Summer Movie Preview: June
It’s time for the next installment of our summer movie preview, this time we look all the way into June, 2013. “Zombies”, and Monsters, and Shakespeare, oh my!
The Internship
Release Date: June 7th
Synopsis: Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson get laid off and enter an internship program at Google where they must compete with younger, smarter interns for a job with the search giant. Also features Rose Byrne, B.J. Novak, Josh Gad, and Aasif Mandvi. Directed by Shawn Levy (Real Steel, Date Night, and the Night at the Museum franchise).
Our Thoughts:
Rob: I have a feeling that, for better or worse, you’re going to get exactly what you expect out of this one.
Jennie: I hope this movie is funnier than the trailer suggests. Also, am I the only one who thinks it’s strange that the old guy in the wheelchair knows who Charles Xavier is but they don’t have any clue?
Dave: I got to imagine if you’re an old, bald, professor in a wheelchair, you hear the reference from time to time.
Dave: I think the trailer looks funny enough. I generally enjoy the combination of Vaughn and Wilson, but I foresee waiting to see this one on on DVD. Looks like it may be the type of movie that shows you the funniest stuff in the trailer…but i guess you never know.
Nicki: I love this team. They could read the phone book and make me laugh. Just the scene of “What? What?!” alone, makes me want to see it.
Much Ado About Nothing
Release Date: June 7th
Synopsis: The next big summer movie from the man who brought you last year’s $600 million blockbuster The Avengers. A black-and-white adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Filmed over the course of 12 days after The Avengers wrapped, the film stars a ton of people Joss Whedon has worked with before, including Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Nathan Fillion, Clark Gregg, Fran Kranz, Tom Lenk, and Sean Maher. (Plus half of Garfunkel and Oates.)
Our Thoughts:
Rob: I’m actually looking forward to this one quite a bit, but I’m a die-hard Whedon fan.
Jennie: I have a feeling that I’m really going to like this film. I enjoy a modern take on Shakespeare where the dialog is the same but the setting is current.
Dave: I’m firmly on record as being anti-Shakespeare. I just don’t like it at all, in fact it generally actively angers me. I just don’t get it…and don’t really care to try to get it. From watching the trailer, i guess it’s an intriguing experiment of sorts and I’m mildly interested to see how the actors manage to apply modern emotion and tone to the antiquated text of the play. I don’t think I’m going to be rushing out to pay full price to see this though.
Nicki: Normally I am a big fan of the Shakespeare adaptations but I just don’t see myself getting into this one. Although I do enjoy a lot of the actors so we’ll see.
This is the End
Release Date: June 12th
Synopsis: From the writers of Superbad and Pineapple Express: Hollywood celebrities play “themselves” facing the end of the world in LA, and they are utterly unprepared for it. Starring James Franco, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, and Craig Robinson, with cameos from many more stars.
Our Thoughts:
Rob: Another of those where you’ll probably get exactly what you expect.
Jennie: I’m not sure if this movie is going to be hilarious or just awkward. Being on the set was probably crazy.
Dave: Meh. It has a chance to be somewhat funny, it also has a chance to be a train wreck ala Pineapple Express. It looks like it may have too many big names for it’s own good. These guys are generally funny (except Danny McBride…i really don’t like that guy for some reason) and i do love disaster movies, but I’m not optimistic about this one.
Nicki: I can’t wait for this movie! I heard about it awhile ago, and it looks like a lot of mindless fun. And yes, I realize it is probably not the most artistic or even well-written, I’m just hoping for funny as hell. Although I hate the idea of “Krumholtz dying”, I thoroughly enjoy the thought of Rihanna being swallowed up by a hole in the ground.
Man of Steel
Release Date: June 14th
Synopsis: Superman gets another reboot, this time from Zach Snyder, the director who brought us 300 and The Watchmen (and Sucker Punch), and produced by Christopher Nolan, who brought us the Dark Knight Trilogy,Inception, andMemento. This time we get another crack at his origin story and fellow Kryptonian General Zod once again invades Earth. Stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, and Kevin Costner.
Our Thoughts:
Rob:With Nolan there to tell Snyder how to actually tell a story I’m sure this will be good, but I am so over origin stories. I could go a long, long time without having to sit through the first hour of a movie watching a superhero grow up yet again.
