By Chris Kavan - 04/17/19 at 10:46 AM CT
A very impressive MPAA Ratings Bulletin this week - with a lot to talk about. Seriously, it's like a trickle here and there and then suddenly they open the floodgates - but I guess more it better than nothing. There is a lot to cover - John Wick is back for a third round, a proper British series gets a proper film treatment, a female twist on Superbad, an older female twist on Bring It On and an AI driven comedy are all on the docket. I'll have more to say about some over others, but they'll all get their turn.
Although I never saw the first two John Wick films in theaters, I have enjoyed both of them in the comfort of my own home. Keanu Reeves has found a role to rival Neo in his filmography in a hitman with nothing to lose - and the skill to get his revenge. SPOILER AHEAD: The second film ended with John Wick being kicked out of the elite assassin's guild and essentially deemed excommunicado - and also a target for just about anyone who matters. Thus, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum follows our anti-hero, now with a $14 million price tag on his head, as he tries to stay one step ahead of the bounty hunters and on a mission of pure survival. The John Wick series works because the action is intense but also very well done - from gunfights to knife fights to fist fights - it's like a ballet of violence and Reeves is simply perfect for the role. There are some familiar faces to be found - Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne and Lance Reddick all return in their respective roles with Asia Kate Dillon, Halle Berry, Jason Mantzoukas, Anjelica Huston, Robin Lord Taylor, Saïd Taghmaoui and Jerome Flynn all joining in on the action. If anything, I though the sequel was an improvement over the first film (and it did better in theaters) thus we will see if this third entry can match up and either put a a bow on the trilogy or open doors for yet another chapter. Rated R for pervasive strong violence and some language.
Superbad was a kind of big deal back in 2007, essentially launching the careers of Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and giving a helping hand to Michael Cera and Seth Rogan. Now it's 2019, and while the genders are flipped, Booksmart looks to do the same for Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein. The two play Amy and Molly, two whip-smart high school seniors who have dotted all their i's and crossed all their t's - gearing up for college and, nearly too late, realizing they haven't had a day of fun in their high school careers. Deciding to live it up for one night, they decide to cram four years of fun into one wild night. And, by the looks of the trailer, it's going to be a fun, crazy ride. The film had both young and old actors: Skyler Gisondo, Billie Lourd, Jason Sudeikis, Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte, Molly Gordon, Nico Hiraga, Noah Galvin and Diana Silvers all line the cast. But this is a dynamic duo that will drive the film - and it's going to earn that R rating for strong sexual content and language throughout, drug use and drinking - all involving teens. But I'm sure it's going to be loads of fun as well.
I never got into the PBS series Downton Abbey, which chronicled the the lives of the British aristocratic Crawley family, and their servants, in the early 20th century. The show won a raft of awards - Golden Globes, Emmys, SAG and BAFTAs during its six-season run. So it should come as little surprise that fans of the series will get another chance to get caught up with Crawley and company once Downton Abbey hits the big screen. Pretty much every series regular is coming back, including Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Joanne Froggatt, Elizabeth McGovern, Allen Leech, Robert James-Collier, Brendan Coyle, Jim Carter, Penelope Wilton and Raquel Cassidy. A few new faces to mention include Tuppence Middleton and Imelda Staunton. There has been no official word of the plot, other than is follows the series finale. It is interesting to note the writer of Gosford Park, Julian Fellowes, also adapted this screenplay. While the series wasn't my cup of tea (or scones), it had a rabid following and I hope this does better than other TV to film offerings (Serenity and Veronica Mars come to mind). Adults will drive this one all the way to the bank - we'll just wait to see how many show up. Rated PG for thematic elements, some suggestive material, and language.
Have you ever thought: "Gee, I really like Bring It On, but instead of perky high-school girls, wouldn't it be even better with women that have gone through menopause?" Well, your wish has been granted you weirdo, because the universe is soon to gift us Poms. The film follows a group of women living in a retirement community - including Diane Keaton, Pam Grier, Rhea Perlman, Jacki Weaver, Celia Weston, Phyllis Somerville and Patricia French - who decide to form a cheer squad. I mean, give it another 20 years and the original cast of Bring It On could actually make this exact movie! Regardless, this is another film that is clearly trying to attract a largely adult audience, but, unlike Downton Abbey, this doesn't have a clearly build-in crowd. I'm not sure how this will do, but it does have some good talent involved and looks like a lot of fun so I'm sure there is some merit to it. Rated PG-13 for some language/sexual references.
If technology ever develops a true AI, God help us all if the fate of humanity lies on the shoulders of one person. Thus is the premise of Superintelligence, which finds that hope on the truly unremarkable reaction of every-person Carol Peters (Melissa McCarthy - who else?) who notices that her TV and other assorted electrical distractions have started talking to her, and, ruling out an elaborate prank, discovers an aware AI has decided the future of humanity rests on their interaction. Oh joy! This is directed by McCarthy's husband, Ben Falcone, who has also worked with her on Life of the Party, The Boss and Tammy. Out of all those I've only seen The Boss and was mildly amused. This story seems much more interesting that the typical set-up. Besides McCarthy, the film features James Corden (as the voice of the AI), Bobby Cannavale as Carol's love interest, Brian Tyree Henry as Carol's best friend and Sam Richardson as an NSA interest. Jean Smart, Karan Soni, Michael Beach and Sarah Baker help round out the cast. At least it's something a bit different than the typical McCarthy vehicle - we'll see if it performs better than her last few outings come December (though, at this time it's opening up against Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, so I wouldn't be holding my breath). Rated PG for some suggestive material, language and thematic elements.
Those are all the big-name movies getting their ratings due, but be sure to check out the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin below:
BOOKSMART
Rated R for strong sexual content and language throughout, drug use and drinking - all involving teens.
CHANGELAND
Rated R for language and brief drug use.
CRITTERS ATTACK!
Rated R for bloody creature violence.
THE DARE
Rated R for sadistic violence throughout, bloody images, and for language.
THE DEAD DON'T DIE
Rated R for zombie violence/gore and for language.
DOWNTON ABBEY
Rated PG for thematic elements, some suggestive material, and language.
DOWNTOWN
Rated G.
DROP
Rated G.
ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
Rated G.
EXCHANGE STUDENT
Rated G.
FETCH
Rated G.
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 - PARABELLUM
Rated R for pervasive strong violence, and some language.
KNOCK DOWN THE HOUSE
Rated PG for thematic elements, language and brief smoking.
THE LAST CHAMPION
Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and a brief scene of violence.
POMS
Rated PG-13 for some language/sexual references.
ROGUE WARFARE 2: THE HUNT
Rated R for strong violence and language.
SUPERINTELLIGENCE
Rated PG for some suggestive material, language and thematic elements.
THE TRACKER
Rated R for some violence and language.
