Your must-see summer movie list . . .and the ones to avoid
- Updated
By Taylor Likens | Community News Content
Get ready for a summer at the movies with this list of which films to be ready for along with which ones you should skip.
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George Miller, writer and director of all the previous “Mad Max” films (who I was just as surprised as you today to learn also directed “Happy Feet”) was more than pleased to come back for this pseudo-reboot of a sequel. Although Mel Gibson isn’t anywhere to be seen, center stage has been filled by two very suitable talented actors, Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron. Falling in on the heels of “The Avengers,” “Fury Road” is an excellent way to start your summer.
Releases: May 15
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Already unnecessary, “Poltergeist” appears to be an update of the beloved horror classic only in the sense that it’s tacked on a whole battalion of modern genre clichés, and made the signature clown doll even less likely to be the sort of thing a child would ever have in their room. If there’s any hope for the quality of “Poltergeist,” it’s coming from director Gil Kenan, who proved his mettle in 2006 with the spiritually similar children’s film “Monster House.” Fingers crossed.
Releases: May 22
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On the other hand, there’s also the little Marvel franchise that couldn’t: “Fantastic 4.” Previous takes on the iconic superhero team have fallen leagues short of the mainline Marvel films, and nothing about this newest attempt feels any different.
Releases: August 7
- Updated
Nobody needs to be told that “Terminator: Salvation” was an absolute mess. What they might need to be reminded of, however, is that, yes, you still love the “Terminator” movies, and if you want a more American way to spend your 4th of July weekend than going to see Arnold Schwarzenegger return full-force to blow up the past, you’ll probably wind up sitting around, waiting for the next Clint Eastwood movie.
Releases: July 1
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Short, semi-adorable characters from popular children’s films cannot be contained. The spinoff will happen, and if it’s going to happen, it might as well be “Minions.” If your little ones enjoyed “Despicable Me,” and being one of the highest earning animated pictures of all time, it’s likely they did, then take them to see “Minions.”
Releases: July 10
- Updated
If “Guardians of the Galaxy” was any indication of what a comedy-driven Marvel film is supposed to look like, then “Ant-Man” is going to be a blast, plain and simple.
July 17
- Updated
Seth Macfarlane’s distinctive comedy styling made a surprisingly smooth transition from TV to film. It was raunchy, clever, thoroughly absurd, and one of the best comedies of that year. Now we return for seconds with another golden premise: Ted, the living teddy bear, now wants to have a child, but obvious complications arise.
Releases: June 26
- Updated
It’s a Pixar movie. The bases are already loaded with expectations. Next up to bat: “Inside Out,” the story of a young girl and the personified emotions that dwell inside her head. With a brilliantly chosen cast helping ease things along (Lewis Black as the embodiment of anger says enough about that), all Pixar needs to do now is earn a few chuckles, touch the heart for a bit, and they’re practically guaranteed to have yet another classic animation on their hands.
Releases: June 19
- Updated
“Jurassic World” has become both one of the most anticipated and one of the most dreaded summer releases of this year. After spending a solid decade cluttering around in the Hollywood system as uselessly as a lopsided pinball, the next “Jurassic Park” film finally took shape, and to its credit, in far better a condition than anyone could have expected. Is “Jurassic World” going to be a good film? Probably not, but then again, when’s the last time you saw a proper dinosaur on the big screen? It’s definitely worth a try.
Releases: June 12
- Updated
“Insidious” was an above-average horror film; an excellent example of how use tension and atmosphere to pull off jump scares with dignity. “Insidious: Chapter 2” was hot garbage that wasn’t worth the brick I would have otherwise thrown at the screen. “Insidious: Chapter 3” doesn’t look any better. Go on a hike instead.
Releases: June 5
- Updated
When you think of Jason Statham, you may not necessarily think of Jude Law, but you definitely don’t think of Melissa McCarthy. Regardless, here they are all together in the action/comedy “Spy,” and have even managed to rustle themselves up quite a warm buzz so far.
Releases: June 5
- Updated
Based on Disneyland’s iconic attraction of the same name, “Tomorrowland” follows a young girl who is led by a grizzled inventor (George Clooney) to a futuristic dimension outside of space and time. Although initial impressions were wonky at best, the film’s behind-the-scenes credentials are worth considering. Written by “Lost” co-creator Damon Lindelof and under the directorial leadership of Brad Bird, who directed some of your favorite Pixar movies, “Tomorrowland” just might have more to offer than meets the eye.
