We’re off to a solid start to the summer movie season with the first five weeks gifting us a pair of solid sequels (Avengers: Age of Ultron & Pitch Perfect 2), The Rock defeating earthquakes/tsunamis in the wonderfully outrageous San Andreas, &, most notably, Mad Max: Fury Road which somehow managed to integrate themes of feminism & the dangers of religious fundamentalism into two hours of crazed action. That George Miller’s return to his Mad Max franchise would be both a worldwide hit, it’s grossed over $283 million to this point, & the best reviewed mainstream movie released this year gives some perspective on his accomplishment. While those who keep an eye on the indie scene have had a variety of interesting, & well reviewed, fair to choose from. There’s been an impressively cast period romance (Far From The Madding Crowd), an Ethan Hawke led examination of the drone war (Good Kill), another offbeat Kristen Wiig film (Welcome to Me), a gym comedy starring Cobie Smulders & Guy Pearce (Results), & an inventive western featuring Michael Fassbender & the Hound from Game of Thrones (Slow West).* Granted it hasn’t all been good. Poltergeist looks to have been another needless remake. Hot Pursuit was hot trash. The much hyped, by me anyway, Tomorrowland, was solid but never quite equaled up to the sum of its parts, while Aloha put an exclamation mark on Cameron Crowe’s decade long slump. But misses are inevitable, what matters are the good ones & there are plenty left to come.
* If you’re in Tucson you can still catch “Slow West” at the loft & “Madding Crowd” at el con, where you can also still see the excellent “Ex Machina.” You might also try on demand for these smaller films.
I'm here to serve as your guide to the entertainment coming out from now till the end of August. This list will hopefully help you decide which blockbusters are worth spending your money on while also bringing your attention to those smaller films you might not have heard of. Though I must caution that just because a film doesn't make my list doesn't mean it's not worth seeing. Over 60 films will make it to theaters from now through August, I considered roughly half of them, & at least a few of them will be better than most of the movies on this list. So if you're interested in something don't ignore your own movie instincts,* just consider the 20 films** I've listed below. If you want to see a film’s trailer click on its name & remember that unless you live in a major city, especially LA & NY, limited release films will likely take two to four weeks to reach you & may be accessed on demand.
*Unless those instincts have caused you to pay for either "Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2" or "Hot Pursuit," then you should probably stop making decisions for yourself.
**This list is made up entirely of narrative films. If you’re interested in documentaries be on the lookout for “Sunshine Superman” (currently in limited release), “The Wolfpack” (June 12-limited release), “The Yes Men are Revolting” (June 12-limited) “Batkid Begins” (June 26-limited release), & “The Look of Silence” (July 17-limited release).
Before we get to the list though I'd like to throw a little love to the films that narrowly missed the cut.
- American Ultra (August 21): A stoner (Jesse Eisenberg) has his past catch up to him forcing he & his girlfriend (Kristen Stewart) to flee the government operation out to kill him. Written by Max Landis (Chronicle) it includes a killer supporting cast featuring Walton Goggins & Connie Britton.
- Fantastic Four (August 7): This reboot of the franchise brings us a much younger &, on the whole, more talented cast than the last set of films.
- The Man from U.N.C.L.E (August 14): Superman, a Winklevoss twin, & the sexy robot from Ex Machina team up to stop Nazis in the 60s from acquiring nuclear bombs in Guy Ritchie's version of the 60s TV show.
P.S. I love this trailer; few people do style, wit, & violence like Ritchie at the top of his game.
- Mr. Holmes (July 17): Sir Ian McKellan as Sherlock Holmes, that's all you need to know.
- Ricki and the Flash (August 7): I wasn’t particularly taken by the trailer of an aging rocker trying to reconnect with her family but director Jonathan Demme has won an Oscar (The Silence of the Lambs), screenwriter Diablo Cody has won an Oscar (Juno), & star Meryl Streep has all of the Oscars so chances are there’s something here.
What it’s about: The rise of rap group N.W.A. in the 1980s, & the way that rise altered pop culture & ignited a culture war.
Why you should see it: The movie has impeccable timing for its release at a time when racial tensions have once again been boiling over. Hopefully the film is an insightful look at the group, with Ice Cube (whose son plays him) & Dr. Dre serving as producers the filmmakers certainly had access, as well as those tensions. Even if it falls short on either of those it’s a film that’s going to spark conversation in a way few others are.
What it’s about: A champion boxer’s life falls apart, inside & outside the ring, after the death of his wife. With the help of a no nonsense trainer he begins to rebuild his life & attempt to win back his title & his daughter.
Why you should see it: The trailer gives away too much & the story is filled with cliches but the same could be said of Warrior, & that’s the best sports movie of the last decade. Warrior succeeded because it grounded those cliches in emotional realism, featured gritty direction, & fantastic performances, all those potential ingredients are present here. The script is by Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter, director Antoine Fuqua made Training Day, & I’m expecting a lot from Jake Gyllenhaal. Now I’m not saying this will be as good as Warrior, but if it’s 80% as good it’ll be worth your money.
