Parents Television Council Criticizes Enhanced Rating System

The Parents Television Council says the film industry’s tweaking of its rating system is a sneaky way to keep violence in movies that children can see.

"This is an attempt to keep ultra-violent movies rated PG-13, versus giving them an R rating," Tim Winter, the group’s president, told The Hollywood Reporter.

In response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, the Motion Picture Association of America, which governs the industry, is debuting enhanced ratings to guide parents.

Ratings will now be highlighted with even more details as to why the film received a certain designation.

In addition, movie trailers will specify that they are acceptable to be seen with the main feature they proceed.

Winter isn’t impressed.

"This is camouflage and a distinction without a difference. For any ratings system to be helpful, it has to be accurate, consistent, transparent and truthful,’’ he told the Reporter.

“The industry is simply trying to give itself cover."

He cites the Batman flick “The Dark Knight’’ as one movie that deserved an R rating instead of a PG-13.

The White House had called on Hollywood to better monitor violence in the wake of the school shootings.