June is busting out all over, with tentpoles, romance, animated chaos, family fare and even an occasional film for adults. Lots of sequels, although now they’re being called reboots, but part five by another name is still a sequel. Fear not, there is still a bit of originality on the horizon, with some cozy comfort and an occasional superhero to save the world.
Sequels ruled the world in May, kicking off the season with the opening of “The Devil Wears Prada II,” “Mortal Kombat II” and “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.” But that was then and this is now, so sit back, enjoy and make note of what will be on your must-see list.
June Openings
“Masters of the Universe” isn’t technically a sequel to the original that premiered 40 years ago; it’s a reboot or, as the producers prefer to call it, a reimagining. Skeletor destroyed his universe and Prince Adam of Eternia/He-Man was abandoned on Earth. He’s no longer a child but he has lost his edge. He regains his strength and identity under the tutelage of his long-dormant friends. But will he be able to save his universe of talking tigers, spaceships and magic swords? The combination of Adam’s earthly persona and his guise as Master blends in the kind of humor and adventure sure to bring in a large audience. Will this be the summer’s first blockbuster? The starry cast includes Idris Elba, Alison Brie and Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam.
Photo by David Cleary, courtesy of Lionsgate
“Power Ballad” is the story of Rick, a none-too-successful wedding singer and his surprising bond with Danny, a D-list boy band star. Once upon a time, Rick wrote a song that he shares with Danny. Recognizing possibilities that Rick doesn’t, Danny makes it a hit and leaves Rick in the cold. Rick needs that hit, not just for the money he’s been screwed out of but also for his self- esteem. The film stars Paul Rudd as Rick and Nick Jonas as Danny.
“Scary Movie” is back taking on the horror icons of the past. Theoretically this is number six but the filmmakers have just decided to rewind to a new beginning with stars from the past including Anna Faris, Cheri Oteri and Regina Hall. The presence of Greg, Kim, Shawn, Marlon and Damon Wayans Jr. makes this a family affair.
“Disclosure Day” brings Steven Spielberg back to “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” land. Are we finished as a civilization? Does someone know? Why are they keeping it a secret? More importantly, are you better off knowing or not knowing? Although producers are keeping most of the plot under wraps, expect aliens, government conspiracy and crop circles. The film stars Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth and Coleman Domingo.
Photo courtesy of Pixar
“Toy Story 5” brings the band back together when Bunny gets a new electronic device, a Lily Pad, upsetting the balance in Toyland. Will tech make Woody and Buzz Lightyear obsolete? They won’t go quietly. All the old friends are back to aid in the struggle for creativity.
Photo by Aidan Monaghan, courtesy of A24
“Death of Robin Hood” is based on the 17th-century ballad “Robin Hood’s Death.” We find Robin Hood, late of Sherwood Forest, about to die and trying to come to terms with his violent past. Nurtured by a mysterious young woman, he ponders redemption. It stars Hugh Jackman as the aging bandit with support from the luminous Jodie Comer and Bill Skarsgård as the ever-loyal Little John.
“Rose of Nevada” is infused with the supernatural. An empty ship mysteriously returns to the fishing village from which it disappeared 30 years earlier. Convinced that this reappearance bodes well, two fishermen decide to crew it alone and chase their fortune—a fortune that takes a sinister turn when the boat takes them back in time to when the boat should have returned. Arriving at the village, they are mistaken for the original sailors and are trapped in a malevolent time warp.
Photo courtesy of 1-2 Special
June 26
“Supergirl” has gone off-book looking for her true self, losing more than she gains. When dog Krypto goes missing, she’s on a mission to rescue him and possibly humanity too. There will be lots of otherworldly villains to fight in order to regain her mojo. Milly Alcock is Supergirl, fighting for the good of humankind, with a healthy dollop of revenge and an occasional assist from David Corenswet’s Superman. Matthias Schoenaerts is master villain Krem and Jason Momoa is the mercenary Lobo, for hire to whoever pays him the most. Hope springs eternal that director Craig Gillespie will allow some room for character development.
