The summer movie season has offically launched! It’s going to be a crowded summer for big blockbusters this year with Iron Man, Speed Racer (May 9), Indiana Jones (May 22), Dark Knight (July 18), Hulk (June 13), Hellboy II (July 11), Hancock (July 2) among other big films vying for our attention. Most, if not all these films are based on a big branded franchise or an anticipated sequel. These are pretty much no-brainers for summer films to watch. But what about the smaller films that could easily fall under the radar amidst the mega releases. We’ve compiled our top 5 “not-so-obvious” must see movies for the summer.
5.) The Happening (June 13)
M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Signs) is at it again. Once an obvious choice, Shyamalan has directed two disappointing films in a row with The Village and Lady In The Water. Hence, there are a lot of haters of Mr. Shyamalan out there but I'm of the belief that it's three strikes you’re out, not two. I really believe he’s going to come out of writer/director jail with this film. It’s tough to really tell from the trailers whether his films will be good as they are always a bit vague and give away very little but The Happening seems to go back to his roots with a simple, high concept plot combined with chilling suspense. If I was a betting man, which I am, I’d place a bet The Happening will deliver this summer. Opens in theaters June 13th.
4.)The Fall (May 9)
Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich ,Adaptation) and David Fincher (Se7en, Fight Club) present this stunning visual epic directed by Tarsem (director of The Cell ). The film was shot in nearly two dozen countries by piggybacking on commercial shoots which Tarsem apparently financed out of his own pocket! Tarsem is best known as a music video and commercial director so the story may lack but watch the trailer and you will be mesmerized. This film is getting a much smaller release compared to a traditional studio film, but if you’re fortunate enough to have it play in a theater near you, don’t miss the opportunity to see this visual gem on a big screen. Opens in theaters May 9th.
3.) Foot Fist Way (May 30)
Foot Fist Way is a small little comedy that was almost overlooked by everyone until Will Ferrell and his partner Adam McKay at Funny or Die saw it and loved it. Now the trailer is basically an endorsement by Will and Adam for the film. For them to go out on the limb for this small film says a lot (Will and Adam are not producers on the film). If you think Will is funny (and who doesn't) and you like their sensibilities on Funny or Die (Landlord) this is probably going to be a good bet. Opens in theaters May 30th.
2.)The Promotion (June 6)
The Promotion premiered at the 2008 SXSW Film Festival to thunderous laughs. The film stars Sean William Scott and John C. Reilly pitted against each other for a promotion as the manager to the new supermarket opening up. The Promotion seems to find a nice balance between the weird quirkiness of Wes Anderson and the honest raunchiness of Judd Apatow. This is going to be the little sleeper comedy of the year coming out of the film festival circuit similar to Juno last year. Opens in theaters June 6th.
1.) Pineapple Express (Aug 8)
Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen are back, this time in an indie, pot-smoking, crime thriller, about an ordinary guy who witnesses a murder and goes on the run with his drug dealing friend ( James Franco). The film is directed by a super talented young writer/director, David Gordon Green, best known for gritty realistic dramas (All The Real Girls , Snow Angels) but his sensibility should be the x-factor in making an otherwise typical stoner film into something truly special. Judd has proven to be a true innovator and unafraid of taking risks. Yes, the movie looks substantially different from recent Apatow films (Knocked Up, Superbad and Forgetting Sarah Marshall) but that will be brilliance of this film. Opens in theaters August 8th.
