The PopMatters Summer Movie Preview June 2013

A classic comic book champion challenges three different takes on the End of the World, while some oddball independents struggle for recognition in this second serving of Summer season spectacle.

 

Director: Shawn Levy

Film: The Internship

Cast: Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Rose Byrne, Max Minghella, Joanna Garcia, John Goodman

MPAA rating: PG-13

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7 June
The Internship

Has it really been eight years since Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson worked their gross-out comedy magic on a little movie called Wedding Crashers? Better still, has it really been a similar number of years since the duo have had any laugher come close to that fan favorite? Sadly, this doesn’t look like a return to form but the building of a bank account. After all, the PG-13 rating doesn’t help, and neither does the presence of derivative director Shawn Levy (Real Steel, the Night at the Museum franchise). Apparently, this duo is done pushing the envelope. Even with the high tech setting this one seems safe as milk.

 

Director: James DeMonaco

Film: The Purge

Cast: Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Adelaide Kane, Max Burkholder, Edwin Hodge, Rhys Wakefield

MPAA rating: R

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7 June
The Purge

While attending a screening of Rob Zombie’s Lords of Salem, a trailer for this thriller was revealed. And then, another ad, this time for something called You’re Next. Apparently, the concept of well to do people being picked on by outside intruders is the new genre trend. Here, the US has come up with a way of lowering crime (?) and unemployment (??) by allowing all citizens one 12 hour police-less crime spree per year. We then meet Ethan Hawke, his family, and his well armed palatial mansion. A mistake leads to a version of Assault on Precinct 13, which, oddly enough, Hawke starred in as well (the remake, that is).

 

Director: Joss Whedon

Film: Much Ado About Nothing

Cast: Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Nathan Fillion, Clark Gregg, Reed Diamond, Fran Kranz, Sean Maher, Spencer Treat Clark, Riki Lindhome, Ashley Johnson

MPAA rating: PG

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7 June
Much Ado About Nothing

If you’re Joss Whedon and you’ve just been handed the reins of one of Hollywood’s hottest properties – i.e., The Avengers – what do you do with your down time, if any? Why, you collect up a group of friends, set up shop at your own home, and spend the next 12 days filming a version of Shakespeare’s famous romantic comedy of manners. With a previous full color version by Kenneth Branaugh out there, raking in accolades, this seemed riskier than making Mark Ruffalo the Hulk. Early reviews have the black and white romp, complete with olde English couplets, being a cool, contemporary winner.

 

Director: Kieran Darcy-Smith

Film: Wish You Were Here

Cast: Felicity Price, Joel Edgerton, Teresa Palmer

MPAA rating: R

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7 June
Wish You Were Here

It has one of those plots that seem lifted straight out of an episode of Dateline, or a 48 Hours exploration. A foursome of friends take off for an Asian holiday. Only three return. The reason behind one disappearance, and who may be responsible, becomes the film’s main focus. Made last year and now finally finding itself on our shores, the mystery features Joel Edgerton and was written and directed by actor (The Cave, Animal Kingdom) turned feature filmmaker Kieran Darcy-Smith. For some, the conclusion comes too late to save the otherwise slowly paced film. For others, the intrigue and backdrop are more than enough.

 

Director: Geoffrey S. Fletcher

Film: Violet & Daisy

Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Alexis Bledel, James Gandolfini, Danny Trejo, Marianne Jean-Baptiste

MPAA rating: R

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7 June
Violet & Daisy

Now this just seems surreal. Take Geoffrey S. Fletcher, the first (and sadly, only) African America writer to win the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay (for his work on Precious), add in young UK thesp of the moment Saoirse Ronan, and a weird storyline about two young assassins who meet up with James Gandolfini and you’ve got an oddball directorial debut. Yes, the man who won Academy accolades for his look at one girl’s struggles against abuse is making a comedy-thriller about female hired killers. About the only bigger change of pace from his previous gigs would be if Fletcher made a family film about 3D animated insects.

 

Director: Paul Middleditch

Film: Rapture-Palooza

Cast: Anna Kendrick, Ken Jeong, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Thomas Lennon

MPAA rating:

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7 June
Rapture-Palooza

Acting like a Mockbuster for the Friends of Apatow fiesta known as This is the End, what we have here is a comedy where the Apocalypse plays out like a series of scatological jibes at our current hipster culture. Apparently, the Christian version of the End times arrives, and those who are left behind must deal with demons, zombies, and various Biblical plaques. Then Craig Robinson shows up as The Beast, or as he will eventually be known, the Antichrist Pimp. It could be hilarious. It could also be a reminder of how a decent idea can be bastardized for limited gain.

June 14

 

Director: Zack Snyder

Film: Man of Steel

Cast: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Antje Traue, Ayelet Zurer, Christopher Meloni, Russell Crowe

MPAA rating: PG-13

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14 June
Man of Steel

Superman is back, and he has an even bigger enemy to face off against than before. No, he’s not dealing with some devious DC villain whose ready to make the humanoid from Krypton pay. No, as Clark Kent’s alter ego lay dormant, Christopher Nolan (and to some extent, the entire Marvel Universe) has come in and co-opted the superhero genre for their own. Now the question becomes if there is a place in the cinematic pantheon for an old school champion who doesn’t have a real post-modern manner. The choice of director – Zack Snyder – was genius. Here’s hoping the rest of this resurrection is just as savvy.

