Silver Screen Surprises Coming in October

Kill Your Darlings, Machete Kills, JFK Killed, Schoolkids Who Want to Kill, and a Stomach-Killing Demon – All in the Killer Month of October

By Chris Sabga

October features an interesting mix of films. There is something for every taste this month. Here are some of the more interesting or under-the-radar movies coming out in the next 30 days.

Parkland (October 4th): Originally announced for September, "Parkland" was moved to October at some point. Everyone knows the story of JFK's assassination – or thinks they do – but "Parkland" focuses on the peripheral people involved that you don't hear much about: the doctors and nurses, cameraman, and others who were there that day and in the aftermath. It's a fresh angle on an incident that has already been dramatized countless times.

Bad Milo (October 4th): A man's painful ulcer turns out to be a demon living inside his stomach. I'll just leave it at that, because no other words could possibly be necessary.

The Dirties (October 4th): Kevin Smith "presents" this movie about school bullying, which means he didn't actually have anything to do with it – he just wants to endorse it, and he has, calling it "the most important film you will see all year." It definitely seems to have a homemade feel to it, which could add to the realism. It's about two bullied high school kids who decide to make a funny film about getting revenge on their classmates – until one of them wonders if they should shoot more than just a movie.  

Machete Kills (October 11th): The first "Machete" was a crazy grindhouse-style flick, with Danny Trejo as the titular character, Steven Seagal portraying a Mexican drug lord, and Robert De Niro hamming it up with a bad Texas accent. What?! But it was an undeniably fun time. Now, Machete is back to kill again – and along for the ride this time: Carlos Estevez (better known as Charlie Sheen) and Mel Gibson.

The Fifth Estate (October 11th): It's probably too soon for any kind of serious film treatment of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, but the combined acting power of Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Brühl, Anthony Mackie, Stanley Tucci, and Laura Linney is enticing.

12 Years a Slave (October 18th): I've known for years that Chiwetel Ejiofor is an amazing actor. Now it's time for the rest of the world to find that out too. I will openly admit that I'm rooting for him and his Oscar chances. He is someone who deserves the biggest opportunities possible.

Kill Your Darlings (October 18th): "Harry Potter's" Daniel Radcliffe plays beat poet Allen Ginsberg. According to "Kill Your Darlings," a murder brought him, Jack Kerouac, and William Burroughs together. It's certainly an enticing hook – and so is seeing the former boy wizard in a more serious, grown-up role.

In the Name Of (October 30th): Father Adam runs a center for boys in a small Polish village, where he happily plays soccer and preaches the good word. But why was he transferred from Warsaw? Is he hiding something? Accusations of homosexuality soon arise.

Blockbusters: Gravity (October 4th), Runner Runner (4th), Captain Phillips (October 11th), Carrie (October 18th), Escape Plan (18th), The Counselor (October 25th), Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (25th)

"Gravity" puts Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in space. The premise almost sells itself. Meanwhile, Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck bring their starpower to "Runner Runner," a thriller about online poker.

"Captain Phillips" is based on the true story of the 2009 ship hijacking by Somali pirates. This is the kind of role Tom Hanks excels in. I just hope the movie focuses on more than just Phillips and the pirates – many other brave crew members were on that ship too.

"Carrie" is a remake, and those don't particularly excite me – especially when the original needs no improvement. But with "Hugo's" Chloë Grace Moretz in the title role and the always great Julianne Moore as her mother, the casting is certainly rock solid.

"Escape Plan" brings Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger together for the first time (not counting Arnold's minor role in the "Expendables" movies). With Sly getting top billing over Arnie, it already feels off, because that isn't ever how they were ranked in the '80s action hierarchy. These dream team pairings are exciting on paper, but I've been burned too many times. And it may be a case of "too little, too late," but I'll remain cautiously optimistic for now.

