'Spider-Man: Homecoming', 'Fate of the Furious' and others headline the early Summer Movie slate

Happy Holidays, everyone! I hope you all had a great Christmas with your families. While I've tried to fight for Die Hard as a Christmas movie, I finally have enough down time to put up a brand-new post for you all!

Normally, I would have individual trailer previews but I've decided to do something a little different. A lot of previews have hit the internet over the last few weeks, especially those that have found their place in the summer. So, this post will include all of the trailers that have been released specifically for the summer.

We all know Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 leads the pack by officially opening the summer movie season, but that's just the start. Christopher Nolan returns with a war epic, Dwayne Johnson launches a raunchy 90's reboot, Vin Diesel revs up another Furious installment, and Marvel welcomes the web-slinger home. Does that all sound good to you? It sure does to me!

So let's get started.

The Fate of the Furious - April 14, 2017

The first Fast and Furious film after Paul Walker's tragic death continues the new direction of the franchise. Looking at this trailer, it seems that the team is continuing its globetrotting ways now that they have been exonerated after the events of Furious 7, but this time is different. A mysterious new woman (Charlize Theron) seduces Dom (Vin Diesel) into betraying his team and going to the dark side. In order save Dom, the team will have to join forces with unlikely allies to stop the man that turned them into a family. Featuring returning series stars Michelle Rodriguez, Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges, Dwayne Johnson, and Tyrese Gibson, we also see the return of Kurt Russell's Mr. Nobody and Jason Statham's Deckard Shaw along with welcoming Charlize Theron. Helen Mirren's role was not shown, but you can imagine that will be saved for another preview. Just when you think this franchise had run out of gas, it shows that it still has a few surprises left.

The Circle - April 28, 2017

A woman (Emma Watson) lands a job at a powerful tech company called The Circle, where she becomes involved with a mysterious man. That is the basic synopsis of this film and the trailer should be enough to interest people. Featuring a stellar cast led by Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, and John Boyega, this film targets a general problem that surrounds our world now with connection and how available information is to everyone. Based on the novel by Dave Eggers, this film will be one that many could relate to and could surprise people.

Alien: Covenant - May 19, 2017

It's safe to say that 2012's Prometheus was a successful reboot for the Alien film series so we can only hope it can just get better with the second installment in the prequel series. It's not revealed when this film is taking after the events of Prometheus, but we see Michael Fassbender return as David, the android from the previous film. Following the expected but successful plot of space travel to a remote world, the crew of the colony ship, Covenant, believes they have found a hidden paradise. What they discover is a dark and dangerous world. The film also stars Fantastic Beasts breakout star Katherine Waterston along with Billy Crudup, Danny McBride, and returning Prometheus stars Noomi Rapace and Guy Pearce. Welcome back to Ridley Scott's Alien universe!

Baywatch - May 26, 2017

Hollywood Viagra himself, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, is truly on a roll as he helps reboot a 90's classic television series for the silver screen. Johnson plays Mitch Buchannon, the role made famous by David Hasselhoff in the original series. The veteran Baywatch leader works to restore the name of the lifesaving business by the beach. He takes on a young man, Matt Brody (Zac Efron), as his partner and it looks like we are in for some raunchy comedy as the unlikely duo works to save Baywatch. Featuring Alexandra Daddario, Kelly Rohrbach, and Quantico's Priyanka Chopra, this comedy could be a summer surprise and continue to solidify Johnson's place as Hollywood's most bankable actor right now.

The Mummy - June 9, 2017

Universal Studios has had talks about rebooting all of their classic film monsters and it looks like The Mummy will be the start. This reboot is set in modern day with new characters. From this trailer, Tom Cruise stars as Nick Morton, the adventurer who discovers the sarcophagus of an ancient mummy. This mummy, Princess Ahmanet (Star Trek Beyond's Sofia Boutella)  seems to have the plagues following them as well and becomes fully unleashed when awoken. Russell Crowe also stars in this film. Talks have also surrounded the classic monsters being in a shared universe, but let's see how this reboot goes first.

