Excited for this summer’s blockbuster season? It’s impossible not to notice that those big popcorn-crunching movies that set up shop at the multiplexes from May through August are, ever more, retreads: sequels, remakes, franchises. Here’s a look at a few movies set to open this week.
“X-Men Apocalypse” (Friday, May 27).
This is, what, the seventh X-Men movie? Haven’t they saved the world yet? Bryan Singer, who directed the first two and the most recent (“X-Men: Days of Future Past”), returns. As always, the X-folks will have to band together
“Alice Through the Looking Glass” (Friday, May 27).
Lavish costumes! Characters from classic British literature! Helena Bonham Carter (as the Red Queen) with an enormous head! In a similar vein, minus the giant head, literary types can look forward to Whit Stillman’s “Love and Friendship” (Thursday, May 26), set in Regency-era England and based on the Jane Austen novella “Lady Susan.”
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— The Seattle Times
Movies in the Park a family affair
It all started more than a decade ago with a bed sheet and a projector.
These days, the Cox Communications Movies in the Park is a bit more upscale. And wildly popular.
And why not? The movies are free, outdoors, family-friendly, and, well, they are movies. What’s not to like?
The films are screened at DeMeester Performing Arts Pavilion in Reid Park, at East 22nd Street and South Country Club Road. Look for the projector to blink on at sundown — between 7 and 7:30 p.m. Oh, and bring a blanket. And snacks.
The schedule for this summer:
- June 10
- — “Finding Nemo,” all about a clownfish that sets out to rescue his son, who was caught off the Great Barrier Reef. Rated G. 100 minutes.
- June 24
- — “Minions” follows a super villain who attempts to take over the world, and she’s recruited a couple of Minions to help her. Rated PG. 91 minutes.
- July 8
- — “King Fu Panda 3” finds the adventurous Panda, Po, in the role of teacher, training a bunch of clumsy panda pals to become martial-arts experts and take on an evil supernatural warrior. Rated PG. 95 minutes.
- July 22
- — “Inside Out” tells the story of an 11-year-old Riley, who has moved from the midwest to San Francisco with her family. Turmoil within her mind sets up battles with joy, sadness, fear and anger. Rated PG. 102 minutes.
- Aug. 5
- — “Frozen” — just hear the name and “Let It Go” begins to crowd the mind — is the smash Disney hit about the kingdom trapped in an endless winter and the race to break the spell and bring a little sunshine into their lives. Rated PG. 109 minutes.
- Aug. 19
- — “The Sandlot” is the only non-animated film in this summer’s series. The story is about a group of kids who play baseball at a sandlot and go off on fun, and touching, adventures. Rated PG. 102 minutes.
Cinema La Placita on the move
Cinema La Placita screens its last film Thursday, May 26 with a last hurrah of “Best in Show” — and of course, well-behaved pups are invited to the screening at West Broadway and South Church Ave.
Significant changes in the works for La Placita made it necessary for the popular outdoor film series to find a new home at the historic Pima County Courthouse at 115 N. Church Ave. starting June 6.
The cost is $3 a movie (with popcorn included) — and the films start at 7:30 p.m.
Here’s the early summer lineup:
- May 26
- — “Best In Show,” Christopher Guest’s insanely funny mockumentary about dog show folk. Rated PG-13. 90 minutes.
- June 9
- — “To Catch a Thief,” the 1955 Alfred Hitchcock classic starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. Not rated. 106 minutes.
- June 16
- — “Born Yesterday,” George Cukor’s 1950 comedy starring Judy Holliday and William Holden. Not rated. 103 minutes.
- June 23
- — “Roman Holiday,” Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck star in this 1953 romance directed by William Wyler.
- June 30
- — “Harvey,” starring James Stewart as the big-hearted man with an invisible-to-all-but-him rabbit as a best friend. Henry Koster directed the 1950 film. Not rated. 104 minutes.
— Kathy Allen
