June 3rd
X-Men: First Class
Twentieth Century Fox
X-Men: First Class takes us back to a time in X-Men history when Professor X (James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) were best friends, discovering their powers for the first time. The fifth installment in the X-Men series, a prequel set in 1962 during the Cuban missile crisis, explores the origins of both the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants. Director Michael Vaughn describes the film as similar to Batman Begins in the pleasure it takes in introducing its characters. This X-Men is also darker and more mature than the previous films. This promises to be the fresh start that the X-Men franchise needs.
June 10th
Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer
Smokewood Entertainment Group
With over 13 million copies sold of the Judy Moody book series, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer should have no trouble finding an audience. Directed by John Schultz (Aliens in the Attic), the film stars Aussie actress Jordana Beatty in the titular role of Judy, with Heather Graham playing the loopy and delightful Aunt Opal. Basically, when you’re in the third grade, the goal of having a thrilling summer is as worthy as any and certainly enough to base a movie on.
June 10th
Super 8
Paramount Pictures
While filming an amateur zombie flick on their Super 8 camera in their small Ohio town, a group of six kids witness a train crash and capture what appears to be an alien escaping from the wreckage. Afterwards, unusual events begin happening all over town. Taking note, the local deputy embarks on a mission to discover what’s happening to the people of his community. Writer and director J.J. Abrams has revealed little about the film, except to say “It’s sweet, it’s scary, and there’s a mystery.” With producer Steven Spielberg at the helm, the film is already being hailed as a modern-day E.T.
June 17th
Green Lantern
Warner Bros.
Test pilot Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) has been picked as the first human Green Lantern ever by the Green Lantern Corps, a group of heroes formed from different races throughout the universe, sworn to uphold intergalactic peace. But the Corps have their doubts about humankind, and Hal has doubts about himself. Perhaps with the encouragement of his colleague and love interest Carol Ferris (Blake Lively), Hal can learn to use the powers granted by this mysterious green ring, and more importantly, overcome his fears in time to defeat the evil Parallax and save Earth.
June 17th
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Twentieth Century Fox
Adapted from the 1938 children’s book and winner of the 1939 Newbery Award, Mr. Popper’s Penguins is an updated version of the classic tale. In the film, Mr. Popper (Jim Carrey) is no simple house painter, but rather a success-driven businessman who inherits six penguins from his estranged father. The little rascals wreak havoc on his orderly and structured life, not to mention turning his New York apartment into an Arctic wonderland. If you grew up with the book or you have little ones, you’re sure to enjoy this whimsical family flick.
June 24th
Bad Teacher
Columbia Pictures
Junior high teacher Elizabeth Halsey (Cameron Diaz) has lost her sugar daddy and needs a new one quick. She wants to quit her lame job and live the good life — drinking, getting high and generally being herself. That’s probably a good idea since she stinks at her job anyway. Her plan? Seduce the wealthy new substitute Scott Delacorte (Justin Timberlake) and marry him. The only problem is she must compete with Amy Squirrel (Lucy Punch), her well-liked colleague, who wants Scott for herself. As if that’s not enough, she has to execute her outlandish schemes while fighting off the advances of gym teacher Russell Gettis (Jason Segel). Zaniness is sure to ensue.
