May Movies: Indiana Jones, Prince Caspian, Iron Man & Speed Racer.

[Mark Vader]

The month of May is here, which brings an end to a very dull Spring Season of movies, and now begins the big Summer Season. As usual this time of year, sequels are the highly anticipated films, but fear not, there is some new stuff coming as well. So get ready for big explosions, big thrills, big laughs, and eye-popping effects, as there are plenty of "popcorn movies" to see.

 

It's been 19 years since we last saw the whip wielding, gun slinging, fedora wearing, archaeologist Dr. Indiana Jones. Now Harrison Ford, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg are reunited in bringing "Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull". While the plot has been mostly kept under wraps, many fans only care about seeing the character of Indiana Jones on the silver screen again. The biggest question that has many people asking is, does Ford, age 66, still have what it takes to pull off this kind of movie? We'll just have to wait and see. What we do know about this movie, is that it takes place in the 1950's, Marion Ravenwood is back, and the Nazis have been replaced by the KGB. Judging from the first trailer, it looks like the flavor of the first 3 films has been kept intact. Now is this the last time we see Indiana? Ford has already stated that he'd be open to another one. Karen Allen, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett, & Ray Winstone co-star.

 

The Pevensie children return to Narnia again in, "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian". Nearly the entire cast returns from The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe, as Disney has already set it's eyes out for future movies of this series. In this story, the Pevensie children arrive in Narnia 1300 years after the last time they were there. They now find that the evil King Miraz has seized the throne away from the rightful heir Prince Caspian. William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, and Ben Barnes star.

 

Paramount Pictures brings the latest Marvel comic book superhero to the silver screen in the form of "Iron Man". While in captivity, industralist Tony Stark creates a high-tech suit of armor which he first uses to fight his way to freedom, and then to prevent a dark-minded scientific genius from carrying out his nefarious plot against humankind. While "Ol' Shellhead" may not be the most popular of superoes, he is definitely one of the most recognized. Robert Downey Jr. has been looking for a big break in his movie career, this could be it. However, this is'nt exactly, Spider-Man, X-Men, Superman, or Batman. Despite the big budget, amazing effects, and spectacular look of the costume, there is no guarantee of "Iron Man", becoming a franchise. Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, & Gwyneth Paltrow co-star.

 

The Wachowski Bros. return to the director's chairs for the first time since The Matrix sequels to bring everyone "Speed Racer". Speed Racer, a skilled young car driver who belongs to a family of gearheads, is blackmailed by the head of the nefarious corporation Royalton Industries to participate in The Crucible -- the annual cross-country rally that claimed his brother's life years ago. This project has been in development for years, one time set to star Vince Vaughn, then later on Johnny Depp. Now Emile Hirsch is the title character. The main task at hand is how receptive fans will be to the Wachowski's after their lukewarm reception of the 2nd & 3rd Matrix sequels. Still a lot of kids remember the 60's anime cartoon, and there are plenty of fast cars to whet the appetite of all racing fans. Matthew Fox, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, & Susan Sarandon co-star.

 

Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, & Charlotte re-unite after 4 years in "Sex and the City: The Movie". Set four years after we last saw them, the ladies, negotiate their friendships, romances, and careers in New York City. At the center of it all is Carrie's pending nuptials to Mr. Big. Women en masse will show up for this one, and men who will be dragged along with them. There will be lots of expensive clothing and cosmopolitans, but will it be as raunchy as the series was?

 

In "Made of Honor", Tom is a consummate ladies' man. Hannah is his best friend and the one constant in his life. But when Hannah leaves town for a six-week business trip, allowing Tom to realize his love for her runs deeper than he ever knew, how does he deal with conveying his feelings? Patrick Dempsey & Michelle Monaghan star.

 

Joy and Jack meet while on a Las Vegas bender, where their drunken nuptials are only part of a larger problem: What to do when Jack wins $3 million with Joy's quarter, and they are forced to spend six months as wife and husband if they are to see a penny of their winnings. Cameron Diaz & Ashton Kutcher star in "What Happens in Vegas".

 

In "The Strangers", A couple (Scott Speedman and Liv Tyler) cozied up in a vacation home are terrorized by three unknown assailants.

 

In the ironically named city of Paradise, a recently laid-off loser teams up with his cult-leading uncle to steal a peculiar bounty of riches from their local amusement park; somehow, the recently arrived Taliban have a similar focus, but a far more sinister intent. Zack Ward, Dave Foley, & Verne Troyer star in "Postal". Brought to us by the man who single-handedly wants to destroy the cinema industry: Uwe Boll.

