So here’s how it works: I peruse the list of summer
releases, then spotlight the ones that pique my
curiosity. Sure, it’s completely arbitrary, but since I’m never the only person
in the theater, I have to assume others are interested in these flicks as well.
You’ll notice, though, that with the exception of our ass-kicking 16th
president, there’s a dearth of superhero representation on this list, since the
world needs no more ink spilled on the Dark Knight, and I basically don’t care
about the Spider-Man reboot. Actually, does anyone?
Read on, however, for a look at a bevy of fascinating indies, new works by established masters, and, of course,
some brainless escapism, because kinetic action and obscene teddy bears are
impossible to resist. A couple things to remember: the abbreviation “ltd.”
means that Rochester audiences will
need to be a little patient, and, as always, release dates are subject to
change.
“Peace, Love
& Misunderstanding” Inspired casting, Part 1: Jane Fonda and Catherine
Keener star as flower-power mother and uptight-lawyer daughter in Bruce
Beresford’s lighthearted drama about a fractured family who resume their
clashing in the wake of a divorce. Co-starring Jeffrey Dean
Morgan, Elizabeth Olsen, and Chace Crawford.(6/8
ltd.)
“That’s My Boy” Inspired casting, Part 2: Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg play a heavily
backstoried father and son in this raunchy comedy about a 40something playboy
who tries to reestablish a relationship with his adult kid. With
Leighton Meester, James Caan, and the usual parade of cameos. (6/15)
“Hysteria” Hugh Dancy, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and the always-welcome Rupert Everett lead the
cast of this truth-based frock flick about Mortimer Granville, a physician in
Victorian-era London who made it easier for doctors to treat female hysteria
via pelvic massage with — OK; enough euphemism. This dude invented the
vibrator. (6/15)
“Abraham Lincoln:
Vampire Hunter” For his first English-language film since 2008’s “Wanted,”
Timur Bekmambetov directs the eagerly awaited adaptation of Seth
Grahame-Smith’s novel about the Great Emancipator (Benjamin Walker) and his
efforts to protect the United States from slave-owning bloodsuckers. Co-starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Dominic Cooper.
(6/22)
“Brave” Finally, from Pixar Animation, a heroine: Kelly Macdonald (HBO’s “Boardwalk
Empire”) voices Merida, a willful
Scottish princess who must rely on her archery skills to undo a curse brought
about by her reckless defiance. Also showcasing the talents
of Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Craig Ferguson, and, of course, John
Ratzenberger. (6/22)
“Seeking a Friend
for the End of the World” The directing debut of screenwriter Lorene
Scafaria (“Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist”) features the odd-couple pairing
of Steve Carell and Keira Knightley in a road-trip tale about a man who goes
looking for an old flame with his neighbor in tow and an asteroid threatening
their planet. (6/22)
“Your Sister’s
Sister” Writer-director Lynn Shelton reteams with “Humpday” star Mark
Duplass for this comedy-drama about a grieving Seattle slacker trying to
navigate complicated entanglements with his closest friend (Emily Blunt) and
her half-sister (Rosemarie Dewitt). (6/22 ltd.)
“Lola Versus” Current cinema darling (and potential heir to the Meg Ryan throne) Greta Gerwig
follows up Whit Stillman’s “Damsels in Distress” with this romantic comedy
about a jilted bride-to-be who tries to come to grips with her singledom as she
closes in on 30. Look for Bill Pullman and Debra Winger as Lola’s hippie
parents. (6/29)
“Magic Mike” The prolific Steven Soderbergh returns with a rather un-Soderberghy comedy that
features Channing Tatum as the title character, an experienced stripper who
shows a new guy the ropes while he contemplates his own non-gyrating future. Co-starring Alex Pettyfer and Matthew McConaughey. (6/29)
“Moonrise
Kingdom” Wes Anderson’s first foray into live-action filmmaking since
2007’s “The Darjeeling Limited” is also his first period piece, romantic
60’s-era whimsy in which two young teens run off together, prompting a
town-wide search party. With Bill Murray, Frances McDormand,
Bruce Willis, and Edward Norton. (6/29)
“Take This Waltz” Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, and Luke Kirby are the trio at the heart of the
second feature from writer-director (and sometime performer) Sarah Polley, a
summer-in-Toronto drama about a happily married woman who develops feelings for
the artist living across the street. (6/29 ltd.)
