By Chris Kavan - 05/16/18 at 11:24 AM CT
That was a short celebration. After a solid week of really good ratings releases, we're back to our usual - two. One involves a mini-Jackass reunion of sorts, about a daredevil theme part while the other is a long-winded title based on a popular John Bellairs story. In any case, I'm always grateful for what I get - not every week can be such a bonanza, I just hope I don't have to wait as long for a meaty update this next time around.
Johnny Knoxville has Jackass to thank for his fame. People doing stupid and/or dangerous things for laughs, groans and gasps. He has honed his skill (and even made a decent actor out of himself) and it turns out he's not quite done taking chances. Case in point: Action Point, a film whose (short) description essentially says a daredevil opens up his own theme park with the help of his friends. Knoxville is joined by Jackass alum Chris Pontius as well as Johnny Pemberton, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Susan Yeagley and others on what is sure to be a crazy adventure. Knoxvilled apparently did his own stunts, resulting in numerous hospital visits per the trivia and the story is loosely based on the actual Action Park in Vernon, NJ (whose rides resulted in six deaths leading it to be called the nation's deadliest amusement park). In any case, does it ever get old watching other people hurt themselves? Hey, I might not watch it in theaters, but I'm sure I'll stream it in the future. Rated R for crude sexual content, language, drug use, teen drinking, and brief graphic nudity.
The other film getting its rating due is based on the book by John Bellairs The House with a Clock in its Walls. Young actor Owen Vaccaro plays Lewis Barnavelt, who loses his parents and is sent to live with his closets living relative, his uncle Jonathan (Jack Black). In short order he discovers his uncle and the home he lives in are far from normal. His uncle is warlock and the house holds many secrets, not the least of which is an apocalyptic clock that will count down doomsdays - that is if it is ever finished. It seems the evil Isaac Izard (Kyle MacLachlan) left it unfinished, but his widow, Selena (Renée Elise Goldsberry) wants nothing more than to finish his insane project. Good thing the Barnavelts have Mrs. Zimmerman (Cate Blanchett) to help. After films like Goosebumps and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, this film seems like an excellent fit for Black, and the trailers show a whimsical kind of humor with a just dark enough undercurrent to make things interesting. While this is not going to be anywhere near as popular as Jumanji, it's bound to play well enough with its intended audience. Rated PG for thematic elements including sorcery, some action, scary images, rude humor and language.
Those are the big two, but there are plenty of films to check out in the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin below:
#THELATEBATSBY
Rated G
ACTION POINT
Rated R for crude sexual content, language, drug use, teen drinking, and brief graphic nudity.
BOLDEN
Rated R for sexual content and graphic nudity, brutal violence, language and drug use.
THE CHILDREN ACT
Rated R for a sexual reference.
DAMSEL
Rated R for some violence, language, sexual material, and brief graphic nudity.
DESTINED TO RIDE
Rated G
THE HOUSE WITH CLOCKS IN ITS WALLS
Rated PG for thematic elements including sorcery, some action, scary images, rude humor and language.
MELT WITH YOU
Rated PG-13 for teen partying, language, some suggestive material, and brief nudity.
NICO, 1988
Rated R for drug use, language, and some sexuality.
NO POSTAGE NECESSARY
Rated PG-13 for some suggestive material.
OVER-THE-RHINE
Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements, substance issues, some language and brief violence.
