The big movies get the buzz; the little movies get the love. My previous blog entry was movies that you’ll see with a group of 10 friends; this list is movies that you’ll see by yourself.
“Moon” (June 12) — One-man shows are tough for studios to promote — Tom Hanks in “Cast Away” being an exception — but they can be rewarding to watch. Sam Rockwell, a talented character actor (fun bit of trivia: he played the Head Thug in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”), carries the show in “Moon,” about a gas miner on a three-year solo mission on a lunar outpost who slowly goes insane. Think George Clooney’s “Solaris,” only less boring. Watch the trailer here.
“I Love You, Beth Cooper” (July 10) — Frankly, I just need to wash the image of Claire the Cheerleader out of my head. Hayden Panettiere is an adorable actress with decent range, but the dour “Heroes” seems like a soul-killing show for actors. Here, Panettiere stars as the titular object of newcomer Paul Rust’s affection in one of those “last summer after high school” movies. It won’t be the next “Superbad,” but it could be giggle-worthy. Watch the trailer here.
“(500) Days of Summer” (July 17) — The problem with a lot of those “end of high school” romances (“Beth Cooper” probably included) is the guy is often the butt of the jokes, making a fool of himself as he pursues the girl. It’s a tired cliché. But “(500) Days of Summer” looks different: Joseph Gordon-Levitt pines for Zooey Deschanel — who can blame him? — but this film looks like a mature, thoughtful meeting of a hopeless romantic and a free spirit. Watch the trailer here.
“Funny People” (July 31) — Judd Apatow’s new movie. Enough said, but if you need more, it stars Seth Rogen, who befriends a fellow comedian (Adam Sandler), who it turns out is dying of cancer. This material is totally in Apatow’s wheelhouse — a lot of laughs, but also a lot of insight into human beings and all our goofiness and beauty. Watch the trailer here.
“Post Grad” (Aug. 18) — Rory Gilmore and Matt Saracen — OK, Alexis Bledel and Zach Gilford, if you want to get technical — are a potential couple in one of the first movies to address the horrible economy that college graduates are entering into. Bledel’s character is a superstar in college, which earns her a prime spot in the unemployment line. Gilford — well, he’s the guy that loves her. It’ll have a happy ending, of course, and I can only hope that job prospects will be a little brighter in August as well. Watch the trailer here.
What cute little movies do you want to see this summer?
