By Chris Kavan - 08/23/17 at 10:27 AM CT
It's another humble week for major ratings updates this week, with just a sequel to the action-packed Kingsmen and an unconventional teen drama getting their due. But I'm always grateful for anything to talk about, so as long as I get at least a single, decent film out of the bunch, it keeps me going. I still hope that the coming fall brings a bit more good news amidst the shorter days and colder nights. So, come on ratings board, get your butts in gear and give me more to do!
I didn't know what Matthew Vaughn was going to do with Kingsman: The Secret Service back in 2014. I knew it was based on a graphic novel (but isn't just about everything these days?) and it had an unknown lead called Taron Egerton along with some proper English actors and Samuel L. Jackson putting on a ridiculous accent. But, I have to say, Kingsman was one of the more enjoyable action films I have seen in a long time - much like Wanted, it was a bit over-the-top, but in a good way, and it wasn't afraid to take chances. Thus, I am also looking forward to Kingsman: The Golden Circle. From the trailers, it looks like the new big bad, Julianne Moore, takes out the vaunted Kingsmen in one fell swoop - with only our Eggsy (Egerton) and Merlin (Mark Strong) left to pick up the pieces. Lucky for them, they have American counterparts (played by newcomers Channing Tatum, Pedro Pascal, Halle Berry and Jeff Bridges) to help get some ass-kicking revenge. Oh, and presumed dead Harry Hart (Colin Firth) turns out to be not-so-dead after all - but it remains to be seen what part he will play. In any case, Golden Circle looks to keep the action, the fun and just a bit of raunchiness that made the original so fresh. We'll see if it manages to outclass (or at least match) the original - rated R for sequences of strong violence, drug content, language throughout and some sexual material.
Greg Berlanti is mostly known as a writer/producer for a lot of CW superhero shows - The Flash, Arrow, Supergirl and now Riverdale - but he has directed a few films and is again going to try his hand with Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda. The film follows Simon (Nick Robinson) as he prepares to come out to his classmates, but chooses a rather unorthodox approach to his reveal. The supporting cast looks promising with Jennifer Garner, Josh Duhamel, Alexandra Shipp, Talitha Eliana Bateman , Katherine Langford, Tony Hale, Logan Miller and Miles Heizer all doing their part. While it's listed as a drama, I'm sure it won't be too heavy as I'm sure it's shooting for the same older teenage audience like The Fault in Our Stars and Perks of Being a Wallflower. Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual references, language and teen partying.
Those are the only big films out this time around, but the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin can be found below:
ALEKTO
Rated PG-13 for brief violence. (Short)
CROOKED HOUSE
Rated PG-13 for thematic material and some sexual content.
DIFFERENT FLOWERS
Rated PG-13 for some suggestive content.
DON'T WORRY, HE WON'T GET FAR ON FOOT
Rated R for language throughout, sexual content, some nudity and alcohol abuse.
EXPEDITION TO CHINA
Rated G
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE
Rated PG for thematic elements including some violence.
JUNGLE
Rated R for language and some drug use.
KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE
Rated R for sequences of strong violence, drug content, language throughout and some sexual material.
NOSTALGIA
Rated R for some language.
SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual references, language and teen partying.
WALKING OUT
Rated PG-13 for bloody injury images, some thematic elements and brief strong language.
