13 Awesome Movies To Watch This Summer (Which Aren't Blockbusters)
9. Free State Of Jones
Release Date: June 26
The Plot: Civil War veteran and poor Mississippi farmer Newton Knight (Matthew McConaughey) leads a group of fellow farmers and former slaves as they take up arms against the Confederate army in Jones County.
Why It's Going To Be Awesome: For one, it's McConaughey continuing to prove that 2014's "McConnaissance" (where he scooped a Best Actor Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club) was no flash in the pan, and secondly, it's being written and directed by the usually reliable Gary Ross (Pleasantville, Seabiscuit, The Hunger Games).
In addition, it's an important and emotive true story, and boasts a stacked cast, also including Keri Russell, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Brendan Gleeson. Plus, the set-pieces look electric for a mid-budget action flick, and it'll be nice to have some thoughtful historical fare amid all the usual effects-driven summer bombast.