Transformers: The Last Knight - June 23, 2017

 
How much longer can this go on? I mean, really? I think Michael Bay is asking the same question since this is to be his last Transformers film. I will admire his dedication to this franchise and the history of these pop culture icons and putting IMAX on the map. With Bay's sacrifice of story and plot for cool action scenes and destructive special effects, it makes these near three-hour movies tough to sit through. Moving on, this installment looks to go into more of the medieval times and their possible relation to the Robots in Disguise. Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) also seems to go off the deep end when he attacks Bumblebee. Returning stars including Age of Extincition's Mark Wahlberg and Stanley Tucci, franchise veterans Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, and John Turturro, and new comers Anthony Hopkins along with young Isabela Moner. How much destruction are we going to cause this time around in Bay's final go-around?

War for the Planet of the Apes - July 14, 2017

The third installment of the Planet of the Apes reboot series looks to be as emotionally charged and filled will enough action to keep fans of this series happy. Following the events of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Caesar (Andy Serkis) looks to give into his darker instincts to avenge the losses as his ape colony deal with their heavy losses. This sets him against the humans' leader, the Colonel (Woody Harrelson) , to determine the fate of their species and the Earth's future. I've been a fan of the reboot series and I think this film will contain more of the same things that has led to others embracing the reboot.

Spider-Man: Homecoming - July 7, 2017

If you haven't seen Captain America: Civil War, you can catch it on Netflix right now. The reason I bring this up is because this will give audiences the proper introduction into Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. I am so excited that Sony has agreed to share the web-slinger with Marvel and now we have him in the same world as the Marvel Cinematic Universe with our other heroes. This time around, we find Peter (Tom Holland) in high school, trying to find a balance in his life as a high school student and fighting crime as Spider-Man with the help of his mentor, Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr). While trying to find this balance, a new threat, the Vulture (Michael Keaton), emerges. I'm so excited for this film and to see how Spider-Man interacts with this universe. I love Tony Stark, but I don't want him to take over this film so a healthy amount of Iron Man will definitely help the film while Spider-Man establishes himself along with his other heroes. We also get the web-winged suit!

Dunkirk - July 21, 2017

I had heard that Christopher Nolan was filming a new film, but it was kept under tight wraps that no one knew much about it; not the premise or the cast. And then, during the IMAX 3D premiere of Rogue One, audiences were introduced to Nolan's return to the director's chair. The official premise of this war film covers Operation Dynamo as Allied soldiers from Britain, Belgium and France are surrounded by the German army on the beaches on Dunkirk and evacuated in the operation during the early days of World War II. As far as the cast, it's stellar with Kenneth Branagh, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Jack Lowden, Mark Rylance, and Harry Styles. I think this will be the one non-superhero movie that could possibly top the box office this summer.

Well, there you have it! What do you all think about the movies that we have coming up during April to July for the summer? Which ones are you looking forward to the most?

I'll be back with a few movie previews and reviews of movies that I've seen, along with a top 10 of 2016. Happy Holidays!

Update

Hey, movie lovers!

I know, I know. I've been away for a little while, battling the forces of evil that are grad school finals, holiday parties, and just life overall.

I have not forgotten any of you and wanted to let you know that I'll be making new review posts within the next few days. We've had some amazing new trailers released in the last few weeks, new movies that have entered theaters, and more (including my top 10 for 2016)!

Until then, stay warm, grab some popcorn, and go see a movie!

Happy Holidays!

It's Showtime in the first 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2' trailer

Two years ago, Marvel Studios introduced us to a group of intergalactic outlaws that most fans did not even know about. Like the first Iron Man movie, it was a huge risk to introduce a new team away from their well-known characters like Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor. With excellent directing, an entertaining and diverse cast of characters, and an amazing soundtrack, Guardians of the Galaxy became an instant classic and tops many lists as the best Marvel movie ever.

This summer, we continue the adventures of the galaxy's favorite band of misfits.

Set two months after the events of the first film, the Guardians of the Galaxy travel throughout the cosmos and struggle to keep their newfound family together, while helping Peter Quill learn more about his true parentage.

From the footage of this film in the teaser, we see the Guardians taking on a huge tentacle monster along with an army of spaceships. It definitely shows that a space battle will be happening in this sequel. We also see that the team is getting along a little more often but still as dysfunctional. Their banter made the movie work in the first film so I expect more of the same. No word yet on the songs for the soundtrack but the song for the teaser trailer, "Fox on the Run", has already topped the iTunes Rock Charts so it's possible that we got a taste of the awesomeness to come. Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana lead the returning cast that includes Dave Batista, the voice work of Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel, along with Michael Rooker. New cast members include Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone.

