Movies You May Want to Watch in May 2011

April showered in loads of cash for the movie studio Universal thanks to a record setting performance by "Fast Five." I recommended it as one to check out and would rank it as a guilty pleasure must see that I've been waiting for and yet here I am typing a new article instead of planting my butt in the theater. I'll get out to the discount show of "Fast Five" on a Tuesday here in my city and avoid the lines of crazed, street racing dream-filled kids. Now, the studios are hoping one of their projects can flower pull off the same or an even greater feat in May. Here is some of what they are offering up and what looks like it might be worth the ticket price.

May 6th 2011

"Thor" - This movie is based on the Marvel comic book characters about the hammer wielding big guy being sent to Earth. I think they cast the perfect guy for the lead in actor Chris Hemsworth and they went with the popular star of Natalie Portman in the lady department, but I don't know if the actors will be enough to save this. I do not think all comics are perfect for turning into movies and "Thor" seems a bit more silly than the average to me. The trailers are not all too appealing in that they use cliché bits in it such as: big, strong men not familiar with Earth always get a skit where they eat a lot of food in a diner ala "Universal Soldier" ala "Terminator 2." The action may carry it into being decent entertainment, but I am thinking home rental.

"Something Borrowed" - Based on a book, this romantic comedy is about a woman being in love with a guy who ends up getting engaged to her best friend. It stars Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, and John Krasinski. I actually do want to see this, just not at the movie theater, nothing about it screams: pay lots of money to see me. If you are a rom-com fan it may or may not be good, but that still means it is rental worthy in the future.

"Jumping The Broom" - Nothing about this movie makes me want to go and see it: another wedding movie seeking to get movie money from African-American viewers. Perhaps they will identify with it, or perhaps it is just going to be for older ladies who can't get enough of these like I can't get enough gangster movies.

"There Be Dragons" - This movie is only scheduled for a limited release on May 6th, yet out of the new options going to be available, this is the movie I would be most intrigued to see. "There Be Dragons" stars Charlie Cox and Wes Bentley and is about a journalist investigating the past of a man due to be canonized and finding some dark stories with the Spanish Civil war as a backdrop.

May 13th2011

"Priest" - Paul Bettany plays a priest who goes to war against vampires. I can't believe this is even getting pushed into theaters, I'm not seeing Paul Bettany as leading man material and the trailers look like direct to DVD high-cost action to me.

"Bridesmaids" - Was this pitched as "The Hangover" for women? Kristen Wiig leads an ensemble cast of ladies as they prepare for a wedding and comic mischief ensues. Wiig is one of the brighter stars from Saturday Night Live, but this movie doesn't seem worth the admission price; for every funny bit I've seen from clips there have been two not funny ones and with the way they edited and advertise these comedies who knows what is actually in the movie and what is not.

May 20th2011

"Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" - This first movie on the May release schedule that could make a run at the box office earnings of "Fast Five." However, are people REALLY clamoring for another "Pirates Of The Caribbean" movie? I think Johnny Depp's character wore out his welcome in the first three; funny once, old thrice. The last two movies in the series were such a muddled mess in terms of story that I had a hard time keeping up with what was going on, though the special effects were top-notch. If you are a fan of the series, sitting in the theater for this one is a must to see the special FX in all their glory on the big screen.

"The Beaver" - Mel Gibson's first movie in quite a while and it is probably going to take a hit due to public perception of him. The movie follows a man having a mid-life crisis of sorts and turning to a beaver hand puppet for help. It looks like it is trying to be quirky funny, yet leans more towards pulling on the heart strings drama and I am not confident that director/ actress Jodie Foster has what it takes to make that formula work.

"Beautiful Boy" - Another intriguing limited release movie that one may wish to check out if it plays in their area is "Beautiful Boy." This movie stars the acting powerhouse duo of Michael Sheen and Maria Bello and centers around a family's connection to a tragic school shooting incident. Seek out the trailer and give it a watch, some heavy drama in play there!

May 26th 2011

"The Hangover 2" - I did not like "The Hangover." I am guessing I will not like this sequel. I am guessing the world will disagree with me and this movie also has a chance to make a run at "Fast Five" type money. I think the odds of this one driving in huge profits is better than the odds for "Pirates Of The Caribbean."

"Kung Fu Panda 2" - This Jack Black featuring, animated sequel will probably do very well, if one basis their assumptions on the success of the first movie and the success of most anything animated that comes to theaters from the studio system. I won't be in line.