Movieline's Summer Preview continues with the season's most anticipated films from critic Michelle Orange:
Tree of Life, May 27
What can I say about that trailer that I haven't already read on Twitter? With Terrence Malick's films it's always hard to know exactly what you're looking forward to, except the fact that he's made a film, one with a real-world release date. He's made a film with Sean Penn and Brad Pitt, shot by The New World cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, and scored by Alexandre Desplat. He's made a film with a visual effects team of 85 people. He's made a film!
Bridesmaids, May 13
Paul Feig probably generates more excitement when it's announced he's directing a television show, but Bridesmaids is on my list for several reasons, and he's definitely one of them. I'm wary and hopeful about what this Apatow-produced comedy will do for both less testosterone-driven mainstream comedy and the beloved Kristen Wiig's career. Plus I once wore a bridesmaid's dress that's the exact shade of Pepto pink featured in the film.
Project Nim, July 8
I missed this documentary about a chimpanzee raised as a human in the 1970s at Sundance, but heard it was excellent, and that it doesn't punk out about the tough stuff, the way I thought director James Marsh did in Man On Wire.
The Sleeping Beauty, July 29
I have a weakness for Catherine Breillat, who is continuing her experiment in fairy tale adaptation. Summertime is when I used to be taken to see the old Disney anchors, with their beauty queens and sleeping potions and bitter old women. I like the idea of sneaking out from the sun for a little of La Breillat's antidote.
Restless, Sep 16
September is still summer, right? Gus Van Sant's new film has been postponed a couple of times now, to my frustration, and I will gladly sweat out one more season waiting for it to arrive. One of my favorite new actresses, Mia Wasikowska, stars as a terminally ill young woman who befriends a boy who attends funerals for fun. I can't say that description doesn't set off all kinds quirk alerts, but this is the first Van Sant film with a prominent female role since To Die For, and I refuse to let a little Manic Pixie dust damper my excitement.
Check out chief critic Stephanie Zacharek's most anticipated summer films here.