Your June 2019 entertainment planner

FILM

"X-Men: Dark Phoenix" (June 7)

Whether you're a die-hard X-Men fan or someone who has been burned out by the quality of the movies as of late (and after "X-Men: Apocalypse" we certainly can't blame you!), Fox has had difficulty in drumming up excitement for the movie, as the merger with Disney led the marketing department to kind of put things together at the last minute. Even worse, the "Dark Phoenix" saga, covered so lovingly and expertly in the animated series back in the '90s, was already given a mediocre cinematic treatment in 2006's "X-Men: The Last Stand." Maybe franchise exhaustion has set in, or maybe Jennifer Lawrence's mystique will finally die and she'll be free from this contract. Either way, it looks like the film version of the X-Men, as we know it, is coming to an end.

"Pavarotti" (June 7)

Directed by Ron Howard, "Pavarotti" is the cinematic documentary that opera fans the world over have been waiting for. Detailing his rise to fame and his philanthropic efforts (to say nothing of his incredible voice), this is a film made in full cooperation with the estate of Luciano Pavarotti, its holders no doubt impressed with what Howard was able to do with his last music movie, "The Beatles: Eight Days A Week - The Touring Years." This will hopefully be as definitive a document as one could want about one of the greatest voices to ever exist.

"Child's Play" (June 21)

The last movie in the "Child's Play" franchise came out...in 2017. It was released to Blu-Ray/DVD as well as Netflix and had surprisingly good reviews — but don't feel bad if you missed it. A lot of people did. Still, with "It" producer Seth Grahame-Smith at the helm, this franchise reboot, at the very least, shows promise. Chucky is now voiced by Mark Hamill instead of long-running standby Brad Dourif, the Chucky doll is now berserk and malfunctioning instead of spiritually possessed by a serial killer and the new "Buddi" app connects Chucky to all of your home's smart devices. So when this doll goes crazy, he can wreak more havoc than what he could with just a kitchen knife. Sure, the studio needed some reshoots on this, but honestly, there are far worse horror franchises out there to reboot. Consider our interest piqued.

"Anna" (June 21)

From 1990's "La Femme Nikita" to 1997's "The Fifth Element" to 2014's "Lucy," Luc Besson has always had a penchant for a good female lead in an action role. Now with "Anna," he's back to his wheelhouse. Starring Luke Evans, Cillian Murphy, Helen Mirren and newcomer Sasha Luss, this film centers around a highly skilled government assassin having to account for her high-profile kills, leading to what will no doubt be a series of thrilling action-set pieces. Listen, we're not saying she's gonna be known as Joan Wick or anything. But after the near-miss of 2017's "Atomic Blonde," we're more than ready for another kick-ass female action lead to enter the popular consciousness.

"The Queen" (June 28)

Originally released in 1968, "The Queen" is a documentary by Frank Simon that covers the 1967 Miss All-America Camp Beauty Contest, capturing drag and gay culture at a fascinating time. Frank and pointed, the film features appearances by Andy Warhol, drag legend Crystal LaBeija and other contestants speaking plainly about how they were treated by the then-current American climate (including one queen's story of being turned away for draft duty for being too "feminine" in appearance). Although 1990's "Paris is Burning" is often cited as the seminal originating document of drag culture, the important theatrical re-release of "The Queen" will serve as an even better marker of just how far LGBTQ+ culture has come in 50 years.

TV

"Luther: Season 5" (June 2 - BBC America)

Frickin' finally. "Luther," the gritty British detective drama that helped launch Idris Alba into superstar status, had a genuinely thrilling three-season run from 2010-2013, with Alba sussing out psychopaths with the sometimes help of Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson), one of the best villains in TV history (no, really). 2015's Season 4 was barely a season, killing off Morgan offscreen while also amounting to no more than...two episodes. Having premiered on BBC on the first day of 2019, American audiences can finally feel the effect of the four-episode fifth season this June, and we're hoping it corrects the mistakes of Season 4 and gives the show the Luther-styled justice it totally deserves.

