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With Cannes Film Festival wrapping up last month, the only big cinematic event this month is pure, unadulterated blockbuster entertainment. The biggest and most promising of the summer blockbusters get released this June, as well as a few limited release gems. Check out what we are anticipating below, followed by matinees to see.
See:
10. Green Lantern (Martin Campbell; June 17th)
Synopsis: When he's granted a mystical green ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers, test pilot Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) becomes the first human to earn membership into an intergalactic squadron tasked with keeping peace within the universe. His mission: to combat an enemy called Parallax, which threatens to destroy the universe's balance of power.
Trailer
Why You Should See It: While the animation looks not much better than a video-game cut-scene, and Reynolds is extremely awkward in his CG-suit, I have an ounce of anticipation left for Martin Campbell's superhero blockbuster. The scope is large and Campbell has proved his action chops before, especially with Casino Royale.
9. Bad Teacher (Jake Kasdan; June 24th)
Synopsis: Dumped by her sugar daddy, an unsaintly schoolteacher (Cameron Diaz) targets one of her colleagues (Justin Timberlake) as her next lover -- a plan that pits her against a popular co-worker.
Trailer
Why You Should See It: Director Jake Kasdan has helmed what looks to be his most mainstream comedy thus far after giving us Zero Effect, Walk Hard, The TV Set, and Orange County. From The Office and upcoming Ghostbusters III writers Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg, this R-rated comedy will see if Diaz can redeem herself in the "making us laugh" category.
8. Page One: Inside the New York Times (Andrew Rossi; June 17th)
Synopsis: A documentary filmed over one year at the New York Times and its newly created media desk, a group of reporters working to keep the paper in step with the transforming media landscape.
Trailer
Why You Should See It: Premiering to great reviews at Sundance this year, this documentary delves into one of the the busiest newsrooms in the world. Although it is reportedly very one-sided, a look at how new media is effecting the newspaper industry is a fascinating topic.
7. Buck (Cindy Meehl; June 17th)
Synopsis: A documentary on Buck Brannaman, a renown "horse whisperer" who helps people connect with their animals.
Trailer
Why You Should See It: One of the big films coming out of Sundance Film Festival this year is the story of Buck Brannaman, the perfect American cowboy. Cindy Meehls documentary picked up the Documentary Audience Award to rave reviews. This is a definite must-see.
6. Beginners (Mike Mills; June 3rd)
Synopsis: At the age of 75, Hal (Christopher Plummer) decides to tell his son, Oliver (Ewan McGregor) that he (a) has terminal cancer and (b) is a gay man with a younger lover.
Trailer
Why You Should See It: After the underseen Thumbsucker, director Mike Mills returns with a deeply personal story about love and aging. Inglorious Basterds star Melanie Laurent is fantastic and charming as the female lead, while Christopher Plummer continues to show he can deliver touching performances. Check out our SXSW review here.
5. X-Men: First Class (Matthew Vaughn; June 3rd)
Synopsis: Charles Xavier (aka Professor X) and Erik Lensherr (aka Magneto) are two young men discovering their powers. Banding together with fellow mutants to stop a threat to the world, a rift grows between the two forces, leading to the founding of Professor X's X-MEN and Magneto's Brotherhood, and the beginning of their eternal war.
Trailer
Why You Should See It: It was only 10 months ago when Kick-Ass director Matthew Vaughn signed on to direct FOX's biggest summer blockbuster. The fact that he has made something not only entertaining, but coherent is a minor miracle. The film still has its problems with breackneck pacing and subpar writing, but the chemistry between Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy is rarely seen in such a big production.
4. The Troll Hunter (André Øvredal; June 10th)
Synopsis: After learning that real-life trolls exist after years of being covered up by a government conspiracy, a group of Norwegian film students set out to catch the creatures on camera.
Trailer
Why You Should See It: One of the most entertaining flicks of the summer will unfortunately fly under the radar it seems. The Troll Hunter has been available on VOD for some time, but it finally hits theaters this month. The adrenaline ride of this one takes you on will likely match the rest of the big-budget blockbusters when all is said and done. Check out our review here.
3. Conan O'Brien Can't Stop (Rodman Flender; June 24th)
Synopsis: After a much-publicized departure from hosting NBC's Tonight Show - and the severing of a 22-year relationship with the network - O'Brien hit the road with a 32-city music-and-comedy show to exercise his performing chops and exorcise a few demons.
Trailer
Why You Should See It: If you missed Conan O'Brien on his road tour, this documentary chronicling the event seems to capture the wild experience. Premiering to great reviews at SXSW, it also seems to venture into the darker side of his NBC split.