"The Counselor" is directed by Ridley Scott and written by Cormac McCarthy ("The Road," "No Country For Old Men"). That alone gives this project a boost in my mind. The fantastic cast doesn't hurt either: Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz, Penélope Cruz, and especially Javier Bardem.

I like the idea behind "Bad Grandpa," which features Johnny Knoxville in old-age makeup portraying a grandfather seemingly tricking unsuspecting real people in Borat-style situations. Unfortunately, the trailer isn't very funny. Worse than that, it's offensive at times (crashing a funeral and knocking over the coffin – not funny). Still, this type of setup always has potential – and we've seen bad trailers for good movies many times before. 

Silver Screen Surprises Coming in September

Sex Addicts, Salinger, Sawyer from "Lost," the Stars of "Seinfeld" and "The Sopranos," and Tony Danza

By Chris Sabga

As one season ends and another begins, the flashy blockbusters of the summer recede into the background, making room for quieter but more interesting and varied fare. But there's still some shooting left, and more than one explosion – all coming in September.

Bounty Killer (September 6th): Corporations have taken over the world, and it's up to a group of bounty hunters to kill off all of the greedy CEOs and white collar criminals. "Bounty Killer" will either be tons of fun or a total disaster – there's usually no middle ground with a movie like this – but I have a good feeling. It's based on the graphic novel of the same name.

Salinger (September 6th): With 150 interviews – ranging from Salinger's inner circle to contemporary celebrities influenced by his work – and never-before-seen film footage and photographs, this promises to be a rare glimpse into the mysterious life of the reclusive author of "The Catcher in the Rye." Shane Salerno, the director of "Salinger," also wrote a book to coincide with the documentary. At over two hours and more than 700 pages respectively, there's a danger that both projects will buckle under their own weight – but I suspect that Salinger's fans will be probably happy to know too much after knowing too little for so long.

Battle of the Year (September 13th): When "Lost" ended, everyone expected Josh Holloway (Sawyer) to become a major star. What happened? In this film, he plays a basketball coach who is hired to lead an American team to victory – in a dance tournament. After the surprising quality of "Step Up," I can appreciate a premise like this – and it should be a fun fish-out-of-water role for Holloway. The only problem: Chris Brown is also in it. I can't see his toxic reputation doing the movie's box office any favors – even if his last album did top the charts. It also makes me feel a bit sad for Holloway – a bigger star in a better position would have been able to veto the casting (as Zach Galifianakis reportedly did when Mel Gibson was going to be in "The Hangover: Part II"). Who knows, maybe we'll get to see Holloway channel Sawyer again and smack the living daylights out of Brown.

The Family (September 13th): Several months ago, a casual filmgoer friend of mine e-mailed me excitedly about the "awesome" trailer he had just seen. It was for "The Family." There's something to be said for that. Robert De Niro is back in familiar territory – as the head of a Mafia family – but this time he's playing it for laughs. Michelle Pfeiffer joins him as his wife. Along with their two kids, they're forced to relocate to France after entering the Witness Protection Program. Tommy Lee Jones plays the agent in charge of them, and Luc Besson directs. I like Besson's style; it's always a bit wacky, which serves a movie like this well.

Enough Said (September 20th): I love it when two interesting actors come together in an unexpected way. Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("Seinfeld") and James Gandolfini ("The Sopranos") are the last two people I'd think of to play a romantic couple. When so many casting decisions feel like they took place in boardrooms, a unique pairing like this is refreshing. This will be one of the late Gandolfini's final film roles.

Parkland (September 20th): Everyone knows the story of JFK's assassination – or thinks they do – but "Parkland" focuses on the peripheral people involved that you don't hear much about: the doctors and nurses, cameraman, and others who were there that day and in the aftermath. It's a fresh angle on an incident that has already been dramatized countless times.

Prisoners (September 20th): A father's daughter goes missing, and he'll do anything to get her back. As we've seen from other movies, it's not wise to get in the way of an intense Hugh Jackman. In addition to Jackman, "Prisoners" features a huge cast of respected actors: Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo, and Paul Dano.

