Summer is upon us and so is a plethora of Hollywood blockbusters. With a broad range of films for everyone in all genres, it’s important to know which films have the potential to deliver the entertainment goods and which ones look to merely earn a quick profit. Movie trailers and marketing campaigns have a tendency to deceive the public on the actual quality of a film, which is why GALO has created this straight-shooting guide of best and worst options of what you will surely find in theaters over the course of the next three months. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “The only thing more expensive than education is ignorance.”

Action

Best: The Avengers (May 4)
Director: Joss Whedon
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth
See it because: Since Marvel Studios’ inception in 1996, The Avengers film has been in the making. The production company has spent more than $1 billion on this movie and all the single-character superhero flicks leading up to this. It doesn’t matter if any movie before this wasn’t good; they are betting everything on Joss Whedon’s vision. A comic book fan for life and annual attendee of the world’s biggest geek convention, ComicCon, Whedon understands the stakes. His sci-fi background and sharp, witty approach to dialogue mixed with an all-star cast already familiar with their roles and a bloated budget ensure the ultimate pop-corn blockbuster.
Also check out: The Bourne Legacy

Worst: Battleship (August 18)
Director: Peter Berg
Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Liam Neeson, and Rihanna
Avoid it Because: This year’s substitute for a Transformers movie features an even more preposterous plot than a giant robot trilogy: a fleet of naval ships must stop the invasion of an alien race whose technology is beyond our comprehension. Big explosions may ensue, but a logical screenplay and commendable acting look to be too much to ask for. When standouts of your top-billed cast include this year’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit model of the year (Brooklyn Decker) and a famous pop singer making her acting debut (Rihanna), expect nothing more than mindless eye-candy. And even if lead star Taylor Kitsch assures it won’t disappoint, just remember, his last film was John Carter.
Save more money by skipping: G.I. Joe: Retaliation

Adaptation/Sequel/Remake

Best: The Dark Knight Rises (July 20)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, and Anne Hathaway
See it Because: It is a Christopher Nolan film. It is the conclusion to one of the most highly regarded trilogies of any genre in film history. If more needs to be said, Nolan looks to continue to defy the idea of the traditional superhero movie by exploring such political issues as class warfare and the role of a prominent public figure that divides the opinions of a community. Like David Fincher, he is a director who demands the utmost dedication from his actors and crew, which will be seen in franchise veterans Christian Bale and Gary Oldman, as well as unique spins on familiar characters from Tom Hardy’s Bane and Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman. Though there was worry early on after sneak peeks of the film that Bane’s voice was too muffled to understand, the new trailer vanquishes any of those concerns. This is the movie event of the year.
Also check out: Men in Black III

Worst: Madea’s Witness Protection (June 29)
Director: Tyler Perry
Starring: Tyler Perry, Eugene Levy, and Denise Richards
Avoid it Because: It’s the same old shtick ego-maniac Perry has been doing for years and nothing looks to change. Madea might be a bit more rascally than usual with her new security, but all the physical humor and urban-themed jokes are recycled. Fan or not of the series, this is rental fare at best.
Save more money by skipping: Total Recall

Comedy

Best: The Campaign (August 10)
Director: Jay Roach
Starring: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis and Jason Sudeikis
See it Because: Debuting during the height of this year’s presidential election-run, this satirical comedy looks to take candidate rivalry to extremes. Assuring the film has some credibility is director Jay Roach, who created two of the smartest and entertaining political films for HBO made up of the hanging chad drama Recount and a look inside Sarah Palin’s 2008 woes in Game Change. Add in two of comedy’s biggest stars, the unashamedly ridiculous Will Ferrell and the awkwardly moronic Zach Galifianakis, and it’s hard to go wrong.
Also check out:Ted

Worst: That’s My Boy (June 15)
Director: Sean Anders
Starring: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, and Leighton Meester
Avoid it Because: Looking at Adam Sandler’s recent work, it’s easy to assume that the no longer funny funnyman has become a sellout. His juvenile films full of fart and dick jokes, as well as every cast member being harmed in some amusing way or another, earns him well over $20 million per film. Though Boy is not directed by Sandler’s usual go to director of stupidity Dennis Dugan, Sean Anders’ only other notable credit is the clichéd teenage sex film Sex Drive. America, we do not have to forgive him for the apocalyptically grotesque disaster that was Jack and Jill!
Save more money by skipping: Hit & Run

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