The season of the blockbuster has arrived! Celebrate, cinephiles with the minds of teenage boys! Flawlessly constructed jokes aside, this summer looks set to bring back some oldies but goodies, as well as our seasonal dose of Superhero films. Between Jurassic Park, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Poltergeist and Mad Max, most of us will be setting up tents in our local cinemas.

So whether you choose to checkout that indie movie you’ve heard so much about, or the latest big studio release, don’t forget to click on the movie title below to view the trailer. We want to make sure you know what you are getting into before you head to the theater.

 

May 1

Avengers: Age of Ultron (3D)

Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, James Spader, Jeremy Renner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson,

Directed By: Joss Whedon

Synopsis: The Avengers return following the victory in New York city against Loki form the last film. Sensing that the world will always needs them and that they will not always be around, Tony Stark seeks to build a robot (Ultron) who can replace them when that time comes. However, Ultron has other ideas, and hopes to break apart the Avengers forever.

Our Two Cents: I don’t know a human alive who isn’t intending on seeing this the weekend it is out.

Far from the Madding Crowd (Limited)

Stars: Carey Mulligan, Tom Sturridge, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen, Juno Temple

Directed By: Thomas Vinterberg

Synopsis: Carey Mulligan stars in this adaptation of the famed Thomas Hardy novel as a woman playing with the hearts of three men, only to find herself in too deep.

Our Two Cents: This guy directed “The Hunt” (jaw-dropping paedo-drama feat. Mads Mikkelsen that changed my life), so he is guaranteed my ticket.

Ride (Limited)

Stars: Helen Hunt, Luke Wilson, Brendon Thwaites

Directed By: Helen Hunt

Synopsis: Helen Hunt stars as a woman who is forced to travel across the country to convince her dropout-turned-surfer son to grow up.

Our Two Cents: I literally fell asleep writing that synopsis.

 

May 8

Before I Wake

Stars: Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane, Annabeth Gish

Directed By: Mike Flanagan

Synopsis: A young couple decides to adopt a little boy following the death of their own son of a similar age. Everything goes swimmingly, until they start to see apparitions of their son, and butterflies storming the house. They quickly discover their foster son’s dreams come alive when he sleeps, but when he wakes they disappear. Or do they?

Our Two Cents: Pros: music by Danny Elfman, great child-lead and an interesting plot, Cons: Kate Bosworth. End of List.

Hot Pursuit

Stars: Sofia Vergara, Reese Witherspoon

Directed By: Anna Fletcher

Synopsis: Reese Witherspoon stars as a policewoman assigned to protecting an invaluable witness (Sofia Vergara) in a drug mafia case. When the two are ambushed by cartel members, it becomes increasingly obvious that they have been set up, and embark on a journey for justice – cultivating an unlikely friendship along the way.

Our Two Cents: Neither of these actresses should be doing a crappy movie like this.

5 Flights Up (Limited)

Stars: Morgan Freeman, Diane Keaton

Directed By: Richard Loncraine

Synopsis: An elderly couple looks to sell their Brooklyn apartment, but find out that is easier said than done.

Our Two Cents: Any chance to watch Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton love each other left and right is reason enough for me.

Maggie (Limited)

Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Abigail Breslin, Joely Richardson

Directed By: Henry Hobson

Synopsis: An unlikely take on the zombie genre, the film centres on a father and daughter living in the Midwest during a viral outbreak. The disease turns people into blood-lusting cannibals, and her father must stay by her side as Maggie turns.

Our Two Cents: Arnie cries in the trailer – so I would see this if the Tribeca audience hadn’t torn it apart.

Welcome to Me (Limited)

Stars: Kristen Wiig, James Marsden, Wes Bentley, Joan Cusack

Directed By: Shira Piven

Synopsis: Kristen Wiig stars as Alice, who wins $86million in the lottery, but she has a few loose screws. Obsessed with Oprah, she uses the money to fund her own talk show called “Welcome to Me”, which completely flops. However, as Alice gains more creative control and addresses her psychiatric issues, she completely alienates those around her and struggle to keep the show afloat.

Our Two Cents: This looks hysterical.

The D Train (Limited)

Stars: Jack Black, James Marsden

Directed By: Andrew Mogul, Jarrad Paul

Synopsis: Jack Black stars as Dan, a man hoping to throw an amazing 20-year reunion for his high school. When no one agrees to come, he travels across the country to persuade the coolest guy in his class to come in the hopes that they will all follow. Now a big Hollywood actor, Oliver takes Dan on the adventure of the lifetime, hoping to turn him into the man he always wanted to be.

