It's summer movie preview time! Between May 1st and Labor Day, the movie studios release their blockbuster movies. It's a time for superheroes, explosions, action, adventure, and big Hollywood epics. I love summer movie season, and here are the ten movies I'm most excited for.
10) Turbo
Release Date: July 19th
Directed By: David Soren
Voices Of: Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, & Bill Hader
WHY I'M EXCITED: I don't think Pixar is the big man on campus anymore. They haven't made a great film since Wall-E, and have only made one other film since then that could be considered elite in the animation world (Toy Story 3). Brave had a terrible story, Cars 2 was just a disaster, and Up is really a mess after Carl leaves on the balloons. I know Pixar has a movie coming out soon, but Turbo is the animated movie I'm most excited about this summer.
9) Now You See Me
Release Date: May 31
Directed By: Louis Leterrier
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Morgan Freeman, Dave Franco, Isla Fischer, Melanie Laurent & Michael Caine
WHY I'M EXCITED: I still like Jesse Eisenberg as an actor (despite making Adventureland and 30 Minutes Or Less), and I still think he's likable enough to carry a movie, even with a cast as big as this one. The trailers make it seem like the movie is making a larger socioeconomic point, which could hurt the film. Nevertheless, it looks like a fun, Ocean's 11-esque ride.
8) The Heat
Release Date: June 28
Directed By: Paul Feig
Starring: Sandra Bullock & Melissa McCarthy
WHY I'M EXCITED: Every one knows the name "Judd Apatow," but seemingly Paul Feig has gotten left out in the dust. People forget that one of the best shows ever, Freaks and Geeks, was created by Feig, and not Apatow. Now Apatow did created the inferior Undecalred, and has had more success in Hollywood, but it's Feig that's really the unheralded comedy mind behind half of the things we associate with Apatow. Coming off the wildly hilarious and successful Bridesmaids, I expect The Heat to be funny as hell.
7) Elysium
Release Date: August 9
Directed By: Neill Blomkamp
Starring: Matt Damon & Jodie Foster
WHY I'M EXCITED: With 30 million dollars, Neill Blomkamp created the great and Academy Award nominated movie District 9. I can't wait to see what he does with a 100 million dollar budget and Matt Damon.
6) This Is The End
Release Date: June 12
Directed By: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
Starring: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, & Jay Baruchel
WHY I'M EXCITED: The writers of Superbad finally step into the director's seat and cast all of their friends. The early Seth Rogen movies (The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad) were always at their best when the actor's were able to improvise. This Is The End looks like it's just a chance for friends to hang out and riff off of each other. Plus I get to see Rihanna die (I think). Sign me up!
5) Star Trek: Into Darkness
Release Date: May 17
Directed By: J.J. Abrams
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Zoe Saldana, John Cho, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, Karl Urban, and Alice Eve
WHY I'M EXCITED: The fact that Star Trek is only at #5 doesn't even do it justice. It's such a top heavy, stacked summer that Star Trek is only the half way point. Abrams is the ultimate "nerd" director (it's either him or Joss Wheedon, but I'll choose the guy directing BOTH Star Trek and Star Wars) and the first Star Trek was a great movie. I'm confident he can build off of that success. Hell, Sherlock is the villain and he looks badass! (BTW movie studios, we all know he's Khan just like we all knew JGL was Robin. No need for secrecy.)
4) Iron Man 3
Release Date: May 3
Directed By: Shane Black
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Kingsley, Don Chedle, and Guy Pierce
WHY I'M EXCITED: The third movie in a trilogy can be tough, but it's a lot easier when the sequel was a pile of garbage. I am a big fan of the "Nolanization" of superhero movie- delving deep into the psyche of our hero with little action. That's what Iron Man 3 looks to do, and I'm pumped.
3) Kick Ass 2
Release Date: August 16
Directed By: Jeff Wadlow
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, & Jim Carrey
WHY I'M EXCITED: You can read my full post on about Kick Ass 2 here
2) The Great Gatsby
Release Date: May 10
Directed By: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, & Carey Mulligan
WHY I'M EXCITED: The Great Gatsby is all about The Roaring 20's and how decadent and over-the-top it was. So what better director than the king of opulence, Baz Luhrmann, to direct this picture? With huge, sweeping set designs and lots of wide shots, Luhrmann seems to know exactly what he's doing in this DiCaprio vehicle.
1) Man Of Steel
Release Date: June 14
Directed By: Zack Snyder
Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, & Russell Crowe
WHY I'M EXCITED: By the way, is there any proof that Snyder actually did direct this film? Snyder's past three films (300, Watchmen, and Suckerpunch) have all been colorful, stylistic, and over-the-top. Man Of Steel looks like none of those things. If anything, it looks like Christopher Nolan himself directed it. There appears to be both a struggle between the superhero and his society around him as well as an inner struggle- all done in a realistic way. Classic Nolan. Either way, I love both directors, and this film cannot come out fast enough.
