Foreign movies violent, J movies sublime

NOT that I care that much --- I don't have a thing against Japanese movies, nor am I denying that many foreign (ie American) movies are violent or action based. But it comes up repeatedly , people shake their heads, wave their hand dismissively and say "Ugh, American movies are so violent. Never watch 'em. I like Japanese movies. Cute and heartwarming."

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UK film board stops sale of Japanese horror movie (AP)
Source: AP2 hours, 36 minutes ago Buzz up!

LONDON - Britain's film board has taken the unusual step of banning the sale of a Japanese horror DVD for what it says is violence so extreme that it's inappropriate for audiences.

The British Board of Film Classification says the movie "Grotesque" is essentially just an "an unrelenting and escalating scenario of humiliation, brutality and sadism."

It says the movie's nonstop scenes of torture — including amputation, castration and evisceration — make it impossible to edit the film in a way which would make it acceptable for British viewers.

The board's decision makes it illegal to sell or distribute the film in Britain. Two other films in the last four years have been banned.

The board rates about 10,000 films for DVD release annually.

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Had a group of young (30ish) people ask me what video games are popular in America. Of the top of my head, I think the Sims came to mind as a big hit. Yeah I know alien shoot 'em ups are popular too, but loads of people play online chess, American football on xbox, heck even silly things like fishing simulations. But in that lesson, the students laughed and said "I bet most american games are about fighting." Again, sort of overlooking all the Japanese games, recent and classic, about street fighting, swords & dragon kind of games, war simulations. No, doesnt fit with the brand image of bonsai and tea ceremony and kitty chan. anything else gets filtered out. The filter is a two way street, if that mixed imagery makes sense. Non-violent American stuff gets ignored, violent Japanese stuff gets ignored, and no one has to think too hard about conclusions they formed years ago based on limited info.

Again the usual caveat: Americans are guilty of a similar process, as I'm sure people all over the world are. Point is it's dumb, eh? And I'm writing about Japan's case.