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Can I Trust the Trailer?

By Liz Perle
May 31, 2007

Can I Trust the Trailer?


Can I Trust the Trailer?
Q. How accurate are movie trailers? And what are these red-band trailers I\'ve been reading about?

A. Even if kids don\'t go to the movies, they can sneak a peek at trailers online. And they\'re getting more than just a peek thanks to the likes of YouTube. It\'s so easy to find trailers -- particularly unedited or "red-band" versions (named for the red screen that precedes them, as opposed to the green screen used for "all-audience" trailers). These often include uncensored nudity, swearing, and then some. Which, of course, makes the trailers -- and the movies -- all the more appealing to tweens and teens. And you thought you just had to worry about kids wanting to see the actual movie!

Check out our tips for setting a few guidelines:

Talk to your kids. Just like music videos and digital downloads, trailers are a form of media accessible through the Internet -- and right under your nose. The likelihood is that kids are going to see them if they want to, so be prepared with some questions. Why is this content left out of the TV version of the trailer? Does your kid think it\'s appropriate for all eyes or ages?

As always, do your homework. The majority of trailers are edited and rated for "all audiences" so that an R movie trailer can run before a PG-13 movie and not offend younger viewers in the audience. But that doesn\'t mean the movie itself is going to be OK for tweens and young teens.

Don\'t be surprised. Check out Common Sense reviews before heading to the theater. Our weekly newsletter arms you with the reviews on Thursday night -- before you hit the box office on Friday.


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