What film are you most excited about this summer?
Release Date: July 19th
Directed By: David Soren
Voices Of: Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, & Bill Hader
WHY I'M EXCITED: I don't think Pixar is the big man on campus anymore. They haven't made a great film since Wall-E, and have only made one other film since then that could be considered elite in the animation world (Toy Story 3). Brave had a terrible story, Cars 2 was just a disaster, and Up is really a mess after Carl leaves on the balloons. I know Pixar has a movie coming out soon, but Turbo is the animated movie I'm most excited about this summer.
Release Date: May 31
Directed By: Louis Leterrier
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Morgan Freeman, Dave Franco, Isla Fischer, Melanie Laurent & Michael Caine
WHY I'M EXCITED: I still like Jesse Eisenberg as an actor (despite making Adventureland and 30 Minutes Or Less), and I still think he's likable enough to carry a movie, even with a cast as big as this one. The trailers make it seem like the movie is making a larger socioeconomic point, which could hurt the film. Nevertheless, it looks like a fun, Ocean's 11-esque ride.
Release Date: June 28
Directed By: Paul Feig
Starring: Sandra Bullock & Melissa McCarthy
WHY I'M EXCITED: Every one knows the name "Judd Apatow," but seemingly Paul Feig has gotten left out in the dust. People forget that one of the best shows ever, Freaks and Geeks, was created by Feig, and not Apatow. Now Apatow did created the inferior Undecalred, and has had more success in Hollywood, but it's Feig that's really the unheralded comedy mind behind half of the things we associate with Apatow. Coming off the wildly hilarious and successful Bridesmaids, I expect The Heat to be funny as hell.
Release Date: August 9
Directed By: Neill Blomkamp
Starring: Matt Damon & Jodie Foster
WHY I'M EXCITED: With 30 million dollars, Neill Blomkamp created the great and Academy Award nominated movie District 9. I can't wait to see what he does with a 100 million dollar budget and Matt Damon.
Release Date: June 12
Directed By: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
Starring: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, & Jay Baruchel
WHY I'M EXCITED: The writers of Superbad finally step into the director's seat and cast all of their friends. The early Seth Rogen movies (The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad) were always at their best when the actor's were able to improvise. This Is The End looks like it's just a chance for friends to hang out and riff off of each other. Plus I get to see Rihanna die (I think). Sign me up!
Release Date: May 17
Directed By: J.J. Abrams
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Zoe Saldana, John Cho, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, Karl Urban, and Alice Eve
WHY I'M EXCITED: The fact that Star Trek is only at #5 doesn't even do it justice. It's such a top heavy, stacked summer that Star Trek is only the half way point. Abrams is the ultimate "nerd" director (it's either him or Joss Wheedon, but I'll choose the guy directing BOTH Star Trek and Star Wars) and the first Star Trek was a great movie. I'm confident he can build off of that success. Hell, Sherlock is the villain and he looks badass! (BTW movie studios, we all know he's Khan just like we all knew JGL was Robin. No need for secrecy.)
Release Date: May 3
Directed By: Shane Black
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Kingsley, Don Chedle, and Guy Pierce
WHY I'M EXCITED: The third movie in a trilogy can be tough, but it's a lot easier when the sequel was a pile of garbage. I am a big fan of the "Nolanization" of superhero movie- delving deep into the psyche of our hero with little action. That's what Iron Man 3 looks to do, and I'm pumped.
Release Date: August 16
Directed By: Jeff Wadlow
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, & Jim Carrey
WHY I'M EXCITED: You can read my full post on about Kick Ass 2 here
Release Date: May 10
Directed By: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, & Carey Mulligan
WHY I'M EXCITED: The Great Gatsby is all about The Roaring 20's and how decadent and over-the-top it was. So what better director than the king of opulence, Baz Luhrmann, to direct this picture? With huge, sweeping set designs and lots of wide shots, Luhrmann seems to know exactly what he's doing in this DiCaprio vehicle.
Release Date: June 14
Directed By: Zack Snyder
Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, & Russell Crowe
WHY I'M EXCITED: By the way, is there any proof that Snyder actually did direct this film? Snyder's past three films (300, Watchmen, and Suckerpunch) have all been colorful, stylistic, and over-the-top. Man Of Steel looks like none of those things. If anything, it looks like Christopher Nolan himself directed it. There appears to be both a struggle between the superhero and his society around him as well as an inner struggle- all done in a realistic way. Classic Nolan. Either way, I love both directors, and this film cannot come out fast enough.
What film are you most excited about this summer?
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