2014 summer movie preview

Betallsports · Apr 16, 2014

'The Amazing Spider-Man 2'
Danger: Given the number of comic book adaptations coming down the line, what will differentiate this second installment of a series that didn't necessarily require rebooting? The first film was well-liked, if not a gigantic smash, and Sony is betting ... more

Betallsports · Apr 16, 2014

'Neighbors'
Danger: Frat parties were overrated in college. Stale beer, lines at the bathroom and all those fraternity brothers with a Jurassic appreciation for gender relations. Will binge drinking and borderline misogyny be better on the big screen?

Betallsports · Apr 16, 2014

'Godzilla'
Danger: We're into the sixth decade of Godzilla films, and none have matched the depth or urgency of the 1954 original... especially not the 1998 American disaster of an adaptation. Does the world need a new one?

'Million Dollar Arm'
Danger: Most baseball movies are hokey, and this one runs the risk of pandering to and/or stereotyping an entire ethnic group. Also, how do you make a movie about a baseball scout connect with the entire family?

Betallsports · Apr 16, 2014

'X-Men: Days of Future Past'
Danger: While the huge ensemble is catnip for the Comic-Con crowd, the blending of Singer's original mutants with those from "First Class" might feel too bloated or "inside baseball" for average audiences. The prequel film did strong business, but ... more

'Maleficent'
Danger: Have origin stories gone too far? Do we really need to know why the Mistress of All Evil turned to the dark side?
Why we're still psyched: With her long limbs and pronounced features, Angelina Jolie looks like a Disney villainess in the flesh. Talk about ... more

Betallsports · Apr 16, 2014

'A Million Ways to Die in the West'
Danger: Hollywood doesn't roll out many westerns these days. Is Seth MacFarlane sending up a genre most audiences don't recognize?
Why We're Still Psyched: "Ted," a Mona Lisa of crudity, buys a lot of good will and the red band trailer for ... more

'The Fault in Our Stars'
Danger: John Green's novel is a beloved young adult bestseller. But can something so profoundly sad translate on the big screen? And will Ansel Elgort hold his own with "Divergent" co-star Shailene Woodley?

Betallsports · Apr 16, 2014

'Edge of Tomorrow'
Danger: The story of a man doomed to repeat his fatal battle with an alien race seems like a cross between Philip K. Dick and "Groundhog Day." That might not be the best combination.

'How to Train Your Dragon 2'
Danger: Can the sequel recapture the fun of the first film? Lots of promising film franchises, from "Saturday Night Fever" to "The Matrix," crash under the weight of a follow-up.

Betallsports · Apr 16, 2014

'22 Jump Street'
Danger: It's rare for sequels to match the first movie, especially when it comes to comedies... and unexpected hit comedies, as well. (See: "The Hangover" and its subpar second and third installments.) Will they be able to mine this sort of material for new ... more

'Jersey Boys'
Danger: The last time Clint Eastwood was involved in a movie musical the result was the disastrous "Paint Your Wagon," which proved irrefutably that Lee Marvin cannot carry a tune or dance.

Betallsports · Apr 16, 2014

'Transformers: Age of Extinction'
Danger: Two months out from release (as of press time), things seem unusually quiet on this would-be blockbuster's marketing. "More than meets the eye" is apt for the toyline's tagline, but seemingly not for the fourth film in Paramount-Hasbro's ... more

'Tammy'
Danger: The film was written by Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone with the latter also handling directing chores. Falcone happens to be McCarthy's husband. Will this be a vanity project run amuck?
Why we're still psyched: Their comedy chops are real, both having honed ... more

Betallsports · Apr 16, 2014

'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes'
Danger: With only a teaser trailer so far, Fox is keeping the sequel to summer 2011's sleeper hit surprisingly under wraps. And recently-released set images of actors in mo-cap suits -- instead of sporting CG ape skins -- telegraphs that the ... more

'Jupiter Ascending'
Danger: The film is about a toilet-cleaning immigrant who finds out she is destined to rule the universe. Plus, Channing Tatum wears Vulcan ears. Is a trip to the Razzies in the cast's future?

Betallsports · Apr 16, 2014

'Sex Tape'
Danger: The last time Jason Segal, Cameron Diaz and Jake Kasdan teamed up, they made "Bad Teacher," which made a lot of money but earned lackluster reviews.
Why we're still psyched: It's a top-shelf cast from top to bottom, and director Jake Kasdan has a great track ... more

'Guardians of the Galaxy'
Danger: These Marvel characters lack the brand name recognition of a Thor or Iron Man. There could be a reason they're on the B-list.
Why we're still psyched: The first preview for the story of interstellar vigilantes was witty, exciting and instantly ... more

Betallsports · Apr 16, 2014

'Lucy'
Danger signs: The film's premise -- a young woman is forced to become a drug mule -- doesn't exactly scream popcorn flick.
Why we're still psyched: Scarlett Johansson's metamorphosis into a pistol-packing, revenge-obsessed warrior calls to mind Liam Neeson in "Taken," ... more

'The Expendables 3'
Danger: Like its cast, "The Expendables" franchise may be getting a bit long in the tooth.
Why we're still psyched: The additions of Harrison Ford, Wesley Snipes, Mel Gibson and Antonio Banderas give this film much needed ammo. When it comes to providing bang ... more

Betallsports · Apr 16, 2014

'Sin City: A Dame to Kill For'
Danger: Fanboys love Robert Rodriguez and his bloody, pulpy homages, but what plays like gangbusters in Comic-Con's Hall H can land with a thud in the real world.
Why we're still psyched: Even its detractors would be forced to admit that the ... more

Stax · Apr 16, 2014

Don't see anything that interests me...probably still catch a few of them though.

Betallsports · Apr 16, 2014

X-Men and Transformers is what I have interest in, but yeah ... probably will catch a few more.
and will be the only 2 that I catch in a theater. the rest will be Bootleg DVD's

HacheMan · Apr 16, 2014

I will be seeing many of these films.

I hope Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes is as good as the first without James Franco, and the Mark Wahlberg can keep Transformers solid while replacing Shia LaBeouf.

Judging from the trailer, Godzilla looks like it has promise.

Jump Street 21 was one of the funniest movies in years and hopefully this next one doesn't disappoint.

Several good ones this Summer...

CarolinaKid · Apr 16, 2014

nothing on that list interest me at all, im going to spend my summer hanging out at the beach house and clubing at nite this summer....

LoCalDallasGuy · Apr 16, 2014

:toast:

KingofNicotine · Apr 16, 2014

Loved the first Sin City. Looking forward to that but I am tired of all the superhero movies. Enough already.

HacheMan · Apr 16, 2014

ckid said:
nothing on that list interest me at all, im going to spend my summer hanging out at the beach house and clubing at nite this summer....

What kind of movies do you like ck?

CarolinaKid · Apr 16, 2014

HM i guess im really not that much into movies these days, i do like the james bond type movies, but just like most tv these days im really cant stand the shows, give me old school type of show when i do watch something other than sports.i rather watch the news shows now than the new tv type of shows