Thanks for Sharing (September 20th): One man, played by Josh Gad ("1600 Penn," "Jobs"), tries to shove a camera up his boss's dress in this comedy-drama about a 12-step program for sex addicts. Meanwhile, Adam (Mark Ruffalo) struggles after five years of sexual sobriety when he meets the irresistible Phoebe (Gwyneth Paltrow). Putting Paltrow in that role seems like a stretch to me, but it all depends on how she plays it. With one of the screenwriters of the wonderful "The Kids Are All Right," Stuart Blumberg, directing and also co-writing this, I have high expectations.

As I Lay Dying (September 27th): This seems like exactly the kind of movie everyone was making fun of during Comedy Central's Roast of James Franco – and maybe it is. It's based on the novel by William Faulkner, starring James Franco, directed by James Franco, and written by James Franco. Pretentious? Perhaps. But it also features Danny McBride in a major role. This is not the type of film I'd expect him to pop up in. That alone makes me curious.

Don Jon (September 27th): Tony Danza returns to the silver screen as Joseph Gordon-Levitt's father. What else needs to be said? Actually, even if you aren't an '80s Danza fanatic, there's a lot to like here. A porn addict (played by Gordon-Levitt, who also writes and directs) has to navigate potential true love in the form of Scarlett Johansson. Glenne Headly, Brie Larson, and Julianne Moore also star.

Blockbusters: Riddick (September 6th), Insidious: Chapter 2 (September 13th), Rush (September 20th), The Wizard of Oz: IMAX 3D (20th), Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (September 27th), Metallica Through the Never (27th)

The first "Insidious" was a pleasant surprise – a smart, fun, interesting little horror movie. I'm excited for the sequel.

I'm a bit ambivalent about "Rush." The trailer seems to reveal everything, and the color scheme appears to be murky for no good reason. Perhaps the washed-out look is meant to evoke the time period in which the film is set, but I think the effect might be overdone.

Everyone I've talked to who saw the first "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" feels a special fondness for it. We'll see if the sequel can capture the same magic.

If I'm able to find a theater showing "The Wizard of Oz," I will be there. It is technologically mind-blowing for a movie released in 1939, and it feels every bit as fresh and modern today. It remains an all-time classic. Purists might frown that a gimmick like 3D has been added to one of the most iconic and revered motion pictures ever made, but original 2D version is still readily available – no one has taken that away.

Silver Screen Surprises Coming in August

Porn Stars, Pot, Strippers, Space Stations, and Pub Crawls

By Chris Sabga

Here's the latest round of films that might fly under-the-radar or are otherwise surprising in some way. For example, while you've surely heard of "We’re the Millers," Jennifer Aniston playing a sleazy stripper is definitely something new. And if you haven't heard of the 2009 South African alien movie "District 9," make sure to see it ASAP! This month's "Elysium" is by the same director. There's so much to look forward to in August – and that's not even counting the major summer blockbusters, which are listed at the very end for reference. Read below for Blood and Ice Cream, and more...

The Spectacular Now (August 2nd): From the writers of "(500) Days of Summer," this film stars Shailene Woodley ("The Descendants") and Miles Teller ("21 and Over"). Teller plays a party boy high school senior who doesn't think about his future – until he wakes up drunk on Woodley's lawn. She's an interesting "nice girl" and he falls for her hard. Unlike the typical film about 17-18 year olds, this one seems both realistic and touching. Sutter isn't the typical Hollywood poster boy, and Woodley is no queen bee. In other words, they seem like real kids. Kyle Chandler ("Super 8") also stars. 

We're the Millers (August 7th): Jennifer Aniston is a stripper who helps Jason Sudekis ("Hall Pass") create a fake family. Emma Roberts ("It's Kind of a Funny Story") and Will Poulter ("Son of Rambow") play their children. Sudekis's goal: to smuggle pot for Ed Helms ("The Hangover") without being detected, and what better way to do that than by posing as one big, happy family? After all, the border patrol would never suspect Mom, Dad, and two innocent kids – or would they?

