FRIDAY PREVIEW: JUN 10th

Take a look at last weekends top films:

First Place: X-Men First Class ($55.1 Million)

Second Place: The Hangover Part II ($31.4 Million)

Third Place: Kung Fu Panda 2 ($23.9 Million)

Fourth Place: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides ($18 Million)

Fifth Place: Bridesmaids ($12 Million)

X-men led the way, as super hero summer blockbusters usually do. Thor has definitely been left in the dust, although X-men's opening weekend was less dramatic. How will J.J. Abrams' (Star Trek, Lost) latest, Super 8, fair against the competition? Hit the jump to see the Friday Preview for June 10th.

Super 8

Directed by: J.J. Abrams

Written by: J.J. Abrams

Length: 1 hr 52 mins

Rated: PG-13

Cast: Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, Kyle Chandler, Noah Emmerich

Trailer

Synopsis:

After witnessing a mysterious train crash, a group of friends in the summer of 1979 begin noticing strange happenings going around in their small town, and begin to investigate into the creepy phenomenon. (IMDb)

I'm going to be honest, Super 8 is the number one movie I am looking forward to this summer. Directed by J.J. Abrams, Super 8 looks like a movie straight out of Spielberg's heyday. As usual, Abrams' film is centered around mystery, hoping that the lack of knowledge about the film will stir people into checking out the movie. Abrams has done this in the past with Mission Impossible, Star Trek, Fringe, Cloverfield and Lost. Check out the trailer and tell me this doesn't look like vintage Spielberg. Super 8 is sure to impress me, but I can't speak for everyone.

Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer

Directed by: John Schultz

Written by: Kathy Waugh, Megan McDonald

Length: 1 hr 31 mins

Rated: PG

Cast: Jordana Beatty, Heather Graham, Parris Mosteller

Trailer

Synopsis:

Third-grader Judy Moody sets out to have the most thrilling summer of her life. (IMDb)

Are you a 10 year old girl or younger? No? Then this movie isn't for you. A cookie cutter kids movie, Judy Moody has only one thing worth my time, Heather Graham. And if you aren't a fan of her, this film has literally nothing worth your money. Do not see this movie.

Trollhunter

Directed by: André Øvredal

Written by: André Øvredal

Length: 1 hr 30 mins

Rated: PG-13

Cast: Otto Jespersen, Robert Stoltenberg, Knut Nærum

Trailer

Synopsis:

A group of students investigate a series of mysterious bear killings, but learns that there are much more dangerous things going on. They start to follow a mysterious hunter, learning that he is actually a troll hunter. (IMDb)

I'm going to say no. As much as I love independent films that have tiny budgets but ambitious aspirations, I just don't see Trollhunter being able to pull it off. In my opinion, a very similarly scaled low budget movie, Monsters, was great, but I'm just not feeling it this time. Perhaps it's my lack of knowledge about Scandinavian folklore (which seems to be what this movie is selling itself on), because Trollhunter does not interest me. Check out the trailer and decide for yourself.

The Trip

Directed by: Michael Winterbottom

Length: 1 hr 47 mins

Rated: Unrated

Cast: Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon, Claire Keelan

Trailer

Synopsis:

When Steve Coogan is asked by The Observer to tour the country's finest restaurants, he envisions it as the perfect getaway with his beautiful girlfriend. But, when she backs out on him, he has no one to accompany him but his best friend and source of eternal aggravation, Rob Brydon. (Anonymous via IMDb)

Here we go, the classic British comedy that we've needed here in America. Judging from the hilarious trailer, this film is going to be a  more sophisticated road trip movie, unlike all of the college road trip crap that we are so used to. A couple of friends making jokes and eating food, The Trip looks like the sleeper hit of the weekend. With a probable limited release however, good luck seeing this one until it comes out on DVD.

Conclusion:

The two movies that are worth your time: Super 8 and The Trip. I'd be willing to dish out movie for either, as both look like a good time. Trollhunter is the one I guess I'm on the fence about. I love low budget films, but the trailer didn't convince me enough that they could pull it off. Unless you are a small child with absolutely no taste, don't see Judy Moody. With one well known actress (Heather Graham), all of the weight is being put on her shoulders to carry an otherwise terrible film no where.

Hope that helps you figure out what to watch this weekend. As always, watch responsibly.