By Chris Kavan - 07/24/19 at 12:35 AM CT
Here we are again, with another perfectly middle-of-the-road update with a couple of films worthy of mention. Lucky (for me at least) that one of these is a sequel to one of the best horror films of the last decade - based on one of my personal favorite horror novels - and looks to be just as memorable, if not moreso, than the first film. Otherwise, we have a modern, and racially-motivated, take on the classic Bonnie and Clyde - that is two young people in love and on the run, making dangerous decisions. So, all in all, not the worst update ever. I just want a bit more meat on the bones next time.
As a none-too-veiled fan of horror, I was more than happy when It was announced - based on my favorite Stephen King novel - and finding a capable director in Andy Muschietti along with an impressive young cast to play the Losers Club. And I was not disappointed: from Bill Skarsgård's creepy take on Pennywise to the updated 80s setting - It was masterful. That is why I'm just as excited to see what the adults are up to in It Chapter 2. First off, Muschietti once again directs and all the young actors from the first film (Finn Wolfhard, Sophia Lillis, Jack Dylan Grazer, Jaeden Martell, Wyatt Oleff, Jeremy Ray Taylor and Chosen Jacobs) all return - but the focus this time is how they are coping as adults even as their cursed town of Derry once again comes under the shadow of Pennywise (Skarsgård) once again following the murder of Adrian Mellon (Xavier Dolan). Here is where the impressive casting comes in: group comedian Richie Tozier is played by Bill Hader; the defacto leader and classic stutterer Bill Denbrough is played by James McAvoy; the only female of the group, fiery redhead with daddy issues Beverly Marsh is played by Jessica Chastain; shy, overweight Ben Hanscom turns into a hunk-a-hunk of burning Jay Ryan, classic hypochondriac with over-protective mother Eddie Kaspbrak is James Ransone; lone black member and the only one to stay behind in Derry Mike Hanlon is Isaiah Mustafa and reluctant Jew Stanley Uris is played by Andy Bean (which, if the film follows the book - don't get too attached to him). It's a knockout of a cast as far as I'm concerned - with Chastain and McAvoy being my two favorite choices, but they all really work for me. I always preferred the first book of It over the second part - but if anything could make me change my mind, it might be this film. It has everything going for it and even if it can't match the sky-high performance of the first film - I think it's going to turn out just fine. Rated R for disturbing violent content and bloody images throughout, pervasive language, and some crude sexual material.
For as long as there has been young love, there has been violence and tragedy. Romeo and Juliet, heck Adam and Even for that matter - and true-life versions like Bonnie and Clyde or movie couples like the truly insane Natural Born Killers. Director Melina Matsoukas' first feature film is another version of a classic tragic romance, mixed in with a healthy dose of racially-driven drama. Queen & Slim follows the titular characters (Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith) who hit it off quickly on their first date, only to find themselves fugitives after some racial profiling ends in unexpected tragedy. Thus the two, on the run, find themselves growing ever closer, even as the noose tightens around them. The film also features Bokeem Woodbine, Chloë Sevigny, Indya Moore and Sturgill Simpson among others. While the concept may be as old as time - Matsoukas makes a smart move by updating it with current events and the resurgence of white nationalism and overt racism that is ever-more-prevalent in the current political climate. Kaluuya, a standout in Get Out, looks perfect for the lead role and while I don't know how it will be embraced by general audiences, I'm certain is should be a film to keep an eye on. Rated R for violence, some strong sexuality, nudity, pervasive language, and brief drug use.
While those are the two major films of the week, be sure to check out the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin below:
AMERICAN DREAMER
Rated R for disturbing material,nviolence, some strong sexual content, pervasive language,
and drug use.
THE BRAVEST
Rated PG-13 for intense disaster sequences and related injury images.
FARMING
Rated R for disturbing racial violence and epithets throughout, pervasive language and some crude sexual material.
IT CHAPTER TWO
Rated R for disturbing violent content and bloody images throughout, pervasive language, and some crude sexual material.
QUEEN & SLIM
Rated R for violence, some strong sexuality, nudity, pervasive language and brief drug use.
RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL
Rated R for violence and disturbing images, drug use, strong sexual content, and language.
SEMPER FI
Rated R for pervasive language, some violence and disturbing images.
STANLEY KUBRICK CONSIDERS THE BOMB
Rated PG for thematic material and smoking images.
SUPER SIZE ME 2: HOLY CHICKEN!
Rated PG-13 for brief strong language.
WENDY
Rated PG-13 for brief violent/bloody images.
