TGIF! Summer movie season is finally here. After a lackluster Memorial weekend (which was the worst in terms of box office in 17 years), I’m looking forward to a bunch of movies coming out in the next few months.
To get things started, here are FIVE I’d [try to] watch this month. A mix of two ‘quiet’ indies, two high-octane action flicks and one beloved Pixar animated feature. There’s something for everyone, right? So here goes:
» June 2
- Ondine
The story is a fairy tale centered on an Irish fisherman (Colin Farrell) who catches the mysterious Ondine (Alicja Bachleda) in his nets. After falling for one another, a dark figure from Ondine’s past threatens their love. Directed by Neil Jordan (Michael Colins, The Crying Game, The End of The Affair), and also stars fellow Irishman Stephen Rea, who’s been cast in nearly all of Jordan’s films.
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I was intrigued by this movie back when it premiered at TIFF last year. This new trailer revealed a bit more yet still retains its enigmatic quality, and the glowing review from Movieline I read recently made me REALLY want to see this. The fact that the Polish actress Bachleda and Farrell now have a child together since they met on set, you can bet they have a great chemistry together 🙂…
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» June 11
- The A-Team
You know the drill, but in case you’ve been living under a rock and never heard of this TV-show-based feature film, here’s the plot: A group of Iraq War veterans looks to clear their name with the U.S. military, who suspect the four men of committing a crime for which they were framed.
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Check your analytical/skeptical mind at the door and just simply enjoy this movie for what it is: a loud, popcorn blockbuster. Just like Jessica Biel says in the trailer: “They are the best, and they specialize in the ridiculous!” So there, the more bombastic, the better!
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- I Am Love
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I AM LOVE tells the story of the wealthy Recchi family, whose lives are undergoing sweeping changes. Eduardo Sr., the family patriarch, has decided to name a successor to the reigns of his massive industrial company, surprising everyone by splitting power between his son Tancredi, and grandson Edo. But Edo dreams of opening a restaurant with his friend Antonio, a handsome and talented chef. At the heart of the family is Tancredis wife Emma (Tilda Swinton), a Russian immigrant who has adopted the culture of Milan. An adoring and attentive mother, her existence is shocked to the core when she falls quickly and deeply in love with Edos friend and partner Antonio, and embarks on a passionate love affair that will change her family forever. (per Apple trailer site).
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I’m not too familiar with Swinton’s work. The first time I saw her was in The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio years ago, then as the villainous white witch in the Chronicles of Narnia series. The London-born actress — whose paternal ancestry is one of the oldest in Scotland – won an Oscar for her performance in Michael Clayton. She always comes across as cold and ruthless for some reason, but in this one she shows her warm, sultry side. The trailer is as exquisite as the gorgeous poster (with that romantic, swirly font), it might as well double as an Italian travel promo video with those picturesque vista of Milan.
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» June 18
- Toy Story 3
It’s amazing that an animated feature, about toys of all things, that started fifteen years ago still generates this much interest! But the amazing thing with Pixar is, they just might be able to top the first two! Check out this retro style Groovin’ with Ken promo clip that debut in last year’s San Diego ComicCon. I’ve never even been into Barbie doll stuff, but I’m totally digging this hilarious video. Ken is voiced by Michael Keaton, it’s going to be a hoot!
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Still, there’s no clip of Timothy Dalton’s voice as Mr. Pricklepants! [big pout] I guess I’d just have to wait a couple more weeks 😦 Anyway, you can check out the trailer on my previous post.
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» June 25
- Knight & Day
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My colleague Ted recently quipped, ‘Tom Cruise passed on SALT to do this? It’s the same movie!’ The role then went to Angelina Jolie and the character name went from Edwin to Evelyn. Anyway, he’s got a point there, but SALT looks so darn serious, while Knight & Day looks sprightly and whimsical, a sure-fire recipe for a quintessential Summer flick. Cruise and Cameron Diaz aren’t my fave actors in Hollywood, but the trailer looks like fun and they seem to have had a blast making this. Plus, I like espionage-themed movies with car chases and outrageous gunfights. The filming locations in Austria, Spain, and Jamaica will surely provide a scenic backdrop for those action sequences.
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So what do you think folks? What are you excited to watch this month?
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
I have virtually no interest in seeing the A-Team. It really looks completely ridiculous and not in a good way. Sadly, Toy Story 3 looks like the best movie of the bunch but again, I don’t usually seek out animations at the theater so I probably won’t see it until it hits DVD. As for Knight and Day, it’s really a toss-up between horribly cheesy and slightly above average. Hope there is more to the month of June than the past couple weeks!
Yes it’s ridiculous Castor, whether good or not I guess depends on how much people like the show. For me it’s just nostalgia sake 🙂
Just because of Toy Story 3, it’s already better than the last 2 weeks!
I’m in agreement on all but that Cruise flick. I just can’t stand the guy??!?!?!? It’s like they’re remaking that Mr and Mrs Smith movie over and over again. Holy formula people …
Y’know, I can’t blame you about Cruise… but again, I like car chases 🙂
I like Neil Jordan (THE CRYING GAME, THE INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE) and can’t wait to see him direct THE BORGIAS next year on SHOWTIME with Jeremy Irons. ONDINE does seem interesting and original, even though I can’t really forgive Colin Farrell for killing my favourite genre of epics with his stunningly horrible role in ALEXANDER.
