The Wind Rises
Are you looking to avoid the big budget blockbuster this summer? Is that genre of film really not your thing?
If so, you are in luck as there are a whole host of terrific alternative movies to catch this summer.
We take a look at some of the films that are going under the radar that you absolutely cannot miss: we are excited for all of them here at FemaleFirst.
- Blue Ruin - released 2nd May
Blue Ruin is a film that has already been whipping up a storm on the festival circuit this year: it was premiered at Cannes in 2013, before being met with a great response at Sundance at the beginning of 2014.
The movie marks the return of Jeremy Saulnier to the director’s chair for what is his second feature film: he made his debut with Murder Party back in 2007. Saulnier has also penned the screenplay as well as being in the director’s chair.
Macon Blair takes on the central role of Dwight in the film, alongside Devin Ratray, Amy Hargreaves and Kevin Kolack.
Dwight Evans is a mysterious outsider whose quiet life on the margins is turned upside down when he returns to his childhood home to carry out an act of vengeance. Proving himself an amateur assassin, he winds up in a brutal fight to protect his estranged family.
Blue Ruin is a classic American revenge story, and really does set to be one of the best thrillers of the year. I have been looking forward to this movie for some time, and it looks set to not disappoint.
- Frank - released 9th May
Frank is another movie that has also been enjoying success on the festival circuit, and looks set to be one of the more peculiar films of summer 2014.
We already knew that Michael Fassbender was a talented and versatile actor, but he is really set to show it in this film, as he take on the title role of Frank. The movie sees Fassbender star alongside Domhnall Gleeson and Maggie Gyllenhaal, both for the first time.
Leonard Abrahamson is back in the director’s chair - this is his first film since What Richard Did - while Jon Ronson and Peter Straughan have teamed up to pen the screenplay.
Frank follows a young wannabe musician, Jon (Gleeson), who finds himself out of his depth when he joins an avant-garde pop band led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank (Fassbender), a musical genius who hides himself inside a large fake head, and his terrifying bandmate Clara (Gyllenhaal).
Frank was one of the highlights of the Sundance Film Festival - where it premiered at the beginning of the year - and was tipped as one of the films not to miss at Sundance London this weekend.
- The Wind Rises - released 9th May
If there is one animation movie that you see this summer, make sure that it is The Wind Rises. Not only is this the latest offering from Studio Ghibli, but is also the final film from master animation director Hayao Miyazaki.
Miyazaki has brought us movies such as Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle and Princess Mononoke over they years, and The Wind Rises really does mark a great end to a terrifically successful career.
The Wind Rises is based on Miyazaki's own comic book, and will look at the life of Jiro Horikoshi: the man who designed the Japanese fighter planes during the Second World War.
A terrific voice cast has been brought together, as Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Stanley Tucci, and William H. Macy are all on board.
Miyazaki really has been at the forefront of animation for so long, and it is sad to see him finally retire. However, it does look like he is set to go out with a bang.
- Fruitvale Station - released 6th June
Fruitvale Station was one of the movies that was a big hit on the festival circuit of 2013, and finally the Ryan Coogler directed film is coming to UK screens this summer.
Fruitvale Station marks the feature film directorial debut for Coogler, as he made the leap from shorts for the first time. As well as being in the director’s chair, he also penned the screenplay.
Michael B. Jordan has seen his star rocket over the last twelve months, and it was his central performance in Fruitvale Station that really kicked things off for him.
He is surrounded by a terrific supporting cast, as Melonie Diaz, Octavia Spencer, Kevin Durand and Chad Michael Murray are all also on board.
The purportedly true story of Oscar Grant III, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident, who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family, and strangers on the last day of 2008.
- Chef - released 18th June
In recent years, we have seen Jon Favreau enjoy huge success with blockbuster Iron Man and Iron Man 2, and now he tackles a much smaller project in the form of Chef.
As well as being in the director’s chair, Favreau has penned the screenplay and will also lead an all-star cast.
The movie sees Favreau reunite with familiar faces such as Robert Downey Jr and Scarlett Johansson, while the likes of Sofia Vergara, Dustin Hoffman and John Leguizamo are all also on board.
Chef follows the story of Carl Casper, who loses his chef job and cooks up a food truck business in hopes of re-establishing his artistic promise and family.
It is great to see Favreau tackle a smaller project as well as take on a major acting role. The movie won over audiences when it premiered at SXSW earlier this year, and looks set to be a comedy not to miss this summer.
- Jersey Boys - released 20th June
I am always excited when a Clint Eastwood movie is about to hit the big screen, and he is one of the finest director’s of all time, with the likes of Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby under his belt.
However, this summer sees Eastwood return to the director’s chair to helm a musical for the very first time. Jersey Boys is based on the Tony Award winning musical and will chart the formation, struggles and success of The Four Seasons.
