Searching for stars in the midst of “event” movie season? They can be found — as actors, directors and a little kid with a big wish.
Consider it science (fiction) Friday, when Mr. Amal Alamuddin (that’s George Clooney, to you) takes a curious, whipsmart teen (Britt Robertson) on the adventure of a lifetime in director/co-writer Brad Bird’s flight of fantasy. (May 22)
Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone salute the rom-com tradition as a military contractor and his Air Force liaison in this Cameron Crowe special. (May 29)
.” One of the world’s great directors, Zhang Yimou, reunites with exquisite muse Gong Li for this period drama about a couple buffeted by the turbulence of the Cultural Revolution. (June)
Fans of John Cusack, take heart. He’s found a role that lets him work the light (and the darkness) as he and the terrific Paul Dano tagteam the role of Beach Boy Brian Wilson. (June 5)
The doctor is in. Writer-director Pete Docter, that is. And not a moment too soon. Pixar, that quasar of animated tales, has been dimming some, losing its touch for the remarkably touching and originals it won us with. Here, Docter (“Up” and “Monsters, Inc.”) pursues another simple yet inspired “what if?” After making characters out of emotions, “Inside Out” explores what happens for youngster Riley when Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger and Fear don’t agree. (June 19)
“ Five-year-old leukemia patient Miles Scott made a wish to become a superhero sidekick of his own making. San Francisco obliged. To quote the commish, “Great Scott!” In January, Julia Roberts signed on to produce and star in a film based on the story. See the doc first. (June 26)
“Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation.” Cue the awesome theme and bow your heads for composer Lalo Schifrin. IMF agents Ethan Hunt & Co. return for a face-off with the just-as-skilled members of the Syndicate in this worldwide juggernaut of a franchise. Say what you will but Tom Cruise isn’t just a global star. He’s an adrenaline junkie. Installment five finds him hanging outside an Airbus jet… as it takes off. There’s also an underwater feat Cruise — known for doing a number of his own stunts — is particularly of. (July 31)
“Ricki and the Flash.” Three reasons we’re excited about this rock-never-dies-but-rockers-have-to-apologize-sometimes film: It’s directed by Jonathan Demme. It was written by Diablo Cody. It stars Meryl Streep as a singer who left her family and returns. Yes, that’s called burying the lead. (Aug. 7)
We wish she’d said “yes, yes, yes” to rehab because we miss singer Amy Winehouse and would love to have seen her grow old. “Senna” director Asif Kapadia made a documentary (one with) about how far she went. (Summer)
