By Chris Kavan - 04/26/17 at 10:40 AM CT
Once again, the ratings gods have smiled upon us and ye, we have unto us three major ratings. By far, the film I'm most interested in is Alien: Covenant. I admit, Prometheus was kind of a mess - but this one - this looks like a true Aliens film - and actually back to horror rather than sci-fi mumbo jumbo. Hopefully this will really kick-start Ridley Scott's efforts and bring about the return of this franchise. Speaking of franchises, we get the next entry into the Cars series - which is not, I'm assured, just created to sell more toys... but it can't hurt. Finally, the buddy comedy everyone has been waiting for - yes, Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn together at last! Okay, I'm being too harsh, Snatched has potential. Well, let's get to it, shall we?
When Ridley Scott started his Aliens franchise back up with Prometheus, I was truly excited. Aliens (and the sequels) truly represent some of the best sci-fi horror ever put on screen. And Sigourney Weaver is still one of the most badass female characters created. Yet I felt Prometheus was a disappointment - it had the foundation, but nothing built upon it was solid. Still, I am willing to give Scott a second chance and Alien: Covenant may just be able to wash out the somewhat bad taste that Prometheus left behind. For one, this one looks to have the actual aliens for more than 15 minutes (including the awesome facehuggers). The trailers I have seen sure make this look more like a horror film than the convoluted and too-slow moving Prometheus. The movie has an excellent lineup - with Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace and Guy Pearce all reprising their roles (in one way or another) from Prometheus - being joined by Katherine Waterston, James Franco, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride, Carmen Ejogo, Demián Bichir and Amy Seimetz among them. I know trailers don't always tell the story (or, as is so often these days, tells way too much) but I'm hopeful this new Aliens entry can put this franchise back on the right foot. Rated R for sci-fi violence, bloody images, language and some sexuality/nudity.
On the other hand, I have never been a fan of the Cars series. Even the original, I felt, was poor by Pixar standards. Compared to Wall-E, Up, The Incredible and (personal favorite) Wreck-It Ralph - it just doesn't have the same impact or heart - too much flash, not enough substance. I never ever bothered with Cars 2 and, sadly, I'm sure the same is going to happen with Cars 3. In this case, our old friend Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) finds himself being left behind by a new breed of racers, including Jackson Storm (Armie Hammer) and, after a devastating accident, seems like his career is all bu over. But Lightning won't go out like that and he will stop at nothing to prove that he is still the best. At least the film has lined up some good talent - Nathan Fillion, Kerry Washington, Tony Shalhoub, Margo Martindale, Bonnie Hunt, Chris Cooper, Cheech Marin, Jenifer Lewis, Paul Dooley and, yes, Larry the Cable Guy are all either reprising their roles or coming in fresh. Unlike other Pixar films, I really think Cars is geared towards the younger crowd (who like toys) even though Cars 3 looks a bit more mature - I'm still not sold, but I doubt my objections will make much of a difference as this should do stellar business. Rated G.
Some people have real issues with female comics. I really don't - as far as I'm concerned women can be just as funny as men. Amy Schumer is among the new generation of comedians and she is joining Goldie Hawn on an epic mother-daughter trip from hell in Snatched. Essentially Schumer's character is dumped by her boyfriend (Randall Park) on the eve of a planned exotic vacation. Not one to turn an opportunity down, she convinces her ultra-cautious mother (Hawn) to take the trip instead and the two, despite their difference, will form a close bond - even as their trip takes an unexpected and turn (that is kidnapping). Ike Barinholtz, Joan Cusack, Christopher Meloni, Colin Quinn and Wanda Sykes help round out the cast. I mean, it looks pretty fun - not a movie I'm going to rush out to see myself, but also not one I would be embarrassed to watch in the future. Rated for crude sexual content, brief nudity and language throughout.
That's the skinny on the major motion pictures, but feel free to check out the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin below:
ALIEN: COVENANT
Rated R for sci-fi violence, bloody images, language and some sexuality/nudity.
THE B-SIDE
Rated R for some graphic nude images and brief language.
CARS 3
Rated G
COP AND A HALF: NEW RECRUIT
Rated PG for some mild action and rude humor.
A FAMILY MAN
Rated R for language and some sexual content.
GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN
Rated PG for thematic elements, some bullying, war images and brief language.
THE HERO
Rated R for drug use, language and some sexual content.
I DO... UNTIL I DON'T (working title)
Rated R for sexual material and language.
IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including war-related images.
IT COMES AT NIGHT
Rated R for violence, disturbing images and language.
LOU
Rated G
THE SHAPE OF WATER
Rated R for sexual content, graphic nudity, violence and language.
SNATCHED
Rated R for crude sexual content, brief nudity and language throughout.
STRANGE WEATHER
Rated R for a scene of sexuality.
TREASURE HOUNDS
Rated PG for some rude humor.
THE WALL
Rated R for language throughout and some war violence.