2. Submarine (Richard Ayoade; June 3rd)
Synopsis: 15-year-old Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts) has two objectives: To lose his virginity before his next birthday, and to extinguish the flame between his mother (Sally Hawkins) and an ex-lover (Paddy Considine) who has resurfaced in her life.
Trailer
Why You Should See It: In his directorial debut, Richard Ayoade has crafted one of the most lively, refreshingly humorous coming-of-age tales of late. With nods from the films that came before it, there are still many unique touches put into this playfully awkward comedy. Check out my TIFF review here, as well as my Sundance interview with the director.
1. Super 8 (J.J. Abrams; June 10th)
Synopsis: Ohio, 1979: when kids shooting a super 8 movie witness a train crash, their shock soon turns to feelings of suspicion and horror after disappearances and inexplicable events begin to take place in town.
Trailer
Why You Should See It: J.J. Abrams teams with Steven Spielberg for this homage to the '80s blockbuster classics from the latter director. The summer adventure looks to match excellent child acting with a sci-fi mystery we can all get wrapped up in. If there is one must-see, original film this summer, it is Super 8.
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Matinee:
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Michael Bay; June 29th)
Synopsis: The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the Moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and to learn its secrets.
Trailer
Why You Should See a Matinee: With the atrocity that was Revenge of the Fallen, it is hard to be convinced Michael Bay has actually produced a worthwhile blockbuster with his latest mammoth robot creation. The man is great at crafting exciting trailers, but when it comes to feature films, it is rare that he can sustain any sort of drama. It will likely be the highest grossing film of the summer, but if it turns out as bad as the last entry, we can only hope audiences smarten up this time around.
Beautiful Boy (Shawn Ku; June 3rd)
Synopsis: A married couple on the verge of separation (Michael Sheen and Maria Bello) turn to one another in the wake of a shocking act committed by Sam (Kyle Gallner), their 18-year-old son.
Trailer
Why You Should See a Matinee: The dark subject matter likely won't translate to much buzz (just look at the highly underrated Rabbit Hole from last year), but Michael Sheen can certainly command a powerful performance. Judging from mixed festival reviews, this looks to be one to seek out only if you are prepared from the drama.
Film Socialisme (Jean-Luc Godard; June 3rd)
Synopsis: A magisterial essay on the decline of European Civilization. As a garish cruise ship travels the Mediterranean (with Patti Smith among its guests), Godard embarks on a state of the EU address in a vibrant collage of philosophical quotes, historical revelations and pure cinematographic beauty.
Trailer
Why You Should See a Matinee: The response haven't been strong for the next, and likely one of the last, films from the influential French New Wave pioneer Jean-Luc Godard. I certainly hope the trailer isnt just a sped up version of the film, but reviews certainly hint at that. Check out our NYFF review here.
A Better Life (Chris Weitz; June 24th)
Synopsis: A crisis befalls Carlos, an illegal immigrant working as a landscaper in Los Angeles and focused on providing a better life for his son.
Trailer
Why You Should See a Matinee: What looks to be a modern day Bicycle Thieves certainly won't match up to that classic, but one has to appreciate that Weitz has gone back to small drama territory after New Moon and The Golden Compass.
The Trip (Michael Winterbottom; June 10th)
Synopsis: When The Observer asks Steve Coogan to tour Northern England's finest restaurants, the actor's idealized getaway soon turns into an exasperating assignment with best friend/professional rival Rob Brydon in tow.
Trailer
Why You Should See a Matinee: A wild departure from his last film, The Killer Inside Me, director Michael Winterbottom opts for a quiet look at comedy and the life of performance, in this low-key adventure film. The sum doesnt add up to its parts, but there is enough in this cut-down BBC series for fans of Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon to seek out. Check out our Tribeca review here.
Cars 2 (John Lasseter and Brad Lewis; June 24th)
Synopsis: Lightning McQueen, pit boss Mater, and the rest of Lightning's crew enter the Race of Champions, a multi-national event taking place in Japan, Germany, Italy, France, and England.
Trailer
Why You Should See a Matinee: After Rango and Kung Fu Panda 2, it is shocking to think Pixar may have the worst animation of the bunch this year. There is a clear lack of care shown in the trailers for their latest, a sequel to the monster merchandising hit Cars. It is still coming from the best animation studio in Hollywood and that alone gives me some hope they've been only marketing to the child demographic, hiding the more promising material in the actual film.
What are you seeing this month? What will you be skipping?
Only 4 theaters to start off. Hopefully will expand greatly.