 

Calendar with Trailers

 

5/2

"Iron Man": http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/

 

"Made of Honor": http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/madeofhonor/

 

5/9

"Speed Racer": http://speedracerthemovie.warnerbros.com/

 

"What Happens in Vegas": http://www.whathappensinvegasmovie.com/

 

5/16

"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian": http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/narnia/

 

5/23

"Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull": http://www.indianajones.com/site/index.html

 

"Postal": http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486640/traile...er-vi1994588441

 

5/30

"Sex and the City: The Movie: http://www.sexandthecitymovie.com/

 

"The Strangers": http://www.thestrangers.net/

 

That's all for now. Independent Films will be posted later.

[K-Gun10]

Iron Man I will see maybe tonight, The G/F wants to see Made of Honer, What Happens in Vegas looks funny, Speed RaCER, Narnia And Indiana Jones. SO SUMMER BEGINS ITS GOING TO BE A GREAT MONTH I WILL KEEP YOU GUYS POSTED.

[buckeyemike]

I can't wait to see Indiana Jones back on the big screen.

 

If anyone can pull off an Indy past middle age, it's Harrison Ford.

[ExiledInIllinois]

I can't wait to see Indiana Jones back on the big screen.

 

If anyone can pull off an Indy past middle age, it's Harrison Ford.

 

Exactly!

 

The Indiana Jones thing seems perfectly suited for the main role to age... You see him in the first of the original trilogy as a child (around 1912) then through middle age (1930's) and now 20 years later (1950's)...

 

Seems like Lucas and Spielberg have it covered...

[shrader]

I can't believe it has been 19 years since Last Crusade. I'm only 26 but I remember being so excited and seeing that in theaters twice. I'll be there opening night for this one.

 

Other than that, Iron Man is the only other movie on this list I plan on seeing. I do look forward to my roommate saying he wants to see the Sex and the City movie though. That will fuel a neverending supply of "you're gay" jokes, which is never a bad thing.

 

Why is it that they had to take the most annoying and overused tourism slogan and turn it into a movie title?

[Mark Vader]

Iron Man I will see maybe tonight, The G/F wants to see Made of Honer, What Happens in Vegas looks funny, Speed RaCER, Narnia And Indiana Jones. SO SUMMER BEGINS ITS GOING TO BE A GREAT MONTH I WILL KEEP YOU GUYS POSTED.

This is going to be a fun summer. Indiana Jones looks great, Iron Man has already got good reviews, there is great buzz on Prince Caspian, and even though I was unsure before, I might have to check out Speed Racer.

[ajzepp]

Thanks, Mark!

 

I'm looking forward to a few of these, for sure. I've got mixed feelings about the new Indy flick, but I'm hoping it's worth the wait. I've been really wanting to revisit 'Raiders' on my home theater, so this will give me a chance to do it in anticipation of seeing the newest installment. Even though it'll probably be a rental for me, I'm really looking forward to the new Narnia flick....I loved the first one, and CS Lewis is my favorite author.

 

Love me some movies!

[shrader]

Thanks, Mark!

 

I'm looking forward to a few of these, for sure. I've got mixed feelings about the new Indy flick, but I'm hoping it's worth the wait. I've been really wanting to revisit 'Raiders' on my home theater, so this will give me a chance to do it in anticipation of seeing the newest installment. Even though it'll probably be a rental for me, I'm really looking forward to the new Narnia flick....I loved the first one, and CS Lewis is my favorite author.

 

Love me some movies!

 

I've been planning on watching all 3 movies (yes, even Temple) over the next couple weeks. That just might have to start this weekend.

[ajzepp]

I've been planning on watching all 3 movies (yes, even Temple) over the next couple weeks. That just might have to start this weekend.

 

I enjoyed Temple more than most, I think...it's not as good as the first and third obviously, but I still had fun with it. For some reason, it's the most nostalgic for me. I also thought Kate Capshaw was amazingly hot back in the day

[ExiledInIllinois]

I can't believe it has been 19 years since Last Crusade. I'm only 26 but I remember being so excited and seeing that in theaters twice. I'll be there opening night for this one.

 

Other than that, Iron Man is the only other movie on this list I plan on seeing. I do look forward to my roommate saying he wants to see the Sex and the City movie though. That will fuel a neverending supply of "you're gay" jokes, which is never a bad thing.

 

Why is it that they had to take the most annoying and overused tourism slogan and turn it into a movie title?

 

Last Crusade was my fav!

 

[shrader]

I enjoyed Temple more than most, I think...it's not as good as the first and third obviously, but I still had fun with it. For some reason, it's the most nostalgic for me. I also thought Kate Capshaw was amazingly hot back in the day

 

I've always enjoyed it too, probably because it was on HBO almost every day back when I was younger.

[Mark Vader]

Thanks, Mark!

