Tempting Tuesday: Three Must-See Summer Movies

We’re talking about summer movies today on Tempting Tuesday. There are quite a few coming out I’d like to see; some will be blockbusters, some critical winners. Here are three I’ve put on my must-see list!

Horrible Bosses

Have you seen the previews for this? If not, here's the trailer. This movie looks hysterical. Starring Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Jennifer Aniston, Keven Spacey, Jamie Foxx, and Colin Farrell, it’s packing an all-star cast.

Bateman, Sudeikis, and Day are three guys sick of their nasty bosses, played by Aniston, Farrell, and Spacey. This looks to be another great comedic turn by Spacey. He plays an egotistical, uptight tyrant who enjoys torturing Bateman. I’m also looking forward to seeing Aniston in this movie, because she’s something other than the girl next door. She’s Day’s boss, a maneating dentist who practically dry-humps Day every chance she gets. And then there’s Farrell. Looking like a redneck used car salesman, he assigns Sudeikis the task of firing people that offend him, including a handicapped man and an obese woman he calls ‘Fat Joanne.’

Bateman, Sudeikis, and Day don’t have the guts to face their tormenters on their own, so guided by Jamie Foxx, they enter into a plot to kill each other’s boss. I’m not quite sure how they justify that, but I want to find out.

They meet with trouble at every turn, and the bosses are formidable targets. With a unique plot, Horrible Bosses looks like it’s utilizing its star power well with all the actors delivering strong comedic performances.

Horrible Bosses opens Friday, July 8. Will you see it?

Cowboys and Aliens

The title alone peaked my interest. Add in Harrison Ford, and I’m hooked. The movie also stars Daniel Craig, Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell, and Paul Dano.

Craig wakes up in the desert with no memory of who he is. He stumbles into a town called Absolution. Controlled by Colonel Dolarhyde (Ford), the town doesn’t like strangers. Ford sets out after Craig, but his plan is interrupted with the arrival of fire-wielding aliens from the sky.

Prisoners are taken during the attack, including Ford’s son. The town bands together and turns to Craig for help. His memory returns in bits and pieces, and he realizes he has information that could save the town from the aliens. I’m assuming this relates to the weird-looking metal wristband he wears.

Olivia Wilde is a bit of a mystery. She’s Craig’s love interest and is eventually revealed to have survived a previous alien attack while the rest of her town was destroyed. I wouldn’t be surprised if she turns out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

What looks cool about this movie is that it’s set in the Old West. As far as I know, that’s a new twist on the whole alien invasion plot. Gunslingers fighting futuristic technology they know nothing about? Bring it on. Of course, the metal device on Craig’s wrist is some sort of weapon, and I have a hunch that once he learns how to use it, he’ll be kicking some alien butt.

Directed by Jon Favereau, Cowboys and Aliens opens July 29. What do you think?


Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Part Two

I’ve saved the best for last. If you haven’t seen the movies, you should so you’re ready to watch this one. Just seeing the last two movies will shortchange you of Rowling’s plotting brilliance. And yes, I think she’s brilliant. Anyone who could create a world like Hogwarts and build her books from a simple mystery to more complex ones as her characters (and main audience) grows is pretty damned smart to me.

Deathly Hallows is the ultimate must-see summer movie, and not just because we get to watch Harry and Voldemort face off, but because it’s the final in a series of movies that have done a remarkable job sticking to the books. There have been ups and downs, but the HP franchise has done a solid job bringing Rowling’s amazing world and characters to life. The last two movies—The Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows, Part 1—were awesome adaptations of two great books. If you’ve not watched Harry Potter, you’re missing out.

I won’t say too much about Part Two as I know there are a lot of people who haven’t read the book. And that’s a shame, because it’s her masterpiece. She weaves her plot and subplots together seamlessly, and after six books of dropping clues, doesn’t disappoint with the final battle.

I will tell you there’s a dragon, deaths, and tears. Bring Kleenex. And not just because of losing some of the characters, but for the bittersweet experience of seeing the last movie. For people like myself, who’ve been watching since The Sorcerer’s Stone, we’ve watched Radcliffe and Co. grow up. They’ve kept their heads in a world of craziness, and it’s kind of like a proud mama watching her babies go off into the real world. I’ll miss seeing them together, and I’ll definitely missing waiting on the next Harry Potter movie.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows opens July 15. Don’t miss this one!

Honorable Mention: Captain America.

I’m not usually big on superheros, but this one looks interesting. Chris Evans stars as a scrawny dude getting his butt kicked. He’s picked by the military to be part of a scientific experiment to create super fighters. He ends up being the only one left and sets out to defend the country. The acting looked strong in this one, and it’s probably going to be one of those action/feel-good movies.

What are your must-see movies this summer?