May is a big release month, and not just for tent poles as we enter the ever-shifting summer blockbuster season. Kicking it off with another Marvel entry and closing it out with another Disney live-action adaptation, there’s little question of what studios continue to dominate. That said, it’s a big month for independent films as well, with a plethora of festival favorites from last year and early this year making their theatrical debuts.
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For the amount of headrush-style films hitting the screens, such as the latest in the “Fast & Furious” franchise, there’s a refreshing amount of films that deal in adult drama. From new movies from Nicole Holofcener to Paul Schrader, cinephiles will have plenty to consume.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3”
James Gunn, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, Vin Diesel, and Pom Klementieff assemble for the last time (at least in this grouping) for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3.” Our critic called the film “sincere and well-intentioned,” praising the cast chemistry, writing “Key highlights include Star Lord’s (Chris Pratt) heartache and his longing for Gamora (Zoe Saldaña)—the bittersweetness of it all really works…”
Release Date: May 5 in theaters via Marvel Studios.
“Chile ‘76”
The first feature film from director Manuela Martelli, “Chile ‘76” is a tense political drama. The film is based on the fallout following the coup d’etat led by General Augusto Pinochet which resulted in a military dictatorship. The film then follows a young woman, Carmen (Aline Kuppenheim) who is forced to engage with Chilean opposition. Alejandra Moffat co-writes the script along with Martelli.
Release Date: May 5 in theaters in New York City and May 19 in Los Angeles via Kino Lorber.
“Book Club: The Next Chapter”
Following its successful 2018 predecessor, “Book Club,” “Book Club: The Next Chapter” reunites Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen, and Candice Bergen. Directed by Bill Holderman, this outing follows the four best friends as they take their book club abroad, traveling to Italy for a vacation they always wished they’d taken. Andy Garcia and Don Johnson, and Craig T. Nelson also star.
Release Date: May 12 in theaters via Focus Features.
“BlackBerry“
“BlackBerry” by director Matthew Johnson follows the demise of the first smartphone. Written with Matthew Miller and based on the novel “Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry” by Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff, the film stars Glenn Howerton, Jay Baruchel, and Cary Elwes. The film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, where our critic saw it and wrote “It is a loving — and highly entertaining — ode to the outcasts who dream of nothing more than a life filled with fixing whirring gadgets and afternoons spent in “Star Trek” matinees.”
Release Date: May 12 in theaters via IFC Films.