35 Movies You Need To See This Summer

Sex Tape (July 25)

In this star-studded, R-rated comedy, a bored married couple (Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel) decide to spice up their love life by making a sex tape – on their shiny new iPad. Unfortunately, neither truly understands the power of the mystical “cloud,” and it’s not long before their night of passion has been distributed across all the iPads that the pair gave their friends and family members for Christmas. Horrified at the prospect of their dirty deeds being immortalized on the web, the couple sets out to destroy each and every copy of the video.

The red band trailer for Sex Tape has us thinking that the combination of Diaz, Segel and such raunchy subject matter could make the film one of the summer’s biggest comedies, and an excellent supporting cast including Rob Lowe, Rob Corddry, Jack Black and Ellie Kemper is just adding to our excitement. Given the R-rating, there’s a pretty high likelihood that most of the raunchier jokes are being kept out of the previews, and we can’t wait to see just how much Sex Tape is going to push the envelope.

– IF

Lucy (August 8)

The idea of being able to access more of your brain than you currently do, whether it be through the aid of dreams or drugs, has been a bit played out in recent years, so originally, Luc Besson’s Lucy didn’t seem all that appealing. Sure, it’d be cool to see Scarlett Johansson do some wicked smart things, but that isn’t enough to make a movie a must-see. Then the first trailer hit.

The trailer (below) is absolutely awesome, showing this film to be far more than your typical cerebral thriller-turned-action flick. Basically, a woman kidnapped by a mob is implanted with an experimental drug, which leaks into her system, and the superhuman things she’s able to do after the fact transcend both logic and all expectations.

Johansson is evolving into a top-notch action star; Captain America The Winter Solider showed that for sure, but Lucy looks like it could be the sort of film that takes her to the next level. Between the awesome action and her performance, there’s no way you’re going to want to miss out on this one.

– AL

Get On Up (August 1)

Normally, biopics don’t catch our attention, but this movie about the life of James Brown is brimming with potential. Star Chadwick Boseman broke out in a big way last year with Jackie Robinson biopic 42, and he’s now one of Hollywood’s most sought-after young actors, so his presence alone is a big plus for Get On Up. The film’s trailer showcases the actor’s surprisingly strong singing chops, and he’ll certainly be able to supply the soulful gravitas required of such a huge role.

The film also reunites The Help director Tate Taylor with his stars from that acclaimed drama, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer. It’s rare to feel Oscar buzz coming off a movie this early in the year, but Get On Up certainly seems to have the stuff of a major awards contender. Neslan Ellis, Jill Scott, Tika Sumpter, Keith Robinson, Lennie James, James DuMont, Dan Akyroyd , Nick Eversman and Brandon Smith co-star.

– IF