“Savages” Oliver Stone is back in violent action territory with this adaptation of Don
Winslow’s novel about two California marijuana growers (Aaron Johnson and
Taylor Kitsch) who take on the Mexican drug cartel that snatched their shared
girlfriend (Blake Lively). With Salma Hayek, John Travolta,
and Benicio Del Toro. (7/6)
“Easy Money” Not a remake of the Rodney Dangerfield classic, but an acclaimed 2010 Swedish
crime-drama getting a proper American release, with Joel Kinnaman (AMC’s “The
Killing”) as an economics student who starts slinging cocaine in order to
finance an upper-class lifestyle. (7/13 ltd.)
“Red Lights” Cillian Murphy and Sigourney Weaver play skeptics in this Rodrigo Cortés
thriller, their efforts to find rational explanations for paranormal activity
pitting them against world-renowned mentalist Robert De Niro, who appears to be
the real deal. (7/13)
“Ted” This
profane comedy from “Family Guy” creator Seth McFarlane envisions what happens
when one of those moviemaking clichés — the talking stuffed animal — grows up along
with the boy who wished him into existence. With Mark
Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, and McFarlane himself as the voice of Ted. (7/13)
“Beasts of the
Southern Wild” The winner of the Grand Jury and Cinematography Prizes at
Sundance 2012 is Benh Zeitlin’s bayou fable centered around 6-year-old
Hushpuppy (newcomer Quvenzhané Wallis), on a mission to find her mom after
environmental changes cause her dad to fall ill… and unleash a gaggle of
prehistoric creatures. (7/20)
“Ruby Sparks” Co-directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris follow up 2006’s “Little Miss
Sunshine” with this romantic fantasy about a novelist (Paul Dano, “There Will
Be Blood”) whose infatuation with a character he created brings her to life. Co-starring Antonio Banderas, Annette Bening, and screenwriter Zoe
Kazan as Ruby.(7/25 ltd.)
“The Watch” Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, and Renaissance man Richard Ayoade lead
the cast of this comedy, co-written by “Superbad” scripters Seth Rogen and Evan
Goldberg, about a group of suburban dads whose neighborhood patrol battles
aliens hoping to take over the Earth. (7/27)
“The Bourne
Legacy” “Michael Clayton” helmer Tony Gilroy, who’s written all the 21st
century “Bourne” installments, directs Jeremy Renner as he steps into the
leading role of this successful franchise to play CIA operative Aaron Cross,
helping a new cast of characters clean up Jason Bourne’s mess. With Edward Norton, Rachel Weisz, and Albert Finney. (8/3)
“2 Days in New York“ Julie Delpy’s sequel to her comedy “2
Days in Paris” finds Marion
raising her child from a previous relationship with boyfriend Mingus (Chris
Rock) and dealing with the onslaught of her visiting family as they holiday in
the Big Apple. Plus: Vincent Gallo cameos! (8/10 ltd.)
“The Odd Life of
Timothy Green” With a story courtesy of Ahmet Zappa, this comedy-drama from
writer-director Peter Hedges (“Dan in Real Life”) stars Jennifer Garner and
Joel Edgerton (“Warrior”) as a childless couple who bury their hopes in a box
and are understandably surprised when a 10-year-old knocks on the door claiming
to be their son. (8/15)
“The Expendables
2″ Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy
Couture, Terry Crews, Liam Hemsworth, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger,
Chuck Norris, and Jean-Claude Van Damme. ‘Nuff said. (8/17)
“Little White
Lies” This 2010 ensemble piece by French filmmaker Guillaume Canet (“Tell
No One”) gets a second lease on life presumably thanks to newly minted Oscar
winner Jean Dujardin, part of an all-star French cast — including Marion
Cotillard and François Cluzet — telling a “Big Chill”-esque story about
vacationing friends. (8/24)
“Premium Rush” The latest from David Koepp (2008’s “Ghost Town”) is an action flick starring
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a Manhattan
bike messenger in possession of an envelope that attracts the interest of a
dirty cop (Michael Shannon). (8/24)
“Lawless” The
third collaboration between “The Proposition” director John Hillcoat and
sometime-screenwriter Nick Cave features Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman,
and Guy Pearce in the fact-based tale of three bootlegging brothers in
Prohibition-era Virginia who run afoul of greedy lawmen. (8/31)
This article appears in Summer Guide 2012.
