The Summer Blockbuster train had a brief stop for refueling last week but now we are full steam ahead again with yet another franchise studio film leading the charge.
New In Theaters
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Director(s): James Mangold | Writer(s): Jez Butterworth, John-Henry BUtterworth, David Koepp, James Mangold, George Lucas, Philip Kaufman
Stars: Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banders, Mads Mikkelsen
Like many, I grew up with the Indiana Jones franchise. I was never as big a fan as some of my peers but I enjoyed the movies and the ride at Disneyland. It was never much more than that to me. Twenty years after the end of the original trilogy, Harrison Ford was brought back for Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and we saw how that went. While it was the highest-grossing film in the franchise, it was widely considered to be mediocre at best and the earlier critics’ reviews for this one are tracking even worse. Watching Ford do press for this movie has been pretty painful because from what I have seen he absolutely wants no part of it. I don’t need my childhood spoonfed back to me as an adult but, if I want to see something in theaters this weekend, I have exhausted my other options.
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken
Director(s): Kirk DeMicco, Faryn Pearl
Writer(s): Pam Brady, Brian C. Brown, Elliot DiGuiseppi
Stars: Jane Fonda, Lana Condor, Toni Collete
So, this is like the reverse of The Little Mermaid? There’s even a big evil villain with a trident! Jane Fonda must have a great agent though because it feels like she has been in everything this year. I am not the target demo for this, but it could be fun.
Limited Release
*The Childe – Editor’s Pick*
Written & Directed by: Park Hoon-jung
Stars: Kim Seon-Ho, Kang Tae-ju, Go Ara
The description for this movie doesn’t do the trailer justice at all. I was expecting something much more personal as there have been a number of Korean films that center around adoption lately. Buckle up because this one looks like a fun, wild ride.
Prisoner’s Daughter
Director(s): Catherine Hardwicke | Writer(s): Mark Bacci
Stars: Kate Beckinsale, Brian Cox, Ernie Hudson
The post-Succession era has begun for Brian Cox and he is diving into a lot of heavy drama. That’s what I want to see from him but both of the movies I’m thinking of are sort of getting buried during the summer. Hopefully, this one gets some more traction with Kate Beckinsale attached.
Every Body
Director(s): Julie Cohen
Stars: Sean Saifa Wall, Alicia Roth Weigel, River Gallo
In the growing public discussion about gender and personal rights, it seems like Intersex folks haven’t been given much consideration. This documentary from Oscar-nominated filmmaker Julie Cohen puts faces and voices to the reality of Intersex people and their particular experiences that give context to the conversation.
Warhorse One
Written & Directed by: William Kaufman, Johnny Strong
Stars: Johnny Strong, Athena Durner, Raj Kala
The idea that this movie exists but doesn’t seem to be based on a true story is confusing to me. If it were based on a true story you could bet your ass that would be branded all over it. However, setting a story during the 2021 US military withdrawal from Afghanistan about a Navy SEAL who is gunned down in hostile territory and then escorts a five-year-old girl through an army of insurgents seems a bit too on the nose for the 4th of July weekend. I have no issue with the general story concept, but this building a heroic-but-false story around a real conflict has become an odd trend.
The Unseen
Director(s): Vincent Shade | Writer(s): Jennifer A. Goodman
Stars: RJ Mitte, Christian Stolte, William Mark McCullough
The trailer showcases some good horror techniques but isn’t particularly frightening or compelling beyond that. A law student with a strong family pedigree is haunted, probably by something his dad did. I haven’t seen RJ Mitte since he was Walter Jr. on Breaking Bad so I’m hoping he does well.
Confidential Informant (June 27th)
Director(s): Michael Oblowitz | Writer(s): Michael Kaycheck, Brooke Nasser, Michael Oblowitz
Stars: Mel Gibson, Kate Bosworth, Nick Stahl, Dominic Purcell
I like this idea and the cast is solid, plus it gets bonus points for being based on a true story but it sure looks like a straight-to-video release.
In the Company of Rose
Director(s): James Lapine
Stars: Rose Styron
A look back at the life of poet, journalist, and activist Rose Styron. Reflecting back on her own life and that of her husband William Styron. I think this is more for fans of her work than it is for a wide audience, but she seems like a fun interview subject.