Releases: May 22
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George Miller, writer and director of all the previous “Mad Max” films (who I was just as surprised as you today to learn also directed “Happy Feet”) was more than pleased to come back for this pseudo-reboot of a sequel. Although Mel Gibson isn’t anywhere to be seen, center stage has been filled by two very suitable talented actors, Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron. Falling in on the heels of “The Avengers,” “Fury Road” is an excellent way to start your summer.
Releases: May 15
Already unnecessary, “Poltergeist” appears to be an update of the beloved horror classic only in the sense that it’s tacked on a whole battalion of modern genre clichés, and made the signature clown doll even less likely to be the sort of thing a child would ever have in their room. If there’s any hope for the quality of “Poltergeist,” it’s coming from director Gil Kenan, who proved his mettle in 2006 with the spiritually similar children’s film “Monster House.” Fingers crossed.
Releases: May 22
On the other hand, there’s also the little Marvel franchise that couldn’t: “Fantastic 4.” Previous takes on the iconic superhero team have fallen leagues short of the mainline Marvel films, and nothing about this newest attempt feels any different.
Releases: August 7
Nobody needs to be told that “Terminator: Salvation” was an absolute mess. What they might need to be reminded of, however, is that, yes, you still love the “Terminator” movies, and if you want a more American way to spend your 4th of July weekend than going to see Arnold Schwarzenegger return full-force to blow up the past, you’ll probably wind up sitting around, waiting for the next Clint Eastwood movie.
Releases: July 1
Short, semi-adorable characters from popular children’s films cannot be contained. The spinoff will happen, and if it’s going to happen, it might as well be “Minions.” If your little ones enjoyed “Despicable Me,” and being one of the highest earning animated pictures of all time, it’s likely they did, then take them to see “Minions.”
Releases: July 10
If “Guardians of the Galaxy” was any indication of what a comedy-driven Marvel film is supposed to look like, then “Ant-Man” is going to be a blast, plain and simple.
July 17
Seth Macfarlane’s distinctive comedy styling made a surprisingly smooth transition from TV to film. It was raunchy, clever, thoroughly absurd, and one of the best comedies of that year. Now we return for seconds with another golden premise: Ted, the living teddy bear, now wants to have a child, but obvious complications arise.
Releases: June 26
It’s a Pixar movie. The bases are already loaded with expectations. Next up to bat: “Inside Out,” the story of a young girl and the personified emotions that dwell inside her head. With a brilliantly chosen cast helping ease things along (Lewis Black as the embodiment of anger says enough about that), all Pixar needs to do now is earn a few chuckles, touch the heart for a bit, and they’re practically guaranteed to have yet another classic animation on their hands.
Releases: June 19
“Jurassic World” has become both one of the most anticipated and one of the most dreaded summer releases of this year. After spending a solid decade cluttering around in the Hollywood system as uselessly as a lopsided pinball, the next “Jurassic Park” film finally took shape, and to its credit, in far better a condition than anyone could have expected. Is “Jurassic World” going to be a good film? Probably not, but then again, when’s the last time you saw a proper dinosaur on the big screen? It’s definitely worth a try.
Releases: June 12
“Insidious” was an above-average horror film; an excellent example of how use tension and atmosphere to pull off jump scares with dignity. “Insidious: Chapter 2” was hot garbage that wasn’t worth the brick I would have otherwise thrown at the screen. “Insidious: Chapter 3” doesn’t look any better. Go on a hike instead.
Releases: June 5
When you think of Jason Statham, you may not necessarily think of Jude Law, but you definitely don’t think of Melissa McCarthy. Regardless, here they are all together in the action/comedy “Spy,” and have even managed to rustle themselves up quite a warm buzz so far.
Releases: June 5
Based on Disneyland’s iconic attraction of the same name, “Tomorrowland” follows a young girl who is led by a grizzled inventor (George Clooney) to a futuristic dimension outside of space and time. Although initial impressions were wonky at best, the film’s behind-the-scenes credentials are worth considering. Written by “Lost” co-creator Damon Lindelof and under the directorial leadership of Brad Bird, who directed some of your favorite Pixar movies, “Tomorrowland” just might have more to offer than meets the eye.
Releases: May 22
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