15 Must-Watch 2015 Summer Movies!

The Hollywood summer season kicked off in style with Avengers: Age of Ultron last Friday, but things are just heating up now. With franchises old and new, book adaptations, comedies and dramas, this Hollywood summer has a lot of up its sleeve with films from Meryl Streep, Chris Pratt, Tom Cruise and more. Here's a quick list of summer movies I'm looking forward to.

15. Ricki and the Flash

Director: Jonathan Demme

Starring: Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Audra McDonald, Sebastian Stan and Mamie Gummer

Meryl Streep stars as Ricki Rendazzo, a mother who left her family to pursue her dream of being a rock singer. Years later, Ricki returns to help her daughter (played by real life daughter Mamie Gummer) recover from a breakup and reconnect with her family. While most of us would watch Meryl Streep recite the phonebook, Ricki and the Flash features a screenplay by Oscar winner Diablo Cody (Juno) and is directed by Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia). The film releases August 7, 2015.

14. Southpaw
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Forest Whitaker, 50 Cent and Naomie Harris

Jake Gyllenhaal is Billy Hope, the headstrong, reckless boxing Junior Middleweight Champion who had it all. When his wife Maureen (Rachel McAdams) dies in a senseless accident, Billy falls down hard only to climb his way back to the top. Co-starring Forest Whitaker as a former boxer Tink who helps Billy along the way, Southpaw is directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) and co-written by Kurt Sutter (Sons of Anarchy). Releasing on July 24, 2015, the main talking point of the film is lead actor Gyllenhaal who has absolutely transformed his body to play Hope. His role could be an early contender for Best Actor this summer.

13. Pixels
Director: Chris Columbus
Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Peter Dinklage, Josh Gad and Michelle Monaghan

When a capsule to find extraterrestrial life is sent out as a message of peace and later interpreted the wrong way, real video games characters like Pacman and Donkey Kong descend upon Earth to attack us. Oh, did I mention it was up to Adam Sandler and Kevin James to save us all? Al least they have Tyrion Lannister on their team. Will it be game over for Earth? We'll find out on July 24, 2015 when Pixels releases in theatres.

12. Trainwreck
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Amy Schumer, Bill Hader and LeBron James

If you don't know who Amy Schumer is, then this film is probably a good place to start. The hilarious comedienne plays a commitment-phobic writer who meets a guy who could probably be 'the one'.  Featuring LeBron James (yes, that's right, the Cleveland Cavalier) in a hilarious supporting role, Trainwreck is produced by Judd Apatow and written by the multi-tasking Schumer. It releases on July 17, 2015.

11. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner and Simon Pegg

Tom Cruise aka Ethan Hunt is back with more death defying stunts in this latest instalment of the Mission: Impossible film series. From hanging off a plane to zooming past baddies on a motorcycle, Hunt's at it again, tracking down the mysterious Syndicate who's out to destroy him and his team. With co-stars Jeremy Renner and Simon Pegg, the spy gang is back again to make it count this time. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation releases in theatres on July 31, 2015.

10. Aloha
Director: Cameron Crowe
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, John Krasinski and Bill Murray

Director Cameron Crowe's first feature in four years, Aloha features an all star cast with recent Oscar nominees Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone along with Rachel McAdams, Bill Murray and John Krasinski. Apart from this extremely amiable cast, the film is one of the few rom-coms this summer. Could this bring back a push for the genre? Fingers crossed! Aloha releases in theatres on May 29th.

9. Paper Towns
Director: Jake Schreier
Starring: Cara Delevingne and Nat Wolff

Building on the success of last year's The Fault in Our Stars, this adaptation of John Green's novel features Nat Wolff (who played Isaac in The Fault in Our Stars) and model turned actress Cara Delevingne in her first lead role as the mysterious Margo. When she suddenly disappears, will Quentin (Wolff) pick up on the cryptic clues she leaves behind? I can't wait to watch Paper Towns when it releases on July 24, 2015.

8. Magic Mike XXL
Director: Gregory Jacobs
Starring: Channing Tatum, Amber Heard, Elizabeth Banks and Matt Bomer

I could just type the name 'Channing Tatum' over and over here and that's all that is needed for most people to check out this sequel to the 2012's surprise hit Magic Mike. The guys are all back (minus Matthew McConaughey) for one last epic road trip. Brace yourself ladies, the temperature's about to get real hot! Magic Mike XXL hits theatres July 1, 2015.

7. Me and Earl and the Dying Earl
Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
Starring: Thomas Mann, Olivia Cooke and  Ronald Cyler II

Keep your eyes peeled for this year's Sundance darling, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, about three high school students and the year that changed their lives.  This could be the indie breakout hit this summer. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl releases in theatres on June 12, 2015.

6. Minions
Directors:Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin
Voice Talents: Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin

This standalone movie is the first step in the overall minion takeover of the world. A word of advice, don't try to resist these feisty, inarticulate little yellow beings. Their cuteness is irresistible and I don't care about the plot of the film, I'm watching it anyway. Banana! Minions begins their world domination in theatres July 10, 2015.

