Films of Summer, Pt. 2

I continue my look at the summer of 2012 today with some highlights from July and August! And, as before, some to fear.

July 2012:
The Amazing Spiderman — Tuesday, July 3
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Martin Sheen, Sally Field, and Rhys Ifans
Synopsis: Setting aside the fact it doesn't feel like it's been long enough since "Spiderman 3" to completely re-boot the series, this does look good. I wasn't sold on the first trailer, but the latest footage has me legitimately excited. Garfield looks like a decent choice and this take on "Spiderman" looks to be a bit more like Christopher Nolan's take on Batman. I'm not wild about the whole 3D thing, but this looks like a promising re-boot and a potentially awesome summer thrill ride.

Ted — Friday, July 13
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, and Seth MacFarland
Synopsis: This looks like one of the strangest films, but also like a lot of fun. The film comes from "Family Guy" creator MacFarland, who makes his directorial debut and voices Ted. The trailers are hilarious. This looks like a raunchy, adult comedy, but there's always one good one of those during the summer. This year's best bet appears to be "Ted."

The Dark Knight Rises — Friday, July 20
Starring: Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Marion Cottilard, and Joseph Gordon-Leavitt
Synopsis: "The Dark Knight" was the best film of the last decade. This film, the third and final Batman film from Christopher Nolan, has been eagerly anticipated for the past four years. The trailers look great, the cast is incredible, and this looks like an incredible final chapter to this film franchise. This is the film I have most anticipated for 2012, and it is my early pick for the best film of the summer of 2012. If you only see one film this summer, it should be "The Dark Knight Rises."

Other July Releases: "Savages," "Ice Age 4: Continental Drift," and "Neighborhood Watch"

One to Fear in July:
Step Up Revolution
Starring: Kathryn McCormick, Ryan Guzman, Adam G. Sevani, Chadd Smith
Synopsis: I like cool dance sequences, and in fairness I loved "Step Up 3D." That being said, you have to know when enough is enough. Does the world need a fourth "Step Up" movie? No, no it doesn't. There aren't any truly hideous releases in July, so this is a bit of grading on a curve. However, when these kind of movies flatline, it isn't pretty. Hard to imagine this will reach the level of the last film.

August 2012:
Total Recall — Friday, August 3
Starring: Colin Farrell, Bokeem Woodbine, Bryan Cranston, Kate Beckinsale
Synopsis: Sure, we've had a "Total Recall" movie before, but I'm still intrigued. Farrell has had an excellent career resurgence, and director Len Wiesman seems like the perfect choice for this film. I am cautiously optimistic that this will be a fun, end of summer film.

Lawless — Friday, August 31
Starring: Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pearce, Gary Oldman
Synopsis: I can't explain this except to say I like the period piece feel, the outlines of the story, and it's got a great cast. I don't know tons about it, but August is a month that's hit-or-miss. I'm not wild about another "Bourne" film and "The Expendables 2" doesn't excite me. But this could be a cool, fun late summer film.

Other August Releases: "The Bourne Legacy," "Diary of a Whimpy Kid: Dog Days," "The Campaign," "Hope Springs," "The Expendables 2," "Sparkle," "Paranorman," "The Odd Life of Timothy Green," "Premium Rush," "The Apparition," "Hit and Run," and "Possession"

One to Fear in August:
7500 — Friday, August 31
Starring: Leslie Bibb, Ryan Kwanten, Amy Smart, Jamie Chung
Synopsis: I wasn't a fan of "The Grudge," or that Japanese style horror. It's not scary, it's stupid. So, here's the thing, I can't get excited about this film. I've seen the trailer like four times, and it makes me irritated. I think the movie will be the same thing, only for, like, 92 minutes. This looks like a train wreck. A haunted plane? Seriously!?! Has it comes to this?!? I think the American public deserves better.