Who says we busy collegiettes can’t fit the silver screen into our agendas? Between interning and working, this summer might get busy, and you’ll need to blow off some steam. Why not wind down your evenings by seeing this summer’s blockbusters? Though it doesn’t seem like there’s another Bridesmaids in the mix, we’ve found some runner-ups that’ll keep you entertained ‘til fall.
June
Snow White and the Huntsman
Release: June 1, 2012
Once upon a time before there was Bella Swan, there was Kristen Stewart, a pretty-darn-good actress. And this summer she’s proving she can escape the Twilight zone in a fairy-tale themed action film. Forget about damsels in distress—Stewart plays Snow White, who becomes a warrior to defeat her evil stepmother (we always were skeptical about that “true love’s kiss” thing). We’ll be dragging both our boyfriends and girlfriends to see this film.
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
Release: June 8, 2012
Why yes, there is another Madagascar movie coming out this summer, and this time the animals join a traveling circus (and apparently cause chaos in London). Unless you’re a Madagascar fan, this might be the perfect “I need to find something to do with the kids I babysit” film. You can relax, while the kids are quiet, happy, and occasionally giggling. It’s a win-win.
To Rome With Love
Release: June 22, 2012
If you loved last summer’s Midnight in Paris or, well, any Woody Allen film, hop on his next Euro-stop: the Eternal City. According to IMDb, the film is about “a number of people in Italy, some American, some Italian, some residents, some visitors, and the romances and adventures and predicaments they get into”—meaning you’ll find out what it’s about when you get to the theater. We do know it’s set in four vignettes and has Ellen Page, Penélope Cruz and Alec Baldwin in the cast, so it’s probably pretty cute. We’d save this for a date night with our significant other or summer fling.
Beasts of the Southern Wind
Release: June 27, 2012
Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, this first-time feature film by director Benh Zeitlin is already getting exalted by most critics as a must-see. Newcomer Quvenzhané Wallis plays Hushpuppy, an 8-year-old girl who lives with her father in a community simply known as the “Tub” in the Louisiana delta. The film follows her journey to find her mother. The complex storyline and symbolism mean this one deserves to be seen on a quiet night when you feel like supplementing some summer reading for a good, inventive film.
Moonrise Kingdom
Release: June 29, 2012
While Wes Anderson films might not be every collegiette’s thing, we’re sure this film about tween love might draw in some new fans. Moonrise Kingdom takes place in 1965 and follows two young-loves-turned-runaways and the search to find them. In true Wes Anderson style, there are eccentric characters, great wardrobes, and of course, Bill Murray. We’d see this with a group of friends we know would appreciate it—and did we mention there are lots of 60s pop songs?
People Like Us
Release: June 29, 2012
Every summer offers a drama film that’s more heartwarming than, well, dramatic. People Like Us is about a man that learns he has a sister he never met after finding out his father left her $150,000 in his will. Along with the plotline and Chris Pine, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Olivia Wilde in the cast, we’d say this would be nice to see with Mom or the fam on a day off.
July
The Amazing Spiderman
Release: July 3, 2012
Remember when you saw a Spiderman movie every summer when you were like, in elementary school? Well, the indefatigable story line is back for summer’s standard superhero film. It’s a reboot with Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield, and this time it follows Spidey through high school. Since these films generally keep us awake and alert, it seems like a safe bet for a first date. But be warned: Andrew Garfield may distract from your potential beau.
Ted
Release: July 13, 2012
A childhood wish turns a teddy bear into life—yes, you read that correctly. John (Mark Wahlberg) is a Boston man who spends most of his time with Ted, his stuffed animal-come-best friend. But when it’s time to face adulthood and his love interest (Mila Kunis), Ted gets in the way. It’s a strange plot that’s goofy enough for chill-time with friends.
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The Dark Knight Rises
Release: July 20, 2012
If you don’t feel like seeing another superhero film this summer, just remember how ridiculously awesome The Dark Knight was. This is supposed to match. Set eight years after the previous film, Batman (Christian Bale) returns to Gotham City to save it from the villain, Bane. Though we’ll miss the late, brilliant Heath Ledger as the Joker, this sequel shouldn’t disappoint. We’d suggest seeing this opening night with friends (just make sure you don’t have to get up early the next day!).
The Marriage Counselor
Release: July 27, 2012
Are you ready for Kim Kardashian’s movie debut? Yeah, neither are we. But don’t think she’ll steal The Marriage Counselor’s thunder: Brandy (it’s been too long since we’ve seen her in movies!), Vanessa Williams, and eye-candy Lance Gross also star in this Tyler Perry film. Sure to be both funny and insightful, it’s about a marriage counselor who mixes work and pleasure—and the complications that ensue. We’d save this for a casual date-night.
August
The Campaign
Release: August 10, 2012
Whatever persona Will Ferrell takes on, there’s a 99% chance you’ll find it hilarious. And with election season in full ad-smearing swing, this film with Ferrell and Zack Galifianakis about small town men dueling for a seat in Congress should be extra ridiculous. We’d save this for a weekend after interning or working, when you may need some comic relief.
Hope Springs
Release: August 10, 2012
We love Meryl Streep. And we love Steve Carell. And we love even more that they’re starring in a movie together. Hope Springs is about a middle-aged couple that goes on a weeklong counseling session to fix their marriage. With Tommy Lee Jones’s character as Meryl’s hub, and Steve playing the counselor, we’re thinking this could be funny and potentially sweet. We’d see this with mom or an aunt on a lazy Saturday.
The Odd Life of Timothy Green
Release: August 15, 2012
When the Green couple (Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton) are unable to conceive, they write down what their ideal child would be like and bury the list in a box in their backyard. Their wish comes true, sort of. A child who claims they’re his parents appears on their doorstep—and has far more to offer than you’d think. Considering it’s a Disney film, we’d imagine it’s heartwarming and another family-friendly film for collegiettes.
Premium Rush
Release: August 24, 2012
Wouldn’t mind watching Joseph Gordon-Levitt ride a bike? In this action film, he plays a Manhattan bike messenger who gets chased down by a cop who’s seeking a mysterious envelope he found. It’s probably intense; we’d recommend going on a weekend afternoon when you’ve got the attention span.
Lawless
Release: August 31, 2012
Go back to the Prohibition era in this film inspired by the true story of the Bondurant Brothers, who were bootlegging siblings. Starring Shia Lebeouf, Tom Hardy, and Jessica Chastain to name a few, it’s an old-fashioned gangster tale. When all those crime show re-runs won’t suffice, this will give you your fix–but with some history involved.