And we cannot forget...Baby Groot!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 comes out on May 5, 2017.

'Fantastic Beasts' provides a enjoyable magical experience for fans, old and new

Hello everyone! I know that I'm a little behind right now but now that I have time, let's get to some new reviews!

In one way or another, we all remember the first time that we watched a Harry Potter movie for the first time. From there, you are hooked into this magical escape from our world into a wizarding world of wonder. The Harry Potter film series dominated the box-office for nearly a decade with eight movies. While it was sad to see the series end, there is always another avenue to look at a world and that's from a new perspective. That's where the prequel comes in and the Harry Potter film services found new life with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

This prequel takes place in the 1920's and, instead of being across the pond, this film takes place in New York in America. British wizard, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), comes to New York along with a case full of magical creatures under his protection. When one of the creatures gets loose in a bank, Scamander crosses paths with aspiring baker and No-Maj (the american equivalent to Muggle), Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler). From there, we are entered into the Wizarding world of America when demoted Auror Tina Goldstein arrests Newt for the unintentional release of several creatures. Along with Tina's sister, Queenie, the heroes work to recover the lost monsters in the big city but also contend with a dark threat that seeks to expose the world to the existence of wizards.

Overall, the film is not as strong as the previous Harry Potter films but just as enjoyable and very different. It starts with the setting being in America and there is an obvious difference between the two when it comes to those that possess magic. While those in England walk freely around, in America, those with magical powers live in hiding, governed by laws that are designed to "protect them". But their presence does not go unnoticed. A non-magical woman by the name of Mary Lou Barebone preaches to many people that wizards and witches walk among the non-magical and a danger to them. American wizards are also forbidden to marry or even interact with No-Majs, an situation audiences confront throughout the film but is more of a problem with two of our main characters.

Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne did a great portrayal of Newt, the eccentric magizoologist. Newt has a strong bond with the creatures in his case, getting along with them better than with other people. This even includes his fellow wizards, being highly introverted. I would definitely be interested to learning more about the future author of one of Harry Potter's textbooks. Queenie, played by Alison Sudol, was a surprising favorite character for me. The beautiful Legilimens (a wizard who is able to extract feelings and memories from another person's mind) had a contagious energy about her and you couldn't find a reason to not like her. Queenie was free-spirited and big hearted, just an all around lovable character. Colin Farrell's character, Auror Percival Graves was a welcomed addition to the Harry Potter film family, commanding his character with power and the experience of his years as an actor, looking comfortable as the protector of the wizards of New York. Ezra Miller's character, while important, did annoy me with his meekness but his relationship with Graves did add to his mystery.

David Yates, veteran director of the Harry Potter films, returned to helm this new film and his experience definitely assisted in bringing this different aspect of the Wizarding world but this was more about J.K. Rowling, As one of the many fans who bought the original screenplay for this film, Rowling did a wonderful job, integrating humor into this story but she did more than that. Over the years, Rowling has faced her share of critics and those who believe the reading of wizards and magic, even fictional ones, are corrupting today's youth and leading to the practice of witchcraft. In this film, she directly answered back to those critics of her successful work and characters. I don't think I have to tell Harry Potter fans to see this movie but this would also be a good film for those new to the series to start.

Disney invites you to Be Their Guest in official 'Beauty and the Beast' trailer

As you have heard me harp and gush over my love of Disney, you know that I've been a fan of the recent run of live-action remakes based on their animated classics. This year's addition in the series, The Jungle Book, was one of the year's best all around movies. The magic about Disney is that it doesn't just target children, there is something there for everyone of all ages. Larger than life characters, brilliant songs, and fairy tales come to life... It's the Disney magic that makes the company so successful.

Next year, Disney invites you to revisit a classic fairy tale that audiences have loved for more than twenty years and continues to stand the test of time.

This adaptation of the classic fairy-tale tells the story of a young woman named Belle (Emma Watson) who becomes prisoner by a Beast (Dan Stevens) in order to free her father. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle's enchanted staff (Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Ian Mckellen, and Emma Thompson) and learns to look beyond the Beast's exterior to recognize the man and the true heart inside of the animal. But the village's hunter named Gaston (Luke Evans) is on the loose to take Belle for himself and hunt down the Beast at any cost.

Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite movies of all time, not just in the realm of Disney. I will definitely be attending this party along with millions of others.

Beauty and the Beast enter theaters in March 17, 2017.

'Doctor Strange' bargains and wins with a magical origin story

When Marvel announced Doctor Strange as a part of their Phase Three initiative of their universe, fans of the mystical superhero were instantly excited. This film had been in development since the mid-1980s, but I feel like this film needed to wait for the right time and the right actor. The right time was certainly this year because of the effects and the right actor to play the arrogant former doctor was Benedict Cumberbatch.

Doctor Strange tells the tale of Doctor Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch), an acclaimed but arrogant neurosurgeon living in New York City. A devastating car accident changes his life forever; while he survived, he loses the use of his hands. After experimental procedures prove ineffective and learning of a mysterious recovery, Strange travels to Nepal and encounters a sorcerer known as the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). From there, Strange learns that the world is a lot larger than he ever thought.

With the mystical effects for this type of product, it's easy to lose the story when a blockbuster was already expected because of the constraints of the MCU. Director Scott Derrickson did a wonderful job balancing the two, delivering an entertaining superhero origin story. While we have been more used to the science and physical nature of the MCU for the first two phases, dabbling in the magic of the universe from time to time, Doctor Strange opens the door and gave audiences an eye-popping spectacle that we have never seen before. This film made an effective use of the special effects when you have imagination behind it. The world folding does remind fans of Inception but this film goes behind it, VFX-wise.

Benedict Cumberbatch did a wonderful job playing Stephen Strange, carrying himself as God's gift to medicine who looked to be in need of humbling. I barely paid attention to Cumberbatch's New York accent, displaying how much experience the actor has with covering his accent. Strange's dry humor, intelligence and bravado was carried very well by the experienced actor. I'm still a fan of Rachel McAdams and her casting as Christine Palmer, Strange's former lover. Personally, I wish we could have had more about their relationship, before the accident and after Strange returns from his mystic arts training. I would have liked to see more about the expansion of their relationship, especially with Palmer being one of the last ties to Earth. Chiwetel Ejiofor was definitely a strong character in the film as Karl Mordo, a mentor to Strange but also very head strong and complex character, grounded in his ways and beliefs about how the mystic arts should be used. This cast has definitely under fire before the premiere because of the characters and the roles that could be tailor made for Asian actors went to a white actress like Swinton. While I understand the outrage, Swinton did a wonderful job and shows how forward thinking Marvel is because beyond that, other minorities in this film have a strong presence like Ejiofor and Benedict Wong.

If you are a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you'll definitely get your money's worth out of seeing this movie in 3D and especially in IMAX 3D. Marvel did an excellent job with this lesser known property from its archives of heroes to defend the world. The ending might have been a little lackluster but predictable to set up their next film, but an overall enjoyable event for veteran fans and newcomers to this franchise.

My Top 10 Fall/Winter Movies

With the U.S. release of Marvel's next film, Doctor Strange, coming into theaters this Friday, we officially enter the fall movie season. This season will also go into the Winter; also known as the "Oscar bait" season to me. I have seen some of the previous movies in the earlier part of the fall (which I'll put up reviews soon). On this list, I do have a few suggestions that will be in major Oscar conversation but I think they will all be solid movies for everyone to see. 

From the mystical Marvel movie, a prequel for the Harry Potter universe, and a new Star Wars story to an ensemble drama starring Will Smith and a throwback to the musicals of a generation ago, this season will have something for everyone. 

10) The Edge of Seventeen - November 18

This coming-of-age comedy has received critical acclaim from the film festivals this film has been seen at. Hailee Steinfield stars as Nadine, an awkward high school junior, who feels more alone when her popular brother starts to date her best friend. But an unexpected friendship with an awkward boy (Hayden Szeto) gives her hope. The film co-stars Woody Harrelson as Nadine's history teacher, who acts as her mentor. 

9) Fences - December 25

One of the many movies coming out on Christmas day could prove to be a dark horse in the Oscars race. Directed and starring Denzel Washington and co-starring Viola Davis, this adaptation of the play is set in 1950s Pittsburgh, a former Negro Baseball player (Washington), now working as a waste collector, struggles to provide for his family and comes to terms with the events of his life. 

