Retro IONCINEMA.com
Top 20 Summer Preview 20-11
If you are like me – you’re probably itching more for what the autumn season offerings have in store, but as usual there are still some films worth considering and some treasure troves to discover. Minus the superheroes, talking robots and pirates, I’m proud to present a Top 20 offering of films that will make you think, reflect and better yet are worth the investment in both time and money.
If you are like me – you’re probably itching more for what the autumn season offerings have in store, but as usual there are still some films worth considering and some treasure troves to discover. Minus the superheroes, talking robots and pirates, I’m proud to present a Top 20 offering of films that will make you think, reflect and better yet are worth the investment in both time and money. So beat the heat, beat the crowds and beat the smog – and enjoy IONCINEMA’s Top 20 Summer Preview! 
Release date: Aug.03 Wide Release
Distributor: MGM
Ioncinema Preview : View here
The Gist: Gustin Nash-scripted project, sees Yelchin who plays a wealthy teen who goes to a new public high school and ingratiates himself into its social fabric by using his charm to become the school's resident “psychiatrist.”
Fact: How many times have we seen a film editor become a director? Answer not many. This is Jon Poll’s directorial debut.
See It: It will be fun to see the young Yelchin with a little backbone after his prime role in Alpha Dog. This unassuming comedy got a good reception at this year’s Tribeca.
Release date: July.13 Limited Release
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Ioncinema Preview : View here
The Gist: Set in present day New York City, Pierre Peters (Buscemi) is a fading political journalist who at one time found success as a highly respected war correspondent and is assigned to interview Katya (Sienna Miller), one of the country’s hottest young actresses.
Fact: Based on the late director, Theo Van Gogh’s film. Look for hints of the director in this film.
See It: Chemistry between Busemi and Miller in this talkie piece is addictive.
Release date: June.01 Limited Release
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Ioncinema Preview : View here
The Gist: Our first of three docs in our top 20 must sees tells the astonishing story of the obsessive roller-coaster relationship of Burt and Linda Pugach, which shocked the nation during the summer of 1959.
Fact: The subjects (Burt and Linda) were very much involved in the making of this self portrait.
See It: This Sundance doc reaches far beyond the depths of what we call “relationship woes”.
Release date: June.22 Wide Release
Distributor: IFC First Take
Ioncinema Preview : View here
The Gist: There are 40 million sheep in New Zealand and only 4 million inhabitants. After a genetic experiment goes wrong, New Zealand's sheep start turning nasty, and it's the humans who begin bleating.
Fact: This may just be IFC’s most profitable property this fiscal year – push the horror movies and they will come.
See It: Add this film to your guilty pleasures of the summer – animals put us humans back in our place.
Release date: July.06 Platform Release
Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Ioncinema Preview : View here
The Gist: Written by David Gilbert and Ratliff, “Joshua” is the tale of Brad (Sam Rockwell) and Abby (Vera Farmiga) Cairn, perfect Manhattan parents in a perfect Manhattan apartment whose perfect life begins to crack after the birth of their second child Lily. Shortly after Lily arrives home, a dark side of prodigy son Joshua (Jacob Kogan) slowly begins to reveal itself.
Fact: After its premiere at Sundance, George Ratliff’s pic was quickly bought up.
See It: Rockwell is a blast and this unconventional restrained thriller has got plenty of wit.
Release date: Aug.10 Wide Release
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Ioncinema Preview : View here
: This follows two days in the relationship of a New York based couple; a French photographer Marion (Delpy) and American interior designer Jack (Goldberg), as they attempt to re-infuse their relationship with romance by taking a vacation in Europe.
Fact: Was one of the hottest titles at Berlin.
See It: Delpy has proven herself in the screenwriting dept. with Before Sunset. Let’s hope we are smitten once again.
Release date: June.01 Wide Release
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Ioncinema Preview : View here
The Gist: Allison Scott (Heigl) is an up-and-coming entertainment journalist whose 24-year-old life is on the fast track. But it gets seriously derailed when a drunken one-nighter with slacker Ben Stone (Rogen) results in an unwanted pregnancy.
Fact: Apatow will deliver yet again the surprise hit of the summer – it merges those who like chick flicks and those who don’t want to admit to being a dork themselves.
See It: Credit to the major Hollywood studio – they understood the mass appeal and charm of a film like The 40 Year-Old Virgin and instead of trying to make a sequel, they pick the right ingredients in Seth Rogen and the Apatow team..
Release date: June.08 Wide Release
Distributor: Picturehouse Films
Ioncinema Preview : View here The Gist: Marion Cotillard stars as the tragic French singer Edith Piaf. Fact: Director Olivier Dahan is best known for his crime thrillers. See It: Marion’s performance is Oscar gold.
Release date: Aug.03 Wide Release
Distributor: MGM
Ioncinema Preview : View here The Gist: This is based on the long running television show. Plot is still unknown. Fact: Tagline is “See our family. And feel better about yours”.
See It: If there is one studio film worth seeing it is this one: after billions of episodes we can expect a smorgasbord of smart writing, rampant fun and something familiar yet new.
Release date: Aug.08 Limited Release
Distributor: IFC Films
Ioncinema Preview : View here The Gist: Buenos Aires, 1977. A “task group” working for the fascist Argentine military govermment kidnaps Claudio Tamburrini, goalkeeper of a B-league soccer team, and takes him to a clandestine detention center. Fact: Israel Adrián Caetano’s film was a Cannes film fest entry.
See It: After Rescue Dawn fun, follow it up with this picture.
