Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, The Beguiled and More in This Week's MPAA Bulletin

By Chris Kavan - 05/10/17 at 11:23 AM CT

I would say this week is a bit of a disappointment because of the relative lack of major ratings, but I can't be mad because one of my most anticipated films has received its due. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets will fall short of the likes of Fate of the Furious, Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and probably plenty of other blockbuster films, but Luc Besson has impressed me in the past and damned if the trailers for this films doesn't make my inner sci-fi nerd lose itself. Besides the spectacular-looking Valerian, we also have an all-star female cast, joined by one of the most prolific female directors, in the Civil War-set drama The Beguiled. And there's a bunch of other deadbeats but let's get to the meat, shall we?

MPAA Official Logo

Luc Besson impressed me with Léon: The Professional, continued with the highly-enjoyable Fifth Element. While Lucy may have been a slight misstep, I am confident Besson can rebound with Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. Based on the ground-breaking French science fiction graphic novel Valérian and Laureline, the film stars Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne as the two characters, respectively. The two play special operatives tasked with keeping peace across the galaxy but when Alpha, a melting pot of species across the universe, is threatened by dark forces, the pair find themselves in the most important mission of their lives with nothing less than the future of the universe at stake. The first trailer, set to the tune of The Beatles "Because", is nothing short of art. I really liked the look of Fifth Element and Valerian looks a lot like it, but even more refined. If DeHaan and Delevingne have any kind of chemistry, this has a chance at being one of the most impressive sci-fi films of this year, even if it may not get as much attention as it deserves. Much has been made of Rihanna's turns as Bubble (an entertainer of some repute, I'm guessing) but the film has plenty of other talent on board: Ethan Hawke, John Goodman, Clive Owen and icon Rutger Hauer. I can't wait to see if the payoff is worth the wait. Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action, suggestive material and brief language.

Sofia Coppola is one of the most accomplished female directors in our times and she has impressed me pretty much since her first full-length feature, the poetic, dark and talent-ladened Virgin Suicides. She followed that up by pretty much launching the career of Scarlett Johansson with Lost in Translation. Coppola is best when working with a female cast and I think that is big reason why The Beguiled. A remake of the 1971 Clint Eastwood film, the film follows a wounded Union soldier during the Civil War (Colin Farrell) who finds himself being nursed back to health at an all-girls boarding school. Headmistress Martha Farnsworth (Nicole Kidman) tries to keep things under control, but the burgeoning sexuality among her older students, along with the jealousy it exposes, leads the girls down a dark path. Elle Fanning, Kirsten Dunst, Angourie Rice and Oona Laurence all star in the film. There is a lot of talent involved here - both behind and in front of the camera and I think it looks like it will be a showcase all around.

Those are the big two for the week but be sure to check out the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin below:

ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING

Rated R for language including sexual references, and brief nudity.


AMERICAN FOLK ( SEPTEMBER 12TH )

Rated PG for thematic elements and language.


THE BEGUILED

Rated R for some sexuality.


CITY OF GHOSTS

Rated R for disturbing violent content, and for some language.


9/11

Rated R for language.


SABER ROCK

Rated PG for some thematic elements, violent images and language.


SHOCK AND AWE

Rated R for language including some sexual references.


VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action, suggestive material and brief language.

Comments

Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
  
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
  
Are you sure you want to delete this blog?