A Geek’s Guide to Summer Movies 2015

We took a look at all the movies coming out this summer, and picked out the ones most likely to appeal to geeks like us! How does Josh’s excitement level compare to Violet’s excitement level for each film? Read on to find out!

May 1: Avengers: Age of Ultron

Josh’s Excitement Level: So the first movie on the horizon for Summer 2015 is the big one: Avengers: Age of Ultron. I don’t think anyone needs a description of this movie, since there is so much awareness of this juggernaut. Just in case, Age of Ultron brings several Marvel Cinematic Universe heroes back together to fight Ultron, a robot seemingly the manifestation of Tony Stark trying to make what seems to be a automated police force type of robot. The movie stars Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk, Scarlet Johansson as Black Widow, and several new people are brought in, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Quicksilver, Elizabeth Olson as Scarlet Witch, and James Spader voicing Ultron.

11 out of 10: My excitement meter is in overdrive for this movie. I loved the first Avengers so much, it ranks very high in my all time favorite movie list. I am really hoping that this one takes a little more time with the story, but even if it doesn’t, I will still have a lot of fun watching my favorite comic book heroes taking down the menacing Ultron. This movie is poised to be the biggest box office of all time, so I would be surprised to know if anyone is not excited for this movie. Besides, when was the last time Joss Whedon let us down?

Violet’s Excitement Level:  9. Well, we all know that the first Avengers movie was pretty awesome, and I’ve been anticipating this follow up ever since we saw a clip and a teaser trailer for this film at San Diego Comic-Con last year. Not to mention James Spader as the voice of Ultron?! The only reason this isn’t a 10 is because I feel like recently there’s been a bit of over exposure, showing too much of the movie, and I’ve been trying to avoid anything else that comes out, so as not to ruin my excitement for it.

May 15: Mad Max: Fury Road

Josh’s Excitement Level:  8. So, the original Mad Max movies were not something on my radar growing up. I grew up in the 80s, but never really had an appreciation for these as a kid. I watched the first one recently, Mad Max, and just did not get into it. Having said that, I am a huge fan of Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, both starring in this film. Now, it is hard to say what I think of this film. The trailer really doesn’t tell us a whole lot, aside from that it is going to be epic in scale in terms of action. We know it is post-apocalyptic, water seems scarce, and it’s set in a desert. Mad Max winds up meeting Charlize Theron’s character, and the two will be dealing with some crazy nomads.

Even though I know nothing about the main story, I have been enthralled by the trailers for Fury Road. George Miller, who directed the original trilogy, seems to really like fun action, and knows how to make it intense. After seeing a special sneak peek at WonderCon, my anticipation grew even more. I really can’t wait for this to come out.

Violet’s Excitement Level: 8. I’ve never seen the originals, as they were a little before my time, so this has no nostalgia feeling for me. So I wasn’t all that excited about it when I first heard about the film and saw some footage at SDCC last year. It looked kind of cool, I guess, and it’s post-apocalyptic, which is one of my favorite subgenres, but I wasn’t feeling all that into it. However, when a clip from the movie was shown at WonderCon, I got a glimpse into just how awesome this movie could be, and my excitement level was suddenly raised.

May 22: Tomorrowland

Josh’s Excitement Level: 7. This is another movie that I feel the trailers aren’t giving a lot away in. That is both exciting, but a little worrying too. Tomorrowland is based on the Disneyland “world” that has a futuristic look to it. From the trailers, we see George Clooney play a guy who winds up taking a young girl to “Tomorrowland.” Other than that, we haven’t been given a whole lot of information about what the movie entails.

The movie stars George Clooney and a fairly fresh face Britt Robertson, and is directed by Brad Bird, most notable for The Incredibles and Mission Impossible 4, both very good films. On that basis alone, I am pretty hopeful that this will be a good movie. Disney has been doing things right as well, which only helps this movie’s cause.

