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FilmWeek

FilmWeek: ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,’ ‘The Equalizer 2,’ ‘Blindspotting’ and a debate on MPAA ratings

(L-R) Amanda Seyfried, Dominic Cooper and Cher star in Universal Pictures' MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN.
(L-R) Amanda Seyfried, Dominic Cooper and Cher star in Universal Pictures' MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN.
(
Jonathan Prime/Universal Studios
)
Listen 47:39
Guest host Libby Denkmann and KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell, Peter Rainer, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases. We also discuss the classifications by which movies are rated and the effectiveness of the process.
Guest host Libby Denkmann and KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell, Peter Rainer, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases. We also discuss the classifications by which movies are rated and the effectiveness of the process.

Guest host Libby Denkmann and KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell, Peter Rainer, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases. We also discuss the classifications by which movies are rated and the effectiveness of the process.

FilmWeek: ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,’ ‘The Equalizer 2,’ ‘Blindspotting’ and more

Listen 34:24
FilmWeek: ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,’ ‘The Equalizer 2,’ ‘Blindspotting’ and more

Guest host Libby Denkmann and KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell, Peter Rainer, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases.

With guest host Libby Denkmann.

Critics' Hits

Charles: "McQueen" & "Maquia"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OjX3ZbsfbU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEWvRqZQ0RU

Tim: "Blindspotting" & "King Cohen: The Wild World of Filmmaker Larry Cohen" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9-HBqVbtTo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPblr7nKaYw

Peter: "The Equalizer 2"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiaVnU18pcs

Mixed Feelings    

Charles:  "Love, Cecil"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xznzK0EOwfs

Tim: "Path of Blood" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgPZjXs6058

Peter: "Unfriended: Dark Web" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DJAWGXkvq8

Misses 

Tim: "Generation Wealth" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyfC1AVhfb8

Peter: "Mama Mia! Here We Go Again" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcSMdhfKga4

Guests:

Tim Cogshell , film critic for KPCC, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com ; he tweets

Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor

Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine

A look at film ratings of teen content after ‘Eighth Grade’ sparks controversy with R-rating

Listen 13:15
A look at film ratings of teen content after ‘Eighth Grade’ sparks controversy with R-rating

What does it take for a movie to get an R rating? Sprinkle in some F-bombs and you’re in for a winner.

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) classifies a movie with one of the harsher sexually-derived words in a PG-13 release, but a second places it in the R rating category. However, the Rating Board may rate a movie PG-13 by a two-thirds majority special vote.

This summer, MPAA slapped an R rating on the teen flick, “Eighth Grade” directed by Bo Burnham. The coming-of-age movie stars a 13-year-old socially awkward eighth grader who experiments subjects like hook-up culture and sharing nude photos. According to a study from the Journal of Adolescent Research , in a sample of seventh, ninth, and 11th graders, 32% of participants had experienced sexual intercourse and 61% of sexually experienced teenagers reported a sexual encounter not in a dating relationship. Perhaps teens can in fact handle the nature of certain films that illustrate reality for them, especially those with a 13-year-old protagonist.

Although “Eighth Grade” may contain profanity and sexual experimentation that can be inappropriate for young teenagers, is it time for a change in the ratings system? Teens under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Do you think teenagers nowadays should be allowed to see movies with racy content by themselves? Call 866.893.5722.

With guest host Libby Denkmann.

Guests:

Joan Graves , the Senior Vice President and Chairman of The Classification and Rating Administration (CARA) for the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)

Tim Cogshell , film critic for KPCC, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com; he tweets

Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor

Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine