New movies in theaters this week include the raunchy Seth Rogan animated comedy Sausage Party (not for kids!), a reboot of Pete’s Dragon, and Meryl Streep in Florence Foster Jenkins, about the true story of a New York heiress. Let’s take a closer look at the new movies in theaters this week.
PETE’S DRAGON
Rated PG for action, peril and brief language | Ok for Kids 7+ | In Theaters 8/12 | Disney | Reel Preview: 4 of 5 Reels
This re-imagining of the 1977 Disney classic blends live action and CGI to tell the story of the special bond between an orphaned boy named Pete (Oakes Fegley) and his best friend Elliott, who just happens to be a dragon.
Directed by David Lowery, this film also stars Bryce Dallas Howard as Grace, a park ranger who discovers the existence of Elliott; Wes Bentley as Jack, a local mill owner; Karl Urban as Jack’s brother, Gavin; Oona Laurence as Natalie, the young girl who befriends Pete; and Robert Redford as Grace’s father.
SAUSAGE PARTY
Rated R for strong crude sexual content, pervasive language, and drug use | In Theaters 8/12 | Ok for Kids 18+ | Sony | Reel Preview: 5 of 5 Reels
“Sausage Party” may be animated, but it’s definitely not for kids! This raunchy comedy centers on one sausage’s quest to discover the truth about his existence. After learning some horrible truths, our hero sausage and his new friends embark on a perilous journey to get back to their supermarket aisles and warn the others before it’s too late.
Directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan, this movie stars Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig, Salma Hayek, Paul Rudd, Michael Cera, and Edward Norton.
FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS
Rated PG-13 for brief suggestive material | In Theaters 8/12 | Paramount | Reel Preview: 4.5 of 5 Reels
Set in 1940s New York, this musical comedy is the true story of the legendary New York heiress and socialite (Meryl Streep) who obsessively pursued her dream of becoming a great singer. The voice she heard in her head was beautiful, but to everyone else it was hilariously awful.
Her “husband” and manager, St. Clair Bayfield (Hugh Grant), an aristocratic English actor, was determined to protect his beloved Florence from the truth. But when Florence decided to give a public concert at Carnegie Hall, St. Clair knew he faced his greatest challenge. Directed by Stephen Frears, this movie also stars Simon Helberg and Rebecca Ferguson.
JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM
One Reel – Even the Force can’t save it.
Two Reels – Coulda been a contender
Three Reels – Something to talk about.
Four Reels – You want the truth? Great flick!
Five Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.
Jane Boursaw is the film critic and editor-in-chief of Reel Life With Jane. Images in this feature used courtesy of the studios and distributors.
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