Unsure of what to check out at the movie theater this summer and don’t want to spend the 15 bucks on a terrible movie? Keep reading and find out all of summer’s biggest upcoming releases and pick something before you even check the movie times.
Green Lantern
Release Date: June 17
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively
About: This summer’s big comic book flick, Green Lantern is about Hal Jordan (Reynolds), a pilot who is given a powerful green ring that grants him super powers and membership into an intergalactic squadron, whose job is to keep peace in the world.
To See or Not to See: Even though Ryan Reynolds is in a skintight jumpsuit that accentuates his perfectly chiseled body for most of the film, this comic book movie doesn’t have the same kind of blockbuster allure as Spider-Man or Batman.
Bad Teacher
Release Date: June 24
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Jason Segel
About: Elizabeth (Diaz) is a junior high teacher who drinks too much, gets high, and doesn’t give a damn about her students in Bad Teacher. Once her rich fiancé dumps her, Elizabeth realizes her plan to live the easy life and quit her day job won’t come as easy as planned. So she tries to woo a young, wealthy substitute teacher (Timberlake) instead.
To See or Not to See: See it if you want to know if the Diaz/Timberlake chemistry is as steamy on-screen as it once was in real life. Plus Jake Kasdan is the director behind Walk Hard, so that promises lots of ridiculous comedic moments.
Super 8
Release Date: July 1
Starring: Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, Ryan Lee, and Kyle Chandler
About: “LOST” fans rejoice, J.J. Abrams returns to the big screen with suspense thriller that will fill your “I have no idea what’s going on” void. Just like Cloverfield. Super 8 follows a group of young friends in 1979 who witness a devastating train crash and capture it all on their super 8 camera. The film has been shrouded in secrecy since the beginning (once again…just like Cloverfield), but with a no-name cast and Steven Spielberg executive-producing, it’s sure to be good.
To See or Not to See: It’s being hailed as Abram’s E.T. and even with the mystery surrounding it, all buzz has been good buzz. Check it out.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Release Date: July 1
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
About: Director Michael Bay gives us yet another summer blockbuster with the upcoming release of the third Transformers movie Transformers: Dark of the Moon. But beware fans, resident hot chick Megan Fox won’t be returning for the third movie. She was replaced by Victoria’s Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, another beautiful girl who surely won’t have a hard time filling Fox’s sexy female-lead part. The third installment brings back our favorite autobots and the evil decepticons who are now in the middle of a space race between the U.S. and Russia.
To See of Not to See: If you’re a hardcore Transformers fan, nothing will keep you away from this 3D and IMAX action movie extravaganza, but do your girlfriend a favor: don’t bring her along.
Larry Crowne
Release Date: July 1
Starring: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts
About: Tom Hanks wrote, directed, and starred in Larry Crowne, a movie about a middle-aged man who loses his job and decides to go back to college.
To See or Not to See: Looks kind of cheesy but Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts – Yes please.
Horrible Bosses
Release Date: July 8
Starring: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell
About: Three buddies come to the realization that they hate their jobs so much that they need to kill their deranged, psycho bosses in order to be happy.
To See or Not to See: Jennifer Aniston as a sex-crazed dentist in a role “like you’ve never seen her before,” sounds intriguing and Day, Sudeikis, and Bateman are comedy gold. Oh, and Aniston filmed a topless scene for the flick. So boys, walk don’t run to the theater on July 8.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Release Date: July 15
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
About: After seven books, seven movies, and its very own theme park, the Harry Potter saga will come to an end this summer. Potter fans have been waiting for second half of Deathly Hallows since last summer and according to the few lucky theater-goers who saw a private release in Chicago, they won’t be disappointed. The movie begins where the last ended, with the trio searching for the remaining horcruxes and trying to stay alive while the wizarding world is at war. The epic finale will feature the final battle at Hogwarts and Harry’s quest to defeat Voldemort once and for all.
To See or Not to See: Hell yes. If you’re a college-aged Potter fan, chances are you’ve followed the series since the beginning – don’t miss out on the final chapter.
Friends with Benefits
Release Date: July 22
Starring: Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis
About: Dylan and Jamie are friends determined not to be another romantic comedy cliché. So they decide to have sex, with no strings attached, and see where it leads them.
To See or Not to See: Kunis and Timberlake are an adorable duo, but this movie seems like an exact replica of the Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher flick, No Strings Attached. Wait for it to come out on DVD.
Cowboys & Aliens
Release Date: July 29
Starring: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde
About: Set in the Old West in 1873, Jake Lonergan (Craig) finds himself in the town of Absolution, a place where strangers aren’t welcomed with open arms. Lonergan has lost his memory and has no idea how he’s gotten to Absolution, but when aliens attack and are killing people left and right, Lonergan starts to piece back together how he got there in the first place.
To See or Not to See: A Western and an alien movie combined into a summer blockbuster – I’ll keep my fifteen dollars, thank you.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Release Date: August 5
Starring: James Franco, Freida Pinto, Tom Felton
About: An origin story that takes place in present day San Francisco, a genetic experiment gone wrong leads to super-skilled apes who want to overthrow the human race and start a war against them.
To See or Not to See: Monkeys trying to take over the earth? Save your money…unless you were a fan of the original – and no I don’t mean that terrible Mark Wahlberg reboot.
The Help
Release Date: August 12
Starring: Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain, Bryce Dallas Howard, Viola Davis
About: The movie follows Skeeter (Stone), a born and raised Southern girl who returns home from college for the summer with dreams of being a writer. Set in Mississippi in the 1960’s, Skeeter causes an uproar in her small town when she decides to interview the “the help”, the black women who have taken care of the wealthy Southern families since she was born.
To See or Not to See: Fans of the book who are anxiously waiting for August 12 shouldn’t be disappointed with Emma Stone taking on the role of Skeeter. She’s proved herself to be a fine young actress with leading lady capabilities after her hit comedy, Easy A, and I’m hoping she’ll prove herself again with The Help.