Elysium (August 9th): "District 9" creator Neill Blompkamp is back! In 2154, the human race is divided into two distinct classes: the wealthy elite live on the space station Elysium while everyone else is stuck in the crowded nightmare Earth has become. This sounds like another parallel to Apartheid in South Africa – much like Blompkamp's previous movie, "District 9," which used aliens to represent South Africa's oppressed black citizens. With a cast that includes Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, William Fichtner, and "District 9's" Sharlto Copley, this is easily one of my most anticipated releases of the summer.

Lovelace (August 9th): Amanda Seyfried portrays the porn icon, James Franco cameos as Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, and Sharon Stone is almost unrecognizable as Lovelace's dowdy mother. What else is there to be said? You are either dying to see this or repulsed by the very thought of it.

Drew: The Man Behind the Poster (August 16th): If you admired the artistry of a movie poster any time between 1975 and 2008, chances are you were looking at Drew Struzan's handiwork. His portfolio is legendary and its quality is breathtaking. This documentary chronicles his incredible career. Unfortunately limited to the New York market, most of us will have to catch this one on video. In the meantime, his amazing work more than speaks for itself.

Jobs (August 16th): Ashton Kutcher plays Apple founder Steve Jobs. I can already picture everyone rolling their eyes at the casting, but I can see it working. It will either be a spectacular failure or an out-of-the-box surprise. Kutcher is underrated as a dramatic actor and more charismatic than people give him credit for. I am curious to see if he will be able to make the most of this golden opportunity. It could be a career-changer for him if he pulls it off and has a good script to work with. As the rise of Apple itself shows, even the most improbable underdog can have a fighting chance. I am rooting for the likeable Kutcher to break out.

Lee Daniels' The Butler (August 16th): The 20th century is depicted through the eyes of an African-American butler working at the White House. With Forest Whitaker and director Lee Daniels ("Precious"), the performances should be rich and the story should be both moving and hard-hitting.

Paranoia (August 16th): I spent five days in Las Vegas a few years ago, and for much of that trip, I was anxious to get back to my room because I was embroiled in Joseph Finder's thriller novel, "Paranoia." If the movie is even half as successful as the book, it will be a must-see. With Liam Hemsworth, Gary Oldman, and Harrison Ford, the casting is certainly top-notch.

The Grandmaster (August 23rd): With multiple movies already made about Ip Man, the legendary trainer of Bruce Lee, what else is left to explore? But there's still buzz surrounding this release because it comes from acclaimed Chinese writer and director Kar Wai Wong ("Chungking Express").

The World's End (August 23rd): Simon Pegg and Nick Frost – the duo from "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz" – return for the third installment of their "Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy" of unrelated movies. This time, their characters are friends who reunite for the first time in twenty years to complete a pub-crawl that eluded them in their youth. As the official website puts it: "one night, six friends, twelve pubs." Their final destination: a bar known as The World's End. Of course, the title is meant to be taken literally as well. The strange people with blue lights shining out of their eyes seem not of this world.

Getaway (August 30th): Ethan Hawke's wife has been kidnapped, and he has to jump in a car and follow orders to get her back. In a way, it sounds like the cousin of "Vehicle 19." Selena Gomez is also involved.

I Declare War (August 30th): A bunch of little kids play "Capture the Flag" in the words, but it eventually becomes more serious than anyone could have bargained for. With a cast of child actors, a movie like this depends on the credibility of their performances and a rock-solid script. The premise seems influenced somewhat by "Lord of the Flies," but that's a tricky field to mine. One reviewer on IMDB referred to it as a mixture of "Lord of the Flies," "Stand by Me," "War of the Buttons," and "Battle Royale."

