Summer movie preview: June

What's that? Shakespeare isn't geek-worthy? Tell that to Joss Whedon. Don't want to upset the apple cart? Thought so. Much Ado About Nothing (Jun 7) shouldn't come as a huge surprise to people being that Whedon has made two musicals already and is a lover of drama. The cast is a pretty healthy cross section of his former casts. Angel fans should rejoice at the two romantic leads in Amy Acker and Alexis Denisof. Fred and Wesley didn't get to be together but they get a second chance as Beatrice and Benedick.To be fair, I didn't care for the style of storytelling in the World War Z book and didn't think it could be made into a movie. However, re-writes were done by both Damon Lindelof (Lost, Prometheus) and Drew Goddard (Cabin In The Woods) so writing concerns are assuaged. Ladies can appreciate the presence of star Brad Pitt. For me, it's all zombies and Bryan Cranston. The outbreak spreads Jun 21.Zack Snyder (Watchmen, 300) comes back to what he is amazing at, making comic book movies. His latest task may be his most daunting as he is charged with re-booting the Superman franchise after Bryan Singer's attempt with Superman Returns. What do we know? There is no Lex Luthor this time out. Like Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, Snyder and co. have decided to keep his ultimate nemesis until later. But Zod is on the table, played by the always menacing Michael Shannon.Star power bursts through the rest of the supporting cast with Amy Adams as Lois Lane and Laurence Fishburne as Perry White. Kevin Costner and Diane Lane are Ma and Pa Kent, for Pete's sake. That's as big a get as Martin Sheen and Sally Field were as Ben and May Parker. While Russell Crowe is no Marlon Brando, he is more than up to the challenge of Jor-El.Man Of Steel flies faster than a locomotive on May 14.View the list »
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Welcome to the second installment of my summer movie primer. My main picks for the month are in the slideshow. As for the rest of June's offerings...

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As if The Watch weren't bad enough, now its producer Shawn Levy (Real Steel) will direct and re-team with Vince Vaughn on The Internship (Jun 7). To make matters worse, they have brought Owen Wilson into the fold. Can this story about two salesmen trying to get a job at Google recall the improbable hilarity of Wedding Crashers? Without the deft hand of Todd Phillips, it is doubtful.

Inspired by the string of robberies that took place in 2008 and 2009 in Calabasas, CA comes The Bling Ring (Jun 14). With Sofia Coppola at the helm, one has to wonder what to expect. Her first two films are modern masterpieces. Then came Marie Antoinette and, ugh. Benefit of the doubt should be given as she is obviously immensely talented and comes from great (film?) stock. A cool/mean tidbit: several of the original robberies had Paris Hilton as the victim. Hilton Haters (and, aren't we all?) can relive her pain as she will make an appearance in the film.

I know I was pretty harsh about The Watch but there is a more annoying and unfunny cast in This Is The End (Jun 14). Strangely enough, or not, it is brought to you by the director of The Watch. Freaks And Geeks fans can celebrate as several of their Apatow minions are present and accounted for. Fans of annoying, unfunny actors like Seth Rogen and Danny McBride will love it. My advice is to wait for The World's End or the actual end of the world before seeing this.

This concludes my preview of June. Check out my May preview and stay tuned (subscribe, please) for July.

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  • Zack Snyder (Watchmen, 300) comes back to what he is amazing at, making comic book movies. His latest task may be his most daunting as he is charged with re-booting the Superman franchise after Bryan Singer's attempt with Superman Returns. What do we know? There is no Lex Luthor this time out. Like Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, Snyder and co. have decided to keep his ultimate nemesis until later. But Zod is on the table, played by the always menacing Michael Shannon.Star power bursts through the rest of the supporting cast with Amy Adams as Lois Lane and Laurence Fishburne as Perry White. Kevin Costner and Diane Lane are Ma and Pa Kent, for Pete's sake. That's as big a get as Martin Sheen and Sally Field were as Ben and May Parker. While Russell Crowe is no Marlon Brando, he is more than up to the challenge of Jor-El.Man Of Steel flies faster than a locomotive on May 14.
  • To be fair, I didn't care for the style of storytelling in the World War Z book and didn't think it could be made into a movie. However, re-writes were done by both Damon Lindelof (Lost, Prometheus) and Drew Goddard (Cabin In The Woods) so writing concerns are assuaged. Ladies can appreciate the presence of star Brad Pitt. For me, it's all zombies and Bryan Cranston. The outbreak spreads Jun 21.
  • What's that? Shakespeare isn't geek-worthy? Tell that to Joss Whedon. Don't want to upset the apple cart? Thought so. Much Ado About Nothing (Jun 7) shouldn't come as a huge surprise to people being that Whedon has made two musicals already and is a lover of drama. The cast is a pretty healthy cross section of his former casts. Angel fans should rejoice at the two romantic leads in Amy Acker and Alexis Denisof. Fred and Wesley didn't get to be together but they get a second chance as Beatrice and Benedick.
  • What do you get when you take one of the creators of Bill & Ted, the writer of Remember The Titans, and director of The Incredible Hulk? Not sure, but it's called Now You See Me (Jun 7). Jesse Eisenberg heads a team of magicians that use their misdirection abilities to steal money. Mark Ruffalo is and FBI agent charged to stop them with the help of Morgan Freeman. This is probably not the sign Ruffalo and director Louis Letterier are doing a Hulk solo movie. Not enough of a cast for you? Well, add Michael Caine and Woody Harrelson. What now?
  • No idea what to make of After Earth (Jun 7). With all of its hype and, frankly, beautiful cinematography, this should be a slam dunk. That is, until you factor in the M. Night Shyamalan variable. That, and the fact that Will Smith and son are the stars should give one pause. The hype surrounding the movie totally makes sense now. This has as much boom or bust potential as anything that comes out this year.
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