Beyond the Blockbusters: Movies Off the Beaten Path
By Chris Sabga
Everyone knows about the massive blockbusters coming our way
this summer. This month, "Iron Man 3," "The Hangover Part III,"
and "Star Trek: Into Dreams" will be among them. Beyond that, there's
"Man of Steel," "The Wolverine," "
Monsters University,"
and many others to look forward to. But there's more to summer than just the
"summer blockbuster." There are many other movies being released in
May – and beyond.
Some of these you might have heard of; others you might not
have. A few of them are limited releases, which means they may be a pain to
track down right away if you don't live in a major metropolitan city. If that's
the case for you, check to see if you have a second-run theater in town. They start
showing movies a few weeks after their original release date. The ticket prices
are usually significantly cheaper (but then again, so are the amenities).
The following films are just the ones that have caught my
eye. Of course, I have no surefire way to guarantee that all of them – or any of them, for that matter – will
actually be good. The only way to know for sure is to see them – or wait for me to see them and check this site after
I have. I go out on a limb with a couple of these choices (including one being promoted
as "Tyler Perry Presents"), but what fun would it be if I didn't?
And now, here are some of the potential Silver Screen
Surprises being released in May:
The Iceman (May 3rd):
Michael Shannon ("Take Shelter," "Premium Rush," the
upcoming "Man of Steel") will bring his steely gaze to the true story
of Richard Kuklinski, a father and husband who worked hard to provide for his
family. That isn't anything out of the ordinary, except for one thing: Kuklinski
was a contract killer. With Winona Ryder, Chris Evans, and James Franco also in
the lineup, Shannon will be going against some
pretty heavy-hitters.
Peeples (May 10th): Craig
Robinson ("Zack and Miri") makes a surprise appearance at the Peeples
Reunion to ask Kerry Washington for her hand in marriage, but her family isn't
even aware of their relationship. The movie is being marketed with the tagline
"Tyler Perry Presents," but that sort of advertising language is
usually misleading. He didn't even write or direct it (he does have a
producer credit). The actual writer and director, Tina Gordon Chism, was
mentored by Perry though – who just about everyone seems to have a strong
opinion on – but with a cast that also includes David Alan Grier ("In
Living Color"), S. Epatha Merkerson ("Law & Order"), Diahann
Carroll ("Dynasty"), and Melvin Van Peebles ("Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss
Song"), "Peeples" certainly has the right people(s)
involved.
Before Midnight (May
24th): My most anticipated film of the summer! Jesse and Celine (Ethan
Hawke and Julie Delpy) met in the original "Before Sunrise" eighteen
years ago – all the way back in 1995 – and then reunited nine years later for
the improbable sequel, "Before Sunset." They spent the entire
duration of both movies walking around and chatting, and it was mesmerizing.
I
wrote more about all three here.
Now You See Me (May
31st): Magicians robbing banks! The premise practically sells itself. I
predict this will be the surprise hit of the summer. The trailer shows an
elaborate three-part magic trick. 1. A group of magicians perform in Las Vegas. 2. During the
show, they somehow simultaneously rob a bank three thousand miles away in Paris. 3. And then they
give that money away to their audience in Vegas. How? Like all great magic
tricks, I'm hooked and want to find out. "The Social Network's" Jesse
Eisenberg leads a cast that includes Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, Michael
Caine, Woody Harrselson, and Isla Fischer.
The Kings of Summer
(May 31st): A group of teenage boys (Moises Arias, Nick Robinson, and
"Super 8's" Gabriel Basso) run away from home and build a house in
the woods. A concept like that really could go either way (the silly character
names – such Joy Toy and Biaggio – aren't exactly promising), but the movie
looks like it could be light fun.
The Purge (May 31st):
For one night of the year, people are legally allowed to commit any crime they
want. A family – led by "Before Midnight's" Ethan Hawke – has to
protect themselves from the madness just outside their doors. It's a
tantalizing idea. Horror movies these days are usually hit or miss, but Hawke
rarely appears in junk.
The East (May 31st): Major
corporations are being attacked by a group of anarchists, which include Alexander
Skarsgård ("True Blood") and Ellen Page ("Juno"). It's up
to Brit Marling ("Arbitrage") to infiltrate them. The movie seems to
have a very creepy vibe. Patricia Clarkson ("Good Night, and Good
Luck") and Jason Ritter ("
A
Bag of Hammers") are also in it.
Blockbusters: Iron
Man 3 (May 3rd), The Great Gatsby (May 10th), Star Trek Into Darkness (May
17th), Fast & Furious 6 (May 24th), The Hangover Part III (24th), Epic
(24th), After Earth (May 31st)
Of these, I am most excited about "The Hangover
III" and "Star Trek Into Darkness," but the "Iron Man"
Trilogy is on my to-see list as well. "Gatsby" is growing on me, too
– my bad memories of the tepid Redford version
notwithstanding (the book, of course, was better). I'm about half and half when
it comes to the Jaden Smith-Will Smith vehicle "After Earth" (and
yes, they're billed in that order).
Which ones are you
looking forward to? Comment below or discuss it on Facebook or Twitter.
As it turns out, the FBI and Interpol aren't the only ones
after The Horsemen. Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman), a former magician who
now debunks the tricks of the trade, is hot on their trail as well. But Daniel
and his crew have a powerful ally: Financing them is insurance tycoon Arthur
Tressler (Michael Caine). 