5. Pitch Perfect 2
Director: Elizabeth Banks
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld

The Bella Bardens are suspended after an 'incident' in front of the President of the United States. But these girls run the world and they won't rest until they've defeated the rest of the aca-competition. With returning stars Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson, mashups will never be the same again. Directed by Elizabeth Banks, Pitch Perfect 2 lands in theatres on May 15, 2015.

4. Spy
Director: Paul Feig
Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Jude Law, Rose Byrne, Jason Statham and Allison Janney

Bridesmaids co-stars Melissa McCarthy and Rose Byrne are reunited in this rollicking spy comedy from director Paul Feig. McCarthy plays CIA analyst Susan who goes into the field to find her missing partner (Jude Law). McCarthy's also the undisputed queen of comedy in the summer season when she returns with Spy in theatres on June 5, 2015.

3. Tomorrowland

Director: Brad Bird
Starring: George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Huge Laurie and Raffey Cassidy

I'm longing to find out the secrets of Tomorrowland, a place somewhere in time and space in director Brad Bird's follow up to Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, co-written by Damon Lindelof (Lost). With actors George Clooney and Hugh Laurie, this long-in-the-works mysterious Disney project finally hits theatres on May 22.

2. Inside Out

Director: Pete Docter
Voice Talents: Amy Poehler, Diane Lane, Mindy Kaling, Bill Hader, Lewis Black

It's been far too long that we've seen a Pixar film in theatres. It's actually only two years but feels much, much longer. The inner workings of your mind are now five distinct characters in this incredible, innovative film from director Pete Docter (Monsters University, Up). Featuring the voice talents of Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Bill Hader, Lewis Black and more, Inside Out takes us inside our minds on June 19, 2015. Be prepared, guys, I'm carrying extra tissues to the theatres with me.

1. Jurassic World
Director: Colin Trevorrow
Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jake Johnson

They're back!!! 22 years after Steven Spielberg's Jurassic World, bigger, meaner and smarter dinosaurs take centerstage in the fourth film of the Jurassic Park series. Jurassic World stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard in the newly updated park on Isla Nublar. Jurassic World roars back into theatres on June 12, 2015.

Well, that was my list! What summer movies are you most looking forward to?

New Minions Trailer: Introducing Scarlet Overkill!

Ever wondered who the minions worked for before Gru (B.G.)? The new Minions trailer gives us a first look as Kevin, Stuart and Bob hitch a ride all the way to Orlando's Villain-Con International, yes, that's a thing now apparently, where Scarlet Overkill, the world's first-ever female super-villain is introduced. Oh, and she's played by Sandra Bullock who tells the scariest bedtime stories. Minions releases in theaters July 10, 2015.

My top 5 Superbowl film trailers!

Football? Was there any played yesterday? All I know is a lot of new ads and movie trailer had their premieres last night.

1) Somebody just turned back the clock and suddenly it's 1993 again because Jurassic World situated in Jurassic Park is set to be the most anticipated film of the summer.  My Everwood crush Bright, I mean, Chris Pratt is the lead actor, commanding freakin' velociraptors (so badass!) and battling alongside Bryce Howard against the new dinosaur created just for the park.  "This will give the parents nightmares," intones Irrfan Khan. Ya think? Is it June already?  Jurassic World, directed by Colin Trevorrow (Safety Not Guaranteed), releases June 12, 2015.

2) "What if there was a place where nothing was impossible? Where you could build whatever you were crazy enough to imagine? A place where you could actually change the world... you wanna go?" Ummm, let me think about it? Yes!  Disney's Tomorrowland, directed by Brad Bird, has been under wraps for years and each trailer only fuels our thirst to know more. With George Clooney, Hugh Laurie and Britt Robertson (in her first big studio film), Tomorrowland promises to be grand adventure. We hope! The future arrives on May 22, 2015.

3) I cannot get enough of these Minions. Guaranteed to make you laugh, no matter how bad your day is going. The Minions invade theaters on July 10, 2015.

4) I am mesmerized every time Anna Kendrick sings, she can sing in all her films and I'm golden so I'm beyond thrilled that Pitch Perfect 2 is happening. And that Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) is back! I'm convinced that is the best character name ever, she owns it completely.  Anyway, long story short, Pitch Perfect 2's Bellas will be back May 15, 2015

5) That foul-mouthed teddy bear is back and this time around, he thinks he's qualified to raise a child. Writer-director Seth MacFarlane's sequel to the wildly successful Ted of a man and his teddy bear who never leaves hopes to recreate the magic the second time around.  Co-starring Mark Wahlberg, Morgan Freeman and Amanda Seyfried (filling in for Mila Kunis who doesn't return to the sequel), Ted 2 brings the laughs back again on June 26, 2015.

What movie are you most looking forward to?