Blockbusters: 2 Guns (August 2nd), Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (August 7th), Planes (9th), Kick-Ass 2 (August 16th), The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (August 23rd), One Direction: This is Us (August 30th)

Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg getting together for "2 Guns" has the potential to be tons of fun.

"Planes" is a "Cars" spinoff, and while I did like both of those movies, is this taking the idea too far? If nothing else, the aerial visuals should be spectacular.

I have yet to see the original "Percy Jackson," but it did look good.

I found the first "Kick-Ass" movie to be a tonal mess that could never quite figure out what it wanted to be, but the potential was always there – and Jim Carrey's role in the sequel looks spectacular.

"The Mortal Instruments" could be okay in that generic "Twilight" sort of way, but "Silver Screen Niece" read the book and didn't seem enthused by the movie's trailer. "It looks like they ruined it," she said.

As for "One Direction," I'm the wrong person to ask, but the teenage girls that make up that band's fanbase are going to flock to the theater no matter what anyone says.

Which ones are you looking forward to? Comment below or discuss it on Facebook or Twitter.

Silver Screen Surprises Coming in July

Behind the Fireworks: This Month's More Mature Movies

By Chris Sabga

Are you looking forward to Grown Ups 2? Me neither.

Here are some of the more, ahem, grown-up options that you might otherwise overlook in the midst of the hot summer blockbuster season. As always, many of these will be limited releases, which may make tracking them down a chore fun treasure hunt.

The Way, Way Back (July 5th): Steve Carell plays a bullying jerk and Sam Rockwell is a good guy who mentors a lonely young teenager over the course of a summer. In any other movie, it would be the other way around. It's a different type of role for both actors, and that's always fascinating to see. Rockwell told Entertainment Weekly that this coming-of-age tale set in the 1980s is a mix of "Ordinary People" and "Meatballs" with a dash of "The Bad News Bears" and "Bustin' Loose." Sign me up!

Absence (July 5th): The "found footage" gimmick is beyond stale at this point, but a woman whose pregnancy disappears – well, that's a pretty intriguing hook. The end result – quality-wise – is anyone's guess, but the potential is certainly there.

Pacific Rim (July 12th): Is it cheating to list a big budget movie about giant robots doing battle in a list of potential Silver Screen Surprises for the summer? Maybe if Tom Cruise was still set to star in it, but Charlie Hunnam and Idris Elba aren't exactly household names in the U.S. As always with this type of concept, it will either be fantastic fun or a complete wreck. With Guillermo del Toro ("Pan's Labryinth") in the director's chair, it's easy to get excited about the potential of "Pacific Rim."

Fruitvale Station (July 12th): Set on the final day of 2008, this film is based on the true story of Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old African-American from the San Francisco Bay Area whose encounter with police officers at a BART subway station made headline news. This is said to be a star-making role for young Michael B. Jordan. Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer ("The Help") is also in the cast.

Terms and Conditions May Apply (July 12th): Whenever we sign up for a website, how many of us blindly click "I Agree" without reading the lengthy and labyrinthine list of terms and conditions? Guilty as charged! Of course, that's exactly what these companies are banking on – for all of us to ignore the "fine print" and blindly consent to having our information shared and privacy violated. That's the concept behind this new documentary, which exposes the practice and will undoubtedly increase our paranoia in the process. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and controversial author Orson Scott Card and are among the names featured. 

Killing Season (July 12th): Stardom is a fickle thing. Ten years ago, a movie co-starring John Travolta and Robert De Niro would have been a summer event. Now it's a limited release. Is this actually any good? Travolta's goofy goatee casts some doubts, and he plays a Serbian. Oh boy! But I have to admit, I'm insanely curious.

The Conjuring (July 19th): The idea of yet another "paranormal" movie quite frankly bores me, so why is this one here? Because it's about a pair of real-life "ghostbusters" from the '70s – played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga – and there's no one better at handling this type of material than director James Wan ("Saw" and "Insidious"). Ron Livingston ("Office Space") also stars.

