The Year in Film 2013: Episode V

This June offers a wide variety of films. While the traditional action-oriented blockbusters are present, there are also some smaller arthouse films which are usually left for the autumn months.

It all starts with:

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING – Joss Whedon follows up his mighty AVENGERS by going back to basics: an adaptation of a William Shakespeare play. MUCH ADO was shot in secret over 21 days and keeps the original text for dialogue. It stars nearly every person Whedon has ever worked with…from Nathan Fillon (SERENITY) to Clark Gregg (AVENGERS).

THE EAST – Ellen Page and Alexander Skarsgard star in this eco-terrorist thriller.

WISH YOU WERE HERE – Joel Edgerton (WARRIOR) stars in this family-based, mystery/suspense drama centered around a family getaway.

THE INTERNSHIP – In what is basically a feature-length ad for Google (like they need to advertise), Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn star as two middle-aged interns. Directed by Shawn Levy (NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM).

THE PURGE – In one of the silliest plots ever written, a re-vamped America has one night every year where everyone can commit a crime without any consequences. Stars Ethan Hawke and is directed by James DeMonaco.

THIS IS THE END – James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogan, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride and Craig Robinson all star as themselves; six idiots dealing with the end of the world. Directed by Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen.

MAN OF STEEL – Superman returns to the big screen in what may be the most anticipated film of the year. Christopher Nolan (THE DARK KNIGHT) produces and Zack Snyder (WATCHMEN, 300) directs. Henry Cavill stars as Supes and is joined by Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, and Michael Shannon as General Zod.

THE BLING RING – Oscar-winning director Sofia Coppola directs this little flick about teenagers and their obsession with celebrity. Emma Watson (HARRY POTTER) stars.

BERBERIAN SOUND STUDIO – Toby Jones is a sound technician working on a horror film when his work gets the better of him.

WORLD WAR Z – This troubled adaptation of the novel of the same name has seen everything from massive re-writes to re-shooting major portions of the film. For better or for worse it’s finally here. Brad Pitt stars in this zombie war-flick directed by Marc Forster (QUANTUM OF SOLACE).

MONSTERS UNIVERSITY – Pixar unleashes their very first prequel. Billy Crystal and John Goodman reprise their animated characters in this story of how Mike and Sully became friends.

MANIAC – Elijah Wood (THE LORD OF THE RINGS) stars in this psycho-thriller which is a 21^st century spin on Jack the Ripper. Directed by Franck Khalfoun (P2).

WHITE HOUSE DOWN – The White House is taken over for the third time this year (time to beef up security, fellas), in this action-thriller which stars Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, Maggie Gyllenhall, and James Woods. Directed by Roland Emmerich (INDEPENDENCE DAY).

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Next month: Episode VI ventures into July.