Movies don't kill people, people kill people. I know that I'm borrowing (and modifying) the NRA phrase, but it's true. Also, stupid people do stupid things. I'm sick of politicians saying that movies are why kids do what they do. When "The Program" was released theatrically, I saw it in the opening weekend, and the controversial scene (where college boys lie down in the middle of the street as cars go whizzing by on either side of them) was still there. I saw that scene and never for a moment did I think to myself, "whoa, that looks like fun." I'm no Einstein, but I knew that it was a dangerous thing to do, so if anyone tried it, they're morons. Well guess what... there were a few morons who tried it, and got killed. It was NOT the fault of the movie, it was the fault of weak-minded kids whose idea of fun was doing stupid stuff like that. My heart goes out to their families, but the movie is not to blame. Still, Disney removed the scene and solved nothing.
The ratings system is there for a reason. Don't get me wrong, I DO have a problem with the rating system and how it is often used as censorship. Let me explain: When a major studio wants a big summer movie, they usually tell the director that it must be PG-13, so when it goes to the MPAA ratings board and comes back with an R rating, the studio wants cuts to be made. Another example is when a movie comes back with the dreaded NC-17 rating. NO studio wants that. That's mostly the fault of many theaters who refuse to screen movies that are NC-17. Anyway, after receiving an NC-17, again, cuts need to be made. Indirectly, it IS censorship. Still, it's a necessary evil that parents can and should use as a guide of what their kids could or should see.
I'm willing to say that weak-minded, easily-influenced idiots may see something in a movie and mimic it. But keep in mind that the "Son of Sam" killer said that a dog told him to kill. You can't base your decisions on how stupid people may react. Besides, the average intelligent moviegoer likes seeing violence in movies. Admit it. When the good guy kills the bad guy, you're happy! There's nothing wrong with that. It's human nature. Would you have liked "Die Hard" more if rather than killing "Hans Gruber" in the end, "John McClane" sat him down and asked him why he was so angry at the world? Hell no.
It's time for politicians and the media to stop blaming movies for societal decay. Some people are simply stupid and weak-minded, and sometimes they're just plain evil.