It's pretty sad when a movie that's "Rated R for extremely crude and dangerous stunts throughout, sexual content, nudity and language" is No. 1 at the box office.

That was the case this weekend for "Jackass Number Two," the latest offering from Johnny Knoxville and friends.

The Jackass sequel opened on just over 3,000 screens and grossed over $28 million, easily surpassing its production budget of $11.5 million in just three days. Its predecessor grossed $64 million on a budget of only $5 million.

Now we don't mean to sound like old-fashioned prudes, but c'mon, where's the entertainment value in watching people get injured during bizarre and outrageous stunts? It was bad enough when the staple of "America's Funniest Home Videos" was the man getting kicked in the groin.

Of course, you say, if you don't like the movie, stay home. Yes, that's our prerogative, and you can be sure we will.

But what kind of message is this kind of movie sending out to our young people? According to the system set by the Motion Picture Association of America, movie ratings are there to help patrons decide which movies may be appropriate - or inappropriate - for children or adolescents.

R rated, or restricted, movies require anyone under 17 to be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. So why do some parents feel it's OK to take their minor children - some as young as 5 or 6 - to these types of movies? Yes, they can save on paying a baby-sitter, but at what price?

We think adult movies are just that, and should be viewed only by that demographic.

If you want to see "Jackass" or similar flicks, find a baby-sitter or watch it when it comes out on DVD - after the kids are in bed, of course.

Voice your opinions by e-mail at editor@hanfordsentinel.com.

(September 25, 2006)