 

I'm looking forward to a few of these, for sure. I've got mixed feelings about the new Indy flick, but I'm hoping it's worth the wait. I've been really wanting to revisit 'Raiders' on my home theater, so this will give me a chance to do it in anticipation of seeing the newest installment. Even though it'll probably be a rental for me, I'm really looking forward to the new Narnia flick....I loved the first one, and CS Lewis is my favorite author.

 

Love me some movies!

Well the website has the latest trailer up. So here it is. Unless you already saw Iron Man, then you've seen it already.

 

http://www.indianajones.com/site/index.html

[ajzepp]

Well the website has the latest trailer up. So here it is. Unless you already saw Iron Man, then you've seen it already.

 

http://www.indianajones.com/site/index.html

 

That trailer got me a lot more pumped up than the first one did...can't wait!

[KD in CA]

I can't wait to see Indiana Jones back on the big screen.

 

If anyone can pull off an Indy past middle age, it's Harrison Ford.

 

Absolutely. The Indiana Jones movies just flat out kick ass. Good time to rent the old ones for a viewing before seeing the new one.

[shrader]

Absolutely. The Indiana Jones movies just flat out kick ass. Good time to rent the old ones for a viewing before seeing the new one.

 

Buy them. They're worth every penny, just like my Die Hard marathon last summer.

[Mark Vader]

BUMP, Independent Films added, and here they are.

 

In Director David Mamet's "Redbelt", A fateful event leads to a job in the film business for top mixed-martial arts instructor Mike Terry. Though he refuses to participate in prize bouts, circumstances conspire to force him to consider entering such a competition.

Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ricky Jay, Emily Mortimer, Alice Braga, & Tim Allen.

 

A pair of festival faves from the United Kingdom arrive this month.

 

First there is "Son of Rambow". This comedy, set on a long English summer in the early 80's, is about friendship, faith and the weird business of growing up. As a shy boy growing up in a sheltered British community makes an unlikely collaborative partner in his rough-and-tough schoolmate in his attempt to film his own shot-by-shot version of Rambo:First Blood. Directed by Garth Jennings.

 

Then in "Mister Lonely", A Michael Jackson impersonator ekeing out a life in Paris joins a Marilyn Monroe look-alike on a trip back to her commune in the Scottish Highlands -- a seaside castle at which Michael discovers an alternate family of impersonators all in preparation for their first-ever gala. Diego Luna, and Smantha Morton star.

 

In the French horror "Frontier(s)", A band of criminals find refuge in a secluded country inn, fully unaware of the nightmare that will greet them this evening.

 

In "The Fall", In a hospital on the outskirts of 1920s Los Angeles, an injured stuntman begins to tell a fellow patient, a little girl with a broken arm, a fantastical story about 5 mythical heroes. Thanks to his fractured state of mind and her vivid imagination, the line between fiction and reality starts to blur as the tale advances. Starring Lee Pace & Catinca Unataru, and produced by David Fincher & Spike Jonze.

 

The 2006 festival fave from Norway, "Reprise", makes it's USA debut. A look at what happens -- and also what could have happened -- after best friends Phillip and Erik drop their respective manuscripts into the same mailbox, both of them hoping their first novels will be picked up for publication.

 

In the bizzarre off-beat comedy "War,Inc.", Hit man Brand Hauser is deployed to the nation of Turaqistan to off an oil minister who is interfering in U.S. interests in the region. Keeping his eyes on his target proves difficult for Hauser since he has to work undercover planning the nuptials of a Turaqi pop star and contending with the affections of a left-wing journalist. Starring John Cusack, Marisa Tomei, Ben Kingsley, Hillary Duff, Joan Cusack, & Dan Aykroyd.

 

Finally, in "The Foot Fist Way", A down-and-out Tae Kwon Do instructor looks to turn his life around by going on a pilgrimage with his buddy and two of his students to see his hero, the martial arts legend Chuck "The Truck" Wallace, at a kung-fu convention. Starring Danny McBride & Ben Best.

 

Calendar with trailers. Note: All dates are for exclusive or limited release. Some movies may appear in other cities at a later date.

 

5/2

"Redbelt": http://www.sonyclassics.com/redbelt/

 

"Son of Rambow": http://www.sonoframbow.com/

 

"Mister Lonely": http://www.misterlonely.co.uk/

 

5/9

"Frontier(s): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0814685/traile...ler-vi669057305

 

"The Fall": http://www.thefallthemovie.com/

 

5/16

"Reprise": http://www.collider.com/entertainment/news...7668&tcid=1

 

5/23

"War,Inc.": http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0884224/traile...er-vi1591804185

 

5/30

"The Foot Fist Way": http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0492619/traile...er-vi1575026969

 

That's it for now. Enjoy the rest of the month.

[stuckincincy]

Thanks as always, Mark!