10 Movies I Want to See This Summer

I just kicked off my summer 2013 movie season this past Tuesday by going to see The Great Gatsby. I'm a huge huge huge book nerd and am completely obsessed with the classics, so I had literally been waiting for this movie ever since I first heard about it over a year ago. Fortunately, I wasn't disappointed, as I have been gushing nonstop about it for the past three days. But it also got me thinking, it had been a while since I had gone to the movies (last movie I saw in theaters was Wreck It Ralph last NOVEMBER!), and I HAVE to change that this summer, which won't be hard since I already know which:

10 Movies I Want to See This Summer

10. Stories We Tell (Release Date: Today! May 17th)

I'm not usually into documentaries, as I often find them to be one-sided and just one person's never-ending rant. This movie, however, has such an interesting plot I just can't resist. Basically, the filmmaker, Sarah Polley, interviews her family members regarding the topic of her mother and how they remember her. She then delves into the subject of the possibility that she was the product of an extramarital affair. I'm interested to see how she pieces together the puzzle, considering that her mother is now deceased so she would have to entirely rely on other people to give her the information she needs. I'm also curious about how this all affects her relationship with the man she grew up thinking was her biological father.

9. Violet & Daisy (Release Date: June 7th)

This is the type of movie that could either be horrible or randomly great. Regardless, I'm intrigued. The film is about two young assassins living in New York City who are suddenly assigned a job that just doesn't feel right. I'm interested because 1. Girl power! Female assassins! and 2. It seems like the movie is also a bit deeper and explores the friendship between the two girls.

8. You're Next (Release Date: August 23rd)

Apparently, this one is already being called 'the next Scream.' The horror genre is probably one of my least favorites, simply because I feel like most horror movies can be enjoyable while at the movie theater, when loud thuds and suddenly-appearing-faces behind the lead character make you jump, but have no real lasting effect on me since they rely so heavily on that element of surprise that is only there upon first viewing. One of my main exceptions to this is one of my favorite scary movies, The Strangers, which genuinely creeps me out no matter how many times I see it. The trailer and plot for You're Next reminds me of The Strangers, a group of masked home invaders coming over to terrorize a family, so I'm curious to see this one, especially because it's getting a lot of love from critics, whereas The Strangers had mixed reviews.

7. Lovelace (Release Date: June 28th)

I would be lying if I said that my #1 girl crush, the gorgeous and extraordinary Amanda Seyfried, isn't the main reason I want to see this movie. Once I get past that, however, I'm thinking this look into porn star Linda Lovelace's infamous career is a must-see. I didn't know too much about Linda Lovelace until Lindsay Lohan was set to play her in another biopic (whatever happened to that anyway?), but any woman who goes from having an enormously successful porn film to becoming an anti-pornography spokesperson must have a very interesting life story. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a trailer out for this yet, but I DO have a clip from the movie which showcases the lovely Miss Seyfried:

6. Fruitvale Station (Release Date: July 16th)

The true story of the tragic shooting of an unarmed man at a train station by a policeman just a few years ago, this movie has been the recipient of critical acclaim after opening in film festivals. Considering that real stories like this are usually swept under the rug, it will be interesting to see how the shooting, which was entirely captured on cell phones by bystanders, will translate onto the big screen, as well as how the victim's back story will be presented.

5. The Kings of Summer (Release Date: May 31st)

There are a couple of reasons to be excited for The Kings of Summer, a comedy about three teens who run away from home and live in a parent-less tree house in the forest. First, who CAN'T relate to this movie at least a little bit? I know *I* wanted to run away a few times during my childhood (how DARE my parents ask me to make my bed? Waaaaaa). Also, it's funny. Just watch the trailer. The Boston Market bit? I'm expecting a light-hearted coming-of-age story with the right amount of quirkiness.

4. Man of Steel (Release Date: June 14th)

I'm more of an independent film type of girl, so superheroes, any type of apocalypse, sequels, and major action movies are just not my cup of tea, and I mostly go to indulge my boyfriend because I love him. Unfortunately, those four categories have kind of taken over the summer 2013 movie season (The Wolverine, World War Z, The Hangover III, Fast & Furious 6). However, my faith in superhero movies has been renewed after recently enjoying The Amazing Spider-Man, and downright LOVING The Dark Knight Rises. I'm hoping Christopher Nolan can make me love Superman as much as I now love Batman, and if the trailer is any indication, that shouldn't be a problem.

3. This is the End (Release Date: June 12th)

As previously mentioned, apocalypse movies are not usually my style, but this comedy looks very promising. The premise alone is hilarious, a group of celebrities including Seth Rogen, Craig Robinson, Jonah Hill, Michael Cera and Rihanna go to James Franco's house for a party, not knowing that an apocalypse is about to occur. Seeing these celebrities playing fictional versions of themselves while trying to survive is a fun twist on the overdone 'the world is coming to an end!' storyline, and Craig Robinson is so funny that I think this one may actually live up to the hype.

2. The Purge (Release Date: June 7th)

One of the most unique plots I've heard of in a while, The Purge takes place in 2022, when during one night out of the year, all crime is legal. Obviously, all hell breaks loose, and the film focuses on one family who, after letting a stranger into their home, becomes a target for the people hunting down the stranger. The trailer is attention-grabbing, to say the least, and a big part of the reason this ranks so high on my list.

1. The Bling Ring (Release Date: June 14th)

Being about a group of valley kids robbing celebrity homes in search of designer bags, shoes and cocaine, this film just screams guilty pleasure. The trailer is funny, scandalous, silly...and all based on a true story! "What did Lindsay say?" is just one of the many memorable quotes from the trailer alone! Also, two words: SOFIA COPPOLA. I absolutely ADORE this woman's movies. Always visually DELICIOUS, I'm excited to see what she does with this one, although I'm sure it'll be another gem!