By Chris Kavan - 11/09/16 at 10:23 AM CT
The week's MPAA Bulletin certainly shows more promise than the letdown last week (in which I had to struggle to find anything that interested me). In this case there are three major movies receiving their due: the film that (according so some probably not-too-reliable sources) may have played a factor in the split of Brangelina, a sequel to a trashy novel that was made into a trashy movie and movie about a most unlikely pair of people searching for the world's most important metal in the middle of an Indonesian jungle. All told, not too bad - just the way I like things.
If there is a cloud hanging over the upcoming film, Allied, even if it's the stuff of tabloids. That being that Brad Pitt and co-star Marion Cotillard may have gotten a bit too close. Now, I don't spread gossip, and Pitt doesn't seem like the kind of have an idle fling, but there is no doubt it will have an effect on the film. Pitt and Cotillard play an intelligence officer and French Resistance fighter who find love amidst the horrors of WWII. But reuniting in London, she is accused of being a spy and it tests the relationship to the breaking point. In most cases, I would say this would be a slam-dunk for all involved, but the gossip surrounding the film, and the somewhat bitter divorce proceedings that have made headlines, are likely going to tempter this one. We'll see just by how much, but this sure-bet may be in a bit of trouble. Rated R for violence, some sexuality/nudity, language and brief drug use.
On the other hand, I have no doubt that a certain demographic will be more than happy to flock to Fifty Shades Darker. Once again Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan star as everyone's favorite couple Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey - and my gag reflex is barely contained. Look, I have about as much appreciation for E.L. James' novel as I did for Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series - which is about as close to zero as I can imagine. Can I give a negative value? In any case, the first movie did well enough that of course the rest of the books are going to get the treatment, even if it's all puerile nonsense and fake sensuality. We'll see how this does compared to the more hyped first film, but if it crashes and burns, I won't shed any tears. Rated R for strong erotic sexual content, some graphic nudity, and language.
That leaves us with Gold. Billed as an adventure/drama/thriller following a washed-up geologist and a prospector/hustler as they land on the ultimate find - a huge cache of gold deep in the Indonesian jungle. While I thought this was going to be more adventure - it turns out this looks to be more like Wolf of Wall Street, The Big Short or American Hustle - a look into the greed, excess and crime all set in a period piece. That, in my mind, makes this exceedingly more interesting - especially with Matthew McConaughey, Edgar Ramírez, Bryce Dallas Howard, Corey Stoll, Toby Kebbell and Stacy Keach all on board (among others). While you might think these type of films have run their course, one more isn't going to hurt and I thoroughly enjoyed the other films (while barely containing my anger) - even the weakest of them, American Hustle, was still a good watch. That being said, I haven't heard a lot about this film - no awards talk or such, so it may fly under the radar. Here's hoping it catches a break. Rated R for language throughout and some sexuality/nudity.
Those are the big three, but be sure to check out the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin below:
AIR BOUND
Rated PG for action/peril.
ALLIED
Rated R for violence, some sexuality/nudity, language and brief drug use.
THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE
Rated R for bloody horror violence, unsettling grisly images, graphic nudity, and language.
FIFTY SHADES DARKER
Rated R for strong erotic sexual content, some graphic nudity and language.
GOLD
Rated R for language throughout and some sexuality/nudity.
THE INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES OF JOJO (AND HIS ANNOYING SISTER AVILA)
Rated PG for peril, action, scary moments, reckless behavior, crude humor, language and thematic elements - all involving children.
KHALI THE KILLER
Rated R for language throughout, some violence and drug use.
MISSING CHILD
Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, disturbing behavior, language and some violence.
RUN THE TIDE
Rated PG-13 for thematic content, language and a scene of sexuality.
THE SENSE OF AN ENDING
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, a violent image, sexuality and brief strong language.
WAR ON EVERYONE
Rated R for violence, sexuality/nudity, drug use and pervasive language.
