What you hear is the deep sigh of frustration of Marvel fans everywhere as the realization of a year wait until the next ‘Avengers‘ installment sets in. Although the next tentpole Marvel film, “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” doesn’t hit theaters until later this summer, there’s plenty of blockbuster fare to strike a similar exciting chord revving up in May, along with plenty of films that filter in through different niches of independent filmmaking. While we’re not quite yet at the point where every weekend will feature a box office hit, there’s an eclectic assortment that you’ll either be able to venture out into the world to see or stay at home with Netflix. From documentaries to astonishing turns from Charlize Theron and Ethan Hawke, and even the return of the Merc with a Mouth, May is the jumpstart to the rest of the colossal summer season.
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“RBG:
Cast: Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Synopsis: At the age of 84, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has developed a breathtaking legal legacy while becoming an unexpected pop culture icon. But without a definitive Ginsburg biography, the unique personal journey of this diminutive, quiet warrior’s rise to the nation’s highest court has been largely unknown, even to some of her biggest fans – until now.
What You Need To Know: Having sat in a small, liberal New England coastal movie theater with an average age demographic of 50 and heard the actual whoops and hollers that accompanied the trailer for this documentary, it seems safe to say that in parts of the country this doc will be a huge hit. Considering the times we live in, seeing a beacon of female empowerment given center stage is an admitted thrill, especially as she’s given the superhero treatment, albeit with more talking heads than CGI explosions. Directed by Julie Cohen and Betsy West, as we wade through a season chock full of fictional caped crusaders, “RBG” offers viewers a chance to dive deep into the history of a real-life one.
Release Date: May 4
“Tully”
Cast: Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis, Mark Duplass
Synopsis: Marlo, a mother of three, is gifted a night nanny by her brother. Hesitant to the extravagance at first, Marlo comes to form a unique bond with the thoughtful, surprising, and sometimes challenging young nanny named Tully.
What You Need To Know: Re-teaming after their combined efforts in the excellent “Young Adult,” Jason Reitman, Diablo Cody and Charlize Theron return with the already-lauded “Tully.” Once again directing the focus on a woman who doesn’t fit the mold of our typical female protagonist, the film refuses to shy away from the frank nature of motherhood and the exhaustion that builds up over time without adequate help. Aided by a raw performance from the considerably talented Theron, a whip-smart script and intimate filmmaking, “Tully” is already one of the big must-sees of the year. Our critic, who saw the film at Sundance, called it a “welcome comeback”, saying “The result will feel slight to some and fresh to others, but, most importantly, it never overstays its welcome.”
Release Date: May 4
“Manhunt”
Cast: Hanyu Zhang, Fukuyama Masaharu, Ji-won Ha
Synopsis: Accused of heinous crimes he didn’t commit, a prosecutor sets out on a mission to clear his name.
What You Need To Know: John Woo, no matter the caliber of each individual film he is putting out, will always draw in a dedicated and rabid fanbase. His first action film in over a decade, filled instead by historical dramas, this remake of the 1973 film of the same name seems to be a return to form for the filmmaker. Despite mixed reviews out of its Venice Film Festival debut, a stateside premier through Netflix will offer fans new and old a chance to celebrate a brand new film from a beloved director.
Release Date: May 4
“Sollers Point”
Cast: McCaul Lombardi, Zazie Beetz, Jim Belushi
Synopsis: Keith, a twenty-four-year-old newly released from prison and living with his father under house arrest in Baltimore. Keith is struggling to reestablish himself, and break free of the bonds forged behind bars, within a community scarred by unemployment, neglect, and deeply entrenched segregation.
What You Need To Know: With a season of “Atlanta” continuing to make its stand as one of the best series of the decade and her supporting turn as Domino in the upcoming “Deadpool 2,” Zazie Beets is having something of a moment. On the opposite end of the blockbuster spectrum comes “Sollers Point,” directed by Matthew Porterfield (“Putty Hill,” “I Used to be Darker”.) Based on a bleak premise and featuring an up-and-comer in McCaul Lombardi (“Patti Cake$,” “American Honey”), “Sollers Point” sees the team up of long-term collaborators Porterfield and writer Amy Belk.
Release Date: May 11