By Chris Kavan - 06/06/18 at 10:31 AM CT
So happy there's another packed week from the ratings board! There is a lot to talk about this time around, from remakes to true-life drama, revenge and even a little romance. Now, while none of these films scream blockbuster, they span plenty of genres and provide a bit of fun for everyone (well, "fun" being a relative term). Got to say, this is still the kind of update I appreciate because it gives me plenty to type about.
First up, we take a trip back in time - 15 years after WWII to be exact. One of the most notorious war criminals of the Nazi regime, Adolf Eichmann (architect of the Holocaust) is still free, but all that is about to chance with Operation Finale. A group of secret agents are brought together with the mission to track down the elusive criminal and bring him to justice. The cast looks fantastic - Oscar Isaac, Mélanie Laurent, Ben Kingsley, Haley Lu Richardson, Nick Kroll, reta Scacchi, Joe Alwyn, Peter Strauss and Lior Raz provide some dynamite talent for what looks to be a riveting true-life tale. Historical films tend to stretch the truth a bit - but this looks like it will play things pretty close to the truth while still keeping you on your toes. Rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic content and related violent images and for some language.
Speaking of revenge, there is a famous saying about women scored. While Oceans 8 is heist film featuring an all-female cast, if you want more gritty and dark, don't pass up Widows. The film stars Viola Davis, Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Rodriguez and Cynthia Erivo as four women with nothing in common - nothing, that is, except their now-deceased husbands have all left behind a sizable debt related to their criminal activity. While many women would feel desperate and hopeless in such a situation, these women are not about to roll over. Instead, they take matters into their own hands - and seal their fate - when they plan a heist to take of the debt and maybe even themselves. It looks hardcore and nowhere near as safe or humorous as the aforementioned Oceans film. Rated R for violence, language throughout, and some sexual content/nudity.
Now we move on two a couple of remakes and/or adaptations. First up is the updated version of Superfly, the original came out in 1972 and is a key film in the Blaxploitation genre. Since this is billed as a remake, the plot looks to be the same - a drug dealer realizes his life is leading to either prison or death and, in order to escape his this life, plans one, final huge deal - taking the cash for himself. Of course, his mob enforcers aren't into the whole retirement thing, and if his plan is uncovered, he won't be long for this world. The new version stars Trevor Jackson, Jason Mitchell, Michael Kenneth Williams, Jennifer Morrison, Esai Morales, Lex Scott Davis and Big Boi (as the Mayor - who else?). I don't know how well-received this remake is going to be, but it doesn't look completely terrible (I know, so much faith). Rated R for violence and language throughout, strong sexuality, nudity, and drug content.
But wait, there's more! An adaptation of a beloved novel from Louisa May Alcott, that is no stranger to film adaptations and mini-series, that seminal novel Little Women. While some are no doubt familiar with the 1994 version that stayed true to the novel (a period film with Winona Ryder, Claire Danes and Susan Sarandon among others) this new version puts a modern twist on the classic story by making it, well, modern. The film still follows the story of the four March sisters (played here by Melanie Stone, Sarah Davenport, Allie Jennings and Taylor Murphy) as they grow from children to women, dealing with harsh realities, tragedy and maybe a bit of romance along the way - never losing their sisterly bond. Modern re-tellings have worked in the past (some, at least) so there is no reason to think that this won't attract a decent female audience. I am usually leery about any book adaptation - and Little Women isn't exactly my choice of reading material, but if the film can do justice to both the source material and make it relevant to today's audience, more power to it. Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and teen drinking.
My least-favorite genre (aside from Christian movies with too much of an agenda) is the rom-com genre. A few have worked for me but, for the most part, I avoid them like the plague. That is why I have little opinion on the upcoming Second Act. The film follows Maya (Jennifer Lopez) a retailer in a big box store who has street smarts and ambition. But in order to show Madison Avenue what she's got, she's going to have to reinvent herself - and spice up her back story in the process. Ah - it's a modern-day Mary Tyler Moore we're after, is it? Milo Ventimiglia, Leah Remini, anessa Hudgens, Charlyne Yi, Dave Foley, Larry Miller and Treat Williams are all on hand - some will play friends, others, I'm sure, catty enemies. I'm predicting the end of this film already: Maya lands her dream job, dream man and rocks the world - there, just saved you like $10. Rated PG-13 for some crude sexual references, and language.
Those are the main movies receiving the ratings due this week, but be sure to check out the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin below:
ALL THE DEVIL'S MEN
Rated R for strong violence, and for language throughout including some sexual references.
BEFORE WE VANISH
Rated R for some violence and bloody images.
BOARDING SCHOOL
Rated R for disturbing violent content, bloody images, some sexual material, and language.
EUPHORIA
Rated R for language and some sexual content.
AN L.A. MINUTE
Rated R for sexual content and language.
LITTLE WOMEN
Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and teen drinking.
OPERATION FINALE
Rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic content and related violent images, and for some language.
SECOND ACT
Rated PG-13 for some crude sexual references, and language.
SUPERFLY
Rated R for violence and language throughout, strong sexuality, nudity and drug content.
SUPERVIZED
Rated R for language and some crude sexual material.
VAMPIRE WARS
Rated R for violence/bloody images and a scene of sexuality.
WEIGHTLESS
Rated R for language and brief sexuality/nudity.
WIDOWS
Rated R for violence, language throughout, and some sexual content/nudity.
WONDERWELL
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements/suggestive content.
