Won’t You Be My Neighbor-June 8th
Synopsis: A look behind the scenes at one of the most iconic and beloved purveyors of classic children’s television.
It Looks Good Because: I’m not a soulless robot, and only an automaton could look at this movie and go “meh, pass”. Fred Rogers embodied and taught love, kindness, and caring for your neighbors. He taught children that they were each special exactly they way they were. Basically, PBS’s version of Jesus. Bring your tissues and an umbrella, because it’s gonna rain feel-good happy tears all over the movie theater.
Tag-June 15th
Synopsis: The same group of friends have been playing a cross-country game of Tag every May for the last 30 years, like normal grown ass men. Jeremy Renner plays a man who has not been tagged even once in the history of the tradition. But this year the game coincides with his wedding, and he knows he’s a marked man. Full scale war ensues.
It Looks Good Because: Honestly the idea of 5 adult men never outgrowing playground games sounds a little crazy, but it just might be crazy enough to work. I love the comedic genius of Jake Johnson (best known as Nick from New Girl) and Jon Hamm, so it’s guaranteed at least a few laughs. And truly, Jeremy Renner’s tag evasion skills look impressive.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom-June 22nd
Synopsis: Mmmmm, probably dinosaurs, and an island, erupting volcanoes (too soon, Hawaii?), lots of running and screaming, buff Chris Pratt, epic T-Rex v. Mutant-Rex showdowns, evil conglomerates playing god with prehistoric DNA. The usual. Also, Jeff Goldblum is back!
It Looks Good Because: I mentioned Chris Pratt, yes? And dinosaurs are always cool.
Damsel-June 22nd
Synopsis: Robert Pattinson plays an affluent pioneer who journeys west through the frontier to marry the love of his life (Mia Wasikowska). He mysteriously ends up traveling with a miniature pony and a drunk, and their trip takes a treacherous turn.
It Looks Good Because: I’m so here for Pioneer Rob. And the plot looks intriguing; I got a disturbing “I-traveled-a-1000-miles-out-west-to-propose-so-you-kinda-owe-me” feel from the trailer, which is depressingly and pathetically relevant in this current day. And Mia Wasikowska looks fierce AF.
Sicario: Day of the Soldado-June 29th
Synopsis: Mysterious badass Alejandro is back, and teaming up with the FBI again to fight the Mexican cartels that are sneaking terrorists over the border. There’s something about Alejandro taking a young female hostage, and playing dirty, breaking the rules, operating outside the law, and so on and so forth. The cartels and the terrorists are gonna GET THEIRS.
It Looks Good Because: I only just recently watched the first Sicario, and it was an edge-of-the-couch, viscerally suspenseful experience. I’m a little let down that Emily Blunt won’t be reprising her role as a straight laced (and continually horrified) FBI Agent, but I’m still hopeful this sequel will be just as intense as the first.
BlacKkKlansman-August 10th
Synopsis: In 1978, an African American police officer in Colorado Springs infiltrates the local KKK, and eventually works his way up to head of the chapter in order to bring them down. Say whaaaaaaat?
It Looks Good Because: So many reasons. It’s based on a true story, and APPARENTLY in this day and age some people need reminders that the KKK are BAD. Director Spike Lee is going to make sure that message is made thoroughly obvious. It’s produced by Oscar winner Jordan Peele, another filmmaker experienced in films about race inequality. It drew a 10 minute standing ovation at its Cannes premiere, where it also won the Grand Prix award. I had to Google it, but apparently the Grand Prix is the second-most prestigious award at Cannes. And it looks surprisingly funny. The main role of Detective Ron Stallworth is played by John David Washington, son of THE Denzel Washington. Does he have his daddy’s acting chops? Is his face as perfectly symmetrical? It’s also doesn’t hurt that I fangirl unapologetically hard for Adam Driver, who plays Stallworth’s police partner, and whose hair and flannel shirt game in this movie is on-effing-point.
