New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Summer equals blockbusters!
Although summer is a time for beaches, barbeques, and lots of other outdoors activities, it is also known for big blockbusters. When heat waves hit, the refreshing AC is a wonderful retreat, and kicking back with an ice-cold soda and a good movie isn’t a bad way to cool off.
We have already seen some major blockbusters release as summer approaches, but with more on the way and promise some big budget, star studded entertainment. For the purposes of this list I have provided a brief synopsis of ten movies that I think will be big in terms of the entertainment factor. There are certainly many more films being released, so please share in the comments section below which movies YOU are most excited to see this summer!
1. Iron Man III- Released May 3, 2013
With Robert Downey Jr. under the mask of the vigilante Iron Man, this Marvel comic franchise has seen great success. Iron Man III continues to step up the intense special effects and adrenaline rushing action sequences that have made these movies great. Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Colonel James Rhodes AKA War Machine AKA The Iron Patriort (Don Cheadle) return for Iron Man III as Tony Stark faces The Madarin, a deadly terrorist.
Overall, I didn’t think this movie was all that different than any other Iron Man film, and it was possibly the least exciting of the trio. However, it was still entertaining.
2. The Great Gatsby- Released May 10, 2013
A classic literary novel like The Great Gatsby was a shoe-in for attracting some attention as a film remake, especially with a cast that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire. I haven’t gotten the chance to see it yet but I would definitely like to, despite the mixed reviews. Director Baz Luhrmann (of Moulin Rouge and Romeo + Juliet fame) has a wild method of cinematography and a flair for dramatic storytelling, which entices me but may annoy others.
For those of you who haven’t read the book or seen the 1974 Robert Redford version, here’s a short synopsis. Set in the 1920s, The Great Gatsby follows Nick Carraway (Maguire), a fairly ordinary guy who is drawn into the rich and lavish lifestyle of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby (DiCaprio). It’s a story of power, classism, doomed romance and ultimately, tragedy.
Iron Man 3 w/ Robert Downey Jr.
3. Star Trek Into Darkness- Released May 17, 2013
I’ll admit it; I have never been much of a Trekkie. While I love sci-fi, Star Trek never clicked with me until J.J. Abrams directed his first Star Trek film in 2009. I thought the first one was so great that I was sure to make my way to see Star Trek Into Darkness on opening weekend. I must say, I was not disappointed. The special effects were incredible and the personalities of Kirk, Spock and the rest of the crew of the USS Enterprise continued to develop in intriguing ways.
4. This is the End- Release June 12, 2013
From Seth Rogan comes a film overflowing with comedy stars such as James Franco, Paul Rudd, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson and Joah Hill. Even more interesting is that every actor and actress in this film will be playing themselves as they face the apocalypse in what looks like a bizarre and uproariously funny way. In addition to a solid cast of comedic actors, this movie boasts some interesting cameos including Emma Watson, Rhianna, Michel Cera, Mindy Kaling and many others. I will definitely be seeing this one!
5. Man of Steel- Release June 14, 2013
We’ve all seen plenty of Superman movies and TV shows over the years, and while they’re ranged from pretty awful to pretty decent, I feel that we’ve never seen a Superman movie with Dark Knight Trilogy quality. I am optimistic that Man of Steel might be the film that DC fans have been waiting for.
Based on the trailer, Man of Steel seems to focus a lot on Clark Kent/Kal-El’s background and reluctance to don the cape and embrace his alien heritage. However, when Earth is threatened he has to make a decision about what kind of man he wants to be and embrace who he truly is.
6. World War Z- Release June 21, 2013
When I heard they were making World War Z into a movie, I was very excited. The book was one of the best things that has ever happened to the zombie genre- it is a poignantly written novel that captures stories from around the world left by survivors of a zombie apocalypse. World War Z was smart, powerful and captivating as a book. As a movie, I don’t see that the two have anything in common.
Elysium featuring Matt Damon & Jodie Foster
That being said, it is clear that this movie has a major budget thrown behind some awesome effects and that it will likely be a huge draw to the box office. Although I feel uncertain about how good World War Z will be as a film, I am still willing to give it a shot. The movie adaptation will feature Brad Pitt as Gerry Lane, a UN employee who joins the efforts to stop a worldwide zombie infection.
7. The Wolverine- Release July 26, 2013
The Wolverine makes the list of movies I want to see this summer simply because I love all things X-Men. I know I’m not alone in this, so be sure to check out the trailer for this upcoming segment of the ongoing X-Men movie franchise. As usual it features Hugh Jackman as Wolverine but it’s unclear when it’s meant to take place as Jackman has said it’s a “stand-alone piece” coming after X-Men Origins but the trailer does show Famke Janssen as Jean Grey. Either way, it looks like an interesting movie about Wolverine’s ongoing struggles with life and his immortality as he faces a nemesis in Japan.
8. Elysium- Release August 8, 2013
Matt Damon and Jodie Foster will star in this big budget sci-fi that features a dystopian future where the poor are forced to toil away on a destroyed planet Earth and the wealthy live lavish lives on a space station called Elysium. Foster stars as Secretary Rhodes, a woman who is dedicated to preserve Elysium for the fortunate few. Damon plays the Max De Costa, a man who takes on a mission to end the classism that is destroying so many lives on Earth.
The trailer looks rather cool, showing Damon’s character being suited up with some sort of body modification that makes him strong and powerful. However, it is unclear if this movie will be all cliché action sequences and fight scenes or something unique.
9. Kick-Ass 2- Release August 16, 2013
When Kick- Ass hit the theatres in 2010, it was received quite well. Amidst a world that has become saturated in vigilante films, Kick-Ass brought a crude, gritty humor that made it stand out from the crowd. Thus, Kick-Ass 2 has brought a lot of excitement and anticipation from those who loved part one.
The trailer actually looks pretty funny as it shows Kick- Ass and Hit-Girl are building a team of vigilantes who were inspired by their heroics, including Jim Carey as Colonel Stars and Stripes. In response, Red Mist decides to build his own evil army to avenge his father. With chaos escalating the police start to lock up anyone and everyone found wearing a mask, which only makes the job harder for Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl as they continue in their mission to save the city.
10. Riddick- September 6, 2013
Riddick is the third installment to the Chronicles of Riddick series. The Chronicles of Riddick films have been received with mixed reviews but for those sci-fi buffs who like Riddick, the gruff anti-hero played by Vin Diesel, the series has been a lot of fun as it blends brutal fighting with some horror elements. In this latest installment Riddick has been stranded on a desolate planet and he sets off beacons which bring bounty hunters down upon him. Of course, Riddick’s plans for escape and revenge are far more complicated.
