What to expect at the movies in June '09

A rather solid May has come to an end, and June, the next movie month of 2009, is already here. Even though this June is not necessarily a busy month as far as wide releases are concerned, the selection of flicks is quite diverse. Let's briefly look at what to expect at the movies in June 2009:

The first weekend this month is clearly a comedy weekend, with Will Ferrell's "Land of the Lost" leading the way with an opening at more than 3,300 locations. Ferrell plays a professor who discovers a land full of creatures and staggering landscapes, and I can only hope the film will deliver some laughs.

Also opening June 5 is Todd Phillips' "The Hangover," a comedy I have heard great things about already. The story of three friends waking up in a Las Vegas hotel with no idea what happened the night before sounds silly, obviously, but trailers for the film promise an awful lof of fun. Also returning to the big screen is Nia Vardalos, who will star in Donald Petrie's comedy "My Life in Ruins."

The following weekend will be a bit quiet, with only two new releases opening wide. First, Eddie Murphy stars in "Imagine That," a family film I hope will a be a little better than his recent disasters "Meet Dave" and "Norbit." The second film to open June 12 is Tony Scott's remake "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3," which I admit looks quite intriguing at this point. John Travolta and Denzel Washington star.

Moving on, the weekend of June 19 will offer audiences two more comedies. In "The Proposal," Sandra Bullock forces Ryan Reynolds to marry her so the U.S. won't deport her to Canada. Can't say the trailer totally won me over, but maybe we're in for a decent romantic comedy with this one. Also opening that weekend is Harold Ramis' "Year One," a film I think looks awful. Michael Cera and Jack Black star.

The weekend I am looking forward to most in June is that of the 26th. Why? Because it marks the return of the Transformers in Michael Bay's "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." I had a marvelous time watching the first flick, and I admit I am impressed by what I've already seen of the sequel. Also opening that weekend is Nick Cassavetes' "My Sister's Keeper," a tearjerker with Cameron Diaz, Jason Patrick and Abigail Breslin.

Et voila! June is not the most exciting movie month, but the two films I can't wait to see are "The Hangover" and "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." That said, I admit I am also looking forward to see "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3." Whatever happens, I sure hope to get several opportunities to laugh at the movies this month.