The red-band trailer for "Punisher: War Zone" had barely debuted online, its level of violence marveled over, before it, like everything else associated with the film, became the subject of rumors and controversy. Word had it that Lionsgate wanted to tone down the film for a PG-13 rating in order to sell more tickets to the under 17 set -- and that the push for a kinder, gentler Punisher was one of the reasons (and perhaps the reason) director Lexi Alexander was no longer associated with the movie.
Well, at least one rumor is put to rest. The MPAA has slapped a big "R" rating on the film for "pervasive strong brutal violence, language and some drug use." So, regardless of what else might be wrong with the film, one thing is certain -- we still get to see a thug die by getting a chair leg through the eye! Read More...