It happens eventually to every filmmaker and actor associated with R-rated movies*, and now Eli Roth, the “torture porn auteur” who gave us Hostel and Hostel II, is making the transition to family-friendly fare — in order to make the kids happy, of course.
No, it has nothing to do with the money, which comes more easily with younger-targeted, lower-rated releases (especially when your last movie disappoints). It has to do with the realization that kids don’t have enough movies made for them, and they’d apparently like to see what Eli Roth’s talent is like. Only, up until now, they haven’t been allowed. As Roth defends the move:
“Everyone I know has been saying ‘When are you gonna do a movie my kids can see?’ And finally, I’m gonna make a movie that 13-year-old kids can see.”
Here’s an 11th suggestion for how the Academy Awards can build up its ratings: give Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson an Oscar nomination. Yes, I’m clearly continuing the snark, but I’m not coming out of left field. The wrestler-turned-actor was a presenter during Sunday’s ceremony and afterwards he was asked by reporters whether or not he’d one day like an Oscar. And obviously he said that he would. He’s quoted in The Times today discussing his response:
“‘ … of course, it’s every actor’s dream,’ he says, with initially guarded enthusiasm. In fact, he adds, momentarily overtaken by the excitement of it all, ‘winning an Oscar is a goal of mine’.”
And the writer for The Times is encouraging it:
“To judge from his track record, if the Oscar win is a goal, then it’s already in the bag. Just make sure they put the name Johnson on the trophy, and not Rock.”
Director 
It happens eventually to every filmmaker and actor associated with R-rated movies*, and now Eli Roth, the “torture porn auteur” who gave us Hostel and Hostel II, is making the transition to family-friendly fare — in order to make the kids happy, of course.
