My Summer Flick Picks - 2014

I love the summer movie season, but since I rarely have the cash (and I'm hard at work with my writing, working in the garden, the day job), I have to prioritize my picks. Fortunately, this year only has a few gems this summer vying for my attention. And has anyone noticed that more releases seem to happen near the end of summer?

A Hollywood plot? You make the call.

Anyway, I'll be lucky to see two of the top five. Maybe even all five when they hit the dollar theaters. Depending on what the kids force into the list.

Here's my most anticipated summer movies.

#1 - Guardians of the Galaxy

Release Date: Aug 1

Watch the Trailer on YouTube

Comments:
This one excites me because it's the latest release from Marvel Studios and could rival The Avengers. The trailer hooked me in with comedy and sci-fi. Since my birthday falls on July 24th, I think this will make an excellent party.

#2 - The Maze Runner

Release Date: Sept 19

Watch the Trailer on YouTube 

Comments:
I really enjoy the Young Adult series written by James Dashner. It had the perfect mix of confusion and danger to really draw me in. Thanks to an amazing setting, this flick promises to live up to its literary roots.

#3 - The Fault in Our Stars

Release Date: June 5

Watch the Trailer on YouTube 

Comments:
While I haven't read this Young Adult book yet, my daughters loved it. They've reread it and dragged their friends--kicking and screaming--into reading it. And you know what? They liked it too. It's funny how YA books make such awesome movies.

#4 - Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Release Date: July 11

Watch the Trailer on YouTube 

Comments:
I'll admit it. I'm a Planet of the Apes nut. More the originals of course, but the modern renditions have been renewing the franchise in interesting directions. The last film was decently done, so I'm excited to try this one.

#5 - Lucy

Release Date: Aug 8

Watch the Trailer on YouTube 

Comments:
Scarlett Johansson superhero movie. Yeah. After her kick-ass rendition of Black Widow in Iron Man 3 and The Avengers, you better believe this movie is gonna get my attention. Not only that, but it's sci-fi pitch is just too much to resist.

#6 - Blended

Release Date: May 23

Watch the Trailer on YouTube 

Comments:
After loving Sandler and Barrymore in The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates, I was a sucker for this movie. Throw in Brady Bunch kid action and all you have to do is pass the popcorn.

#7 - Jupiter Ascending

Release Date: July 18

Watch the Trailer on YouTube 

Comments:
This one has a lot of potential, and the biggest chance of a flop. Created from the makers of The Matrix, it has a catchy log line that promises action and moral dilemmas. It's modern earth mixed with sci-fi, so I'm very interested.

#8 - The Giver

Release Date: Aug 15

Watch the Trailer on YouTube 

Comments:
Another film based on a book, this film has the potential for greatness... If it survives the film adaptation. A story of a Utopia that is really a distopia--depending on your point of view. After all, why would you want your humanity?

#9 - The Box Trolls

Release Date: Sept 26

Watch the Trailer on YouTube 

Comments:
I love stop-action animation (Wallace & Gromit), so naturally the trailer caught my eye. It looks pretty cute and is about a group of garbage dwelling creatures who raise an orphan. Feels like the Smurfs, but with more grime and better animation.

#10 - Edge of Tomorrow

Release Date: Sept 19

Watch the Trailer on YouTube 

Comments:
I like Tom Cruise in spy thrillers. But for some reason I've never liked him as an action hero, even more so, a sci-fi action hero. He almost seems type-cast for action roles that require a bit of emotional output. Either way, I'll be watching.

Your Turn!
That's it for my summer flick picks. Which films are you most anticipating? Anything I missed or that you'd recommend?