Violet’s Excitement Level: 7. This looks like it could be a really fun, intriguing movie. I mean, come on, an alternate universe/world that you can escape to? My only drawbacks are that since it is a family movie, and Disney, it might be a little too “kiddish,” and also I’m not too sure about the lead actress, Britt Robertson. She was on Under the Dome, and I wasn’t too impressed by her on that. But then, it seemed like that show could make anyone look like a bad actor, even Dean Norris, who we know is a great actor by his performance on Breaking Bad. So I’m willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.

May 29: San Andreas

Josh’s Excitement Level: 5. San Andreas is a disaster movie about the San Andreas Fault causing a chain reaction of Earthquakes which devastate California, and the film revolves around Ray (The Rock) who is trying to rescue his family. For me, the Rock is a guilty pleasure. He is in a lot of movies that I have no business enjoying, but for some reason he elevates the movie. I do also have a soft spot for catastrophe movies, but the problem is 2012. I had high hopes for that movie, but it just wasn’t quite as good as I hoped. It wasn’t horrible, but it felt kind of cheesy. Add into that a couple other disaster movies like Knowing and I really start to think about how bad this could be, which is hampering my anticipation for San Andreas. The premise really seems weird, especially when in the trailer, Paul Giamatti’s character (a scientist seen in the trailers) says that the earthquakes will be felt nationwide. I mean, this has to be an absolute worst case scenario, which is getting into the unbelievable territory for me. It could be a lot of fun, though I wouldn’t expect a great story out of the film. The movie is directed by Brad Peyton, who hasn’t really done much but kids movies like Journey 2 and Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty.

Violet’s Excitement Level: 7. Okay, that excitement level might seem a little high compared to, well, most people. But it reminds me of the great disaster films of the 90s, like Independence Day and Armageddon – some of my favorite movies of all time! I must admit that I love disaster films. I even enjoyed 2012, which I don’t think most people would say. Also living in Southern California will add an extra element of fear for me.

June 12: Jurassic World

Josh’s Excitement Level: 8. So, Violet and I re-watched Jurassic Park prepping for the new Jurassic World movie. I hadn’t seen the film in a long time, but it reaffirmed why Steven Spielberg is such a great director. Unfortunately, Spielberg is not coming back for this movie, but Spielberg is an executive producer, and so far the trailers have heightened my excitement for the movie. The film takes place 22 years after events in Jurassic Park, and a new attraction has been opened–with bigger and more terrifying dinosaurs. Of course, to make this movie interesting, something has to go wrong at the park, so I am excited to see what that is, and am very excited to see these new, bigger and badder dinosaurs terrify the park’s attendees.

I do have a couple worries though. The main thing is the story. Who would reopen a park like this after what happened in the first three movies? Who would go to this park? Why would they make even bigger dinosaurs after they trouble they had with a plain ole T-Rex? If the story can answer that for me, I think that the film will go really well. Chris Pratt is starting in this film, and he is on fire lately, elevating anything he is in. It is directed by Colin Trevorrow, who really doesn’t have a whole lot of directing credits yet.

Violet’s Excitement Level: 8. Yes, as a child of the 90s, I was obsessed with Jurassic Park. The sequels, not so much though. It’s really awesome that they’re bringing the franchise back, and thus holds some nostalgia for me. Let’s just hope that this sequel is better than the others.

June 19: Inside Out

Josh’s Excitement Level: 7. When I first heard about this Pixar movie, I thought it sounded pretty lame. I didn’t even think it could be done effectively. For those unfamiliar, Inside Out is basically giving life to people’s emotions in their head, and showing us, the audience, how they affect the main character in the movie, a little girl named Riley. Bill Hader and Amy Poehler are the big names providing voiceovers in the movie, and it is directed by Pete Docter. Pete Docter is best known for Up and Monster’s Inc both excellent Pixar films. My excitement meter didn’t really rake off though until I saw the trailer for the movie. There is a great moment where we see the inside Riley’s father’s head, which was just so funny. That certainly raised my expectations for the movie, and besides–its Pixar. There are few Pixar films I really haven’t liked, so I am hoping that trend continues.

