Major Theatrical Releases June 2019

Major Theatrical Releases June 2019

As the summer season heats up, so does the films coming to theaters.  Offering a wide array of choices for every taste, there's something for everyone this June.

**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**

**DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE**

X-Men: Dark Phoenix

June 7

The new "X-Men" franchise has met with success ("Days of Future Past") and not-so-success ("Apocalypse"), and "Dark Phoenix" looks to fall somewhere in-between.  The last of the "X-Men" films before Disney takes over, "Dark Phoenix" focuses on the popular comic series of the same name, where a cosmic force overtakes Jean Grey and turns her into a seemingly unstoppable killing machine.  It looks like it'll be action-packed and suspenseful, and I'm more optimistic than most that it'll be better than expected.

The Secret Life of Pets 2

June 7

The original "The Secret Life of Pets" was a huge hit, and it was only a matter of time before the sequel came out - although it had to wait a bit longer since Louis C.K. - the voice actor who voiced Max the main dog - came under fire for previous sexual misconduct.  Patton Oswalt now voices Max, and the original voice actors all return (along with Tiffany Haddish and Harrison Ford in his first animated film) as the pets set out on new adventures and encounter new friends and enemies.  This looks just as good as the original, and one that will surely please old and young alike.

Men in Black: International

June 14

Reuniting "Thor: Ragnarok" stars Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson with standout Liam Neeson, "Men in Black: International" centers on two London agents who encounter aliens that lead them on an adventure around the world.  No one necessarily asked for a sequel to the widely popular franchise (especially since it's without the original's leading stars Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones), but we'll see how Hemsworth and Thompson's chemistry works here.  Basically, I'm looking for a humor-filled action spectacle perfect for the summer months, but nothing more.

Shaft

June 14

Three generations of Shaft come together in this action comedy that looks to be entertaining, humorous, and action-packed.  Jessie Usher stars as the youngest Shaft, who enlists the help of his famous father - again played by Samuel L. Jackson - for a personal case.  They in turn enlist the original Shaft - played again by Richard Roundtree - to truly make it a family affair.  I expect nothing but a laugh-out-loud, crude adventure featuring some great performances.

Child's Play

June 21

The original "Child's Play" is now a horror classic, giving birth to one of horror's most iconic names - Chucky.  Don Mancini conceived the idea and directed every single subsequent sequel, and Brad Dourif always voiced the killer doll Chucky - until now.  In this seemingly soul-less remake, neither man is involved in the production (instead they're working on a limited series on SyFy), and it looks like it's a wannabe cash grab.  We'll see if it's any good, but not even announcing Mark Hamill will be voicing Chucky really instills any hope.

Toy Story 4

June 21

The "Toy Story" trilogy ended perfectly, so when word of a fourth film came out, it was met with some scrutiny.  The trailer actually makes it look as good as the originals, so I'm giving it more of a chance.  Now living with Bonnie, everyone's lovable toys find that Bonnie made a toy of her own - Forky, a spork who suffers an existential crisis since it's supposed to be a utensil and not a toy.  When Forky escapes, Woody goes in search for him, and along the way he finds Bo Peep and a new outlook on life.  The voice cast returns, with the addition of Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, and Keanu Reeves.

Yesterday

June 28

Renowned director Danny Boyle directs "Yesterday," a film that features newcomer Himesh Patel as a struggling musician who gets hit by a bus during a worldwide blackout, and when he comes to, finds that no one remembers the songs of The Beatles except himself - and he uses that to make a name for himself as the biggest musician in the world.  This dramedy also stars Lily James, Kate McKinnon and Ed Sheeran as himself, and looks to be an interesting alternative reality where the world's most famous band never existed.

 Annabelle Comes Home

June 28

"The Conjuring" universe expands with the release of "Annabelle Comes Home," the third installment in the "Annabelle" story.  This time, the cursed doll returns to the home of Ed and Lorraine Warren, who keep the possessed doll encased in a sacred cabinet, but not even that can keep the evil from tormenting their ten-year-old daughter and her babysitters.  Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return as the Warrens (although I don't think they'll be the main stars of the show), and McKenna Grace (who's been all over the place lately, starring in films like "Gifted" and a young Carol Danvers in "Captain Marvel," as well as starring in the critically acclaimed Netflix series "The Haunting of Hill House") plays the Warrens' daughter.  Once again, this looks to be a terrifying trek into the unknown with this century's most terrifying doll.

There are the major films hitting theaters this June, and here's the order in which I'm excited to see them, going from worst to first:

#8 - Yesterday

#7 - Child's Play

#6 - Men in Black: International

#5 - Shaft

#4 - The Secret Life of Pets 2

#3 - Annabelle Comes Home

#2 - X-Men: Dark Phoenix 

#1 - Toy Story 4