Entertainment Today and Beyond

JUNE at the MOVIES

LAND OF THE LOST – June 5 – I’m already on record as saying I have mixed feelings about Will Ferrell turning the entertaining, but cheesy 1970’s Saturday morning Television show into this feature film comedy. While it’s almost guaranteed to have a sizeable opening weekend, I question whether this   film will be any good. Since there aren’t any advance reviews to be found, I can’t begin to answer that question! My guess – it won’t win any Oscars! Danny McBride and Anna Friel co-star. Chaka, sleestack and an angry T-Rex also appear. Will – Ferrell’s man-child routine ever get old?

THE HANGOVER – June 5 -This bachelor party gone wrong comedy directed by Todd Phillips (Old School) has tested through the roof in advance screenings. While many are calling the film a can’t miss sleeper hit, there is no guarantee this is a sure thing. Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis aren’t marquee names so you really never know till people show up on opening weekend. Still Warner Bros. is so confident that The Hangover will become a hit that they are already developing a sequel.

MY LIFE IN RUINS – June 5 – On the ABC gabfest The View, the film’s star Nia Vardalos said that “My Life in Ruins” is the highest scoring film during test screenings in Fox Searchlight’s history. As I write, this the movie currently doesn’t have one single positive review on RottenTomatoes so  somebody’s wrong! I still think My Big Fat Greek Wedding (Vardalos claim to fame) is the worst film ever to gross over $200 million at the box-office, although Vardalos made so much coin from the success of that movie that she never really has to work again.

TAKING OF PELHAM 123 – June 12 – First let me say that I Love the original. It’s easily one of the best thrillers of the 70s. The film is perfectly cast (Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw), has great direction and captured the feeling of NYC as well as a film can. Things that played out in the story’s last act were not only original but the stuff of classics. While I fully expect a competent and fairly entertaining re-telling, there is NO way that this will be a great as Joseph Sargent’s original. Still, since Denzel Washington is one of the best leading men in the business so I am looking forward to seeing this.

IMAGINE THAT – June 12 – Eddie Murphy in a family comedy… AGAIN. I guess this will be Murphy’s “Bedtime Stories”. It’s stunning to see him take paycheck after paycheck for this type of fluff. One of the great comic talents of our time continues to play it safe! If only he took more chances.

THE PROPOSAL – June 19 – May/December romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. Bullock’s had a really interesting career. One great action movie in “Speed”, a solid supporting turn in “A Time to Kill”, another interesting supporting turn in the Oscar winning film “Crash” and the star of a whole lot of mediocre movies. My guess is that this one will be added to the list of the mediocre ones.

YEAR ONE – June 19 – Jack Black and Michael Cera star in this Harold Ramis (Groundhog Day) directed comedy about the early days of man. While the trailer is amusing, there’s nothing compelling to make this a must-see. Of all the films that open this month, I believe this one is the hardest to gauge. Box-office numbers could go either way and reviews will be an important factor. 

TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN – June 24 -There’s little doubt in my mind that this is far and away summers most anticipated film. All the Michael Bay fanboy hate in the world won’t stop this sequel from becoming the season’s biggest hit. This thing will be as critic proof as a popcorn flick with the masses and I can easily see it grossing well over $300 million at the box-office domestically. Tracking on the film is reportedly through the roof and Hitfix is saying the film could challenge The Dark Knight’s 5-day $203 million opening record of last summer. I’m a big fan of the first one and look forward to this follow-up.  

MY SISTERS KEEPER – June 26 – Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin star in this tear jerker based on a best selling novel about illness and choices we make. This is should be an interesting film. Diaz just seems out of the loop over the last few years so hopefully this will put her back on track.

What are you looking forward to seeing this month?

June 3, 2009 Posted by Entertainment Today & Beyond | And Beyond - Trailers & News | June 2009 movies, June 2009 New Releases | 4 Comments