Violet’s Excitement Level: 7.5. Pixar is amazing. They always find a way to appeal to both adults and children at the same time. The trailers for this film look so good! I don’t doubt Pixar’s ability to make yet another great film.

July 1: Terminator: Genisys 

Josh’s Excitement Level: 7.Terminator Genisys Just the title sounds like a terrible rip off of the franchise that is just a money grab from the James Cameron original greats. T-2 is such a great film, I have been dying for a great sequel/continuation of the story, but Rise of the Machines and Salvation was not what I was looking for. Then I heard about this, and the title has “Genisys.” Really? They can’t just use Genesis? Then the trailer came out, and I could not help but be drawn in. Now, I heard the latest trailer has a big spoiler in it. I am avoiding that at all costs so that I do not have it ruined.

Violet Excitement Level: 8. Terminator 2 is one of my favorite movies of all time. T3 was okay, and Terminator: Salvation had so much potential, but was a bit of a disappointment, so I’m hoping this will redeem the franchise. I actually was more excited about it until I saw the first trailer – I suddenly wasn’t so sure about the casting of Emilia Clarke as Sarah Connor when I heard her American accent. But the concept sounds intriguing, and I always love a good timey-wimey movie. Plus, it’ll be awesome to see Matt Smith in action again!

July 10: Self/Less

Josh’s Excitement Level: 6. This movie looks interesting. There’s some big names-Ben Kinglsey and Ryan Reynolds. I only heard bits and pieces about this movie, but it seems pretty interesting. An older man has his consciousness transferred to a new body. From the trailer, it looks like the person’s body that it was before begins to bleed into who this new “invader” is. Could be interesting, but doesn’t seem to be marketed a whole lot yet so it is hard to say. It is directed by Tarsem Singh, probably best known for Mirror Mirror and Immortals, movies I haven’t seen myself.

Violet Excitement Level:  6. I actually hadn’t heard anything about this movie until I was looking up what movies were coming out this summer. It has an interesting premise – a rich guy dying from cancer has his consciousness transferred into the body of a healthy, younger man, played by Ryan Reynolds. It could be good, but like I said, I haven’t really heard anything about it.

July 17: Ant-Man

Josh’s Excitement Level: 9. I really like Paul Rudd. I also really like Michael Douglas. I also really like Marvel. And I like Peyton Reed who directed Yes Man and The Break Up. I think this is a winning combination of cast, crew, direction and production. My favorite types of comedies are those that are blended with another genre, like action, or if it is a “dramedy.” Marvel hasn’t done wrong in a long time. I fully expect this to be a lot of fun. I just hope it isn’t glossed over because it is coming out so close to Avengers 2.

Violet Excitement Level:  8. Another Marvel movie so soon? Alright! Paul Rudd is awesome, and the trailers for this look pretty cool, and funny. I feel like we’ve been waiting for this movie to come out forever, starting way back at San Diego Comic-Con 2012, when Edgar Wright showed us some test footage! Of course, he has since left the project and been replaced by Peyton Reed. But it’s still Marvel, and Marvel hasn’t let me down yet!

July 24: Pixels

Josh’s Excitement Level: 7. When I first heard about this movie, I was at an excitement level of 11. So this movie is about aliens who intercepted a message pertaining to old school arcade games in space, and they decided to weaponize them somehow. Then they come to Earth and unleash these weapons on humanity. We see a group of people, reminding me of Ghostbusters, set out to stop them. It sounds like a lot of fun. Adam Sandler might be on the come-back! Then the trailer came out, and reality set in. Sandler might be gone for good. It basically feels like a mix between Wreck-It Ralph and This Is The End. I am going to keep my hopes up though, because this should hit all of the right nostaglia cords. It is directed by Chris Columbus, best known for some Harry Potter movies and Home Alone… We’ll see. I am crossing my fingers on this one!

