Summer Movie Preview, Pt. 2

Last post I looked at the first half of summer, which is full of AWESOME films. Then there's the rest of summer... Let's just say July and August don't look at good.

July:
The Lone Ranger — July 3
Director: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, Tom Wilkinson, and William Fichtner
About: I am torn on this film. On the one hand, I like Depp, and his teaming with Verbinski for "Pirates of the Caribbean" part one was great. One the other hand, there's the second and third "Pirates" movies. On paper this seems like a pretty cool idea, and some of the trailer looks fascinating. But I'm not sold. Depp has been on a bit of a cold streak the past few years, and I'm not sure this one will be as great as it wants you to think it is. Only time will tell. I remain cautiously optimistic because I wasn't sure how a "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie would work, and I liked that. So there's some hope.

The Way, Way Back — July 5
Director: Nat Faxon and Jim Rash
Starring: Steve Carrell, Sam Rockwell, AnnaSophia Robb, Toni Collette, Alison Janney, and Liam James
About: This is a niche, indie dramedy. It seems out of place during the summer movie season, but that's what makes it such great counter-programming. It comes from the writers of "The Descendants," and this time they're directing. Both Faxon, who's hilarious, and Rash also appear in the movie as well. It has a great cast, mostly playing against type, and a great trailer. This isn't the kind of movie you typically get during summer, but it could be a refreshing change of pace. We might need it based on the tired, recycled plots coming to us in July.

R.I.P.D. — July 19
Director: Robert Schwentke
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Bacon, and Mary Louise Parker
About: This is a high-concept buddy comedy. The trailer also makes it look a little bit like a poor man's "Men In Black." But, somehow, it worked for me. It has a decent cast and the trailer made me laugh. At it's best, this could be good popcorn entertainment. And, given the slate of late summer releases, that might be high praise.

The Wolverine — July 26
Director: James Mangold
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Famke Janssen, and Will Yun Lee
About: Count me in the group of people that was completely underwhelmed by the first "Wolverine" film. It had potential — after all Wolverine is one of the best superheroes in the Marvel universe. Somehow, though, it just didn't work. I don't have massively high hopes for this film either, but there aren't a lot of diamonds and a whole lot of rough in July and August, so let's hold out hope that this franchise can gain some new life.

Other July Releases: Despicable Me 2 (July 3), Pacific Rim (July 12), Grownups 2 (July 12), The Conjuring (July 19), Red 2 (July 19), Turbo (July 19), Blue Jasmine (July 26)

August:
Two Guns — August 2
Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Starring: Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg
About: There are a lot of movies coming out in August, but most of them look iffy. To me, this looks like the best of the lot. I don't know why exactly — call it a gut feeling. It has a pair of great actors, and the trailer looks pretty action packed. You get an odd mix of films in August, but this one looks like it might be a diamond in the rough.

Other August Releases: 300: Rise of an Empire (August 2), Smurfs 2 (August 2), The Spectacular Now (August 2), Elysium (August 9), Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (August 9), We're The Millers (August 9), Planes (August 9), Kick Ass 2 (August 16), The To Do List (August 16), Paranoia (August 16), The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (August 23), The World's End (August 23), You're Next (August 23), One Direction: This Is Us (August 30), Getaway (August 30)