John Lloyd Young reprises the role of Frankie Valli - for which he won a Tony Award - while Erich Bergen stars as Bob Gaudio, Michael Lomenda as Vincent Piazza and Nick Massi as Tommy DeVito.
Christopher Walken is also on board and completes a cast list that is a mix of established stars and emerging talent.
It is always interesting when a well-known director tackles a new film genre for the first time, and I cannot wait to see what Eastwood brings to this well -known musical and story. This could well be the musical movie of 2014.
- Joe - released 25th July
Nicolas Cage is one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood, and he returns to the big screen this summer with new drama Joe.
Joe is a film adaptation of the novel by Larry Brown, and sees David Gordon Green return to the director’s chair for the first time since Prince Avalanche.
We are use to seeing Green helm comedies such as The Sitter, Your Highness and Pineapple Express, so Joe really is something very different from the filmmaker - can’t wait to see what he delivers.
Joe film brings Academy Award winner Cage back to his indie roots in the title role as the hard-living, hot-tempered, ex-con Joe Ransom, who is just trying to dodge his instincts for trouble - until he meets a hard-luck kid, (Tye Sheridan) who awakens in him a fierce and tender-hearted protector.
Joe marks only the third feature film for Sheridan, having appeared in The Tree of Life and Mud, he really is an emerging talent to watch out for, as he has a string of exciting projects in the pipeline.
- Deliver Us From Evil - released 22nd August
There are a whole host of horror films set to hit the big screen this summer, but Deliver Us From Evil is one that I am particularly looking forward to.
The movie sees Scott Derrickson return to the director’s chair, he is no stranger to the horror film, having been behind The Exorcism of Emily Rose and the terrific Sinister: this is this first film since the success of Sinister in 2012.
The movie will also see Eric Bana back on the big screen, and is joined by Edgar Ramirez, Oliva Munn, Sean Harris and Joel McHale.
In Deliver Us From Evil, New York police officer Ralph Sarchie (Bana), struggling with his own personal issues, begins investigating a series of disturbing and inexplicable crimes.
He joins forces with an unconventional priest (Ramirez), schooled in the rituals of exorcism, to combat the frightening and demonic possessions that are terrorizing their city.
If you enjoy horror movies that have you on the edge of your seat and jumping out of them, Deliver Us From Evil could well be the movie for you.
- The Rover - released 22nd August
If you haven’t seen Animal Kingdom, then it is an Australian film that you just have to check out - it really is a terrific watch. David Michod was the director behind the film, and he is set to return with The Rover.
The Rover is another gritty Australian drama that sees Michod reunite with Animal Kingdom actor Guy Pearce, for their second movie project together.
Ever since leaving the Twilight franchise behind Robert Pattinson has taken on a range of interesting projects, The Rover marks his return to the big screen: it promises to be a very exciting return.
With society in decline, the rule of law has disintegrated and life is cheap. Hardened loner Eric (Pearce) travels the desolate towns and roads of the scorched and dangerous Australian outback.
When a brutal gang of thieves steals his car and only remaining possession, they leave behind the wounded Rey (Pattinson) in their wake.
Forcing Rey to help track the gang, Eric gives chase. Determined beyond reason, unrelenting in the pursuit of his prey, Eric will go to any lengths to take back the one thing that matters to him.
- Lucy - released 22nd August
Scarlett Johansson has already had a busy and successful year with the likes of Her and Captain America: The Winter Solider under her belt. This sees her return as she teams up with director Luc Besson for Lucy.
Besson is back in the director’s chair for the first time since The Family, and also sees him on writing duties.
Lucy is an action-thriller that tracks a woman accidentally caught in a dark deal who turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.
Johansson takes on the title role - which is set to be another action packed part for the actress - while Morgan Freeman and Analeigh Tipton are also on board.
This action/sci-fi does look a little odd in terms of the storyline - but it could turn out to be one of the science fiction films of the year: I have my fingers crossed that it does turn out that way.
- Night Moves - released 29th August
Jesse Eisenberg is one of the most in demand actors in Hollywood at the moment, and he returns this summer with his new drama/thriller Night Moves.
Kelly Reichardt is back in the director’s chair for the first time since Meek’s Cutoff: she has also teamed up with Jonathan Raymond to pen the screenplay.
Night Moves is the story of three radical environmentalists coming together to execute the most intense protest of their lives: the explosion of a hydroelectric dam - the very source and symbol of the energy-sucking, resource-devouring industrial culture they despise.
Night Moves is a tale of suspense and a meditation on the consequences of political extremism.
Dakota Fanning, Alia Shawkat and Peter Sarsgaard complete a great line-up in a movie that promises to explore some interesting themes and ideas.
Other movies to watch out for include Next Goal Wins, Ilo Ilo, Boyhood, I Declare War, and Beyond The Edge.