When JAWS was released in May of 1975, the modern blockbuster was born. A couple of years later STAR WARS topped Steven Spielberg’s fish story, and solidified the month of May as the official launch of the Summer Movie Season. But Hollywood loves to move the goalposts, and this year, with the April release of AVENGERS: ENDGAME, the season started early. That leaves this month of May hitting the summer-fun in full stride with a diverse slate of films. Here now is a preview for the notable releases for the month of May.
THE INTRUDER – In this psychological horror film, a young couple moves in a new house into a country, only to be terrorized by the former owner who refuses to let it go. Dennis Quaid stars as that former owner.
LONG SHOT – In this romantic comedy, Seth Rogen plays an embattled journalist who falls in with his childhood love interest, played by Charlize Theron, who is running for President.
UGLYDOLLS – This CG animated musical-comedy is based on the toy line of the same name, and tells the story of one ugly doll who refuses to accept her deformity. It stars the voices of Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, Blake Shelton, and Jane Lynch.
THE HUSTLE – This is a female-centered remake of the DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS from 1998. It stars Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson as two women who plan revenge against two men who had tricked them.
POKEMON: DETECTIVE PIKACHU – The first live-action film from the popular Pokemon franchise, which is also based on the video game of the same name. Ryan Reynolds (DEADPOOL), provides the voice of a taking Pikachu (whatever that is), who helps a young man to find his missing father.
TOLKIEN – JRR Tolkien, the famed creator of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, finally gets his life story brought to the big screen. Nicholas Hoult (X-MEN: FIRST CLASS), plays Tolkien, and Lily Collins plays his lifelong love and wife.
A DOG’S JOURNEY – Josh Gad (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), provides the voice of a lost dog.
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM – This second sequel in the shoot-em-up franchise has legendary hitman John Wick (Keanu Reeves), fighting his way out of New York when a $14 million contract gets placed on his head. It co-stars Halle Berry and Laurence Fishburne. It is directed by Chad Stahelski, who helmed the previous two JOHN WICK films.
ALADDIN – The highest profile film of this month is Disney’s second of its three live-action remakes for 2019. Will Smith (MEN IN BLACK) plays Genie, and he is joined by Mena Massoud (Aladdin), and Naomi Scott (Princess Jasmine). It is directed by Guy Ritchie, who brought us the two SHERLOCK HOLMES abominations in 2009 and 2011, and the massive flop KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD in 2017.
BRIGHTBURN – James Gunn (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY) produces this superhero-horror film in which a child, after crash-landing on Earth, uses his powers for evil. Elizabeth Banks stars.
GODZILLA: KING OF MONSTERS – The 35thfilm in the history of GODZILLA is also the third film in the new line of monster movies, which began with GODZILLA in 2014, and continued with KONG: SKULL ISLAND in 2017. This time, Godzilla takes on a pack of monsters that are threatening humanity’s existence. The top-heavy cast includes Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, Bradley Whitford, David Strathairn, Ken Watanabe, Sally Hawkins (THE SHAPE OF WATER), and Millie Bobby Brown (TV’s STRANGER THINGS).
ROCKETMAN – Taron Egerton (KINGSMAN), plays Elton John in this musical biopic. It co-stars Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, and Bryce Dallas Howard. It is directed by Dexter Fletcher, who may, or may not have replaced Bryan Singer as the director of the Oscar-winning BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY last year.
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Next month, Reel Speak previews the month of June.
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