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Introduction
May 2024 was fun! We saw A-list casts light up the screen, from Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt to John Krasinski and the ever-charming Steve Carell. Big action movies battled for dominance, heartwarming comedies tickled our funny bones, and chilling horror sent shivers down our spines. But with every triumph, there’s a stumble, and May offered its fair share of films that didn’t quite hit the mark.
Before we dive into June’s highly anticipated movies, let’s take a moment to dissect May’s offerings. We’ll crown the top 5 films that had us glued to our seats, separating the shining stars from the films that left us wanting more.
But wait, there’s more! June isn’t just another month on the calendar; it’s our blog’s birth month! To celebrate a year (or more) of bringing you the best in movie news and reviews, we have some exciting surprises planned. Stay tuned for all the birthday bash details! In the meantime, let’s revisit the glorious (and maybe not-so-glorious) films of May!
Starting with the very best.
The Fall Guy (2024)
May gave us a wild ride, but none quite as thrilling as The Fall Guy, starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. This action-comedy-drama is a love letter to the stunt community and a hilarious exploration of one man’s desperate attempt to win back his ex.
Gosling who starred in Barbie (2023) and The Gray Man (2022) is Colt, Colt is your every day, get-blown-up, get-shot-at, get-thrown-through-a-window kind of guy. He’s a stuntman, the invisible hero behind all the on-screen explosions. But after a near-career-ending accident (seriously, how many times can one guy cheat death?), Colt finds himself with a new mission: track down a missing movie star, solve a studio conspiracy, and maybe, just maybe, rekindle the flame with his ex-girlfriend, the film’s director (played by the ever-stunning Emily Blunt).
This ex isn’t exactly thrilled to have Colt back on set. Their past is a tangled mess, and let’s just say sparks fly (both literally and figuratively – this is an action movie, after all). But with a missing star, a ticking clock, and enough danger to make even the most seasoned stuntman sweat, Colt has no choice but to jump back into the fire (or rather, fall out of a helicopter – with a mysterious device in hand, no less! However, some eagle-eyed viewers might notice a slight case of disappearing storage devices during the fall. But hey, movie magic, right?).
The Fall Guy is filled with laughs, thrills, and near-death experiences. It’s a testament to the dedication of stunt performers everywhere, a hilarious homage to Hollywood’s inner workings, and a surprisingly sweet story about second chances. Plus, watching Ryan Gosling conquer his fear of heights with a 150-foot fall? Now that’s pure cinematic gold. Just don’t try this at home, guys.
Rated PG-13 for action, violence, some drug use, and strong language.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
Caesar may be gone, but a new ape leader with a serious case of “monkey see, monkey conquer” has risen in the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. This movie is the latest installment in the Apes saga and takes us centuries after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes.
These Apes don’t want bananas, they want Tech!
In this world where apes have built societies, some even thriving in the oasis Caesar led them to. Proximus Caesar who is a power-hungry chimp obsessed with finding remnants of human technology. He’s basically on a quest to turn his ape society into a high-tech empire, and he’s willing to enslave other apes to get there.
But not all apes agree to Proximus Caesar’s iron fist. Another ape who witnesses his clan get snatched by Proximus’ goons embarks on a daring rescue mission, and guess who he bumps into along the way? A young human woman who’s gone a bit feral after, well, you know, humans became an endangered species. It’s an unlikely duo, but hey, desperate times call for desperate measures.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes promises action-packed sequences, thrilling adventures, and enough sci-fi twists to make your head spin. Plus, there’s a little easter egg for fans of the original 1968 film: the apes come across a doll that says “Mama” – the same voice as the one that freaked astronaut Taylor out back in the day.
So, if you’re looking for a movie with a healthy dose of action, adventure, and a side of philosophical pondering, then Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is worth checking out. Just remember, when the apes rise, you might want to brush up on your banana-peeling skills – it’s a jungle out there!
Imaginary Friends (2024)
Remember those epic adventures with your imaginary best friend? Building castles out of pillows, battling dragons in the backyard, and sharing all your deepest secrets with a confidante who never judged? Well, May brought us a movie that reignites that childhood magic – and throws in a whole lot of Ryan Reynolds for good measure!
“Imaginary Friends” isn’t your average kid’s movie. Sure, it has fantastical creatures (courtesy of some seriously impressive animation) and enough heart to warm even the coldest adult soul. But it also tackles the bittersweet truth: sometimes, as we grow up, those imaginary friends get left behind.
A world where grumpy businessmen have invisible talking briefcases and stressed-out moms have sassy firefly sidekicks. This movie is a hilarious and heartwarming exploration of friendship, loss, and the power of imagination.
Oh, and did we mention the whole Ryan Reynolds vs. Randall Park directorial showdown? This film’s promotional campaign is a laugh riot in itself, channeling a classic “The Office” prank war where Jim (Krasinski) and his wife Pam (Jenna Fischer) play a prank on Dwight (Rainn Wilson), in which Jim and Pam’s actor friend Steve (Park) comes to work claiming to be Jim, gaslighting Dwight into doubting he knows what Jim looks like.
