Summer blockbuster season rolls on as June brings sequels to previous box office successes, a few new comedies, and a couple of films that look to start franchises of their own. For those that like large explosions and massive battles, there’s a lot to offer this month. There’s less on hand for those that prefer smaller fare, but you’ll still find a couple movies worth seeking out in June. All this and a farting corpse film that will tug at your heart strings!
Who: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Stephen Amell, Tyler Perry and Laura Linney
What: The Turtles return to save the city from a dangerous threat.
When: June 3rd
Why: The first “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” film under producer Michael Bay was a big hit with families and even a few die-hard TMNT fans. Those nostalgia-based fanatics get to relive the cartoon on the big screen in this outing that finds the ultimate mash-up quartet finally facing off against the likes of Krang, Bebop and Rocksteady. Gonzo casting like Tyler Perry as the scientist that eventually becomes a bug man may point to this film being a bit more interesting than its precursor, and hey, Megan Fox is always fun to watch.
Who: Andy Samberg, Imogen Poots, Bill Hader and Sarah Silverman
What: When it becomes clear that his solo album is a failure, a former boy band member does everything in his power to maintain his celebrity status.
When: June 3rd
Why: With two cult favorite comedies under their belts, directors Akiva Schaffer (“Hot Rod”) and Jorma Taccone (“MacGruber”) – two-thirds of the comedy music group The Lonely Island, along with Andy Samberg – are back to deliver what may be the “This Is Spinal Tap” for the social media generation. Samberg is great at playing blustery buffoons with big egos, and this film looks to skew all manner of elements of both pop music and celebrity culture. Plus, it involves Samberg fighting another old guy, this time in the form of Martin Sheen. What’s not to like?
Who: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster, Toby Kebbell and Dominic Cooper
What: The peaceful realm of Azeroth stands on the brink of war as its civilization faces a fearsome race of invaders: orc warriors fleeing their dying home to colonize another.
When: June 10th
Why: “World of Warcraft” is a juggernaut in online culture with current subscriber numbers hovering around 10 million people. Will Duncan Jones (“Moon,” “Source Code”) be able to translate that experience into a fun blockbuster for millions more to enjoy? And, in an even bigger feat, finally deliver the first good adaptation of a video game into a movie? There’s a lot to prove with this film, but Jones has the proven talent and dedication to the franchise, and the F/X so far do look spectacular and very true to the game. Will the Horde be happy with what comes out on June 10th? Only time will tell…