It’s a Cool, Cool Summer: Sci-Fi and Fantasy Summer Flicks
Summer 2014 is shaping up to be the summer of Sci-Fi and Fantasy films. From sequels to one-offs, moviegoers can look forward to a jam-packed season of superheroes, super-villains and special effects. So, save your pennies kids, you’re going to want to spend plenty of long hot summer days in the cool confines of your local movie theater staring up at the big screen.
Here are some of the Science Fiction and Fantasy flicks that I’m most likely to drop a dime on this summer or (considering the cost of a trip to the movies these days) 250 dimes is more like it. Time for my featured attractions:
X-Men: Days of Future Past
Let’s start with X-Men since itopens today and it’s got all the superpower and superstars that you could ask for in a Sci-Fi Fantasy action film…and then some. Starring Hollywood heavyweights Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Downey, Jr., Ian McKellen, and Patrick Stewart, X-Men promises to blow your mind. If the trailers are any indicator, fans of CGI and spectacular visuals will not be disappointed—you will come away with an experience to marvel at long after the curtain closes (heh, get it? Marvel? Okay, I really didn’t intend that, but then I saw it was there).
The Synopsis: The X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history. If anyone can make it happen, they can. Every hero. Every power. See them unite here: http://www.fandango.com/xmen:daysoffuturepast_159281/movieoverview
Transformers: Age of Extinction
This incarnation of The Transformers doesn’t open until the end of June, but fans of the franchise have high hopes for the Science Fiction venture starring Mark Wahlberg. A sequel to the Transformers: Dark of the Moon, which met with mixed reviews, this version is loaded with the most advanced CGI action and Wahlberg groupies can’t wait for it to hit the theaters. When I first heard about this one, I wasn’t all that excited, but then I saw the trailer — I have to admit, I geeked out a little bit.
The Synopsis: An automobile mechanic and his daughter make a discovery that brings the wrath of the Autobots and Decepticons – and a paranoid government official – upon them. See what Wahlberg discovers here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S30VkLn5a2o&feature=youtu.be
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
I realize that Spidey is in theaters now; but I’ve got a feeling that he’ll be there for a while. We’ve always known that Spider-Man’s most significant conflict has been within himself: the struggle between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man. But in The Amazing Spider-Man 2™, Peter Parker finds that a much greater battle lies ahead. The visual effects are truly amazing—and I’m not just talking about the gorgeous Emma Stone who plays love interest, Gwen.
The Synopsis: Peter Parker realizes being Spider-Man comes at a price: only Spider-Man can protect New Yorkers from the formidable villains that threaten the city. And, with the emergence of Electro (Jamie Foxx), Peter must confront a foe far more powerful than he. See how he handles the pressure here http://www.theamazingspiderman.com/site/#videos
Maleficent
Visions are seldom as they seem…For Angelina Jolie, who produced and stars as Maleficent, this is surely the case. Opening at the end May, the Fantasy film explores the untold story of Disney’s iconic villain from Sleeping Beauty and the elements of betrayal that ultimately turned her heart to pure stone. In this tale of revenge and power lust, enhanced by otherworldly fantastical imagery, Maleficent learns her curse will last until the end of time.
The Synopsis: Driven by a fierce desire to maintain her control of the moon over which she presides, Maleficent places a curse on the king’s daughter, Aurora. Only then does she realize that Aurora holds the key to her fortune as well. Watch Jolie play Maleficent to spectacularly evil effect here http://movies.disney.com/maleficent/video
The Edge of Tomorrow
Now this action-packed, smash-em-up Sci-Fi Fantasy flick has not gotten much hype which is surprising considering it stars Tom Cruise and is from the director of The Bourne Identity. The epic action of Edge of Tomorrow unfolds in a near future in which an alien race has hit the earth in an unrelenting assault, unbeatable by any military unit in the world. Co-star Emily Blunt, calls them “an organism.” This may sound like a movie you’ve seen many times before, but this time there’s a twist. Coming to theaters in June, this is not your typical alien invasion Science Fiction movie. Best of all, I’m 99.999999% sure this is based on the Japanese novel, All You Need Is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. This is an awesome book, and if the movie is half as good, it’ll be great. Not sure why they haven’t mentioned this book in any interviews I’ve read, but check out the description on Amazon and see for yourself.
The Synopsis: Major Cage finds himself inexplicably thrown into a time loop—forcing him to live out the same brutal combat over an over, fighting and dying again…and again. #livedierepeat Check out the Cruise trying to make sense of it all here http://www.edgeoftomorrowmovie.com/videos.php
We’ve reached the end of the previews and coming attractions. As you can see, there’s absolutely no reason for you whine about being hot and bored this summer. With all of these badass Science Fiction and Fantasy films to entertain us this summer, I’d hit the dark cool movie theater over the sticky sandy beach anytime. Oh and you might want to get your tickets in advance—looks like you won’t be alone.
Which Science Fiction and Fantasy Films have you on the edge of your seat waiting for opening day? Please share them with me in the comment section below.
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