Conjuring 2, Mechanic: Resurrection, When the Bough Breaks in This Week's MPAA Ratings Bulletin

By Chris Kavan - 05/03/16 at 07:54 PM CT

Last week brought us a rather large list of ratings with a rather low number of actual films that anyone (outside of major cities and critics) will see. This week is a bit better, as the ratio of ratings released vs movies you and I may watch is a lot better. That being said, there are really only three big pictures, two of which are either a sequel or a reboot and the third that looks bananas in a mix of The Hand that Rocks and Cradle and Fatal Attraction rolled in to one big pot of crazy. At least it will be entertaining.

MPAA Official Logo

I like to think that I am a connoisseur of horror. I try everything from the greasy (and terrible for you) appetizers to the most high-class prime rib. The problem is, most horror falls into the fair quality deep-fat fried Snickers category. The Conjuring, however, is one of the rare horror films that not only lived up to the hype, it was a legitimate horror film. Now, I know the "based on a true story" aspect was widely overblown, but, that aside, I enjoyed it highly. Which is why it is no surprise they decided to release a spinoff (Annabelle) and now a sequel, The Conjuring 2, with The Enfield Poltergeist now dropped. Going from the deep south the quaint England, Lorraine and Ed Warren (Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson) find themselves trying to help a family whose daughter has been targeted by (another) malicious spirit. Now, I admits, the trailers make this look like an actual worthy followup - something horror sequels very rarely get right. Trailers can be deceiving and maybe this will be a more run-of-the-mill horror film (like Annabelle - a big disappointment in my opinion) but, for now, I have my hopes this may be just as good as the original. Rated R for terror and horror violence.

Now that he's apparently done being The Transporter and has probably also had his share of getting Crank'd, that leaves action icon Jason Statham has one more franchise to fall back on and that is The Mechanic. While the original film wasn't all that impressive ($62 million worldwide on a $40 million budget), somehow that was enough to greenlight the sequel: The Mechanic: Resurrection . Now, I usually like Statham well enough but, let's face it, he plays the same character in pretty much every movie he's been in. Some are more understated, some are over-the-top but he's pretty much "shoot, punch, kick first - ask questions later" in everything. And this sequel looks no different. If you're a Statham fan, by all means, this one's for you. For all others, it's yet another generic action film with a big-name star attached and little else. Rated R for violence throughout and language.

Finally we get to When the Bough Breaks, which is shaping up to be either completely awesome or tragically inane. It involves a couple who, unable to have children of their own, hire a surrogate to carry their child. Of course she becomes more and more obsessed with the husband leading to a confrontation that threatens them both - and also the life of their unborn child. The premise sounds absolutely crazy, but the audience should eat it up - Obsessed, No Good Deed, Addicted, The Perfect Guy - it's right in line with those and should do as well or better than they have done. Rated PG-13 for violence, sexuality/partial nudity, thematic elements, some disturbing images, and language (somehow this avoided an R, but doesn't mean it will be hurt by that).

That's the big three for this week, but be sure to check out the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin below:


ARMY OF ONE

Rated R for language and drug use.


BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Rated PG-13 for some fantasy violence, sensuality and partial nudity.


BLACKWAY

Rated R for violence, menace, language and brief nudity.


THE CONJURING 2

Rated R for terror and horror violence.


FISHES N' LOAVES

Rated PG for brief suggestive material.


HARD TARGET 2

Rated R for violence and language.


HELL OR HIGH WATER

Rated R for some strong violence, language throughout and brief sexuality.


MECHANIC: RESURRECTION

Rated R for violence throughout and language.


MICROBE & GASOLINE

Rated R for some sex-related material involving young teens.


NO STRANGER THAN LOVE

Rated R for language.


SUNDOWN

Rated R for crude sexual content, graphic nudity, language throughout, some drug use, and for teen partying.


THE WARRIOR'S GATE

Rated PG-13 for martial arts fantasy violence.


WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS

Rated PG-13 for violence, sexuality/partial nudity, thematic elements, some disturbing images, and language.

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