Most Anticipated Summer Movies 2015

Everybody knows that summer is the greatest time of year for film fans. While some people look forward to pool and beach season, I'm looking forward to all of the great movies I'll get to see (I'm excited about the pool and beach too). Since the summer movie season kicks off this weekend with Avengers: Age of Ultron, let's talk anticipation. 

1. Avengers: Age of Ultron - May 1st
Seriously, how could this not be number one on any Nerd's list? The first Avengers was amazing. Every MCU* movie since has been a lot of fun. Joss Whedon rarely disappoints. 'Nuff said.

2. Jurassic World - June 10th
This could end up being one of the biggest busts of the season, but I'm willing to take a risk on it. Jurassic Park was one of my most memorable movies from my early movie-going life. I remember it sparked my interest in reading Michael Crichton, which led to me reading some of my favorite books. Chris Pratt is fun to watch, even when riding a motorcycle with his pet velociraptors. While it may take a lot of suspension of belief, even in a world where dinosaurs have been genetically reproduced, I'm hoping this is a good one.

3. Tomorrowland - May 22nd
I have no idea what this movie is about other than a girl touches a pin and gets transported to a futuristic world. Still, I really want to see this.

4. Fantastic Four - August 7th
I'm really surprised this one made it this high on my list. Everything that I've heard about this movie, from the moment the cast was chosen until the latest trailer released, had me doubting this movie. This still could end up being a complete waste of time, especially considering the late summer release date, but maybe Fox will finally do right with a property other than X-Men.

5. Ant-man - July 17th
Please be good. Please be good. Please be good. Ever since Edgar Wright was removed as director from this film, I have lost interest in this movie. It's an oddball in the MCU, but so was Guardians of the Galaxy. Is this going to be Marvel's first bust in the MCU or another win?

6. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation - July 31st
This looks like a fun spy movie.  MIF meets its match...the Anti-MIF.

7. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. - August 14th
The guy that is Superman and the guy that was supposed to be Batman in a 1960's Cold War spy movie. The Americans and Russians have to join forces to fight a bigger threat.  Even with the late summer release, I'm super excited about this.

8. Pitch Perfect 2 - May 15th
I'm probably losing a lot of credibility by listing this one, but I loved the first movie. Even if this one looks like the same movie, I'm looking forward to it.

9. Mad Max: Fury Road - May 15th
I'm not sure many people under the age of 40 have seen the Mel Gibson originals (Mad Max, The Road Warrior, and Beyond Thunderdome), but hopefully people go see this - the budget is quite a bit higher than the first (375 times higher).

10. Inside Out - June 19th
Disney and Pixar usually provide some good entertainment. I'm hoping that this continues the trend, but seriously, let's see The Incredibles 2.

Honorable Mentions:
Terminator: Genisys - July 1st
The Terminator series needs some new life. Can bringing back Arnold give it what it needs?

Minions - July 10th
Can they make a movie without Gru good?

Poltergeist - May 22nd
Another reboot.  This one may end up giving me just as many nightmares as the original did.

I Might Wait, But I'm Still Interested:
Spy - June 5th

Ted 2 - June 26th

Pixels - July 24th

The Gift - July 31st

Masterminds - August 7th

Let me know what your most anticipated movies of this summer are!


*Marvel Cinematic Universe for the uninitiated

Glorious Godfrey in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice?

I was going to write about the tragedy of the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice trailer leaking in shaky cam, forcing Warner Bros. to launch the teaser trailer several days ahead of schedule and very shortly after Star Wars Episode VII's amazing trailer.  However, what is there to really say about this? Yes, it sucks. The person that did this probably also likes telling people that Dumbledore dies on page 596 of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Was the teaser trailer better than Star Wars' trailer? No. Did it need to be? Also, no. This was a teaser. It was something to get you excited about the movie coming out in a year.  Remember when Star Wars did that back in November, almost a year before Star Wars is set to release?

Now that all of that is said, let's get into the geeky speculation.  First, if you haven't seen the teaser, here it is:

The trailer brings a lot of messages about Superman being a subject of controversy (funny considering some of the controversy surrounding Man of Steel).  You see a statue of Superman spray-painted with "False God." The trailer continues leading up to the epic showdown of Batman and Superman. Granted, after Kryptonians tried to terraform Earth, people may blame it on Superman.  However, he did ultimately save the planet. So, why would so many people hate him?  They obviously loved him enough to build a statue of him.

I've got one answer for you - Glorious Godfrey. I'll save you from reading the entire Wikipedia page.  Glorious Godfrey is the master manipulator of Darkseid, the planet conquering villain thought to be the villain in the Justice League film. Godfrey poses as a tv personality, G. Gordon Godfrey, on Earth in an effort to turn the Earth's population against superheroes.  He does this after Earth's superheroes are attacked by monsters causing major collateral damage.  Ultimately, the goal is to remove Earth's superheroes from the picture, making it easier for Darkseid to take over the Earth.

In the DC Cinematic Universe, Darkseid may see an opportunity.  In the wake of the near destruction of Metropolis, he just needs people to no longer see Superman as a savior honored by monuments. He needs them to see the Man of Steel as a threat they are powerless against.

That's how it starts -
the fever, the rage,
the feeling of powerlessness
that turns good men cruel.

This may even be the cause of Batman and Superman fighting.  Even Batman may prove somewhat susceptible to GG's manipulative powers.

While I don't think that we'll see Darkseid in this movie, I think it's very possible to see something post-credits of Glorious Godfrey reporting to Darkseid (see Avengers post-credit scene of Thanos).

Who might be playing Godfrey?  There is one cast member that I think would make an interesting choice, as he does not have a confirmed role: Callan Mulvey.

Compare his picture to the most recent comic appearance of Glorious Godfrey.

 

Welcome Back!

I've decided to give this blogging thing another try.  Get ready for the nerdier side of movies!