By: Parisienne
With all the action films being released this summer there are some excellent dramas that will premiere as well. Most of the dramas we selected have quite an interesting premise that stands out among the rest. The films that follow will be released nationwide.[1]
June
Beginners: This film will be released on June 3. It stars Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Melanie Laurent and Goran Visnjic. It is directed by Mike Mills and is rated R.[1]
The film centers on the relationship between Oliver (Ewan McGregor) and Anna (Melanie Laurent) after Oliver’s father, Hal, (Christopher Plummer) passes away. Hal has recently come out as a gay man at the age of seventy-five. Oliver lives then with the lessons that his father has taught him about relationships.
Kidnapped: This film will be released on June 15. It stars Guillermo Barrientos, Dritan Biba and Fernando Cayo. It is directed by Miguel Angel Vivas. This film has no rating or website information listed at this time. This film is about a family that moves to Madrid and is held hostage within their home.
A Better Life: This film will be released on June 24. Demain Bichir; Jose Julian, Joaquin Cosio, Dolores Heredia and Carlos Linares are cast in this film. It is directed by Chris Weitz and has a PG-13 rating.[2]
The film is a multi-generational story about the lengths a parent will achieve to give their children the opportunities the parent never had.
July
Larry Crowne: This film will be release on July 1. It stars Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Bryan Cranston, Cedric the Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson, Gugu Mbatha Raw, Wilmer Valderrama, Pam Grier, Rami Malek, George Takei, Grace Gummer, Rita Wilson and Jon Seder. It is directed by Tom Hanks and has a PG-13 rating.
Until he was downsized, Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) was a leader at the company he worked for. Wanting to start over he goes to a local college to further his education. There, he meets people in his class that also want to further themselves and develops a crush on his teacher. Please watch trailer
August
The Help: This film opens on August 12. The cast includes Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer and Emma Stone. It is directed by Tate Taylor and has a PG-13 rating.[3] This film is based on the book of the same name and is a New York Times best seller. It is centered on three women who strike up an unlikely friendship, in the 1960’s. They start a secret writing project that will cross societal barriers and put them all at risk.
Please join us for a discussion: Thursday 5/12/2011@7pE/12UTC
[2] The website for the film is www.Beginnersmovie.com
[3] The website for the film is www.AbetterLife-movie.com
[4] The website for the film is www.TheHelpmovie.com.
comicreleaf
comicrelief2
Comic Relief
parisienne
littlebells
Lurker
ozzie20
Open Book
LIH
linkedinhollywood.com 
Larry Crowne looks great and it’s good to see Tom Hanks back on the screen. The Help also looks fantastic! I love Emma Stone and Dallas Bryce Howard looks like she is going to be a real witch with a capital “B”! 🙂 hahaha!!!! I’m going to go read the book. I think this movie will get a lot of those who lived the 60s reliving their experiences with equality and civil rights.
Thanks for the summary, Paris!
Everyone-
Tonight, we are going to discuss WFE again, which is also a Drama. Ozzie will give us her review now that WFE has opened in the UK. Then we will move on to discuss the other films featured in this article.
Hi, I’ll try and keep it short! 🙂
Hi Ozzie!
HI Ozzie! So glad you finally saw it!!!! 🙂
I’m glad too! Definately worth seeing on the big screen!
Ozzie-
How many were in the theater with u? Did u go alone?
I went with my best friend. It was the 2:30pm show and it was shown on the biggest screen which surprised me. It was just us! I think we’ve been spoiled because now I only want to see films with just my friends and no one else in there!
So u got some special treatment. That’s great!
I loved Water for Elephants! The cinematography was beautiful. The sets was amazing and the acting was brilliant too.
Christoph was the perfect Auguste! He switched between sane and unhinged so well. Reese had me willing her character on to make the right decision. I loved how she calmed Auguste down. Rob, well it was his best work to date! I didn’t see Edward at all. Very convincing too! I love the chemistry was good too. I think it reflected the period very well. Quite restrained but lot’s of longing!
I loved older Jacob! I started crying as soon as he saw the photo of Marlena and Rosie! I wish Hal had more scenes but I was quite happy with what was shown too. The people who played Kinko and Camel were good.
I didn’t think any of the changes affected the story much. I was nearly sobbing at the black and white montage that they at the end! If it weren’t for my friend being there I would of probably of sobbed! The music was wonderful too. I was blown away by the whole film! I’m definately buying the dvd!
