I….I can’t even begin. This week is chock full of crazy stuff that I say forget the intro and lets just blast our way into this, shall we?

OFFICIALLY COMING OUT ON JUNE 12

 Directors: Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen

What’s it about?  The comedy This Is The End follows six friends trapped in a house after a series of strange and catastrophic events devastate Los Angeles. As the world unravels outside, dwindling supplies and cabin fever threaten to tear apart the friendships inside. Eventually, they are forced to leave the house, facing their fate and the true meaning of friendship and redemption.

http://youtu.be/i24fo2W5EaE

My thoughts? From the tone of the trailers, this seems to be closer to Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, in which the actors play themselves and lampoons their own celebrity. But, I have a sinking suspicion that Rogen and Goldberg wrote a film that has a bit more going on then making career choice jokes. But I will say, even if this is a movie that  just mocks the careers of the guys in it, I honestly have no problem with that. This film seems like it celebrates the accomplishments that these guys had since 2007 (the year when Knocked Up and Superbad came out) and as a fan of these guys, I thought that’s pretty damn cool. BUT, knowing when Goldberg and Rogen are at their best with their screenwriting, I really think we will get some legit character work and story in this thing…you know, while fighting monsters, the Apocalypse and Emma Watson. By the way, have you seen the original short film that inspired this thing?

I remember seeing that back in 2007 (once again, the same year when Knocked Up and Superbad came out) when I was in film school. It’s kinda crazy to see that short film expand into what to what it is now called This Is The End. And hey, I love this cast, and unlike Peeples and Rapture-Palooza, I think this will be a great use of Craig Robinson. When Rogen and Goldberg work, they make some really great movies (and I’m probably one of the few The Green Hornet defenders on the planet, so…take that however you wish. Don’t look at me like that! If Bobby can defend his enjoyment for that other Green Superhero film so can I!) Can’t wait to see this madness and laugh.

Director: Sofia Coppola

What’s it about? Marc (Broussard), a fashion-obsessed (and seemingly gay, although it’s never stated outright) 16-year-old kid who starts at a new high school (based on Burglar Bunch member Nick Prugo), and quickly falls in with a Korean-American girl named Rebecca. It’s Rebecca (a character based on the real life figure Rachel Lee, and will presumably be played by newcomer Katie Chang) who’s the ringleader of the group, and arguably the female lead, while we suspect that Watson’s playing Nicki, a pretty teen with an ex-Playboy model mother (to be played by Mann) who schools her two daughters on the importance of finding fame. “Wanna be thug” Chloe (possibly Farmiga’s part) and Nicki’s boyfriend, the Mexican bouncer Rob (presumably Miranda’s role), fall in with the gang, and soon they’re scouring gossip sites for the whereabouts of their favorite celebs, breaking and entering when they’re away and taking clothes, cash, naked photos and even a gun (from Brian Austin Green, of all people), using their spoils to finance a hard-partying, coke-snorting lifestyle, with little regard for the possibility of getting caught.

My thoughts? Hey look, it’s Emma Watson again! In a role that is completely crazy and different from her last few roles. Good for her, especially since her last line in the trailer kills me every time. I haven’t seen Sofia Coppola’s last film Somewhere, but I felt that Marie Antoinette was a fascinating experiment that failed to connect with me. This seems to be a pretty great premise for her to play with, and I think she will give a truly biting looking at these kinds of kids. I honestly really liked the trailer for this film, and I think that this kind of satire is the kind of change that Sofia Coppola could use right now.  I look forward to seeing this.

LIMITED RELEASE

Director: Mukunda Michael Dewil

What’s it about? A recently paroled man unwittingly picks up the wrong rental vehicle after a long flight. He soon realizes that he is the target of an entire police force that will use any means necessary to stop him and the tied-up female ‘passenger’ he discovers in the trunk from getting to the courthouse to testify against their city’s top-to-bottom corruption.

