Well, here we go again. Two months into an already pretty crazy summer movie season, things are really starting to heat up. To keep this list somewhat short, I am not going to be adding in many indie movies, regardless of how they look. Mostly because many of you don’t have the option to see them as they are in very limited release. All that aside, guys, there are some totally dope looking movies on the way in the next couple months (and more beyond that, even)!
July
The Lone Ranger – This is easily the most questioned blockbuster movie of the year. So far I have seen little more than outright anger from some people on Twitter that this movie is even being made. My reasoning for including it: It looks like good pulpy summer-movie fun. A movie from the triple threat behind Pirates of the Caribbean (Gore Verbinski, Jerry Bruckheimer, Johnny Depp) is something that is going to have to disappoint me, not be a pleasant surprise. If you enjoy dumb fun, this movie is probably for you. It is also a Wednesday release, July 3rd.
The Way, Way Back – Second movie in and I’m already talking about a smaller movie. The Way, Way Back looks pretty great, and it doesn’t make me want to punch Steve Carrell directly in the nose (which is rare, for me). A big reason I have any interest in this movie is because of the Sam Rockwell supporting actor spot, but Allison Janney making an appearance helps quite a bit as well. This looks to be a feel-good movie, hitting a small theater near you July 5th.
Pacific Rim – Right now, I have no faith in the general movie-going audience. Pacific Rim is tracking lower than the sequel to one of the shittiest movies of all time, Grown Ups 2. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with this country? Charlie Hunnam and Idris Elba battling giant fucking monsters in huge mech suits! That idea is holding less water than Grown Ups 2? DO YOU HATE EVERYTHING THAT IS GOOD ABOUT THIS WORLD!? Seriously, though, Pacific Rim looks really great, and it is coming out on the same day as the really bad looking Grown Ups 2, July 12th.
RED 2 – I like really stupid, fun movies. That goes tenfold if they are aware and actually make it work. The original RED took that to heart, and made a goofball comedy out of what was a pretty serious comic book. RED 2 is kicking it up a notch, and man, does it look duuuuuuummmmmmmbbbbb (in a good way). It will be in theaters July 19th.
R.I.P.D – R.I.P.D. looks pretty stupid, but once again it is in a way I can get behind. I’ve never read the Peter Lenkov comic this movie is based on, so I have no attachment to the source. However, this movie looks like Ghostbusters 2 mixed with Men in Black, and I am totally down for that. Check it out July 19th. (Sidebar: How did Mary Louise-Parker get cast in two movies based on comic books that are being released on the same day?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X07xNrVd7DU
The Wolverine – Wolverine Volume 1 is one of my favorite arcs in comic books, probably ever. And when I learned that this movie was going to be based on the Claremont/Miller story, I was insanely excited. The trailers look a bit actiony for me, but I am hoping this is the more mellow tone that Volume 1 had, which made it what it was. The Wolverine will be out July 26th.
August
2 Guns – The run of comic book movies continues with 2 Guns. This time staring the duo of Mark Wahlberg and Denzel, an undercover NCIS agent, and an undercover DEA agent. Neither knows the other is a cop, and both think they are taking money from the mob. But of course, they are set up to rob the CIA, because why the hell not. 2 Guns is one of my more anticipated films of the summer, and you can see it August 2nd.
Elysium – The only thing I needed to know about this movie was it was the next movie from District 9‘s Neill Blomkamp. That said, even for a follow up to one of the best science fiction movies in years, Elysium looks totally off the chain! August 9th can’t get here soon enough.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOTTQ40uP-U
The Butler – Just watch the trailer, you’ll understand why I really want to see this year’s big ensemble cast movie. August 16th.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUA7rr0bOcc
Kick-Ass 2 – OK, this couldn’t be a more about face from the above movie, but Kick-Ass 2 is looking to be a good sequel to 2010’s original. Once again, I am unfamiliar with the comic book source material, so I don’t know how it is perceived by those fans, I can only say it looks like a good time. Again, look for this on August 16th.
The World’s End – This is the last movie I can wholeheartedly recommend for this list. The World’s End looks to me like Shaun of the Dead, but with robots and not zombies. I AM TOTALLY OK WITH THAT! Simon Pegg and his band of merry men are one of the best delivery mechanisms of funny, and this looks to be no different. August 23rd is the day you should go see this.
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