Jennie: I’m not completely over origin stories yet, BUT, I agree that maybe I am over origins that we’ve seen already. That being said, this movie looks beautiful, and I’m on the Michael Shannon band wagon right now too, so I’m looking forward to him as General Zod.
Dave: I can not accurately tell you how completely excited i am for this movie. I am far more excited for this than any other movie of the summer. I’m a Superman fan. I have been for years. I own the super fancy box set of previous movies. I’m firmly in the “Superman is the greatest superhero of all time and i hate you for suggesting it’s Batman or God forbid, Wolverine” camp. I may have a problem. I’ve been following it’s production closely for years now. I was excited when they announced Snyder as the director…then Sucker Punch came out… I loved 300 and The Watchmen and i can assume that the failings of Sucker Punch can be corrected by having Nolan watching over his shoulder. I don’t know for sure if I’m sold on the costume designs I’ve seen, but i will reserve judgement until after I’ve seen the finished product since so much of Snyder’s films rely on CGI. The trailer looks great. W ewill see if the movie actually has the same tone. It seems to be a trend lately to make these Terrence Malick-y trailers and then have the movie not feel anything like the trailer…That’s a a whole lot of writing to say, yes I will see this movie opening weekend…and maybe the weekend after that.
Nicki: Like Dave, I am super excited for this movie! I love a good super hero movie and I was really disappointed in the latest Superman incarnation. This one feels like it will carry the heaviness that I have always believed Clark Kent has. PLUS, I love Russell Crowe as Jor-El, and even Kevin Costner may find some redemption as Papa Kent.
The Bling Ring
Release Date: June 14th
Synopsis: Writer/Director Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation/The Virgin Suicides) tells the based-on-actual-events tale of a group of Los Angeles teens obsessed with celebrity who track Hollywood stars online and then break into their houses when the stars are out of town. Stars Katie Chang, Israel Broussard, Emma Watson, Taissa Farmiga, and Leslie Mann.
Our Thoughts:
Rob:Count me interested. I’ve generally liked Coppola’s non-Godfather work, and this will at least have less 18th century Kirsten Dunst than Marie Antoinette.
Jennie: I think this has potential to be great. It also has potential for a lot of people to completely miss the point.
Rob:What does Bill Murray whisper to Emma Watson at the end!?!
Jennie: Also, I can’t wait to hear the reactions from the people it’s about. I’m sure all the major news sources will be talking about it. You know, E, TMZ, Entertainment Tonight, etc. (That was sarcasm for those who don’t know me.)
Nicki: I like Emma Watson and I LOVE her in this. I think this movie will be great but I agree with Jennie, that the main points will lost on many. I’m looking forward to this film.
Monsters University
Release Date: June 21st
Synopsis: Mike and Sulley are back in Pixar’s latest, this prequel to Monsters, Inc. Monsters University explores Mike and Sulley’s college days, back when they first met and were just learning how t scare children for a living. First-time Pixar director Dan Scanlon takes the helm and the characters are voiced by the likes of John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, Aubrey Plaza, Nathan Fillion, and Helen Mirren.
Our Thoughts:
Rob:I’m sure it will be just fine, but *standard derogatory comment about Disney/Pixar doing so many sequels*.
Dave: ummmm…this is a PREquel. Duh. Totally not the same thing…
Jennie: I liked Monsters, Inc., but I’m not really sure why this movie is happening.
Dave: The more i think about it, the more I realize how good the first Monsters, Inc. was. Considering that Pixar almost never misses, i can only assume this will be good as well. and who doesn’t love John Goodman and Billy Crystal?
Nicki: This is another movie that my kids are going to force me to see opening weekend. Not that I’m complaining though. I really enjoyed the original but I do have to acknowledge that I don’t know why this one was made. I’m sure it will be hilarious.
Jennie: Don’t get me wrong, I want to see it, and I’m pretty sure I’ll enjoy it.