 

Director: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen

Film: This is The End

Cast: James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Michael Cera, Emma Watson

MPAA rating: R

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14 June
This is the End

As we mentioned before, the World is going to end in a lot of different ways this Summer, and this one has to be the most meta of them all. Seth Rogen and his collaborator Evan Goldberg (Superbad) have come up with an unique take on their previous short film – Jay and Seth vs. The Apocalypse – turning it into a comedy A-list compendium. From the trailer alone we see Craig Robinson, Jay Baruchel, James Franco, Danny McBride, and Emma Watson – and that’s just for beginnings. A look at the IMDb page promises even more insane cameos. And here’s the most surreal part: everyone is playing themselves.

 

Director: Sophia Coppola

Film: The Bling Ring

Cast: Emma Watson, Leslie Mann, Taissa Farmiga, Erin Daniels, Israel Broussard, Katie Chang

MPAA rating: R

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14 June
The Bling Ring

After winning critical acclaim for her first two films – The Virgin Suicides and Lost in Translation (for which she also earned an Oscar for screenplay) – Sophia Coppola’s career has hit a kind of snag. Her contemporized take on Marie Antoinette was a flop, and her awards season entry for 2010, Somewhere, went nowhere. Now she’s returned with a film that could put her back on top. Following the true life adventures of the fame whoring burglars who tracked celebrities via the web so they could rob their homes, the material here seems ripe for Coppola’s cynical if creative eye. She’s got the goods. Let’s hope this one delivers.

 

Director: Mukunda Michael Dewil

Film: Vehicle 19

Cast: Paul Walker, Naima McLean, Gys de Villiers, Leyla Haidarian, Welile Nzuza

MPAA rating: R

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14 June
Vehicle 19

After being touted as the next big thing circa the original Fast and Furious film’s release, Paul Walker went through a kind of professional purgatory before reconnecting with the manic muscle car franchise. Now he’s part of a huge action series that many see going on for years to come. Of course, this doesn’t mean Walker walks away from those projects that promise a paycheck. In this case, a tourist rents a car which ends up having connections to some local criminals. Sounds like perfect post-F&F fodder, right? Well, with rumors of this title going direct to DVD, this isn’t the blockbuster follow-up envisioned for the actor.

 

Director: BJ McDonnell

Film: Hatchet III

Cast: Danielle Harris, Kane Hodder, Zach Galligan Caroline Williams, Derek Mears

MPAA rating: R

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14 June
Hatchet III

Enough, already. Enough with the Jason Voorhees wannabe known as Victor Crowley and Adam Green’s slapstick splatter ideas. Sure, it’s always fun to see genre icons like Daniel Harris, Caroline Williams, Kane Hodder, Zach Galligan, and Derek Mears up on the big screen. But if past installments in this slight scare franchise are any indication, we’ll get 20 minutes of introductory exposition followed by several excessive examples of bloodletting. On the plus side, Green is no longer behind the lens. He’s turned those duties over to his cameraman/cinematographer BJ McDonnell. As for the negative, well, Green still scripted.

June 21

 

Director: Dan Scanlon

Film: Monsters University

Cast: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Joel Murray, Sean Hayes, Dave Foley, Helen Mirren

MPAA rating: PG

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21 June
Monsters University

After punishing us with the unnecessary marketing mess known as Cars 2, many believe Pixar is being pushed by parent company Disney to drag their otherwise stellar originals back through the movie marketplace to rake in even more cash. Last fall, Monsters Inc. got the pointless 3D rerelease. Now, this prequel arrives, stinking of the House of Mouse’s desire to maximize profits and compromise quality. Of course, one must remember that Toy Story was set to have a direct to video sequel when Pixar stepped in and polished it into a masterpiece. Maybe they have a knack for revisiting their past. Here’s hoping.

 

Director: Marc Forster

Film: World War Z

Cast: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, James Badge Dale, Matthew Fox, Bryan Cranston, David Morse

MPAA rating: PG-13

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21 June
World War Z

The buzz has been cataclysmic. The first “review,” from Rolling Stone‘s own quote whore Peter Travers is promising a terrific, terrifying action horror tentpole. Granted, we will follow Brad Pitt just about anywhere he goes (unless it has something to do with a certain Ms. Jolie), but by turning Max Brook’s Civil War for Zombies into a standard stunt spectacle, he’s really pushing us. Then there is the choice of director – Marc Forster. Of his eight previous films, we can only tolerate one – and no, it’s not Monster’s Ball, Stay, Stranger Than Fiction, The Kite Runner, Machine Gun Preacher, or the 007 dud Quantum of Solace. Oh, and did we mention that the entire last act, all 40 minutes of it, was reshot?

