Note: (**) next to a title denotes that I have actually seen the film.
Box Office Newbies:
1. Away We Go (Jun. 5)Notable names: John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Allison Janney
Rated: R
Synopsis: An expecting couple embark on a road trip to find somewhere to settle their family.
Thoughts: This flick shows promise for avoiding cliche formulae for your typical romantic comedy. Hopefully Krasinski can step outside of his typical role as the romantic comedy leading man. Also note, this one is a limited release; who knows when general audiences might actually get to view it.
2. The Hangover (Jun. 5) **Notable names: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis
Rated: R
Synopsis: Four buddies hit up Vegas for a bachelor party. The groom goes missing the next morning and the remaining three scramble to find him, bearing no recollection of the previous night's events.
Thoughts: Hilarious and well worth the money. I am a huge Ed Helms fan, though Galifianakis claims a close second. Between the two, it is hard to say which brings more hilarity to the ensemble.
3. Year One (Jun. 19)Rated: PG-13
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 their ancient world (IMDB).
Thoughts: This production has been likened to "History of the Wold, Part I." This comparison bodes well for the movie, as does the comedic talents of its cast.
4. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Jun. 26)Rated: PG-13
Synopsis: The Transformers return for a second "epic battle" (IMDB).
Thoughts: They needed an excuse for another speacial-effects blow-out and the first film did well, so why not follow it up with a sequel? Not one I need to see anytime soon.
5. My Sister's Keeper (Jun. 26) **Rated: PG-13
Synopsis: A young girl, genetically engineered to provide blood and plasma for her sick sister, sues her parents for the rights to make decisions about her own body.
Thoughts: Worth seeing and overall a good, touching movie. However, definitely lacks the luster of the original book. Piccoult fans might/should be disappointed by some of the artistic choises made for the film.
Rentals:
1. He's Just Not That Into You (Jun. 2) **Rated: PG-13
Synopsis: Several storylines woven together about different individuals' searches for love and comfort in relationships
Thoughts: This film was actually much more enjoyable and much less grossly predictable than I thought it would be. I especially appreciated that not all of the love stories end picture-perfect. Most of all, Justin Long's role in this film is HOT.
2. Revolutionary Road (Jun. 2)Rated: R
Synopsis: A young couple living in a Connecticut suburb during the mid-1950s struggle to come to terms with their personal problems while trying to raise their two children. Based on a novel by Richard Yates (IMDB).
Thoughts: It looked like a heavyweight for this past award season, yet it only took home a few. I am interested in seeing it at some point, though its apparent heaviness is something of a deterrent.
3. Fired Up (Jun. 9) **Rated: PG-13
Synopsis: Two high school players decide to attend cheer camp in hopes of scoring.
Thoughts: A fun brainless comedy aimed mainly at the high school/college age demographic.
4. Confessions of a Shopoholic (Jun. 23) **Rated: PG
Synopsis: A 20-something shopaholic lands a job at a finance magazine after discovering that she might need some income for her maxed credit cards.
Thoughts: Perfect fit for all those formulaic, cliche romantic comedies that I have been griping about. Sure, it is cute and worth a view if you can handle possibly gagging from excessive sap during at least one scene.
5. Inkheart (Jun. 23) **Rated: PG
Synopsis: A young girl discovers her father has an amazing talent to bring characters out of their books and must try to stop a freed villain from destroying them all, with the help of her father, her aunt, and a storybook's hero (IMDB).
Thoughts: From a very reliable source, I hear two things: the book series is amazing and this film is crappy and revisionist. Having not yet read the book, I can assure you that even without comparison to the book, the film is nothing special, but often over-the-top.
6. Pink Panther 2 (Jun. 23) **Rated: PG
Synopsis: Bumbling inspector Clouseau returns to crack another case of the inexplicably missing Pink Panther diamond.
Thoughts: Worth seeing for some mindless frivolity. For more thoughts, refer to my full review, posted on Feb. 28.
