It will vary from person to person and also from time to time in an individual s life. Sometimes it helps to back off for a while and get a new perspective. A friend of mine told me that he once abstained from all movies for several months, just to see what would happen. The longer he went without movies, the more aware he became of objectionable material. Now, that he is back to watching movies on a more regular basis, he tells me he has again lost his sensitivity.
Violence is probably the grayest area.
Certain subjects must portray violence in order to be accurate the holocaust in Schindler s List or the utter destruction of life in Saving Private Ryan. I haven t seen either of these movies, but not because I think they re beyond the pale. It s only because I know I can t handle such graphic depictions of violence. I d have nightmares for days. Many people have a higher tolerance for violence, especially by the time they are adults.