 

Director: Dan Mirvish

Film: Between Us

Cast: Taye Diggs, Melissa George, David Harbour, Julia Stiles

MPAA rating: PG-13

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21 June
Between Us

Slamdance co-founder and filmmaker Dan Mirvish has decided to take Joe Hortua’s play about young couples in free fall and translate it to the big screen – and he has brought an interesting cast – Julia Stiles, Taye Diggs, Melissa George, and David Harbour – along with him. Trouble is, what works in a small theatrical setting doesn’t always make the leap to the larger than life world of movies. Early reviews are either in love with this clever, coarse character study or hate every smug, smarmy line of dialogue. We assume this will eventually turn up on Slamdance’s corporate nemesis, The Sundance Channel.

 

Director: Franck Khalfoun

Film: Maniac (2013)

Cast: Elijah Wood, Nora Arnezeder, Jan Broberg

MPAA rating: R

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21 June
Maniac

In 1980, director William Lustig and cowriter/actor Joe Spinell rewrote the rulebook on horror slasher strategies by delivering a devastating portrait of psychosis and serial killing known as Maniac. So shocking were its F/X (Tom Savini turned the character’s desire to scalp his victims into a kind of sick surgical theater) that the MPAA began to treat horror titles differently. Now, nearly 33 years later, Elijah Wood is taking up where Spinell and company left off, starring in this Alexandre Aja produced update. Leaving the directing to Franck Khalfoun of P2 fame, the mind behind High Tension and Piranha 3D promises another slice of gore-drenched misogyny. The trailers only teases at the atrocities to come.

June 28

 

Director: Paul Feig

Film: The Heat

Cast: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Michael Rapaport, Marlon Wayans

MPAA rating: PG-13

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28 June
The Heat

Sandra Bullock got her start in comedies like this. Then she won an Oscar for her work in The Blind Side and, well, we thought she had graduated to more prestigious projects (like Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and Alfonso Cuaron’s Gravity). Apparently, the lure of working with Melissa McCarthy and her Bridesmaids boss Paul Fieg was too much to turn down. Of course, the premise offers an FBI agent that no one can get along with dealing with a gruff local cop to take down a mean Russian mobster. It’s Odd Couple buddy comedy time, and with an untried screenwriter (Katie Dippold), this seems dodgy.

 

Director: Roland Emmerich

Film: White House Down

Cast: Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Clarke, Richard Jenkins, Garcelle Beauvais, Lance Reddick, Joey King, James Woods

MPAA rating: PG-13

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28 June
White House Down

How does this happen? How does Hollywood take an idea as over the top and outrageous as terrorists attacking (and eventually, seizing) the White House and make not one, but two movies out of it? Apparently, it was a race between Sony and Millennium to see who could complete their President in Trouble title first. Gerard Butler and company may have won the race, but with disaster master Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, 2012) behind the lens, we’re betting this will be the better film. After all, it has Jamie Foxx as an ass-kicking Commander in Chief joining jarhead of the moment Channing Tatum to take on the bad guys.

 

Director: Pedro Almodóvar

Film: I’m So Excited

Cast: Javier Cámara, Cecilia Roth, Lola Dueñas, Raúl Arévalo, Hugo Silva

MPAA rating: R

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28 June
I’m So Excited

Pedro Almodozar first made his name as a foreign filmmaker of worth with the wild and wicked comedy Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Along with the kinker Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down, and High Heels, he was seen as a less sleazy Spanish John Waters. Then he went into serious mode and won numerous awards for more personal films like All About My Mother, Talk to Her, and The Skin I Live In. Now he’s back to making light comedies, and from what we hear, this one takes place within a single setting – an airplane. All we can say is up, up, and away!

 

Director: Neil Jordan

Film: Byzantium

Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Arterton, Sam Riley, Jonny Lee Miller

MPAA rating: R

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28 June
Byzantium

Neil Jordan took his Crying Game cache and wondered over to Hollywood, leaving marvelous mini-masterworks like The Company of Wolves and Mona Lisa for the Anne Rice adaptation, Interview with a Vampire. With casting that caused more concern than anything else, the film was a success, but it sank Jordan as an auteur of import. Two decades and several excellent films later, he is still struggling to break out from that whole romantic vampire twaddle, and now he’s trying to do it with…more neckbiters. Saoirse Ronan and Gemma Arterton are a mother/daughter vampire duo who try to hide from humanity in a rundown British resort town. Sounds intriguing.

 

Director: Mark Christopher Covino, Jeff Howlett

Film: A Band Called Death

Cast: Alice Cooper, Bobby Hackney, Dannis Hackney

MPAA rating:

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28 June
A Band Called Death

This is so strange it seems like only a Hollywood hack could conceive of it. A trio of African American brothers who love to play music dump R&B after seeing an Alice Cooper show and end up becoming improbable proto punk pioneers. And it all takes place in the heart of Motown, an early ’70s Detroit. Naturally, their rise to prominence was cut short when record execs begged them to change their name – and sound. Decades later, they are applauded as the innovators they always were. This is their Anvil: The Story of Anvil documentary, complete with “where are they now” acknowledgements and interpersonal triumphs and tragedy. Apparently, the truth remains more mesmerizing than an Macbook fiction.