While the summer season is heating up, new film releases are here to quench our thirsts. Sit back and scroll on as I count down five new films that hit theaters this month that you need to see.
“Ocean’s 8”
Release: June 8
Warner Bros. Pictures
One of the most anticipated films of 2018 is “Ocean’s 8,” an all-female spin-off of 1960’s Rat Pack heist hit “Ocean’s 11.” Directed by Gary Ross, the star-embezzled cast consists of Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Paulson and rapper Awkwafina – just to name a few – who all plan on robbing a $150 million necklace from the Met Gala in New York City. This is one bejeweled box office smash waiting to happen.
“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”
Release: June 22
Universal Pictures
The newest installment in the Jurassic Park reboot sees our heroes Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) struggle to save the island’s dinosaur inhabitants by an impending volcanic eruption three years after the demolition of the infamous park. While the lava keeps flowing, the two find evidence of a conspiracy that could put the whole world in danger. This action-adventure flick is directed by J.A. Bayona with production by Steven Spielberg. Will this film top the former $1.6 billion success of “Jurassic World”?
“Hereditary”
Release: June 8
A24
What seems to be the spookiest picture of the summer is this supernatural horror movie starring Toni Collette as the daughter of a deceased, reclusive grandmother with secrets that haunt her family beyond the grave. As secrets of their family lineage are uncovered, their horrifying fate becomes more apparent. Through dismal lighting and a heavy plot line, “Hereditary” seems like something straight out of a family therapist’s worst nightmare. Ari Aster directs this haunting thriller.
“Hotel Artemis”
Release: June 8
Global Road Entertainment
In the science fiction category, “Hotel Artemis” finds its story in the year 2028 in a city on fire: an apocalyptic Los Angeles amidst a violent riot for clean water. In comes Jean Thomas, played by Jodie Foster, who operates a covert hospital for criminals called Hotel Artemis. Directed and written by Drew Pearce, the film adds a comedic flair to the crime/action genre. Alongside Foster is other big names like Jeff Goldblum, Sterling K. Brown, Jenny Slate, Zachary Quinto and Charlie Day who are all down for the ride – or in this case, heist.
“SuperFly”
Release: June 13
Sony Pictures
Director X’s bold remake of a 1972 blaxploitation action thriller is set to be big. While X is known for directing music videos for the elite tastes of Rihanna, Drake and Ice Cube, this is not his first soiree into filmmaking. The Canadian director previously worked on the 2015 Nova Scotia-set drama “Across the Line” as well as Lifetime’s 2016 teen drama “Center Stage: On Pointe.” Youngblood Priest (played by Trevor Jackson), the protagonist in “SuperFly,” is a black drug dealer trying to kick the habit of selling cocaine and escape the seedy underbelly of Harlem. Can Priest quit the fast cars and quick cash or will he die trying?
“Gotti”
Release: June 15
Sunrider Productions, Vertial Entertainment
This biopic directed by Kevin Connolly of HBO’s “Entourage” revolves around Italian-American gangster John Joseph Gotti Sr. (played by John Travolta) and his control of the Gambino crime family in New York City in the eighties. In a twisted tale of mobsters, murder, and money fraud, this true story sees Gotti rise to power through nefariously criminal schemes. Travolta, who has received rave reviews in recent years from his portrayal of Robert Shapiro in Ryan Murphy’s “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story” is set to deliver another standout performance.
