Fido
A classic tale of a boy and his pet zombie, this Canadian comedy could make waves if audiences are able to find it, especially with Scottish funny man Billy Connolly (“The Boondock Saints,” “The Aristocrats”) as the eponymous monster. This looks like a cool expansion on the final scene of “Shaun of the Dead” and yet seems screamingly original.
Hot Rod
The Lonely Island boys hit the big screen this summer with their first feature film “Hot Rod.” Known mostly for their digital shorts on SNL (“Lazy Sunday,” “Dick in a Box”) and their failed Fox pilot “Awesometown,” Lonely Island consists of Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer. They all now work as writers for SNL, although Samberg is the only cast member, and have used their connections to hook up with a script about an earnest young man who fancies himself a stuntman and needs $50,000 to get his stepfather a heart transplant. After reworking the screenplay, they filmed “Hot Rod” with Akiva behind the camera and Andy as the title character. Jorma, Bill Hader and Danny McBride play the rest of Rod’s somewhat pathetic crew. Translating their relentlessly irreverent style to the Cineplex may be difficult, but a strong fan following and a fresh style should lead to success. A complete interview with the dudes can be found online soon.
September Dawn
A controversial indie release starring Jon Voight, this is a fictional retelling of the Moutain Meadows Massacre in which 120 settlers were killed by a rouge group of Mormons. Apparently there is a lot of talk over depictions of certain religious ceremonies and the brutal violence depicted. And, of course, it’s brought some attention by the media storm surrounding Mormon and presidential hopeful Mitt Romney.
Joshua
Winner at Sundance ’07 for Best Cinemotography, this thriller tells the story of parents (Sam Rockwell and Vera Farmiga) whose 9-year-old son isn’t too keen on their newborn daughter. The accidents that start happening around the house start seeming less accidental as their son starts displaying more outright hatred for his sister. Apparently slow but hailed as masterfully creepy and smart, “Joshua” could be one of the few horror movies to come out this year that is actually scary.
Paris, je t’aime
A series of 20 short films shot in and about different sections of the title city, “Paris, je t’aime” features an incredible group of international directors like Gus Van Sant, Alfonso Cuaron, Alexander Payne, The Coen Brothers, Tom Tykwer and Wes Craven (yes, that Wes Craven). Finally getting wide release this summer after making the festival circuit, this should please even the hippest of hipsters and some normal folks, too.
Superbad
On the surface, this looks to be a standard teen sex romp in the vein of “American Pie,” but if the buzz is even close to accurate, “Superbad” will be the funniest/most touching movie of the summer. Without a big name cast, Seth Rogan (“Knocked Up,” “The 40 Year Old Virgin”) and Michael Cera (George Michael from “Arrested Development”) being the biggest, it will need that buzz to grow enough to make its mark at the box office.
Paprika
The new animated epic from Satoshi Kon (“Tokyo Godfathers,” “Perfect Blue”) “Paprika” involves therapists entering the dreams of their patients. This plot seems a thin backdrop for dazzling animation sequences, but anyone who has seen Satoshi Kon’s work in the past knows he will bring limitless humanity to the artwork.
Eagle vs. Shark
Australia’s answer to “Napoleon Dynamite,” this probably won’t manage to be such a sleeper mega-hit, but from the looks of the trailer, “Eagle vs. Shark” seems to stake out its own territory in the lovable/believable nerd genre. And apparently it treats its characters with respect instead of amused contempt, so it may prove a good change.
Wristcutters: A Love Story
This movie has been in the can for two years, its controversial subject matter keeping it there. “Wristcutters” is set in an afterlife way station reserved for those who have committed suicide. Understandably divisive, this film is finally getting a US release, albeit a limited one, and will hopefully prove to be tasteful and intriguing.