2015’s May is littered with heavy hitters everywhere:
AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON
The Good: Everyone is back from the first film including the great director Joss Whedon. a dark “Empire Strikes Back” look, James Spader’s villain: Ultron, cool special effects
The Bad: Possible bloating with all the characters involved
Prediction:
The first truly awesome movie of the year, using the amazing cast to great effect, twisting the story in a darker direction but maintaining the breezy pace of the first film. Joss Whedon will be a resounding 2 for 2 in the Marvel universe.
FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
The Good: The writer/director know Thomas Hardy’s material
The Bad: Carey Mulligan is on a terrible streak of bad films, Hardy’s novels are morose and terribly long winded.
Prediction:
This film will look pretty, but be horribly boring at times during the story.
HOT PURSUIT
The Good: Reese Witherspoon is a good actress.
The Bad: Director is famous for bad romcoms, TV writers, Sofia Vergara, Reese Witherspoon’s comedies other that Legally Blonde suck.
Prediction:
This reeks of hot garbage and over the top acting/action.
PITCH PERFECT 2
The Good: Same writer as the first film, most of the cast returns, Rebel Wilson is funny, Anna Kendrick is adorable
The Bad: Untested first time director, Elizabeth Banks
Prediction:
This one will lack the charm of the original, but still be hella funny and a contender for the biggest laughts of the year.
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
The Good: Tom Hardy is a stellar actor and due for a lead blockbuster role, the visionary behind the original trilogy writes/directs this one, Special Effects should be stellar
The Bad: Setting could end up being distracting (sandstorms)
Prediction:
A well chosen rebootable franchise with a strong lead and solid behind the scenes support. The dark horse of the summer.
TOMORROWLAND
The Good: Brad Bird/Damon Lindelof is a juggernaut of a writer/director combo, strong supporting cast including George Clooney, Disney supported spectacular CGI
The Bad: Untested big budget lead Britt Robertson
Prediction:
Great direction always overcomes an untested lead. Expect a beautiful journey with an emotional resonant message.
SPY
The Good: Paul Feig can direct Melissa McCarthy, stellar supporting comedy cast, including Allison Janney, Rose Byrne, and Jason Statham
The Bad: Tired premise
Prediction:
Feig loves making tired tropes around women instead of men. This will be funny, but probably too dependent on pratfalls.
SAN ANDREAS
The Good: Summer disaster films are fun, The Rock can lead an action movie,
The Bad: 6 writers, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island director.
Prediction:
This movie will get a higher rating if the CGI is good. It should be harmless, ridiculous fun if it is in on the joke.
INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3
The Good: Dermot Mulroney is still alive, same writer as the first 2 Insidious films
The Bad: unknown leads, first time director, 2nd movie was really bad
Prediction:
Prequel to the first 2 films, but the 2nd derailed the franchise. Expect boo’s and requisite horror clichés.
ALOHA
The Good: Cameron Crowe can be a good director, Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone
The Bad: Cameron Crowe hasn’t made a good movie in 15 years
Prediction:
Hardest for me to predict, but I’m more sappy, so I’ll probably like this will be lovey weeper.