Six reasons to cool off in the theater before summer ends
Posted On: 8/9/13
Written By: Nathan Brunet
*Click images below to view larger versions.
While we’ve recently had some unexpectedly cool weather, there are definitely some hot and muggy days that have reminded us that we’re right in the middle of summer. Of course while you’re at the beach, you want to do things such as take in the sights, get a (real) tan, play at one of Ocean City’s thousands of mini golf courses or simply just walk around in nice weather. Yet sometimes, nothing beats the cool blast of air conditioning. And better yet, nothing beats sitting in cool air conditioning while watching a summer flick at one of the two movie theaters in town! So if there’s ever a day where the heat is just too much, here are six of the biggest movies releasing within the next two months.
Elysium
Release date: August 9
Starring: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley
Rated: R
The second film directed by “District 9’s” Neill Blomkamp, “Elysium” will continue the sci-fi theme with a strong political influence. Set in 2154, the wealthy live on a space station called “Elysium,” a utopian society that has the capability of eliminating all disease. Meanwhile, the poor still live on Earth, which has essentially become a Third World… a world, that is left in ruin, overpopulated and full of disease. After Earth inhabitant Max DeCosta (Damon) learns he has cancer, he develops a plot to sneak into Elysium to be cured. However, he must outsmart the station’s police force, led by Secretary of Defense Delacourt (Foster) and Agent Kruget (Copley) to do so. This not only looks like a stunning movie visually, but also a very smart plot that Blomkamp believes has more similarities to politics today than how things may be in the future.
Planes
Release date: August 9
Starring: Dane Cook, Stacy Keach, Priyanka Chopra
Rated: PG
OK, so we have another computer animated Disney film about racing vehicles that have mouths and eyes. A spinoff of the popular Pixar Cars franchise, “Planes” follows Dusty Crophopper (Cook), as he learns to overcome his fear of heights by his mentor, Skipper Riley (Keach), so he can live his dream to compete in races. While Keach isn’t a huge name, many may recognize his voice from several documentary shows such as National Geographic, Nova and World’s Most Amazing Videos. Chopra, who was named Miss World in 2000, will be starring in her first American movie since she has become a popular actress and singer in India. Although this is a Disney movie based on the Cars films, please do not have expectations other than it being an enjoyable family flick. Keep in mind that this film was not made by Pixar and its original intent was to be a direct-to-DVD movie.
Release date: August 9
Starring: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley
Rated: R
The second film directed by “District 9’s” Neill Blomkamp, “Elysium” will continue the sci-fi theme with a strong political influence. Set in 2154, the wealthy live on a space station called “Elysium,” a utopian society that has the capability of eliminating all disease. Meanwhile, the poor still live on Earth, which has essentially become a Third World… a world, that is left in ruin, overpopulated and full of disease. After Earth inhabitant Max DeCosta (Damon) learns he has cancer, he develops a plot to sneak into Elysium to be cured. However, he must outsmart the station’s police force, led by Secretary of Defense Delacourt (Foster) and Agent Kruget (Copley) to do so. This not only looks like a stunning movie visually, but also a very smart plot that Blomkamp believes has more similarities to politics today than how things may be in the future.
Planes
Release date: August 9
Starring: Dane Cook, Stacy Keach, Priyanka Chopra
Rated: PG
OK, so we have another computer animated Disney film about racing vehicles that have mouths and eyes. A spinoff of the popular Pixar Cars franchise, “Planes” follows Dusty Crophopper (Cook), as he learns to overcome his fear of heights by his mentor, Skipper Riley (Keach), so he can live his dream to compete in races. While Keach isn’t a huge name, many may recognize his voice from several documentary shows such as National Geographic, Nova and World’s Most Amazing Videos. Chopra, who was named Miss World in 2000, will be starring in her first American movie since she has become a popular actress and singer in India. Although this is a Disney movie based on the Cars films, please do not have expectations other than it being an enjoyable family flick. Keep in mind that this film was not made by Pixar and its original intent was to be a direct-to-DVD movie.
Kick-Ass 2
Release date: August 16
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloë Grace Moretz
Rated: R
Alright, now for something entirely on the opposite spectrum of “Planes!” Although this is a superhero movie, parents, please do not bring your kids to this! Now a message to adults: please bring yourselves to this! Inspired by the events of the first film, several people have made their own superhero costumes to fight crime on the streets. Most of the main cast returns, while the Red Mist (Mintz-Plasse – the infamous McLovin from Superbad) turns from good guy to the main villain who attempts to recruit an army of supervillains. New to the cast is Jim Carrey as Colonel Stars and Stripes, who has formed a superhero team and asks Kick-Ass (Taylor-Johnson) to join them. If this movie is anything like the first, it will be action packed, violent and absolutely hilarious.