"73rd Annual Tony Awards" (June 9 - CBS)

You have to love those New York theater critics. Although the Aaron Sorkin-penned 2018 revamp of "To Kill a Mockingbird" has been a box office juggernaut (with Jeff Daniels' Atticus Finch portrayal being singled out as the play's best element), the show's sometimes ham-fisted take on racial issues left this absolute blockbuster knocked out of several key categories — meaning this year's Tony's are anyone's game. Sure, some respected Hollywood actors are getting their chance for glory (see: Annette Bening, Bryan Cranston, Adam Driver, Janet McTeer), but this spread of challenging material like "What the Constitution Means to Me" and Daniel Fish's revisionist take on "Oklahoma!" (of all things) will make for compelling television viewing — perhaps compelling enough to get over the fact that the whole thing will be hosted by James Corden.

"Big Little Lies: Season 2" (June 9 - HBO)

David E. Kelly's "Big Little Lies" was an absolute runaway success for HBO, becoming a cultural flashpoint and awards-season magnet, anchored by Jean-Marc Vallée's typically humanistic direction and the knockout performances by Nicole Kidman,  Alexander Skarsgård and Laura Dern. So intense was the scrutiny on this Monterey murder mystery that Season 2 had to do something to up the stakes — so Meryl Streep was hired. Helmed this time out by Andrea Arnold, we cannot wait to see what secrets will be revealed in the water cooler show's next installment.

"Pose: Season 2" (June 11 - FX)

The best thing "Pose" has going for it is Billy Porter. The Tony-winning actor can sing and dance and strut with the best of them, but oh, lord, the fashion he's given us this year. From his gender-bending Oscar outfit to his extravagant Met Gala look, Porter has taken the fashion world by storm. Porter being on the tips of everyone's tongues may convert into a few more eyeballs for FX's New York City ballroom drama, now entering its second scintillating season. It may not be the most well-acted Ryan Murphy project on television, but it is undoubtedly the most fabulous.

"Legion: Season 3" (June 24 - FX)

Noah Hawley's "Legion" very much plays by its own rules — and almost to a fault. It's billed as a superhero drama, but Hawley's distinct cinematic eye has turned the entire show into a trip for the senses. While Season 1 bent genre conventions to its own will, Season 2 was a whole lot weirder and far more ethereal in its approach. Dramatic events happened, certainly, but in viewing the narrative through a cloud of mist, it's hard to discern what exactly is happening in any given episode. Thus, the third season of "Legion" will be its last, and we'll finally figure out who wins in the battle between David (Dan Stevens) and the Shadow King (Navid Negahban). Well, maybe we will. It's hard to say with this show.

STREAMING

"Ask Dr. Ruth" (June 1 - Hulu)

Dr. Ruth Westheimer is one of the most distinct characters to emerge in pop culture, having gone from Holocaust survivor to America's most favorite of sex therapists. Although some found a kitschy thrill in hearing an older woman speak frankly about the art of intercourse, her smart advice and sheer willingness to talk about the taboo changed the way America conversed about sexuality. This documentary, directed by Ryan White, will invite viewers into her world and give us the long, loving backstory to her life that we didn't know we needed.

"Black Mirror: Season 5" (June 5 - Netflix)

Before CBS All Access rebooted "The Twilight Zone," "Black Mirror" felt like a truly contemporary revision of that concept, playing out modern horror stories built around the places to which technology can realistically take us. Last year's surprise release "Bandersnatch," with its choose-your-own-adventure structure, changed the game a little, but even the creators admitted it was about a whole season's worth of effort to get it made. Thus, the show's fifth season may be only three episodes but with an absolute all-star cast, featuring Miley Cyrus, Anthony Mackie, Topher Grace, Andrew Scott, and many more.

"The Handmaid's Tale: Season 3" (June 5 - Hulu)

Spoiler alert: "The Handmaid's Tale" Season 2 ended on a rather shocking note, where the long-suffering Offred (Elisabeth Moss) went through a series of daring maneuvers and close brushes with fate, nearly escaped the theocratic state known as Gilead with children in tow — and then decided at the last minute to stay behind and put her own salvation on hold to perhaps bring this hellscape down from the inside. It was a bold move that some felt was out of character for someone suffering for so long. No matter how you cut it, we're still immensely excited to join up with Offred's story and perhaps see if Season 3 really will be the last for the show — or at least the last for Gilead as we know it.

"Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story" by Martin Scorsese (June 11 - Netflix)

The last time Martin Scorsese directed a documentary about Bob Dylan was in 2005 with "No Direction Home," which did an exemplary job of not just chronicling Dylan's breakthrough but also providing context for why he was such a unique, distinct voice on the folk scene. Here, with "Rolling Thunder Review," not many details are known, outside of the fact that the film will be partially a documentary and partially a concert film. With any luck, Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez — who were on Dylan's 1975 tour of the same name — will make appearances. We simply can't wait to see what new revelations are to be had about the most elliptical songwriter of the modern era.

"Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" (June 26 - Netflix)

Phil Lord and Chris Miller have a penchant for tackling seemingly stupid or irrational projects and making them work. Outside of their genius cult animated show "Clone High," they took a children's book and made it into a family-friendly stoner fantasy ("Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"), made Channing Tatum funny in the live-action adaptation of "21 Jump Street" and took the concept for a feature-length toy commercial and made it into something palpable and heart-rendering ("The Lego Movie"). Fired from "Solo: A Star Wars Story" for leaning too hard into comedy, this dynamic duo introduced an animated Spider-Man film in an era of too many Spider-Man films — and it might be the greatest superhero movie ever made. Genuinely thrilling and beautifully rendered with strong points about the value of family and representation, Lord/Miller continue doing what they do best: making some of the best movies out there today. If you missed it in theaters (or winning an Oscar), now, finally, is your chance.

MUSIC

Avicii - "Tim" (June 6)

Tim Bergling was only 28 years old when he passed away, but he left behind a legacy that endeared him to more than just the EDM scene, which already had hailed him as a true innovator. Culled from his last studio sessions and featuring collaborations with everyone from Imagine Dragons to Coldplay's Chris Martin to his "Wake Me Up" singing partner Aloe Blacc, "Tim" will serve as one final goodbye from Avicii to his fans, and it will no doubt be an emotional experience.

Jonas Brothers - "Happiness Begins" (June 7)

A lot of boy bands have reformed in the past few years with everything from middling to decent success, but the Jonas Brothers getting back together was something altogether unexpected given that their last album came out a decade ago. Already scoring an elusive chart-topper with the lead single, "Sucker," the JoBros are working with some top-tier songwriting talent this time out — everyone from Max Martin to Shawn Mendes to Rivers Cuomo to even indie greats like Jon Spencer and Juliana Hatfield. The songs may be expertly crafted, but you can hear in the guys' performances just how much of a kick they're getting being together again. There's a good chance this might be the party of the year.

Bruce Springsteen - "Western Stars" (June 14)

While it has been over five years since The Boss put out an album, make no mistake: Bruce has been busy. His archival team has been pumping out live records at an exciting clip, his "Springsteen on Broadway" show netted him a special Tony Award and he put out his long-in-the-works (and long overdue) autobiography. So while a lot of people are excited about "Western Stars," know that Bruce has been working away at it for years. Produced by his right-hand man for the last couple of albums, Ron Aniello, the album promises a sunnier vibe coupled with the character portraits he's best known for. Buzz has it, however, that Springsteen won't be touring this one. Maybe if enough people listen to it we can convince him otherwise?  Maybe? Pretty please?

Madonna - "Madame X" (June 14)

2015's "Rebel Heart" was the kind of late-era revival we needed from Madonna, as her muse was clearly not in the same room with her few trend-chasing albums prior. With "Rebel Heart," she felt at home with getting into the contemporary grooves, her lead single, "Living for Love," becoming a stone-cold classic in the process. The most exciting part of the "Madame X" rollout has been the creation of her alter ego , which is pretentious, ridiculous and endlessly amusing all at the same time. We're not going to lie to you though: The rollout singles on this have been weak; more bland and unmemorable than they were bad. We're still holding out to see how they fit in context with the rest of the album (there's a song called "Killers Who Are Partying"  — no way that won't be incredible), but a Madonna album is an event no matter which way you cut it.

Prince - "Originals" (June 21)

Say what you will about the chaos that ensued over Prince's affairs following his too-tragic passing, but when it comes to expertly tailored posthumous releases, his estate has been giving fans exactly what they've been wanting. "Piano and a Microphone 1983" was a personal, private document that featured His Royal Badness playing around with this own powers in front of a piano. Now, with "Originals," we will get some backstory that we've been missing out on for the past several decades. It's comprised of Prince's original demos of the songs he gave away to others, and we're thrilled that we get the chance to hear Prince's takes on classics like The Bangles' "Manic Monday," Apollonia 6's "Sex Shooter," The Time's immortal party-starter "Jungle Love" and yes, the original version of "Nothing Compares 2 U" recorded for his family side project. Something tells us that these "originals" will turn into "essentials."