Not sure what is coming out this month? Here is a rundown of my most anticipated films.
Editor’s note: I’m not sure what to expect from Cheri, My Sister’s Keeper or The Proposal so I haven’t included those.
10. The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (Scott, June 12th)
Synopsis: Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day’s work for dispatcher Walter Garbe (Washington) into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime (Travolta).
Why You Should See It: Tony Scott has proven he can create a great action thriller. I thought his last outing with Denzel Washington, Deja Vu, was pretty entertaining so despite the lackluster trailer I will be checking this out.
9. Land of the Lost (Silberling, June 5th)
Synopsis: Three adults inadvertently stumble into a mysterious land populated by dinosaurs and other creatures, including the mysterious and dangerous race of Sleestak.
Why You Should See It: Will Ferrell and Danny McBride. Brad Silberling also proved he can direct a comedy-adventure with Lemony Snicket. I’m glad Will Ferrell has stopped making the same movie and is venturing into slightly different territory.
8. Tetro (Coppola, June 11th)
Synopsis: Bennie travels to Buenos Aires (Ehrenreich) to find his long-missing older brother (Gallo), a once-promising writer who is now a remnant of his former self. Bennie’s discovery of his brother’s near-finished play might hold the answer to understanding their shared past and renewing their bond.
Why You Should See It: Coppolla returns to family drama after some iffy recent history. That should be enough of a reason.
7. Away We Go (Mendes, June 5th)
Synopsis: A couple (Rudolph and Krasinski) who is expecting their first child travel around the U.S. in order to find a perfect place to start their family.
Why You Should See It: The film seems like something of a side project for Mendes after Revolutionary Road, but the trailer looks indietastic. I’m interested in seeing if John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph can defy odds and pull off leading roles.
6. Whatever Works (Allen, June 19th)
Synopsis: An eccentric older man (David) encounters a Southern belle (Wood) and promptly falls in love. But how will the couple, her family, and his New York City friends mix?
Why You Should See It: Vicky Cristina Barcelona was one of my favorite films last year. The trailer looks pretty funny and will be interesting to see how Allen uses Larry David.
5. Year One (Ramis, June 19th)
Synopsis: When a couple of lazy hunter-gatherers (Black and Cera) are banished from their primitive village, they set off on an epic journey through the ancient world.
Why You Should See It: Harold Ramis (Caddyshack, Groundhog Day, Vacation) is back with Michael Cera, Jack Black, and David Cross. The trailer was entertaining, looking to be one of the funnier films this summer.
4. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Bay, June 24th)
Synopsis: Decepticon forces return to Earth on a mission to take Sam Witwicky prisoner, after the young hero learns the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers. Joining the mission to protect humankind is Optimus Prime, who forms an alliance with international armies for a second epic battle.
Why You Should See It: Michael Bay returns and I’m guessing there will be bigger explosions, additional transformers, and more army helicopters. I’m predicting this summer blockbuster staple will be the highest grosser this year.
3. Moon (Jones, June 12th)
Synopsis: Astronaut Sam Bell (Rockwell) has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has helped diminish our planet’s power problems.
Why You Should See It: Sam Rockwell is in the entire film alongside a Clint Mansell score. I always love some good sci-fi and this looks like it will deliver on all fronts.
2. The Hurt Locker (Bigelow, June 26th)
Synopsis: Iraq. Forced to play a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse in the chaos of war, an elite Army bomb squad unit must come together in a city where everyone is a potential enemy and every object could be a deadly bomb.
Why You Should See It: I’ve seen this film and I can safely say it is the best Iraq War film to date. Filled with interesting characters and heart pounding suspense, this is one you don’t want to miss.
1. The Hangover (Phillips, June 5th)
Synopsis: A Las Vegas-set comedy centered around three groomsmen who lose their about-to-be-wed buddy during their drunken misadventures, then must retrace their steps in order to find him.
Why You Should See It: The single funniest trailer I’ve seen in a long time. Early screening impressions have revealed that this could be one of best comedies of the year. Todd Phillips (Old School) directs Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis in this highly anticipated adventure.
Avoid:
My Life in Ruins (Petrie, June 5th)
Synopsis: A travel guide (Vardalos) rediscovers her romantic side, with a very unlikely match, as she whisks a group of tourists around Greece.
Why You Should Avoid It: I don’t care how good My Big Fat Greek Wedding was, this looks terrible. If the whole film is filled with cheap jokes like the trailer (poopy?) this is one to avoid at all costs.
Imagine That (Kirkpatrick, June 12th)
Synopsis: A financial executive (Murphy) who can’t stop his career downspiral is invited into his daughter’s imaginary world, where solutions to his problems await.
Why You Should Avoid It: Oh Eddie Murphy, how far can you fall? The only thing that gives this movie promise is director Karey Kirkpatrick was behind the surprisingly hilarious Over The Hedge.
Do you agree? What are you watching this month?