The Mix breaks down what films to see,which to avoid even on DVD
Summer is one of the hottest seasons for new releases, but not everything that hits theaters is worthy of your time and money. Here's a look at the movies you should check out and the ones you shouldn't even bother renting from Redbox.
1. "Moonrise Kingdom"
Everything that Wes Anderson has done so far has been leading up this. In his typical style, the acclaimed director presents an impossibly whimsical story about the realizations surrounding pre-teen love with a brilliant cast acting it out. With a colorful visual style and beautifully conceived cinematography, Anderson takes the audience to a brilliantly realized world with a captivating narrative and brings young talent to the screen. "Moonrise Kingdom" is not only the best film of the summer, but the best film of the year thus far.
2. "Beasts of the Southern Wild"
"Beasts of the Southern Wild" proves that creativity and a sense of imagination still exist in the movie industry today. In a movie about a young girl who is facing her own personal apocalypse, newcomer Quvenzhané Wallis deserves a standing ovation while director Benh Zeitlin makes a promising debut. Narrated through the curious eyes of a six-year-old girl, "Beasts" mixes fable magic with gritty surrealism in story that references multiple socio-economic issues in our country.
3. "Bernie"
Working again with "School of Rock" director Richard Linklater, Jack Black takes a break from his goofball roles and shows us he is above them. In this clever dark comedy based on a true story, Black plays Bernie Tiede, a Texas community leader who murders the town's millionaire widow. Black is an absolute charmer in this role, portraying a man so likable that no one believes he could kill. With the townspeople expressing their fondness toward Bernie, Linklater allows a sweet sense of sincerity to fill the movie. I'm predicting a Golden Globe win for Black.
4. "The Avengers"
Lots and lots of superheroes. That's the basic synopsis for "The Avengers," a movie with the potential to be a major disappointment despite its huge hype. But thanks to director Joss Whedon, it wasn't. Beneath all the explosions and computer effects is a smart superhero film that is every comic book fan's dream come true. "The Avengers" has substance, with a screenplay that expresses a sense of humanity and great direction that reflects Whedon's own comic book love.
5. "The Dark Knight Rises"
"The Dark Knight Rises" may have been a disappointment in the eyes of some, but credit should definitely be given to director Christopher Nolan for what he has accomplished with this trilogy. Nolan has transformed the Batman mythology into a deep franchise that reflects his own philosophizing toward the essence of human nature, politics and sociology. And for "The Dark Knight Rises," it works. The finale to the most thought-provoking superhero trilogy, "The Dark Knight Rises" ends the series on a high note.
1. "That's My Boy"
It's a wonder what went through Adam Sandler's mind when he thought a school teacher seducing an adolescent and getting pregnant would be funny. Sure, Americans love crude, offensive humor, but there's a big difference between offensive and mean-spirited. The movie is just a series of gross-out scenes that don't even demand a chuckle. This is no longer Sandler saying, "I'm trying." This is him saying, "I'm embarrassing myself on purpose."
2. "The Watch"
When there's something strange in your neighborhood, who you gonna call? Well, not the team of Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill in what is the most disappointing comedy of the year so far. "The Watch" was supposed to be a fun, enjoyable film but ended up being a boring misfire in both comedy and sci-fi action. If Vaughn is starring in a movie, it's safe to assume it will be a disappointment.
3. "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter"
Just read the title. Silly, right? Well, that's what it was supposed to be, just a silly film that didn't take itself too seriously. I mean, it's about former president Abraham Lincoln slaying vampires. But don't let the silly title fool you, because the movie takes itself too seriously for such a ridiculous premise. The tone sucked out the potential for a fun film, and Timur Bekmambetov's sluggish direction made things worse.
4. "Battleship"
"Battleship" is basically the "Battle Los Angeles" of this year: you have the aliens invading Earth, overblown special effects and an R&B singer who needs to stick to what's she is good at. With all the action and effects substituting for character development, a strong story and a decent script, Michael Bay could have directed this film. Director Peter Berg relies way too heavily on pretty faces and loud explosions to get the job done.
5. "Rock of Ages"
It's one thing for actors to sing classic rock songs in the privacy of their homes or in a karaoke contest just like everybody else. It's another thing to have to pay money to watch these actors enjoy some "celebrity karaoke" while the rest of us squirm in disgust. "Rock of Ages" not only had a completely generic, boring story line with clichés at every turn, but starred an uninspired pair of young actors (Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta) that gave us nothing to root for. Same goes for the rest of the characters.