Need proof that summer movies don’t have to include car chases, explosions or conflicted superheros?
Consider “Once” and “Little Miss Sunshine,” two indie gems from 2006 which lingered in theaters all summer long. Independent films often get lost in the movie release shuffle, but it’s hard to think of better counter-programming to battle back against the next “Harry Potter” or “Transformers” sequel.
Here’s a peek at some smaller films which could be worth your while this summer:
- “The Hurt Locker” (June 26) – Director Kathryn Bigelow (“Point Break”) promises the first Iraq War movie, and one which doens’t paint U.S. soldiers as monsters a la “Redacted.” FUN FACT: The actors had to work in 120-degree heat on location in Jordan.
- “The Brothers Bloom” - (May 15) Rian Johnson’s follow up to his sneaky teen noir “Brick” debuted at the Starz Denver Film Festival late last year. It’s a trippy comedy that’s just sly enough to blow past its plot problems. FUN FACT: “Bloom” was shot in four Eastern European countries.
- “Dead Snow” (June 12) – Nazi zombies. Do you need to read anything else? FUN FACT: It’s a Norwegian horror comedy.
- “Soul Power” (July 10) – Remember the Rumble in the Jungle? Well, before that iconic boxing match they threw an R&B concert like no other featuring James Brown and B.B. King. FUN FACT: WWTW interviewed Brown a few years back before he taped a TV show in Washington, D.C. The Godfather of Soul was wearing hair curlers … and he couldn’t have been more polite.
- “All the Boys Love Mandy Lane” (July 17) – The director of “The Wackness” delivers a whacked-out horror flick with a killer title and a gorgeous lead actress – “The Informers’” Amber Heard. FUN FACT: Heard has six films lined up for 2009 including “Zombieland” co-starring Woody Harrelson.
- “Paper Heart” (Aug. 7) – Sure, Michael Cera teeters on the edge of over-exposure, but this fascinating quasi-documentary sounds too interesting to pass up. It’s a meditation on love by the director, comic actress Charlyne Yi (“Knocked Up”). FUN FACT: The doc shows Cera falling for Yi, a development which caused the film to take new shape mid-shooting.
(Photo: Jeremy Renner (“28 Weeks Later”) plays a U.S. soldier tracking down IEDs in “The Hurt Locker.”)
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I was shocked when I saw All the Boys Love Mandy Lane on your list, because I remembered it coming out here in the UK over a year ago (and getting bad reviews), and I’ve seen the DVDs for sale. It looks like it sat on the shelves for a couple of years before that. I’m surprised they are even bothering with an American theatrical release, this looks like an obvious straight-to-DVD candidate.
I spoke with the director of Mandy Lane and he impressed me … and sometimes horror goodies find a circuitous path to their eventual release.
But I wasn’t aware that it snagged bad reviews across the pond … not a good sign. But thanks for the information all the same.
WWTW, what’s the buzz on ‘District 9′?
Haven’t heard much at all about it … but when I do I’ll post it here.
Thank you for shining a light upon “Dead Snow”
~ Dagnabbitt