Streaming & Digital
The Gates (VOD/Digital June 27th)
Director(s): Stephen Hall | Writer(s): Tim Reynolds, Stephen Hall
Stars: John Rhys-Davies, Richard Brake, Michael Yare
Richard Brake always plays a great villain, so casting him as a serial killer here was a great choice. Fold in some demonic curse stuff and this is my kind of horror film. The concept is in place, now it’s just a matter of execution.
R.A.D.A.R.: The Adventures of the Bionic Dog (VOD/Digital June 27th)
Director(s): Scott Vandiver | Writer(s): April Smallwood
Stars: Dean Cain, Ezra James Lerario, Caroline Elle Abrams
If you are looking for some family-safe options this weekend without having to leave your home, this story of a super cyborg dog might fit the bill. I would be more interested if it was more super-dog, less kids movie but oh well.
Makeup (VOD/Digital June 27th)
Director(s): Hugo Andre | Writer(s): Huge Andre, Will Masheter
Stars: Hugo Andre, Charlie Baker, Louis Circé
I always gravitate toward films where the creatives are all-in and here we have Hugo Andre writing, directing, and starring, so I know this means a lot to him. I know it’s labeled as a drama but it looks like there is some comedy in there as well and some people in drag. There isn’t much to go on in the trailer, but I’d be curious to check it out.
Anthem (Hulu June 28th)
Director(s): Peter Nicks
Stars: Kris Bowers, Joy Harjo, Ruby Amanfu
I don’t know who Kris Bowers or Dahi are, or how this project came to be, but attempting to reinvent the National Anthem is a tall order for anyone. I understand the message this film is trying to get across without even watching the film, so it makes me ask why this documentary is even necessary. One review I read seemed to indicate that idea is much bigger on paper than it is in how the doc is executed. You can see for yourself on Hulu.
Run Rabbit Run (Netflix June 28th)
Director(s): Daina Reid | Writer(s): Hannah Kent
Stars: Sarah Snook, Lily LaTorre, Neil Melville
Sarah Snook is starting her post-Succession phase as well and doing so as a fertility doctor who is haunted by something. We will get to hear her real accent too which is refreshing. I am not holding out hope that it’s amazing, but Netflix couch watches have their upside.
El Dorado: Everything the Nazis Hate (Netflix June 28th)
Director(s): Benjamin Cantu, Matt Lamber | Writer(s): Felix Kriegsheim, Benjamin Cantu
Stars: Eren Güvercin, Eli Otto Kappo, Antonio Lallo
The trailer is only a minute long so you don’t get too much, but if you want to see a documentary about Everything the Nazis Hate then this is your movie. I am always fascinated by that period in history, so I will likely check it out this weekend.
Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed (MAX June 28th)
Director(s): Stephen Kijak
Stars: Rock Hudson, Illeana Douglas, Carole Cook
The documentary train keeps rolling, but this time it’s a bit less straightforward as Stephen Kijak’s movie reexamines Rock Hudson’s biography. The biggest movie star in the world at one point and reported to be a consummate ladies’ man in Hollywood, Hudson was living as a closeted gay man. This one looks good and it was smart to keep the HBO brand even though it’s streaming on Max.
Give Me an A ((VOD/Digital June 29th)
Directors/Writers: This anthology film was directed by 17 different female directors and all female writers. There are too many for me to list, but you can take a look here.
Stars: Alyssa Milano, Virginia Madsen, Gina Torres
Surprisingly, this didn’t get a theatrical or streaming release but I am on board. Created by a large group of all-female filmmakers, we get 17 different short stories taking looks at the same topic. If there was a straight to VOD release I think is worth renting, this would be it.
Susie Searches (VOD/Digital June 29th)
Director(s): Sophie Kargman | Writer(s): William Day Frank, Sophie Kargman
Stars: Kiersey Clemons, Alex Wolff, Jim Gaffigan
This kinda looks like a kids’ movie that I would have seen on Nickelodeon back in the day, with the teenage detective and the cliche voice-over, but I think that is all subterfuge here. It’s not rated, but it seems much more like an indie-noir with a young cast than it does a low-hanging, aimed-at-kids detective story. I’m in.
Nimona (Netflix)
Director(s): Nick Bruno, Troy Quane | Writer(s): Robert L. Baird, Lloyd Taylor, Pamela Ribon
Stars: Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang
In a futuristic medieval society, shapeshifters and sword fights look like fun. The voice cast for this one is great and I really like the animation style so even though it is PG, I am more inclined to check it out.
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