A time-old tradition since the days of a malfunctioning mechanical shark and the need for a bigger boat graced the big screen, so once again will be the bombardment of potential summer blockbusters.
This year brings 80’s icons in robot and turtle form, mutants in bellbottoms and 50’s monsters reborn, and Tom Cruise and Channing Tatum fighting for alien/sci-fi supremacy. There is also the matter of sequels with apes, sinners, and ancient action heroes looking to score, and let’s not forget the enormous shadow that is Marvel Studios looking to surprise and dominate by way of unlikely space-heroes.
I’ve come up with a list for each month of a sure-fire hit and movies I hope will make it to the pantheon of the summer’s best like “Star Wars”, “Jurassic Park”, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”, “Marvel’s The Avengers” and of course the aforementioned daddy of them all “Jaws”.
MAY:
Sure-fire Hit: X-Men: Days of Future Past
With a classic comic book storyline, Bryan Singer back at the helm, and both old and new casts getting in on the action this one looks good on paper.
Hopeful Hit: Godzilla
Even as underrated as “Pacific Rim” was, it’s still hard to top robot vs. monster action. But if they are focusing on the human drama’s and Godzilla is just a force of nature, then this could be something. And not having Ferris Bueller is good start.
JUNE:
Sure-fire Hit: Transformers: Age of Extinction
All the others made a gajillion dollars, even the crappy second one, plus doesn’t Michael Bay bleed money?
Hopeful Hit: Edge of Tomorrow
Come on! It’s a “Groundhog Day” with aliens and Tom Cruise dies over and over. There’s gotta be an audience for that.
JULY:
Sure-fire Hit: The Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
After the Burton debacle the Ape ship was righted with an Andy Serkis mo-cap and James Franco. Now they’ve upgraded to lots and lots of apes and Gary Oldman. They’ll get their stinking paws on some damn dirty cash for sure.
Hopeful Hit: Jupiter Ascending
The Wachowski’s look to be stepping back into the true sci-fi territory with a pointy-eared boy, a girl, and a crazy cool-looking universe. And hey, Mila Kunis.
AUGUST:
Sure-fire Hit: Guardians of the Galaxy/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Marvel can do no wrong so far, and while stepping out into deep space can be a risk, so was casting Robert Downey Jr. as a superhero 6 year ago. / The Turtles still bring in the kids, even if it does look like Michael Bay lite.
Hopeful Hit: Sin City: A Dame to Kill for/ Lucy
The original “Sin City” didn’t blow up when it was released almost a decade ago, but it was and is the only true comic book adaptation. Miller and Rodriguez still may not hit their mark, but it’s sure to be a hell of a flick. /Scarlett Johansson kicking ass and shootin’ guns? And remember the part where it’s Scarlett Johansson?
My hope is that the big winner of the summer is “Guardians of the Galaxy” mainly because if it succeeds in expanding the Marvel Cinematic Universe beyond the world of The Avengers as well as being able to tell a fun, action-packed story, then they will indeed be on their way to becoming legends in film history. Just like that mechanical shark.
–Robert L. Castillo
