By Chris Kavan - 11/11/15 at 10:24 AM CT
It's going to be another pretty decent bulletin this week as we look ahead (mostly) to next year on what could be some huge films. We have another YA adaptation that looks to pick up the torch following the exit of the Hunger Games, an animated sequel, a pointless remake and an early-spring horror. A nice mix of genres to start off November - hopefully a trend that continues for the rest of the month. Without further ado...
It's been an up-and-down ride for YA adaptations. While The Hunger Games has resonated and The Maze Runner has done well - many, many others have disappointed. Into this minefield enters The 5th Wave. Based on the best-selling series by Rick Yancey, the story concerns an alien invasion that takes out most of the Earth's population in waves (including a massive EMP knocking out power, a terrible plague spread by birds, massive earthquakes and tsunamis and sleeper agents to infiltrate the survivors) - now we enter The 5th Wave - and Cassie Sullivan (Chloë Grace Moretz), who believes she is one of the few humans left, will stop at nothing to rescue her brother, who was taken (along with many other children) to a secret facility. She will meet people along the way - but it's hard to trust anyone, when they can be on the wrong side. The supporting cast includes Maika Monroe (so good in It Follows) as well as Nick Robinson, Liev Schreiber, Maria Bello, Ron Livingston, Tony Revolori and Maggie Siff. This is one I've read and although it gets a bit too "Twilight" with the relationships, overall it's a pretty good book. The cast has me hopeful this will be good - an early January release seems a bit odd, but we'll see if that affects returns. The film is rated PG-13 for violence and destruction, some sci-fi thematic elements, language and brief teen partying (woo, party!).
The Kung Fu Panda films have been very kind to Dreamworks Studios. The first film brought in over $215 million while the sequel hit $165.2 million. So it's not surprise we're being graced with a Kung Fu Panda 3. The talented voices return including Jack Black in the lead role as Po, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross and James Hong are all, as well, back on board. Joining the fray is Bryan Cranston, Kate Hudson, J.K. Simmons and Randall Duk Kim. The story is two-fold - Po learns about his real father and is taken to a panda paradise while a new, supernatural villain appears and starts taking down all the kung-fu masters across the land. I enjoyed the first two films well enough. I have no doubt this will do well with families as well - we'll see if the law of diminishing returns holds up or if this third entry manages to increase the returns. The film earns a PG for martial arts action and some mild rude humor.
If horror is more your style, coming out in early spring (I don't know if that's a good or bad sign) is the film Delirium. The setup seems pretty standard - man released from mental institution inherits old, creepy mansion where, of course, strange things start to happen and he becomes convinced the place is haunted. So, it gets no points for originality. Topher Grace leads the cast with Genesis Rodriguez, Patricia Clarkson and Callan Mulvey helping things along. Considering the rather sad state of horror this year (when Goosebumps is the highest-grossing horror titles something is wrong - with people or the movies), maybe this one can stand out - but I have my doubts. Rated R for some violence and disturbing images.
Finally that brings us to Point Break. A remake of the 1991 film, once again the film follows a young FBI agent who infiltrates a group of extreme-sports fanatics who also happen to be masterminding some impressive corporate heists. Look, I don't know about you, but I don't even consider the 1991 film any kind of masterpiece. Guilty pleasure, maybe, but not exactly the type of film that screams "I need a remake". The cast doesn't exactly excite with Luke Bracey portraying "Johnny Utah" and Édgar Ramírez as Bodhi. Ray Winstone, Delroy Lindo, Teresa Palmer and James Le Gros round out the cast. None of these names are exactly huge and I have a feeling coming out this close to Star Wars means this Point Break is going to wipe out spectacularly. Rated PG-13 for violence, thematic material involving perilous activity, some sexuality, language and drug material.
That's it for the big boys, check out the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin below:
THE 5TH WAVE
Rated PG-13 for violence and destruction, some sci-fi thematic elements, language and brief teen partying.
A BRILLIANT YOUNG MIND
Rated PG-13 for some strong language, a sexual reference, drug material and disturbing images.
CHRISTMAS EVE
Rated PG for some peril, thematic elements and language.
DELIRIUM
Rated R for some violence and disturbing images.
THE DRIFTLESS AREA
Rated R for language, some drug use and violence.
THE FUNHOUSE MASSACRE
Rated R for bloody horror violence and gore, language, some sexual content/nudity and drug use.
KUNG FU PANDA 3
Rated PG for martial arts action and some mild rude humor.
LAZER TEAM
Rated PG-13 for sexual material including references, language, action violence, teen partying and smoking.
MANCHESTER-BY-THE SEA
Rated R for language throughout and some sexual content.
POINT BREAK
Rated PG-13 for violence, thematic material involving perilous activity, some sexuality, language and drug material.
A ROYAL NIGHT OUT
Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and brief drug elements.
SKIPTRACE
Rated PG-13 for action/violence, some suggestive content, language, brief nudity and drug material.