Oh sister, if you recall, I was bawling and had to do lamaze breaths before I could leave the theater! My poor husband. 🙂
Aw! I managed to hold it in but I have a feeling when I watch the DVD on my own, it’ll be a repeat Lost ending reaction. It was bad, tears everywhere and it envolved a tea towel. Tissues were no help at all!
hahahahaha!!! Let me know when and I’ll put my ear plugs in. 🙂
Ozzie, I’m glad you liked it!
Thanks, I’m so glad I went!
Great review Ozzie!
I got choked up as well with Hal. It was a very moving performance.
Yes, it was. I didn’t expect to be hit with it so early on! As soon as Hal teared up so did I. In fact I tearing up just thinking about it now!
I think the film definitely used all of it’s resources to create a very emotional film. When you get all your senses stimulated, you have to release it somehow whether it’s applauding or crying.
ITA!
Yes it did!
Will you go see it again?
Yes, in a heartbeatif I could! 🙂
Sorry! Heart beat if I could!
What did your friend think? Had she read the book as well?
No she hadn’t read the book and was laughing at me because I was crying before the sad scenes took place! But she liked it and cried a bit too. At least she said she did, I didn’t hear her but I was probably concentrating on not breaking down!
🙂 LOL! Yeah, I didn’t pay attention to anyone else in the theater either. I was trying to keep from sounding like a wounded animal!
LOL! Yes I think I’d of ended up sounding like that!
LOL!
Hi Everyone!
Hi Paris!
Hi! How are you?
Hi Paris! 🙂
Tired but very excited and happy after seeing the film. How are you?
I’m good. Running up and down stairs unloading groceries and talking to the 3 of you. 🙂
My hats off to you! That’s some fine multi-tasking!
Thanks.
You must have buns of steal! haha!
God i wish. LOL
Hi Paris!
Hi Open Book and LittleBells!
When you saw the montage, what emotions were you experiencing?
Apart from trying my hardest not to flop on the floor and start sobbing?! Happy because they had a happy long life after Benzini’s. It was such a beautiful yet strong way to end the film.
Ozzie! Did it keep u engaged till the end? Did u ever feel confused during the climax of the film?
The only thing I felt a little rushed or confused over was the part where older Jacob asks for a job. It seemed to just suddenly appear that he had it. But that wasn’t too bad.
ITA! I think WFE is R’s best work to date. He really seemed at ease in this film.
Yes! When he got tears in his eyes over Rosie’s beatings, I burst into tears again! I think the knife scene was very good too. It was a good portrayal of someone angry and trying to get up the courage to strike while wondering if it’s the right thing to do.
He played Jacob quite subtle which I like. I think if you can convey what the character is feeling in that way is the sign of a good actor. I’m excited to see how Rob grows and improves in his future films.
Yes! I think he showed the transition really well. He did not overact which would be the common thing most would have done. Instead he allows u to absorb all the chaos going on in the beginning which happens so fast.
Yes, I agree. I think he held his own quite well given that he was opposite two Oscar winning actors. I hope he’s proud of himself!
Well we can keep discussing WFE throughout the discussion tonight.
Let’s talk about the upcoming Drama’s this Summer. I really love the trailer for Beginners with the Terrier.
Check it out.
That looks so good. You know what else i want to see is Midnight in Paris. I didn’t include it because its only in limited release but it was shown at Cannes and got decent reviews.
Yes, that does look good! I think I’d probably cry though!
I know Midnight in Paris does look good. I will see it.
I was just looking at the trailer for Midnight in Paris and it is a RomCom.
There was a snapshot of Rob in the montage with his back to the camera. I never realized how broad his shoulders are. He always looks so thin. Maybe it was the vest he was wearing.
Yes! That is very possible the vest could have done that.
So what other film featured in this article u want to see?
Larry Crowne. I think Tom Hanks is great. 🙂
I would like to see that too for the same reason. His role sort of reminds me of the way he acted in The Tourist, which I loved too. So I’m interested to see if he does play it that way. Plus Rami Malek is in it. I like him too!
Oh forgot. The trailer was actually shown before Water For Elephants! It looks good.
Yes! Me too!
This film looks interesting. It seems like a dark comedy.
Paris!
Is there a reason u did not include the drama The Tree of Life? When does it come out?
That movie sounds very good. Who is the lead character? I know BP plays the dad, but I can’t remember who the main character is.
here’s the trailer.
