By Nick Anstett
Opinion Editor
Next to Oscar season there is no bigger time for film than the summer. The summer blockbusters that will thrill us, make us cheer, and define our culture for months to come are just around the corner. Here are the big ones to look out for this year.
May:
• “Avengers: Age of Ultron” (May 1)– The biggest movie of the summer is the first to kick off the season. The sequel to the third biggest film of all time and starring an incredible all-star cast, this superhero epic should need no introduction.
• “Mad Max: Fury Road” (May 15)-The post-apocalyptic cult-favorite gets a revamp this year in a hard-R testosterone fueled action extravaganza starring Tom Hardy.
• “Pitch Perfect 2” (May 15)– The sequel to 2012’s sleeper musical comedy hit, Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, and the rest of their acapella troupe return for a global competition.
• “Tomorrowland” (May 22)– Yes, it’s based on a Disney ride, but so was “Pirates of the Caribbean” way back in 2003 and with Brad Bird (“The Incredibles” and “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol”) at the helm you could do a lot worse.
June:
• “Entourage” (June 5)– The popular HBO series of the same name gets a big screen continuation in this comedy starring the cast of the original series.
• “Jurassic World” (June 12)– The second biggest release of the summer, “Jurassic World” returns to find the famous amusement park up and running and successful. However, when a new attraction sends the park into chaos…well…you know how it goes. “Jurassic World” stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.
• “Inside Out” (June 19)– The first non-sequel Pixar film since “Brave,” “Inside Out” stars anthropomorphized emotions inside a young girl as they attempt to guide her through adolescence. It stars the voice talent of Amy Poehler and Bill Hader.
• “Ted 2” (June 26)– Seth McFarlane’s vulgarity spewing teddy bear returns this time on the cusp of fatherhood. Fans of the first film are likely to get more of the same antics that they have come to expect.
July:
• “Magic Mike XXL” (July 1)– The lady’s night blockbuster of 2012 returns this week with Channing Tatum taking over writing responsibilities in addition to well…stripping.
• “Terminator Genisys” (July 1)-The fifth film in the popular science fiction franchise acts as both a sequel and reboot. It returns Arnold Schwarzenegger to the title role and also features “Game of Throne’s” Emilia Clarke in the role of Sarah Connor.
• “Ant Man” (July 17)- Marvel’s second film of the summer stars Paul Rudd as the titular size-changing hero as he attempts to steal a dangerous weapon from potential criminals.
• “Paper Towns” (July 24)– John Green’s second young adult novel to travel to the silver screen, after “The Fault in Our Stars” made preteens cry the world over, “Paper Towns” follows a young man (Nat Wolff) as he attempts to discover the truth behind a missing friend.
• “Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation” (July 31)– The fifth film in the blockbuster Tom Cruise action franchise finds the IMF facing off against a nefarious organization of assassins and rogue spies known only as the Syndicate.
August:
• “Fantastic Four” (August 7)– Whether you wanted it or not, the Fantastic Four are poised to return in a brand new reboot of the franchise starring Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, and Jamie Bell and directed by Josh Trank.