The summer is known for it’s huge blockbuster films that aim to reach the largest possible audience, but there are films that manage to snag some of that attention with a combination of great actors and compelling stories. These are the kind of films I’m inclined to avoid, mainly because I’m more concerned with entertaining myself with fun films; I leave all the drama for the fall and winter when all the fun things have frozen over, because, you know, it’s cold outside. Anyway, for every one blockbuster there are at least two movies that a girlfriend will force her significant other to watch. I’ve listed some of the movies you might want to keep an eye on when the hits won’t do. However, I’ll call it as I see it, meaning, if the week has a certifiable hit, you and your man are bound by the movie gods to partake.
Source: www.facebook.com/faultinourstarsmovie
The Fault in Our Stars
There are plenty of premises that evoke emotion, but one definite champion of heart fiddling pictures are romance films of doomed young love. This isn’t your Romeo and Juliet-esque tragedy. No, this is more along the lines of girl-meets-boy, boy-loves-girl, and they both have cancer. Some of you might recall a certain Mandy Moore film, early 2000s, leukemia, something of a “walk to remember”–ring a bell? Like I said, a budding couple with cancer butting in reminds us that love can be fleeting, yet unforgettable, when it’s time is hindered by impending death. Divergent star, Shailene Woodley, stars in this film, and judging by the trailer, brings a Natalie Portman-ish emotional aura.
Release Date: June 6, 2014
Source: www.facebook.com/lullabymovie
Lullaby
He won’t stand a chance when you derail his tracks towards 22 Jump Street this particular week, because here’s a double whammy of female oriented summer Cockbusters you’ll more than likely drag him to. First off there’s Lullaby, another cancer-themed heart-wrencher in the month of June, follows lead, Jonathan (Garrett Hedlund), through a journey towards father-son reconciliation. This film stars a considerable acting ensemble: Amy Adams, Terrence Howard, and Jennifer Hudson among the other actors make this film somewhat bearable in my eyes.
Release Date: June 13, 2014
Source: www.facebook.com/lullabymovie
All Cheerleaders Die
All Cheerleaders Die, the lesser of these two options, appears to be a high school revenge story in the vein of Jennifer’s Body a la The Craft. This film is promoted as a Horror-Comedy, so one could expect plenty of scantily clad females, slapstick slaughter, and, of course, in-your-face female fueled vampiric flamboyance. I’m pretty sure every guy dies in the end.
Release Date: June 13, 2014
Source: www.sonypictures.com/movies/thinklikeamantoo
Think Like a Man Too
There’s a not a man I know–within my circle that is–that has actually seen the first film, Think Like a Man, including myself (I might’ve seen it in bits and pieces); so, it goes without saying that I will, literally, purge myself of this foresight with the anticipation I’ve stockpiled within myself for this summer’s upcoming blockbusters. Think Like a Man Too follows the multi-ethnic group of friends from the first film to Las Vegas for a bachelor/bachelorette party and adventure-filled weekend. How much of this is based on the book remains to be seen, but the trailer is free of Steve Harvey, so what was a loosely book-based movie has likely become even more loosely based.
Release Date: June 20, 2014
Source: www.facebook.com/transformersmovie
Transformers: Age of Extinction
Seriously, like, don’t even play with his emotions this week. Transformers, babe. Transformers. If you made him watch Think Like a Man Too the week prior to this date, you OWE him this. Otherwise, we all want a divorce/breakup.
Release Date: June 27, 2014
Source: www.facebook.com/BeginAgainMovie
Begin Again
This movie is about two rejects, Gretta (Keira Knightley), who’s dumped by her longtime songwriting partner boyfriend (Adam Levin), and Dan (Mark Ruffalo), a record executive who is metaphorically dumped by his label. Gretta’s raw post-heartbreak music pulls Dan from his dejected self-loathing trouble, and he uses his talents to shepherd her budding career into legitimate star status. A girl who writes songs about her ex and makes hits? The movie title is Begin Again? This stuff writes itself, no matter how swiftly tailored it is for the ladies.
Release Date: July 2, 2014
Source: www.facebook.com/AndSoItGoesMovie
And So It Goes
If you’re seriously considering brushing off Dawn of The Planet of the Apes for something more spritely and heartwarming, then you’re likely gravitating towards a finely aged comedy film the likes of which only Rob Reiner (Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, The Bucket List) could direct, however, you’ll probably have to tranquilize your man prior to carting him into the theater. Mega old Oren Little (Michael Douglas) is a crotchety narcissist hellbent on selling one last house so that he could retire and fade into obscurity, until (here we go), his son, for whatever reason, dumps his granddaughter at his doorstep to take care of for some time. The twist promises to unravel Oren’s plan all the while opening his cold Grinch-like heart to what little friends he has, his possibly single neighbor (Diane Keaton), himself, and his granddaughter, the source of his new found responsibilities. Yay.
Release Date: July 11, 2014
Source: www.facebook.com/AndSoItGoesMovie
Sex Tape
Bad Teacher’s Cameron Diaz and Forgetting Sarah Marshall’s Jason Segel combine forces in this week’s comedy film, Sex Tape, and takes on Planes: Fire & Rescue; which, if you have children, will likely supersede your Sex Tape desires. However, with these actors, this title, and slim pickings among competitors, it should be relatively easy to convince him to check out a movie about a couple who mistakenly share their sex tape among their friends and family.
Release Date: July 18, 2014
Source: www.mightyhercules.com
Hercules
The Rock, Channing Tatum, and Scarlett Johansson all vie for you greenbacks this week, and it could be glorious for everyone. The Rock, Dwayne Johnson, stars as the titular demigod Hercules who must become a hero once again after spending some time as a mercenary in ancient Greece.
Release Date: July 25, 2014
Source: www.facebook.com/LucyHale
Lucy
Scarlett Johansson tests the superpowered waters once again, but this time in a leading role in the film Lucy; a story about a drug mule turned superhuman virtuoso via chemicals ala Bradley Cooper in Limitless, except it’s Scarlett Johansson. Your man will have no qualms with Lucy, that’s for sure.
Release Date: July 25, 2014
Source: marvel.com/guardians
Guardians of the Galaxy
It’s another Marvel film. Yes, we have been spoiled–some would say “blessed”–this year, and I have yet to hear complaints, but let’s face it, you’re going to this movie. What? You’re seriously not in the mood? You don’t want to watch an epic sci-fi about a motley crew of space pirates in pursuit of a mysterious cosmic talisman that which could threaten all life in the galaxy? The GALAXY?!
Release Date: August 1, 2014
Source: www.teenagemutantninjaturtlesmovie.com
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Try prying him away from this childhood treasure. I dare you.
Release Date: August 8, 2014
Source: www.facebook.com/TheGiverFilmOfficial
The Giver
Now, I was inclined to make this all about Expendables 3, but that’s a testosterone-soaked, bullet-riddled, action-packed, napalm-scented action star ensemble. Men move with a hive-mind whenever these movies come out, and the ladies are the one’s forced to watch; however, this could be easily altered. If he owes you then you might want to check out The Giver. Another Young Adult novel-turned-movie and coming-of-age sci fi flick that, I’m pretty sure everyone has read in middle school, and more than likely will be altered so as to be able to compete with the likes of The Hunger Games and Divergent (which wasn’t a smash hit). The movie is about a boy who lives in a seemingly perfect world, but soon learns of the harsh realities of life when he begins working with an old man known only as “The Giver.”
Release Date: August 15, 2014
Featured Photo is courtesy of marvel.com/guardians
