SUMMER MOVIE PREVIEW 2012

There's no shortage of films worth checking out this summer... here are thirteen summer flicks we're talking about right now... which ones we'll see, which ones escape us, and the trailers to help you decide for yourself!

There’s no shortage of films worth checking out this summer… here are thirteen summer flicks we’re talking about right now… which ones we’ll see, which ones escape us, and the trailers to help you decide for yourself!

BLOCKBUSTERS
Are you a blockbuster movie kind of person? (I tend to think that more people are crying out for something a little less hyped than Hollywood would like you to believe, but perhaps I’m wrong, because these movies always seem to make huge money.) In any case, there are plenty of choices:

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN – July 3
Gone are Tobey McGuire and Kirsten Dunst and in are Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone as the web crawler and love interest.

The film pretends the earlier incarnations never happened.. it’s literally starting the story over again. (A somewhat surprising approach since we’ve seen ‘new’ Spiderman films as recently as five years ago.)

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES – July 20
The epic conclusion from to Christopher Nolan’s Batman Trilogy.
Batman is no longer loved by Gotham, framed for the crimes of another villain. But when a new terrorist leader assails the city, Batman returns to the public eye to make things right. (Don’t forget Anne Hathaway as Catwoman!)



PROMETHEUS – JUNE 8
Sci-fi lovers – get ready! Ridley Scott’s “Alien” prequel looks amazing. “Prometheus” has the same incredible look and feel of his previous films “Alien,” “Blade Runner” and “Legend,” with a new edge and writing by “Lost” screenwriter Damon Lindelof. The cast includes Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron and Guy Pearce. Just the trailer has my nervously excited and terrified.



ROCK OF AGES – JUNE 15 Based on the long running Broadway show. This one just escapes me, but it’s got major star power, and is likely to be a huge hit. Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Julianne Hough, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Mary J. Blige. Boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, they sing a lot of 80’s rock songs to make it all work out.


SAY WHAT? (My category for ‘how else do I categorize these!)
TED June 29, starring Mark Wahlberg and a Teddy bear voiced by Seth MacFarlane. Despite the seemingly innocent plot line – a young man (who lives with an outspoken, talking teddy bear) is urged to end the roommate situation by his girlfriend (Mila Kunis) – don’t be fooled! This is an off beat, off color story that will have fans of Family Guy and American Dad rolling in the aisles from the irreverent, foul mouthed humor. But it won’t be for everyone! So be forewarned.

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter – June 22nd. Yeah, somehow a movie that portrays Abraham Lincoln as a vampire killer got made. (By Tim Burton.) This will either be a huge hit or a colossal disappointment. I’ll be honest – this one might be a little too much of a stretch for moviegoers (and me) to embrace.

MAGIC MIKE – June 29 Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey, Joe Mangianello and Matt Bomer star in this film about male strippers. Probably not a big date movie. Will this just be for the ladies and gay men? (Come to think of it, gay men don’t need to go to the movies to see in-shape guys…)

SEQUELS AND REMAKES:
Men In Black 3 (sequel, just released) – ten years after Men in Black 2 – the galaxy defenders are back. In this one, Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith are back – but this story involves some time travel back to 1969, where Josh Brolin gives and uncanny performance as the young Tommy Lee Jones character. This film reportedly cost more than 215 million to make – but has already taken in an estimated $55 million in it’s opening three day weekend.

TOTAL RECALL – (loose remake, out August 3) Colin Farrell back on the screen in the role originally played by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1990.
The film is largely true to the original in many aspects, (although the settings change) – about a man who goes to a company that provides a unique service – turning your dreams and fantasies into real life memories and experiences in your brain. But during the procedure something goes wrong, and suddenly he’s on the run from police.

GREAT FOR KIDS
Brave – June 22
Disney/Pixar is taking a much welcomed break from portraying their female lead animated characters as princesses or young girls pining for their prince – instead, Brave introduces the physically agile, headstrong, (and yes, still a princess) Merida fighting for her right to independence in the Scottish Highlands, relying on her skill at archery. It will also have that classic comedy mixed in that Pixar films have become known for… and young girls will have a new icon to look up to.

ParaNorman – August 17
a CGI film about an adorable young kid who has the ability to speak to the dead. He’s judged as an outcast – until zombies take over the town!
Funny and irreverent, adorable family fun.

JUST FOR LAUGHS – They might not be the biggest hits of the summer – but they’ll make you laugh!!
The Campaign – August 10th Rated R
This one isn’t getting nearly enough attention (Yet!) – Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis star in what may be just what the doctor ordered – a comedy about two North Carolina men with Presidential aspirations running against one another for Congress. It’s a satirical (but not so far fetched) look at what politicians will say and do to gain the favor of voters.
Ferrell’s character is seen telling every one he speaks to that they are the backbone of this country… from Factory workers, to farmers, to women, to tilt a whirl operators. He’s a riot – and well paired with Galifianakis!


HOPE SPRINGS – AUGUST 10
Okay, this isn’t going to be huge, compared to the big hits of the summer, but it will be a nice breath of fresh air from car crashes to see a movie with heart.
Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones play a long married couple who seek counseling from a therapist played by Steve Carell. It’s hard to imagine with this cast this won’t be anything but funny and sweet.
For more movie news and entertainment updates, follow @BrianBalthazar on twitter!

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