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Once May rolls around, you can’t pick up an
entertainment magazine without seeing a story on the slate of big summer
movie releases. Flicks such as Iron Man, Indiana Jones and the
Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and The Dark Knight get most of
the attention, but hidden away in the list of the blockbusters are
potential cinematic gems made on lower budgets and flying under the radar. Kung Fu Panda, Wall-E, and The Incredible Hulk need no
extra press, but so many other worthy films do. What follows is an
alternate summer movie guide, a list of five films that, with the talent
involved and the trailers on display, have the greatest potential to be the
biggest surprises in the coming months.
The Foot Fist Way (May 30) — Made in 19 days on a microbudget, this
comedy from Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s production company (the
geniuses behind Anchorman, Talladega Nights, and
the Funny or Die Web site), focuses on macho tae kwon do instructor Fred Simmons (Danny
McBride), whose world falls apart when his wife leaves him. Trying to get
his life back on track, Simmons, his best friend and two of his students
set out to meet Simmons’ hero, Chuck “The Truck” Wallace.
A huge hit at Sundance, this one has a realistic feel that is reminiscent
of Napoleon Dynamite. Besides, Superbad’s Jonah Hill calls it the funniest movie ever. I am so
there.
The Wackness (July 4) — This dark comedy tells the tale of Luke
Shapiro (Josh Peck), a troubled young man who sells drugs to his therapist
(Ben Kingsley) and dates his daughter (Juno’s Olivia Thirlby) as well. These twisted
relationships are only the tip of the iceberg — the usual roles in
this coming-of-age tale are turned upside down and the characters learn
important life lessons in unexpected places. And did I mention the kissing
scene between Kingsley and Mary-Kate Olsen? Yep, this film earns its title
in many different ways.
Swing Vote (Aug. 1) — Kevin Costner stars as Bud Johnson, a
deadbeat who, through a computer quirk, finds that the vote he cast in the
presidential election did not count and he’s allowed to recast it.
The twist: His vote will be the one that decides the election. The premise
may be hokey, but the film has a Frank Capra feel to it as Bud finds that
his vote and his life do serve a greater moral purpose. This looks like the
perfect antidote to the cynicism that has already begun to cloud the actual
presidential campaign. Also featuring Kelsey Grammer, Dennis Hopper, Nathan
Lane, and Stanley Tucci, Swing Vote has “winner” written all over it.
Pineapple Express (Aug. 8) — Seth Rogen is the purveyor of a rare strain of marijuana called
Pineapple Express. James Franco, his best customer, sees a corrupt police
officer commit murder. Before you know it, the two slackers find themselves
on the run with both the cops and the supplier of the magical drug on their
tails. This one could be a stinker, but with art-house director David
Gordon Green (George Washington, All the Real Girls) at the helm, it could also turn out to be this
year’s Superbad. Hamlet 2 (Aug.
22) — What’s a beleaguered high-school drama coach to do when
his program is set to shut down as a result of budget constraints? Why,
come up with an original play that proves to be a hit. That’s exactly
what Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) does when he pens Hamlet 2. Yes, you read that right, Hamlet 2. Irreverent and
filled with quirky humor, this out-of-left-field comedy has been wowing
them on the indie circuit as it stresses the importance of self-expression
and the love of performing.
This article appears in May 8-14, 2008.
