[This is already sort of an out of the gate bust, as I’ve seen two of these movies since I originally made this list. Oh well…]
5. Cowboys and Indians: The only big budget Summer blockbuster that looks like it has a shred of originality. This matchup of Western and Sci-fi might be terrible but I’m betting it’s not. Plus, as a longtime fan of the Western, it’s nice to have at least one make it into theaters every year.
4. Horrible Bosses: This pitch black comedy takes a premise we can all relate to: your boss is a jerk. He/she is so bad and ruining your life to such an extensive degree, it’s tempting to kill them. Add in the great cast and it looks like the kind of movie us cynical folks might enjoy over unintentional cynical entertainment like Hangover: II and Transformers: Gives a Shit
3. Super 8: There is something special going on with that trailer (if you haven’t seen it, do so now). It looks thrilling, emotional, and just all out exciting. Most importantly, it’s a NEW movie in a Summer wasteland of third string superheroes and sequels no one was asking for (Cars II? I mean really…)
2. Kung Fu Panda II: Am I listing a sequel as my number 2 pick after just complaining the Summer had too many of them? Yes, but before the irony police arrest me, let me explain: I’m partial to Kung Fu Panda. This is the rare movie I would want a sequel to. It’s not a movie that really only has a one-movie premise (Cars, Hangover) or an exhausted franchise (like Pirates of the Caribbean or Transformers) that wore out its welcome long ago. [FYI, having already seen it, I can say it’s definitely worth seeing.]
1. Tree of Life: Trippy, surrealistic, a great trailer that promises a profound experience that just might explain the universe…and they’re opening this in the Summer? [FYI, already seen it and will be reviewing it later today].
Then there’s some runner-ups that might be worth seeing: X-Men First Class, Harry Potter Final Edition
And then there’s some I definitely am not looking forward to but will watch anyway: Green Lantern, Captain America, Friends with Benefits (most obnoxious trailer of the year and already seen No Strings Attached), Bad Teacher (2nd most obnoxious trailer of the year), Pirates 4, Transformers 3, Cars II, Conan of the Barbarian I, etc. Basically everything but the seven movies I listed above.
Cowboys and Aliens. Can’t wait.