By Chris Kavan - 02/01/17 at 10:38 AM CT
I had hoped that last week would be an indication that the ratings gods would once again decide to shower me with a plethora of ratings updates. Alas, I have to deal with the fact that when it comes to the MPAA board, it's usually more famine then feast. This week only one wide-release film gets its due - a new comedy with Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler trying to salvage their daughter's college money by staring an underground casino in their home. In order to pad things out, I decided to reach out to one of the more interesting limited-release films to come along in awhile in which Rachel Weisz plays a devious beauty. I guess once again I'll have to keep my fingers crossed that a more impressive update awaits in the near future.
Will Ferrell has had his ups and downs when it comes to comedies, but, in general, he seems to still be a decent draw at the box office. Amy Poehler likewise has had success at the box office. The two look to double down with The House. Ferrell and Poehler play a husband and wife who have blown through their daughter's college fund. In order to make sure his daughter's dreams still come true, he decides the best course of action is to start up an illegal casino in his basement with the help of his friends. I mean, it's not more outlandish than Elf or Old School, right? In any case, I'm guessing things quickly spiral out of control but that he somehow winds up with the money in the end - just spit-balling here, of course. Allison Tolman, Andrea Savage, Cedric Yarbrough, Andy Buckley, Rob Huebel, Sam Richardson and Michaela Watkins are also along for this trip. The film isn't pulling any punches, going with a hard R for language throughout, sexual references, drug use, some violence and brief nudity. I think is has an above-average shot to at least break even because, as we all know, The House always wins.
I usually bypass most limited-release films, but every so often one comes along that piques my interest enough to single out. I like Rachel Weisz as an actress as she has a great knack for portraying badass heroines as well as dramatic and romantic roles as well. In My Cousin Rachel, she plays a cousin to her younger relative (Sam Claflin) who is convinced that she is the one responsible for the recent death of his guardian. Yet even as he thirsts for revenge, a different feeling arises when he finds himself caught in the web of her mysterious background and her charms. This seems like a perfect film for Weisz to really get in to character. A bit of deception, determination and temptation - a classic role from a classic story from Daphne Du Maurier. I doubt this will drop in to any theaters around me, but if I happen upon it with streaming, I will have to check it out. Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and brief strong language.
That is all for this week but if you are so inclined, please check out the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin below:
ARCTIC ADVENTURE: ON FROZEN POND
Rated PG for sequences of action and peril.
CHAPTER & VERSE
Rated R for language, drug use, some violence and sexuality.
ELIZABETH BLUE
Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content and a scene of sensuality.
EXTORTION
Rated R for violence and language.
THE HOUSE
Rated R for language throughout, sexual references, drug use, some violence and brief nudity.
MAUDIE
Rated PG-13 for some thematic content and brief sexuality.
A MERMAID'S TALE
Rated G.
MY COUSIN RACHEL
Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and brief strong language.
OZZY
Rated G.
SLAMMA JAMMA
Rated PG for thematic elements, some violence and language.
THE WEDDING PLAN
Rated PG for thematic elements.
YOU CAN'T HAVE IT
Rated R for sexual content and some violence.
