It’s almost June which means that the slate of summer movies is close to being unleashed. We’ve already been “treated” to what are going to be the biggest cash cows of the year in Iron Man 3, Star Trek Into Darkness, Fast 6, and The Hangover 3. There’s still going to be room for some good films to be released this summer. These are the ones I’m excited about seeing…

THE PURGE

Release Date : June 7

This is probably not going to be a ground breaking horror film, but damn does it look creepy. I remember seeing The Strangers a couple years ago and while the film wasn’t bad by any means, most of the horror derived from people showing up in living rooms with caricature masks on. This new film from the producer of Paranormal Activity (Seriously how many times are we going to see this in front of a horror film) should at least be unique enough to entertain. A film where for 12 hours an entire city is allowed to do whatever they want crime wise is a pretty solid idea and I’m curious as to where they go with it.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Release Date : June 7

Shakespeare? Check. Joss Whedon? Check. Awesome trailer? Check. I don’t know why I’m excited for a modern black and white version of a Shakespeare play I’m not familiar with but I just am. Perhaps its the St. Germain song blaring in the background of that stylish trailer. Maybe it’s because Joss Whedon loves originality and that he secretly filmed this at his own house with his own friends while filming The Avengers. All I know is that it should be interesting.

MAN OF STEEL

Release Date : June 14

Legendary always puts out some pretty amazing trailers. I remember seeing The Dark Knight Rises trailer and just being floored and excited. I get the same feeling from Man of Steel and I’m not even a Superman fan. Zach Snyder made the vastly underrated Watchmen and I’ve been waiting for a new film of his to watch ever since because face it, I’m not watching an animated owl movie or a movie that looks like a live action anime brawl orgy. I’m not going to tell you what films those are. I want you to google search them. That should be fun.

THE WAY WAY BACK

Release Date : July 5

This one reminds me of Little Miss Sunshine which is funny because Steve Carrell is in both. Nat Faxon and Jim Rash are already Oscar winners and they’re taking it a step forward by writing AND directing this film. It was a crowd favorite at Sundance and look pretty hilarious. You gotta love Jim Rash’s bit in the trailer. You can tell he’s channeling Dean Pelton from Community which is great. You also can’t go wrong with Sam Rockwell.

PACIFIC RIM

Release Date : July 12

I’m hoping to the lord our God Guillermo Del Toro that he comes through with this and that it doesn’t fall to the fate of Transformers and Real Steel. Both those films/series looked pretty cool but just left you empty and cold inside after watching them. I wasn’t at Comic Con when footage of Pacific Rim was shown but apparently it was one of the most impressive CGI segments ever seen. I’m hoping for entire film of that. If anybody knows how to put monsters on the screen, it’s Del Toro.

ONLY GOD FORGIVES

Release Date : July 19

This is my film to see of the entire summer. Nicholas Rending Refn’s Drive is one of my favorite films of the last twenty years and this is the follow up, also starring Ryan Gosling. The color in the trailer is impressive, like REALLY impressive. It’s going to be a gorgeous film. I’m hoping that the story surpasses that of Drive because that was the only fault of Refn’s previous film. It also looks pretty brutal. Can’t wait.

ELYSIUM

Release Date : August 9

I love sci fi. I love original sci fi. District 9 still is one of my favorite theater experiences and favorite sci fi films to come out in the last decade. I’m excited to see what Neil Blomkamp will unveil as there is not a lot of information being given about the film besides what is revealed in the trailer. I like it that way.

THE WORLD’S END

Release Date : August 23

This may be another Us v. The Town themed film but Frost/Pegg/Wright do it so well that it really matters nil. I do like how they switched the roles of Frost and Pegg. Seems that Pegg is the reckless nutjob and Frost is the conservative. Great supporting cast too with Eddie Marsan and Paddy Considine. Looks great.

THE GRANDMASTER

Release Date : August 23

Anybody that has seen either Ip Man or IP Man 2 realize the potential for any film centered around the famous kung fu master is sky high. The fact that Kar Wai Wong is directing this only adds excitement. Kar Wai has one of the most unique styles in film right now and his tackling of kung fu should be an epic sight. Did you see that rain fight scene? Crazy.

YOU’RE NEXT

Release Date : August 23

Oh man. This looks awesome. If the actual movie is as good as the trailer then you have yourself the best horror film this year. It’s been getting a lot of buzz from international festivals and is finally getting a wide scale release. By the way, for those who are counting, this is the second film on this list whose main villains are wearing creepy as shit masks.

Honorable Mentions
Monsters University
This is the End
The Lone Ranger
The Kings of Summer
The East
Fruitvale Station