Top 5 movie picks for Sarasota-Bradenton: May 26-June 1
This year's summer movie season continues with what's likely to be one of its biggest blockbusters, Tom Cruise action sequel "Top Gun: Maverick," debuting in theaters this weekend along with animated comedy "The Bob's Burgers Movie." Also playing on the big screen will be family drama "Montana Story," returning to the area after serving as the narrative centerpiece at this year's Sarasota Film Festival, with another entry from the same festival among this week's streaming options. Here are this week's highlights.
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Summer movie guide: 15 biggest films to watch in theaters during May, June and July
1. 'Top Gun: Maverick'
Tom Cruise reprises his role as pilot Maverick, and reunites with "Oblivion" director Joseph Kosinski, in this sequel to the 1986 blockbuster, with Maverick put in charge of training a group of Top Gun graduates that includes Rooster (Miles Teller), the son of his late friend Goose. "Top Gun: Maverick" has received highly positive early reviews, with critics saying it features the same sort of jaw-dropping stunts seen in Cruise's "Mission: Impossible" movies, with that franchise's long-time director Christopher McQuarrie co-writing this film's screenplay.
Where to watch: Theaters on Friday
2. 'Montana Story'
Haley Lu Richardson and Owen Teague, a Tampa-born actor who performed in numerous Sarasota theater productions when he was younger, star as two estranged siblings who reunite at their family's ranch in Montana when their father is ill. Premiering at last year's Toronto International Film Festival before screening as the narrative centerpiece at this year's Sarasota Film Festival, "Montana Story" is anchored by its two lead performances, with Richardson continuing to prove herself one of today's most promising young actresses.
Where to watch: Limited release in theaters including AMC Bradenton 20 and Burns Court Cinema
3. 'The Bob's Burgers Movie'
The Emmy-winning Fox animated series following the Belcher family that runs a burger joint (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin, John Roberts, Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman and Dan Mintz) heads to the big screen for the first time, as they deal with a sinkhole that imperils their restaurant business. “Bob’s Burgers” is one of the best animated sitcoms on air (and, 12 seasons in, now among the longest-running), and hopefully it can sustain that quality expanding from 30-minute episodes to feature film length.
Where to watch: Theaters on Friday
4. 'Emergency'
This feature-length adaptation of the 2018 short film follows two Black college students about to embark on a night of partying when they find a passed-out white woman on their apartment floor, and along with their Latino roommate must decide whether to call the police or seek another solution. "Emergency" landed on the 2020 Black List for the most-liked unproduced movie screenplays and premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at this year's Sundance Film Festival, where the short also premiered, with the feature winning the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award.
Where to watch: Prime Video on Friday
5. 'We Feed People'
Ron Howard directs this documentary about famed chef José Andrés and his nonprofit World Central Kitchen that helps provide food in the wake of disasters. Howard may be better known for his narrative films – including "Cocoon," "Apollo 13" and "A Beautiful Mind" – but has been making more documentaries in recent years, such as "Pavarotti" about the opera legend and "Rebuilding Paradise" about California wildfires. And "We Feed People" received positive reviews following its South by Southwest premiere, followed soon after by a Sarasota Film Festival spotlight screening.
Where to watch: Disney+ on Friday
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota-Bradenton top 5 movie picks, May 26-June 1
