By Chris Kavan - 06/26/18 at 09:11 PM CT
One week before we can all bask in the amazement and glory of things exploding. But before then, the Ratings Board has delivered another adequate update. We have a very topical story about race and violence that is all too often seen in the news today. In lighter news, we're getting a third entry in the wacky world of comedic spies, English edition. It's a bit light this week, but if you keep up with things, you know that's the rule not the exception. So I'll once again take what I can get.
Topical films can be hard to time just right, but I have no doubt that even though it won't come out until October, The Hate U Give will still be very much relevant. Amandla Stenberg plays Starr Carter, a young woman caught between the poor black neighborhood where she lives and the mostly white prep school she attends. When she witnesses the death of her childhood friend, Khalil (Algee Smith) at the hands of a police officer, it thrusts her into the center of controversy between both communities. The film comes on the heels of several high-profile deaths that have involved police officers, often drawing massive protests. While you might think the film is capitalizing on the tragedy, but if the film treats things right (which it look like it will) it should shed light on an all-too real situation. The film also features Regina Hall, Anthony Mackie, Common, Issa Rae, K.J. Apa, Sabrina Carpenter and Russell Hornsby. Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements, some violent content, drug material and language.
Here's a phrase I honestly didn't think I would every say again: "We're getting another Johnny English film!" That's right, venerable English comedian Rowan Atkinson brings his bumbling spy back to the big screen for a third time and it has been quite awhile since the 2011 sequel. This is a trend, however, as the second Johnny English film came a whopping eight years after the original - 2003, 2011 and now 2018. Based on this release schedule, we should see a very elderly Johnny English return in the mid-2020s, perhaps investigating a Geritol heist. In any case, Johnny English Strikes Again finds our favorite spy coming out of retirement after a cyber attack reveals the identity of all the active undercover agents in Britain. It turns out our analog agent in a digital world is just what is needed to bring down a master hacker - if he can somehow acclimate to the modern world. I mean, I guess I enjoyed the first two films well enough, but I don't know if audiences are exactly looking forward to a new Johnny English. Rated PG for some action violence, rude humor, language and brief nudity.
That's all for the big films this week, but be sure to check out the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin below:
BEST F(R)IENDS: VOLUME ONE
Rated R for language and some grisly images.
EIGHT GRADE
Rated R for language and some sexual material
THE HATE U GIVE
Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements, some violent content, drug material and language.
I AM VENGEANCE
Rated R for violence and language throughout, drug use, and a brief nude image.
JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN
Rated PG for some action violence, rude humor, language and brief nudity.
MARA
Rated R for disturbing violent images, and language.
OUR HOUSE
Rated PG-13 for terror and some thematic content.
PENDULUM
Rated R for some violence. (NOTE: Re-Rate - Original "M" Rating, Bulletin 1 Voided).
A RAINY DAY IN NEW YORK
Rated PG-13 for mature suggestive content, some drug use, smoking, language and partial nudity.
SCIENCE FAIR
Rated PG for some thematic elements and brief language.
SHARP EDGES
Rated PG-13 for some thematic material.
SLICE
Rated R for bloody violence, language, some drug material and nude images.
