understand the motivation to do so.

to ajd | 9:04 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008

What part of "it offends us" don't you understand? Some people, myself included, like to watch explosions and car chases without having the F word blaring in our ears. We like to be entertained, and many R rated etc movies are excellently done, but if the F word is blaring over and over it ceases to be enjoying to watch. It's just our preference. You prefer otherwise, and we respect that. Why can't you accept the diversity of our opinion?

ajd | 10:52 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008

I absolutely respect your right to do this but it is "diversity" itself that I seek to protect. The act of changing film to conform is contrary to any notion of diversity. It makes them uniform to what you want. Its an exclusionary act by its very nature. And the simple "it offends us" answer is precisely what I mean when I call it cosmetic. Once again, im not for one second saying you dont have the right to do it IF its legal but that doesnt preclude us from debating the motivations in a public forum does it?

To ajd from someone else | 11:22 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008

If I understand what you say then we have NO freedom of speach since we cannot tell hollywood we do not like that language. You have stated that these "are forms of expression" and we do not have the right to change the movie, I for one say it has already been changed to suit the FCC rules for many broadcasts and thus my desires not to be subjected to hearing the F word and others is valid.

It is not a lack of diversity, it is the essence of diversity. If it is legal for some to "filter" and not others, that is discrimination in its highest form. All so hollywood can bring their "enlightenment" to the families of America. I for one want a voice as to what the values of my home, with or without children, should be.

This does not diminish diversity it enhances it. It allows all to choose their own unique experience (the essence of diversity).

G rated erotica!!! | 11:59 p.m. Jan. 21, 2008

Great!!! I'll buy this product so that I can watch my xxx rated erotica in comfort knowing that I really am just watching it for the story content and for the outstanding acting and music quality!!

To ajd from yet another | 4:18 p.m. Jan. 22, 2008

I understand that you agree with the Colorado judge as to the interpretation of copyright law and protecting peoples creative works. Many have a different perspective and you fail to practice what you preach by your inability to accept that others can disagree without being "wrong" in some absolute sense. If I understand you correctly, if I went to an art exhibit and skipped a few of the paintings I would be commiting a grevious wrong. To such a notion I say "poppycock!" All people pick and choose the things that they experience in life (cultural and otherwise) and everyone should be free to do that to the degree that it doesn't force something on someone else. Don't be so sure that you have it all figured out and that your's is the only way.

Mike | 9:47 p.m. Jan. 22, 2008

Judges are infallible. We should let judges do all our thinking, we obviously are too immature.

ajd | 11:55 p.m. Jan. 22, 2008

couple of points to yet another. First of all, its perfectly alright for me to consider you wrong. If its legal, you have every right to do it and I can still consider it wrong. I am perfectly willing to accept that you disagree with me. Im not drawing lines in the sand here. Why should that stop us from debating and probing the motives for altering movies? Secondly, your logic is flawed. If you were at an art exhibit and skipped a painting is one thing. If you stopped and ALTERED a painting to your liking would be a more accurate comparison to changing a movie to your liking.

Andy | 10:02 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Our family thinks ClearPlay is amazing. In the movies we have watched, the edits have been smooth and virtually unnoticeable. I would recommend the ClearPlay DVD player to anyone who wants to have a choice in what they watch in movies - young or old.

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