What it's about: The infamous real-life psychological experiment where 24 students were randomly assigned roles as either guards or prisoners in a mock prison, & quickly adapted to those roles to a disturbing degree.
Why you should see it: The story itself is fascinating, the movie got the professor who ran the actual experiment to serve as an advisor, & the cast is made up of a number of talented young actors including Ezra Miller (The Perks of Being a Wallflower), Tye Sheridan (Mud), & Gaius Charles (Smash from Friday Night Lights).
What it's about: A couple new to L.A. (Adam Scott & Taylor Schilling) accept a dinner invitation from another couple (Jason Schwartzman & Judith Godrèche) that leads to an increasingly bizarre night.
Why you should see it: Scott & Schwartzman are exceptional comedic actors, Schilling has shown plenty of her own skill as the lead in Orange Is the New Black, & reviews say it's one of the funniest movies of the year.
What it’s about: A teacher at a Chicago high school discovers she’s pregnant at the same time as one of her most promising students & the two look to help each other through their unexpected pregnancies.
Why you should see it: Free from that disaster of a final season of How I Met Your Mother, Cobie Smulders is earning rave reviews for her work here, as is the movie as a whole. Of interest is that writer/director Kris Swanberg’s husband also has a movie on this list, talented family.
What it's about: A burned-out but brilliant philosophy professor (Joaquin Phoenix) accepts a job at a small college where he becomes involved with both a teacher (Parker Posey) & a student (Emma Stone). While there a dramatic, existential act reignites his will to live.
Why you should see it: Woody Allen isn't the most consistent auteur but when he misses his films are still enjoyable & when he hits his work is among the best in the business. Thus far reviews have been mixed but I’m not passing on Stone, Posey, & Phoenix in a Woody Allen movie.
What it's about: A detective (Ethan Hawke) investigates the case of a young woman (Emma Watson) accusing her father of a heinous crime. When her father unexpectedly confesses, despite having no memory of the crime, an acclaimed psychologist (David Thewlis) is brought in to help him relive his past, leading to the discovery a horrifying conspiracy.
Why you should see it: First of all, that's a pretty great cast. Secondly, writer/director
Alejandro Amenábar has already made a great horror movie before with The Others. Thirdly, it's probably the one studio horror film this summer that isn't a remake, sequel, or going to be horrible.
What it's about: A transgender prostitute tears through Los Angeles with her best friend on Christmas Eve looking for the pimp who broke her heart.
Why you should see it: Well, you're certainly not going to see another movie like this in 2015, & that's before you factor in that it was filmed on an iPhone 5s. Of course, those factors alone wouldn't make this film worth seeing, but the reviews thus far have raved about it & the Duplass brothers (Jeff, Who Lives at Home & HBO's Togetherness) are signed on as producers. That's plenty for me.
What it's about: Paul Rudd gets a suit that makes him really small/strong. Boom! Nailed it.
Why you should see it: Marvel hasn't missed yet, Paul Rudd's awesome, & he's surrounded by a strong cast (Evangeline Lilly, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, Michael Douglas, Michael Peña & Corey Stoll). Now it is a bummer Edgar Wright wasn't able to stay on as director but he still wrote the first draft of the script while Rudd & Adam McKay (Anchorman & Step Brothers) finished it off. This should challenge Guardians of the Galaxy for funniest Marvel film.
11. Spy (June 5)
What it's about: A CIA analyst (Melissa McCarthy) is pushed into the field after a top agent (Jude Law) goes missing & another (Jason Statham) is compromised.
Why you should see it: McCarthy's best work has been in partnership with writer/director Paul Feig, & early reviews suggest that continues here. What's more Statham should be a blast getting to demonstrate his underused comedic chops. Also, it bears mentioning, that it's rated R. This isn't going to hold back.
What it's about: Tom Cruise & team (Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, & Ving Rhames return) must face off against their evil counterparts, the Syndicate.
Why you should see it: All but the second MI film have been pretty great, with the last one upping the stunts & from the preview this looks to carry that fun over. Christopher McQuarrie writes & directs after having previously teamed up with Cruise on Jack Reacher, Edge of Tomorrow, & Valkyrie.
9. Digging for Fire (August 21 – limited)
What it’s about: The discover of a gun & a bone in their backyard sends a struggling husband & wife on separate adventures over the course of a weekend.
Why you should see it: It has, by far, the best cast of any film this summer. Jake Johnson (New Girl) & Rosemarie DeWitt (Your Sister's Sister) star as the couple & joining them on their adventure is Anna Kendrick, Sam Rockwell, Orlando Bloom, Chris Messina, Melanie Lynskey, Ron Livingston, Sam Elliot, Brie Larson, & Mike Birbiglia (those latter two co-star in another film on this list). Johnson also co-wrote the film with director Joe Swanberg, & the last time the two worked together they produced 2013’s exceptional Drinking Buddies.
What it’s about: Malcolm is a geek carefully surviving in a tough L.A. neighborhood while juggling college applications, interviews, & the SAT. A chance invitation to an underground party leads him, & his two best friends, into a life-changing adventure.