8) Fantastic Beasts - November 18

Director David Yates and author J.K. Rowling have reunited to provide a new era of the Wizarding World before Harry Potter. Set in 1926 New York, magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) arrives to research and rescue magical creatures. However, a No-Maj (American English for Muggles) named Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) has inadvertently opened Scamander's case and letting the beasts loose on a wizarding community already on edge. Co-starring Colin Farrell, Ezra Miller, and Katherine Waterson, prepare to return to the magical world in this extension of the Harry Potter franchise.

7) Moana - November 23

Disney looks to bring another animated classic to audiences with this film. On a mystical island of Polynesia, the young princess of the tribe, Moana (newcomer Auli'i Cravalho) from Motunui Island, is a born navigator who sets sail in search of a fabled island of mysterious secrets. Along the way, she teams up with her hero and legendary demigod, Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson). With the musical assistance of Lin-Manuel Miranda, this film will definitely make a beautiful splash in the box office. 

6) Loving - November 4

This historical drama is coming out at a great time in my opinion, given the current racial climate. This film follows the courtship and marriage of Mildred Jeter (Ruth Negga), a black woman, and Richard Loving (Joel Edgerton), a white man.They are arrested and sent to prison in Virginia in 1958, because their interracial marriage is in violation of the state's anti-miscegenation laws. Exciled to Washington, D.C., the couple sues the state of Virginia which leads to the Supreme Court's unanimous decision in Loving v. Virginia. This movie will show that love truly conquers all. 

5) Doctor Strange - November 4

You know that I couldn't leave out Marvel's next film in Phase 3 of their expanding universe. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Dr. Stephen Strange, an acclaimed neurosurgeon until he loses the use of his hands due to a car accident. He goes off in search of unconventional ways to repair his hands. The journey leads him to the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), who teaches Strange the mystic arts, just in time to defeat dark sorcerer Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelson). 

4) Rogue One - December 16

We return to the galaxy far, far away during the time of the early dominance of the Galactic Empire's rule. The Rebel Alliance recruits Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) to work with Rebel pilot Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) to lead a motley crew to steal the plans to the Death Star. Disney has followed the same strategy they set with The Force Awakens trailers and that is to reveal as little as possible. They set up the basic them of the story and don't reveal anything else for the audience. But from the previews, we are guaranteed one person: The Dark Lord of the Sith himself, Darth Vader!

3) Passengers - December 21

This romantic science fiction tale has been kept under wraps for quite some time, floating around Hollywood for years since 2007. Now, it has been greenlit and ready to be consumed by audiences. The story tells the tale of Jim (Chris Pratt) and Aurora (Jennifer Lawrence), two people who are traveling on the starship Avalon, being awoken early during the 120-year journey while everyone else sleeps in suspended animation. When the ship begins to malfunction, it is up to the duo to solve the problems, while also falling in love in the process. To me, it looks like Titanic in space but that's my early assumption. From the initial trailer, this film looks as though it'll be quite the journey. And having two of the hottest stars in Hollywood today isn't too bad either. 

2) Collateral Beauty - December 16

Another one of Hollywood's mystery projects that audiences did not know much about, this film just screams potential. When a successful New York ad exec (Will Smith) suffers a great tragedy in his life, he retreats from it. While his concerned friends try desperately to reconnect with him, he seeks answers from the universe by writing letters to Death, Love, and Time. But it's not until his notes are unexpectedly answered through personal responses that he begins to understand that these constants interlock into a life fully lived, and how even the deepest loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty. This film also stars Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley, Edward Norton, Naomie Harris, and Kate Winslet, it's guaranteed to touch everyone in the audience in one way or another. 

1) La La Land - December 9

This movie, I can guarantee that you will hear about when the Oscar nominations are announced. In the heart of Los Angeles, aspiring actress Mia (Emma Stone) serves lattes to movie stars in between auditions. Jazz musician Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) plays in dingy bars just to get by. The two meet and fall in love, but, as success mounts, the dreams they worked so hard to maintain threaten to tear them apart. From the trailer, this film looks to be a throwback to the romantic musicals of the '50s, '60s, and sometimes, '70s. I love watching old classic films so I think if you love a good story, musical, or you are just a movie fan, I would recommend this movie. 

So what are the movies that you are looking forward to? I hope you take some of these movies under advisement to watch as the weather gets colder!

Until next time, movie fans!