I’ve stopped watching previews. Well, as much as it’s possible for someone whose job it is to watch movies to stop watching previews. Seriously, I walk into my screenings 15 minutes past the start time just to make sure I avoid them.
Why?
Well, there’s the typical reasons; they give too much away, they’re deceiving, they ruin the good parts. But for me it’s also that they have become completely unnecessary. I guess that’s easy to say when you know you’re going to see every movie that comes out anyway, but seriously, how much do you need to see from a movie like “Non-Stop”? Liam Neeson’s on the poster, he looks intense. I think we get it. And really with the pervasiveness of pop culture, we already know more about the weekend’s releases even without previews than we probably need to.
Having said that, there’s nothing wrong with looking ahead, and that’s what the Summer 7 is all about!
Each year I pick the 7 must see movies of the months of May through August, based on my anticipation meter… and not the trailers.
Here there are in order of least to most anticipated, and as always let me know what I missed!
7. Edge of Tomorrow
Tom Cruise is on a hot streak with Oblivion and Jack Reacher. Sure, neither of them were world changing, but I really enjoyed them both. Point being, I’d watch his brand of cocky machismo in just about anyday and that’s enough to crawl this movie onto the list without knowing much of anything else.
6. The Amazing Spider-Man 2
I wasn’t a huge fan of the first one, but hopefully number two can find a way to cut down on the cheese infested plot convenience. Despite my nervousness about the look of Electro, Garfield and Stone were incredible in the first and I’m looking forward to visiting them again.
5. Guardians of the Galaxy
Andy Dwyer is a super hero?! ANDY IS A SUPER HERO?! I’m in. Also it’s Marvel, and stuff.
4. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
I loved the first one much more than anyone has a right too, mostly because of the genius of Andy Serkis as Ceaser. Plus I’m genuinely interested to see where they take this concept in one of the few prequel franchises I actually think informs the originals in important ways.
3. X-Men: Days of Future Past
Old X-Men meets new X-Men? Yes please.
2. Godzilla (2014)
Now that Cranston has shuffled off his drug dealing days will he be able to take over film? Plus an updated take on the giant lizard feel like its due to be good.
1. How to Train Your Dragon 2
Apparently I have a thing for fictional reptiles in 2014. I’m a little nervous about revisiting one of my favorite movies of all time, but if they get the story right this is a world well worth taking a second flight over. Can’t wait!