By Chris Kavan - 08/28/19 at 11:46 AM CT
After quite a few weeks of some pretty tepid MPAA ratings update, the flood gates have once again opened and we have a mighty flow of wide-release ratings this week. And they run the gamut from a new take on a classic villain, to a new take on a classic novel to one last ride with a classic action anti-hero. Oh, and also strippers sticking it to the man (in more ways than one). All that and an animated Addams Family too. There's a lot to take in, but at least I won't have to worry about stretching this one out.
There have been many iteration of Batman's most iconic nemesis on both the big and small screen, but I don't think we've experienced anything like Todd Phillips upcoming Joker. Phillips may seem like a strange choice to make a compelling film about the Clown Prince of Crime - as he is best known for comedies like The Hangover trilogy and Old School, but judging by the material released thus far, he's more than up for the task. Of course it helps that the main character is being portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix - a uniquely talented actor who has the right mix of gravitas and, sure, a tinge of crazy, to bring this iconic character to life like never before. What looks like a mix between the Joker of Alan Moore's take in the accliamed Batman: The Killing Joke and Travic Bickle in Taxi Driver, this Joker is a would-be comedian taking care of his ailing mother (Frances Conroy), dealing with his own mental issues in a city that seems to be succumbing to its darker nature day by day. It's tough to see this playing to the masses who enjoy the MCU, but I guarantee this Joker is going to be memorable. And perhaps a comic movie can finally be considered for some of the major awards this season. Rated R for strong bloody violence, disturbing behavior, language and brief sexual images.
It's been a great year for women in powerful roles and the upcoming ensemble piece, Hustlers, looks to continue that trend. A veritable whose who of talent: Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, Cardi B, Lili Reinhart, Julia Stiles, Keke Palmer, Madeline Brewer and Lizzo take on this this tale inspired by a New York Magazine article. The film follows a group of strippers who find a new calling when the financial crash puts a strain on their industry: go independent and turn the tables on their wealthy Wall Street clients. I'm all for taking advantage of the obscenely wealthy - but let's just say the good times can't last forever, and the group soon find themselves in too deep. Given the amount of talent here, this should be a genuine hit. I'm sure it will face backlash from the typical basement-dwellers who couldn't stand Captain Marvel and Star Wars - but, then, I doubt that's the target demographic it's trying to snag. Rated R for pervasive sexual material, drug
content, language and nudity.
One of the biggest names in action is coming back as one of the most recognizable characters in the genre for one last hurrah. It has been over a decade since Sylvester Stallone last portrayed Rambo on the big screen, and it looks like the veteran is finally on his last mission with Rambo: Last Blood, which, of course, comes full circle since Rambo: First Blood back in 1982. The plot is light on the details for right now - but John Rambo must dust off his skills, confront his past and complete one final mission of revenge. I mean, it's Rambo, what more do you want? Paz Vega, Adriana Barraza, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Óscar Jaenada, Jessica Madsen and Yvette Monreal lead a very inclusive cast (though I'm not sure how many are portraying the bad guys). In any case, action fans should be happy and give Stallone the sendoff he deserves. Rated R for strong graphic violence, grisly images, drug use and language.
So many R-rated films up front - now let's get to the family-friendly portion of the update. First up, we have a classic novel once again gracing the big screen. An all-star cast that includes Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Timothée Chalamet, Florence Pugh, Meryl Streep, Laura Dern, James Norton, Bob Odenkirk, Chris Cooper and Eliza Scanlen look to elevate this version of Little Women into the stratosphere. And unlike last year's misbegotten attempt to "update" the story to modern times, this follows the classic novel and is set in America shortly after the Civil War has ended. The film follows a group of sisters who grow up during this tumultuous era and deal with many issues, but never forget each other. Based on the cast alone, this version looks to rank up there with the best of the adaptations and we'll see if audiences agree soon enough. Rated PG for thematic elements and brief smoking.
Now, sing with me: They're creepy and they're kooky / Mysterious and spooky / They're all together ooky - The Addams Family (finger snaps optional). Oh, and let's add animated to that list - and I don't mean full of energy, I mean the traditional animated as in cartoon. That's right, everyone's favorite ghoulish family (sorry, Munsters) is getting a new treatment with some CGI help. And it looks like they have some happening voice talent too: Oscar Isaac plays the patriarch, Gomez, with Charlize Theron voicing his wife, Morticia. Their children, Pugsley and Wednesday are voiced by Finn Wolfhard and Chloë Grace Moretz. The eccentric Uncle Fester is voiced by Nick Kroll while Grandma is voiced by Bette Midler. The cast also includes the likes of Allison Janney, Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara, Pom Klementieff, Elsie Fisher, Harland Williams and Aimee Garcia. It will be tough to top the 90s live-action version, but animation does give you more range to explore the more outlandish aspects of this unique family. I don't know if nostalgia will save this one, but if it's not too spooky for the kids, it could do well. Rated PG for macabre and suggestive humor, and some action.
There you have it, a pretty well-rounded MPAA Ratings Bulletin for once - but there is always more, so be sure to check out the full list below:
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
Rated PG for macabre and suggestive humor, and some action.
HUSTLERS
Rated R for pervasive sexual material, drug content, language and nudity.
JOKER
Rated R for strong bloody violence, disturbing behavior, language and brief sexual images.
THE KING
Rated R for some strong violence, and language.
LITTLE WOMEN
Rated PG for thematic elements and brief smoking.
LIVE STREAM
Rated G
MICKEY AND THE BEAR
Rated R for substance abuse, language throughout and some sexual material.
RAMBO: LAST BLOOD
Rated R for strong graphic violence, grisly images, drug use and language.
SOMETIMES ALWAYS NEVER
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and some sexual references.
SOUTHERN TALE
Rated R for language throughout, some violence, sexuality/nudity and drug use.
SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME - EXTENDED CUT
Rated PG13 for sci-fi action violence, some language and brief suggestive comments.
