Paste's Massive Guide To The 50 Summer 2011 Movies That Matter

Illustrations by Laura Medina

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Summer is the movie season when every $100 million special-effects-laden blockbuster gets squeezed into theaters. But we look beyond the latest Transformers movie, Final Destination 27, Conan reboot and body-swapping rom-coms to the 50 movies we think might actually be good, from the smallest art house documentary to films deserving of their nine-figure box-office draws and related Happy Meal toys. Here, in order of release date, is Paste’s Guide to Summer 2011 Movies That Matter, complete with a handy illustrated key.

Foreign	Coming of Age	Comic Book	Government Conspiracy	Historical Fiction	Art House	Funny People

Popcorn Flick	Romance	Documentary	3D	Costume Optional	Road Trip	Monkeys!

1. Tree of Life

Release Date: May 27 (limited), June 3 (wide)
Director: Terrence Malick
Stars: Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Sean Penn

Malick’s latest film is his most ambitious yet, tackling seemingly every big question about God in two and a half hours via a story about a couple raising three boys in the 1950s. And gorgeous shots of planets, lava and cells. And a brief interlude with dinosaurs. He asks a lot of the audience to buy into his singular vision, but the payoff is worthwhile.

2. Beautiful Boy

Release Date: June 3
Director: Shawn Ku
Stars: Michael Sheen, Maria Bello, Alan Tudyk

Maria Bello and Michael Sheen star as the parents of a boy who went on a killing spree before committing suicide. They try to make sense of the tragedy and heal their strained marriage as they must endure the media circus surrounding the funeral. Perfect light summer fare. Bring the date you never want to see again.

3. Beginners

Release Date: June 3
Director: Mike Mills
Stars: Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Goran Visnjic, Melanie Laurent
As 2011’s first deserving candidate for best director and screenplay, Beginners sets the bar high. Based on the story of writer/director Mike Mills’ own father, the film follows Oliver (Ewan McGregor) as he deals with the death of his father (Christopher Plummer) and the beginnings of a serious relationship. While Plummer is wonderful as always, it’s McGregor who gives one of the best performances of his career—with an assist from a little dog.—Tim Basham

4. Submarine

Release Date: June 3
Director: Richard Ayoade
Stars: Craig Roberts, Yasmin Paige, Paddy Considine, Sally Hawkins
Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner recorded the soundtrack for this coming-of-age tale that Michael Cera was both too old and not British enough for.

5. The X-Men: First Class

Release Date: June 3
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Stars: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon, Lucas Till
The words “sci-fi” and “prequel” haven’t always made the best bedfellows, but we’ve got higher hopes for the inaugural class from the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning.

6. Super 8

Release Date: June 10
Director: J.J. Abrams
Stars: Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning, Ron Eldard, Noah Emmerich
With Abrams and producer Steven Spielberg involved, even if this is a dud, it’ll be a really ambitious dud. The title refers to the hand-held camera that a bunch of kids are using to film the extra-terrestrial escape from Area 51 in 1979. No word yet on whether the alien is more E.T. or Cloverfield.

7. Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?

Release Date: June 10
Director: Taggart Siegel
Director Taggart Siegel (The Real Dirt on Farmer John) looks at the result of monoculture, pesticides and other human effects on bee populations around the world.

8. The Troll Hunter

Release Date: June 10
Director: Andre Ovredal
Stars: Otto Jespersen, Tomas Alf Larsen, Hans Morten Hansen
The Norwegian government has been covering up the existence of trolls, and it’s up to this Scandinavian Scooby Gang to prove it. The trailer has—and only really needs—two words: “Thomas!” and “Troll!” See it at midnight with a lot of friends.

9. The Art Of Getting By

Release Date: June 17
Director: Gavin Wiesen
Stars: Freddie Highmore, Emma Roberts, Michael Angarano
George is the Teflon slacker, getting through school without doing a lick of work and finds a kindred spirit in Sally.

10. Green Lantern

Release Date: June 17
Director: Martin Campbell
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard
The Brotherhood of the Green Lantern finally entrust humanity with one of their kick ass rings. Director Martin Campbell saved James Bond with Casino Royale (but only after helping ruin the franchise with GoldenEye).