THE REELDEAL: Movies to Watch in May

Okay, so we are gradually getting to the end of April and the summer holiday movie season. Before then, we also have some interesting movies coming out next month, and methinks it’s as good a time as any for a quick rundown of the movies and series to look out for at the cinema and on various streaming sites this May. Webcitizens, you ready? Oya, let’s go!

THUNDERBOLTS (May 2)

Now, this is going to be an interesting film from Marvel Studios. Early viewer reactions have been quite positive about these Avengers-wannabes and mish-mash of antiheroes/heroes/villains out to save the world. Very, very strange bedfellows indeed! Like DC’s Suicide Squad, they haven’t always been on the right side of the law individually.

In the roll call, we have the deceased Black Widow’s family members (Yelena & Red Guardian), her would-be killer (Taskmaster), a failed Captain America experiment (U.S. Agent), and a lady who phases through objects (Ghost). Then there’s ol’ Bucky Barnes (a.k.a the Winter Soldier a.k.a. the original Cap’s best friend/would-be assassin). Perhaps the most curious of them all is the villain/hero/(what?) called Sentry/Void (Lewis Pullman), a very powerful character who suffers from memory loss. Expect the usual MCU humour here!

We’ve seen most of these characters in previous MCU movies/series. So while you might not need to watch them to enjoy the movie, it would help to do so for a better appreciation of their backstories. We’d suggest watching Black Widow, Ant-Man & the Wasp, Hawkeye miniseries, and The Falcon & The Winter Soldier miniseries. Now that’s some binge-watching!

PS: Look out for Yelena’s (Florence Pugh) celebrated real jump off the top of the second-tallest building in the world (no spoiler here!)

Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Director: Jake Schreier

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: The Final Reckoning ( May 23)

The latest (final?) MI installment (no. 8) comes out next month! Is this Ethan Hunt’s last ride- and perhaps Tom Cruise’s too as an action movie star? Well, never say never. What we are certain of, though, is that you should brace yourself for almost 3 hours of viewing! Get tons of popcorn and soda ready! It’s officially the longest movie in the franchise.

We follow Ethan in his Hunt (pun intended) for Gabriel and the sentient AI program called ‘the Entity’, which can control/mess up the world’s entire defence system. Frighteningly realistic threats are the staple of MI stories, and Dead Reckoning (the first installment) was no different. It left us after a breathtaking ‘hangout’ in a falling train with Hunt searching for the submarine Sevastopol. The vessel contains the Entity’s source code and, armed with the cruciform key, he intends to destroy it. Mewonder if there’s something allegorical here. Hmm. Don’t stress yourself, just enjoy this blockbuster.

P.S. Look out for Tom’s celebrated motorbike jump off a very high cliff. Another real stunt by the daredevil A-list actor who inspired Florence Pugh to do hers in Thunderbolts!

Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Angela Bassett Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Karate Kid: Legends (May 30)

This is the fifth sequel to Karate Kid, though the two main characters of the ’80s hit film are either deceased, Mr Miyagi (Pat Morita), or all grown-up, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio). Both had starred in the first three installments back in the ’80s. In the ’90s, a young Hilary Swank replaced Ralph for the fourth installment. Two decades later, following Pat Morita’s passing, we were introduced to a new sensei, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), with Jaden Smith as his young pupil and victim of bullying (Dre).

So the sixth installment is coming up this May with Jackie Chan reprising his role as Mr. Han and Ben Wang as his latest pupil Li Fong. The original Karate Kid, Ralph Macchio, will also make an appearance as Daniel LaRusso. I guess the title ‘Legends’ is apt as the whole thing’s quite nostalgic for many Gen Xers. Many still get goosebumps listening to the classic theme song for Part 2 –Glory of Love by Peter Cetera. We’re not quite sure about this one, but with Jackie Chan in it, we’re there for the ride. We expect some humour.

Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, Ben Wang, Ming Na-Wen Director: Jonathan Entwistle

Imported Wives (May 30)

A Nollywood film produced and directed by Nigerian-Canadian filmmaker Pascal Atuma. It is based on the current ‘japa’ (emigration) syndrome and some of its negative effects on African marriage and family life. The story revolves around a Nigerian immigrant to Canada who returns home in search of ‘homegrown wife-material with traditional African values’. He finds one, marries her, and returns with her to Canada. Influenced by some Nigerian-Canadian women/wives, the new wife gradually becomes ‘rebelliously westernized’, creating a major rift in their nascent relationship.

Shot in both Nigeria and Canada, we really can’t say much about the movie but it explores a topical issue on culture clashes, culture shock, external influences, and their effect on marriages of immigrants. It also reveals how mutually agreed principles/values between couples can be tested in a new environment. Some food for thought here.

Nancy Isime, Sarahlynn Millington, Omoni Oboli, Joseph Benjamin, Patience Ozokwor Director: Pascal Atuma

That’s all, folks! We’ll be back next month to recommend movies/series (foreign and local) for June to kick off the summer movie season.