With May just weeks away, it’s time to look forward to the summer movie season of 2011. What major blockbusters are coming our way? Will there be any smaller releases worth checking out in the midst of all the studio fare? It’s time to take a look at the slate for the 2011 summer movie season.
Let’s begin by discussing the comedies opening this summer.
Comedy Lovers Have a Lot of Choices This Summer
If superhero flicks and grisly horror movies aren’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of comedies worth checking out this summer, starting on May 6 with the release of the romantic comedy Something Borrowed, based on the best-selling novel, and starring Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin. One week later comes Bridesmaids, starring and written by Saturday Night Live’s Kristin Wiig, and produced by Judd Apatow. And at the end of May comes the eagerly awaited follow-up to the biggest comedy hit of 2008, The Hangover Part II, with the original director and entire gang of actors back for more.
June brings us two anticipated comedies, the first being Bad Teacher, starring Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake, opening June 17. The recently released, very R-rated trailer for this film promises a raunchy, mean-spirited good time. Also on the 17th is Jim Carrey’s latest comedy entitled Mr. Popper’s Penguin, a film aimed at more of a family crowd. Also on June 1 comes the latest Katherine Heigl comedy, One for the Money, and on June 8, Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer will be released.
Tom Hanks Directs his Second Feature Comedy Larry Crowne
In July come six major release comedy offerings, the most promising of which being Tom Hanks’ first feature directing gig since 1996’s That Thing You Do, which stars him in the title role, along with Julia Roberts in a major part. That film opens July 1, as does another comedy entitled Monte Carlo. One week later comes Horrible Bosses, starring Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman (yes, it’s a The Switch reunion already), as well as Kevin James’ newest offering The Zookeeper. Then on July 22 comes Friends with Benefits (a remake of No Strings Attached?), starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis, as well as Crazy, Stupid, Love, starring Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling, in a rare comedic role.
The end of the summer has at least one promising comedy, 30 Minutes or Less, opening on August 12. Ruben Fleisher (Zombieland) directs Jesse Eisenberg in his first film since The Social Network. Also opening in August are The Change-Up, starring Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds, and The Sitter, David Gordon Green’s newest comedy vehicle following April's release of Your Highness, this one starring Jonah Hill.
