By Chris Kavan - 03/13/19 at 09:54 AM CT
The MPAA Ratings Board continues its slow but steady update with a nice, solid two wide release films (and some interesting limited films if you scroll down a bit) in this week's edition. The big get goes to the Secret Life of Pets 2 - the first film was a pretty good release and this sequel should prove just as crowd-pleasing. On the other hand, you have Octavia Spencer playing a kind-hearted adult who just wants the kids to have fun... until things get weird and then really violent. Kids these days, right? In any case, not the biggest update but I'm always happy for something to share.
When The Secret Life of Pets came out, it entered a crowded field of animal-related content including Zootopia and Sing. Still, it managed to do well enough to warrant a sequel and thus we move on to The Secret Life of Pets 2. Pretty much all the original cast returns - with one major change. In the first film, Louis C.K. voiced the main dog, Max but following a series of allegations, it's no surprise he was dumped quicker than a hot potato and the affable Patton Oswalt takes over the role. Kevin Hart returns as the manic rabbit Snowball, Jenny Slate as the ever-peppy Gidget, Eric Stonestreet as Duke, Dana Carvey as Pops, Ellie Kemper as Max's owner Katie, Lake Bell as Chloe, Hannibal Buress as Buddy and Bobby Moynihan as Mel. New additions to the cast include Harrison Ford as Rooster, Tiffany Haddish as Daisy along with Nick Kroll, Kylie Hart and Garth Jennings. Trailers so far have focused on individual characters (including newcomers Rooser and Daisy) though there hasn't been a feature trailer yet. Thus, the plot is bit muddled though the film will obviously still follow a group of animals while their owners are away. It also involves a trip to the farm, breaking out a tiger and some other assorted fun. I think it looks like both the adults and the kiddos will have a good time. Rated PG for some action and rude humor.
Speaking of the kids - the slightly older ones (but not too old yet), who doesn't like a good party every now and then? But when you're not quite old enough to drink - who are you going to help find to help you have a good time? Why not call on Ma? I mean, who wouldn't want sweet Octavia Spencer to buy them alcohol, provide a basement to crash and party and even buy them some sweet swag (like cellphones) - and hang out and join the fun too! But don't go upstairs - no matter what. The film features a cast young and old - McKaley Miller, Corey Fogelmanis, Diana Silvers, Dante Brown, Gianni Paolo and Tanyell Waivers lead the young cast with Missi Pyle, Luke Evans, Allison Janney and Juliette Lewis as the older crowd (aka parents). While Ma at first seems like the perfect host - soon enough things turn creepy - as Ma begins to get clingy, then angry, then violent. What I'm saying is: kids, don't trust adults, especially strangers who go out of their way to be extra nice, because obviously they're planning to wear your skin as a mask. Rated R for for violent/disturbing material, language throughout, sexual content and for teen drug and alcohol use.
Those are the big two, but be sure to check out the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin below:
AMERICAN WOMAN
Rated R for language, sexual content and brief drug use.
DAUGHTER OF THE WOLF
Rated R for violence and some language.
EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL, AND VILE
Rated R for disturbing/violent content, some sexuality, nudity and language.
MA
Rated R for violent/disturbing material, language throughout, sexual content, and for teen drug and alcohol use.
MUSLIMAH'S GUIDE TO MARRIAGE
Rated PG-13 for sexual content, drug material, and language.
NOMIS
Rated R for disturbing and violent content, language throughout, and some sexual references.
OTHERHOOD
Rated R for language, sexual references and brief nudity.
PAPI CHULO
Rated R for language.
PAVAROTTI
Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and a war related image.
THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2
Rated PG for some action and rude humor.
THE TOMORROW MAN
Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some suggestive material.
THE WORLD WE MAKE
Rated PG for thematic material and brief violence.