Our Two Cents: Is Jack Black still making movies?

 

May 15

Mad Max: Fury Road (3D)

Stars: Tom Hardy, Nicholas Hoult, Charlie Theron, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Directed By: George Miller

Synopsis: In this bold remake of the Mel Gibson original, Tom Hardy stars as Max in a dystopian future where water and oil are commodities to go to war after. Constantly at battle in his car, he teams up with various adversaries to overcome their greatest enemy.

Our Two Cents: Wacky Racers meets Game of Thrones

Pitch Perfect 2

Stars: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Elizabeth Banks, Birttany Snow

Directed By: Elizabeth Banks

Synopsis: The Bellas return to the stage after an embarrassing on-stage accident leaves them suspended from school. Promising to win the world championships, the team must face the German team as they seek to undermine and sabotage the Bellas at every turn.

Our Two Cents: Teenage girls everywhere in America will unite for this weekend.

The Connection (Limited)

Stars: Jean Du Jardin

Directed By: Cedric Jimenez

Synopsis: Jean Du Jardin stars as a bold French magistrate seeking to make a name for himself amidst the battles of the heroin gangs in Paris. As they move into New York, he must, amongst corrupt police and reporters, succeed in arresting and taking down the mafia. However, as his life becomes increasingly at risk, he only enjoys the chase more, and reveals more selfish reasons for his deadly pursuit.

Our Two Cents: See this film.

Good Kill (Limited)

Stars: Ethan Hawke, January Jones, Zoe Kravitz

Directed By: Andrew Niccol

Synopsis: Ethan Hawke stars as a pilot forced to trade in his wings for a seat at a drone back home safely in Nevada. Missing the thrill of being on a tour, his home life becomes violent and hostile. But when the CIA assign him missions that seem to compromise his mission to protect the innocent, he embarks on a journey to mend his alcoholism and apparent addiction to death.

Our Two Cents: This writer saw this film at Tribeca and was less than impressed.

Slow West (Limited)

Stars: Michael Fassbender

Directed By: John Maclean

Synopsis: A young boy travels from Scotland to the heart of the American Wild West to follow his one true love, and is taken under the wing of an outlaw who may not be as trustworthy as he seems.

Our Two Cents: You had me at Fassbender

 

May 22

Poltergeist

Stars: Sam Rockwell

Directed By: Sam Raimi, Gil Kenan

Synopsis: When a young family moves to a haunted house, they dismiss the odd noises as part of their dream home. However, when things escalate beyond return, and their daughter is taken, they are forced to exorcise the poltergeist.

Our Two Cents: Obligatory monthly horror flick, with a little more kick.

Tomorrowland ( 3D)

Stars: George Clooney, Judy Greer, Tim McGraw, Hugh Laurie and Brit Robertson

Directed By: Brad Bird

Synopsis: A young girl finds a button that, when touched, transports her to another world, and when she shares the discovery with Frank Walker (Clooney), they begin to realise their actions in this far-off place have very real consequences.

Our Two Cents: Clooney is awesome. Brad Bird is awesome. Hugh Laurie is awesome. Awesome.

Aloft (Limited)

Stars: Cillian Murphy, Jennifer Connelly, Melanie Laurent

Directed By: Claudia Llosa

Synopsis: A man goes on a journey to find his mother, years after she abandoned him following the death of his brother.

Our Two Cents: I mean, no.

Sunshine Superman (Limited)

Stars: Carl Boenish, Jean Boenish

Directed By: Marah Strauch

Synopsis: Following the life of BASE-jumping pioneer Carl Boenish, the film details his accomplishments, philosophy, and charisma up until his death during a jump.

Our Two Cents: Mind-bogglingly interesting.

The Vatican Tapes (Limited)

Stars: Djimon Hounsou, Michael Peña, Kathleen Robertson

Directed By: Marc Neveldine

Synopsis: Michael Peña stars as a newly anointed Vatican priest whose first job might just be his hardest. Alongside veteran exorcist (Djimon Hounsou) he is called up to reveal the Devil’s larger plan: to summon the antichrist. Unfortunately, teenage girl Angela is the vessel of this summon, and the two priests must fight to save her life.

Our Two Cents: Naaaaaaaaahhhhhh.