April
From comedy to horror the last month of the school year kicks off the movie season with four movies that should make for a great break from studying for finals.
On April 8 “Your Highness” bows into theaters. With an all-star cast — James Franco Natalie Portman Danny McBride and Zooey Deschanel — this fantasy comedy from the director of “Pineapple Express channels the comedic spirits such as Mel Brooks’ genius or Monty Python’s hilarity. It’s a bawdy comedy about a prince who is in search of his kidnapped bride; he is kept company by his dimwit brother who goes along for the ride.
If you’re not in the mood for a good laugh, the fourth installment of Scream” hits theaters April 15. With an obscenely large ensemble cast of “Scream” newcomers (Emma Roberts Hayden Panetierre and Lucy Hale) and “Scream” royalty (Neve Campbell David Arquette and Courteney Cox). The film returns under the direction of horror movie veteran Wes Craven. The movie follows the return of Sidney Prescott to her hometown where she is attacked by the notorious “Scream” killer. There’s no need to guess what comes next: the Ghost-Faced Killer returns to wreak havoc.
“The Fast and the Furious” cast returns to the big screen as well in “Fast Five which hightails it into theaters April 29. This action film follows Vin Diesel and Paul Walker as they try to maneuver their way between a drug lord and a federal agent played by The Rock” Dwayne Johnson. Like the other films in the series it’s no secret that “Fast Five” will give audiences an adrenaline rush with trademark high intensity car scenes.
Looking for something serious? “Water for Elephants” may be just your thing. Starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson this period piece film based on the novel follows Jacob (Pattinson) as he joins a traveling circus as a veterinarian and falls in love with both the animals he cares for and the wife of the head animal trainer. Clandestine love adorable animals and Elle Woods? This movie is bound to be a tearjerker so make sure to bring a box of Kleenex when this movie opens April 22.
May
May begins the reign of big blockbuster movies.
“Thor based on a Marvel comic character of the same name, hits theaters May 6. From director Kenneth Branagh and starring Chris Hemsworth as Thor as well as Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins, the movie follows the banishment of Thor from his home realm of Asgard to Earth, where he finally lives up to his heroic potential.
Interested in more action? Priest” hits theaters May 13. The film follows Paul Bettany — Priest — who breaks his vows to the church when his niece is taken by vampires. The film is set in a post-apocalyptic world where highly stylized fighting scenes are more than acceptable. This sci-fi thriller also stars Cam Gigandet Maggie Q Lily Collins and Christopher Plummer.
What better way to start summer than with the return of Captain Jack Sparrow? Johnny Depp returns as his iconic pirate alter ego in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides which comes out May 20. On the search for the fountain of youth, Jack teams up with Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) as they try to outsmart and outrun the legendary pirate Blackbeard and his swashbuckling daughter, played by Penelope Cruz.
May also marks the return of Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha and Ed Helms. The Hangover Part II” meets up with the guys who are in Bangkok Thailand for Stu’s wedding. Cue the bachelor party and a repeat of the roofie incident from the first film except this time the guys have lost Stu’s fiancé’s younger brother. “The Hangover Part II” rolls in to theaters May 26.
June
The official start of summer hits in June and with that comes an action-packed lineup.
“X-Men: First Class” kicks off the month on June 3. Starring James McAvoy Michael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence the film goes back to the beginning when Charles Xavier first created the school for the gifted and when Xavier and Erik Lensherr were still friends. The movie follows the rift that occurs between the two friends who eventually become Professor Xavier and Magneto.
Another comic book movie hits the big screen June 17. “Green Lantern” follows Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) as he learns to embrace and control the power of the ring which gives him extraordinary abilities. This film also stars Blake Lively and Peter Sarsgaard. Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern has his powers tested as he tries to keep the galactic peace that’s been threatened by an evil criminal on Earth.
Feeling a need for animation instead of live action? Pixar’s “Cars 2” races into theaters June 24. Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) return to the big screen as they jet out of Radiator Springs for the chance to race the world’s fastest cars. Together McQueen and Mater are swept up in an unintentional adventure while running the European race circuits.
J.J. Abrams releases sci-fi film “Super 8” June 10. Produced by Steven Spielberg and starring Elle Fanning Kyle Chandler and Amanda Michalka the film follows a group of kids who witness a cataclysmic event and realize that something inhuman has been unleashed into the world.
July
With the last full month of summer for Pepperdine Waves production companies know exactly how to begin the countdown to fall semester just right.
July 1 marks the return of Optimus Prime and the Autobots in “Transformers: Dark of the Moon.” Director Michael Bay and actors Shia Lebouf Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson return for this highly-anticipated sci-fi action flick. This film follows the Autobots as they try to hinder the Decepticons from learning the secrets of a spacecraft which has been found on the moon.
The month gets started on the right foot with robot battles but it gets even better with the final installment of the Harry Potter series. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” apparates into theaters July 15. The movie continues where the first left off with Harry Hermione and Ron trying to find and destroy Voldemort’s horcruxes. Secrets are unveiled and spells are unleashed as the three friends try to take down Voldemort and set the world back in order as series comes to a close.
Adding to the comic book trend this summer is “Captain America: The First Avenger.” Starring Chris Evans Hugo Weaving Tommy Lee Jones and Stanley Tucci the film follows Steve Rogers a military reject who through volunteering for a military research project gets turned into Captain America and becomes the American’s defender. The movie is a WWII-era film which means the action scenes are guaranteed to be epic.
July is rounded out with another comic book film “Cowboys & Aliens.” Featuring a star-studded cast — Daniel Craig Olivia Wilde and Harrison Ford — the movie takes place in the Wild West where a group of cowboys and a stranger with a weird arm cuff band together to fight off an alien invasion. “Cowboys & Aliens” beams into theaters July 29.
August
Even though August is eons away we can’t leave you without a movie breakdown for the last few weeks of summer freedom.
Starting off the month is “Rise of the Apes which hits theaters Aug. 5. Starring James Franco, Freida Pinto and Tom Felton, this sci-fi action adventure is set in modern day San Francisco. Science breeds advanced intellect into apes and the war between man and ape occurs because of the scientific breakthroughs of humans.
Fright Night a remake of an ‘80s classic horror-comedy film of the same name, attempts to channel all that audiences loved about the original movie on Aug. 19. For those unfamiliar with the original, it follows the story of a young guy who realizes his neighbor is a vampire. Be warned: The original is cheesy, ridiculous and odd, which makes a perfect cult classic. This remake has big shoes to fill, but it’s possible that Anton Yelchin, Colin
Farrell and David Tennant (did anyone get excited over the 10th Doctor Who being in it?) will create something equally as special as the first.
Conan the Barbarian featuring the talent of Rose McGowan, Jason Momoa and Ron Perlman, hits theaters Aug. 19 as well. Wasn’t Arnold Schwarzenegger in this movie, you ask? Why, yes, he was. So, is this a remake then? Well, that’s where sources differ. Some say the film is simply a remake, while others say that this version is closer to the books. Nonetheless, the movie follows Conan’s adventures as he tries to avenge the massacre of his people. Do with that what you may.