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
“The Invite” is Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut starring herself, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Ed Norton in a remake of the Spanish film, “The People Upstairs.” When new neighbors move into the apartment next door, uptight Joe and Angela find themselves being seduced by Pina and Hawk, who need fresh talent for their weekly orgy. Conflict and laughs are in order.
“Jackass 5” is yet another installment of Johnny Knoxville’s stunts-gone-bad extravaganza. Is there more to say or do here? You be the judge.
Penélope Cruz in “The Invite”
Photo courtesy of A24
July 1
“Minions and Monsters” arrive in Hollywood for their close-up where they create havoc on set. Their monster script about monsters is brought to life when they go on a search for actual monsters. The voices are starrier than ever with Jeff Bridges, Allison Janney, Jesse Eisenberg and Trey Parker leading the pack, and Steve Carell still there as Gru.
July 3
“Young Washington” is based on the early career of George Washington as he led his pre-Revolutionary troops in the French and Indian War. Just in time for the 250th anniversary of our founding, the movie stars newcomer William Franklyn-Miller with Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis and Mary-Louise Parker in support.
photo Courtesy of Disney
July 10
“Moana,” the live-action film follows the trials of young Moana (Catherine Laga’aia) who has been chosen to save her land from the evil that lurks far out in the sea. She must find the shape-shifting Maui (Dwayne Johnson) and convince him to help her save the world and her people. Based on the animated film of the same name.
July 17
“The Odyssey” is the much-anticipated Christopher Nolan film, and that’s reason enough to see it. This is the classic Greek tale about Odysseus’ difficult journey of many years trying to return home to his beloved wife Penelope. The Trojan War is over, but now the most difficult journey begins as he and his men face otherworldly struggles, fighting a one-eyed giant, a six-headed serpent, cannibals, the intoxicating Sirens and the evil Circe. Shot entirely in IMAX, this ode to grown-up films must be seen on the big screen. It stars Matt Damon as Odysseus and Anne Hathaway as Penelope. Lending support are Zendaya as goddess Athena, Tom Holland as Telemachus, the son of Odysseus and Penelope, Charlize Theron as the dangerous Circe and a raft of other stars including Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo and Lupita Nyong’o.
Photo Courtesy of Apple
July 24
“The Dink,” a sports comedy, follows a former, but now washed-up, tennis pro at a small club that is going under. Determined to save his country club he must enter a (gasp) pickleball tournament. In the process, though, he might earn the respect of his unimpressed and eternally disappointed father. The film stars Jake Johnson, Ed Harris, Ben Stiller and Mary Steenburgen, among others.
Photo Courtesy of Sony Pictures
July 31
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” returns with Tom Holland, along with Zendaya, Sadie Sink and Jon Bernthal in support. Peter Parker, now an adult, has removed himself from the Spider-Verse. He must now reinvent himself so he can save the world. The bad guys have had a field day in his absence. Does this spider have one more life cycle? In addition to Holland’s return as Peter Parker, Mark Ruffalo is back as Bruce Banner/the Hulk. Zendaya is Peter’s new love interest, MJ.
“End of Oak Street” and a horrific cosmic event threatens suburbia. Denise (Anne Hathaway) must lead her family (played by Ewan McGregor, Christian Convery and Maisy Stella) to safety when their whole street and neighborhood falls off a cliff and is transported to a place unknown. In order to survive, they must stick together, listen to mom and find their way back from this terrifying place filled with scary creatures.
Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
August 7
“One Night Only” exists in a universe where there is only one night a year when premarital sex is legal. The question posed is whether one night is enough to connect, fall in love and begin a life together. Of course, this all revolves around forbidden sex, so one needs to ask if the bond is closer or looser if everything happens in one day. Although there were few plot details available and no trailer, you’ll have to fill in the giant gaps. The cast, however, sounds very promising, led by Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner with Molly Ringwald and LeVar Burton in support.
photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures and Spinmaster
August 14
“Paws Patrol: The Dino Movie” finds our intrepid pups on an uncharted island full of dinosaurs. Dino Island is the greatest discovery ever! But it’s under attack from an active volcano that has been triggered by thoughtless miners. Our little four-pawed friends and their young master must save the planet.
