Summer Movie Openings - 5/8/09

Star Trek

Most of the critics are giving it ridiculous raves, the rest are giving respectful praise. I’ve seen most of the Star Trek films, but have never been a huge Trekkie. I’ll admit this film looks great, and while director J.J. Abrams gets a lot of press because of his TV stuff, he’s only made one other feature film (Mission Impossible 3), and my anticipation remains guarded. Still, probably the only film I’ll venture to the theater for this month (And not because of Simon Pegg.)

Adoration

Atom Egoyan had a couple of great mid-90s films (Exotica and The Sweet Hereafter), but has reached an impasse of late (Where the Truth Lies). However, I’m not nearly ready to write off one of the most cerebral filmmakers out there. His DVD commentaries are never a let-down even when the films are. Adoration has a high school teacher giving an assignment that challenges her students to re-evaluate their past and their families. Looks somewhat interesting.




Little Ashes

Twilight's Robert Pattinson plays the young Salvador Dali, who meets Luis Bunuel in early 1920s Madrid; they join forces to create great art. I can’t imagine this looking any worse. Unless Orlando Bloom and Ashton Kutcher showed up with similar mustaches.



Rudo y Cursi

Y Tu Mama Tambien co-stars Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal reunite, this time playing brothers who work on a farm and play soccer on the side. They are discovered by a talent scout and their success invigorates their sibling rivalry. Written and directed by Tambien’s co-writer Carlos Cuaron, let’s hope he picked up a few things from his big brother Alfonso.



Lorna’s Silence

Elitist critics love the (French) Dardenne brothers (Jean-Pierre and Luc) and find their minimalist, naturalist style perfectly suited for their simple stories that have morally complexity and emotional payoffs. I’m not buying it. Their last film (L’Enfant) may have walked off with the Palme d’Or at Cannes, but bored me silly. Hopefully this one will have a plot.