Seems like alot of the great little indies from festivals of 2012 and 2013 are all being nestled together for release this spring. So much so that I had to do a post on just April film releases alone. Here are the ones I am most excited about and will be heading to the theater (or VOD) for. Check back here to see related blog posts on these films after I see them.

[April 5]

The Company You Keep: After its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, I seriously wanted to see Shia LaBeouf as a young, ambitious reporter who exposes the identify of a wanted criminal, which causes him to come out of hiding and go on the run. What can I say; I keep giving him chances. See the trailer and read more about the film here. 

Simon Killer: One of the most buzzed about movies from Sundance 2012, I just have to see it. This film about a young man who goes to Paris, falls for a prostitute, and plots murder seems like it will be a thrilling look into the mind of a killer hiding in plain sight. See the trailer and read more about the film here. 

Trance: Who doesn’t love a good Danny Boyle movie? ::looking around:: I’m really looking forward to his latest which seems to have all the reality vs. fiction questioning and cunning thievery of a movie like Inception. The movie stars one of the actors that really excites me, James McAvoy. See the trailer and read more about the film here. 

Upstream Color: This one is hitting theaters quickly after been scooped up for distribution at the Sundance 2013. From the famed director of Primer, Shane Carruth, comes this movieabout aman and woman are drawn together under odd circumstances. If you know anything about the work of this director, this movie is sure to be one you have to watch over and over again to get the full meaning. Watch the trailer above and try to figure it out.

42: I didn’t even know that I was waiting for a great Jackie Robinson biopic to come around but now I know that I was. The movie introduces the world to Chadwick Boseman who plays Jackie Robinson (and actually has that perfect look for the role). See the trailer and read more about the film here. 

[April 12]

To The Wonder: I can’t believe I’m signing myself up to see another Terrance Malick movie after I didn’t like Tree of Life (okay, that was an understatement) but I’m intrigued to see what drew Affleck, Bardem, and McAdams to star in this movie. Then again, I’m sure they didn’t know what the hell the story was about. This movie originally premiere at the 2012 Venice Film Festival. See the trailer and read more about the film here. 

—> Music Complements: “To The Wonder”

[April 26]

The Reluctant Fundamentalist: Based on the celebrated book by Mohsin Hamid, this film debuted at the Venice Film Festival last fall and focuses on the clash between American cultural and religious beliefs and those of the Eastern world,  See the trailer and read more about the film here. 

—-> Tribeca [Day 3] “The Reluctant Fundamentalist”

Mud: The latest from Jeff Nichols (director of the amazing film Take Shelter) which finds Matthew McConaughey dirtied up, lovelorn and Arkansas-accented. I’ve seen it, and I’m happy to report that it is an unexpected pleasure of a film. Read more of my commentary and see the trailer below.

—-> A Survey in Film: Food, Southern Folk, & the New Matthew McConaughey

[May 10]

The Great Gatsby: The reimagining of the great F. Scott Fitzgerld American classic novel by the king of glitzy stylized film aesthetic Baz Luhrmann. One of the movies of 2013 I have been really waiting for. Anticipate this. 

—> Other Book to Film Adaptations Featuring the Cast of “The Great Gatsby”
—> Film Review: “The Great Gatsby”

[May 17]

Black Rock: A horror film from Sundance 2012 with three strong women fighting for survival at its core. Curious to see the last few moments and if and who makes it out. See the trailer and read more about the film here. 

Star Trek Into Darkness:The next JJ Abrams-edition of Star Trek. It had me at Chris Pine’s beautiful eyes. 

—> Cast and Commentary: “Star Trek Into Darkness”

[May 24]

Before Midnight: The third installment in the saga that is Jesse and Celine (in my opinion, the most romantic couple in contemporary movie history) as they relive the 18 years they have been in each other’s lives. 

—> Before Midnight trailer/review from Sundance 2013

The Hangover III: The Wolfpack is back. This time to get Alan to rehab. Definitely a movie to see with a great group of friends at midnight. See the trailer here. 

[May 31]

The East: A movie with all the potential to be just as intriguing as the other indies written by Brit Marling (see: Another Earth, Sound of My Voice). She and her writing partners have a knack for creating stories involving individuals in the fringes of society unlike any films that we have seen recently. This one involves a mysterious anti-coporate anarchist collectiveand the intelligence agency trying to bring them down. 

—> My review of The East from Sundance 2013 

What Maise Knew: I’m usually not into movies with child actors at its core (this one about a little girl in the middle of a custody battle is exactly that) but there is something so sweet about this one (hint: Alexander Skarsgard playing daddy). See the trailer and read more about the film here. 

Now You See Me: Am I the only one loving Dave Franco right now? Well, his prescene in this cast of characters certainly has peaked my interest. The film follows a sort of Robin Hood-esque group of magicians who use magic to rob banks and elude the cops. Interested? See the trailer and read more about the film here.

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