10 Movies To See This Summer That Might Not Have Been On Your Radar
Earlier this week we covered some ofthe biggest major releasescoming out this summer. But maybe you’re like me — with a few exceptions (The Nice Guys,The BFG, andJason Bourne), few popcorn movies coming up have me thinking, “Igottasee that.” There are plenty of releases to look forward to, of course, it’s just that very few major titles truly pop when I look over what’s opening in theaters soon.
If you wish there were more options this summer, then luckily for you there are plenty of limited releases to seek out. If you frequent the site, then you’ve probably already read about a few of these upcoming films. But just don’t forget actually to see them when they hit theaters. If you need a breather from all of the hero’s journeys, explosions, and talking CG animals, then the arthouse cinemas have got you covered.
Below, check out our summer movie preview for some independent films you shouldn’t miss.
10. Swiss Army Man
Release date:July 1
I know, I know, how the farting corpse movie didn’t score the number one spot on this list is a mystery to me as well. IsSwiss Army Manmore than a farting corpse movie, though? I hope so, but even if it’s not, how often do we see a farting corpse movie that starsPaul Dano,Daniel Radcliffe, andMary Elizabeth Winstead? According to Angie,Dan KwanandDaniel Scheinert’s film does have more to offer than its fetching concept. “There’s a pervasive sense of sadness inSwiss Army Man,” shewrote, “about the way that all the societal rules meant to keep our communities running smoothly also keep us from being truly honest with one another, from exposing the ugly parts that bind us as much as our best qualities do. ‘If my best friend won’t fart in front of me,’ Manny says at point, ‘what else is he keeping from me?'” Pretty heavy stuff for a farting corpse movie.
9. Indignation
Release date:July 29
Logan Lermanstars in this period drama, based onPhilip Roth’s novel of the same name. At the Sundance Film Festival, Ethan gaveIndignationa 9 out of 10 andcalledLerman’s performance “the best of his career,” and said that “it helps that the film surrounding his stellar work is brilliant as well.” To avoid fighting in the Korean War, Marcus Messner (Lerman) goes to college, where he meets a girl (played bySarah Gadon) with a complicated past. Gadon is one of the main draws ofIndignation. The actress has done excellent work inEnemy,Antiviral, and a handful ofDavid Cronenbergfilms. In addition to Lerman and Cronenberg’s frequent collaborator,James Schamus’ adaptation also stars the greatTracy Letts(August: Osage County,Killer Joe), another reason to keep this film on your radar.
8. The Intervention
Release date:August 26
Who wouldn’t want to see a movie starring the likes ofMelanie Lynskey,Clea DuVall,Cobie Smulders,Natasha Lyonne,Jason Ritter,Alia Shawkat, andBen Schwartz? I know I do. DuVall makes her directorial debut withThe Intervention,a comedic drama about four couples turning a vacation into an intervention on their marriages. DuVall — who expressed no shortage of range as an actress when she was onCarnivále– scored positive reviews and a distribution deal when the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. With this cast, she shouldn’t have trouble making an impression with her first feature film as a writer and director.
7. Maggie’s Plan
Release date:May 20
Rebecca Millermakes these gentle, compassionate dramas that aren’t ever flashy or grand, just these lovely, intimate and almost fly-on-the-wall looks at slightly lost characters.Maggie’s Plan, which starsGreta GerwigandEthan Hawke, is Miller’s first film in over six years, followingThe Private Lives of Pippa Lee. As proven by her previous effort, Miller has a particularly keen eye for performances, often capturing well-liked performers in a new light. She showedKeanu Reevesat his most vulnerable and internalized inThe Private Lives of Pippa Lee, and I’m excited to see what she does with a cast that features Gerwig, Hawke,Julianne Moore,Bill Hader,Maya Rudolph, andWallace Shawn.
6. Don’t Think Twice
Release date:July 22
Jacob Hall was a big fan of writer-directorMike Birbiglia’s comedy at South by Southwest,writing thatGillian Jacobs' performance as a struggling NY improv comic is “both hilarious and heartbreaking.” Jacobs recently did fantastic work on Netflix’sLove, and Jacob claimed her lead performance inDon’t Think Twicewas one of the best he saw at SXSW. Birbiglia last directedSleepwalk with Me, a very charming and promising debut film with an authentic voice behind it. The standup comic co-stars inDon’t Think Twicealongside Jacobs,Keegan-Michael Key, Kate Micucci, and plenty of more talent.