Only God Forgives (July 19th): Mercilessly booed at the Cannes Film Festival, the reunion between "Drive" star Ryan Gosling and director Nicolas Winding Refn has toxic buzz. That only makes me all the more curious. After all, the legendary "Taxi Driver" received a similarly chilly reaction at Cannes too, so what do they really know? Then again, Gosling is said to have only 17 lines of dialogue.

R.I.P.D. (July 19th): Even though this may not technically be considered a hidden gem, it scores points with me for originality – and it's facing stiff competition that week from "Turbo," "Red 2," and "The Conjuring." In "R.I.P.D.," Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds play cops who have to work together. If that sounds like another typical formula flick, consider this: they're from different centuries. That concept alone is enough to sell me on the movie. Do I really need to say anything else? Nope, so I won't!

Ways to Live Forever (July 19th): Just reading about it will make you cry. A 12-year-old boy wants to solve some of the mysteries of life: UFOs, ghosts, death, and – of course – girls. In other words, a typical kid – except, he has Leukemia. Where are the damn tissues?

The To Do List (July 26th): A stuffy valedictorian wants to let loose before college and makes a list of goals – sexual and otherwise – to liven up her image and experience what she missed out on in high school. All of the "teens" are played by adults, which was supposedly done on purpose for comedic effect. It remains to be seen how well that will work (I have my doubts, even if it "Beverly Hills 90210" did manage to get away with it). But with an early '90s setting and a cast that includes Bill Hader, Alia Shawkat, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Donald Glover, and Andy Samberg, there's certainly no shortage of funny people for star Aubrey Plaza to play off of. Johnny Simmons, Rachel Bilson, Connie Britton, and Clark Gregg are among the other familiar names in the lineup.

Blockbusters: The Lone Ranger (July 3rd), Despicable Me 2 (3rd), Grown Ups 2 (July 12th), Turbo (July 17th), Red 2 (July 19th), The Wolverine (July 26th), The Smurfs 2 (July 31st)

There are few worse moviegoing experiences than watching a group of friends laugh hysterically while you sit there in a dark theater wondering what the hell is so funny. That was "Grown Ups" for me.  It wasn't a total loss though. My ticket, food, and drinks were bought for me, and I didn't have to do the driving! When those are the best things I can come up with about something I've seen, it goes without saying that I won't be turning up for the sequel. I love a good dumb comedy as much as the next person, but it actually has to make me laugh. I don't think that's too much to ask!

Out of this group, I'm most interested in "The Wolverine." I've somehow seen all of the others, despite having very little interest in the X-Men. I even enjoyed Jackman's previous solo outing as Wolverine ("X-Men: Origins"), even though its clumsy shifts in tone (it constantly flip-flopped from goofy silliness to serious drama) made for a jarring, inconsistent experience.

Which ones are you looking forward to? Comment below or discuss it on Facebook or Twitter.

Silver Screen Surprises Coming in June

Between the Explosions: The Potential Hidden Gems Being Released This Month

By Chris Sabga

"Man of Steel" and "World War Z" are among the many blockbusters slated for June, but there are also several other options that are more off the beaten path.

I haven't seen any of them yet, so I'm merely projecting what looks good to me. Inevitably, one or two – or all of these – could end up being duds. However, I'd like to think that my radar is refined enough that I'm on target more often than not.

A few of these are limited releases, which means you might not get them right away – or at all. If you have a budget theater, your movies of interest could pop up there a few weeks after their initial release date. Otherwise, you may have to wait for video.

For example, "Before Midnight" still hasn't come to my area. Do you smell that? It's the smoke coming out of my ears. But such is life when it comes to certain types of films – especially during the blockbuster summer months.

Here's what's on the docket for the next 30 days:

The Purge (June 7th): Yes, this also appeared on last month's list. With the competitive summer season in full swing, release dates tend to shift around as every movie jockeys for position. To recap: 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. 

