Just quickly before I get into May, I have to briefly mention Apollo 18 which at the time of me writing was due for release at the end of April and hence included in my Previewed: April's Releases article. This has now been shifted to the end of 2011/start of 2012 depending on where you read so apologies as anyone wanting to see that will have to hold out for an extra few months now.
Top movies of May: 1. The Hangover Part II
2. Win Win
3. 13 Assassins
4. The Tree of Life
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
6. The Way
Action/Fantasy/Thrillers
13 Assassins (6th May) [my review]
When a tyrannical lord goes one step too far, a group of 13 assassins are called together for a mission from which they are unlikely to return as they take on the might of his army. Spoken in Japanese but expect lots of blood and guts to do the talking instead with no doubt a couple of well choreographed samurai fights included. Will give me my gore requirement for the month.
Hanna (6th May) [my review]
A 16-year-old girl who was raised and trained by her father to be the perfect assassin instead of having a childhood is dispatched on a mission across Europe. Tracked by a ruthless intelligence agent and their operatives can she complete her mission and experience the world as she never has before? Action and mystery thrown together in a plot that takes a twist on the conventional one man against the rest scenario. Shows promise.
Priest (6th May) [my review]
A priest disobeys church law in order to track down the vampires who kidnapped his niece. Gauging from the trailer I think this might be another bog standard vampire movie. Partly to do with Paul Bettany inclusion but it looks like another Legion which will not amount to much at the cinemas. My verdict is to give it a miss.
Blitz (20th May)
When a serial killer starts targeting police officers to kill the force brings in tough cop Statham to get to the bottom of it and make the arrest. Whenever Statham is involved you know you are heading for an entertaining 90 minutes. Action, some comedy and an interesting plot will lead to this becoming the next Crank/Transporter at the very least.
Animations/Children
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (18th May) [my review]
It's a Disney movie, that's why it's in the children section! Jack Sparrow and Barbossa return to embark on a quest to find the elusive fountain of youth, only to discover that Blackbeard and his daughter are after it too. Despite the series growing weaker the more they released I hold out hope that this will bring it back to its original best. A rejigging of the cast with Bloom and Knightley out and Cruz and McShane in should help facilitate this change.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (27th May)
Back in middle school after summer vacation, Greg Heffley and his older brother Rodrick must deal with their parents' misguided attempts to have them bond. Sequel to Diary Of A Wimpy Kid that will no doubt get the kids laughing and probably a couple of smirks from the parents but nothing more.
Comedy
Something Borrowed (6th May) [my review]
Friendships are tested and secrets come to the surface when terminally single Rachel falls for Dex, her best friend Darcy's fiancé. Extreme romcom alert for all those who are interested. I am not.
Attack the Block (13th May)
This comedy is about a teen gang in South London defending their block from an alien invasion. Graphics look piss poor but the script might make up for that. A stupid comedy combining aliens with London gangstaaaas and the chance to see Nick Frost after being surgically removed from Simon Pegg's side! Worth a trip to the cinema if your in the mood.
Take Me Home Tonight (13th May)
Follow an aimless college grad who pursues his dream girl at a wild Labor Day weekend party. He, his twin sister and their best friend struggle with their burgeoning adulthood over the course of the night.Adults reverting to their teenage states and consuming excessive alcohol in what is likely to be the poor man's Hangover Part II.
Win Win (20th May)
A disheartened attorney who moonlights as a high school wrestling coach, stumbles across a star athlete through some questionable business dealings while trying to support his family. Just as it looks like he will get a double payday, the boy's mother shows up fresh from rehab and flat broke, threatening to derail everything. Doesn't sound like much but it looks like it has struck the right balance of comedy and drama to make a powerful movie experience. I'm looking forward to this one.
The Hangover Part II (26th May) [my review]
I'm rubbing my hands together in anticipation for this one as you should be too. Phil, Stu, and Alan travel to Bangkok for Stu's wedding only to find themselves in another post-blackout misadventure. Might be a bit of a challenge to keep it as fresh as the original and hit the high hopes that I have for it but my fingers are crossed... summer blockbuster time!!!
Drama/Documentaries
The Tree of Life (4th May) [Changed TBA]
The story centres around a family with three boys in the 1950s. The eldest son witnesses the loss of innocence. If it hits the right notes and doesn't come across as too pretentious then I'll bet it will be a forerunner to nick a couple of Oscars. Could go either way so I'm going to sit on the fence until I've seen it.
Water for Elephants (4th May)
A veterinary student (Pattinson) abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a travelling circus as their vet, where he meets animal trainer August (Waltz) and his wife Marlena (Witherspoon). Not my cup of tea so I'm going to say wait for the DVD but might interest some.
The Way (13th May)
An American father heads to France to recover the body of his estranged son who died while travelling "El camino de Santiago" from France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. A touching drama with some comedy thrown in and also a father-son partnership on-screen as well as off from Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. Most likely slip under the radar but I think it will be worth a watch.
The Messenger (27th May) [Changed 17th June]
An American soldier who is tasked with delivering the news to the next of kin of their relatives deaths struggles with an ethical dilemma when he becomes involved with a widow of a fallen officer. A moving drama that will have all the more effect if you know of anyone who lost their life fighting for their country. In any other month this would be up there but there's a lot of good movies vying for top spot.
Horror
Insidious (29th April) [my review]
Like Apollo 18, its release was shifted (forward one week in this case) so despite being released in April, it has snuck into the May releases. A family looks to prevent evil spirits from trapping their comatose child in a realm called The Further. Children in a horror- that's enough to freak me out, how about you?
Julia's Eyes (20th May)
The story of a woman who is slowly losing her sight whilst trying to investigate the mysterious death of her twin sister. Produced by Guillermo del Toro much in the same way that I think James Cameron had a hand in Sanctum (ie not a lot). Should be a reasonable shout if your not up to much else though. In Spanish.
Next time I look at Hanna [my review] released on the 6th May to see whether it's living up to the hype. Trailer below...
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