By Chris Kavan - 07/20/16 at 09:31 PM CT
Well, I have to tell you having your modem go out and getting to deal with tech support in India is just the most pleasant experience in the whole wide world. Anyway, please excuse the lateness of the blog, but I had to deal with some technical difficulties that should have been much easier to resolve. Anyway, luckily this week is one of the more boring ones in recent memory, so you didn't miss much. Two wide releases are all there is, one that isn't dropping until next year, plus a bunch of other films of varying degrees of importance.
The lone standout this week is the boxing biography/drama Hands of Stone. The film is based on the true story of Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran (nicknamed "Hands of Stone" hence the film title) along with his trainer Ray Arcel. Robert De Niro (who is famous for portraying a boxer himself) will take on the role of Arcel while Edgar Ramírez plays Duran. Some other big names are on board including Ellen Barkin as Arcel's wife, John Turturro, Ana de Armas and Usher Raymond as Sugar Ray Leonard. Usher's appearance probably means they will focus at least partially on the famous "No Mas" boxing match in which Duran famously gave up halfway through the bout. I have watched the 30 for 30 documentary on that bout (and interviews with the real-life Duran) and I think his story will make for a compelling film. Sports biographies can often do well, but the late August release date is a bit of a question mark as that tends to be the dumping ground for orphans and freaks of the film world. Anyway, this one is rated R for language throughout and some sexuality/nudity.
I don't have a lot of information on The Lake other than is comes out in January of 2017 and apparently follows a group of Navy SEALS in Bosnia who happens to learn about a treasure secreted away in a lake (hence the catchy title). One thing is, the film looks like it was shot on location in Croatia, so authenticity - and it starts the likes of the funny and/or terrifying J.K. Simmons, as well as Ewen Bremner, Sullivan Stapleton, Sylvia Hoeks, Charlie Bewley and a whole slew of international stars. I'm guessing this is going to be on the serious side of war, but it's just a bit too early to know for sure what to expect. Anyway, they're not wasting much time as they have secured a PG-13 for violence, brief sexuality and language.
That's it for this week, hope you enjoyed it. Hopefully next time will be a bit more exciting (and I won't have to deal with any issues). Check out the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin below for all the updates:
20TH CENTURY WOMEN
Rated R for sexual material, language, some nudity and brief drug use.
BROTHER NATURE
Rated R for some sexual references and drug content.
CENTER STAGE: ON POINTE
Rated PG for some language.
DEAN
Rated PG-13 for language and some suggestive material.
DIRTY 30
Rated PG-13 for some sexual material, drug references, and partying.
THE FIGHT WITHIN
Rated PG-13 for some sports violence and brief menace.
THE FREE WORLD
Rated R for some violence and language.
HANDS OF STONE
Rated R for language throughout and some sexuality/nudity.
THE LAKE
Rated PG-13 for violence, brief sexuality and language.
LEAGUE OF GODS
Rated PG-13 for fantasy action and violence.
LEATHERFACE
Rated R for strong bloody violence, disturbing images, language and some sexuality/nudity.
MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING
Rated PG for mild suggestive content.
REMEMBER THE GOAL
Rated PG for some thematic elements including drug references.
SECURITY
Rated R for violence and language.
VANISHED: LEFT BEHIND - NEXT GENERATION
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and some violence/peril.
