By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Report
After one of the more disappointing Aprils in recent memory, we’re all in need of a cinematic rebound. May marks the beginning of summer blockbuster season, and there is sure to be more than a few to pick from this month. From fashionistas to sheep sleuths, from hungry sharks to the always cute Grogu, the box office should be pretty busy this month. Let’s take a look at all the major offerings so you can pick the right ones for you to enjoy.
May 1st
Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, and Emily Blunt adorn their stiletto heels once more to strike a pose in “The Devil Wears Prada 2.” It’s been 20 years since the original film graced theaters, but many of the cast and crew are reunited, including director David Frankel, so chances are good that magic may strike twice. Hopefully, proper attention is given to a quality story rather than fan service nostalgia as a quick cash grab.
After their most successful film to date in “David,” Angel Studios returns with another animated feature that is sure to bring home the bacon. Based on the famous novella by George Orwell, “Animal Farm” is a satirical fable directed by Andy Serkis and featuring an all-star vocal cast of Jim Parsons, Seth Rogen, Woody Harrelson, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Steve Buscemi, and more. Is this to be the first real Oscar contender for Best Animated Film, or is this adaptation geared towards children too much so that it takes away from the seriousness of the novella’s topics? Early reviews are making this look like a rare misfire from Angel.
The worst director in Hollywood is unfortunately back, this time in shark infested waters. Renny Harlin helms “Deep Water,” a survival horror flick of a commercial airliner crashing into the ocean, only for the survivors to become shark bait. This is the same director who’s responsible for the worst horror trilogy in history, “The Strangers” movies over the past three years. So, don’t hold your breath that this director is all of a sudden going to find his mojo with this movie.
For those of you who were terrified by “Oddity,” which was one of the best horror films of 2024, get ready, because that same director returns with an even better film. “Hokum” is part whodunnit mystery, part supernatural thriller, and all entertainment. Leave it to NEON studios to bring audiences the sleeper pick of the week, if not the month. My review will be coming soon, but book your tickets now, this is a guaranteed must see in theaters.
May 8th
Another family film featuring talking animals releases this week, but this time as a live action. “The Sheep Detectives” features Hugh Jackman as a shepherd who reads mystery novels to his flock every night. When he turns up dead, his sheep take on the caper themselves, trying to figure out the truth of his untimely demise. This movie has a pretty deep cast of not only live actors, but vocal talent as well, not to mention a successful filmmaker of animated movies in the director’s chair. This could be another fun one for the whole family.
The other option this week is geared towards adults, promising action-packed fight sequences with fan favorite video game characters. That’s right, “Mortal Kombat II” finally releases after being delayed from last October with Warner Bros. hoping for more of a summer blockbuster. Even though this sequel features the same director who crafted the 2021 remake into a surprisingly compelling story, this looks more like a video game adaptation, banking on nostalgia more than story. However, with the star of “The Boys” Karl Urban in the lead role as Johnny Cage, it could be a killer of a sequel.
May 15th
Returning to the horror genre this week is “Obsession.” Even though this is an independent release with a non-descript cast and director, it has been picking up positive momentum and feedback in the film festival circuit. In fact, there was even a bidding war among top distributors like A24 and NEON with Focus Features ultimately winning. This certainly looks uniquely compelling, bringing the adage, “be careful what you wish for” to life. Don’t overlook this one.
Another intriguing action movie releases on this day and it’s from none other than Guy Ritchie. “In the Grey” teams Jake Gyllenhaal with Henry Cavill and Eiza Gonzalez as elite shadow operatives trying to pull off an impossible heist. The story may sound familiar, but the combo of Gyllenhaal and Cavill looks to be dynamic and could very well turn this film into the best must-see action thriller of the month.
May 22nd
Seven years after the last movie, Disney finally brings the perpetual galactic battle of good vs. evil back to the big screen. “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” hopes to revive this classic franchise and regain box office dominance. With Jon Favreau helming it and a well-established fanbase of the TV series, this film should have no problem becoming one of the bigger box office winners this summer. Even if it plays out like a long episode, it should be worth seeing in the theater.
For those who don’t enjoy “Star Wars” movies, as impossible as that sounds, “I Love Boosters” may be the perfect alternative this week. Sporting an outstanding cast and directed by Boots Riley, who earned well deserved praise for his film debut of “Sorry to Bother You” in 2018, this looks to be a wild comedy that feeds its own weirdness. Probably not a film for everyone, but if you enjoy unconventional cinema, get your tickets for this one.
May 29th
With it being Memorial Day weekend, it’s only fitting that the biggest release this week is a true WWII story. “Pressure” focuses on the three stressful days leading up to D-Day featuring Brendan Fraser as Dwight Eisenhower and Andrew Scott as Captain James Stagg. Anthony Maras is the same director who created one of the best films of 2018, “Hotel Mumbai,” so don’t be surprised if this becomes the best film of the month and an early Oscar contender.
Rarely do Oscar winning documentarians ever switch teams to direct a feature fictional film, but that is the case with this release. “Tuner” is a heist thriller directed by Daniel Roher, who’s responsible for great documentaries like “Navalny,” “Blink,” and “The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist” earlier this year. It will be fascinating to see if he can make this transition successfully, but with an Oscar winning actor in Dustin Hoffman playing a featured role, optimism is high.
