Ahh summertime. There’s nothing like a beautiful beach, a nice cold drink, and lots of lazy days to pay homage to these hot humid months. Over the last few decades, the summer season has also become synonymous with cranking out huge movie blockbusters, and this summer is certainly no exception! From Nicholas Sparks romances to larger-than-life action thrillers, this summer boasts all kinds of movies to get excited about (including a number of highly anticipated sequels!) So grab a bowl of popcorn, sit back, and relax while we preview this summer’s most buzzworthy blockbusters!
To Rome with Love (June 22nd)
Director: Woody Allen
Starring: Woody Allen, Alec Baldwin, Penelope Cruz, Judy Davis, Jesse Eisenberg, Ellen Page, Greta Gerwig, Roberto Benigni
Why it’s Buzzworthy: Following his critically acclaimed film Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen strikes again with another smart quirky comedy. Told in four vignettes, the star-studded film follows both Americans and Italians loving and living in Italy (and the many adventures they get into). This will be Allen’s first appearance on camera since 2006!
Snow White and the Huntsman (June 1st)
Director: Rupert Sanders
Starring: Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth
Why it’s Buzzworthy: Snow White and the Huntsman is a much darker take on the widely popular fairy tale. Evil Queen Ravenna (Theron) learns from her Magic Mirror that her stepdaughter, Snow White (Stewart) is destined to surpass her in beauty and will one day rule the kingdom. The Queen learns that to remain in power she must consume Snow White’s heart, so she sends the Huntsman Eric (Hemsworth) into the forest to kill Snow White. Taking pity on the young princess, the Huntsman teaches her the art of war, and Snow White plans a rebellion to bring down her stepmother. We just hope that Kristen Stewart isn’t as drab and awful as her Twilight character Bella.
The Amazing Spider-Man (July 3rd)
Director: Marc Webb
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Martin Sheen, Sally Field, Rhys Ifans
Why it’s Buzzworthy: Most of us are probably wondering why we would want to go see yet another Spider-Man movie after the last three films, but The Amazing Spider-Man marks the first installment of a newly revamped franchise. What makes this film unique is that we discover a dark secret from Peter Parker’s (Garfield) past that leads him to become the Spider-Man character we all know and love. Real-life couple Emma Stone (playing Parker’s love interest Gwen Stacy) and Andrew Garfield are sure to heat up the screen… another possible upside-down kissing in the rain scene? We can only hope!
Dark Shadows (May 11th)
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green
Why it’s Buzzworthy: Marking the eighth collaboration between director Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, Dark Shadows follows the Collins family as they immigrate from England to Maine in 1752. The family son, Barnabas (Depp), is an over zealous playboy who breaks the heart of an evil witch (Green), so as punishment she buries him alive. Freed in 1972, Barnabas awakes to find his mansion being run by a deranged group of relatives… and he’s not the only one from 18th century who’s still alive!
Moonrise Kingdom (May 25th)
Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, Frances McDormand
Why it’s Buzzworthy: Set in the summer of 1965, the film follows a twelve-year-old couple who falls in love and decides to run away from their New England town. Accompanied by the children’s parents (Murray and McDormand), local sheriff (Willis) leads a search party all while a violent storm is brewing off-shore. Little does anyone know that this seemingly peaceful town is about to be turned upside-down in more ways than one.
Brave (June 22nd)
Director: Mark Andrews
Starring: Emma Thompson, Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly
Why it’s Buzzworthy: This 3-D family film is not only Pixar’s first movie with a female protagonist, but also it’s first fairy tale. Set in 10th century Scotland, the film follows Merida (Macdonald), an archer-princess who defies the customs of her people only to unleash chaos into the kingdom. Turning to an old witch for help (never a wise choice), Merida must discover the true meaning of bravery before it’s too late!
The Dark Knight Rises (July 20th)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway
Why it’s Buzzworthy: Taking place eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, Batman (Bale) is drawn back to Gotham after receiving an ominous warning from the stealthy Catwoman (Hathaway). Facing many challenges from the film’s villian Bane (Hardy), Batman must prove his innocence while trying to save the city. Get ready for action, because this is the third and final installment of director, Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.
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