Well, we made it to June and it looks like most of us are still stuck in the house. At this time, not only should we be entertained by movies but we should learn, we should escape, we should come together. Like the past few months, release dates have moved around like musical chairs but I’ve double-checked the titles on this list and as far as I know, they’re correct. But let me not get to rambling on, this month has some great titles and I can’t wait to view as many as possible. Remember to stay safe out there and we love you all. Enjoy the list below.
A Clear Shot – June 2nd (VOD)
The Leisure Guys! electronic store erupts into chaos as four young Vietnamese gunman storm the premises loaded for bear. What started as a normal day of shopping quickly turns into the largest hostage situation, to this very day, in US history. Enter Rick Gomez, a Sacramento Police top hostage negotiator. Gomez is no stranger to tense situations that demand a cool head. He realizes rather quickly that his job is not simply to talk down the gunmen and keep the people inside safe.
HomoSayWhat: Who’s Pushing Hate – June 2nd (VOD)
Homophobia didn’t just happen. Orchestrated campaigns by cultural institutions and public figures have systemically instilled anti-LGBTQ prejudice into American culture by shaping public opinion.
Becky – June 5th (VOD)
Spunky and rebellious, Becky (Lulu Wilson) is brought to a weekend getaway at a lake house by her father Jeff (Joel McHale) in an effort to try to reconnect. The trip immediately takes a turn for the worse when a group of convicts on the run, led by the merciless Dominick (Kevin James), suddenly invade the lake house.
Dreamland – June 5 (Limited & VOD)
On the orders of his gangster boss, hit man Johnny must cut off the pinkie finger of a celebrated jazz trumpeter before a high-profile gig. Seems simple enough, but the gig is a wedding at the palace of crime queen The Countess. A vampire, a femme fatale, a handful of severed fingers and a ballroom full of music, machine gun fire and mayhem…it’s just another night in Dreamland.
Shirley – June 5th (VOD)
Renowned horror writer Shirley Jackson is on the precipice of writing her masterpiece when the arrival of newlyweds upends her meticulous routine and heightens tensions in her already tempestuous relationship with her philandering husband. The middle-aged couple, prone to ruthless barbs and copious afternoon cocktails, begins to toy mercilessly with the naïve young couple at their door.
Judy & Punch – June 5th (VOD)
he anarchic town of Seaside, nowhere near the sea, puppeteers Judy and Punch are trying to resurrect their marionette show. The show is a hit due to Judy’s superior puppeteering, but Punch’s driving ambition and penchant for whisky lead to an inevitable tragedy that Judy must avenge.
Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog – June 5th (Limited)
SHEPHERD is based on the award-winning and bestselling Israeli novel, “The Jewish Dog,” by Asher Kravitz. Kaleb, a beloved German Shepherd, is separated from his Jewish family when the Nuremberg Laws are enacted in WWII Berlin. He is adopted by an SS Officer who trains him to attack and round up Jews at a concentration camp. Kaleb is well cared for and good at his job until one day when he is distracted by a familiar scent. His original master, a young boy named Joshua, has arrived as a prisoner of the camp. Kaleb has not lost his loyalty to Joshua who finds solace in secretly visiting his dog at night. Joshua’s life is at risk. Together they escape the camp and after months of near-death experiences, they are found by partisans who help Joshua make safe passage to Israel.
The Luring – June 6th (VOD)
A man tries to recover a lost memory by returning to his family’s Vermont vacation home where an unspeakable act took place.
You Don’t Nomi – June 9th (VOD)
A chorus of film critics and fervent devotees explore the complicated afterlife of 1995’s biggest film flop, Paul Verhoeven’s salacious Showgirls, from disastrous release to cult adoration and extraordinary redemption. The film features Adam Nayman (Vice Guide to Film), April Kidwell (I, Nomi) and Peaches Christ (Milk) as well as archive interview footage with the cast and crew of Showgirls.
