By Chris Kavan - 09/25/19 at 12:10 PM CT
The Ratings Board sure must have been saving this up - because this is the biggest update in many, many months. And not only is this in terms of quantity - but the quality is pretty damn good too. I mean, you have a smart, star-studded murder mystery from Rian Johnson, a car rivalry that is one for the ages, another film about trusting your technology too much and a sequel for one of Disney's greatest villains. All in all, it's an impressive update all around and really the kind I appreciate.
Now that Rian Johnson has weathered the storm of angry Star Wars fans, he's ready for something a little different. You can't get much further from an epic sci-fi saga than Knives Out. The film centers around the death of famed crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer), with Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) leading the investigation. The calm, cool detective soon determines the man was murdered, and with a rogues gallery of family and staff to sort out, he will have his hands full of red herrings, intrigue and lies - and hopefully suss out the true mastermind. Johnson's film is chock full of big names: Toni Collette, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, LaKeith Stanfield, Ana de Armas, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell, Don Johnson and M. Emmet Walsh flesh out this smart, snappy mystery. Before the whole Star Wars debacle (which I am so not wading into) - Johnson was responsible for both Looper and Brick - and if he brings he same passion and talent he had on those two films - this is going to be a very fun ride. Just based on the cast alone, I'm sold and the trailers make this look amazing. I'm game. Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including brief violence, some strong language, sexual references and drug material.
While Disney has had a banner year, and will shortly be releasing their own streaming service. Don't forget, they still have some really big films left this year, and one of them is sure to be Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. Angelina Jolie returns as the soon-to-be-evil queen with Elle Fanning returning as Princess Aurora. Also returning are Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville as the trio of flighty fairies and Sam Riley as Diaval. New to the cast are Ed Skrein, Michelle Pfeiffer, David Gyasi, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Robert Lindsay and Harris Dickinson. While the first film followed the transformation of Maleficent from innocent maiden to hard-hearted protector, the sequel, introducing new allies and threats, further pushes her down a darker path. The first film topped $240 million domestic and over $750 million worldwide. Considering how sequels have performed this year - and Disney's box office domination - I wouldn't be surprised if this does just as well, if not better. It all comes down to is audiences are ready for more Maleficent - or if they got their fill in the first film. Rated PG for intense sequences of fantasy action/violence and brief scary images.
The world would be so much more boring if rivalries didn't exist. I mean, sure, sometimes it leads to things like violent conflict and way too much death, but on a smaller scale we get something like Ford v Ferrari. Starring Matt Damon as legendary car designer Carroll Shelby and Christian Bale as legendary driver Ken Miles, the two battle adversity - both personal and professional - in order to design a Ford car to challenge Ferrari at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. Since this is based on true events, a lot of historical figures from this time make an appearance - Jon Bernthal as Lee Iacocca, Noah Jupe as Peter Miles, Ray McKinnon as Phil Remington, Tracy Letts as Henry Ford II, Benjamin Rigby as Bruce McLaren, Remo Girone as Enzo Ferrari, Josh Lucas as Leo Beebe and Caitriona Balfe as Mollie Miles. This one has a lot going for it - big stars, a compelling story and has some awards-season buzz surrounding it as well. I have a feeling this one is going to be good. Rated PG-13 for some language and peril.
Finally, while I'm getting shades of Her (the 2013 starring current Joker Joaquin Phoenix), something tells me that Jexi isn't going to be as deep as that other film about a man getting a bit too attached to his personal technology-based assistant. For one, Spike Jones isn't directing - we have Jon Lucas, Scott Moore and instead of Phoenix, comedian Adam Devine is the main character. The plot is not the same, however, Devine's Phil is typically addicted to his smart phone, and Jexi (voiced by Rose Byrne) is all too happy to offer advice - even when it's not particularly welcome. This includes setting him up with Cate (Alexandra Shipp), a more tech-adverse mechanic when the two literally bump into each other on the sidewalk. But as Phil starts paying more attention to his real girlfriend, Jexi becomes jealous - and because of her link to his personal information, wrecks havoc on his life. Michael Peña plays Phil's overly-enthusiastic boss, with Justin Hartley, Charlyne Yi, Wanda Sykes and Ron Funches also on board. I mean, this looks like a lot of fun - but nothing beyond a rom-com with a technological twist. I think Millennials will eat this up even as it totally makes fun of them. Rated R for strong/crude sexual content and language throughout, some drug use and graphic nudity.
There you are - an actual very substantial update from the MPAA Ratings Board. There is plenty more to check out below:
THE AERONAUTS
Rated PG-13 for some peril and thematic elements.
THE BANKER
Rated PG-13 on appeal for some strong language including a sexual reference and racial epithets, and smoking throughout. (Original R Rating Changed on Appeal)
BERNIE THE DOLPHIN 2
Rated G
THE BIG TRIP
Rated G
BUTTONS: A CHRISTMAS TALE
Rated PG for thematic elements.
CROWN VIC
Rated R for strong violence and pervasive language, disturbing content, sexual references, drug material and brief full nudity.
CUNNINGHAM
Rated PG for some smoking.
EL GUARDIA
Rated PG for some thematic elements, language and smoking.
THE ETRUSCAN SMILE
Rated R for some language.
THE FESTIVAL
Rated R for strong crude sexual content, drug use and language throughout.
FORD V FERRARI
Rated PG-13 for some language and peril.
INHERIT THE VIPER
Rated R for drug content, violence and pervasive language.
INSIDE GAME
Rated R for language and drug use throughout, and some sexual content.
JEXI
Rated R for strong/crude sexual content and language throughout, some drug use and graphic nudity.
KLAUS
Rated PG for rude humor and mild action.
KNIVES OUT
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including brief violence, some strong language, sexual references and drug material.
LINE OF DUTY
Rated R for violence.
THE LODGE
Rated R for disturbing violence, some bloody images, language and brief nudity.
MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL
Rated PG for intense sequences of fantasy action/violence and brief scary images.
UNCUT GEMS
Rated R for pervasive strong language, violence, some sexual content and brief drug use.
