Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow

Family movie guide to what’s new in theaters through June

- BY FRANNIE UCCIFERRI TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Grab some popcorn, because t he s ummer movie season is here. When school’s out, movie theaters are packed with people ready to see the biggest blockbuste­rs of the year. But with so many to choose from, how can you tell what’s worth your time (and ticket)?

We’ve gathered up the most anticipate­d movies of May and June for kids, tweens and teens to help you figure it out.

“AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR” TARGET AGE: TWEENS AND TEENS

“Avengers: Infinity War” is a superhero epic that brings together characters from just about every Marvel movie made so far. Because it features so many superheroe­s from so many films (not only “The Avengers,” but also “Captain America: Civil War,” “Black Panther,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and more), you’ll want to be familiar with those characters and stories before you see this movie.

“LIFE OF THE PARTY” (MAY 11) TARGET AGE: TEENS

“Life of the Party” is a comedy starring Melissa McCarthy as a mom who decides to return to school to restart her career, only to end up at the same college as her daughter, Amanda ( Adria Arjona). Both women embrace the full college experience (including classes, freedom, and, yes, frat boys).

“LU OVER THE WALL” (MAY 11) TARGET AGE: KIDS AND TWEENS

“Lu Over the Wall” puts an anime twist on a classic fairy tale as a tween musician forms a bond with a singing mermaid. Lonely middle schooler Kai (voiced by Michael Sinternikl­aas) forms a rock band with two of his classmates, only to be surprised during band practice by a mermaid girl named Lu (Christine Marie Cabanos), whose tail turns to legs when she hears the music.

“SHOW DOGS” (MAY 18) TARGET AGE: KIDS

“Show Dogs” is a family- friendly comedy that looks to answer the question of what you’d get if you combined “Miss Congeniali­ty” with “Best in Show.” Macho police dog Max (voiced by Chris “Ludacris” Bridges) — with the help of his human partner, Frank (Will Arnett) — must go undercover at a prestigiou­s Las Vegas dog show.

“SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY” (MAY 25) TARGET AGE: TWEENS AND TEENS

“Solo: A Star Wars Story” is a stand- alone prequel directed by Ron Howard that takes place before “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.” It tells the story of a young Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich, in the role that Harrison Ford made famous). Although plot details are being kept quiet, we know that Han was originally an intergalac­tic smuggler — and a good one.

“OCEAN’S 8” (JUNE 8) TARGET AGE: TEENS

“Ocean’ s 8” is a female-driven heist movie spin-off of the Ocean’s trilogy. Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) is on a mission to pull off an epic heist during the Met Gala in New York City. But first she must assemble a perfect crew of (all-female) cons: her partner- in- crime, Lou ( Cate Blanchett); celebrity Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway); jewelry designer Amita (Mindy Kaling); unassuming mom Tammy (Sarah Paulson); sleight-of-hand artist Constance ( Awkwafina); hacker Eight Ball (Rihanna); and fashion designer Rose (Helena Bonham Carter).

“WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR” (JUNE 8) TARGET AGE: BIG KIDS, TWEENS, AND TEENS

“Won’t You Be My Neighbor” promises to be a gentle documentar­y about Fred Rogers and the creation and legacy of his classic children’s TV show, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborho­od.” Although the TV series is intended for preschoole­rs, this documentar­y is better for older viewers who remember the show but can handle the film’s somewhat heavier themes and occasional strong language.

“INCREDIBLE­S 2” (JUNE 15) TARGET AGE: KIDS AND TWEENS

“Incredible­s 2” is Pixar’s long- awaited superhero sequel about the Parr family — Bob (voiced by Craig T. Nelson), Helen (Holly Hunter), Violet (Sarah Vowell), Dash (Huck Milner), and baby Jack-Jack. The original movie had more action violence than most animated kids’ movies, although everything was still cartoonish. But it was also a beautifull­y animated, hilarious take on superhero movies. You can probably expect a lot of the same here.

“JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM” (JUNE 22) TARGET AGE: TEENS

“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” is the sequel to “Jurassic World,” the 2015 reboot of the classic dinosaur action movie “Jurassic Park.” Four years after the most dangerous dinosaurs got loose, raptor trainer Owen (Chris Pratt) and former park manager Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) must travel to the island to try to save the remaining dinosaurs from a second extinction.

“UNCLE DREW” (JUNE 29) TARGET AGE: TEENS

“Uncle Drew” is a comedy starring current and former NBA players as the members of a senior citizens’ basketball squad. Desperate to win a street ball tournament in Harlem, Dax (Lil Rel Howery) recruits aging basketball legend Uncle Drew (Kyrie Irving) and his old squad (played by Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, Nate Robinson and Lisa Leslie), now well into their 70s, to prove that the old guys can still win the big game.

 ?? WARNER BROS ?? Melissa McCarthy, center, in a scene from “Life of the Party.”
WARNER BROS Melissa McCarthy, center, in a scene from “Life of the Party.”

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