5. Love & Friendship
Release date:May 13
AnotherWhit Stillmanfilm, you say? And we don’t have to wait 13 years to see it? That’s how long it took Stillman to make a movie after 1998’sThe Last Days of Disco. His last directorial effort,Damsels in Distress, is a low-key charmer, but he’s taking on slightly different material withLove & Friendship. For starters, it’s based onJane Austen’s novellaLady Susan, making this the director’s first adaptation to date. StarringThe Last Days of Disco’sKate BeckinsaleandChloë Sevigny,Love & Friendship, Angienotedat Sundance, is still the kind of “out-and-out comedy” fans of the filmmaker expect. Jane Austin and Whit Stillman’s sensibilities combined should make for a delightful time at the movies, and based on most of the reviews out of Sundance, including Angie’s, it is.
4. De Palma
Release date:June 10
If you watched directorNoah Baumbach’s (Mistress America) interview withBrian De Palmaon the Criterion release ofBlow-Out, then you’re already aware of the fact Baumbach knows how to dig deep while discussing craft with the legendary filmmaker. Co-directed by Baumbach andJake Paltrow(The Young Ones),De Palmais 107 minutes of the director behindCarlito’s Way,The Untouchables, andDressed to Killdiscussing his career and Hollywood. De Palma is pretty candid in interviews as is, but talking to two fellow filmmakers should open up the filmmaker in a whole new way.
3. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Release date:June 24
“Hunt for Wilderpeoplefeels like a throwback to ’80s adventure films in some ways, but it mostly just feels like a new childhood classic,” Angie wrote in herreviewat Sundance. “It has all the makings of one: it’s got wonder and adventure and loads of humor, and ultimately winds up on the side of optimism—but it also has moments of genuine tragedy and danger.” Before directorTaika Waititiventures off into Marvel land, make sure to see his third feature film, which is a buddy picture about young Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison) and his uncle (Sam Neill) getting lost in the New Zealand bush. IfHunt for the Wilderpeopleis half as delightful as Waititi’s vampire comedy,What We Do in the Shadows, then audiences are in for a treat.
2. The Lobster
In the future, it’s illegal to be single. In 45 days, if a single man or woman hasn’t found a spouse, they’re turned into an animal of their choosing. If it comes down to it, David (Colin Farrell) wants to live the rest of his life as a lobster. As ridiculous asYorgos Lanthimos' (Dogtooth) film sounds, it’s one of the most human stories you’ll see all year. The film presents a smorgasbord of honest emotions and ideas about relationships and the single life. You’ll either findThe Lobsterincredibly romantic, depressing or maybe both, which is why you should see the dark romantic comedy: it’ll spark a discussion about what it has to say.
1. A Bigger Splash
Release date: now in limited release
DirectorLuca Guadagnino(I Am Love) and screenwriterDave Kajganich’s remake ofJacques Deray’sLa Piscineis almost an assault on the senses. What starts as a visual feast with old friends (and lovers) reuniting turns into an unnerving drama, where everything that was once visually or audibly pleasing, like Harry Nilsson’s “Jump into the Fire,” playing at full blast, turns into an absolute nightmare. Even the sound of an iPhone going off makes for an unsettling sound effect.
For a movie with little plot,A Bigger Splashis dense: plenty of subtle setups and payoffs, striking visual motifs (the food), and endlessly fascinating characters. As brutal as this story of fidelity and intense love can get, it’s also a surprisingly funny and exciting experience. I believe scientists will one day prove you haven’t fully lived life until you’ve seenRalph Fiennesdance inA Bigger Splash. Fiennes' performance is absolutely hypnotic and unpredictable, and the film itself is just as mesmerizing, with its unexpected turns, gorgeous costumes and locations, and a group of characters that’ll likely continue to grow richer on repeat viewings.
Honorable Mentions:Sunset Song(May 13th),Almost Holy(May 20th),Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words(June 24th),Captain Fantastic(July8th), andInto the Forest(July 22nd).