The Candy Witch – June 9th (VOD)
The Candy Witch seeks vengeance on the wealthy family that wronged her.
Here Awhile – June 9th (VOD)
Terminally ill Anna (Anna Camp) returns to Portland, Oregon after 15 years to reconnect with her long estranged younger brother Michael (Steven Strait). She reveals to Michael that she plans to end her life utilizing Oregon’s unique Death with Dignity Act. Michael’s girlfriend, Shonda, and Michael’s brilliant, quirky neighbor, Gary (Joe Lo Truglio), and Anna’s partner, Luisa, all understand and are supportive of her difficult, heart-wrenching decision.
Artemis Fowl – June 12th (Disney+)
Disney’s “Artemis Fowl,” based on the beloved book by Eoin Colfer, is a fantastical, spellbinding adventure that follows the journey of 12-year-old genius Artemis Fowl, a descendant of a long line of criminal masterminds, as he seeks to find his father who has mysteriously disappeared. With the help of his loyal protector Butler, Artemis sets out to find him, and in doing so uncovers an ancient, underground civilization—the amazingly advanced world of fairies. Deducing that his father’s disappearance is somehow connected to the secretive, reclusive fairy world, cunning Artemis concocts a dangerous plan—so dangerous that he ultimately finds himself in a perilous war of wits with the all-powerful fairies.
Infamous – June 12th (VOD)
Two young lovers rob their way across the southland, posting their exploits to social media, and gaining fame and followers as a result.
Da 5 Bloods – June 12th (Netflix)
From Academy Award® Winner Spike Lee comes a New Joint: the story of four African-American Vets — Paul (Delroy Lindo), Otis (Clarke Peters), Eddie (Norm Lewis), and Melvin (Isiah Whitlock, Jr.) — who return to Vietnam. Searching for the remains of their fallen Squad Leader (Chadwick Boseman) and the promise of buried treasure, our heroes, joined by Paul’s concerned son (Jonathan Majors), battle forces of Man and Nature — while confronted by the lasting ravages of The Immorality of The Vietnam War.
The Short History of The Long Road – June 12th (Limited) June 16th (VOD)
For teenage Nola (Sabrina Carpenter), home is the open road. Her self-reliant father (Steven Ogg) is her anchor in a life of transience. The pair crisscross the United States in a lovingly refurbished RV, relishing their independence and making ends meet by doing odd jobs. A shocking rupture, though, casts Nola out on her own. She makes her way to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in search of a mother she never knew. When her motorhome unexpectedly breaks down, she forges a bond with an auto body shop owner (Danny Trejo), and senses the possibility of mooring her ship in this storm.
The King of Staten Island – June 12th (VOD)
Scott (Davidson) has been a case of arrested development ever since his firefighter father died when he was seven. He’s now reached his mid-20s having achieved little, chasing a dream of becoming a tattoo artist that seems far out of reach. As his ambitious younger sister (Maude Apatow, HBO’s Euphoria) heads off to college, Scott is still living with his exhausted ER nurse mother (Oscar® winner Marisa Tomei) and spends his days smoking weed, hanging with the guys—Oscar (Ricky Velez, Master of None), Igor (Moises Arias, Five Feet Apart) and Richie (Lou Wilson, TV’s The Guest Book)—and secretly hooking up with his childhood friend Kelsey (Bel Powley, Apple TV+’s The Morning Show).
The Departure – June 12th (VOD)
Before leaving Los Angeles to start a new job in New York, Nate, with the help of his best friend John, devises a wicked plan to test his girlfriend’s loyalty.
Exit Plan – June 12th (VOD)
Insurance detective Max is investigating Arthur’s disappearance. The assignment takes him on a long, mysterious journey into the clandestine Aurora Hotel. While in the midst of an existential crisis, Max questions his perception of reality.
Miss Juneteenth – June 19th (Limited & VOD)
A former beauty queen and single mom prepares her rebellious teenage daughter for the “Miss Juneteenth” pageant.
