BIG SCREEN COMEBACK
BIG SCREEN COMEBACK
Photo Courtesy of Sundance Institute
S
ummer movie season has arrived , featuring anticipated blockbuster releases from established franchises hitting theaters across the country . We ' ll also see Disney ' s first post-pandemic theatrical release with the liveaction remake of The Little Mermaid on Memorial Day weekend . While streaming is still going strong , these featured films are only available on the big screen .
By Lori Vernon
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol . 3
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol . 3
Directed by James Gunn May 5 in Theaters • Rated PG-13
Our beloved band of misfits is looking a bit different these days . Peter Quill ( Chris Pratt ), still reeling from the loss of Gamora ( Zoe Saldana ), must rally his team around him to defend the universe and protect one of their own . A mission that , if not completed successfully , could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them .
BlackBerry
Directed by Matt Johnson May 12 In Theaters • Rated NYR
The “ true story ” of the meteoric rise & catastrophic demise of the world ’ s first smartphone , BlackBerry is a whirlwind ride through a ruthlessly competitive Silicon Valley at breakneck speeds .
Hypnotic
Directed by Robert Rodriquez May 12 in Theaters • Rated R
Determined to find his missing daughter , detective Danny Rourke ( Ben Affleck ) finds himself spiraling down a rabbit hole investigating a series of reality-bending crimes where he will ultimately call into question his most basic assumptions about everything and everyone in his world . Aided by Diana Cruz ( Alice Braga ), a gifted psychic , Rourke simultaneously pursues and is pursued by a lethal specter - the one man he believes holds the key to finding the missing girl .
Knights of the Zodiac
Directed by Tomek Baginski May 12 in Theaters • Rated PG-13
Based on the international anime sensation , the film brings the Saint Seiya saga to the big screen in live-action for the first time . Seiya ( Mackenyu ), a headstrong street teen , spends his time fighting for cash while he searches for his abducted sister . When one of his fights unwittingly taps into mystical powers he never knew he had , Seiya finds himself thrust into a world of warring saints , ancient magical training , and a reincarnated goddess who needs his protection .
Fast X
Directed by Louis Leterrier May 19 in Theaters • Rated
The tenth film in the Fast & Furious Saga launches the final chapters of one of cinema ' s most popular global franchises , Dom Toretto ( Vin Diesel ) and his family have outsmarted , out-nerved , and outdriven every foe in their path . Now , they confront the most lethal opponent they ' ve ever faced : A terrifying threat ( Jason Momoa ) emerging from the shadows of the past who ' s fueled by blood revenge and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything that Dom loves .
Kandahar
Directed by Ric Roman Waugh May 26 in Theaters • Rated NYR
When CIA agent Tom Harris ’ ( Gerard Butler ) undercover mission is exposed , Harris and his Afghan translator ( Navid Negahban ) must fight their way through hostile forces in enemy territory to reach his extraction point in Kandahar .
The Little Mermaid
Directed by Rob Marshall May 26 in Theaters • Rated PG
The beloved story of Ariel ( Halle Bailey ), a beautiful and spirited young mermaid who thirsts for adventure . The youngest of King Triton ’ s ( Javier Bardem ) daughters , Ariel longs to discover more about the world beyond the sea and , while visiting the surface , falls for the dashing Prince Eric ( Jonah Hauer-King ). She makes a deal with the evil sea witch , Ursula ( Melissa McCarthy ), which gives her a chance to experience life on land but ultimately places her life – and her father ’ s crown – in jeopardy .
About My Father
Directed by Laura Terruso May 26 in Theaters • Rated NYR
Arlington Heights native Sebastian Maniscalco , joins forces with legendary Robert De Niro in a new comedy that centers around Sebastian ( Maniscalco ), who is encouraged by his fiancée ( Leslie Bibb ) to bring his immigrant hairdresser father , Salvo ( De Niro ), to a weekend get-together with her super-rich and exceedingly eccentric family . The weekend develops into what can only be described as a culture clash , leaving Sebastian and Salvo to discover that the great thing about family is everything about family .
12 illinoisentertainer . com may 2023