My thoughts? Hmmm….a car chase movie staring Paul Walker and it’s NOT a Fast and Furious film?  The premise seems ok, but I am intrigued with one thing about this flick. Judging by the trailer, I think this film takes place almost entirely in the car! If that’s that case, I’m kinda curious to check it out for that reason alone. The action does seem pretty kinetic, and Walker has gotten to be a far better actor nowadays. If they could pull off the movie and stay in the car as long as possible, this could be a fun diversion.

LIMITED RELEASE

Director: Mrighdeep Singh Lamba

What’s it about? College. Three of the most important years of your life. Three years of studies (at times) and sheer indulgence. Indulgence in all the little pleasures that a carefree life has to offer. But it isn’t always about ragging, fuchcha parties, college fests, raves and churning out ways to whack some extra pocket money from your parents. It’s sometimes hard, ugly and complicated. More so, when you really need to get admission in the coolest college in town and you know you don’t deserve it. And to top that, you get yourself involved in the most bizarre situations that could crack you into pieces before you could crack it.

http://youtu.be/XGZU3rY0QYk

My thoughts? Sometimes, the trailer is just enough entertainment for me. I have no idea if the film would work as a whole, but I would probably watch an entertaining trailer a dozen times. This is definitely one of those trailers. I mean, I have a basic idea what this movie is about, but for me, it’s all about getting sucked into the fun visuals and that super enjoyable song at the end of the trailer. Who knows if I would ever actually like this film if I ever got around to seeing it, but at least I know that it exist.

 LIMITED RELEASE 

Director: BJ McDonnel

What’s it about? “Hatchet III” continues the tale of the now-iconic villain Victor Crowley (Kane Hodder). As a search and recovery team heads into the haunted swamp to pick up the pieces and carnage left behind from the first two films, Marybeth (Danielle Harris) hunts down the true secret to ending the voodoo curse that has left the ghost of Victor Crowley haunting and terrorizing Honey Island Swamp for decades.

My thoughts? Never heard of Hatchet and Hatchet II? Well, if you’re a hardcore fan of the Jason/Freddy/Michael Myers etc films, you definitely need to see these. The first two Hatchets were a great and fun throwback to the ’80s era. The thing I liked about Adam Greens Hatchet flicks was that he actually had a plan to explain why the god damn slasher character keeps coming back to life after you kill them!  There’s bit of knowledge of actual horror/slasher film formulas that gives these film a slight knowing wink that they know what they are doing…but they do plan to throw a few curve balls at you (and, as you saw in the trailer, the balls I am referring to may not be baseballs…) This time, Green will only write and produce this, letting BJ McDonnel take on the directing choose in his first feature film. I’m curious to see how he’s going to take this new installment, but knowing that Green was never far behind, I’m sure they will match up with the other twos. And hey, did you guys recognize Zach Galligan from Gremlins fame? Very happy to see him in this, even though he’s probably going to die a horrible horrible death.

LIMITED RELEASE 

Director: Andrew Lau

What’s it about? During the Manchurian-ruled Qing Dynasty, Emperor Yong Zheng established a secret assassination squad known as the Guillotines to eliminate all who opposed him. Once heavily favored by the Emperor, the Guillotines are deemed expendable once Emperor Qian Long ascends to the throne and adopts Western ideas and technology. To consolidate his power under a new regime, the Emperor continues to use the Guillotines to persecute the conquered Han Chinese in a reign of terror and oppression.

Led by master fighter Leng, the top ranked guillotine squad consists of five young warriors: Mu, San, Tai, Hutu, Buka. Serving the Qing Court unquestioningly, they have never failed in 348 missions to eliminate their targets. But their success has made them arrogant and complacent.

Their next mission is to eliminate Wolf and his Shepherd gang. During the operation, the squad manages to trap Wolf. Just as they are about to execute him, the squad commander orders that he be captured alive. He secretly plans to use Wolf as a pawn in his bid for power. Wolf’s gang of rebels ambushes the Guillotines in their moment of hesitation. Wolf escapes, taking Mu hostage.