Driven – June 16th (VOD)
Emerson Graham’s nights as a cab driver are filled with annoyances and inconveniences, but until tonight, never attacks and disappearances. After picking up a mysterious passenger her evening goes from working a job to performing a quest as they must race against the clock to defeat a force of evil. The meter is running.
The Marshes – June 16th (VOD)
When a group of young microbiologists head deep into the Australian wilderness to test water samples, they inadvertently enter the domain of a mysterious local. As they travel through the marshes, he stalks their every move, determined to kill anyone who enters his land.
The Transcendents – June 19th (VOD)
Roger, a Rasputin-like drifter, is in search of the ultimate indie-rock band, The Transcendents. What he finds is less than transcendent: a band who has all but abandoned society, a host of unpleasant memories, and more questions than answers in search of his own existential fulfillment. Set in the Wonderland of America’s Do-it-Yourself music scene, The Transcendents is a dark comedic fairytale that straddles the line between the absurd and the all too real.
Stardog and Turbocat – Jube 19th (Limited & VOD)
When a genius cat, Felix, and a loyal canine, Buddy, set out to find Buddy’s lost owner, they discover not only the power of friendship but their inner superpowers along the way
Babyteeth – June 19th (VOD)
When seriously ill teenager Milla falls madly in love with smalltime drug dealer Moses, it’s her parents’ worst nightmare. But as Milla’s first brush with love brings her a new lust for life, things get messy and traditional morals go out the window. Milla soon shows everyone in her orbit – her parents, Moses, a sensitive music teacher, a budding child violinist, and a disarmingly honest, pregnant neighbour – how to live like you have nothing to lose. What might have been a disaster for the Finlay family instead leads to letting go and finding grace in the glorious chaos of life. Babyteeth joyously explores how good it is not to be dead yet and how far we will go for love.
I Am Vengeance: Retaliation – June 19th (VOD)
Former special-forces soldier John Gold is given the opportunity to bring Sean Teague – the man who betrayed his team on their final mission in Eastern Europe several years ago – to justice. Gold would cheerfully see Teague dead, but he is convinced to help transport him to a military prison to pay for his crimes. Along the way, Gold will have to fight off Teague’s team who are attempting to extract him, as well as a sniper seemingly hell-bent on killing Teague before he can be secured.
Mr. Jones – June 19th (Digital) July 3 (VOD)
Gareth Jones, an ambitious Welsh journalist, travelled to the Soviet Union in 1933 and uncovered the appalling truth behind the Soviet “utopia”. His quest quickly turned into a life-or-death journey… helping inspire Orwell’s Animal Farm.
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga – June 26th (Netflix)
When aspiring musicians Lars and Sigrit are given the opportunity to represent their country at the world’s biggest song competition, they finally have a chance to prove that any dream worth having is a dream worth fighting for.
From writer/director Jon Stewart comes the comedy of a Democrat political consultant (Carell) who helps a retired Marine colonel (Cooper) run for mayor in a small Wisconsin town.
Madagasikara’ is the story of three resilient women fighting for the survival of their families and the education of their children against the overwhelming forces of domestic political instability, international political hypocrisy, and the crushing poverty caused by both.
The legendary Mel Gibson stars in this edge-of-your-seat action-thriller that explodes during a violent Category 5 hurricane. As disgraced cop Cardillo (Emile Hirsch, Into the Wild) races to evacuate an apartment building, he comes across Dr. Troy (Kate Bosworth, Superman Returns) and her retired detective father, Ray (Mel Gibson, Braveheart). When a murderous gang of thieves arrives to rob a wealthy tenant, they must join forces to battle the criminals and escape with their lives before the entire city is deep underwater.
On a seaside holiday, four kids from a mixed family visit the beach, where they discover a floppy-eared creature that grants their wishes. But there’s a catch: the kids’ adventures in rock-climbing, pop stardom, and flying end promptly at sunset—leaving them in danger each time. Can they learn to control the magic before something dreadful happens?.
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
