Head of State
RATING: Rated PG-13 for language, some sexuality and drug references.
STARRING: Chris Rock, Bernie Mac, Tamala Jones, Lynn Whitfield, Dylan Baker, Jude Ciccolella, Robin Givens, Stephanie March, Nick Searcy, Tracy Morgan, and Ray Clark
DIRECTOR: Chris Rock
PRODUCERS: Ali LeRoi, Chris Rock and Michael Rotenberg
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Ezra Swerdlow
WRITERS: Chris Rock and Ali LeRoi
DISTRIBUTOR: DreamWorks SKG
GENRE: Comedy
INTENDED AUDIENCE: Teenagers and adults
SUMMARY: In Head of State, Chris Rock plays Mays Gilliam, an Alderman in Washington, D.C., who wants to help the little guy and fight the bullies. When the presidential and vice presidential candidates die with a few months left in the campaign, the party looks for a new presidential candidate. Mays is the choice. In the beginning, Mays follows directions, but his brother orders him to be himself. As a result, His campaign takes off as he introduces heart and soul to the campaign.
Although the humor is soft, there is a lot to like in Head Of State. Mays loves God and wants God to bless everyone. Some of his solutions would appeal to moral Americans, such as his suggestion that people should take care of their own children, instead of shoving them off on others. Regrettably, though, Mays does not mind swearing constantly and opens his campaign to appeal to pimps, prostitutes and gangsters. Thus, Mays manifests God's love, but ignores God's law.
CONTENT: Mild Christian worldview with lots of pagan elements and mild political correctness; 67 obscenities, 2 light profanities and several borderline mockeries; brothers punch each other in love though it looks like a slugfest, social-climbing girl has severe moments of slapstick violence; revealing costumes, blurred porno video flashback and caricature pimps and prostitutes; alcohol use; drugs discussed; and, lying.
Levity
RATING: R
STARRING: Billy Bob Thornton, Morgan Freeman, Kirsten Dunst, and Holly Hunter
DIRECTOR: Ed Solomon
PRODUCERS: Richard N. Gladstein, Adam J. Merims and Ed Solomon
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Morgan Freeman, Lori McCreary, Fred Schepisi, Douglas Mankoff, and Andrew Spaulding
WRITER: Ed Solomon
DISTRIBUTOR: Sony Pictures Classics
GENRE: Drama
INTENDED AUDIENCE: Older teenagers and adults
SUMMARY: Levity is an edgy, adult Christian drama starring Billy Bob Thornton as an ex-convict who's obsessed with getting forgiveness, yet doubts he can be redeemed. After unexpectedly being released from prison, Manual Jordan finds himself working for Miles, an enigmatic Christian preacher who runs a community center in the neighborhood where the teenage Manual committed a murder. Manual seeks out Adele, the older sister of the boy he killed. He is unable, however, to confess his true identity, especially when their relationship deepens. When Adele's teenage son becomes embroiled in his own cycle of violence, Manual thinks he may have found his last opportunity for redemption.
Although Manual does not find Christian redemption through the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, he displays repentance, helps out at the Christian community center and tries to make things up to the family of his victim. Thus, there are some positive Christian values and moral principles in Levity. Also, the writer and director, Ed Solomon, is blessed with fine, sensitive portrayals from his talented cast. These positive elements are spoiled, however, by an abundance of unnecessary foul language.
CONTENT: Light Christian worldview of an ex-convict searching for redemption in a works-centered way but finding some answers while working in a community center managed by an enigmatic Christian preacher, with some false theological elements or misunderstandings as people debate theology; about 75 obscenities, two strong profanities and five light profanities; some violence with very little blood.