With reports that Wolf has fled to the outer frontiers, the squad tracks him to a remote village outpost. On the other hand, the Emperor has sent his most trusted agent Du for the same mission and most importantly, to end the era of the Guillotines by replacing cold weapons with firearms. If only they make one false move, they will become the hunted. Facing annihilation, Leng and his Guillotines must outfight and outwit enemies from both sides.

My thoughts? I do love me a good Kung Fu film, and director Andrew Lau has made some entertaining ones. At one point in his career (mind you, the man has made 42 films in Hong Kong!!), he became known for doing martial art action films with a good dose of cgi fantasy effects. While they seem dated now, his films The Storm Riders, A Man Called Hero and The Duel got some international popularity in the  Asian cult movie crowd, which is how I first came to know his work.  Lau soon got international acclaim for his film Infernal Affairs, an amazing crime drama that eventually was remade in America as the equally good The Departed. For a while he seemed to have avoided to go back to the Martial Arts world for a bit, until a few years ago when he made Legend of the First: The Return of Chen Zhen, a semi sequel to the Bruce Lee film Fist of Fury. That film was kind of a mess, but it did have some AMAZING action scenes in it, especially the opening World War 2 sequences that is jaw dropping. The Guillotines (itself a loose remake of the legendary Kung Fu film Master of the Flying Guillotine) seems to be a throwback to those kinds of Kung Fu films, and also a return to his work that is similar to his movies like Storm Riders. While there’s nothing in this trailer that has me really pumped for it, it does look cool. Lau’s work is a real hit or miss for me, but when he hits, he hits hard. Hopefully this will be one of those really good ones.

Director: Zack Snyder

What’s it about? A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth.  As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do.  But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.

My thoughts? To say there is a lot riding on this is putting it mildly. It isn’t  just another superhero film. It’s the film based on THE superhero. Not only that, it’s a new attempt to try to connect people with Superman again. It great to know that the Richard Donner film’s impact still helps how people view Superman, but I do think it is time for a new generation to understand why it’s great to get to know the Man of Steel. DC Comics and Warner Brothers have a lot riding on this one, especially after the reception for the Green Lantern film. One of the things that I really like from what I’m seeing in this film is that the message of HOPE is a big deal with this movie. I’m sure the action will be there (that is directors Zack Snyder’s specialty) but if the film can connect with audiences and be a film about hope and positivity, then I think we got something here. As crazy as that this sounds, I think audiences need Superman right now.  They need that positive hope that the character can bring, and I truly hope that the film gives it to them.

I was hesitant about another origin film for the character, but if they really found a way to tackle this often told tale in a manner that is still fresh, then that is an accomplishment that needs to be applauded. While I’m not a Zack Snyder hater, I will admit to his faults as a filmmaker. He does great action and visuals, but his basic storytelling skills fall short. On top of that, he’s working from a script by David S. Goyer, a man who co-wrote the Nolan Batman films, but also wrote some real stinkers (Blade: Trinity anyone?) Yes, Nolan is producing this film, but no filmmaker is flawless, and there is no guarantees that this could work. BUT, early word is…that this does. It works really well.

So far, I think Henry Cavill has got  Superman down pat, and I love that not once I am thinking of any other version of Superman when I look at Henry. I love the casting of Laurence Fishburn as Perry White. Michael Shannon is going to bring buckets of intensity as General Zod. I like the casting of Russell Crow as Jor-El, but I LOVE the casting of Kevin Costner as Jonathon Kent. That I think is a stroke of genius, and I nearly get chocked up with his line “Of course you’re my son.” that’s in this trailer. Amy Adams has just as much pressure as Henry playing THE ICONIC  Lois Lane, and I am really interested in seeing whats the new take on her this time.

In a summer in which there seems to be a lot people conflicted with the other big franchise movies (Iron Man 3 and Star Trek Into Darkness both seem to have their equal parts haters and lovers) Man of Steel could be the film that could work  on much more people. That would seem appropriate, because who else BUT Superman could bring people together.

So folks, are you a person who was never into Superman but Man of Steel has gotten your attention? Are you going to do a Emma Watson double feature with The Bling Ring and This Is The End? Leave a comment below and let us know which film are you the most excited to see it.