Fat Jack's Summer Preview

Summer is the time for big budget blockbusters, which are a fine piece of movie-making. I have every intention of seeing “Superman Returns,” “X-Men 3” and to a lesser extent, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead’s Men Chest.” However, if you are looking for something a little different -- independent films, documentaries, foreign titles, or just small budget gems -- then take at look at these suggestions.

Okay, some of these are not technically summer previews as they may have released earlier this Spring. But much of the time these haven’t come to Springfield anyway. Besides, it’s my post and I’ll bastardize it as I choose. They are categorized in order of preference. Don’t forget to jump over to Entertain Me and check out MC’s great summer preview and other movie reviews.



“12 AND HOLDING”
Very Limited Release: May 7, 2006
Not Rated
See the Trailer
Official Site

If I had to recommend only one of my summer previews, this would be it. I suspect this will be an excellent movie, powerful, poignant and hard to endure, but excellent.

This powerful film involves four 12-year-olds: twin brothers Rudy and Jacob, Malee, and Leonard. When two bullies set the group's tree house a blaze, the death of Rudy affects the entire group of kids, who have their own burdens to carry before the accident. The adults struggle to help the remaining three deal with the loss of life, the loss innocence and their new found guilt. Directed by: Michael Cuesta, who also directed “L.I.E.”



“AKEELAH AND THE BEE”
Released April 28
Rated PG
See the Trailer
Official Site

Eleven-year-old Akeelah discovers her talent and love for spelling and fantasizes about being a spelling bee champion. Her South Central LA community, however, values sports and rapping over than academics.

When Akeelah enters the school spelling bee, the principal sees her potential and seizes the chance to connect her with a mentor, Joshua. That doesn’t make for good relationships with the parental unit, as her Mother sees all this spelling bee nonsense as nothing more than a fleeting hobby. Directed by Doug Atchison. Starring: Keke Palmer, Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett and Curtis Armstrong.



"THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN"
Released March 10
Not Rated
See the Trailer
Official Site

This documentary focuses on John Peterson a radical, artistic Midwestern farmer. Misunderstood by his community, this farmer turns his farm into an artistic, hippy commune only to be later persecuted by those he wishes to protect. This film has won 18 awards so far. Directed by Taggart Siegel.



“ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL”
Limited Release: May 5, 2006
Rated R
See the Trailer
Official Site

From the producers of “Ghost World,” comes this odd little film about an aspiring artist, Jerome, who escapes his high school home town to study at an Easy Coast art school. Being misunderstood follows Jerome into art school and he finds himself bewildered by the pseudo-artists around him. Things go more arwy when his love interest, Audrey, pines after the hunk of the art class. Starring: John Malkovich, Steve Buscemi, Angelica Huston, Max Minghella, and Sophia Myles. Directed by Terry Zwigoff.



"THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS"
In Theatres June 6
Rated R
See the Trailer
Official Site

Based on JT LeRoy’s controversial novel of the same name, this tale follows Jeremiah, a young boy who was moved from his foster home and united with his troubled, teenaged mother traveling the US. Jeremiah’s life is filled with abuse, neglect and a trail of his mother’s unseemly boyfriends.

I seriously doubt this will be a movie for masses. Marilyn Manson is in it. Faint at heart beware. Directed by: Asia Argento, who also the leading lady. Starring: Jimmy Bennett, Peter Fonda, Ben Foster, Michael Pitt, and Marilyn Manson.



“A SCANNER DARKLY”
Limited Release: May 19, 2006
Not Rated
See the Trailer
Official Site

Director Richard Linklater utilizes his interpolated rotoscoping technique again (looks like animation over live action) in this sci-fi government conspiracy film adapted from Philip K. Dick’s novel. National security is top priority where everyone is spying on everyone else and the drug of choice is Substance D (which causes split personalities by the way.)

I’m not sure about this one, but it warrants looking at the trailer. It does have Keanu Reeves and that is one big strike against it. Just check out the trailer. Starring: Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Woody Harrelson, Robert Downey, Jr., and Rory Cochrane.