World War Z
Release Date: June 21st
Synopsis: It took quite a bit of effort to figure out how to translate the bestselling zombie apocalypse novel into a movie, to the extent that after filming initially wrapped they had to hire Damon Lindelof, and then Drew Goddard to rewrite the third act, which resulted in seven more weeks of shooting. Brad Pitt plays a UN worker tasked with searching for information that can help end the global zombie* outbreak. Directed by Marc Forster.
*Yes, they’re “fast” zombies in the movie, which we all know aren’t real zombies.
Our Thoughts:
Rob:Whew, this one could be trouble. I’ll see it because, you know, zombies… but boy did this one have a rough time making it to the screen. I like Lindelof/Goddard, but I’m not sure they’re capable of saving what was left of the film when they finished shooting it the first time.
Jennie: I’m not gonna lie, I’m really confused by the zombies in this trailer. They’re frantically running, knocking over buses and piling up on top of each other. I also have no sense of how gory this movie is actually going to be. That of course will determine my likelihood of me seeing it.
Dave: I’m super worried about this one. I love the book (Fun Fact: It was written by Mel Brooks’ son) but from what I’ve read, they have made some very significant changes, not the least of which being the fast zombies….stupid fast zombies. I’m hoping that the infamous re-shoot will mean that they managed to fix it and make it a good film…but i thought that when the went back in a put a few million extra into Green Lantern too…and we know how that turned out. I’ll see it, but as a fan of the book, I’m prepared to be appalled.
Nicki: Initially I thought I would really get into this movie. I mean come on, Brad Pitt AND Zombies?! But it seems like there was so much hassle during the process/reshoots/rewrites, that I fear it will be really disjointed. I really want to be wrong.
White House Down
Release Date: June 28th
Synopsis: A federal law enforcement officer (Channing Tatum) must protect the president (Jamie Foxx) when a heavily armed group of paramilitary invaders attacks the White House. I tried to make this synopsis as generic as possible so if they release yet another “White House is attacked” movie this year I can just change the names. The Armageddon to Olympus Has Fallen’s Deep Impact, Roland Emmerich directs and James Woods, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Richard Jenkins also star.
Our Thoughts:
Rob:It certainly has the disaster/action movie pedigree. I guess we’ll see if Emmerich can do it better than Olympus Has Fallen.
Jennie: This trailer doesn’t actually suggest plot. For all I know, it’s the same plot asOlympus Has Fallen. This one perhaps will be done better… maybe…
Dave: I was really disappointed by Olympus Has Fallen, but to be honest i am secretly hoping this is a shot for shot remake of it…just to mess with us. I would almost forgive the horrible-ness of Olympus if this has all been part of some big Hollywood practical joke…but it won’t be. I guess I’m cautiously optimistic. I generally have a weakness for Roland Emmerich disaster-type movies. I even enjoyed 2012…and it was horrible. Plus there are all kinds of exploding landmarks…and I’m a sucker for that.
Nicki: I need more than what this trailer gives me. I get it, destruction, danger, scandal, but what’s the point? I’m sure I will see it, I’m just not that moved by the initial scenes.
The Heat
Release Date: June 28th
Synopsis: Uptight FBI agent Sandra Bullock is teamed up with off-the-wall Boston cop Melissa McCarthy. Inevitably both will learn important life lessons from the other. Directed by Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, The Office, Freaks and Geeks), and also starring Marlon Wayans, Kaitlin Olson, and Tom Wilson.
Our Thoughts:
Rob: Dear Lord, do I really have to wait till June 28th to stop seeing trailers for this one? I feel like this one’s been around forever already.
Jennie: This seriously looks terrible. Not to mention that I really don’t think Sandra Bullock is cut out for rated R comedy.
Dave: Ummm…Sandra Bullock won an Oscar…How could this be anything but amazing??? Oscar winners don’t make bad movies. (Caugh Cough *Catwoman* Cough Cough) Seriously though…I don’t think this looks horrible, but i guess i just don’t love Melissa McCarthy as much as the rest of the world does. I’ll probably pass on this one, or at best half watch it while playing video games.
Nicki: As funny as I am sure this will be, it is definitely a rental for me. I can’t justify spending money to see this at the theater.
Rob is the Founder, Editor-in-Chief, and Techie of Cinedraft. He hated Million Dollar Baby. And is really excited about the Ender's Game movie. More About Me
