By Chris Kavan - 09/13/17 at 10:34 AM CT
I have to say, it has been kind of dull around here. A few things to talk about, but the box office was in the toilet and the MPAA ratings board was being a bit stingy. Now that It has exploded and made clowns scary for everyone again, maybe we can celebrate with a decent ratings update. Three, count 'em, three big movies - a remake of a classic early 90s horror about the dangers of playing with the afterlife, a biography about one of the larger-than-life figures that helped shape the course of WWII (and thus, the future of the world in general) and a sequel to a very spirited group of mother's who are just looking to spice up Christmas this time around. All told, not a a bad haul, let's hope both the box office and ratings keep on going strong.
I still think it's a bit early to be talking about Oscar predictions, but certainly one of the films that looks to capture some awards attention will be Darkest Hour. Gary Oldman has already been touted, if not a front-runner, then certainly amongst the chosen few to be nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of Winston Churchill. The film takes place shortly after Churchill was named the new British Prime Minister, and just as World War II is really starting to heat up. Churchill faces a huge decision - one that could decide the fate of Western Europe - will he negotiate with Hitler or, against seemingly insurmountable odds, defy him and enter the war. While Hitler and the Nazi war machine is his biggest threat, it is not his only challenge as he faces a skeptical King George VI (Ben Mendelsohn) as well as opposition in his own party. Lily James, Kristin Scott Thomas, Stephen Dillane, Samuel West and Ronald Pickup round out the cast. Between this film and Dunkirk, it seems British-set war films are going to lead the Oscar charge. Considering the subject matter and the people involved, I don't think that's a bad thing at all. Rated PG-13 for some thematic material.
I admit that I haven't yet gotten around to watching Bad Moms. Much like Pitch Perfect, it's something I would gladly watch, but it's not available on any of my streaming services as of yet but I'm not quite interested enough to buy it, either. Still, it looks pretty raunchy and hilarious, which is why it comes as little surprise they greenlit the sequel, A Bad Mom's Christmas. Once again, Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn star as a trio of mothers who are fed up with living the life everyone expects them live - especially around the holidays - but things are complicated with the arrival of their respective mothers (played by Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines and Susan Sarandon). Maybe we're going to see some bad grandmother's this time around as well? Jay Hernandez, Peter Gallagher, Oona Laurence, Justin Hartley, Wanda Sykes and David Walton help round out the cast. I expect from the red band trailer and Santa lap dance poster that they're not going to be playing things safe. Rated R for crude sexual content and language throughout, and some drug use.
I will also admit that I was never a huge fan of the 1990 version of Flatliners. Sure, it had Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts and a side of Kevin Bacon - but I never considered it a true horror classic. Well, bless me, but we're getting a Flatliners remake with Ellen Page, Diego Luna, Nina Dobrev, Kiersey Clemons and James Norton (and a cameo from original Flatliner Mr. Sutherland). Once again, the film follows a group of five medical students who experiment with near-death experiences, stopping their hearts to get a glimpse in to the afterlight. But, like any drug, they need more - longer trips to the other side - and, also like drugs, it comes with some nasty side effects - it turns out maybe some things in the afterlife want back out, and they're not necessarily nice. Who am I to knock it? It looks like a decent remake but, much like the original, I just can't get too excited about it. Rated PG-13 for violence and terror, sexual content, language, thematic material, and some drug references.
Those are the big three for the week, but float on down to the complete MPAA Ratings Bulletin below (we all float and now you'll float too!).
THE AKRON HOLY WAR
Rated PG for language.
A BAD MOM'S CHRISTMAS
Rated R for crude sexual content and language throughout, and some drug use.
BEHIND THE WALLS
Rated R for horror violence and some language.
BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL
Rated R for bloody violence and carnage throughout.
BLOOD FEAST
Rated R for strong sadistic violence and gore, language including sexual references, nudity and some drug content.
BULLET HEAD
Rated R for violence, bloody images, language, some drug use and nudity.
COPS AND ROBBERS
Rated R for language and some violence.
DARKEST HOUR
Rated PG-13 for some thematic material.
FACES PLACES
Rated PG for brief nude images and thematic elements.
FLATLINERS
Rated PG-13 for violence and terror, sexual content, language, thematic material, and some drug references.
GOLDEN EXITS
Rated R for some language and sexual references.
HUMAN FLOW
Rated PG-13 for thematic material including a disturbing image.
LIVE LIKE LINE
Rated PG for some thematic elements.
A VERY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
Rated PG for some mild language.