Much Ado About Nothing (June 7th): Joss Whedon gathers his friends together for a modern day retelling of Shakespeare's classic tale. Instead of taking a vacation, Whedon shot this in twelve days (in black and white), in his own house, with a hand-picked cast of actors: Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Reed Diamond, Nathan Fillion, Clark Gregg, Fran Kranz, Sean Maher, and Jillian Morgese. Seasoned "Whedonites" will recognize those names from his other television and film projects. If you're not sure why you should be excited about this, you're not among the rabid converts familiar with the "Whedonverse."

Rapture-Palooza (June 7th): This will either be a complete train-wreck or downright hysterical. The rapture has occurred and now it's raining blood, locusts have appeared, and the devil (played by Craig Robinson) has come to Earth. Anna Kendrick proved she could handle wacky material well in "Pitch Perfect." This time, she's joined by comedy stalwarts John Francis Daly ("Waiting...") and Rob Corddry ("Hot Tub Time Machine"). Ken Jeong ("The Hangover") is also in the cast.

Violet & Daisy (June 7th): Alexis Bledel ("Gilmore Girls") and Saoirse Ronan ("Hanna") portray a pair of teenage assassins who set their sights on a new target, played by James Gandolfini. The premise sells itself, but it's far from a sure thing. Subplots about pop idols and terminal cancer could weigh it down. Still, I'm definitely curious.

Tiger Eyes (June 7th): Like many of you, I grew up reading Judy Blume. It's almost impossible to believe, but none of her books have ever made it to the silver screen – until now. She teams up with her son, director Lawrence Blume, for this film adaptation of her bestselling 1980s novel (which I haven't read) about a girl who moves to New Mexico with her family after her father is shot.

Vehicle 19 (June 14th/July 23rd):  After a long flight, a recent parolee (played by Paul Walker, "The Fast and the Furious") unwittingly rents the wrong car. There's a woman tied up in the backseat and the entire police force is after him – in South Africa. The international location might give this "Vehicle" some juice – or it could end up being bargain bin schlock. We'll soon find out. It comes out on video July 23rd – only a month after its limited theatrical release – which means that most of us will probably catch this one at home.

Byzantium (June 28th): Two strange women (Saoirse Ronan and Gemma Arterton) seek shelter at a coastal resort named Byzantium, but they have a secret: they're 200-year-old vampires. Ronan's specialty seems to be playing mysterious girls who are slightly off-kilter.

I'm So Excited! (June 28th): Most of us have been stuck on a plane at one time or another for far too long because of some vague technical mishap. That's the idea behind the newest project by acclaimed Spanish writer and director Pedro Almodóvar. The flight attendants do everything they can to distract their passengers from possible danger. Naturally, the plane is filled with various eccentric personalities. This foreign-language film could potentially be one of the surprise comedies of the year.

Redemption (June 28th): Jason Statham plays a homeless former soldier who assumes another man's identity to seek revenge and redemption. The strange trailer makes this seem like more than just the typical Statham action flick. "Redemption" may end up being a beefier dramatic role than usual for the underrated British actor.

Blockbusters: The Internship (June 7th), Man of Steel (June 14th), This is the End (14th), Monsters University (June 21st), World War Z (21st), The Heat (June 28th), White House Down (28th)

To be honest, I can't bring myself to care about zombies ("World War Z") or an Englishman playing the American icon Superman ("Man of Steel") – is he fighting for truth, justice, and tea and crumpets? – but I'll keep an open mind, of course. The only June blockbuster really grabbing me is "The Internship" with Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. I didn't even love their previous outing, "Wedding Crashers," but the idea of two 40-something men interning for Google sounds like it could be fun. My expectations are modest. "Monsters University" might end up in my rotation if I ever get around to watching "Monster's Inc."

Which ones are you looking forward to? Comment below or discuss it on Facebook or Twitter.

Some Silver Screen Surprises Coming to Theaters in May

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.