In Hollywood, summer ushers in the most anticipated films of the year, from big-budget thrillers to arthouse masterpieces.  Sam Watermeier offers his opinion on five must-see summer flicks

By Sam Watermeier
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“Taking Woodstock”
Starring Demetri Martin, Emile Hirsch

 Cathartic. Refreshing. Relevant. These are the words that came to mind after seeing the trailer for this film. Its story of the origins of Woodstock, the legendary ‘60s concert that united the nation and started a revolution, is the exact type of hopeful tale we need in this time of socioeconomic crisis. Comedian Demetri Martin takes a slightly dramatic turn as the unlikely helm of the concert, everyman Eliot Tiber. Director Ang Lee (“Lust, Caution,” “Brokeback Mountain”) tries his hand at lighthearted comedy. More interestingly, “Taking Woodstock” can be seen as a prelude to Lee’s ‘70s set drama, “The Ice Storm” since it foreshadows the innocence of the ‘60s giving way to the corruption and overall moral ambiguity of the ‘70s.
Opens Aug. 14 

“Public Enemies”
Starring Johnny Depp, Christian Bale

Filmmaker Michael Mann (“Heat,” “Collateral”) is a master of crime drama. Like Martin Scorsese (“GoodFellas,” “The Departed”), he creates complex, empathetic criminal characters and sets them in equally rich, gritty worlds. In this addition to the genre, he explores the life of famous, Depression-era bank robber, John Dillinger (Johnny Depp) and his pursuers, a fitting storyline for this current period of economic struggle. With its blend of contemporary visual style (digital camerawork) and old-fashioned, larger than life, James Cagney-esque gangster characters, “Public Enemies” makes the old new again.
Opens July 1 

“Inglorious Basterds”
Starring Brad Pitt, Mike Myers

World War II through the eyes of Quentin Tarantino (“Pulp Fiction”). What could possibly be better? This film marks the first time the auteur has tackled the war genre and I can’t wait to see what he cooks up. With “Inglorious Basterds,” Tarantino strays away from telling a harrowing, “Saving Private Ryan”-esque story and opts instead for a rollicking tale of revenge. Unlike recent World War II epics, this film does not aim to explore war’s shades of gray. It promises to be a fun action movie reminiscent of “The Dirty Dozen,” simply chronicling good’s ever-thrilling fight against evil. In doing so, one could argue that it comments on how simplistic World War II has become in the eyes of many Americans. More likely, though, Tarantino just wants to create pure, exhilarating cinema.
Opens Aug. 21 

“Bruno”
Starring Sacha Baron Cohen

 If anything, 2006’s subversive, landmark comedy, “Borat” was underrated. This follow up in which “Borat” star Sacha Baron Cohen travels across the country under the guise of a flamboyant Austrian fashion critic looks equally clever and hilarious. As the title character, Cohen tests people’s boiling points, hopefully resulting in yet another biting satire on American intolerance. 
Opens July 10 

“Moon”
Starring Sam Rockwell

 Finally a genuinely original science fiction spectacle! Maybe this means the much needed end to sequels, prequels, adaptations, and reboots. Although this film borrows from classics like “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Solaris,” it looks to have its own modern twists. Plus, with an excellent actor like Sam Rockwell in the lead, it is bound to pack an emotional punch. Rockwell plays an astronaut sent to the moon alone to conduct research and right before he gets ready to head back to Earth, things get strange. I’ll leave it at that. 
Opens June 12