The City of Films SUMMER MOVIE GUIDE 2012

TOTAL RECALL
[IMDB - RT - CoF]

Release: August 3
Directed By: Len Wiseman
Starring: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Bryan Cranston
Synopsis: As the nation states Euromerica and New Shanghai vie for supremacy, a factory worker (Farrell) begins to suspect that he’s a spy, though he is unaware which side of the fight he’s on.

Analysis: If you enjoyed the original Total Recall, and not ironically, then you will probably enjoy this remake. It just looks like a cleaner sexier version, thanks to Kate Beckinsale.

Also Opening: 360

THE BOURNE LEGACY
[IMDB - RT - CoF]

Release: August 10
Directed By: Tony Gilroy
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton
Synopsis: A story centered on a new CIA operative in the universe based on Robert Ludlum’s novels.

Analysis: Not sure why they kept the Bourne name other than to attract people who don’t watch trailers or look at posters. Spoiler: Matt Damon isn’t in this movie folks. Renner is a great choice for this franchise and Edward Norton as a villain, now that’s class.

THE CAMPAIGN
[IMDB - RT - CoF]

Release: August 10
Directed By: Jay Roach
Starring: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis
Synopsis: Two rival North Carolina politicians with presidential aspirations tangle with one another.

Analysis: OK gentleman, here is your chance to do something other than a sports or hangover movie, don’t mess it up. It has everything going for it obviously, whether or not it plays like a very long political SNL sketch is another factor.

Also Opening: Hope Springs

THE ODD LIFE OF TIMOTHY GREEN
[IMDB - RT - CoF]

Release: August 15
Directed By: Peter Hedges
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton
Synopsis: A childless couple bury a box in their backyard, containing all of their wishes for an infant. Soon, a child is born, though Timothy Green is not all that he appears.

Analysis: This might be based on a book or something, I’m really not interested enough to look, but I see what they did with the ‘green’ part of it, that’s neat.

THE EXPENDABLES 2
[IMDB - RT - CoF]

Release: August 17
Directed By: Simon West
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Liam Hemsworth, Jean Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Synopsis: Mr. Church reunites the Expendables for what should be an easy paycheck, but when one of their men is murdered on the job, their quest for revenge puts them deep in enemy territory and up against an unexpected threat.

Analysis: IT’S GOING TO BE AN ADRENALINE RUSH TO THE SOUL BABY! BEER! UFC! GUNS! BABES! CARS! Awww yeah boi.

PARANORMAN
[IMDB - RT - CoF]

Release: August 17
Directed By: Chris Butler, Sam Fell
Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Synopsis: A misunderstood boy who can speak with the dead, takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.

Analysis: Love it, love all of it. This is the stuff they should be making for kids so parents can go to the theater and leave without their ears bleeding. I’m looking at you Chipmunks.

Also Opening: Sparkle, Cosmopolis

PREMIUM RUSH
[IMDB - RT - CoF]

Release: August 24
Directed By: David Koepp
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Shannon
Synopsis: In Manhattan, a bike messenger picks up an envelope that attracts the interest of a dirty cop, who pursues the cyclist throughout the city.

Analysis: Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the man and this should be a good way to show it off even more. 500 Days of Summer, Inception, and the upcoming Looper later this year has solidified him a star. He’s going ape on a bike in this one, reminds me of the movie Cellular where it has a great cast and mediocre story to make it work.

Also Opening: The Apparition, Hit and Run

LAWLESS
[IMDB - RT - CoF]

Release: August 31
Directed By: John Hillcoat
Starring: Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pearce
Synopsis: Set in the Depression-era Franklin County, Virginia, a bootlegging gang is threatened by authorities who want a cut of their profits.

Analysis: Based on the novel The Wettest County in the World, it’s a great trailer with an even better cast, a must watch. Directed by John Hillcoat (The Road) the film aims to take on prohibition and the bootleggers who gain from it, that can make for some great entertainment. Did I mention Shia LaBeouf , Tom Hardy, Jessica Chastain, Guy Pearce and Gary Oldman star?

Also Opening: The Possession, 7500

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