Preparing for a summer of movie fun can be a difficult task. Most of the biggest movies of the year release during the summer, with many falling flat in reception. But this summer features some interesting titles that could do well in the box office as well as in reviews.
“After Earth” (May 31)
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Isabelle Fuhrman, Sophie Okonedo
Could this be the resurrection of M. Night Shymalan’s directing career we’ve been expecting, or another reason to look back in his catalog for his best work? Shymalan has struggled to find the same spark as his older projects like “Signs” and “The Sixth Sense.”
Casting Will Smith and son Jaden Smith in a film that features almost exclusively those two will likely end in box office success. The two play father and son in a futuristic science fiction film where the two crash land on Earth 1,000 years after it has been abandoned. Will Smith hasn’t latched onto many commercial flops in his career, but much of the film’s critical success depends on Shymalan’s direction.
“This Is the End” (June 12)
Director: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen
Starring: James Franco, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen
“This Is the End” with its ensemble cast, including James Franco, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill among others, is probably the most interesting comedy to release since the first “Hangover.” The cast play themselves in a fictional party set at Franco’s house. Eventually, the group of comedians is faced with the apocalypse.
The result looks insanely entertaining. In situation where anything can happen, expect plenty of laughs with a group like this working together. The fact that everyone plays themselves should add an interesting dynamic that hasn’t been seen before. It’s also Seth Rogen’s first attempt at directing as he takes the reins with “Superbad” director Evan Goldberg.
“Man of Steel” (June 14)
Director: Zack Snyder
Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon
I preface what I’m about to say with this: I don’t watch many comic book movies. That’s not because they aren’t interesting, but the biggest reason is how poor comic book movies have been for the most part. Recently, with “The Avengers” and Christopher Nolan’s “Batman” trilogy, these movies have been some of the best of the year.
Based on what I’ve seen so far from Zack Snyder and cast, “Man of Steel” looks to be a worthy reboot. With both Russell Crowe and Michael Shannon featured, the acting should be top notch along with Snyder’s excellent visual style.
“Pacific Rim” (July 12)
Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Charlie Day
If there’s any movie that could go either way this summer, it’s “Pacific Rim.” The apocalyptic plot is becoming overused in Hollywood, but “Pacific Rim” goes further by adding gigantic monsters to threaten the world. Conventional methods can’t stop the destruction so the rest of the human race turns to its last option — gigantic human-controlled robots.
That’s why it would come as no surprise the director was Michael Bay, but he isn’t. And it’s why there’s still some hope for “Pacific Rim,” because Guillermo Del Toro is running the show. The trailer features plenty of action, so the question is will there be enough character and plot development?
