We have seen major big-budget studio blockbusters basically every weekend since the official Summer season began in May. That trend continues once again as we head into Father’s Day weekend. So, let’s take a look at what’s heading where so you can plan accordingly.
New In Theaters
The Blackening
Director: Tim Story | Writer(s): Tracy Oliver, Dewayne Perkins
Stars: Antoinette Robertson, Dewayne Perkins, Sinqua Walls
I like the idea of a horror comedy that is self-aware and this one certainly fits the bill as it pokes fun at the history of the black characters in horror films and at some other franchises in the process. It certainly appears to be geared more toward comedy than horror but it also looks like it walks a fine line between being a spoof and being its own thing. As long as it knows what it is and what it’s trying to accomplish, I think this can work well but i am also not expecting to be scared at any point.
Elemental
Director: Peters Sohn | Writer(s): John Hoberg, Kat Likkel, Brenda Hsueh
Stars (voices): Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie Del Carmen
Pixar films tend to have a pretty solid floor when it comes to quality but I just can’t get excited for them anymore. I am certainly not the target demo for PG animated films but they are usually constructed with being palatable to the parents who will inevitably take their kids to see this in mind. That said, the humor I see in this trailer is pretty low-hanging fruit and the story looks like the uninspired star-crossed lovers from different sides of the tracks we’ve already seen time and time again. Hopefully, I am wrong.
The Flash (+ IMAX)
Director: Andy Muschietti | Writer(s): Christina Hodson, Joby Harold
Stars: Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael Keaton
With the trajectory the DC Extended Universe had been on cinematically over the last decade, I wasn’t exactly waiting with bated breath for this one over the horizon. However, when I first saw the trailer I couldn’t help but get my hopes up. Ezra Miller’s personal drama aside, I took a chance to check this out Friday morning and it was a lot of fun even with the questionable CGI choices. It was great to see Keaton don the cowl and the cape again and it makes me think we failed by waiting 30 years for it to happen again.
Limited Release
Asteroid City
Director: Wes Anderson | Writer(s): Roman Coppola, Wes Anderson
Stars: Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks
Not officially due for wide release until next weekend, Wes Anderson’s latest gets a limited run as a counter-programming option for Father’s Day weekend. I’ve never met a Wes Anderson movie I didn’t like and seeing the bizarre online discourse over this one has been very weird. The cast is awesome, as usual, and I am looking forward to spite the naysayers.
Maggie Moore(s) (Theaters + VOD)
Director: John Slattery | Writer(s): Paul Bernbaum
Stars: Jon Hamm, Nick Mohammed, Tina Fey
Two women with the same name are murdered in a small town leaving the police chief and his comedy side-kick to investigate. When that Police Chief is Jon Hamm, his deputy is Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso), and the nosey neighbor is Tina Fey, I have confidence that this one will be a good time. Plus, it’s release includes video-on-demand so I don’t have to go looking for it.
Moon Students (June 13th)
Written & Directed by: Daniel Holland
Stars: Sydney Carvill, Eddie Navaro, Nicholas Thurkettle
I like the indie spirit that comes across in the trailer, but I also can’t quite get a feel for what’s going on besides turmoil and conflict. Those two things are valuable in storytelling, but I still want more.
Pretty Red Dress
Written & Directed by: Dionne Edwards
Stars: Natey Jones, Alexandra Burke, Temilola Olatunbosun
A story about family, love, and self-discovery revolving around a fancy red dress. This is a trailer that has great music, has style, and keeps its hand close to the chest even though the implications of cross-dressing obviously have some big repercussions for the main character here. It looks like a fascinating feature debut for Dionne Edwards.
Streaming & Digital
Extraction 2 (Netflix)
Director: Sam Hargrave | Writer(s): Joe Russo, Ande Parks, Anthony Russo
Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani, Adam Bessa
The first Extraction was solid enough but pretty forgettable for me even though it was exactly the kind of action film Netflix was looking for. Chris Hemsworth is back to up the ante here and dip into Mission Impossible‘s pockets. I am sure this didn’t come cheap and it’s most likely projects like this that have Netflix wanting to end password sharing in order to squeeze as much money as they can out of subscriptions. If I need something to put on one Saturday afternoon when I’ve got nothing else to do, this is that kinda movie for me.
*Stan Lee (Disney+) – Editor’s Pick*
Director: David Gelb
Stars: Stan Lee
Regardless of what you think of the MCU and the current model of comic book filmmaking, Stan Lee’s story and legacy are undeniable. I know I am going to watch this and probably do some crying. If there was ever a reason to sign up for Disney+, this would be it.
Bone Cold (VOD/Digital June 13th)
Written & Directed by: Billy Hanson
Stars: Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Jonathan Stoddard, Jennifer Khoe
I can’t read this title and not think of Steve Austin, but I will do my best to take this seriously. Sniper stories are interesting to me because of the isolated nature of the job and it looks their might be some creepy things in the woods. I don’t know for sure and that is probably not a good thing, because telling this story as horror or thriller is a big distinction.
Crescent Gang (VOD/Digital June 13th)
Director(s): Onyx Keesha, Gino Raphael Payne
Writer(s): Latasha Cho Johnson, B. Danielle Watkins
Stars: Shaquita Smith, Jarry Lee, Jaylan Lee-Glover
A group of kids from a group home in Las Vegas hatch a plan to stay together when they learn their home is getting sold. I was hoping for me from the trailer, but it fell kind of flat for me.
Jagged Mind (Hulu June 15th)
Director: Kelley Kali | Writer(s): Allyson Morgan
Stars: Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Shannon Woodward, Rosaline Elbay
Another time loop movie! Oddly enough, this one doesn’t even have sci-fi listed as a tagged genre but framing it as a thriller/horror story could work. It won’t be my go-to this weekend, but the added bonus of couch watchability goes a long way sometimes.
Midday Black Midnight Blue (VOD/Digital)
Written & Directed by: Samantha Soule, Daniel Talbott
Stars: Chris Stack, Samantha Soule, Will Pullen
How long does grief last? There is no clear-cut answer there and that looks to be what this film deals with as an isolated man mourns the loss of his lover in an empty house. As he struggles to let go, his everyday existence gets consumed. I know how hard it is to grieve and to do so in a healthy way so I am hoping this movie doesn’t just use it as a crutch. I’ll check it out.
Thanks for reading! I still believe word of mouth is the best way to help, so if you enjoy what I’m doing, please tell somebody. And if you have a comment, I’d love to hear it! Liking, subscribing, and sharing go a long way too. As usual, be well, be safe, and have fun no matter how you get your movies!