He..he.. glad I skipped ALEXANDER. It’s hilarious that Oliver Stone re-released the dvd with the free-ticket to ‘300’ at one time, as if that’d entice people to buy it! That was one bad idea, and I heard Jolie was equally horrid as his mom with her atrocious ‘Russian’ accent.
no,no, no …. I’m not generally a fan of Angelina, but as a linguist and someone who lives here at the Balkans, I can confirm that her accent in ALEXANDER really was Greek and she was amazing in that respect, actually I can tell you that it was one of the best accents I’ve ever heard in a film. And she’s the only one who tried, others spoke in their horrible ways, like Colin who spoke like a drunk Irishmen from some pub throughout the movie, or Jared Leto who spoke like an overdosed Californian teen 🙂
I swear this summer at the movies is taking *way* too much effort. Would it be asking so much to get a blockbuster or two entertain me while they’re pillaging my wallet?
There are some signs of life for June…but not many. At this point, even TOY STORY 3 has me worried!
Hi Hatter, well I guess ‘some signs of life’ is all we’re gonna get from ol’ Hollywood. If you don’t mind me asking, what worries you about TS3?
As far as the whole Summer goes, I’m holding out hope that INCEPTION will be the movie of the year! We’ll see if Nolan and that terrific ensemble cast deliver.
I think most of all I’m left wondering what story there is left to tell with these characters, especially more than ten years after the fact.
Then again, it’s possible that I’ve just been spoiled by what Pixar is calling their “Art House Trilogy” of RATATOUILLE, WALL-E, and UP that going back over familiar ground leaves me antsy without good cause.
I’m still seeing it – I’m just trying to temper my expectations going in.
I see where you’re coming from, but from what I’ve seen they’ve been able to inject some fun new characters to keep things fresh. I mean I had trepidation with the Ken/Barbie thing but the trailer had me in stitches, so it’s all in the writing. But you’re right, it’s always wise to manage expectations.
Btw, since you like art house stuff, what do you think about I AM LOVE?
I’m still going, and I’m still hoping to love it. Here’s hoping my reservations about it being only “so-so” are unfounded.
I AM LOVE seems interesting, and every episode of Simon & Jo’s podcast has mentioned it doing well in the UK box office for the last month or so.
That said, I got a trailer for it before MICMACS this week, and based on that dose of melodrama I wouldn’t be seeing it.
I have a crazy idea…what do you say I go see it, then blog about it, you can read what I write about it, and then maybe see it/skip it based on that???
Might just be crazy enough to work…
Well I have a feeling you’ll probably end up seeing I AM LOVE before I do. So yeah, I’ll definitely check out what you have to say about it. Surely the scenery alone would be a major plus of the movie.
Ondine opened here a couple of months ago, to pretty lukewarm reviews. So, I decided to give it a miss. Love Neil Jordan, but the same can’t be said for Colin Farrell. Might check it out on DVD though.
I am looking forward to Tilda Swinton’s new movie and I will check out the A-Team. I know it probably will be useless, but like you it’s the nostalgia factor that is drawing me in!
Ha..ha..yes I remember your disdain of Mr. Farrell. I’ve been searching for a theater that has it but haven’t found it yet, so it’ll likely be a rental for me. Same with I AM LOVE probably. A-Team is all about nostalgia for me, too.
I don’t Odine will arrive here. So The A Team is the only movie I am eager to watch this month. It’ll bring back my teen’s memory 😉
I’m so looking forward for this movie
Yeah, I doubt it. I don’t think small indie movies get released in Indo, but I bet A-Team will be a hit there. I remember watching it on TVRI (or was it RCTI?) back when I was a kid.
It was on RCTI…when TV is still nice enough to play good hollywood TV series NOT like today, sinetron..sinetron and sinetron all the time 😦
Yeah I think there are going to be a lot of people watching the A team…at least for the memory
Yeah well, here it’s all reality tv (mostly trash), that’s why I don’t watch tv much here. For sure INDO tv has come a long way since Unyil eh? :))
hahaha…but Unyil is still around with better concept 😉
I have to say I wasn’t massivley looking forward to the new Toy Story movie simply because I’d prefer to see Pixar working on new ideas. However, I love this trailer. Pixar rarely put a foot wrong so I doubt this will be any different. Going by the trailer it looks like they have plenty of new ideas for their smash hit franchise.
Hi Dan, welcome to FlixChatter! Yeah, I know what you mean, but Pixar rarely disappoints, and like you said, judging from the trailer, looks like they’ll make this ‘old stuff’ feels new somehow. I do hope this is the last of it though, I’m all for bringing fresh ideas!
It took me awhile to fall for Mr. Farrell’s and talents, but over the years he’s completely enamored me and has become one of the few actors I’ll watch a movie with based on his appearance solely. This I must see.
I’m down for some Toy Story 3, but an hesitant about anything with Tom Cruise and am no fan of Diaz so we’ll see about that one.
I feel the same way about Farrell, though he was impressive in Minority Report which was a while ago. That’s one of Tom Cruise movies I actually like, which was before he went off the deep end. I might end up seeing K&D on dvd or when it arrives on the cheap theater anyway. Too many flicks, too little time! 🙂
I feel strange for wanting to see Ondine, mostly because I convinced mermaid stories are pretty much total taboo. But given there is Farrel, and a decent trailer and now your interest, I think I might have to check it out… maybe on DVD though.
Besides June looks like its going a bleak month.
Total taboo?? Including The Little Mermaid? 🙂 Sorry, kidding aside, I’m not sure I know what you mean by that. I guess I’ve never seen an ‘adult’ (read: non animated version) mermaid movie, including Splash. There’s a certain mystique about the Ondine trailer that got me intrigued, not so much the ‘mermaid’ aspect.
Really not sure why Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise are in another film together. Several fourth graders in my cousin’s school play are already better actresses than Diaz. As for Cruise, I kind of thought he was above the whole action/romantic comedy scene. Guess not.