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Documentary filmmaker Kirby Dick employs private investigators to uncover the secret identities of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) ratings board members. Spliced among the investigation are interviews with Hollywood insiders -- outspoken former board members, filmmakers Kevin Smith and John Waters -- talking about the cloudy reasons a movie receives an R or an NC-17 rating.

Big question: Can "This Film is Not Yet Rated" blow the top off the already controversial ratings system?

Catch it: The public should contemplate who determines movies' rating systems, and "This Film is Not Yet Rated" effectively presents the MPAA as a guarded, fascist regime. You will, however, wonder what kind of punishment is looming for the confidentiality breaking whistle-blowers and wish more experts were interviewed to analyze the blurred line between PG-13 and R -- as well as the religious, sexual and political foundations of the increasingly subjective ratings.

Skip it: If you find truth in former MPAA president Jack Valenti's assertion to filmmakers that, "Your film can never survive the brazen hiss of public scorn." It's one of the more articulate--and totally biased--defenses of censorship we've ever heard.

Bottom line: "This Film is Not Yet Rated" isn't especially informative and often feels distracted by its wild-goose chase, but the movie addresses -- without fully exploring -- several relevant issues.

Bonus: You're not alone, Dubya. Dick hires inconspicuous-looking P.I.'s that are listening in on us too!

Matt Pais is the metromix movies producer.

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'This Film is Not Yet Rated'

Directed by Kirby Dick; photographed by Shana Hagan, Kirsten Johnson and Amy Vincent; edited by Matthew Clarke; music by Dondi Bastone; produced by Eddie Schmidt. An IFC Films release; opens Friday at Landmark's Century Centre Cinema. Running time: 1:37. MPAA rating: NC-17 (for some graphic sexual content).

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