Why you should see it: It earned rave reviews at Sundance, with critics citing its fast pace story & intelligent comedy, as well as the best editing award at the festival. Shameik Moore’s work in the lead has been called a star-making turn. You know the money you were going to waste on Ted 2 or the new Adam Sandler movie? Spend it on this instead.
7. Sleeping with Other People (August 21 – limited)
What it’s about: A decade after losing their virginity together in college a good-natured womanizer (Jason Sudeikis) & a serial cheater (Alison Brie) reconnect & form a platonic relationship that helps them reform their ways, while mutual attraction sets in.
Why you should see it: Brie & Sudeikis are joined by a number of talented comic actors including Adam Scott, Jason Mantzoukas (Rafi from The League), & Natasha Lyonne (Nicky on Orange is the New Black). Just as importantly writer/director Leslye Headland has proven her R-rated romance bonafides with Bachelorette & About Last Night. Reviews thus far have ranged from calling it a standard rom-com to the modern When Harry Met Sally, that’s the type of upside I can’t ignore. Also, come on, Alison Brie.
What it’s about: A teen artist living in 1970s San Francisco begins an affair with her mother’s boyfriend.
Why you should see it: That may sound like a Lifetime movie set in the 70s but reviews, which are nearly uniformly positive, have made clear the film isn’t some over the top melodrama but rather a frank, witty, wonderfully offbeat look at one teenager’s journey to adulthood. Bel Powley is said to be “magnificent” in the lead with strong performances by Kristen Wiig, as her mother, & Alexander Skarsgård, as the boyfriend, providing support.
What it’s about: 22 years after the events of Jurassic Park a dinosaur amusement park has been operating for 10 years on the island but with attendance dropping a new attraction is created to reignite visitor’s interest. That plan works out perfectly & all the employees get a huge bonus! Oh wait… Sorry, I meant everything goes horribly wrong & a bunch of people die.
Why you should see it: It stars Chris Pratt. It was written by the duo that brought us the last two Planet of the Apes Movies. It’s directed by Colin Trevorrow, who last brought us the fantastic Safety Not Guaranteed. And… DINOSAURS!!!
What it’s about: An account of Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky’s (Jesse Eisenberg) five-day interview with acclaimed author David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) that occurred shortly after the 1996 publication of the latter’s groundbreaking novel, Infinite Jest.
Why you should see it: Eisenberg is a, deservedly, well regarded dramatic actor but the biggest excitement here is getting to see Segel flex his own dramatic muscles, & by all accounts he does so with aplomb. This shouldn’t be a surprise, both because Segel is extremely talented, & director James Ponsaldt (Smashed, The Spectacular Now) has proven a great talent at coaxing out fantastic performances in his previous films.
What it’s about: When a young girl’s family moves to a new home her emotions (Joy, Disgust, Fear, Sadness, & Anger) are plunged into chaos as they compete for control of her mind.
Why you should see it: It’s a Pixar movie which, unless it’s one of the Cars films, means it’s a must see. That’s especially true of this film as it’s received impressive early reviews, boasts a killer voice cast led by Amy Poehler, & is helmed by Pete Docter whose last films was Pixar’s masterpiece Up.
What it’s about: Believing that monogamy is impossible since she was a little girl, thanks to some less than sage advice from her dad, magazine writer Amy (Amy Schumer) has lived an uninhibited life free from romantic commitment. When she starts to fall for the subject of her latest assignment, a charming sports doctor (Bill Hader), she starts to question her deeply held point-of-view on relationships.
Why you should see it: So many reasons. Schumer is hilarious, if you haven’t seen her 12 Angry Men parody yet please go watch it right now before continuing to read this list. King of comedy Judd Apatow chose to direct this, the first time he’s directed a film he didn’t write. Hader is an underrated performer who deserves more leading man opportunities. The supporting cast is a varied & ridiculously talented group ranging from exceptional actresses (Tilda Swinton & Brie Larson) to athletes (LeBron James & John Cena) to one of my favorite comedians, Mike Birbiglia. And the chances of it not being fantastic are miniscule as the handful of reviews that have come out thus far have all been liberal with their praise.
What it’s about: A high school senior who tries to avoid attachments, to the point that he describes his best friend Earl as a “co-worker,” is forced by his mother to spend time with a girl in his class who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Why you should see it: No, this isn’t this year’s The Fault in Our Stars (That would be Paper Towns). As the trailer makes clear this won’t be a sappy romance but a more interesting look at friendship, & whatever cliches the premise is built on the film transcends them –– it currently holds a 100% on rotten tomatoes & a 92 on metacritic. The three titular characters are played by Thomas Mann, who’s shown flashes of talent in otherwise mediocre movies like Project X & Fun Size, Olivia Cooke (Bates Motel), & RJ Cyler, in only his second film. Reviews have raved about their performances, & they’re supported by a talented older cast including Connie Britton, Nick Offerman, Jon Bernthal, & Molly Shannon. Movies that can give you gut busting laughs & then punch you in the gut with real emotional are exceedingly rare, so don’t miss out on the one film this summer that’s sure to do both.
No comments:
Post a Comment