Thank you!!!! That looks excellent and it was Sean Penn. I would really like to see this movie. Very deep, very dark, and very emotional.
It says its in limited release. it comes out May 27.
Thanks Paris!
your welcome.
To be honest this film looks good but I would probably wait to see it on DVD.
I’ve just watched the trailer, I’ll probably wait for it to be out on DVD too.
Well, it’s supposed to be already released here but it won’t because of some legal action involving the production company. Who’s that? Oh, just a small company called Summit. You’ve probably never heard of them.
http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2011/03/31/summit_takes_icon_uk_to_a_los_angeles_arbitration_tribunal_over_tree_of_lif/#
Sorry, couldn’t resist! 🙂
NO WAY!!!!! hahahahahahahaha!!!! Oh my gosh! Way too funny.
LOL its ok. Summit is just sinking, IMO. What I don’t understand is does summit own Icon?
I’m suprised Summit hasn’t sued The Twilight Zone for having the name Twilight in it.
Bahahahahaha!
🙂
Bahahahaha x 1,000,000!!!! Probably because they don’t want Rod Serling coming out of his grave to haunt them!
You have now entered the Twilight Zone. LOL
I don’t think it does.
someone correct me if i’m wrong but summit is suing icon for releasing the film before the Cannes Film Festival? Summit has more than one distributor….Icon just happens to be one of them. Am I right? How warm or cold am i?
I don’t know how any of that works. Unless it was in their contract with Icon to wait, I don’t get what the big deal is.
What happened Icon paid a high premium before seeing the film and agreed to distribute it. However, after seeing it they decided they did not want to distribute it. To save face Summit is trying to make it appear Icon wanted to release it sooner to make the film appear more in demand than it actually is. Does that make sense?
yes. why would one put money on the table first though? If someone was going to ask me to distribute their film, I want to see the film first before I play with my money. I’m not stupid.
I’m sure it was all tentative upon review.
oh.
Actually, after Icon saw the the film they are trying to back out of it. So now Summit is trying to smear them and say they were trying to bump up the release date which is false.
oh. Why was it that bad?
oooooo!!!!! I wonder what they didn’t like about it?????
or they just didn’t want to do business with Summit?
could be, but it seems to have a great cast. I wonder if they don’t want to be involved with a failing company.
or maybe they didn’t think it was going to be a big BO draw. I mean look at what they are doing to BD. I bet no one will see it except the “others”. You know who i mean. I heard a rumor that BD has to clear at least 425 million to break even. Is that for both films or just one?
That figure sounds like it would be for both.
Sorry, browser crash! I think they’re 800 million in debt or loan aren’t they? So that figure would be needed for each film.
*passes out*
Right that’s their total amount of debt. So 425 million per picture would sound right but i’m sure they have other films besides BD being released too.
Holy guacamole, BATMAN!!!! And I like the “others” term.
Thank you OB for the info. That was very helpful. You are a wealth of knowledge. 🙂
wow. I hope they get what they are looking for.
I would only go see BD if I could go with you ladies, and that’s just to snicker, guffaw, and elbow.
Hi Lurker, btw! I hope you are well. 🙂
oh i know. I agree. I think we should be on some type of chat system in the movie theater. Oh wait we might get thrown out. 🙂 If we get thrown out do we get a refund?
Everyone!
Have a nice evening. Paris, I answered u on the Thor Hot Seat and Don’t Choke Me articles.
So I’m going to try and get a sitter for tomorrow night. I really want to go see…Oh my gosh….totally went blank!!!!! Ah!! You know, the film we all voted on. hahahaha!!!!
(ps. sitter’s are hard to come by. It’s not like I am purposely flaking on ya’ll, it’s just difficult) 😦
I’m sure it is.
LB
Are u going to see Thor or Everything Must Go?
I want to see EMG, but may see Something Borrowed. I still want to see Thor but am waiting to go with the hubs.
Oh! Be sure to read Movie Buzz tomorrow before u go. U might change your mind.
OH no!!!!!
Everyone-
Do u have any more Q for Paris or Ozzie?
No, I’m good, thank you!
Ozzie, again so happy you got to see WFE.
Have a wonderful night ladies!
bye.
Great review of summer films Paris. Goodnight!
I mentioned this up above. But I replied to your comment earlier on the Don’t Choke Me and Thor articles.
Ozzie! Great review I’m glad u shared it with us.
TC!
Thank you and good night ladies!