What I'm Thankful For: Movies Edition

 
1) Gravity: Every year we read dozens of pieces about the decline of cinema and how originality is lost and then a movie like Gravity comes along and shuts everybody up. Splendidly! A story of a veteran and rookie astronaut in space became the ultimate tale of survival in completely foreign and hostile environment.  Oh, and here's where it gets better, the films stars two of Hollywood's best, George Clooney and Sandra Bullock but the movie really belongs to Bullock and Clooney's just the supporting player. Say what? Did I also mention that the film's a neat 90 minutes and features some of the best CGI and 3D work seen in film so far? Gravity, directed by Alfonso Cuaron and written along with his son Jonas, was the definitive film experience for me this year. And even though the wait was long, I'm thankful the end result was completely worth it. 

2) Minions:  If the Dementors from the Harry Potter universe suck all the happiness out of the universe and eventually your soul, think of the Minions as their zany, fun-loving yet inappropriate equivalent.  The scene-stealers from the first Despicable Me are having their moment in the spotlight.  They came back strong in the sequel and will star in their own feature in 2015.  It's a good time to be a Minion, I think.  They bring the smile to your face, at least they do to mine. I would be even more thankful if I had one of them to have around the house.

3) Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them: Speaking of Harry Potter, that J.K. Rowling sure knows how sneak one up on her fans. Fast on the heels of the surprising revelation that she wrote the underrated The Cuckoo's Calling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, she also broke the news that she's writing the script for the new film based on Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them in collaboration with Warner Bros., who are pursuing more films in the Potter universe of magic and wizardry. It was extremely difficult to say goodbye to the books and films so to have this unexpected, bonus surprise, is indeed thankful.

4) The Heat: No movie has made me laugh as much this year than the surprise (to everyone who isn't female) hit of the summer, the Paul Feig directed The Heat, a female buddy cop comedy starring Sandra Bullock (who's really having a stellar year) and Melissa McCarthy. The $159 million plus blockbuster proved that in summer filled with superheroes and zombie flicks, there is room for a well-enacted and, most importantly funny, comedy featuring women to perform well.  It also helps when your lead actresses are as talented as Bullock and McCarthy.  Not only did I have tears of laughter running down my face, my stomach hurt from laughing too much.  These days when the laughs are far and few in life and in movies, I'm thankful for comedies that can deliver.

5) Gone Girl Film Adaptation: No sooner I did finish Gone Girl, the novel, I thought to myself, "This is needs to be a film." Actress Reese Witherspoon bought the rights and I had my fingers crossed as David Fincher as a dream director for this project. And what do you know? Sometimes the universe does listen to you.  The film adaptation of Gone Girl hits theaters next fall and will be highly anticipated as Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Tyler Perry and Neil Patrick Harris join Fincher in bringing the book to the big screen.  I'd like to believe to myself that I wished this one into existence.

Those were some of my thankful moments with film this year.  What were yours?   

Movie Review: Despicable Me 2

They're back! Those adorable minions who stole the show in the first film return for the sequel in Despicable Me 2 where they are under the threat of being turned into crazed purple monsters.  This time around, the Anti-Villian League wants to recruit Gru (voice of Steve Carell) to find out who stole a lab from the Artic Circle.

Gru has retired from his evil doing days (which is a shame because he was quite inventive) and now spends the days planning parties and helping with homework for his three adopted daughters, Margo, Edith and Agnes.  He keeps getting set up by his annoying neighbor Jillian and his daughters who want to see him happy. But he might have met his match in AVL Agent Lucy (voice of Kristen Wiig) who just might be perfect for him. It's only the matter of finding out who's behind the scheme of wanting to creating a purple monster army.

Back to those minions, they're the real reason to go see the movie because once again, they're hysterical whether they're relaxing on the beach, working in Gru's jelly factory or even as the loyal sidekicks.  The minute they open their mouth to utter 'minionese' and laugh a naughty giggle, you know you want to see more. (As the end credits reveal, they are currently holding auditions for their own film.)  I know I definitely want to see more 90s music videos as imagined by the minions, whose idea was it to have them dress in all white? Because that was genius.

But I digress, the film is enjoyable enough but it is missing a bit of the charm present of the first film.  The animation was thoroughly delightful and it seemed the animators were having more fun with the minions and antics of the young daughters.  The only one who's lost a bit of sheen here is the despicable one, Gru. But let's face it, the real reason anyone's going to see the film is for the minions and there's plenty of that to enjoy.

Directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud; Written by Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul; Editing by Gregory Perler; Music by Pharrell Williams and Heitor Pereira

Additional Voice Talents: Russell Brand, Benjamin Bratt, Ken Jeong, Steve Coogan, Elsie Kate Fisher, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Moises Arias, Kristen Schaal, Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud

Rating:

Holy Minions! New Despicable Me 2 trailer

Smart move on part of the filmmakers to feature the breakout stars of the last film in the new teaser for the new Despicable Me 2 trailer.  It's always entertaining when those adorable Minions invade the screen and I don't think I can stop giggling over the image of the little Minion in a French maid's costume.  Despicable Me 2 opens next summer with the most of the cast back and with Al Pacino and Steve Coogan listed as possible voices on their IMDb page.