Violet Excitement Level:  4. I don’t know about this one… In theory, it sounds good – aliens attack the Earth in the form of classic video games. However, Adam Sandler movies haven’t had a good track record as of late, and the same can be said of Kevin James. Can Peter Dinklage salvage this movie? Not sure if I want to find out.

July 31: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation

Josh’s Excitement Level: 9. Since Mission Impossible 3 I have been drinking the Tom Cruise Kool-Aid. Again. I don’t really want to be a Scientologist, but I like almost all movies he has been in. But 3 and 4 of the franchise were amazing, I can’t imagine this being a drastic change unless something goes terribly wrong. I also like spy type movies, and this one looks like it will be going deep into that.

Violet Excitement Level:  6. I’m pretty sure I have liked every Mission: Impossible movie that has been released. I don’t care how crazy Tom Cruise is, these movies are always entertaining. They’re just not one of my top priorities.

August 7: Fantastic Four

Josh’s Excitement Level: 7. So Fantastic Four is being rebooted, after a terrible outing with the previous two movies. I was not really caring at first. The movie seems to be a different take on the comic character origins, but will still focus on the four people who wind up with various super powers–super stretchy body, super flame-on body, invisible body, and rock body. The nemesis will once again be Dr. Doom, and from the looks of the trailers, will take a much darker tone. Josh Trank is directing, best known for the movie Chronicle, which I really enjoyed. I have high hopes this will be interesting.

Violet Excitement Level:  8. I know the first trailer released wasn’t very popular, but I actually liked it. Then when the second trailer was released, I knew I was definitely all in. It looks like it tells a great origin story in a compelling way, though also includes humor, but not in a corny way. I was a mild fan of the 2005 film, and maybe this is too soon for a reboot, but this looks like it could be awesome.

August 28: Hitman: Agent 47

Josh’s Excitement Level: 3. I am a bit surprised by Violet’s rating. I never played the Hitman video games, and didn’t really care for the first one. I just don’t really care about this franchise unfortunately. I don’t even hate it, I just feel apathetic towards it. It has some good star power though–Rupert Friend from Homeland, Zachary Quinto from Heroes and the new Star Trek movies. Maybe it will surprise me.

Violet Excitement Level:  5. I remember seeing the first one and liking it, but I don’t remember much about it. I guess it wasn’t very memorable. I didn’t really think a sequel was necessary, especially with a different guy. But then, I don’t play the video game upon which Hitman is based, so I have no real attachment to it. This time around, the main character is played by Rupert Friend, who I am a fan of from his performance on Homeland as Peter Quinn, so that raises my interest level just a tad.

September 18: Maze Runner: Scorch Trials

Josh’s Excitement Level: 8. I am shocked at how much I enjoyed the first movie. The trailers really did not do that movie justice. It felt like every other teen/young adult movie out right now. But this one really enthralled me. The main actor, Dylan O’Brien did a great job, and I think that might be a big reason as to why the movie was so good for me. I felt the ending was a little weird, and hope that the next one isn’t them just in another maze. But I definitely will be seeing it so that I get the continuation of the story. I don’t know much about what happens next, but for those who missed the first one, the story revolves around a boy named Thomas who doesn’t have his memory, and wakes up in a walled grove that leads into a maze. In that grove a bunch of young boys have made a Lord of the Flies-esce civilization.

Violet Excitement Level:  7. The first Maze Runner movie was my surprise movie of the summer last year, in that I didn’t have a real desire to see it, but came out of it pleasantly surprised at how good it was and how much I liked it. So much so, that I actually read all of the novels in the series, and loved them. However, the second novel was probably my least favorite of the series (though I still liked it!), so I’m not overly excited. Still looking forward to it though, and seeing the cast back together again, especially Dylan O’Brien, as I was unexpectedly impressed by his performance in the first film.

Which movies are you most excited to see this summer? Let us know in the comments below!