For most of the school districts around Oklahoma, March 17 to the 21 is Spring Break. This means the kids are home, and after a while they run out of things to do. Fortunately, there are some decent movie options for all ages for that week. Here is a list of upcoming films being released up to and during the break.
March 7
“300: Rise of an Empire”
Not a sequel so much as a companion film, the movie follows Greek general Themistokles as he faces down the god-king Xerxes and Artemesia, the commander of Xerxes naval forces. “300: Rise of an Empire” is rated R for sustained stylized bloody violence, a sex scene, nudity and language.
“Mr. Peabody and Sherman”
Based on the shorts from 1960s “The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show,” Mr. Peabody is a dog classified as the smartest being on Earth and Sherman is his adopted human. When the duo attempts to impress a bully from Sherman’s school, they face potentially breaking the time-space continuum and must race to prevent it. The film is PG for mild action and brief rude humor.
March 14
“Need for Speed”
Touchstone and Reliance Pictures response to the Universal Pictures success that is the “Fast and Furious” franchise, “Need for Speed” is based on the video game of the same name. The film stars Aaron Paul as a racer committed to finding revenge for the death of his friend and his own wrongful imprisonment. The movie is rated PG-13 for reckless street racing, disturbing crash scenes, nudity and crude language.
“Veronica Mars”
Launhed on Kickstarter a year before its release, “Veronica Mars” was the fastest project to cross the $1 million crowd-funding line, and achieved $2 million in 10 hours. A continuation of the CW television series of the same name, the film follows Veronica Mars as she must travel back to her hometown of Neptune to once again clear her old boyfriend Logan of suspicion of murder. The movie is rated PG-13 for strong language, violence, drug content and sexual references.
March 21
“Divergent”
The second YA book to film adaptation of the year is based on Veronica Roth’s bestselling series. The film follows Tris as she seeks to uncover the reasons a segment of the dystopian Chicago’s population is being targeted, herself included. “Divergent” is rated PG-13 for intense action and violence, some sensuality and thematic elements.
“Muppets Most Wanted”
This represents Disney’s second shot at critical and commercial success with the Muppets after 2012s Muppet outing. The Muppets are embroiled in a jewelry heist scandal caused by a Kermit the Frog look-a-like while on tour in Europe. “Muppets Most Wanted” is PG for some mild action.
In what is looking to shape up to be a decent month for the box office, studios have interspersed March with mature offerings and flicks for the kids to keep everyone entertained until the kick-off of the blockbuster summer movie season.
