By Chris Kavan - 04/27/16 at 10:36 AM CT
This week's update has a whole lot of movies, but it's quantity over quality as there are only a handful that will hit a wide release in theaters. This includes the latest film from Woody Allen and also a holiday comedy featuring yet another dysfunctional family. Otherwise, there are a bunch of limited release and some that may never see a release outside of major cities. It's not the most exciting of updates, but at least you can check out a massive list of films you will probably never see or hear about again.
I have a confession to make: I'm not a big fan of Woody Allen. But I have another confession to make: I'm a much bigger fan of current Woody Allen than "classic" Woody Allen. Annie Hall? Pfft - pass. Manhattan? Nah. But Midnight in Paris? I loved it! And the performances in Blue Jasmine were strong and moving. Now, I haven't seen all his more recent films, but I would say the long-time director is hitting a new stride. Thus that brings us the period piece Café Society. Set in 1930s Hollywood, the film follows a young man looking to make a break in the industry and instead finds himself drawn into love and the Café Society that defined this age. Once again, Allen has put together a cast that mixes young and seasoned - Kristen Stewart, Blake Lively, Anna Camp, Jesse Eisenberg, Corey Stoll, Steve Carell, Parker Posey, Tony Sirico and Judy Davis come together (among others). I admit, Stewart and Eisenberg have me worried - if only because they are both so pigeonholed in roles, but if anyone can bring out some emotion from them, it will be Allen. Whether or not this does well... I can't say. It is going wide, so there must be something there. Rated PG-13 for some violence, a drug reference, suggestive material and smoking.
Coming in November is the umpteenth dysfunctional family dramedy that shakes things up by focusing on a dysfunctional African-American family. Director David E. Talbert has assembled a fantastic group of actors for Almost Christmas that includes Gabrielle Union, Danny Glover, Omar Epps, Nicole Ari Parker, Mo'Nique, Romany Malco, Kimberly Elise, Jessie Usher and J.B. Smoove. It seems the entire crew gets together for Thanksgiving following the death of the matriarch of the family and, of course, it brings up of feuds and challenges. Now, other than the cast, I don't see exactly what sets this apart from any other holiday comedy that has come out in the past, but it is in the prime November spot to capitalize on the Thanksgiving holiday, so whose to say it won't draw a good audience. Rated PG-13 for suggestive material, drug content and language.
That's the big two for this week - if you are interested in any of the other films, the entire (and rather large) MPAA Ratings Bulletin is below.
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS: THE MOVIE
Rated R for language including sexual references, and some drug use.
ALMOST CHRISTMAS
Rated PG-13 for suggestive material, drug content and language.
AMERICAN WRESTLER: THE WIZARD
Rated PG-13 for violence, some disturbing images, language and thematic material.
BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE
Rated R for some bloody images and disturbing content.
BE SOMEBODY
Rated PG for thematic elements, some suggestive comments and mild language.
CAFE SOCIETY
Rated PG-13 for some violence, a drug reference, suggestive material and smoking.
CHOSEN
Rated R for violence including a sexual assault.
COMPADRES
Rated R for violence and language.
GAME OF ACES
Rated R for some violence and language.
GOAT
Rated R for disturbing behavior involving hazing, strong sexual content and nudity, pervasive language, violence, alcohol abuse and some drug use.
THE LATE BLOOMER
Rated R for sexual content, nudity and language.
LAUGHING AT THE MOON
Rated PG for thematic elements and some peril.
LONG WAY NORTH
Rated PG for some peril and mild language.
LOVE & FRIENDSHIP
Rated PG for some thematic elements.
MOSTLY GHOSTLY: ONE NIGHT IN DOOM HOUSE
Rated PG for action, scary images and mild language.
THE ONES BELOW
Rated R for language, some sexuality and nudity.
THE OTHER SIDE
Rated PG for thematic elements and some language.
QUEEN OF KATWE
Rated PG for thematic elements, an accident scene and some suggestive material.
SUNSET SONG
Rated R for sexuality, nudity and some violence.
TRESPASS AGAINST US
Rated R for pervasive language, some disturbing behavior and brief graphic nudity.
UNION BOND
Rated PG-13 for some violence and language.
