Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Summer is generally my favorite movie season.
Not this year, though.
While I'm excited for the new X-Men flick at the beginning of summer and the third Expendables flick at the end of summer -- there's not a lot in the middle that's calling to me.
Sure, I'm mildly interested in A Million Ways to Die in the West -- but I'm completely uninspired by this summer's science fiction offerings and big summer blockbusters (I was over the Transformers franchise after the first movie).
Still, there are a few gems out there.
X-Men: Days of Future Past: This is probably the flick I’m
most looking forward to this summer. Mixing the old cast of the X-Men movies
with the new cast and bringing Singer back to right the ship has “win” written
all over it.
Cold in July: This thriller about a man (Michael C. Hall)
that kills a burglar and then checks out the funeral looks like it has a lot of
promise. Don Johnson returns to some serious acting roots in this one –
although it’s probably one of those flicks that I’ll wait to see On Demand.
Blended: This Drew Barrymore/Adam Sandler comedy about two
families on vacation together proves that – as likeable as both stars are --
their schtick is really old.
A Million Ways to Die in the West: This Seth MacFarlane
comedy western boasts a fun cast (Charlize
Theron, Liam Neeson, Amanda
Seyfried, Neil Patrick Harris) and just enough laughs to promise an insulting
and hilariously fun time.
Maleficent: This update of Disney’s Sleeping Beauty has
Angelina Jolie as the title witch and Elle Fanning as her “arch enemy.” The
trailers are appropriately creepy, but Jolie has turned off a lot of viewers. I
guess we’ll have to wait and see how things turn out.
The Fault in Our Stars: This is a sad sack teen movie
(reminiscent of that Mandy Moore “I’m dying and different” flick from about a
decade ago). This is another sick teenagers in love storyline, this time
starring Ansel Elgort and Shaileen Woodley (who I can’t quite seem to like).
Edge of Tomorrow: Tom Cruise tries to prove he’s still an
action hero in this time-bending flick that sees Cruise’s character stuck in a
time loop.
How to Train Your Dragon 2: Looks cute and well animated.
Nice kid flick.
22 Jump Street: The first movie was terrible, so I’m not
expecting much from this Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill follow-up.
The Rover: Everyone’s favorite sparkling vampire, Robert
Pattinson, tries to dirty up his image in this movie about murderous carnies
and a gang of bandits.
Think Like a Man Too: Kevin Hart, Regina Hall, Michael Ealy
and Taraji P. Henson return for this follow-up to 2012’s sleep hit. It’s pretty
much just laughs and hijinks – but I’m a big Ealy fan so I’ll check it out on
video at some point.
Transformers: Age of Extinction: You really only watch these
movies for the special effects (because the stories are pretty weak).
Personally, I’ve never been a fan of Mark Wahlberg’s “acting” – but I know
people out there love him. I’ll probably pass on this one.
Tammy: Susan Sarandon dons a wig to play Melissa McCarthy’s
grandmother and the two go on a road
trip. You had me at Melissa McCarthy.
Begin Again: Keira Knightly and Mark Ruffalo join together
for this musical movie that looks fairly interesting – if a bit confusing. It
might be worth a look.
And So It Goes: Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton show that
love isn’t only for the young in this Rob
Reiner film. Both leads are likeable –
so I’ll probably see it at some point.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Keri Russell and Gary Oldman
anchor this follow-up to 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes. I didn’t like
the first one, so I’m guessing I won’t like this one either.
Jupiter Rising: In this science fiction dud – which looks
more like a science fiction soap opera than
anything else – Channing Tatum and
Mila Kunis are trying to accomplish something mystical. I can’t muster the
energy to care.
The Purge: Anarchy: Last summer a claustrophobic little
flick about people having one night to commit any kind of murder they want was
a surprise hit. So, of course, the filmmakers decided to give it a bigger
budget and make the action (read: violence) as widespread as possible. The
first flick was a hidden gem. This one looks like it’s completely missed the
point.
Sex Tape: Several couples try to spice up their sex life
with sex tapes and hijinks ensue. As much as I like Jason Segel, I’m pretty
much over Cameron Diaz.
Hercules: Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) plays the mythical hero
in what looks to be possibly the worst movie of the summer. The good news is,
there’s always a chance it will be so bad it’s good.
A Most Wanted Man: In one of his final roles, Philip Seymour
Hoffman plays a calculating German intelligence operative who’s stalking a
potential Islamic terror suspect. It’s an interesting premise and an
interesting actor.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Bradley
Cooper, Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista take
on the Marvel super hero group in
what could be a big hit – or a really big miss. I’m going to at least check it
out.
Child of God: Some deep material for James Franco here –
which I will probably check out On Demand in a few months.
The Hundred-Foot Journey: Helen Mirren stars in this
culture-clash tale that looks a little dry for my taste.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The heroes on the half shell
are back – but casting Megan Fox in anything makes me leery about checking out
the flick.
The Expendables 3: Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford and Wesley
Snipes join the action-packed guilty pleasure
that I can’t help but be giddy
for. These movies make me laugh. I’m a child of the 1980s – sue me.
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For: Mickey Rourke, Josh Brolin,
Jessica Alba and Rosario Dawson join Robert Rodriguez for another stylized
outing in noir fun.
What do you think? What movie are you looking forward to?
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