By Chris Kavan - 10/17/18 at 11:19 PM CT
Another impressive list of MPAA Ratings this week - but not so impressive in the wide release movies. In fact, the list only has two major films of note - the next entry in the popular How to Train Your Dragon franchise and a creepy-looking horror film about working the graveyard shift at your local morgue. I can't complain too much, for as long as I have something to write about, it keeps things interesting, but, as always, I can only hope that next week brings a few more fireworks.
I admit that I have yet to see any of the How to Train Your Dragon films. It's not exactly for lack of interest, but rather that I haven't been able to find the original on any of my streaming platforms and I'm not really invested enough to rent or buy it. That being said, the series had enough of a fan base to greenlight a third film: How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden Kingdom. The cast has stayed pretty much solid since the inception: Jay Baruchel is back as Hiccup, America Ferrera as Astrid, Jonah Hill as Snotlout, Kristen Wiig as Ruffnut, Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Fishlegs, Craig Ferguson as Gobber and returning from the sequel is Kit Harington as Eret and Cate Blanchett as Valka. New this time around is F. Murray Abraham as Grimmel and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Ragnar the Rock (great name). The film is the culmination of Hiccup's journey to create a peaceful dragon utopia and for the beast to co-exist with his clan. But his reign as chief is tested when his dragon, Toothless, discovers a untamed, elusive mate whose presence and influence will test both rider and dragon. I mean, the first two films have grossed over $1 billion worldwide and nearly $400 million stateside so I see no reason why this third film with disappoint. Rated PG for adventure action and some mild rude humor.
Horror films about possession are a dime a dozen, though it's hard to argue that one of the best horror films of all time is about possession (The Exorcist and I will fight you over that statement). That being said, The Possession of Hannah Grace actually looks to shake things up a bit - and maybe provide some good chills along the way. Unlike films that are loosely "based on a true story" - Hannah Grace isn't about to walk that line. Instead, Shay Mitchell plays Megan Reed, an officer who is assigned the graveyard shift at her local hospital morgue. The creep factor is turned up to 11 when a disfigured cadaver is brought in - the result of a botched exorcism - and soon officer Reed faces terrifying visions and unexplained phenomena as she soon suspects a demonic force still possesses the body. I mean, an undead possession? It's probably not 100% original, but it's certainly outside the ordinary. If done right, I think it could be a winner for horror fans. Rated R for gruesome
images and terror throughout.
Those are the only big films getting their due from the ratings board this week, but be sure to check out the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin below:
ARCTIC
Rated PG-13 for language and some bloody images.
BEN IS BACK
Rated R for language throughout and some drug use.
BEST F(R)IENDS: VOLUME 2
Rated R for language throughout, violence and some sexual references.
THE HOLE IN THE GROUND
Rated R for some disturbing images.
THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT
Rated R for strong disturbing violence/sadistic behavior, grisly images, language, and nudity.
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD
Rated PG for adventure action and some mild rude humor.
IN SEARCH OF GREATNESS
Rated PG-13 for brief language and some partial nudity.
MID90s
Rated R for pervasive language, sexual content, drug and alcohol use, some violent behavior/disturbing images all involving minors.
NANCY DREW AND THE HIDDEN STAIRCASE
Rated PG for peril, suggestive material, thematic elements and language.
PIERCING
Rated R for aberrant violent and sexual content, nudity, and language.
THE POSSESSION OF HANNAH GRACE
Rated R for gruesome images and terror throughout.
A PRIVATE WAR
Rated R for disturbing violent images, language throughout, and brief sexuality/nudity.
PUPPY STAR CHRISTMAS
Rated PG for some mild rude humor.
RUST CREEK
Rated R for violence, language and some drug material.
TALL TALES FROM THE MAGICAL GARDEN OF ANTOON KRINGS
Rated PG for some thematic elements.
THE WOLF HOUR
Rated R for language and brief sexuality/nudity.