Release date: August 16
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloë Grace Moretz
Rated: R
Alright, now for something entirely on the opposite spectrum of “Planes!” Although this is a superhero movie, parents, please do not bring your kids to this! Now a message to adults: please bring yourselves to this! Inspired by the events of the first film, several people have made their own superhero costumes to fight crime on the streets. Most of the main cast returns, while the Red Mist (Mintz-Plasse – the infamous McLovin from Superbad) turns from good guy to the main villain who attempts to recruit an army of supervillains. New to the cast is Jim Carrey as Colonel Stars and Stripes, who has formed a superhero team and asks Kick-Ass (Taylor-Johnson) to join them. If this movie is anything like the first, it will be action packed, violent and absolutely hilarious.
Jobs
Release date: August 16
Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad, Ahna O’Reilly
Rated: PG-13
Only two years after his death, people will have an opportunity to look into how Steve Jobs led Apple from a three-man independent operation into one of the biggest companies in the world. Kutcher seems to be a great fit for the role, as he appears to look almost exactly like Jobs when in costume. Interestingly, the film follows the story of Jobs so precisely at times, the crew actually filmed certain scenes in his real childhood home where Apple was born. The movie’s first few reviews haven’t been that great, but the premise is interesting enough to warrant a watch.
Riddick
Release date: September 6
Starring: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Matt Nable
Rated: R
Riddick is finally back! After the success of “Pitch Black” established the character, the future of Riddick was unknown after the sequel, “Chronicles of Riddick,” received mixed reviews (I thought it was awesome). About Riddick’s fight to survive against aliens and bounty hunters after being deserted on a desolate planet, this film seems to have more similarities to the horror and suspense of the first movie, rather than the epic sci-fi adventure of the second. Either way, I’m going to be in my seat on opening night, eagerly anticipating to see the rage coming from those glowing eyes.
Release date: August 16
Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad, Ahna O’Reilly
Rated: PG-13
Only two years after his death, people will have an opportunity to look into how Steve Jobs led Apple from a three-man independent operation into one of the biggest companies in the world. Kutcher seems to be a great fit for the role, as he appears to look almost exactly like Jobs when in costume. Interestingly, the film follows the story of Jobs so precisely at times, the crew actually filmed certain scenes in his real childhood home where Apple was born. The movie’s first few reviews haven’t been that great, but the premise is interesting enough to warrant a watch.
Riddick
Release date: September 6
Starring: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Matt Nable
Rated: R
Riddick is finally back! After the success of “Pitch Black” established the character, the future of Riddick was unknown after the sequel, “Chronicles of Riddick,” received mixed reviews (I thought it was awesome). About Riddick’s fight to survive against aliens and bounty hunters after being deserted on a desolate planet, this film seems to have more similarities to the horror and suspense of the first movie, rather than the epic sci-fi adventure of the second. Either way, I’m going to be in my seat on opening night, eagerly anticipating to see the rage coming from those glowing eyes.
The Wizard of Oz: 3-D
Release date: September 20
Starring: Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley
Rated: G
Yes, this is really happening. The original 1939 classic is getting remastered for release all throughout the country. Even better, the film will not only be played in regular 3-D theaters, but also in IMAX 3-D, where Toto will look to be the size of a jet plane. Don’t worry; the studio didn’t take a Star Wars: Special Edition take on the tale. The film has essentially been left untouched, save for a touch up of its visuals. And no, I don’t mean that we’ll see Dorothy being taken to OZ in a brand new computer animated tornado. This will be a great way to relive the classic in an entirely new way and also to expose a new and younger audience to a movie that must be seen by everyone at least once in their life.
«Go back to the previous page.Release date: September 20
Starring: Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley
Rated: G
Yes, this is really happening. The original 1939 classic is getting remastered for release all throughout the country. Even better, the film will not only be played in regular 3-D theaters, but also in IMAX 3-D, where Toto will look to be the size of a jet plane. Don’t worry; the studio didn’t take a Star Wars: Special Edition take on the tale. The film has essentially been left untouched, save for a touch up of its visuals. And no, I don’t mean that we’ll see Dorothy being taken to OZ in a brand new computer animated tornado. This will be a great way to relive the classic in an entirely new way and also to expose a new and younger audience to a movie that must be seen by everyone at least once in their life.