It’s the most glorious time of the year. The days are hotter, the pools are sparkling, and each studio is releasing its best attempt to get your money. Here’s a guide to what you should see in theaters, wait for on Redbox or just skip altogether.
SEE:
“X-Men: Days of Future Past” (May 23) The sequel to the outstanding “X-Men: First Class,” “Days of Future Past” combines the old X-Men franchise with the new in a time-travel story line that is ambitious and exciting. Add in Halle Berry and Peter Dinklage and this is a sure winner. Plus J-Law.
“Maleficent” (May 30) Angelina Jolie with horns and an evil smile is enough to draw me in. Disney’s retelling of Sleeping Beauty from the titular villainess’ point of view looks like it has amazing visuals and top-notch fantasy action. The soundtrack looks great too, headlined by an ethereal Lana Del Rey “Once Upon a Dream” cover.
“The Fault in Our Stars” (June 6) I’m not going to lie — I have a huge crush on Shailene Woodley. Fresh off her recent “Divergent” success, Woodley plays teenage cancer patient Hazel Grace Lancaster in this adaptation of the popular John Green book. Bring your tissues.
REDBOX:
“Godzilla” (May 16) I admit that I was pretty skeptical about this remake, but after seeing the trailers, I’m excited. It looks to have an intense “Cloverfield” vibe and is led by “Breaking Bad’s” Bryan Cranston.
“Snowpiercer” (June 27) After a climate experiment goes horribly wrong, most life is wiped off the face of the Earth, except for a few hundred safely on board a perpetually moving train. Refreshingly, this is not an apocalypse thriller but an ambitious drama about class and survival. Starring “Captain America” star Chris Evans and the always-welcome Tilda Swinton.
“Guardians of the Galaxy” (Aug. 1) Marvel’s next team of action heroes hits the big screen — but this time they’re in space, and they’re all wanted criminals. The only reason I won’t see this in theaters is because I’m not sold on Chris Pratt as a dramatic lead. Assuming he can pull it off, though, this could be an “Avengers”-level hit. It also stars Zoe Saldana as a green alien woman and Bradley Cooper’s voice as a burly raccoon. Yep, a raccoon.
SKIP:
“The Amazing Spider-Man 2” (May 2) I wasn’t a huge fan of the first one, and nine times out of 10, superhero sequels are worse than their originals. Not even a blue Jamie Foxx as villain Electro can save this one. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone reprise their roles as Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy. Am I the only one who thinks Stone can do better?
“Transformers: Age of Extinction” (June 27) I would rather watch paint dry than watch another “Transformers” film. I am truly confused by how these movies continue to draw in millions of dollars. The only very small glimmer of hope comes in the replacement of the insufferable Shia LaBeouf with the marginally less insufferable Mark Wahlberg.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (Aug. 8) Do I even need to explain why you shouldn’t see this one? I actually don’t know what I’m less excited about — the fact that this classic children’s series is being corrupted by Michael Bay or the return of the oh-so-talented Megan Fox.
[A version of this story ran on page 10 on 4/17/2014 under the headline "See, Redbox and skip: A critic’s guide to this summer’s big blockbuster season"]
