The summer blockbuster season is not usually a bonanza of great acting, but there's star reputations that need to be proven, breakout supporting character actors to look out for, and maybe even potential Oscar candidates in the mix among all the special effects and wacky comedies.
Our summer movie preview continues today with some of the most interesting acting turns to look out for, be it from a business perspective or an awards perspective.
Summer movies and actors to watch for >
Emily Blunt, "Edge of Tomorrow"
Director: Doug Liman
Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Jeremy Piven, Lara Pulver, Charlotte Riley
Edge of Tomorrow is yet another Tom Cruise project with a solid enough concept that seems to lack soul (see also: Oblivion). It's Groundhog Day, but with a space war versus aliens! Humans weird metal exoskeletons, battling some unknown force, with Cruise playing a soldier who gets caught in a time loop on his last day alive. Still with us?
Well, from the trailers, Emily Blunt seems like the most interesting aspect by far. After breaking out in The Devil Wears Prada, she's been handed a bunch of uninspired roles, and Edge of Tomorrow might be another throwaway supporting part that doesn't match up to her obvious talent. But as a bad-ass warrior who went through what Cruise's character experienced and helps train him into the ultimate weapon, Blunt might finally be able to have some fun.
Release Date: June 6
Jon Hamm, "Million Dollar Arm"
Director: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Jon Hamm, Bill Paxton (again!?), Lake Bell, Alan Arkin, Aasif Mandvi, Tzi Ma
Let's be honest: Million Dollar Arm does not look like it's re-inventing the wheel. Despite its somewhat interesting director (Gillespie also made Lars and the Real Girl and the Fright Night remake), and writer (Thomas McCarthy of The Station Agent and others) this PG-rated, Disney-produced real-life story of a baseball agent who goes to India in search of hot pitchers is your classic softball culture-clash tale, likely to be loaded with jokes about cricket and spicy food.
But it's important to know that this is the first time Jon Hamm is opening a movie by his lonesome. Yes, he received high billing in The Town, but this is Hamm as movie star. Will his natural charisma be on display, and will it make a difference? I can't imagine expectations for Million Dollar Arm are sky-high, box-office wise, but Disney will be hoping for a higher take than Draft Day could scrounge up this weekend.
Release Date: May 16
Ansel Elgort, "The Fault in Our Stars"
Director: Josh Boone
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, Mike Birbiglia, Willem Dafoe, Cancer
Who is Ansel Elgort? Right now, he's just someone with the name of a Game of Thrones character. He was in the Carrie remake last year, but no one saw Carrie, so let's forget about that for now. He's sure handsome, I suppose, in a boyish sort of way.
Most importantly, he's the star of this buzzy adaptation of a young adult novel that is sure to have teens weeping in the aisles this Sunday. It's about cancer and romance and it's based on a book that some of my friends talk about in hushed tones. So even if I'm a little skeptical, if the film really hits, Elgort could conceivably reach "next big thing" status. Maybe.
Release Date: June 6
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