So, whether you’re a kid clinging to your imaginary friend for dear life, an adult wanting simpler times, or just a fan of Reynolds’ signature brand of humor, “Imaginary Friends” is a must-watch.
Rated PG so go gather the family.
Challengers (2024)
Forget Wimbledon whites, Challengers is serving up a summer smash packed with drama, romance, and enough heat to rival the Australian Open! Directed by Luca Guadagnino (the mastermind behind Call Me By Your Name (2017)).
Zendaya plays Tashi. She is not just a player, she’s a coach, and her mission? To whip her slumping hubby (played by Mike Faist) back into champion form. But things get complicated (and oh-so-entertaining) when his opponent turns out to be Tashi’s ex-boyfriend, Patrick (Josh O’Connor!).
Past flames reignite, strategies clash, and the question becomes: who will win love, and more importantly, the championship?
Oh, and did we mention there’s some R-rated content? Just sayin’, this one’s best enjoyed after the kiddos are tucked in.
Bonus Fun Facts: Apparently, Josh O’Connor discovered his love for churros on set (who wouldn’t, right?). And those epic tennis matches you see on screen? Turns out filming them took way longer than expected, so you might spot some crowd extras teleporting around the court. But hey, that’s the magic of moviemaking, right?
So, if you’re looking for a film that’s thrilling, sexy, and a little bit out there, then Challengers is your perfect match.
Dune: Part Two (2024)
Picking up right where the first film left us, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet with even dreamier eyes) is back, and this time, he’s got revenge on the menu.
Remember those conniving Harkonnens who messed with his family? Paul’s not letting bygones be bygones. He’s teaming up with his Fremen fam, including the ever-fierce Chani (Zendaya channeling her inner desert warrior queen), to unleash a fury hotter than a thousand suns.
Here’s why Dune: Part Two is your must-watch sci-fi spectacular:
- Action so intense, you’ll need a sand change (but maybe not, thanks to Stellan Skarsgård’s dedication – more on that later).
- Spaceships clash, knives flash, and sandworms.
- Romance that’ll make your heart do the thump-thump. Paul and Chani’s connection is sizzling, even amidst the desert heat.
- A story that’ll have you thinking about the meaning of life, the universe, and everything. Deep thoughts are guaranteed (in between all the awesome fight scenes, of course).
Now, for some fun facts that might make you giggle (or appreciate Stellan Skarsgård’s commitment to the craft): Applying Stellan Skarsgård’s villainous makeup took 8 hours each day! Filming must have been a real pain… literally. The man had to avoid bathroom breaks like it was the Spice Melange itself!
Speaking of Spice Melange, keep an eye out for those Fremen goggles. They have a mind of their own, seemingly disappearing and reappearing throughout the film.
Dune: Part Two isn’t just a movie, it’s an experience just like Dune: Part One (2021).
BONUS MOVIES
Megalopolis (2024)
Another movie worth talking about is Megalopolis. It offered a chance to witness the wild cinematic visions of Francis Ford Coppola with his passion project. This sci-fi drama isn’t your average summer blockbuster. This is a visionary architect with a dream so big, so audacious, that it swallows 120 million dollars whole. That’s Coppola. And this time, unlike his gamble with “One from the Heart: Reprise” (let’s not talk about that one), he funded this whole thing himself!
So what kind of fever dream did Coppola conjure up to deserve such a hefty price tag? Megalopolis throws us into a post-disaster New York City. The Big Apple has been ravaged, but from the ashes rises an architect with a utopian vision.
Megalopolis is a high-stakes gamble for Coppola, but one thing’s for sure: it promises to be a visually stunning and thought-provoking ride. Whether it becomes a masterpiece or a glorious, expensive mess, one thing’s certain – it’ll be a movie we won’t soon forget.
Civil War (2024)
“Civil War” (2024), a dystopian thriller from the ever-so-strange mind of Alex Garland.
The story follows a ragtag group of journalists – think intrepid Indiana Jones meets “Run Lola Run” – on a perilous journey from NYC to D.C. during this very not-so-civil war. Think less Abraham Lincoln and more “Mad Max” with press passes. Their mission? To get the truth out, which involves dodging bullets, outrunning the feds (who haven’t gotten the memo on respecting the free press), and navigating a landscape littered with the remnants of…wait for it…a failed Christmas Wonderland?!
Yes, you read that right. Director Alex Garland, in a stroke of pure genius (or maybe just trolling us all), decided to leave the decaying Christmas decorations from a bankrupt holiday attraction in the film. Reporters are sprinting for their lives through a warzone, only to be momentarily sidetracked by a giant, inflatable Frosty the Snowman with a decidedly sinister grin. It’s a metaphor for the state of the nation.
Now, the movie isn’t all laughs (though there are plenty of unintentional ones). The action sequences are pulse-pounding, the violence is appropriately R-rated, and the suspense will have you chewing your fingernails. There are even some plot holes so big you could drive a military truck with a missing license plate right through them (seriously, that license plate situation needs some work, Alex).
But hey, that’s part of the charm of “Civil War” (2024). It’s a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, even though the stakes couldn’t be higher.
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