With few adults still in the house at RIOC, the beleaguered state agency’s summer movies series rolled out a line up of mostly R-Rated films kids shouldn’t see.

By David Stone

The Roosevelt Island Daily News

RIOC’s 2021 Summer Movies Kids Should Not See

In years past, RIOC enhanced community relations, welcoming families to Southpoint Park with movie watching fun for all ages.

But Southpoint’s been sacrificed in a Brooklyn Bridge Park North remodeling that may never end. And the films are now violent and profane, 4 out of 7 R-Rated. There’s plentiful nudity and a man executed by a shot through the back of his head…

Here’s what Common Sense Media says about one, Eddie Murphy’s Beverly Hills Cop:

“Violence is not pervasive, but when it appears, it’s rendered realistically — fistfights leave marks and gunshots produce blood and/or death. A man is shot and killed in the back of the head at close range. There’s a strip club scene featuring female nudity.”

Ready to bring out the gang for family entertainment?

In 2019, When Grownups Still Managed RIOC

For the record, here’s the poster from 2019 before the pandemic interrupted the series.

This year, RIOC’s overstaffed Communications Team posted a bulleted list, numbingly unaware that packing it with Rs cut off much of the community.

• Saturday, July 10th: Mad Max: Fury Road (Rated R)
• Friday, July 23rd: Black Stallion
• Saturday, July 24th: Beverly Hills Cop (Rated R)
• Friday, June 30th: Minari
• Friday, August 13th: Bridesmaids (Rated R)
• Friday, August 20th: Rocketman (Rated R)
• Saturday, August 21st: The Mighty Ducks

Conclusion

RIOC’s loss of internal control or, more accurately, turning authority over to unqualified amateurs, is serious.

From the brutal mishandling of scarce 4th of July Fireworks tickets to taking over Blackwell House for office space, the state agency, almost daily, confirms itself as the worst group ever overseeing Roosevelt Island.

More from the Roosevelt Island Daily

• 
  Three New Schools Open in Western Queens Amid Ongoing Classroom Overcrowding
  Three new schools have opened in Western Queens, giving some relief in classroom overcrowding, but families still face capacity challenges and tough implementation issues this fall.
• 
  Certified 9/11-Related Cancer Cases Double at Northwell Health
  Northwell Health has seen a sharp increase as certified 9/11-related cancer cases double, transforming care for survivors and responders in the New York region.
• 
  Long-Term Health Effects Linked to 9/11: 25 Years Later
  The 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks brings renewed focus to long-term health effects linked to 9/11, with ongoing needs for survivors, first responders, and affected communities.
• 
  NYC Yellow School Bus Shortage Disrupts Back-to-School Plans
  A potential NYC yellow school bus shortage could affect back-to-school transportation and schedules as classes begin. Learn how families, schools, and city officials are responding.
• 
  Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Suspected in Hunters Point High-Rise: FDNY Responds
  A lithium-ion battery fire is suspected in the Hunters Point high-rise incident that prompted a major FDNY response, with a second Queens fire following at Ravenswood. Officials are investigating both events.

Lance A. Polivy, Vice President for Legal Affairs

Before RIOC votes, residents deserve to know what happened to the promised search, what conflicts were reviewed, and who will be protected when the next negotiation begins.

Eleanor Rivers May 12, 2026

I do not usually write ahead of the week’s rhythm. Fridays suit an old woman. They allow time for tea, rereading, and the small mercy of correcting one’s own excessive cleverness. But this cannot wait for Friday.

Continue reading →