August 21
“Insidious: Out of the Further” is the fifth in the “Insidious” franchise. Expect haunts, apparitions and evil. Lin Shaye is the only original cast member returning. This is from horrormeister producer Jason Blum so you know what to expect.
“The Rivals of Amziah King” focuses on family, bluegrass music, Oklahoma and the ruthless (their word, not mine) honey industry. When his estranged foster daughter returns unexpectedly, he welcomes her back and strengthens their relationship by bringing her into his business. External forces will try to interfere with this new bond. It stars Matthew McConaughey with the kind of cast that makes this intriguing, including Kurt Russell, Scott Shepherd and Jake Horowitz.
Photo by Dan Smith, courtesy of Lionsgate
“Mutiny” is murder, conspiracy, billionaires and thrills all wrapped into one package. After witnessing his billionaire boss get murdered, Cole needs to get out of the tight frame that has been constructed around him. In the process, he uncovers an international conspiracy and must save himself and the world. Starring Jason Statham with Adrian Lester in support.
“Cliffhanger” is a reboot of the 1994 original starring Sylvester Stallone, who was slated to star in the sequel. This reimagined film of the original movie now stars Pierce Brosnan as Ray Cooper, a mountaineer who owns a luxury resort in the Alps. Visited by his two daughters, Sydney and Naomi, and their friend, the son of a billionaire, they are attacked by a ruthless band of terrorists. Naomi, played by Lily James, escapes and must find a way to rescue them. It is beautifully filmed in the Dolomite Mountains of Italy.
Photo Courtesy of Ketchup Entertainment
August 28
“Coyote vs. Acme” was originally a story written by Ian Frazier for “The New Yorker.” It posited that because Acme products always failed Wile E. Coyote in his pursuit of the Road Runner, he should sue. He hires a high-powered lawyer to take his case. Featuring a basket full of Warner Bros. cartoon characters, including Bugs, Daffy and Elmer, Will Forte as the lawyer and a slate of other live-action actors working with the animated witnesses to this potential miscarriage of justice.
“Finding Emily,” a British Rom-Com of the “meet-cute” variety, finds our hero in love with an Emily he met while he was playing a gig in a pub. Unfortunately, he wrote her number down incorrectly and he desperately wants to find her, believing that true love always finds a way. He enlists the help of a psychology student whose college project is to prove that romantic attachments cause madness. They will spark a campus-wide search for the elusive Emily, last name unknown and phone number missing a digit. That the boy is an idiot is only part of the fun. Spike Fearn is our woe-begone lover and Angourie Rice is the psych student with lots of Emilys in support.
Photo Courtesy of Focus Features
“The Dog Stars” is Ridley Scott’s latest post-apocalyptic thriller. The world has been infected by a deadly virus and few have survived. An adaptation of the book by Peter Heller, the overall themes are loneliness, survival and human connection. Hig, living with his faithful dog and his friend Ranley, goes off-book when he discovers there may be other survivors. Can mankind be saved? It’s Ridley Scott, so you never know. It stars Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin and Margaret Qualley, enough reasons to risk it all.
September 4
“How to Rob a Bank,” the title tells the story, but not all of it. It’s crime in the TikTok era where fame is more important than fortune. Well, maybe not entirely because we’re talking about a bank heist. Our modern-day cyber robbers are a diverse group of social media-savvy criminals who confound the police and the FBI by posting their real-time robberies for all to see, sowing havoc along the way. It is directed by David Leitch (“Bullet Train”), with an all-star cast including Zoë Kravitz, Nicholas Hoult, Anna Sawai, Christian Slater, John C. Reilly and Pete Davidson. Thrills and chills and possibly a few laughs for Labor Day weekend.
With an El Niño on the horizon, there’s no better place to come in out of the heat than a movie theater. Pass the popcorn, anyone?
